Isolation and characterization of the plasma membranes from rat ascites hepatomas and from normal rat livers, including newborn, regenerating, and adult livers

Plasma membranes (PM) were isolated from island-forming types of rat ascites hepatoma (AH 130, AH 602, and AH 7974) and from their free-cell sublines (AH 130FN and AH 7974F), and were characterized in terms of electron-microscopic morphology, marker enzyme activities, and lipid contents. The results were compared with those of the PM isolated in a similar way from newborn, regenerating, and adult livers. The marker enzyme activities, such as Na+, K+-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] (Mg2+-ATPase) and 5'-nucleotidase [EC 3.1.3.5], as well as the phospholipid composition of the PM isolated from hepatomas by Wallach's nitrogen gas cavitation method were similar to those obtained with the PM isolated by a modification of Emmelot's method, although the former method gave a much lower yield in terms of protein than the latter. Based on the modified Emmelot method, sufficiently pure PM preparations could be obtained from the hepatomas in the form of large membrane sheets without any contamination by other identifiable components, as determined with an electron microscope, and with high specific activities of the marker enzymes, such as Na+, K+-sensitive ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] (Na+, K+ -ATPase), Mg2+ -ATPase, and 5'-nucleotidase. As for the characteristics of the hepatoma PM, lower specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase and higher fatty aldehyde molar percentages in total phospholipids were noted in all the PM from the hepatomas in comparison with normal liver PM of various origins. The PM from the hepatomas showed an increased amount of cholesterol (mumole per mg protein), whereas actively growing newborn and regenerating livers gave rather lower amounts in comparison with that of normal adult liver.

Isolation of a new antibiotic, laterosporamine. Studies on antibiotics from the genus Bacillus. XIII

A new antibiotic, named laterosporamine, was isolated from the culture broth of Bacillus laterosporus 340-19. The antibiotic is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in vivo. It is a water-soluble basic substance, positive to ninhydrin, SAKAGUCHI'S and DRAGENDORFF'S reagents. A non-peptidic structure with an approximate empirical formula C17H35N7O4 was suggested.

A new antifungal antibiotic, trichostatin

A new antibiotic, trichostatin, was isolated from the metabolites of strains of Streptomyces hygroscopicus. It is active against trichophytons and some fungi. The structure was determined to be a derivative of a primary hydroxamic acid by chemical and spectroscopic evidences.

Isolation of a new peptide antibiotic TL-119. Studies on antibiotics from the genus Bacillus. IV

A new antibiotic TL-119 active against gram-positive bacteria was isolated from a strain resembling Bacillus subtilis. The antibiotic is a neutral substance, soluble in a mixture of chloroform and methanol, and is a peptide with an empirical formula of C42H57N7O9, containing threonine (1), alanine (1), valine (1), leucine (1) and phenylalanine (2).

Isolation of galantins I and II, water-soluble basic peptides. Studies on antibiotics from the genus Bacillus. III

Two water-soluble basic antibiotics named galantins I and II were isolated from a strain resembling Bacillus pulvifaciens. Both antibiotics are peptides containing glycine, alanine, ornithine, lysine and some unknown ninhydrin-positive components. An approximate empirical formula C50 plus and minus H98plus and minus 2O17N16 is indicated for galantin I. These are active against some gram-positive, acid-fast and gram-negative bacteria.

Isolation of a new peptide antibiotic complex 61-26. Studies on antibiotics from the geneus Bacillus. V

A new antibiotic named 61-26 active against gram-positive bacteria and some fungi was isolated from a Bacillus strain. The antibiotic is a weakly basic peptide slightly soluble in aqueous alcohols. An approximate empirical formula of C50H93N11O17 and constituent amino acids of aspartic acid (1 mole), serine(2 moles), alanine (2moles), and sum of valine and isoleucine (2 moles) are indicated.

Isolation of two new related peptide antibiotics, cerexins A and B (studies on antibiotics from the genus Bacillus. I)

Two new antibiotics cerexins A and B were isolated from different strains identified with Bacillus cereus. These two antibiotics are amphoteric in nature, soluble in particular solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide and alkaline water, and show typical infrared absorptions of peptide. These also have similar antimicrobial properties active against gram-postive bacteria.

New light-focusing fibers made by a continuous process

A new continuous manufacturing process for light-focusing glass fibers has been developed using fast ion-exchange in a special double crucible. By use of this new process, new low-loss optical fibers with a transmission loss of 20 dB/km at wavelengths between 0.81 microm and 0.85 microm and a transmission capacity of more than a few Gbit/sec for 1 km were fabricated from low-loss bulk glass prepared by an improved raw powder refinement technique and by clean melting.

Studies of antidromically identified neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus by intracellular and extracellular recordings

1. Neurosecretory neurones in supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus of cats, anaesthetized with chloralose, and dogs, anaesthetized with Nembutal, were studied. These neurosecretory neurones were identified by action potentials evoked antidromically following stimulation of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Reactions of 158 such neurones in cats and 228 in dogs were analysed.2. The latencies of antidromic potentials evoked in neurosecretory neurones by posterior lobe stimulation were between 10 and 22 msec for SON and between 14 and 28 msec for PVN cells. Approximate speed of conduction in the axons was 0.4-0.9 m/sec. The absolute refractory period for the soma-dendritic (SD) spike was 5-10 msec. These cells followed repetitive stimulation up to a rate of 100/sec.A notch was generally present on the rising phase of antidromic potentials and when the antidromically conducted signal fell in the relative refractory period of the preceding response, a complete separation between this first small A-spike and later large B-spikes, probably soma-dendritic spike, frequently occurred. Thus, two responses, a small and a large, sometimes appeared with more than 10 msec intervening. When the second antidromic response fell in the absolute refractory period of the first, the B-spike was blocked and only the A-spike appeared.3. Intracellular recordings from neurosecretory cells, mainly from SON in the dog, showed that these neurones possess resting membrane potentials of 50-80 mV, and action potentials of the same magnitude. In spontaneously firing neurosecretory cells separate A- and B-spikes also occurred and could be recorded intracellularly.4. Neurosecretory cells were excited by current injected intracellularly through a micro-electrode. The rheobase was 1-10 nA. A low intensity of stimulation only induced a small A-spike, but as the current was increased the full sized spike was evoked. Application of suprathreshold depolarizing current produced repetitive discharges. The intervals between spikes shortened with an increase in applied current intensity.5. There were a few neurones excited by stimulation of the posterior pituitary whose potentials did not meet the adopted criteria of antidromic potentials. These units were not classified as neurosecretory cells. The characteristics of cells giving the atypical ;antidromic potentials' were: the neurones discharged repetitively to antidromic stimulation, but with fluctuating and very long latencies.6. Neurosecretory cells in both SON and PVN were orthodromically excited by single pulse stimulations of the septal area, mid-brain reticular formation (RF), central gray, anterior commissure and hippocampus. The orthodromic responses generally consisted of two to three spikes with latencies of 10-30 msec. Excitation was followed by an inhibition, of ;spontaneous' discharges as well as of subsequent antidromic excitation, lasting 100-500 msec. Intracellular recordings from neurosecretory cells showed that stimulations of the septal area and RF produced action potentials or EPSPs of short duration followed by long lasting IPSPs. Hyperpolarization was always longer than the preceding EPSP, and its duration was generally 80 msec. Large IPSPs of 20 mV could be recorded occasionally.7. Antidromic excitation of neurosecretory cells by stimulation of the posterior pituitary was followed by the inhibition of ;spontaneous' discharges of the cells. This inhibition usually lasted for 100 msec. A corresponding IPSP was recorded during this inhibitory phase. These findings indicate the existence of recurrent collaterals in neurosecretory cells.8. This conclusion that recurrent collaterals exist was also supported by other evidence, namely, that certain neurones were found in the SON and PVN which responded to a single pulse antidromic stimulation of the posterior pituitary with five to seven discharges at a rate of between 500 and 800/sec. Weaker stimuli produced fewer spikes. Such cells resembled in their behaviour ;Renshaw cells' of the spinal cord. RF stimulation had an inhibitory effect on some of these neurones and an excitatory effect on others.9. Neurosecretory cells in the SON and PVN were excited by osmotic stimulation. Other neurones in close proximity were also found to be osmosensitive but they were either interneurones or neurosecretory cells whose axons ended in areas other than the posterior pituitary since they were not antidromically excitable.