Starfish saponins. Part 101. Further 24-O-glycosidated steroids from the starfishHacelia attenuata

Summary On the basis of comparative spectral data, the structures of 3 novel steroidal glycosides from the Mediterranean starfishHacelia attenuata have been elucidated as3, 4 and5. These are further examples of a novel group of 24-O-glycosidated steroids recently encountered in the same species and in the Pacific speciesProtoreaster nodosus.Part 9. L. Minale, C. Pizza, R. Riccio and F. Zollo, Experientia39 (1983) 567. This contribution is part of the Progetto Finalizzato Chimica fine e secondaria del C.N.R., Roma.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. K. Nakanishi, Columbia University, New York, for FD-mass spectral analyses, the Centro Interfacoltà di Metodologie Chimico-Fisiche for 270 MHz NMR facilities, and Miss R. Aquino for part of the experimental work.     

The effect of daily evening isoproterenol administration on reproductive organ growth in male rats treated neonatally with testosterone propionate

Summary Daily evening injections of isoproterenol extended the period of high pineal N-acetyltransferase activity and retarded the growth of testes, seminal vesicles and prostate in rats treated neonatally with testosterone propionate.The authors are grateful to Mrs Marie Svobodová for her skillful technical assistance.     

Proteolytic activity on endogeneous substrates in cell-free extracts ofTrypanosoma cruzi

Summary Cell-free extracts ofTrypanosoma cruzi contain proteolytic activity able to degrade endogenous substrates. The activity was maximal at pH 3 to 4, had an optimal temperature of 65°C, and was strongly inhibited by N--p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone.This investigation received financial support from the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, the Fundación Julio Cherny, and the Ministerio de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de la República Argentina. The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr Esteban Bontempi.     

The free radical oxidation of the tetrahydrocannabinols

Summary The free radical oxidation of ¹ and ⁶-tetrahydrocannabinol has been examined by spin trapping techniques and intermediates that would lead to cannabinol have been trapped. The 1st step in the oxidation of ¹-THC involves the removal of 3-H, while for ⁶-THC, either 2-H or 5-H. Intermediates were isolated which could be pyrolysed to the diene and cannabinol.     

Ferredoxin reductase catalyzes styrene oxidation to styrene oxide

Summary The flavoprotein ferredoxin reductase catalyzed the oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide in the presence of NADPH. This reaction was inhibited by the addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase. The addition of the nonheme iron protein ferredoxin partially inhibited styrene oxidation. H₂O₂ was also able to catalyze this reaction when added to the enzyme in the absence of NADPH.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by C.N.R. (National Research Council), Rome, Italy contract No. 79.03197.04.     

Cyclic AMP concentration in the rat's preoptic region

Summary In rats adapted to a 1212 h light-dark (LD) schedule, cyclic AMP concentration in the preoptic region showed a L minimum and D maximum. No significant fluctuations were observed in the parietal cortex.Supported by grant No. 79.01946.04 awarded by the National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.     

The identification of ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) in 3 species of molluscs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Summary Ecdysterone has been identified in the schistosomiasis vectorBiomphalaria glabrata Say and inHelix aspersa Müller as well as inLymmaea stagnalis L. by chromatography, bioassay, radioimmunoassay, derivatization and by mass spectroscopy. Analysis of the food, faeces and hepatopancreas suggest that the sterol is derived from the diet. The probable function of ecdysterone in relation to calcification of the shell is discussed in this paper.We wish to thank Professor P. Karlson and Dr J. Koolman (Phillips University, Marburg-Lahn, FRG) for providing facilities for RIA. The initial study was begun at the University of Sussex and continued at the Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, while D.L.W. was supported by the Ministry of Overseas Development. London and the Medical Research Council of Great Britain (grant G974/525/T). We thank Mr P. Mellon for the mass spectrum and Dr G.B. Russell for his interest in the earlier part of this study. We also thank Professor E. Scherer and Dr Q. Uwe (University of Essen, FRG) for their help in the irradiation ofL. stagnalis.Gauss Str. 82, D-4630 Bochum 5 (Federal Republic of Germany). Research results usingL. stagnalis were submitted for the Philips Europa Wettbewerb für junge Forscher und Erfinder (1979) in a thesis entitled Zur Frage der Existenz von Steroiden und Gonadoliberin bei der Grossen Schlammschnecke (Lymmaea stagnalis L.): ein Beitrag zur Evolution der Insekten- und Wirbeltierhormone.     

Structural transformation reactions of anthocyanins

Summary Spectroscopic evidence shows that the flavylium cation (1) undergoes hydroxylation to form the carbinol base (2) and can also deprotonate to form the anhydro (quinonemethane) bases (3a and3b). The anhydro bases hydrate to the carbinol base. The carbinol base above pH 6, or the ionzed carbinol base (2a), undergoes diring fission to produce the cischalcone (4).The editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed in the authors' brief reports. — Les auteurs sont seuls responsables des opinions exprimées das ces brèves communications. — Für die Kurzmitteilungen ist ausschliesslich der Autor verantwortlich. — Per le brevi comunicazioni è responsabile solo l'autore. — ë . — Solo los autores son responsables de las opiniones expresadas en estas comunicationes breves.Acknowledgment. This research was supported by a grant from the Welch Food Co., Westfield, NY.     

Experimental desquamation of intestinal epithelium for in vivo studies of regeneration

Summary Complete removal of villous as well as upper-crypt epithelium was achieved in vivo by vibration of an intestinal segment using tetraphenylboron sodium (TPB) as a disassociation agent.Acknowledgments. The authors thank Hicol Industrieterrein De Bosschen for supplying TPB. Research was supported by MR-II 1.3.14.p.2 grant.     

Occurrence of Hyp3-bradykinin in methanol extracts of the skin of the South African leptodactylid frogHeleophryne purcelli

Summary Methanol extracts of the skin of the South African amphibians belonging to the genusHeleophryne (H. purcelli purcelli, H. purcelli depressa, H. purcelli orientalis, H. natalensis) contain large amounts (20–500 g/g fresh tissue) of Hyp³-bradykinin.Supported by grants from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy, and from the Ministry of Education, Japan.