Homogeneous interferon-inducing 22K factor is related to endogenous pyrogen and interleukin-1

In vitro stimulation of mononuclear cells from human peripheral blood with mitogens causes the release of factors (monokines and lymphokines) which possess distinct biological activities. One such factor, termed 22K, can induce production of human beta-interferon (HuIFN-beta) in cultured human fibroblasts, thereby rendering these cells resistant to virus infection. Here we report the complete purification and partial sequencing (39 N-terminal amino acids) of this factor, whose relative molecular mass was estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 17,000 (17K). In addition to an antiviral effect, the pure protein exhibits several other biological activities. Most significantly, intravenous (i.v.) injection of the factor in rabbits caused fever and granulopenia at doses of 0.1-1 microgram per kg, effects which we attribute to a monokine called endogenous pyrogen (EP). In vitro, the protein was scored as positive in a LAF (lymphocyte-activating factor) assay at 0.1-1 ng ml-1. LAF and EP are considered to be members of one family of monokines, called interleukin-1 (IL-1). For this reason, and also because the amino-acid sequence of the 22K factor is at least partially homologous to a complementary DNA-derived IL-1 sequence, we postulate that the 22K factor also belongs to the IL-1 family.     

Synaptic connectivity of a local circuit neurone in lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat

Although receptive fields of relay cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat nearly match those of their retinal afferents, only 10-20% of the synapses on these cells derive from the retina and are excitatory. Many more (30-40%) are inhibitory and largely control the gating of retinogeniculate transmission. These inhibitory synapses derive chiefly from two cell types: intrinsic local circuit neurones and cells in the adjacent perigeniculate nucleus. It has been difficult to study the functional organization of these inhibitory pathways; most efforts have relied on indirect approaches. Here we describe the use of direct techniques to study a local circuit neurone by iontophoresing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into it, which completely labels the soma and processes of cells for subsequent light- and electron microscopic analysis. Although the response properties of the labelled cell are virtually indistinguishable from those of many relay cells, its morphology is typical of 'class 3' neurones (see Fig. 1 legend), which are widely believed to be interneurones (but see ref. 12). Here, we refer to the cell as a 'local circuit neurone', which allows for the possibility of a projection axon, rather than as an 'interneurone', a term that commonly excludes a projection axon. We find that the labelled cell has a myelinated axon, but that the axon loses its myelin within 50 microns of the soma and has not yet been traced further. The dendrites of the labelled cell possess presynaptic terminals that act as intrinsic sources of inhibition on geniculate relay cells. We also characterize other morphological aspects of this inhibitory circuitry.     

Recent Advances in the Development of Polymer-supported Phosphines

1 Introduction Recent years have seen a growing use of polymer-supported reagents by organic chemists in traditional solution-phase synthesis.Of the many reagents supported by polymers available, variations of triphenylphosphine are among the most broadly used. This is because triphenylphosphine is not only a reagent in a wide range of organic reactions~([1]), but it also serves as a ligand in many organometallic reagents~([2]).Most importantly, polymer-supported triphenylphosphine affords the…     

中国-东盟自由贸易区框架协议:21世纪中国-东盟关系的新发展

在回顾中国—东盟自由贸易区构建历程的基础上,对中国、东盟各方从中的获益性做出了分析,指出中国—东盟的共同利益将是贸易区发展的推动力。     

Effect of des-Tyr1-gamma-endorphin on serotonin metabolism in rat brain regions

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of des-Tyr1-gamma-endorphin (0.1 and 1.0 microgram) caused a decrease of the serotonin (5-HT) concentration of the hippocampus. The concentration of 5-HIAA and the pargyline-induced alterations in 5-HT and 5-HIAA were not affected. No effects were noticed in other brain regions.     

Changes in plasma levels of metabolites during long-term fasting in the goose]

In fed geese, plasma levels of glucose and alanine were 1.9 g.l-1 and 560 mumol.l-1, respectively. During a long fast (40 days), plasma glucose and alanine were maintained at a high level (1.5-1.8 g.l-1 and 370-540 mumol.l-1, respectively). Plasma level of acetoacetate was very low (40 mumol.l-1); by contrast, plasma level of beta hydroxybutyrate reached very high values (20 mmol.l-1) after about 20 days of fasting, then it decreased. Plasma levels of lactate and pyruvate decreased along the course of the fast, from 2 500 to 2 000 mumol.l-1 and 220 to 170 mumol.l-1, respectively.