Sequence and functional expression of the GABA A receptor shows a ligand-gated receptor super-family

Amino-acid sequences derived from complementary DNAs encoding the alpha- and beta-subunits of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor from bovine brain show homology with other ligand-gated receptor subunits, suggesting that there is a super-family of ion-channel-containing receptors. Co-expression of the in vitro-generated alpha-subunit and beta-subunit RNAs in Xenopus oocytes produces a functional receptor and ion channel with the pharmacological properties characteristic of the GABAA receptor.     

Psychotogenic and hallucinogenic properties of large doses of benactyzine

Zusammenfassung Benactyzin in Dosen 50–200 mg löste bei 7 Versuchspersonen experimentelle Psychose mit gleichzeitiger Herabsetzung von 5-Hydroxyindolylessigsäure im Harn aus. Die psychotogene Wirkung wird mit dem Eingriff in den Serotonin- und Acetylcholinmetabolismus erklärt.     

In vitro effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-naphtylamine (THNA) on succinate oxidation by rat liver homogenates

Riassunto Il consumo di ossigeno e la decolorazione del Bleu di Metilene dovuti all'ossidazione del succinato da parte di omogenati di fegato di ratto, appaiono nettamente aumentati in presenza di-tetraidronaftilammina. Viene prospettata la eventualità che tale sostanza sia in grado di esercitare un'azione attivante «diretta» sul sistema succino-deidrogenasico.     

Evidence for the induction and release of pancreatic folylpolyglutamate hydrolase by the ingestion of folyl polyglutamates in the rat.

Pteroyl polyglutamate hydrolase (folyl conjugase), which hydrolyses the dietary polyglutamyl folates into simple forms prior to absorption, has been shown to be induced in rat pancreas in response to dietary polyglutamyl folates but not by ingestion of synthetic unconjugated folates. Folate absorption, as measured by the rise in serum folate levels after ingestion, of dietary conjugated folates is impaired in pancreatectomised animals whereas absorption of synthetic simple folate is not. A severe build-up of folyl conjugase is observed in the lumen of control but not in pancreatectomised animals after dietary folate ingestion. These results taken together would suggest that dietary folates are hydrolysed to monoglutamyl forms suitable for absorption in the lumen; the hydrolysis is catalysed by a luminal folyl conjugase of pancreatic origin induced by dietary conjugated folates.     

The agar gel-diffusion technique as a method of differentiating mosquito eggs

Zusammenfassung Bei Agargel-Diffusionstechnik zeigenCulex-pipiens-fatigans-Eier mindestens vier deutlich voneinander unterscheidbare Präzipitationslinien, wenn sie mit homologem Antiserum reagierten. Eier vonArmigeres subalbatus, Aedes aegypti undAedes albopictus hingegen zeigten nur eine einzige Linie bei Reaktion mit dem gleichenCulex-Antiserum.     

On the hypoglycemizing effect of metahexamide

Riassunto La Metahexamide, N(3amino-4-metilbenzenesulfonil)N-cicloesilurea, possiede nel ratto e nel coniglio un effetto ipoglicemizzante più narcato rispetto alp-tolilsulfanilbutilurea (D 860). Il nuovo farmaco si dimostra più attivo del D 860 nell'accelerare la scomparsa di glucosio da parte del diaframma isolato di ratto. La Metahexamide si distribuisce rapidamente in tutti gli organi e scompare dal sangue molto lentamente. Il maggiore effetto della Metahexamide, rispetto a composti similari, viene interpretato sulla base di un lento metabolismo e in rapporto all'intenso effetto favorente la metabolizzazione del glucosio a livello periferico.     

5-Methoxy- and 5-hydroxy-indolealkylamines in the skin ofBufo alvarius

Riassunto Gli estratti di pelle diBufo alvarius, rospo delle regioni desertiche del Nord America, contengono, oltre alle consuete 5-idrossiindolalchilamine (5-HT, N-metil-5-HT, bufotenina) enormi quantitativi di derivati 5-metossiindolici, rappresentati soprattutto daO-metilbufotenina. Questa può giungere a costituire fino il 16% del peso delle ghiandole cutanee secche. Si insiste sulla probabile presenza di 5-idrossiindolo-O-metiltransferasi nella pelle diBufo alvarius.

---

---

Supported by a grant from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma.