Nonspecific esterase activity in monkey thymus lymphocytes; study of distribution in lymphocyte subpopulation

Summary A subpopulation of monkey thymus lymphocytes was investigated by direct nonspecific esterase staining of Erosette forming lymphocytes. Thymus lymphocytes had high nonspecific esterase activity and E-rosette formation, but the level of their in vitro lectin responses was very low. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A2025117 00012     

Structure and stereochemistry of brianolide, a new antiinflammatory diterpenoid from the Okinawan gorgonian Briareum sp.

Brianolide (1), a new antiinflammatory diterpenoid of the briarein class, possessing a beta substituent at C-12 (R), has been isolated from the Okinawan gorgonian Briareum sp. Its structure has been established from spectral data in conjunction with a single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Changes in dopamineβ-hydroxylase activity of monkey plasma with age

Summary Plasma dopamine -hydroxylase activity of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata) increased with age, and the developmental changes were similar to those of human beings. However, the adult level plasma DBH activity of various monkey species was much lower than that of human beings.We thank Dr.K. Nozawa, Dr.O. Takenaka and Mr.T. Shotake (Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University) for their help in collecting monkey blood samples.     

Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase activity in serum of developing rats

Summary After birth, the activity of dopamine--hydroxylase in rat serum increased up to 14 days maximal level and decreased gradully to reach a low level at 42 days which was about 14% of the activity of maximal activity at 14 days.     

Dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary Dopamine--hydroxylase (DBH) activity was higher in the serum, the mesenteric artery and the cerebral cortex of 4-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), and lower in the nucleus tractus solitarii than it was in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).The authors wish to thank Prof. Masao Sano (Nagoya University) for his aid in dissecting the nucleus tractus solitarii and the locus coeruleus.     

Changes of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in developing rat brain

Summary We found X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase activity in rat brain and examined the developmental changes at various ages. The total enzyme activity per brain increased until 4 weeks of age, and then decreased during maturation. Specific activity in young rat brain was higher than that in adult rat brain. The properties of the brain enzyme were different from those of pituitary and other tissues.     

A sensitive and inexpensive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for tyrosine hydroxylase

Summary We describe a highly sensitive assay method for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) using high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric determination. This assay method could be applicable to any tissues with low enzyme activity, such as rat cerebellum. We also describe the kinetic properties of TH in rat cerebral cortex.