A new antibacterial agent (U-20,661) isolated from a streptomycete strain

Zusammenfassung Ein neues Antibiotikum, U-20661, wurde aus der Kulturflüssigkeit eines Streptomycetenstammes isoliert, welches in vitro nur gegen grampositive Bakterien wirksam ist. Die Substanz ist extrem cytotoxisch in Gewebekulturen, aber ungiftig für Mäuse.     

A new antibacterial agent produced byStreptomyces sp. Ac6569

Zusammenfassung Ein neues, gegen Bakterien und Pilze wirsames Antibiotikum wurde aus demStreptomyces sp. Ac₆569 in der Form eines amorphen Hydrochlorids isoliert. Die Substanz ist wasserlöslich, aber fast unlöslich in organischen Lösungsmitteln, Schmp. 216–218° (Zersetzung); sie gehört zur Streptothricin-Gruppe der Antibiotika.     

A correlation of release of polypeptide hormones and of immunoreactive neurophysin from isolated rat neurohypophyses

Résumé La stimulation électrique de neurophypophyses de rat in vitro provoque la libération conjointe d'hormones et de neurophysine. Cette observation suggère que la secrétion neurohormonale implique l'extrusion du contenu des granules neurosecrétoires.

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Fellow of the Belgian F.N.R.S.     

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine: A non-cytotoxic hypomethylating agent

The cytotoxic effect caused by the hypomethylating agent S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) was compared with that of two drugs commonly used to induce DNA hypomethylation, 5-azacytidine and 5-aza-2-deocycytidine. Two in vitro cytotoxicity tests, the tetrazolium MTT assay and the intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity test, suggest that SAH induces hypomethylation without causing any cytotoxic effect. We propose the use of SAH as a non-cytotoxic agent which may be more suitable for inducing experimental DNA hypomethylation.     

A novel monoquaternary neuromuscular blocking agent

Résumé Le M&B 15.944 (éthiodide dep-diméthylaminophényl heptyl cétone thiosémicarbazone) est un curarisant dont la brève durée d'action est comparable à celle de la succinylcholine chez divers espèces y compris le singe. Le méchanisme du blocage neuromusculaire provoqué par le M&B 15.944 est compétitif.     

A new peptide coupling agent — phosphonitrilic chloride

Zusammenfassung Phosphonitrilchlorid, dessen Verbindung razemisierungsfrei erfolgt, kann als Reagens zur Synthese von Peptiden verwendet werden.     

The exotoxin ofBacillus thuringiensis: A new C-mitotic agent

Summary Thuringiensin A, an exotoxin fromBacillus thuringiensis, a constituent of the microbial insecticide thuricide has been found to inhibit mitotic spindle, condense and scatter chromosomes. It may therefore be a promizing tool in future cell biological studies.We thank Prof.H. Sharatchandra for facilities. CBSR is a National Associate of the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.     

The absolute configuration of SU 23397: A novel neuroleptic agent

Summary The absolute configuration of a novel chiral neuroleptic agent SU 23397 (I) was determined by ORD comparison of (+)-5-methoxy dihydro coumarilic acid (VIII), a synthetic precursor of SU 23397 (I), with (+)-dihydro coumarilic acid, whose absolute configuration is known⁹. This assignment was confirmed by oxidative degradation of (+)-5-methoxy dihydro coumarilic acidVIII tod-(+)-malic acid.Acknowledgments. We wish to acknowledge and thank Dr J. Karliner, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Ardsley, New York, for the ORD curves. We thank Dr Max Wilhelm for support and encouragement.     

A novel antihypertensive agent: 1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]quinazoline

Zusammenfassung 1,2,3,5-Tetrahydroimidazo(2,1-b)chinazolin wurde als neuer Typ eines bei Tieren gut wirksamen Hypotensivums erkannt. Bei -blockierender Komponente wurde keine orthostatische Hypotonie festgestellt.     

Pancreatic polypeptide: A possible role in the regulation of food intake in the mouse. Hypothesis

Summary Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a recently identified hormone produced by pancreatic endocrine cells. The islets of genetically obese mice (ob/ob, C57 BL/6J), which are suspected to lack a circulating satiety factor, contain relatively few of the PP-producing cells. Administration of bovine pancreatic polypeptide (bPP) reduces food intake and suppresses body weight gain in the hyperphagic obese mice. It is postulated that PP participates in the regulation of food intake in a manner as yet undefined.This work was supported by grant No. 3.553.75 from Swiss National Science Foundation. We thank Mrs M. Eissler and Mr R. Cuche for their valuable help.