Spectral changes resulting from the interaction of some N-alkyl nitrosamines and rat liver microsomes

Summary Dimethyl (DMN) and diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) do not give characteristic spectral changes upon interaction with rat liver microsomes, while dipropyl (DPN) and dibutyl (DBN) nitrosamine cause type I spectral changes. The spectral binding constant is 100 mM for DPN and 1.17 mM for DBN. The maximal spectral change is 3.2×10⁶ and 1.0×10⁶ absorbance units per milligram protein for DPN and DBN respectively.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by Grants AM 13195-07 from the National Institute of Health (USA) and from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (Argentina).     

HCO-3-ATPase activity distribution in rat liver cell fractions prepared by zonal centrifugation.

Plasma membrane sheets prepared by zonal centrifugation of a premicrosomal pellet obtained from a rat liver homogenate are devoid of HCO-3-ATPase activity. Since the microsomal fraction is also lacking in this ATPase activity, it can be concluded that the HCO-3-ATPase is not involved in the secretion of HCO-3 into bile.     

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Alzheimer’s disease: pathophysiological and therapeutic significance

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive and behavioral dysfunction and is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Several studies have implicated molecular and cellular signaling cascades involving the serine-threonine kinase, glycogen synthase kinase β(GSK-3β) in the pathogenesis of AD. GSK-3β may play an important role in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques, the two classical pathological hallmarks of AD. In this review, we discuss the interaction between GSK-3β and several key molecules involved in AD, including the presenilins, amyloid precursor protein, tau, and β-amyloid. We identify the signal transduction pathways involved in the pathogenesis of AD, including Wnt, Notch, and the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway. These may be potential therapeutic targets in AD. Received 19 December 2005; received after revision 24 January 2006; accepted 6 February 2006     

Activity of orotate metabolizing enzyme complex and various urea-cycle enzymes in mutant mice with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

Summary The overall activity of the enzyme complex consisting of orotate phosphoribosyl transferase and orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase, and of various enzymes of the urea cycle, has been studied in sparse-fur (spf) mutant mice with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The enzyme complex has a lower overall activity, which could be caused by disturbed pyrimidine metabolism due to hyperammonemia. Other enzymes of the urea cycle do not show any significant change.Acknowledgments. The research was supported by a grant from the Conseil des Clubs Sociaux and Fondation Justine Lacoste Beaubien, Montréal. The authors wish to thank Ms Louise Poulin and Ms Francine Poisson for technical assistance.     

Intracellular topography of immunoreactive gastrin demonstrated using electron immunocytochemistry

Summary Gastrin (G)-producing cells from the mammalian gastric antrum have been investigated using computer-assisted morphometry and a novel double colloidal gold-labeled-immunoglobulin electron immunocytochemical procedure. Correlation analysis of human antral G-cells indicates (p<0.001) that a single population of granules exists with small (160 nm) electron-dense and large (240 nm) electron-lucent forms representing the extremes. Non-crossreacting region-specific antisera have been used to visualize G-17 and G-34 (progastrin) to the small electron-dense granules and G-17 to the other intermediate forms. From the results we propose a topographic segregation of immunoreactive gastrins within 2 apparently distinct granule subclasses and suggest that this may represent the pathway of granule maturation.     

Aspects of interastrocytic gap junctions in blood-brain barrier in the experimental penumbra area, revealed by transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture

Interastrocytic gap junctions in the blood-brain barrier of the experimental penumbra area were studied in the cat caudate nucleus 1 h after ischemia. Transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture studies revealed only slight changes in gap junctions between astrocytes, indicating that these junctions are very resistant to hypoxia.     

Beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in normal and EBV-transformed lymphocytes

Summary Beta-adrenergic-associated cyclic AMP accumulation was studied in intact lymphocytes before and after transformation with Epstein-Barr virus into immortal cell lines. Although a marked reduction in isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP synthesis was observed in transformed cells, forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was preserved. A parallel loss of¹²⁵-iodocyanopindolol binding sites suggests that the reduction in beta-adrenergic-stimulated AMP synthesis is due to receptor down regulation.     

The role of submandibular glands on extrarenal erythropoietin production

Resumen La extirpación de las glándulas submandibulares en ratas machos nefrectomizadas produjo una marcada disminución en la actividad eritropoyética del plasma, medida por la incorporación de⁵⁹Fe en ratones policitémicos. Este hallazgo es compatible con la formación de eritropoyetina extra renal en esas glándulas salivares.