Possible role for cyclic nucleotides and phosphorylated membrane proteins in postsynaptic actions of neurotransmitters.

The postsynaptic actions of some neurotransmitters may be mediated through cyclic nucleotides and cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphorylation of specific membrane proteins in postsynaptic cells. In addition to providing a molecular basis for the actions of several neurotransmitters and of certain drugs affecting behaviour, the model suggests a mechanism by which neurotransmitter signals may be converted into electrophysiological responses in postsynaptic cells.     

The suppression of mouse spontaneous locomotor activity by the ingestion of deuterium oxide.

The spontaneous locomotor activity of the laboratory mouse is significantly depressed by the ingestion of deuterium oxide. The response, which is reversible, is a retilinear one with up to 70% reduction in activity with the administration of 25% heavy water.     

Pyrogen fever in rabbits pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine or 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine.

The hyperthermic effect of a bacterial pyrogen has been studied in rabbits pretreated or not with p-chlorophenylalanine or 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine. The results obtained indicate that a selective reduction of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine levels by these drugs do not significantly affect pyrogen hypertermia.     

Effect of X-537A on the phosphorylated protein in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

Summary The effect of the antibiotic X-537A on the phosphorylated ATPase (EP) was investigated. The results show that X-537A depresses the level of EP which is dependent on the Ca²⁺ gradient, while the Ca²⁺-independent EP is not affected. Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from the Instituto de Alta Cultura of the Portuguese Ministry of Education (No. CB/2) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.     

Regulation of enzymes of ethanol metabolism in yeast (Rhodotorula gracilis)

Summary The three enzymes of ethanol metabolism alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA synthetase in the obligate aerobic yeastRhodotorula gracilis are repressed by glucose and induced by C₂ metabolic fuels with a regulatory pattern indicating a correlation in the control mechanisms. To try an identification of the molecular signals involved in the transmission of the inducing stimulus, experiments were carried out by blocking with 2 mM pyrazole the ethanol acetaldehyde metabolic step. Results indicate that ethanol is not specifically required as a molecular signal for induction.This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.     

DDT: The degradation of ring-labeled14C-DDT to14CO2 in the rat

Summary Ring fission ofp, p-DDT was studied in the rat following a single oral dose of 0.74 mg/kg (1.04 Ci) of uniformly ring-labeled¹⁴C-DDT. Expired air was passed through a solution of ethanolamine-ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (12) to trap¹⁴CO₂. A total of 1.6% of the radioactivity administered was recovered in the expired air collected continually for 10 days, indicating that while degradation of the phenyl moiety is not a major route pfp, p-DDT metabolism in the rat, it is equal to the urinary excretion. Nevertheless, these results represent the most radical change accomplished in vivo of a residual insecticide yet reported in mammals.Acknowledgment. We acknowledge the secretarial work of Ms.Elaine Smolko. This study was supported by NIH fellowship No. 1 F22 ES01723-01 and No. HL16264.     

Blood plasma investigations by resonance raman spectroscopy: Detection of carotenoid pigments

Summary Using Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrate that low levels of -carotene, lycopene, and xanthophyll give rise to resonance enhanced bands in blood plasma. These results explain the significance of previously unidentified spectral maxima which have been related to the state of health of the blood donor.     

Struktur-Wirkungsbeziehungen beim menschlichen Calcitonin. III. Die biologische Aktivität verkürzter oder an den Kettenenden modifizierter,synthetischer analoger

Summary Assays of 8 synthetic analogues of human calcitonin in rats showed that their hypocalcaemic activity was drastically reduced by deletion of the C-terminal amide group, chain-shortening or opening of the disulphide ring, but unaffected or enhanced by modification of the N-terminal amino group.

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II. vgl.R. Maier, B. Kamber, B. Riniker andW. Rittel, Hormon. Metab. Res.7, 511 (1975).

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Die hier verwendete, abgekürzte Schreibweise für Peptide folgt den Empfehlungen der IUPAC-IUB Kommission für Biochemische Nomenklatur, J.B.C.247, 977 (1972). Weitere Abkürzungen: HCT, Human-Calcitonin; PCT, Schweinecalcitonin; Bmp, -Mercaptopropionsäure (Desaminocystein); NMet, Normethionin (S-Methylcystein); -OMe, Methylester.     

4-Isothiocyanato-4′-nitrodiphenylamine (C9333-Go/CGP 4540) an anthelminthic with an unusual spectrum of activity against intestinal nematodes,filariae and schistosomes

Summary 4-isothiocyanato-4-nitrodiphenylamine was found to possess activity against intestinal nematodes in mice, against schistosomes in various hosts including primates and against two filarial species in the mongolian jird. Upon administration in a single oral dose it is equally effective againstS. haematobium, S. mansoni andS. japonicum.