A comparison of the effects of the optical isomers of isoproterenol on energy metabolism in a mouse sarcoma

Summary Disturbance to energy production in the S180 sarcoma (CB) by optical isomers of isoproterenol was assessed from altered adenine nucleotide levels at 1 h. The L-isomer almost halved the ATP level and lowered the energy charge significantly; the D-isomer was inactive. Dependence of tumor injury on cytochrome P-450 activity appears unlikely.One of us (GRNJ) thanks the Department of Surgery, Medical School, Kings's College Hospital, London, England, for the provision of experimental facilities; the Institute of Biochemistry, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, FRG, for permitting the measurement of metabolites; the Cancer Research Campaign, London, UK, for a part-time grant; and Zyma GmbH, München, FRG, and the estate of the late Dr Lucie Polak for additional financial support.     

A tale of tails: deciphering the contribution of terminal tails to the biochemical properties of two Dps proteins from Streptomyces coelicolor

Dps proteins are members of an extensive family of proteins that oxidise and deposit iron in the form of ferric oxide, and are also able to bind DNA. Ferroxidation centres are formed at the interface of anti-parallel dimers, which further assemble into dodecameric nanocages with a hollow core where ferric oxide is deposited. Streptomyces coelicolor encodes three Dps-like proteins (DpsA, B and C). Despite sharing the conserved four-helix bundle organisation observed in members of the Dps family, they display significant differences in the length of terminal extensions, or tails. DpsA possess both N- and C-terminal tails of different lengths, and their removal affects quaternary structure assembly to varying degrees. DpsC quaternary structure, on the other hand, is heavily dependent on its N-terminal tail as its removal abolishes correct protein folding. Analysis of the crystal structure of dodecamers from both proteins revealed remarkable differences in the position of tails and interface surface area; and provides insight to explain the differences in biochemical behaviour observed while comparing DpsA and DpsC.     

The correspondence between James Hutton (1726–1797) and James Watt (1736–1819) with two letters from Hutton to George Clerk-Maxwell (1715–1784): Part I

In the collection of Watt's papers at Doldowlod, home of Lord Gibson-Watt, there are seven previously unpublished letters from James Hutton to James Watt, and four letters from Watt to Hutton, also unpublished. The letters were written between 1774 and 1795. Very little of Hutton's other correspondence survives, so these letters add significantly to our knowledge. The earliest letters, together with two letters to George Clerk-Maxwell (in the Scottish Record Office), describe geological tours that Hutton made through Wales, the Midlands, and the south-west of England in 1774. The correspondence after 1774, which will appear in a later edition of Annals of Science, reveals Watt's expertise in geology, and also discusses meteorology, varnish making, Symington's steam engines, the first experiments with steam navigation, pneumatic medicine, and other topics.     

Gene polymorphism in Netherton and common atopic disease.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma are characterized by IgE-mediated atopic (allergic) responses to common proteins (allergens), many of which are proteinases. Loci influencing atopy have been localized to a number of chromosomal regions, including the chromosome 5q31 cytokine cluster. Netherton disease is a rare recessive skin disorder in which atopy is a universal accompaniment. The gene underlying Netherton disease (SPINK5) encodes a 15-domain serine proteinase inhibitor (LEKTI) which is expressed in epithelial and mucosal surfaces and in the thymus. We have identified six coding polymorphisms in SPINK5 (Table 1) and found that a Glu420-->Lys variant shows significant association with atopy and AD in two independent panels of families. Our results implicate a previously unrecognized pathway for the development of common allergic illnesses.