Purification of an acidic plastocyanin from Microcystis aeruginosa

Plastocyanin and cytochrome c-553 are two functionally equivalent electron carriers in the photosynthetic chain of cyanobacteria. Microcystis aeruginosa, a unicellular cyanobacterium which grows well at a high pH (8.6) and which was not known to possess plastocyanin, has been studied for its ability to synthesize plastocyanin in culture media with and without Cu. In the absence of Cu, an acidic cytochrome c-553 alone was isolated. With the inclusion of 2 microM Cu, cytochrome c-553 synthesis was partially suppressed and an acidic plastocyanin was isolated. A newly developed procedure, using high concentrations of ammonium sulfate to fractionate water-soluble proteins on Sephacryl S-200 was successfully used to isolate and concentrate the plastocyanin, thus allowing it to be further purified to homogeneity. This protein has an isoelectric point of 4.8 which is similar to the pI value reported for other acidic plastocyanins from higher plants and green algae. Its N-terminal sequence of the first 15 amino acids has been determined; 9 of these amino acids are identical to those in the sequence of the basic plastocyanin from Anabaena variabilis.

Comparison of preoperative left ventricular function with postoperative left ventricular response to exercise in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis

The relation between preoperative left ventricular (LV) systolic function at rest and postoperative LV response to exercise was assessed in 13 patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and nine patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Preoperative end-systolic volume index (ESVI) and ejection fraction (EF) determined by LV angiography were compared with postoperative exercise-induced changes of LV fractional shortening (delta %FS) and mean velocity of fiber shortening (delta mVcf) assessed by echocardiography. Preoperative EF and ESVI in 13 patients with AR correlated well with postoperative delta %FS and delta mVcf. Similarly, preoperative EF and ESVI in nine patients with AS correlated well with postoperative delta %FS and delta mVcf. Our study demonstrated that preoperative LV systolic function in AR and AS patients closely reflected postoperative LV response to exercise. Preoperative smaller ESVI will be warranted to expect a favorably good postoperative LV response to exercise.

Monocyte antigen CD14 is a phospholipid anchored membrane protein

A cDNA clone encoding the human monocyte antigen CD14 was isolated by transient expression in COS cells of a cDNA library prepared from phorbol diester-treated HL60 cells. RNA blot analysis showed abundant expression of a single mRNA species in mature monocytes and an increased expression of the mRNA following induction of differentiation in leukemic cell lines. The DNA blot hybridization pattern was consistent with a single-copy gene. The predicted amino acid sequence lacks the characteristic transmembrane domain and stop transfer motif of conventionally anchored membrane proteins. COS cells transfected with the CD14 cDNA released virtually all CD14 protein in soluble form following treatment with glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, and CD14 immunoreactivity was absent from the affected monocytes of a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The data show that, to the limit of experimental sensitivity, all monocyte CD14 is joined to the plasma membrane by a phosphatidylinositol phospholipid.

Effects of the NMDA antagonists CPP and MK-801 on delayed conditional discrimination

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor/channel antagonists have previously been shown to impair spatial working memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation. The present experiment investigated the effects of a variety of doses of NMDA antagonists on a working memory task in rats involving an auditory delayed conditional discrimination. Signal detection analysis and an exponential memory decay model were used to extract independent measures of stimulus discriminability and rate of forgetting. A competitive NMDA antagonist, (CPP, 0.33, 1.0, 10.0 mg/kg, IP) produced a reduction in discriminability which was linearly related to log dose, but which was only clear at the 10 mg/kg dose. Rate of forgetting was not increased by any dose. Similar results were obtained with a non-competitive antagonist (MK-801, 0.1, 0.33 mg/kg, IP). These data suggest that doses of NMDA receptor channel antagonists sufficient to disrupt hippocampal long-term potentiation and radial arm maze performance will also disrupt delayed conditional discrimination. The effect on delayed conditional discrimination is due to a disruption of stimulus discriminability and not to an increased rate of forgetting. The extent to which these effects relate to the reported changes in hippocampal long-term potentiation and radial arm maze performance remains to be determined.

Interactions of purified transcription factors: binding of yeast MAT alpha 1 and PRTF to cell type-specific, upstream activating sequences

Pheromone receptor transcription factor (PRTF) and MAT alpha 1 are protein transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of the alpha-specific genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have expressed MAT alpha 1 as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified it from inclusion bodies in milligram quantities. The MAT alpha 1 protein was obtained after specific cleavage of the fusion protein. Quantitative band shift electrophoresis was used to determine the equilibrium dissociation constants that describe the multicomponent binding equilibrium between the PRTF and MAT alpha 1 proteins, and alpha-specific STE3 upstream activating sequence (UAS) DNA. The dissociation constant for the complex of PRTF and the a-specific UAS of STE2 was also measured and found to be 5.9 X 10(-11) M, only three times less than that for the PRTF-STE3 UAS complex. Analyses of these complexes by DNase I footprinting demonstrate that the PRTF binding site is confined to the palindromic P-box sequence in the case of the STE3 UAS, but extends symmetrically from this central region to cover 28 bp for the STE2 UAS. When MAT alpha 1 is bound to the PRTF-STE3 complex, the region of DNA protected is enlarged to that seen for the PRTF-STE2 complex. Our results using these two purified factors in vitro suggest that PRTF has nearly the same affinity for a- and alpha-specific UAS elements and that transcriptional activation requires a particular conformational state for the PRTF-DNA complex which occurs in the PRTF-STE2 and MAT alpha 1-PRTF-STE3 complexes, but not in the PRTF-STE3 complex.

Isolation of water-soluble cytochromes from cyanobacteria by adsorption chromatography

A simple procedure using ammonium sulfate to fractionate water-soluble cytochromes c553 and c550 on Sephacryl S-200 gel is described. The usefulness of this procedure has been studied using the crude extracts of mesophilic cyanobacteria. It was found that almost all the cytochromes were adsorbed on to the gel at 2.34 M ammonium sulfate and were eluted at decreasing salt concentrations. The cytochromes were free of interfering phycobiliproteins and thus were suitable for the study of isoelectric points. It was also found that this procedure allowed a clear separation of the cytochromes based on their hydrophobicities. The order of elution was cytochrome c553, then cytochrome c550, indicating that c550 is more hydrophobic than c553. All these results show that this procedure provides both a simplified and an efficient purification of the cytochromes and insight into their surface properties. The cytochromes of Microcystis aeruginosa were purified to homogeneity using this procedure and other existing ones. Homogeneous cytochromes c553 and c550 were chromatographed on Sephacryl S-200 at 1.75 M (NH4)2SO4 and found to elute in the same order as reported earlier for the cytochromes in the crude extracts. In addition, cytochrome c550 was found to be more heat resistant and less water soluble than cytochrome c553.

Effect of low- and high-fat intakes on the hormonal milieu of premenopausal women

To compare the influence of low- and high-fat diets on hormone metabolism, we studied six premenopausal women over two complete menstrual cycles. After an initial 7-10 d dietary adjustment subjects were randomly assigned to either low- (25% of calories) or high-fat (46% of calories) diets. The diets were isocaloric and similar in proportions of protein, polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio, fiber, and cholesterol. All subjects completed both diets in a crossover experimental design. Fasting blood and 24-h urine samples were collected every other day. No significant differences in plasma luteinizing hormone, progesterone, prolactin, estrone (E1), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) or in urinary E1, E2, and estriol were observed. Prolactin secretion in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation was also unchanged. Dietary fat may influence breast-cancer incidence by modulating the hormonal environment; however, an increase in short-term fat intake from 28 to 51 g/1000 kcal did not lead to substantial differences in the hormonal milieu.

[Behavior of left ventricular filling after left ventricular aneurysmectomy: evaluation by pulsed Doppler echocardiography]

The pattern of diastolic flow velocity was studied using pulsed Doppler echocardiography to evaluate postoperative left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients who underwent left ventricular aneurysmectomy. This study involved 16 patients who experienced ischemic heart disease from January 1985 to April 1986. The patients were categorized in two groups; the aneurysm group comprised by seven patients undergoing aneurysmectomy, and the bypass group which included nine patients undergoing only coronary artery bypass grafting. Pulsed Doppler studies were performed five to 22 days before, and at an average of 12 days after surgery. Preoperative cardiac catheterization and cineangiography were performed and, myocardial infarct size was estimated by the Wagner's method. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, LV filling dynamics were assessed by the peak velocity in the rapid filling phase (R), the peak velocity in the atrial contraction phase (A), and the ratio of A to R (A/R ratio) of the mitral flow velocity pattern. All data were average in five consecutive beats. 1. The estimated myocardial infarct size (%MI) in both groups before surgery was 38.5% in the aneurysm group and 32.5% in the bypass group, and there was no significant difference between these groups. 2. The preoperative cardiac index (2.9 in the aneurysm group vs 2.8 1/min/m2 in the bypass group), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (16.1 vs 17.3 mmHg), and left ventricular ejection fraction (0.43 vs 0.36) were not significantly different between the two groups. 3. The preoperative A/R ratio was 1.5 in the aneurysm group and this was significantly higher than that of the bypass group (1.2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluorescence light microscopy of F-actin in retinal rods and glial cells

The actin cytoskeleton of rod photoreceptors and glial cells in toad retina has been directly viewed using fluorescence microscopy of cells labeled with a potent phallotoxin that specifically binds to F-actin. The three-dimensional organization of this cytoskeletal protein consists of actin filaments, which course through the inner segment and end at the tips of the calycal processes surrounding the base of the outer segment. A transverse layer of actin staining is also observed at the base of rod outer segments in the region where new discs are formed. At the level of the external limiting membrane, evidence has been found for rings of actin within the glial cells that surround the photoreceptors. These actin rings form a structural meshwork in which photoreceptor cells are embedded.

Effects of high-calcium and/or high-sodium diet on basal and angiotensin II-stimulated blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Direct conscious blood pressure (BP) was measured via indwelling femoral cannula to evaluate the effects of chronic diet supplements with Na, Ca or both, offered to 3-week-old weanling spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Despite similar food intakes, body weights were reduced within 1-2 weeks on high-Ca diets. Blood pressure was unchanged by 5.5 weeks of diet treatments. However, irrespective of concomitant Na supplement, more prolonged treatment with the high-Ca diet completely abolished the further increase in BP between the 9th and 12th weeks of age, which was noted in the rats fed the normal or high-Na diets. Angiotensin-stimulated BP was attenuated by high-Ca diets regardless of diet Na, similar to basal readings. These weight and pressure effects of Ca were not reproduced by high-Na diet alone. For all four groups, BP was directly and significantly correlated with body weight, both at 9 and 12 weeks of age. These studies demonstrate the potential role of growth retardation in the antihypertensive action of oral Ca loading in young rats.

Epitopic mapping of structural and nonstructural Aleutian disease virus proteins

Common antigenic properties for p85 and p75 but a different antigenic character for p71 Aleutian disease virus (ADV) proteins were demonstrated by Western blot analysis with monoclonal antibodies. It was shown that four hybridomas (ADV-Hy 47, 66, 77 and 84) with specific reactivity for structural proteins p85 and p75 also recognized p25 but not the p71, nonstructural, protein. In turn, the monoclonal antibody ADV-Hy 2 recognized the p71 protein only. For further studies of their antigenic properties, the ADV proteins were subjected to enzymatic or chemical cleavage. The derived peptide fragments were analyzed by epitopic mapping. Depending on the cleavage reagent and monoclonal antibody applied, specific peptide maps were revealed. The maps of p85 and p75 were very similar, indicating that both proteins shared an extensive antigenic relationship. After cleavage with alpha-chymotrypsin and N-chlorosuccinimide and by using the ADV-Hy 84 monoclonal antibody, unique peptide fragments were identified with p85 which had no counterparts in p75 fragments.

Comparative studies of prostaglandin E2, phenylisopropyladenosine, clonidine and propranolol on lipolysis stimulated by methylisobutylxanthine and isoprenaline in hamster fat cells

The antilipolytic effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), clonidine (alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist) and propranolol (beta- adrenoceptor antagonist) on lipolysis stimulated by methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) (2 x 10(-4)M) and isoprenaline (5 x 10(-7)M) were compared in hamster fat cells. PGE2, PIA and clonidine inhibited markedly lipolysis stimulated by MIX, and slightly that stimulated by isoprenaline. Whilst propranolol inhibited markedly lipolysis stimulated by isoprenaline and slightly that stimulated by MIX. These results indicate that the inhibitory activity of PGE2, adenosine and alpha-2-adrenergic receptor stimulation depends upon the presence of MIX, whereas that of the beta-adrenoceptor blockade does not.

Prostaglandins, alpha-adrenergic receptors and lipolysis in hamster fat cells

In hamster fat cells, PGE2, PGI1 and clonidine (alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist) were shown to inhibit markedly lipolysis stimulated by methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) (2 X 10(-4) M) and slightly that provoked by isoprenaline (5 X 10(-7) M). The similar inhibitory actions of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine and PGE2 on lipolysis stimulated by MIX led us to examine possible reversal of the antilipolytic effect of PGE2 by yohimbine (alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist). However, the absence of an effect of yohimbine on PGE2, antilipolytic action indicated that the PGE2 receptor was different from the alpha 2-adrenoceptor of hamster fat cells. In these studies, PGE2 was shown to be a more potent antilipolytic agent that PGI2 (IC50 values 2 X 10(-9) and greater than 10(-4) M respectively).

Comparative effects of RX 781094, mianserin, yohimbine, rauwolscine and prazosin in reversing clonidine inhibition of MIX-stimulated lipolysis in hamster isolated white fat cells

Different alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists: RX 781094, yohimbine and rauwolscine (selective alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists); mianserin (tetracyclic anti-depressant, antagonist at alpha 2-presynaptic autoreceptors) and prazosin (selective alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist) were used at concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-4) M, to reverse clonidine inhibition of MIX-stimulated lipolysis in the hamster fat cell. In this adipose tissue (like human but unlike rat) there co-exist prolipolytic beta-adrenoceptors and antilipolytic alpha-adrenoceptors. Although no effects were observed with prazosin, RX 781094 was ten times more potent than yohimbine or its isomer rauwolscine in reversing clonidine inhibition of the MIX-stimulated lipolysis. Mianserin was an effective blocker only from a concentration of 10(-4) M, consistent with its relative lack of specificity for alpha 2-adrenoceptors cited elsewhere. Overall these results confirm the utility of this model for testing compounds presumed to act at alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Anti-lipolytic action of prazosin in hamster fat cells

Using isolated white fat cells of the hamster, we studied the possible inhibitory effects on lipolysis of the preferentially selective alpha-1-adrenoceptor blocking and anti-hypertensive agent prazosin. Parallel studies were undertaken with the preferentially alpha-2-adrenoceptor blocking agent yohimbine. Neither of the compounds had any significant effects on basal (non-stimulated) lipolysis. When lipolysis was stimulated by noradrenaline or isoprenaline, however, prazosin showed significant anti-lipolytic effects from a concentration of 10(-6) M. Lipolysis stimulated by methylisobutylxanthine was antagonized by prazosin only at a concentration of 10(-4) M, and dibutyrylcyclic adenosine 3'5' monophosphate-stimulated lipolysis was not inhibited at all. It is suggested that prazosin inhibits lipolysis by preventing adenyl cyclase activation by an indirect mechanism not identifiable with an alpha-2-adrenergic function but associated possibly with the formation of a local inhibitory mediator. These observations are compatible with a reduction of the outflow of free fatty acids from adipose stores in patients undergoing prazosin therapy and thus a breaking of the "vicious circle" leading to elevated plasma lipoproteins and may explain, in part at least, the reduction in plasma lipid levels observed during prazosin treatment in man.

Application of agents active at the alpha 2-adrenoceptor of fat cells to the treatment of obesity--a critical appraisal

The extent of cyclic AMP (cAMP) mediated lipolysis in adipose tissue cells of man and several other animal species is regulated by the interplay of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors modulating adenyl cyclase activity. Although the naturally-occurring catecholamines, and isoprenaline, are thought to act at the same pro-lipolytic beta-adrenoceptor antilipolytic agents, working through the alpha 2-adrenoceptor moiety of adenyl cyclase, appear to act at separate sites for: true alpha 2-agonists such as clonidine, for adenosine and for prostaglandins. Further, such antilipolytic agents are conspicuously more potent against lipolysis stimulated by methyl-isobutylxanthine (MIX) than against that stimulated by catecholamines. The nature of the dual character of adenyl cyclase remains to be elucidated. alpha 2 Adrenoceptor antagonists which promote lipolysis, and may possibly serve a therapeutic role in the treatment of obesity, may also provoke inappropriate insulin release which is contraindicated. Thus a problem in chemotherapy exists which may be resolved by new agents with differential tissue specificities. An example of this chemotherapeutic dilemma is possibly provided by the body weight accruing actions of tricyclic antidepressant compounds whose mechanism of action involves also (central) alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Characterization of the beta-adrenoceptor of the adipose cell of the rat

The dose-response curves of the beta-adrenergic agonists isoprenaline (mixed beta 1 and beta 2), prenalterol (beta 1-selective), noradrenaline (more beta 1 than beta 2) and salbutamol (beta 2-selective) were studied on adipose cells of the rat, in vitro. The observed lipolytic potencies were in the order: isoprenaline greater than noradrenaline greater than salbutamol greater than prenalterol. The effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists betaxolol (beta 1-selective) propranolol (non-selective) and ICI 118551 (beta 2-selective) on lipolysis stimulated by the various beta-adrenergic agonists showed that in each case propranolol was the most potent blocking agent. These observations are not compatible with the concept that regulation of lipolysis in adipose tissue is mediated exclusively either by adrenergic receptors of the classical beta 1 type, or of the classical beta 2 type. We propose therefore, that this beta-adrenergic receptor, because of its non-compliance with the current classification system, be termed a 'beta-3' or beta-hybrid' adrenoceptor. Thus cardio-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agents, like betaxolol, may offer a hitherto unrecognized clinical advantage in obese patients undergoing anti-hypertensive therapy by offering a reduced impediment to hormone-induced utilization of calorie stores in adipose tissue.

Regulation of adipose tissue metabolism via adrenergic mechanisms: actions of alpha-adrenoceptor agonists on lipolysis in hamster fat cells

The effects of two alpha-1-adrenergic agonists (phenylephrine, cirazoline) and two alpha-2-adrenergic agonists (clonidine, guanabenz) were investigated on lipolysis stimulated by noradrenaline, isoprenaline, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbc AMP) or methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) in hamster adipose cells, in vitro. Phenylephrine enhanced basal lipolysis and that stimulated by dbc AMP and MIX, whereas cirazoline showed no measurable effects. Clonidine produced a slight but significant decrease of basal lipolysis. Both clonidine and guanabenz (from 10(-7) M) provoked a similar and clear inhibition (50-60 per cent) of MIX-stimulated lipolysis, compatible with the view that the alpha-adrenergic receptor of the hamster white fat cell is of the alpha-2 type. Noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis was unaffect and isoprenaline-stimulated lipolysis moderately inhibited, by clonidine and guanabenz. Since the beta-adrenergic lipolytic effects of noradrenaline are known to be associated with a simultaneous alpha-adrenergic inhibitory stimulus, and one possible explanation of the but moderate inhibition of isoprenaline-induced lipolysis could be simultaneous beta-adrenergic stimulation (resulting in lipolysis), and alpha-adrenergic stimulation (inhibition of lipolysis), as with noradrenaline, the nature of isoprenaline as a pure beta-adrenergic agonist requires clarification.

A polarographic study of pyranopyrandiones

Polarographic reductions of four methyl-substituted pyranopyrandiones (1)-(4) have been studied at various pH values. Their reducibility and the probable reduction mechanisms are discussed in relation to their structures. The half-wave potentials of their first reduction waves in neutral media show linear correlation with the HMO energies of the lowest vacant π molecular orbitals.

Anti-hypertriglyceridaemic activity of some phenylethylamine anorectic compounds

In rats allowed access to food, and in food-deprived rats, fenfluramine (20 and 100 mg kg-1) and amphetamine (10 and 20 mg kg-1) provoked a hypotriglyceridaemic effect. No changes in plasma cholesterol concentration were observed. The time course of the absorption of a lipid load differed according to the nutritional status of the animals; being bellshaped under fed, and curvilinear under fasted, conditions. However, absorption under both nutritional conditions was inhibited by amphetmine and fenfluramine. When rats which had received the test compounds were administered glycerol trioleate containing a tracer dose of glycerol [1-14C]-trioleate or [2-3H]-glycerol trioleate, there was an inhibition in the increase of plasma radioactivity only in the case when the fatty acid contained the radioactive label. The net effect of lipid absorption was a transfer of dietary lipid from the gut to adipose tissue stores. There was never more than 5 per cent of the administered load in the liver. These observations indicate that amphetamine and fenfluramine may have acute effects in reducing circulating triglycerides, separate from the effects on lipid absorption from the gut. In this latter, the palmitoyl-CoA monooleinacyltransferase enzyme probalby plays a key role and appears a major target of the overall anti-obesity of fenfluramine.

Permissive effects on adipose tissue lipolysis of a plasmatic factor which inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis

Plasma obtained from fasted rats provoked a dose-dependent stimulation of fat cell glycerol release and was able to inhibit also generation of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha from arachidonate, in vitro, over a very similar range of doses. It is proposed, therefore, that a plasmatic fat-mobilizing factor may act as an endogenous inhibitor of adipose tissue prostaglandin biosynthesis, mediating in the acute (long-term not precluded) regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis. The proposed mechanism of permissive effects of the plasmatic factor in reducing the effects of endogenously-generated inhibitory prostaglandins may be implicated in the development of obesity by reduced availability of the factor and thus reduced ability to utilize fat stores.

Salivary gland hyperglycemic factor: an extrapancreatic source of glucagon-like material

Extracts of homogenates of rat, mouse, rabbit, and human submaxillary salivary glands contain a significant quantity of a material with glucagon-like immunoreactivity. Fractionation of this material on columns of Sephadex G-100 reveals a single peak immediately following a gamma globulin marker but in advance of a rat growth hormone marker, crystalline amylase, and isotopically labeled porcine insulin and glucagon. This material, which is urea stable, shows identical immunoassay dilution curves when measured with the highly specific K-30 glucagon antiserum. Study of paired glands in vitro shows that low concentrations of glucose stimulate and high concentrations of glucose suppress release of this material. Arginine promotes brisk release in vitro. Somatostatin does not influence arginine-stimulated secretion and insignificantly suppresses basal release in vitro. These findings lend support to previous speculations that the salivary glands may possess endocrine as well as exocrine functions. Salivary gland glucagon may also be the source of circulating glucagon recently reported in pancreatectomized and eviscerated rats.

Hemangiomas of the salivary glands

Five salivary gland hemangiomas in adults are reported. The feasibility of preoperative diagnosis on clinical and radiologic grounds is emphasized. Adult hemangiomas are of the cavernous type and can be differentiated from infantile capillary hemangiomas clinically as well as histologically. Cavernous hemangiomas in the adult should be treated by surgical excision.

The mercury(II)-induced aquation of trans-Chloroamminebis(dimethylglyoximato)cobalt(III) complex

The pseudo first-order rate constants for the mercury(II)-induced aquation of trans-[Co(Hdmg)2(NH3)Cl] (Hdmg = dimethylglyoximate ion) have been measured in aqueous and aqueous ethanol solutions (ethanol- water mole ratio 1 : 5.1) containing various excess amounts of mercury(II)ion at 273.2 K. Association constants of the complex formed with mercury(II) ion and rate constants for dissociation of the activated complex in both solutions have been calculated. The kinetic results are discussed in terms of formation of an activated complex Co-C1-Hg, followed by a simple rate-determining aquation in which HgCl+ acts as the leaving group.

GALVANIC STRESS POTENTIALS OF METALS

The electrode potential of silver, brass, and steel wires under tensile stress have been measured in aqueous solutions of silver nitrate, copper sulphate, and ferrous sulphate, respectively. The stress potentials were continuously measured with a stabilized d-c. microvolt amplifier which made possible the study of the transient and the steady-state period during loading and unloading. The stressed silver and steel electrodes were cathodic with respect to the reference electrode, and the e.m.f. was approximately a linear function of the stress. The slope of the e.m.f.–stress curve for silver increased with decrease in electrolyte concentration. The stressed brass electrode was anodic with respect to the reference electrode and the e.m.f. varied linearly with stress only for 1 N CuSO4.