Dependence of Ypt1 and Sec4 membrane attachment on Bet2

Many small GTP-binding proteins are synthesized as soluble proteins that are post-translationally modified as a prerequisite for membrane attachment. Ypt1 and Sec4 are homologous Raslike GTP-binding proteins that have been proposed to regulate the specificity of vesicular traffic at different stages of the secretory pathway by cycling on and off membranes. Here we show that BET2, initially identified as a gene required for transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus in yeast, encodes a factor that is needed for the membrane attachment of Ypt1 and Sec4. DNA sequence analysis has revealed that Bet2 is homologous to Dpr1 (Ram1), an essential component of a protein prenyltransferase that modifies Ras, enabling it to attach to membranes. We propose that Bet2 modifies Ypt1 and Sec4 in an analogous manner.     

Immunoglobulins in human fetal sera at different stages of gestation

Zusammenfassung Durch quantitative Immunodiffusion wurde der Gehalt an IgM, IgA und IgG in menschlichen Fötalseren untersucht. Der früheste Zeitpunkt, wo IgA entdeckt wurde, war bei einem prämaturen Embryo, der 41 cm lang war und 1680 g wog. In den Seren von am Termin geborenen Kindern konnte IgA in 37% nachgewiesen werden. IgG wurde in allen untersuchten Seren gefunden.

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Supported by a grant from the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.     

Elektronenoptische Beobachtungen bei Speicherkrankheiten

Summary Ultrastructural changes in spleen and liver in a case ofMorbus Gaucher andNiemann-Pick are discussed.The results are: (1) The Ultrastructure shows a distinct differentiation between the two diseases. (2) It seems that storage begins in mitochondria. (3) In the case ofMorbus Niemann-Pick, all Mitochondria of storage cells show an abnormal ultrastructure (diminuation in size, increased osmiophilia, disorder in the arrangement of cristae and membranes).

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Die Arbeit erscheint ausführlich an anderer Stelle.     

The use of benzylpenicillinacylase fromEscherichia coli in the resolution of some racemicβ-,γ-,δ- andɛ-amino-acids

Summary The enzymatic hydrolysis of N-phenylacetyl derivatives of racemic amino-acids having the chiral centre removed from the usual -position is examined. The reaction is found to have different degrees of stereoselectivity. In the case of -amino-acids and of -aminovaleric acid, both enantiomers can be obtained in good yields and high optical purity. S-directed stereochemical preference was found for all the substrates examined.     

Heart norepinephrine concentration after chronic alcohol ingestion in the rat

Summary The effect of long-term alcohol ingestion on the norepinephrine concentration of the heart was investigated in rats. The alcoholic animals showed a highly significant increase in cardiac norepinephrine concentration as compared with the corresponding controls. It is further suggested that continued exposure to high levels of norepinephrine may play a role in the development of cardiomyopathy in chronic alcoholism.     

Stimulation of the respiration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes by antileucocyte antibodies

Riassunto Gli anticorpi antileucociti provocano una marcata stimolazione della respirazione, rotenone, Antimicina A e cianuro insensibile, ed una aumentata attività del ciclo degli esosomonofosfati nei leucociti di cavia.     

Effect of menadione on the phagocytic activity of guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Riassunto Menadione in vitro inibisce l'attività fagocitaria di leucociti polinucleati in aerobiosi e in anaerobiosi. Vengono riportate prove sperimentali dalle quali risulta che l'effetto del menadione non è in rapporto con l'inibizione della glicolisi o con l'attività di trasporto di elettroni nella ossidazione dei piridinnucleotidi ridotti tramite una DT diaforasi.