Binding capacities of various analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine to protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes

Summary A series of analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, modified mainly in the amino acid portion of the molecule, have been synthesized. All were found to be competitive inhibitors of protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine remains however by far the most effective inhibitor of the methylase.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by a grant of the Fonds National Belge de la Recherche Scientifique and by a grant of the Fonds Emile Defay.     

Binding capacities of various analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine to protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes.

A series of analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, modified mainly in the amino acid portion of the molecule, have been synthesized. All were found to be competitive inhibitors of protein methyltransferase II from human erythrocytes. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine remains however by far the most effective inhibitor of the methylase.     

Galactose-l-phosphate uridyl transferase activity in red cells of various animal species

Summary Monkey red cells were chosen as controls in tests of human red cell galactose-l-phosphate uridyl transferase, after comparing activities and isozyme patterns of the enzyme from several domestic or laboratory-bred species.     

Production of antibodies against synthetic angiotensin II in various animal species

Zusammenfassung Bei Ratten und Kaninchen, jedoch nicht bei Hunden und Katzen, konnten durch wiederholte Injektion von Angiotensin-II-Amid-Carbodiimid-Proteinkomplex in Freund'schem Adjuvans zirkulierende Antikörper gegen Angiotensin erzeugt werden. Durch diese Immunisierung wurde die pressorische Wirkung von exogenem Angiotensin aufgehoben bzw. abgeschwächt, während die von Noradrenalin oder Vasopressin unbeeinflusst blieb. Der Reningehalt der Nieren von Ratten und Kaninchen wurde durch die Immunisierung nicht verändert.     

Rapid characterization and partial purification of various animal amine oxidases

Summary The use of chromatofocusing to obtain a rapid characterization of tissue amine oxidases from various mammals is proposed. This technique yields partially purified enzymes well suited for immunological studies. Chromatofocusing can be also used in a three-step purification of pig kidney diamine oxidase.Acknowledgments. This work has been in part supported by CNR, Special Project Chimica Fine Contract No. 80.02.107.95.     

The antimitotic drug 4,6-dimethyl-2-amino-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-pyrimidine inhibits the nucleoside transport system of cells from various animal species

4,6-dimethyl-2-amino-3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-pyrimidine (B-31) is a pyrimidine derivative previously reported to arrest the mitotic cycle of mammalian cells in metaphase. In the present study it is shown that B-31 also acts as a specific inhibitor of the cellular uptake of nucleosides. The uptake of purinic and pyrimidinic nucleosides is inhibited by 80–90% at concentrations in the range 5–20 μg/ml, whereas those of nucleobases, leucine, choline and glucose are unaltered at the maximum nontoxic dose of B-31 (25 μg/ml). Various mammalian (human, monkey and murine) and avian cell are equally sensitive to the inhibition of nucleoside transport. The antimitotic effect of B-31, by contrast, is species-specific: human cells are the most sensitive whereas monkey and chicken fibroblasts appear resistant to this effect. Both effects can be reversed by removal of B-31 from the medium; inhibition of nucleoside transport can also be reversed by high doses of the nucleosides themselves.     

Potentiation of bradykinin and eledoisin by BPF (bradykinin potentiating factor) fromBothrops jararaca venom

Zusammenfassung Nachweis der pharmakologischen Wirkung des Bradykinins am isolierten Meerschweinchenileum und am deutlichen Blutdruckanstieg bei Hund und Katze nach Vorbehandlung mit BPF (Bradykinin-potenzierender Faktor aus Jararcagift). Unter diesen Bedingungen werden mit Bradykinin gleich intensive Effekte wie mit Eldoisin erhalten.

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This work was aided by research grants from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa and from the Public Health Service, National Institute of Health, Bethesda (Md. USA) (NB. 02953-03).     

Effects of alloxan on orotic acid and glycogen content in various vertebrate species

Summary Alloxan treatment induces a decrease of orotic acid content in various organs of carp, frog, pigeon and rat, parallel to a decrease of liver and muscle glycogen content. Loss of orotic acid and glycogen cannot be prevented by orotic acid and carbamyl phosphate given i.p. Mice, rats and pigeons use up and excrete exogenous orotic acid rapidly, but carps and frogs accumulate it.