Binding of 11-cis retinaldehyde to the partially purified cellular retinaldehyde binding protein from bovine retinal pigment epithelium

Summary 11-cis retinaldehyde binding analysis was performed on a bovine retinal pigment epithelium preparation of cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), whose purity degree was estimated as 75%. Equilibrium binding studies were carried out measuring the replacement of tritium-labeled with unlabeled 11-cis retinaldehyde at 25°C. Analysis of the experimental data both by a direct curve-fitting procedure utilizing a non linear least square regression analysis and by a conventional Scatchard plot revealed a single non-interacting binding site with an apparent equilibrium constant of 0.9×10^–7 M.A binding stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of 11-cis retinaldehyde/mol of binding protein can be calculated from the experimental data. Competition studies carried out in the presence of unlabeled trans and cis isomers of Vitamin A derivatives confirm the high degree of specificity of the 11-cis retinaldehyde binding.     

The autooxidation of 2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione under physiological conditions

Summary A radical anion of 2,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione was detected using the EPR technique by complexing with Zn ions. Hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical anion and hydroxyl radical were also detected in the reaction mixture. Kinetic study and product distribution indicated a probable mixed type one- and two-electron transfer mechanism. A possible relationship between the autooxidation process and the biological activity of substituted quinones was suggested.     

Gamete formation reflects the sexual pheromone hierarchy ofDictyostelium giganteum

Summary Sexual development inDictyostelium giganteum begins with the appearance of small, amoeboid gametes that fuse to produce mainly binucleate cells which differentiate into zygote giant cells. The data presented here show that the number of gametes produced by each strain (WS589>WS606>WS607>WS588) is directly related to its position in this hierarchy.This work was supported by a grant (A6807) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Hybridization histochemistry

Summary The location of gene expression by hybridization histochemistry is being applied in many areas of research and diagnosis. The aim of this technique is to detect specific mRNA in cells and tissues by hybridization with a complementary DNA or RNA probe. Requirements for optimal specificity, sensitivity, resolution and speed of detection may not all be encompassed in one simple technique suitable for all applications, thus appropriate procedures should be selected for specific objectives. With reference to published procedures and our own extensive experience, we have evaluated fixatives, probes, labels and other aspects of the technique critical to the preservation and hybridization in situ of mRNA and detection and quantition of hybrids.     

A new semisynthetic ergot peptide alkaloid: DCN 203-922

Summary We report the synthesis, stereochemistry and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of DCN 203-922, a novel ergot alkaloid of the cyclol type, which contains in its peptide moiety the uncommon amino acid L-allo-isoleucine.Part of this paper was reported by this author at the Herbstversammlung der Schweizerischen Chemischen Gesellschaft, Bern, in October 1986.     

A practicable variant of the ion exchange method for the radiometric estimation of ornithine decarboxylase activity

Summary A known ornithine decarboxylase assay working with ion exchang separation of [³H]ornithine and [³H]putrescine has been revised. The assay can be performed in disposable 1.5 ml vessels with a total of four pipetting steps. The separation of enzyme substrate and product, respectively, requires 3 h per 50 samples. The detection limit is about 50 pmoles [³H]putrescine formed.     

Endorcine cells producing regulatory peptides

Summary Recent data on the immunologication of regulatory peptides and related propeptide sequences in endocrine cells and tumours of the gastrointestinal tract pancreas, lung, thyroid, pituitary (ACTH and opioids), adrenals and paraganglia have been revised and discussed. Gastrin, xenopsin, cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin, motilin, secretin, GIP (gastric inhibitory beenrevised and discussed. Gastrin, xenopsin, cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin, motilin, secretin, GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide), neurotensin, glicentin/glucagon-37 and PYY (peptide tyrosine tyrosine) are the main products of gastrointestinal endocrine cells; glucagon, CRF (corticotropin releasing factor), somatostatin, PP (pancreatic polypeptide) and GRF (growth hormone releasing factor), in addition to insulin, are produced in pancreatic islet cells; bombesin-related peptidesare the main markers of pulmonary endocrine cells; calcitonin and CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) occur in thyroid and extrathyroid C cells; ACTH and endorphins in anterior and intermediate lobe pituitary cells, -MSH and CLIP (corticotropoin-like intermediate lobe peptide) in intermediate lobe cells; met- and leu-enkephalins and related peptides in adrenal medullary and paraganglionic cells as well as in some gut (enterochromaffin) cells; NPY (neuropeptide Y) in adrenalin-type adrenal medullary cells, etc.. Both tissue-appropriate and tissue-inappropriate regulatory peptides are produced by endocrine tumours, with inappropriate peptides mostly produced by malignant tumours.     

Effect of chronic ethanol treatment on peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in rat liver and heart

Summary Chronic ethanol administration was shown to increase catalase and acyl-CoA oxidase activities in rat myocardium but did not alter the activity of liver peroxisomal enzymes. As a result of alcohol consumption a 2–3-fold increase in the level of lipid peroxidation was observed in the heart tissue while in the liver the induction was much less pronounced.     

In vitro biosynthesis of juvenile hormone III by the corpora allata ofCalliphora vomitoria and its role in ovarian maturation and sexual receptivity

Summary JH III is the only JH detected by GLC-MS in medium from in vitro incubations of corpora allata of adult females ofCalliphora vomitoria. When corpora allata were removed from females at various times during the reproductive cycle and the JH III produced by the glands in vitro measured by a JH III radioimmunoassay, an increase in the level of synthesis was found to occur before previtellogenesis (0–24 h). A second increase appeared at the onset of vitellogenesis (72–83 h) and continued until the end of vitellogenesis (96 h) and the occurrence of chorionation (120 h). Since sexual receptivity develops with vitellogenesis, the significantly higher levels of JH III biosynthesis in vitro at this time supports a possible role for JH in the acquisitive of receptivity.