Properties and modes of action of specific and non-specific phospholipid transfer proteins

Summary We have described the mode of action of the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP), the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PI-TP) and the non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsL-TP) isolated from bovine and rat tissues. PC-TP and PI-TP specifically bind one phospholipid molecule to be carried between membranes. PC-TP, and most likely PI-TP as well, have independent binding sites for thesn-1- andsn-2-fatty acyl chains. These sites have different properties, which may explain the ability of PC-TP and PI-TP to discriminate between positional phospholipid isomers. nsL-TP, which is identical to sterol carrier protein 2, transfers all common phospholipids, cholesterol and oxysterol derivatives between membranes. This protein is very efficient in mediating a net mass transfer of lipids to lipid-deficient membranes. Models for its mode of action, which is clearly different from that of PC-TP and PI-TP, are presented.     

Are morphactins specific or non-specific blockers of tropisms?

Zusammenfassung Die als Wachstumsinhibitoren bekannten Morphaktine beeinflussen den Geotropismus nicht durch eine Wachstumsdepression: Konzentrationen, die den Geotropismus vonTriticum-Coleoptilen hemmen, fördern deren Streckungswachstum.     

Demonstration of specific and non-specific agglutinogens in the normal bone marrow erythroblasts

Zusammenfassung Es wurde untersucht, ob die Erythroblasten im menschlichen Knochenmark spezifische und unspezifische Antigene, entsprechend den Erythrozyten, besitzen. Diese Eigenschaft wurde auch bei den unreifsten basophilen Erythroblasten beobachtet.     

Role of phospholipid transfer protein in rabbit lung development

A 36-kDa phospholipid transfer protein (PLT-P_R), which preferentially transfers phosphatidyl choline (PC) compared to phosphatidyl inositol (PI), was purified 827-fold from rabbit lung homogenate. Incorporation of cholesterol in unilamellar vesicles reduced the PC transfer activity of PLTP_R. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline uptake by alveolar type II cells was increased in the presence of the protein, and further enhanced in the presence of surfactant liposomes. However, a decrease in uptake was noted with cholesterol in host membranes. Incorporation of PI into host membranes had a low stimulatory effect on the process. All these effects were more pronounced in adult type II cells compared to premature, term and 3-day-old pups. Received 12 September 2001; accepted 11 October 2001     

Highly specific interactions between botulinum neurotoxins and synaptic vesicle proteins

Despite its extreme toxicity, botulinum neurotoxin is widely utilized in low doses as a treatment for several neurological disorders; higher doses cause the neuroparalytic syndrome botulism. The toxin blocks neurotransmitter release by preferentially attaching to pre-synaptic membrane receptors at neuromuscular junctions and subsequently delivering a Zn2+-dependent protease component to presynaptic neuronal cytosol. These highly specialized enzymes exclusively hydrolyze peptide bonds within SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleiamide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins. In this review we discuss the structural basis for botulinum toxin's exquisite specificity for its neuronal cell-surface receptors and intracellular SNARE targets.     

Properties and mechanisms of action of naturally occurring antifungal peptides

Antimicrobial peptides are a vital component of the innate immune system of all eukaryotic organisms and many of these peptides have potent antifungal activity. They have potential application in the control of fungal pathogens that are a serious threat to both human health and food security. Development of antifungal peptides as therapeutics requires an understanding of their mechanism of action on fungal cells. To date, most research on antimicrobial peptides has focused on their activity against bacteria. Several antimicrobial peptides specifically target fungal cells and are not active against bacteria. Others with broader specificity often have different mechanisms of action against bacteria and fungi. This review focuses on the mechanism of action of naturally occurring antifungal peptides from a diverse range of sources including plants, mammals, amphibians, insects, crabs, spiders, and fungi. While antimicrobial peptides were originally proposed to act via membrane permeabilization, the mechanism of antifungal activity for these peptides is generally more complex and often involves entry of the peptide into the cell.     

Similar cytological effects of hydroxylamine and 5-FUDR,agents with different modes of action

Résumé L'hydroxylamine et la 5-fluorodeoxyuridine provoquent des altérations notables dans les chromosomes de méristèmes radiculaires (Vicia etAllium). Ces deux agents empêchent aussi, dans une large mesure la réunion des segments après ruptures des chromosomes. Il est probable que l'hydroxylamine affecte spécifiquement les régions hétérochromatiques.     

Short native antimicrobial peptides and engineered ultrashort lipopeptides: similarities and differences in cell specificities and modes of action

Due to the rapid emergence of resistant microbes to the currently available antibiotics, cationic antimicrobial peptides have attracted considerable interest as a possible new generation of anti-infective compounds. However, low cost development for therapeutic or industrial purposes requires, among other properties, that the peptides will be small and with simple structure. Therefore, considerable research has been devoted to optimizing peptide length combined with a simple design. This review focuses on the similarities and differences in the mode of action and target cell specificity of two families of small peptides: the naturally occurring temporins from the skin of amphibia and the engineered ultrashort lipopeptides. We will also discuss the finding that acylation of cationic peptides results in molecules with a more potent spectrum of activity and a higher resistance to proteolytic degradation. Conjugation of fatty acids to linear native peptide sequences is a powerful strategy to engineer novel successful anti-infective drugs.     

Induction of specific differentiation by samples of proteins and nucleoproteins in the isolated ectoderm ofTriturus-gastrulae

Zusammenfassung Ein Präparat von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenleber induziert im isolierten Ektoderm der jungen Gastrula vonTriturus pyrrhogaster archenzephale und deuterenzephale Strukturen. Die Induktionsfähigkeit des Präparates bleibt unverändert nach der Reinigung durch Ultrazentrifugierung oder nach der Entfernung von Ribonukleinsäure mit Ribonuklease. Anderseits kann die Behandlung des Präparates mit Pepsin und Trypsin die Induktionsfähigkeit progressiv und weitgehend inaktivieren. Mit Präparaten von Ribonukleoproteiden der Meerschweinchenniere werden spino-caudale oder deuterenzephale, aber keine archenzephalen Differenzierungen im Ektoderm ausgelöst. Die Induktion der rumpfmesodermalen Strukturen im Ektoderm durch das Meerschweinchenknochenmark ist mit dem bei pH 4,7 ausfällbaren Anteil der überstehenden Flüssigkeit nach der Ultrazentrifugierung des Extraktes verbunden, und nicht mit der Mikrosomenfraktion, wie das in der Leber und Niere der Fall ist. Die qualitative Veränderung der induktiven Fähigkeiten, die das Knochenmark während der progressiven Hitzebehandlung erfährt, wird analysiert und ihre theoretische Bedeutung kurz diskutiert.     

Masking action of basic proteins on sialic acid carboxyls in epithelial mucins

Riassunto In questo lavoro si è cercato di dimostrare, con mezzi istochimici, che l'acido sialico presente in tessuti di ghiandole mucose e sierose si trova in due forme differenti. Per la maggioranza tale acido è libero ed il suo gruppo carbossilico interagisce con alcuni coloranti cationici. Una piccola quantità di acido neuramminico è, invece, bloccata da proteine basiche e può essere istochimicamente rivelata solo dopo trattamento con enzimi proteolitici.

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This work was supported by research grants (D-1325 and D-1326) from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service.

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On leave of absence from the University of Rome Medical School, Viale Regina Elena 287-A, Roma (Italia).     

The presence of octopamine in the brain ofHelix aspersa and its action on specific snail neurones

Résumé L'octopamine est présente dans le tissue nerveus l'escargot,Helix aspersa. Elle a un effet fortement inhibitoire sur certains neurones. Ces neurones sont aussi sensibles à la dopamine et à la noradrénaline. Le mécanisme possible de l'action de l'octopamine est discuté.     

Immunochemical evidence for the specific binding of putrescine to plasma proteins including fibronectin

Human plasma contains proteins capable of binding 14C putrescine by the action of Ca++ activated transglutaminase. These proteins have molecular weights from 32 to 220 K and above. One of these (with a molecular weight of 220 K) has been identified as fibronectin by the use of an antifibronectin antiserum. Evidence for a protein with a molecular weight identical to that of fibronectin has been obtained on PAGE analysis of the precipitate formed on incubating human serum with antipolyamine antiserum.     

The presence of specific proteins,in the absence of many serum proteins,in the rat seminiferous tubule fluid

Zusammenfassung Die Flüssigkeit in den Hodenkanälchen enthielt mehrere Proteine, die im Serum oder in der Hodenlymphe nicht nachweislich waren. Nur von einigen der Serumproteine waren in der Flüssigkeit der Hodenkanälchen schwache elektrophoretische Bänder zu sehen.

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Supported by a grant from the National Research Council for Medical Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.

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On sabbatical leave from the Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis (California 95616, USA).