Prostaglandin-like substances inPropionibacterium acnes. IV. Effect on isolated human vessels

Summary The present study demonstrates a powerful vasoconstrictor activity of prostaglandin-like substances (PLS), extracted fromP. acnes, on human blood vessels. PLS is about equipotent to PGE₂ in its effect on human umbilical vessels, but the contractile response pattern is different. PLS therefore seems to have specific and different physiological characteristics.     

A “SYDE” effect of hierarchical phosphorylation: possible relevance to the cystic fibrosis basic defect

The motif “SYDE”, incorporating the protein kinase CK2 consensus sequence (S-x-x-E) has been found to be phosphorylated at both its serine and tyrosine residues in several proteins. Of special interest is the case of cystic fibrosis Transmembrane-conductance Regulator (CFTR), where this motif is close to the residue (F508), whose deletion is the by far commonest cause of cystic fibrosis. Intriguingly, however, CFTR S511 cannot be phosphorylated by CK2 to any appreciable extent. Using a number of peptide substrates encompassing the CFTR “SYDE” site we have recently shown that: (1) failure of CK2 to phosphorylate the S⁵¹¹YDE motif is due to the presence of Y512; (2) CK2 readily phosphorylates S511 if Y512 is replaced by a phospho-tyrosine; (3) the Src family protein tyrosine kinase Lyn phosphorylates Y512 in a manner that is enhanced by the deletion of F508. These data, in conjunction with the recent observation that by inhibiting CK2 the degradation of F508delCFTR is reduced, lead us to hypothesize that the hierarchical phosphorylation of the motif SYDE by the concerted action of protein tyrosine kinases and CK2 is one of the mechanisms that cooperate to the premature degradation of F508delCFTR.     

Seasonal variations in the fertilizing capacity ofBufo arenarum (Amphibia Anura) spermatozoa

Resumen La capacidad fecundante de los espermatozoides deBufo arenarum decae más rápidamente en verano que en invierno. Ello probablemente sea debido a la presencia, durante el invierno, de factores testiculares de protección.

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This work was supported by a grant from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas de la República Argentina and by the Population Council grant No. 71.68 awarded to the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas to be administered by the Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán.

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The author is most grateful to Dr.F. D. Barbieri for his kind discussion and helpful advice in the course of the present study.     

The importance of extracellular sodium and potassium for acetylcholine-evoked salivary secretion

Zusammenfassung Es wird gezeigt, dass die Speichelsekretionsrate der perfundierten SubmandibulardrÜse der Katze stark von der Natriumkonzentration im Perfusat abhängt. Die Sekretionsrate wird erhöht bei Perfusion mit kaliumfreier Lösung und reduziert während der Perfusion mit Lösungen erhöhter Kaliumkonzentrationen. Es ist möglich, dass ein durch Acetylcholin induzierter Natriumstrom in die Azinarzellen hinein den Sekretions mechanismus aktiviert.

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With the technical assistance of G.Pedersen.     

The importance of extracellular calcium for acetylcholine-evoked salivary secretion

Zusammenfassung 5 min nach Beginn der Perfusion der Submandibularisdrüse der Katze mit einer kalziumfreien Flüssigkeit ist die Acetylcholin-induzierte Sekretionsrate nich reduziert, während dieselbe 5 min nach Einführen einer Na-freien Saccharoselösung blockiert ist. Dies zeigt, dass der Sekretionsprozess nicht durch Einströmen von Ca aus dem Extrazellulär- in den Intrazellulärraum ausgelöst wird.

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The technical assistance ofB. Lynderup andG. Pedersen is gratefully acknowledged.     

Some comparative studies of two alkaline phosphatases fromAspergillus niger

Summary Alkaline phosphatases (ALP I and ALP II), isolated and purified fromAspergillus niger exhibited broad specificity towards a wide variety of substrates, and consistently ALP II was more active than ALP I. It is possible that the difference in levels of activity of the 2 enzymes may be of physiological importance in the mycelia ofA. niger.     

The range of life in amber: significance and implications in DNA studies

A survey of the major fossiliferous amber deposits is provided, including ages and various categories of life forms reported from each. The frequence of occurrence of the major groups of plants and animals in these amber deposits is also given. Thus far, DNA from four insect and one plant species has been extracted from amber fossils. In the case of the stingless bee in Dominican amber, evidence of reproducibility is provided, since two independent laboratories isolated DNA from six or more different specimens of the same insect.Amber sources for DNA studies are listed together with their advantages and disadvantages. The important points are the availability of desired pieces, the proper identification of the fossil, verification of the amber deposit, the cost involved, and the feasibility of causing damage to the specimen. The availability of several types of amber (Mexican, Dominican, Baltic, Chinese, Canadian, Siberian and Lebanese) at four major sources (academic collections, commercial dealers, private collections and amber mines) is discussed. The scientific implications of obtaining DNA from amber inclusions are presented.