Protein degradation in human T-lymphocytes

Summary Protein from resting or phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, pulse-labeled in vitro for 1 h with³H-leucine, had a half-life of 30 h.     

Visualization of DNA in various phages (T4, χ, T7, ϕ 29) by ethidium bromide epi-fluorescent microscopy

Summary DNA-containing areas in various phages (T4, , T7 and 29) could be observed at the light microscopic level using ethidium bromide epi-fluorescent microscopy. The fluorescent intensity per phage was in linear proportion to the DNA content in each phage.Acknowledgements. This work was supported in part by the grant No. 521708 and No. 511212 from the Japan Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.     

Inhibition of rat liver glutamine synthetase by phosphonic analogues of glutamic acid

Summary Analogues of glutamic acid, -methylglutamic acid and glutamine in which the -or -COOH groups are replaced by PO₃H₂ or P(O)(OH₃)OH functions competitively inhibit rat liver glutamine synthetase. The K₁ values are comparable to or lower than K_M for L-glutamate.This study was supported by grant R.1.9.     

Prostaglandin E2 increases mechanically evoked potentials in the peripheral nerve

Summary Subdermal injections of PGE₂ (5 g) in the rat foot lead to increases in the potentials evoked in sensory nerve branches by the mechanical stimulation of the skin. This sensitization of both A and C fibres complements the previously described hyperalgesic effects of prostaglandins of the E series.     

Preparation and oxygen binding properties of soluble covalent hemoglobin-dextran conjugates

Summary Stroma-free hemoglobin solutions present some drawbacks when used as blood substitutes, essentially because the hemoprotein has a low vascular retention, due to its small hydrodynamic volume. Covalent coupling of the protein with dextran derivatives artificially increases its size and affords polymeric conjugates whose oxygen-binding properties (Barcroft's curve, Hill coefficient) depend on the molecular weight.The authors wish to thank Prof. J. Neel and Prof. C. Vigneron for useful discussions and criticism.     

Polyacetylenes from the spongePetrosia ficiformis found in dark caves

Summary Several high molecular weight polyacetylenes have been isolated from the spongePetrosia ficiformis found in dark caves. These compounds are related to, but different from, the polyacetylenes isolated from the same sponge living in its usual habitat.This work is a part of the Progetto finalizzato per l'Oceanografia e i Fondi Marini, CNR, Roma.The authors thank Mr G. Scognamiglio for the HPLC work, Mr C. Di Pinto for the NMR spectra and Mr G. Villani for the collection of the sponge.     

Occurrence of β-chitin in the cuticle of a Pentastomid Raillietiella gowrii

Summary The purified chitin from the cuticle of a pentastomid was examined by X-ray method. The X-ray photograph discloses that the chitin in question is of -type. Since the arthropod cuticle contains -chitin, it is suggested that Pentastomida may be considered an independent phylum.Thanks are due to Prof. Dr. G. Sundara Rajulu for guidance and encouragement.     

Synthetic identification as a hexapeptide of alpha substance-IB inducing sexual agglutination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

For the identification of a peptidyl principle inducing sexual agglutination in the yeast, 2 supposed hexapeptides (1a, b) were synthesized by the conventional method. The 1a (H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Phe-Pro-Ile-OH) revealed complete identity with the natural peptide in TLC, MS and biological property on agglutination. The 1b showed the sexual agglutinability in the same degree as 1a, though distinct differences were observed in the chemical data. Both 1a and 1b had a strong bitter taste.     

Eye lens development and gamma crystallins in Discoglossus pictus (Anura).

The ontogeny and localization of the gamma crystallins in Discoglossus pictus lens development has been determined. Using antibody specific for amphibian gamma crystallins in the immunofluorescence technique, it was found that gamma crystallins first appear in primary lens fibre cells in the lens rudiment, and continue to be restricted to the fibre area as lens development progresses. Thus the role of gamma crystallins as indicators of a differentiated state remains constant in amphibian evolution, having been demonstrated in the most archaic anuran superfamily, as well as in others more recently evolved.     

In vivo effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin on sulfobromophthalein clearance in the guinea-pig.

In vivo studies indicated that the primary effects of E. coli endotoxin on hepatic clearance of sulfobromophthalein were at the excretory level. Newborns were more sensitive to the LPS than older animals.