Differential sensitivity to tributyltin of cytochrome-containing and cytochrome-deficient cells of Escherichia coli SASX76

The effect of tributyltin (TBT) chloride on the growth of cytochrome-deficient and cytochrome-containing cells of Escherichia coli SASX76 was examined. The former cells were found to be at least 20 times more sensitive to TBT. It is proposed that the differential sensitivity of these two cell types to the biocide, TBT, may be due to a different mode of energy generation by cytochrome-deficient and cytochrome-sufficient cells. In addition to the energy state, the pH change caused by the presence and absence of cytochromes which occurred during growth also resulted in a differential sensitivity of these cells.     

Ringschlußversuche mit halogenierten Naphthalinthioglykolsäuren

Summary It has been found that cyclisation of -halogenated -naphthalene-thioglycolic acids can occur in -position with the elimination of the halogen. The influence of the temperature and of a further substituent (halogen) in the second nucleus are discussed.     

Release of oxidases from the roots of plants

Summary In this paper, we report on the isolation and purification of the oxidase released from the roots ofLactuca sativa seedlings. This is the first time that the release of oxidases from the roots of plants into their rhizosphere has been reported.     

Biosynthesis of 1-alkenes in the defensive secretions ofTribolium confusum (Tenebrionidae); stereochemical implications

Summary The terminally unsaturated hydrocarbons of the defensive secretion ofTribolium confusum are biosynthesized from fatty acids by oxidative decarboxylation. The process involves an enantiospecific cleavage of the C–H bond of thepro-(S) C(3)–H atom and simultaneous decarboxylation of the acid into an 1-alkene and carbon dioxide via ananti-periplanar transition state geometry (anti-elimination). The stereochemistry of this biotranformation is identical in all respects with the same reaction in higher plants. The mechanism seems to be of general importance for the biosynthesis of many vinylic substructures of natural products from oxygen-containing precursors.     

Deficiency of kallikrein-like enzyme activities in cerebral tissue of patients with alzheimer's disease

Summary We examined the changes in the intracerebral activities, at the time of postmortem autopsy, in patients with Alzheimer's disease. When compared with the control group, the activity of kallikrein-like enzyme was significantly decreased, while prolyl endopeptidase activity increased, in the patients group. Aprotinin inhibited 50% of the activity of the former enzyme at 2×10^–7M. Taken together with the results of a multivariate study, the above findings may indicate that intracerebral kallikrein deficiency plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.     

Pyruvate kinase inhibited by L-cysteine as a marker of tumorigenic human urothelial cell lines

Summary It was found that a decrease in electrophoretic mobility of pyruvate kinase (PK) isoenzyme, and an increase of the sensitivity of this enzyme to L-cysteine, were markers of immortalization and tumorigenic properties, respectively, in human urothelial cell lines characterized by different grades of transformation (TGr) in vitro.     

The AA and ANA rat lines, selected for differences in voluntary alcohol consumption

The offspring of rats that voluntarily select larger quantities of alcohol are heavier consumers of alcohol than the offspring of rats that tend to avoid it. Such selective breeding, repeated over many generations, was used to develop the AA (Alko, Alcohol) line of rats which prefer 10% alcohol to water, and the ANA (Alko, Non-Alcohol) line of rats which choose water to the virtual exclusion of alcohol. In addition to demonstrating the likely role of genetic factors in alcohol consumption, these lines have been used to find behavioral, metabolic, and neurochemical correlates of differential alcohol intake. Some of the line differences that have been found involve the reinforcing effects of ethanol, the changes in consumption produced by alcohol deprivation and nutritional factors, the behavioral and adrenal monoamine reactions to mild stress, the development of tolerance, the accumulation of acetaldehyde during ethanol metabolism, and the brain levels of serotonin. It is hoped that these studies will lead to a better understanding of the genetically-determined mechanisms that influence the selection of alcohol.