Catecholamine-stimulated protein phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes

The endogenous protein phosphorylation stimulated by catecholamines was compared in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Phosphorylation of a protein with an approximate molecular weight of 57,000 was stimulated both in preadipocytes and adipocytes of 3T3-L1. Stimulated phosphorylation of four other proteins with approximate molecular weights of 90,000, 62,000, 48,000, and 32,000 was observed only in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. All of these proteins appeared to be localized in the microsomal fraction. Phosphorylation of these proteins was stimulated by norepinephrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, theophylline, or 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, but not by A23187. Among the phosphorylated proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the 62,000 dalton protein was most evident. Using this protein as a marker, it appeared that epinephrine and norepinephrine were effective in stimulating the phosphorylation at the same concentration range. This result was in clear contrast to the different affinities of these catecholamines for beta-receptors of 3T3-L1 adipocytes reported by Lai, Rosen, and Rubin (J. Biol. Chem. (1982) 257, 6691-6696). The phosphorylation of the 62,000 dalton protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was observed 1 min after the addition of norepinephrine, and dephosphorylation was observed within 10 min after the addition of propranolol.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus. Influences on cerebral hemodynamic and cerebrospinal fluid pressure--chemical autoregulation

Blood flow in the cerebral gray matter was measured in normal pressure hydrocephalus and Alzheimer disease by 133Xe inhalation. Flow values in the frontal and temporal gray matter increased after lowering cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure by lumbar puncture in normal pressure hydrocephalus (p less than 0.05) and also after shunting. One case with cerebral complications did not improve clinically. In Alzheimer disease the reverse (decreases in flow in the gray matter) occurred after removal of CSF. Normal pressure hydrocephalus was associated with impaired cerebral vasomotor responsiveness during 100% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide inhalation. This complication was restored toward normal after CSF removal and/or shunting. Cerebral blood flow measurements appear to be useful for confirming the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus and predicting the clinical benefit from shunting.

Effects of aging on cerebral blood flow in dementia

Regional cerebral blood flow values were measured utilizing the 133Xe inhalation method in patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) (n = 22, age 67.4 +/- 9.8 years), in patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) (n = 36, age 63.8 +/- 8.0) and in age-matched normal healthy volunteers (n = 50, age 67.5 +/- 9.3). Mean hemispheric gray matter flow values were significantly reduced in MID (P less than 0.01) and SDAT (P less than 0.01) patients compared with age-matched normal volunteers. In normal volunteers, mean flow values showed gradual declines with advancing age (r = -0.44, P less than 0.005). In MID patients there were significant decreases in flow values with advancing age (r = -0.43, P less than 0.05), but flow values were consistently lower than in age-matched normals. Reductions of flow were most evident in the distribution of both middle cerebral arteries. Unlike MID patients, patients with SDAT had diffusely reduced flow values over all age ranges without correlation with advancing age. Reductions of mean flow values in both dementia groups were significantly correlated with severity of dementia (P less than 0.05 for both groups). Cerebral blood flow reductions related to the aging process also contribute to decreased cerebral perfusion in patients with MID. This is not true in SDAT, where the disease process itself pre-empts cerebral blood flow reductions attributable to aging.

Monovalent carboxylic ionophores inhibit transport of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I into mitochondria in Reuber hepatoma H-35 cells and cause accumulation of enzyme precursor

Transport of the precursor for carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I into mitochondria in Reuber hepatoma H-35 cells was inhibited by adding monensin or nigericin to the culture medium at a concentration of 0.5 microM, and the enzyme precursor accumulated, mainly in the cytosolic fraction. Accumulated precursor was degraded slowly with a half-life of more than 16 min. Valinomycin, nonactin, A23187, X-537A (lasalocid), bromo-lasalocid, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone did not exhibit these effects at concentrations at which they did not inhibit protein synthesis of the cells.

High-resolution rotation-angle measurement of a cylinder using speckle displacement detection

A new method for measuring the rotation angle of a cylinder is described, based on the speckle displacement detection caused by the cylinder surface rotation. It is shown that this method is effective for measuring the small rotation angle with high resolution. The accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution of this method are determined by the speckle size, detector pitch, and magnification of the speckle displacement. The configuration to obtain an accurate, sensitive, stable measuring system is discussed. The usefulness of this method is confirmed by experiments.

Prognostic value of cerebral blood flow autoregulation in the long-term prognosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease

The correlation between long-term prognosis, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CBF autoregulation was studied in 34 patients with cerebral infarction (mean age, 64 years). CBF was measured by the nitrous oxide method 1-6 months (mean 87 days) after disease onset. CBF autoregulation was evaluated quantitatively from the Dysautoregulation Index (DI) (delta CBF/delta effective MABP). Reductions in effective MABP were induced with a tilt table. No significant correlation was noted among CBF, DI and activities of daily living at the time of measurement. The patients' physical condition was reevaluated by questionnaire 2 years or more (mean 32 months) later. Better functional state at follow-up was related to higher CBF and lower DI values although the differences were not significant. The relationships among CBF, DI and changes in physical condition during the period were evaluated. The mean CBF values in patients with a better prognosis exceeded those of poor prognosis patients. The CBF values in the group who became independent significantly exceeded those in the group that deteriorated (P less than 0.05). The CBF values in the latter showed small but significant decreases during head-up tilting (P less than 0.05). The DI in this group was significantly higher than in the groups with a less severe outcome (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05, respectively). In conclusion, determinations of CBF autoregulation, together with flow values, in the chronic state may have some value in predicting the long-term prognosis in cerebral infarction.

The effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate

We examined the effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate and urethral closure pressure in 46 subjects, ranging in age from 26 to 82 years. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by abdominal straining was not found when organic obstruction was present in the prostatic urethra in men or the proximal urethra in women, or when dysuria is caused by the lowered detrusor pressure. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by straining was noted when anterior urethral stricture or stress incontinence was present. The increase in urinary flow rate owing to straining was undetermined in the control group. The urethral closure pressure on the anti-stress incontinence zone increased as a result of straining at the same time and to the same degree as did the intravesical pressure. When the anti-stress incontinence zone was subjected to transurethral resection for canal formation urination became possible as a result of straining. The patients who were able to urinate with straining sometimes suffered temporary stress incontinence. The degree of straining did not determine whether the patient could urinate with straining. Therefore, it was concluded that abdominal pressure should be excluded from intravesical pressure in performing several urodynamic studies on the lower urinary tract, such as pressure flow studies, and that it is important to have a sufficient canal formation in the anti-stress incontinence zone when urination with straining is expected when performing an operation on patients with urethral obstruction in the anti-stress incontinence zone.

Role of glucagon in increase of hepatic glycerate kinase of adult and neonatal rats

An increase of rat liver glycerate kinase [ATP: D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase EC 2.7.1.31] on protein feeding, on starvation or during fetal and neonatal development was studied from the viewpoint of the role of glucagon as the mediator. On starvation and during fetal and neonatal development, glycerate kinase in the cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions increased approximately in the same ratio. Glucagon in plasma increased under these conditions and glucagon administration increased glycerate kinase in both intracellular fractions approximately in the same ratio. The above results suggested that glucagon functions as at least one of the mediators for these processes. In diabetic rats, only a slight increase of the enzyme in both intracellular fractions was observed. Protein feeding, however, strongly increased the mitochondrial enzyme. Glucagon failed to mediate this function of dietary protein for the mitochondrial enzyme.

Induction of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I in Reuber hepatoma H-35 by dexamethasone

Reuber hepatoma H-35 was found to retain the activity of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I. The content of this enzyme in H-35 grown in Eagle's minimal essential medium was about half that in rat liver. The enzyme from H-35 was the same as that from rat liver in molecular weight estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, specific enzyme activity, kinetic parameters for ATP and N-acetyl-L-glutamate, and immunological crossreactivity. The enzyme in H-35 was induced by dexamethasone (1.4-fold) but not by glucagon or dibutyryl cAMP. Incorporation of [35S] methionine into the enzyme indicated that the effect of dexamethasone was due to increased synthesis of the enzyme protein (2.1-fold). By labeling with [35S]methionine, the precursor and the mature forms of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I were observed in the post-mitochondrial and mitochondrial fractions, respectively. By chasing the labeled cells with unlabeled methionine and cycloheximide, it was observed that the rate of translocation of the precursor into mitochondria is not affected by dexamethasone.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a case with extensive white matter degeneration and optic atrophy

A 52-year-old woman is described, whose clinical features were typical of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease except for the presence of optic atrophy. Serial CT scans showed rapid development of brain atrophy early in the course. Postmortem examination revealed extensive degeneration of the cerebral and cerebellar white matter and of the optic nerves in addition to the classic findings of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. It is suggested that both the grey and white matter may undergo a severe destructive process early in the course of the disease, and the possibility is discussed that the white matter involvement is not a result of neuronal loss.

In vivo study of developmental changes in carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I in rat liver. Repression of the enzyme synthesis immediately after birth

The regulatory mechanism of the developmental increase of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I in fetal and neonatal rat liver was studied in vivo. The appearance and rapid increase of the enzyme in late fetal period were caused by de novo synthesis of the enzyme protein. The amount of the enzyme protein analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was proportional to the enzyme activity throughout the period of development. No indication was observed for preexisting protein which could be converted into the active protein. A novel system for the in vivo study of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I synthesis was developed. Hepatocytes, mechanically dispersed by repeated passage of the tissue through a pipet, incorporated [35S]methionine into the enzyme. Taking advantage of this system, the regulation of the enzyme synthesis was studied. In vivo synthesis of the enzyme was detected at 4 days before birth and rapidly increased until 1 day before birth. However, the enzyme synthesis was markedly repressed after birth, when the amount of carmamoyl-phosphate synthetase I itself reached the adult level. This result was in a clear contrast with the constant level of the translatable mRNA (Raymond, Y. and Shore, G.C. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 656, 111-119) and suggested that post-transcriptional regulation is important in addition to the level of mRNA for the regulation of the carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase I level.

In situ immunofluorescent visualization of chromosomal transcripts in polytene chromosomes

The induction and distribution of chromosomal transcripts in the polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster and D. hydei has been investigated by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum directed against DNA/RNA hybrids. The fluorescence was intense and occurred in most of the chromosomal subdivisions when the chromosomes were exposed to denaturing conditions and then allowed to reanneal. The extent of hybrid formation depended both on the extent of DNA denaturation and on the maintenance of RNA integrity. Fluorescence was absent from chromosomes treated with pancreatic RNase before denaturation. The velocity of the chromosomal DNA/RNA hybridization reaction and the effects of the initiation inhibitor of RNA synthesis, DRB, suggest that in order to hybridize the RNA has to be located in its transcriptional compartment. Even though overall patterns of fluorescence seem to be similar during a developmental stage, variations were observed, particularly some correlated with puff induction after ecdysone stimulation.

Long-term prognosis in ischemic cerebrovascular disease in relation to cerebral blood flow and metabolism

The correlation between long-term prognosis and cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen consumption was investigated in 46 patients with ischemic supratentorial cerebrovascular disease. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) were measured by the N2O method 1-6 months (mean 68 days) after disease onset. No significant correlation was observed among CBF, CMRO2 and activities of daily living at the time of measurement. The patients' physical condition was reevaluated by the questionnaire method 2 years or more (mean 53 months) later. The CBF values in patients who were independent after completion of the follow-up period significantly exceeded those of patients dying during the period (P less than 0.05). No correlation was observed in CMRO2. The relationship among CBF, CMRO2 and changes in physical condition during the period was evaluated. Mean CBF values in patients with better prognosis exceeded those of patients with poor prognosis. Notably, CBF values in the "improved" group significantly exceeded those in the "unchanged" or "died" group (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.01). CMRO2 was not significantly correlated with changes of physical condition. These results emphasize the importance of total CBF for long-term prognosis and indicate that flow values, rather than metabolic indices, obtained in the chronic stage can usefully predict the long-term prognosis.

Perturbation of phospholipid metabolism by erucic acid in male Sprague-Dawley rat heart

Erucic acid was incorporated into cardiac phosphatidylserine and hepatic and cardiac sphingomyelin of male Sprague-Dawley rat. The fatty acid compositions of mitochondrial and microsomal phospholipids were similar in both liver and heart. The effect of a low fat diet and a diet containing erucic acid on the fatty acid composition of mitochondrial and microsomal phospholipids was also similar, except for the effect on sphingomyelin. However, the diet containing erucic acid influenced the metabolism of phosphatidylcholine of the heart but not of the liver, indicating that the turnover of 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl phosphatidylcholine in the heart was inhibited by the diet containing erucic acid. On the other hand, the proportion of erucic acid in the free fatty acid was higher in the heart than in the liver.

Purification and characterization of two protein kinases from bovine heart mitochondrial membrane

Two protein kinases (MPK1 and MPK2) were isolated from bovine heart mitochondria. After the solubilization of submitochondrial particles with cholate, these protein kinases were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sepharose 6B gel filtration, and affinity chromatography on phosvitin-Sepharose. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the final preparation of MPK1 contained two major polypeptide bands (40,000 and 36,000 daltons). MPK2 contained one major polypeptide of 34,000 daltons. Under nondenaturing conditions, the molecular weights of MPK1 and MPK2 were estimated to be approximately 250,000 and 70,000-90,000, respectively. MPK1 had a pH optimum at 9.0 and MPK2 at 7.5. Both enzymes required Mg2+ for activity and responded poorly to Mn2+ or Ca2+. Both had similar apparent Km values for ATP and were not affected by either cyclic AMP or Ca2+-calmodulin. MKP1 phosphorylated threonine residues and MPK2 serine residues of casein. With beta casein as substrate, MPK1 was more active than MPK2, whereas with alpha casein, MPK2 was more active than MPK1.

Image velocity sensing using an optical fiber array

A noncontact velocity sensor with an optical fiber array is described. The end faces of optical fibers which are linearly arrayed at equal intervals act as the spatial filter for velocity sensing. The characteristics of this sensor are investigated in terms of the number of optical fibers, the fiber interval, and the object spectrum. The usefulness of this sensor is confirmed by calculations of the selectivity and experiments. Furthermore, it is shown that an imaging system with a cylindrical lens is effective for measuring the velocity of an object with a large sideway motion.

Comparison of poly(A).poly(dT) and poly(I).poly(dC) as immunogens for the induction of antibodies to RNA-DNA hybrids

A goat immunized with poly(A).poly(dT) produced three distinct antibody populations. The major one was specific for RNA-DNA hybrids and was purified from precipitates made with poly(I).poly(dC). It also reacted with hybrids of mixed base composition made with E. coli RNA polymerase. The other populations were purified with poly(A).poly(U) or poly(dT). Three rabbits also produced mainly hybrid-specific antibody in response to poly(A) . poly(dT). A goat immunized with poly(I).poly(dC) formed antibodies reactive with poly(I) and others reactive with poly(dC) but none specific for hybrid structure. Three rabbits did not respond to poly(I).poly(dC). Measurements of reactions with anti-inosine sera, thermal denaturation and sensitivity to S1 nuclease indicated that poly(I).poly(dC) is a less stable helix than poly(A).poly(dT) or poly(I).poly(C). Poly(A).poly(dT) is the more suitable synthetic immunogen for the production of hybrid-specific antibodies.

The separation of three antibody populations from anti-poly(A).poly(U) antibodies elicited in mice or rabbits and antigenic features of poly(A).poly(U))

Anti-poly(A).poly(U) antibodies in ascitic fluid of DDY mice immunized with poly(A).poly(U)-methylated bovine serum albumin complexes were fractionated into three major antibody populations, Ab-1, Ab-2 and Ab-3, by precipitating with poly(I).poly(C), poly(A).poly(U), and poly(A).2 poly(U), respectively. Antibody population one, Ab-2, reacted with various double-stranded RNAs [poly(I).poly(C), poly(A).poly(U), and rice dwarf virus ribonucleic acid (RDV-RNA)] and poly(A).2 poly(U). Ab-2 reacted with poly(A).poly(U) and poly(A).2 poly(U). Although both Ab-1 and Ab-2 reacted with poly(A).poly(U), the two populations were distinguishable by their different reactivities against chemically modified antigens and oligonucleotides. In contrast to Ab-2, acetylation at the furanose 2'-position of poly(U) resulted in a dramatic decrease in the complement fixation reactivity of Ab-2. Also, Ab-2 was capable of binding with complexes of hexa- to heptaadenylates and poly(U), whereas Ab-1 required oligoadenylates of longer chain lengths (9-10 chain length) for binding. Therefore, it appears that poly(A).poly(U) possesses unique antigenic determinants which are recognizable only by Ab-2, in addition to those determinants which are common to a variety of double-stranded RNAs.

Demonstrations of the production of specific antibodies to poly(I).poly(C) in rabbits

The rabbit antiserum against poly(I).poly(C) purified by hydroxyapatite column chromatography contained three distinct antibodies. They were fractionated into three antibody populations by a series of precipitations (with poly(A).poly(U), poly(I), and poly(I).poly(C)) and their specificities were examined by quantitative complement fixation, double diffusion tests and radioimmunoassay. The first population was common to the double helical structure of double-stranded RNAs. The second was specific for poly(I) and the third was specific for poly(I).poly(C). These studies demonstrated that specific antibodies exclusively reactive with poly(I).poly(C) existed in the rabbit antiserum against poly(I).poly(C).

The specific binding of parotin on duct cells of human parotid gland

The relationship between parotin and human parotid gland was investigated using indirect technique of enzyme antibody method. Normal rabbit IgG has non-specific affinity to duct cells of human parotid gland, but it was suppressed by adding bovine serum albumin. Anti-parotin rabbit IgG has no reaction products on the sections of adult human parotid gland. When the sections, initially incubated with parotin solution in PBS, were treated with anti-parotin rabbit IgG containing bovine serum albumin, and then HRPO-labeled anti-rabbit gamma globulin antibodies (swine IgG), intercalated and striated ducts excepting excretory ducts were stained with diaminobenzidine reaction, but also acinar cells did not. These results indicate that parotin is bound specifically on duct cells of human parotid gland.

Purification of rat liver glycerate kinase and studies of its enzymatic and immunological properties

Glycerate kinase was purified to near homogeneity from rat liver mitochondria. Sephadex G-100 chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis showed that the enzyme is a monomer with a molecular weight of 51,000-56,000. Kinetic studies indicated that the reaction proceeds by the "rapid equilibrium random sequential" mechanism, and the Michaelis constants were found to be 0.032 mM and 0.091 mM for D-glycerate and ATP, respectively. The binding of D-glycerate specifically protected the enzyme from thermal inactivation. The dissociation constant of the enzyme.D-glycerate complex was similar to the Michaelis constant, suggesting that the protective effect of D-glycerate may be caused by the specific binding of the substrate to the active site of the enzyme. The antibody to the enzyme was prepared by immunizing a rabbit with the purified rat liver glycerate kinase. Immunological experiments indicated that the cytosol and mitochondrial enzymes are indistinguishable. It was also found by immunological studies that the increase in the cytosol and mitochondrial enzyme activity depending on dietary protein intake was proportional to the increase in enzyme protein. These results support our proposal (Kitagawa, Y., Katayama, H., & Sugimoto, E. (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 582, 260-275) that cytosol and mitochondrial glycerate kinase arise from a common translation product and that dietary protein regulates the distribution of glycerate kinase to the cytosol and mitochondria.

Estimation of the in vivo translational activity of rat liver mitochondria without use of an antibiotic

In order to estimate the in vivo translational activity of mitochondria without using cycloheximide, we developed a selective separation procedure for the mitochondrial translation products. The effects of cycloheximide and isotopic dilution kinetics on the precursor leucine pool indicate that the pH 11.5 insoluble mitochondrial fraction is greatly enriched in mitochondrial translation products.

Effect of erucic acid on the phospholipid molecular species compositions of the rat heart and liver

Erucic acid was not incorporated into phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine, but was into diphosphatidylglycerol and sphingomyelin in both the heart and liver of male Wistar rats fed erucic acid for 20 days. A remarkable difference between the heart and liver was found in the molecular species composition of phosphatidylcholine. The 1-stearoyl//2-arachidonoyl species of phosphatidylcholine in the heart was maintained at a higher level in rats fed the erucic acid diet than in rats fed a low fat diet. There was no difference in this molecular species content of cardiac and hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine between rats fed erucic acid and low fat diets. The level of erucic acid incorporated into triacylglycerols and free fatty acids in heart was higher than in the liver.

Mitochondrial and cytosolic localization of a single glycerate kinase in rat kidney cortex

The distribution of glycerate kinase [ATP:D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.31] in kidney was studied. This enzyme was found to be present in the renal cortex. By differential centrifugation of the homogenate and sucrose density gradient analysis, it was found that 42% and 60% of the renal glycerate kinase were localized in the cytosol and mitochondria, respectively. The mitochondrial enzyme appeared to be present in the inner membrane and/or matrix. No difference was found between the solubilized-mitochondrial and cytosolic glycerate kinase as regards kinetic properties, thermal stability, electrochemical properties, and molecular size. Immunochemical identity of these enzymes was demonstrated using a rabbit antibody against mitochondrial glycerate kinase purified from rat liver. Although the hepatic enzyme was induced by dietary protein (Kitagawa, Y., Katayama, H., & Sugimoto, E. [1979] Biochim. Biophys. Acta 582, 260--275), the renal enzyme in mitochondria and cytosol was not affected by dietary protein. These results on renal glycerate kinase are compared with those for the hepatic enzyme, and the regulatory mechanism for intracellular distribution of the enzymes is discussed.

Identity of mitochondrial and cytosolic glycerate kinases in rat liver and regulation of their intracellular localization by dietary protein

Glycerate kinase (ATP: D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase EC 2.7.1.31) is a key enzyme of glyconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate. A differential centrifugation of rat liver homogenate and an analysis of the particle fraction by sucrose density gradient centrifugation indicated that 72% and 26% of glycerate kinase are present in mitochondria and cytosol, respectively. A study on the intramitochondrial localization of the enzyme suggested that the mitochondrial glycerate kinase was present in inner membrane and/or matrix. It was found that dietary protein selectively induced mitochondrial glycerate kinase. This result suggested that mitochondrial glycerate kinase had a physiological function for gluconeogenesis from serin. However, the metabolic significance of the cytoplasmic enzyme was still unclear. The properties of solubilized-mitochondrial and cytosolic glycerate kinases were compared. However, no difference between the two enzymes could be found in the kinetic properties, thermal stability, molecular size or electrochemical properties. These results suggested that both enzymes originate from common genetic information. In order to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of the intracellular distribution of glycerate kinase in rat liver, the responses of mitochondrial and cytosolic glycerate kinases to an alteration of dietary protein were studied. The result suggested that an alteration of dietary protein content may regulate the distribution and the translocation of glycerate kinase to mitochondria and cytosol as well as the total amount of glycerate kinase.

Possibility of mitochondrial-cytosolic cooperation in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate

Intracellular localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase (D-glycerate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.29), one of the enzymes of the pathway for gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate, was studied by differential centrifugation. Almost all enzyme activity was found in cytosol. Since the major activities of two other enzymes, serine: pyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) and glycerate kinase (ATP: D-glycerate 2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.31), of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate are localized in mitochondrial inner membrane and/or matrix, the possible localization of D-glycerate dehydrogenase in mitochondria was examined. Detailed analysis of mitochondrial fraction prepared by differential centrifugation indicated that rat liver mitochondria do not contain any D-glycerate dehydrogenase activity. Based on these results, a cooperative connection between mitochondria and cytosol in gluconeogenesis from serine via hydroxypyruvate is proposed. Possible mechanisms for transport of intermediates of the pathway via hydroxypyruvate across the mitochondrial membranes are also discussed.

Immunogenicity of rice dwarf virus-ribonucleic acid

Using rice dwarf virus (RDV)-RNA which was extracted from RDV and further purified by MAK-column chromatography, anti-RNA antibodies were produced in rabbits immunized with RDV-RNA antibodies were prods immunized with RDV-RNA-methylated bovine serum albumin complexes. The antisera, as analzyed by complement fixation, cross-reacted with synthetic double stranded RNAs (poly (A)-poly (U), poly (I)-poly (C)), but not with native or denatured DNA, rRNA, tRNA, 5 S RNA and nucleic acids from rice plants. RDV-RNA treated with heat or dimethylsulfoxide was markedly reduced in reactivity to the antisera. When RDV-RNA was digested with RNase A at low salt concentration, its complement fixation activity was abolished. In double diffusion tests, two different precipitation lines were demonstrated between the antiserum and RDV-RNA. One of the precipitation lines connected with those was formed between the antisera, poly (A)-poly (U) and poly (I)-poly (C). As regards immunoglobulin classes of the antibodies, one of the two rabbits employed had antibody activity only in IgG.

A method for producing anti-DNA antibodies in ascitic fluid of mice

Immunological methods for the production of antibodies to DNA in ascitic fluid of DDY, A/He, and C57B1/6 mice were investigated. Relatively large volumes of ascitic fluid containing antibodies for DNA in high concentration were obtainable after seven injections of denatured ssDNA-MBSA complexes emulsified with CFA into peritoneal cavities of DDY mice. The quantity of anti-ascitic fluid from 4 to 5 DDY mice was equivalent to that of antiserum from one rabbit. DDY mice accumulation of ascites is much greater than in other strains, and the ascitic fluid contains antibodies of higher titer regardless of sex. The antibody titers in ascitic fluid are not affected by alteration of the ascites volume, and are proportional to those of the corresponding sera. Antibodies to DNA in ascitic fluid of these mice occurred exclusively in IgG as in DNA antisera.