Denaturation map of the ribosomal DNA ofLytechinus variegatus sperm

Summary Electron microscopy of the partially heat denatured ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) sperm has demonstrated that it consists of repeating units of 3.6±0.2 m, corresponding to a mol.wt of 7.2±0.4×10⁶. Based on differential denaturability, each repeat unit is divided into 2 regions. The larger region of 2.47±0.11 m (mol.wt 4.9±0.22×10⁶) corresponds in length to the ribosomal precursor RNA of sea urchins and the smaller, GC-rich, subunit of 1.16±0.09 m (mol.wt 2.3±0.18×10⁶) is presumed to contain non-transcribed spacer sequences.Acknowledgments. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr D. P. Costello whose insprration made this work possible. I gratefully acknowledge the valuable advice of Drs D.W. Stafford and M.A. Bleyman.     

A high molecular weight inhibitor of Ca2+ -dependent neutral protease in rat brain.

An endogenous, heat-stable inhibitor of high mol. wt (approximately 3x10(5)) was found to be present in rat brain, which inhibited Ca2+-dependent neutral protease specifically but not due to its binding of Ca2+ in the medium .     

Effect of valinomycin on mitotic activity and ciliary movement during embryonic development]

The K+ ionophore valinomycin very quickly arrests cleavage in sea urchin and mouse eggs at concentrations ranging between 10 and 3 micron. Development of Axolotl and Xenopus eggs is not arrested before the blastula or gastrula stage. The motility of sea urchin sperm, blastulae and gastrulae is suppressed, within a few minutes, by 1-9 micron valinomycin.     

Mechanical parameters determined in dispersed ventricular heart cells

A high-resolution laser diffraction system suitable for studying the basic mechanical properties of small contractile single cells has been developed. This method was used to establish the mechanical behavior of 95 ventricular cells isolated from adult guinea pig hearts. During contraction, the sarcomere length shortened from 1828 +/- 43 nm (mean +/- SD) to 1518 +/- 99 nm. The maximal velocities were 1.98 +/- 0.64 micron/s for shortening and 1.93 +/- 0.54 micron/s for re-lengthening. The twitch duration from 20% shortening to 80% re-lengthening was 622 +/- 120 ms.     

Ultrastructure of gonadotropic cells of the normal eel and after estradiol injection]

Male and female silver eels, in fresh water or sea water, have few gonadotrophs (GTH) poorly differentiated. An oestradiol (E2) treatment induces their development: a well developed Golgi area, abundant secretory granules (200-500 nm), dilated cisterna and large globules 1.2-2.2 micron) are observed. A positive feedback may control gonadotropin synthesis in immature eels. No macroscopic effect is discernible on the gonad.     

Satellite DNA (II) from sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) sperm

When DNA isolated from freshly collected sperm of sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) is centrifuged to equilibrium in CsCl, 2 heavy satellite bands appear beside the main band DNA. Satellite DNA (II) appears in between the main band DNA (rho = 1.695 g/cm3) and the rDNA satellite (rho = 1.722 g/cm3). Satellite DNA (II) has a buoyant density 1.710 g/cm3, corresponding to 50% GC content. It is speculated that the satellite DNA (II), which appears to be of high mol. wt, might contain the sequences complementary to histone mRNA.     

Elastase digested urokinase (ED-UK)

Summary Elastase digested urokinase (ED-UK) was prepared from human high mol. wt urokinase (HMW-UK). It resembled low mol. wt urokinase (LMW-UK) in its mol. wt, specific activity, and active sites. The steady-state kinetic parameters of each enzyme for the activation of human Glu-plasminogen also resembled each other, as did their amidase parameters (with pyro-Glu-Gly-Arg-pNA).     

Elastase digested urokinase (ED-UK)

Elastase digested urokinase (ED-UK) was prepared from human high mol. wt urokinase (HMW-UK). It resembled low mol. wt urokinase (LMW-UK) in its mol. wt, specific activity, and active sites. The steady-state kinetic parameters of each enzyme for the activation of human Glu-plasminogen also resembled each other, as did their amidase parameters (with pyro-Glu-Gly-Arg-pNA).     

The hydrolysis of some L-amino acid-p-nitranilides with the normal and pregnant's serum aminopeptidases

Summary From 4 serum aminopeptidases (2 of pregnant and 2 of nonpregnant women's sera), the placental lysosomal (mol. wt 320,000) splits Lys-NAp only. B-Cys-NAp is hydrolyzed from the both placental enzymes, i.e. lysosomal and microsomal (mol. wt 145.000) AP. Ala-NAp is split by both nonpregnant serum AP more readily than Leu-NAp.     

The hydrolysis of some L-amino acid-p-nitranilides with the normal and pregnant's serum aminopeptidases

From 4 serum aminopeptidases (2 of pregnant and 2 of nonpregnant women's sera), the placental lysosomal (mol. wt 320,000) splits Lys-NAp only. B-Cys-NAp is hydrolyzed from the both placental enzymes, i.e. lysosomal and microsomal (mol. wt 145,000) AP. Ala-NAp is split by both nonpregnant serum AP more readily than Leu-NAp.     

Heterogeneous responses of canine basilar and middle cerebral arteries to serotonin at normal and high CO2 tension.

The responses of basilar arteries (BAs) to serotonin were attenuated by high PCO2 (86 +/- 1 mm Hg) and the pH matched acidotic solution (PCO2 37 +/- 1 mm Hg), whereas the responses of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were not. High PCO2 decreased the basal tone of both arteries, and the changes in basal tone due to high PCO2 were not influenced by 3 x 10(-7) M imipramine, 10(-5) M pargyline or 10(-4) M aspirin. The responses of BAs to serotonin were attenuated by high PCO2 in the presence of imipramine, pargyline and aspirin. The responses of MCAs to serotonin were not influenced by high PCO2 in the presence of pargyline and aspirin, but attenuated by high PCO2 in the presence of imipramine.     

Role of calcium in the histamine release induced by D-galactosamine from rat mast cells

Rat peritoneal mast cells were isolated and purified by differential centrifugation in Ficoll. Cells pooled from three to four rats were suspended at approximately 10(6) cells/ml in a buffered salt solution and incubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C in 300 microliter volumes in the absence or presence (9 X 10(-4) M) of calcium chloride. Addition of D-galactosamine hydrochloride (DGM; 2.8 X 10(-4)M) caused (in addition to basal release) a mean +/- SEM percent histamine release of 15.7 +/- 5.2 in the presence of Ca++ and 19 +/- 4.9 in the absence of Ca++ (p greater than 0.05). It is suggested that D-galactosamine does not require extracellular Ca++ for the release of histamine from the rat mast cell.     

Nickel content of human lymphoblastoid cells cultured in a nickel sulfate-enriched medium]

Nickel is titrated by atomic absorption in nuclear and non-nuclear fractions of cells cultured in media supplemented by nickel sulphate. The living cell percentages are estimated in the same culture conditions. We try to connect the nickel presence in cellular fractions and the living cell percentages. These used cells seem to have mortality probability when nuclear fraction has 55 x 10(-6) of nickel and non-nuclear fraction has 33 x 10(-6) of nickel. We discuss the nickel stimulating effect for the start of DNA synthesis and the nickel penetration into cells.     

Lack of effect of dihydroergotamine on endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation and endothelial cell prostanoid production

The most important effect of dihydroergotamine is venoconstriction, but certain metabolic effects and changes in vessel prostanoid activity have also been suggested. In this study endothelial cell production of 6-keto PGF1 alpha and TxB2 was quantitated in vitro. No evidence of altered prostanoid production was noted after incubation with dihydroergotamine (exposure ranging from 5 x 10(-3) to 5 x 10(-7) g/l). Similarly, no effect of dihydroergotamine on the growth rates of endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells in vitro was documented.     

Structure of victorin C,the major host-selective toxin fromCochliobolus victoriae

Summary The predominant host-selective toxin fromCochliobolus victoriae, victorin C, is a peptide with an apparent mol. wt of 796, representing a cyclic array of the subunits1–6. The structure of the toxin has now been established as in16 through analysis of the degradation products generated by enzymic and non-enzymic partial hydrolysis. The presence of a hydrated aldehydo group requires for victorin C the composition C₃₁H₄₅O₁₃N₆Cl₃ with an amended mol. wt of 814, for which independent experimental support has been secured.     

Specific binding of 3H-progesterone to a plasma protein in the guinea pig fetus]

The presence of a protein that binds specifically and with high affinity to progesterone is found in the plasma of fetal guinea Pig. Progesterone and 5 alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone strongly compete for the 3H-progesterone-protein complex. 5 beta-dihydroxy progesterone, 20 beta-dihydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and synthetic progestagen, R-5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-norpregna-4, 9-diene-3,20 dione), also compete but less intensely. 17-hydroxyprogesterone, aldosterone, cortisol, oestradiol and oestrone have no effect. The 3H-progesterone-protein, complex has an affinity of Kd = 8.8 +/- 3.5 x 10(-10) M and in sucrose density gradient the sedimentation coefficient is 4.6 S.     

Teratogenic effects of cadmium on Bufo arenarum during gastrulation

Developing Bufo arenarum embryos were treated during gastrulation with cadmium chloride in concentrations ranging from 6x10(-7) to 1.5x10(-5)M Cd++ at 20 and 30 degrees C. Initial failures at gastrulation result mainly in axial incurvations, microcephaly, hydropsy and abnormal tail formation. The higher temperature has a dual effect: at high concentrations of Cd early malformations are significantly increased; whereas, at low concentrations the higher temperature prevents alterations.     

Subcellular distribution and binding of heavy metals in the untreated liver of the squid; comparison with data from the livers of cadmium and silver-exposed rats

In natural squid liver, about 30% of the total Cd present was found in the cytosolic fraction. A large portion of this Cd was bound to high molecular weight species (mol. wt greater than 70,000). In contrast to Cd, about 60% of the total Ag occurred in the cytosolic fraction; Ag was bound mainly to low molecular weight species (mol. wt less than 20,000).     

Polypeptides of the lens fibre cell intracellular matrix

Summary The cytoskeletal proteins of the vertebrate lens fibre cell comprise polypeptides ranging in mol.wt from 43,000 to 250,000 daltons. The main intermediate filament polypeptide of the pickerel, Northern frog, chick, bovine, and human lens has a mol.wt of 54,000 daltons. Peptide analysis revealed that the chick 54,000 dalton protein was more similar to the bovine protein than to the pickerel protein.Supported by grants EY 01417 (H. Maisel) and HD-06390 (J.C. Brown, University of Virginia, Charlottesville) from the National Institutes of Health, U.S.P.H.S.