Protein degradation in human T-lymphocytes

Summary Protein from resting or phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, pulse-labeled in vitro for 1 h with³H-leucine, had a half-life of 30 h.     

Visualization of DNA in various phages (T4, χ, T7, ϕ 29) by ethidium bromide epi-fluorescent microscopy

Summary DNA-containing areas in various phages (T4, , T7 and 29) could be observed at the light microscopic level using ethidium bromide epi-fluorescent microscopy. The fluorescent intensity per phage was in linear proportion to the DNA content in each phage.Acknowledgements. This work was supported in part by the grant No. 521708 and No. 511212 from the Japan Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.     

Purification of mouse liver thymidylate synthetase by affinity chromatography using 10-methyl-5,8-dideazafolate as the affinant

Summary Thymidylate synthetase (methylenetetrahydrofolate: 2-deoxyuridine-5-monophosphate C-methyltransferase; EC 2.1.1.45) from neonatal mouse liver has been purified 714-fold by affinity chromatography on aminohexylsepharose bound 10-methyl-5,8-dideazafolate.Supported by grant CA22754, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHEW.     

Prostaglandin E2 increases mechanically evoked potentials in the peripheral nerve

Summary Subdermal injections of PGE₂ (5 g) in the rat foot lead to increases in the potentials evoked in sensory nerve branches by the mechanical stimulation of the skin. This sensitization of both A and C fibres complements the previously described hyperalgesic effects of prostaglandins of the E series.     

Polyacetylenes from the spongePetrosia ficiformis found in dark caves

Summary Several high molecular weight polyacetylenes have been isolated from the spongePetrosia ficiformis found in dark caves. These compounds are related to, but different from, the polyacetylenes isolated from the same sponge living in its usual habitat.This work is a part of the Progetto finalizzato per l'Oceanografia e i Fondi Marini, CNR, Roma.The authors thank Mr G. Scognamiglio for the HPLC work, Mr C. Di Pinto for the NMR spectra and Mr G. Villani for the collection of the sponge.     

Spontaneous maze ambulation in two mouse strains

Summary A simple device is described, which permits us to quantify several parameters of spontaneous behaviour of small animals. Using this device with mice we obtained statistically satisfactory results, showing a strong genetic influence on the behavioural characteristics tested.We wish to thank Mr R. Laplace for technical help, Mr J. P. Arnould for electronic work as well as I.N.S.E.R.M.-SCR 3.     

Occurrence of β-chitin in the cuticle of a Pentastomid Raillietiella gowrii

Summary The purified chitin from the cuticle of a pentastomid was examined by X-ray method. The X-ray photograph discloses that the chitin in question is of -type. Since the arthropod cuticle contains -chitin, it is suggested that Pentastomida may be considered an independent phylum.Thanks are due to Prof. Dr. G. Sundara Rajulu for guidance and encouragement.     

Synthetic identification as a hexapeptide of alpha substance-IB inducing sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

For the identification of a peptidyl principle inducing sexual agglutination in the yeast, 2 supposed hexapeptides (1a, b) were synthesized by the conventional method. The 1a (H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Phe-Pro-Ile-OH) revealed complete identity with the natural peptide in TLC, MS and biological property on agglutination. The 1b showed the sexual agglutinability in the same degree as 1a, though distinct differences were observed in the chemical data. Both 1a and 1b had a strong bitter taste.     

Eye lens development and gamma crystallins in Discoglossus pictus (Anura).

The ontogeny and localization of the gamma crystallins in Discoglossus pictus lens development has been determined. Using antibody specific for amphibian gamma crystallins in the immunofluorescence technique, it was found that gamma crystallins first appear in primary lens fibre cells in the lens rudiment, and continue to be restricted to the fibre area as lens development progresses. Thus the role of gamma crystallins as indicators of a differentiated state remains constant in amphibian evolution, having been demonstrated in the most archaic anuran superfamily, as well as in others more recently evolved.     

In vivo effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin on sulfobromophthalein clearance in the guinea-pig.

In vivo studies indicated that the primary effects of E. coli endotoxin on hepatic clearance of sulfobromophthalein were at the excretory level. Newborns were more sensitive to the LPS than older animals.