Generation of beta-globin by sequence-specific proteolysis of a hybrid protein produced in Escherichia coli

High-level expression of many eukaryotic genes has proved difficult to achieve even when a strong promoter and the ribosome binding sequence from highly expressed Escherichia coli genes have been placed in front of the coding sequences. To overcome this problem, many eukaryotic proteins have been efficiently produced as hybrids after fusion of their genes with a coding sequence of E. coli genes. However, such hybrid proteins are not suitable for functional studies or clinical use unless the authentic protein sequence can be released by specific cleavage. Here, we have inserted the sequence Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg between the 31 amino-terminal residues of lambda cII protein and Val 1 of human beta-globin, and produced this hybrid in high yield in E. coli. We then cleaved the hybrid specifically at the single arginine, using blood coagulation factor Xa and thus liberated the authentic beta-globin chain. As factor Xa is specific for the tetrapeptide Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg, which is rare in protein sequences, our expression/cleavage system is applicable to the efficient production of many eukaryotic proteins.     

Isolation of O-acetyltyrosylvaline from pig neurohypophysis

Zusammenfassung Die Isolierung des PeptidsO-Acetyltyrosylvalin aus Schweins-Hypophyse wurde beschrieben und die Strukturaufklärung mittels Massenspektrometrie des DNP-Peptid-methylesters ermittelt.     

Arousal threshold in the cat as a function of sleep phase and stimulus significance

Résumé Chez le Chat éveillé après conditionnement au moyen de clicks et de lait, les clicks déclenchent le réveil de manière plus efficace qu'en l'absence de conditionnement. Le seuil d'éveil s'est avéré plus bas lors d'un sommeil accompagné d'ondes lentes de haut voltage que pendant le sommeil paradoxal.

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Supported by NSF Grant No. GB 1965.     

Minimum entropy production as a design criterion for breathing

Résumé La production d'entropie associée à la respiration est calculée en fonction d'une ventilation variable. En suite, pour le cas d'un métabolism donné, on évalue la ventilation qui minimise la production d'entropie due au mélange des gaz respirés et à la dissipation d'énergie associée à l'acte respiratoire. Cette ventilation optimum s'accorde avec celle observée pour des taux de métabolismes inférieurs à la consommation de 2 l d'oxygène par min.     

Activity increases quantal size at the frog neuromuscular junction

Summary Two h of nerve stimulation at 10 Hz or of elevated spontaneous release in hypertonic solution increased the size of miniature end-plate potentials (m.e.p.p.'s) and currents at the frog neuromuscular junction, probably by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in a quantum. Increases in quantal size may modulate synaptic transmission.Acknowledgments. Supported by grant 10320 from the NINCDS and by a grant from the MDA. We are grateful to Dr I.S. Cohen for participating in some of the experiments and for helpful criticism, and to Drs C. Clausen and G. Baldo for help with the computer. Some of the results were presented at a meeting of the Physiological Society.     

Photosensitization and feeding deterrence ofEuxoa messoria (Lepidoptera: Noctuiidae) by α-terthienyl,a naturally occurring thiophene from the Asteraceae

Summary Alpha-terthienyl, a phototoxic thiophene derivative from species in the Asteraceae reduced feeding and growth of the phytophagous lepidopteran,Euxoa messoria, when incorporated into artificial diets at a concentration of 100 ppm. The effects of this substance were substantially enhanced by including photosensitizing near-UV radiation in the trials. The results suggest that the phototoxic properties of this secondary substance provide significant protection to the plants containing it.This work was supported by NSERC and Agriculture Canada.     

Spurenelemente einiger schweizerischer Ophiolithe,Radiolarite und Mergel

Summary The trace element content of a few Swiss ophiolites, radiolarian cherts and marls has been determined by means of spectrographic methods.Field observations, microscopical and spectrographical data lead to the conclusion that the colour of green cherts in certain areas is due to the supply of clastic peridotite- and serpentine-particles originating from a syn-temporaneous ultrabasic igneous body.