Benzazepinone calcium channel blockers. 4. Structure-activity overview and intracellular binding site

We have synthesized a series of benzazepinones (2) in order to determine the structure-activity relationships (SAR) for calcium channel blockers related to diltiazem. A prerequisite for calcium channel blocking activity in vitro and in vivo is the presence of two pharmacophores: a 4'-aryl methyl ether and a basic substituent appended to N1 with a pKa in the physiological range. When these constraints are satisfied, a wide variety of substitution is tolerated at C6, C7, and C3. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group at C6 appears to enhance potency in vitro and in vivo. For such benzazepinones, activity is primarily dependent upon lipophilicity, as measured by log P. We believe these compounds must partition into the cell membrane in order to access their receptor. The quaternary methiodide 15k was used to demonstrate that the binding site for benzazepinones is on the intracellular face of the membrane. This work represents the first comprehensive SAR of diltiazem-like calcium channel blockers.

Benzazepinone calcium channel blockers. 2. Structure-activity and drug metabolism studies leading to potent antihypertensive agents. Comparison with benzothiazepinones

As part of a program to discover potent antihypertensive analogues of diltiazem (3a), we prepared 1-benzazepin-2-ones (4). Benzazepinones competitively displace radiolabeled diltiazem, and show the same absolute stereochemical preferences at the calcium channel receptor protein. Derivatives of 4 containing a trifluoromethyl substituent in the fused aromatic ring show potent and long-acting antihypertensive activity. Studies of the metabolism of 4 lead to the metabolically stable antihypertensive calcium channel blockers 5a and 5c. Benzazepinone 5a is a longer acting and more potent antihypertensive agent than the second generation diltiazem analogue TA-3090 (3e).

Benzazepinone calcium channel blockers. 3. Synthesis and structure-activity studies of 3-alkylbenzazepinones

As part of a program aimed at identifying novel analogues of diltiazem, we developed several synthetic routes for 3-alkylbenzazepinones, both in racemic and nonracemic form. Structure-activity relationship studies in this series have led to identification of several analogues as potent calcium channel blocking agents, both in vitro and in vivo. Analogues containing a 6-trifluoromethyl substituent (17a and 17b) are the most potent vasorelaxants in vitro. The oral antihypertensive activity of these compounds is comparable to its 3-acetoxy derivative 1 (X = 6-CF3) and 8-chlorodiltiazem (2b). The 3-allyl analogue 17c is a more potent antihypertensive agent than 17a, 17b, or 8-chlorodiltiazem (2b), and has a longer duration of action in vivo.

Influence of Potassium in the Agar Medium on the Growth Pattern of the Filamentous Fungus Fusarium solani

A decrease in the concentration of K + ions below 3 mM in agar medium which also contained starch, casein hydrolysate, MgSO 4 , and K 2 HPO 4 changed the growth pattern of Fusarium solani illuminated in diurnal 12-h light/12-h dark cycles from zonation to a feathery growth mode. Rubidium or cesium ions could replace potassium, but lithium, sodium, and the bivalent alkaline earth ions could not.

Rapid high voltage isoelectric focusing of proteins in rod gels

A rapid procedure of isoelectric focusing (IEF) of proteins in polyacrylamide rod gels (i.d., 1.1 mm; length, 7.5 cm) is described. The time required for IEF can be reduced to 0.5 h by using high voltages up to 3000 V in the presence or absence of urea in the gels. When used as the first dimension of a two-dimensional technique for IEF sodium dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis, high voltage IEF gives smaller protein spots on the second dimension gel, associated with an increase in resolution. The method has been tested by a two-dimensional separation of an eye sample of the goodeid fish Xenotoca eiseni.

Transformation of Vibrio cholerae by plasmid DNA

The lack of an efficient transformation system in Vibrio cholerae was a handicap in the genetic manipulation of this important human pathogen. Since V. cholerae cells secrete DNases, this may interfere with the uptake of DNA. The present report describes the approaches taken for transforming V. cholerae cells with plasmid DNA, by overcoming this DNase barrier. The partial success of transforming DNase-negative mutants confirmed the role of DNase in the nontransformability of the wild-type cells. Successful transformation was carried out following removal of DNases from the periplasmic space. This was achieved by treating the cells with Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions to allow the DNase to be released, and then holding them under conditions where the remaining DNase activity was minimized before adding DNA to the competent cells. Transformation efficiencies of the order of 10(-5) per recipient cell were observed.

Analysis of the dynamics of relaxation type oscillation in glycolysis of yeast extracts

In yeasts, the glycolysis may display oscillations of its metabolites while it is converting glucose. The dynamics of the oscillations has been investigated in cytoplasmic extracts of yeast under relaxation type conditions by determining the time course of some of the glycolytic metabolites. The compounds of the nucleotide pool have been identified as fast variables and the glucose derivatives as slow variables of the relaxation type. The period of oscillation has been subdivided into four phases which represent prominent parts of the limit cycle in the phase plane of a slow versus a fast variable. From the reaction processes in these phases, a dynamical picture of the mechanisms of oscillations is suggested. Accordingly, the oscillation results from an alternating activity of the fructose bisphosphate and the polysaccharide synthesis, both of which are coupled to glycolysis via the nucleotide pool. The processes in the phases are analyzed by calculating the rates of the reaction steps in the biochemical pathway.

Penicillin binding proteins of Vibrio cholerae

Eleven penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) of Vibrio cholerae have been identified using [125I] labelled p-hydroxybenzyl penicillin (PenX). These proteins are localised in the inner membrane and have molecular weights ranging from 97,000 to 22,000. Neutral hydroxylamine released the labelled PenX from the PBPs and pretreatment with cold benzyl penicillin inhibited labelling completely. The PBP 4 is the most sensitive target for cephaloridine and aztreonam. Cephaloridine also binds to three other high molecular weight PBPs, 1, 2 and 3. Aztreonam, in addition to PBP 4, has affinity for another low molecular weight PBP, PBP 7. Mecillinam has affinity for PBPs 1, 4 and 11.

7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl carboxylic acids as thromboxane A2 antagonists: aza omega-chain analogues

A novel bicyclic prostaglandin analogue, [1S-[1 alpha, 2 alpha (Z), 3 alpha, 4 alpha]]-7-[3-[[[[(1- Oxoheptyl)amino]acetyl]amino]-methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2- yl]-5-heptenoic acid [-)-7) was found to be a potent and selective thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor antagonist. Unlike the related series of omega-chain allylic alcohols, amide 7 and its congeners were uniformly free of direct contractile activity in vitro (bovine coronary) and in vivo (anesthetized guinea pig). Amide 7 was effective in the inhibition of (a) arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation of human platelet-rich plasma (I50 = 0.18 +/- 0.006 microM), (b) 11,9-epoxymethano-PGH2 induced platelet aggregation of human platelet-rich plasma (I50 = 0.24 microM), (c) 11,9-epoxymethano-PGH2 induced contraction of guinea pig trachea (Kb = 3.0 +/- 0.3 nM) or rat aorta (Kb = 8.8 +/- 1.1 nM), and (d) arachidonic acid induced bronchoconstriction in the anesthetized guinea pig (0.1-1.0 mg/kg iv). Amide 7 inhibited the binding of [5,6-3H2]-[1S- (1 alpha, 2 alpha (Z), 3 alpha, 4 alpha)]-7-[3-[[2-[(Phenyl- amino)carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5- heptenoic acid to human platelet membranes in a specific and saturable manner with a Kd = 49.6 +/- 1.4 nM.

9,11-epoxy-9-homoprosta-5-enoic acid analogues as thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists

A novel bicyclic prostaglandin analogue, (1S)-[1 alpha, 2 alpha(Z),3 alpha(1E,3S*,4R*),4 alpha]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-phenyl-1-pentenyl)-7- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid (4), was found to be a potent and selective thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptor antagonist. Alcohol 4 was the only member in a series of allylic alcohols which did not display direct contractile activity in the rat stomach strip model. Alcohol 4 was effective in the inhibition of (a) arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation of human platelet-rich plasma (I50 = 0.65 +/- 0.1 microM); (b) 11,9-epoxymethano-PGH2 induced contraction of guinea pig trachea (pA2 = 8.0 +/- 0.2) or rat aorta (pA2 = 8.1 +/- 0.2); and (c) arachidonic acid induced bronchoconstriction in the anesthetized guinea pig (1 mg/kg iv). A radioiodinated analogue of 4 bound in a specific and saturable manner to human platelet membranes with a Kd = 2.3 +/- 0.9 nM. Modification of the alpha-chain, in an attempt to minimize in vivo metabolism, resulted in TxA2 receptor antagonists of reduced in vitro potency.

Light-driven diurnal zonation in the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani

Zonation in growing mycelia of Fusarium solani was induced by diurnal light/dark cycles. Only those parts of the hyphae that grew in darkness for less than 20 hours developed a zone of conidia after illumination. In continuous darkness, in continuous illumination, or after a transition from light to darkness, a conidiation zone failed to appear. Only light periods exceeding a few seconds but lasting less than 21 hours during a 24 hour light/dark cycle induced zonation. This zonation was not caused by periodic staling of the growth medium.

Lipid A mutants of Vibrio cholerae: isolation and partial characterization

Vibrio cholerae mutants resistant to common antibiotics and neutral and anionic detergents were isolated. Analysis of isolated outer membranes revealed a significant deficiency in the acylation of lipid A in the resistant strains. The content of amide-linked and ester-bound fatty acids in the lipid A of the mutant strains compared to that of the wild type was about 50-56% and 29-37% respectively. This defect was specific for lipid A as there was no change in the acylation of phospholipids. The reduction in fatty acid content of lipid A was reflected in the altered endotoxic properties in the mutant strains.

Oscillatory CO2 evolution in glycolysing yeast extracts

The rate of formation of carbon dioxide in cytoplasmic yeast extracts in an open system with continuous infusion of glucose was measured by membrane inlet mass spectrometry during glycolytic oscillations. The rate of CO2 production rose in the first third of each cycle to a maximum of about 100 mumol per ml yeast extract per hour and subsequently diminished to a final level of about 50 mumol per h. Measurements of the NADH light absorption under the same conditions revealed oscillations of relaxation type. The phase of high CO2 production could be related to the phase of the high NADH level, giving evidence that the flux in glycolysis is increased during the phase of high NADH concentration. Only half of the amount of injected glucose was metabolized to CO2 during the sustained oscillation, although free glucose did not accumulate.

Age-dependent proteins in eyes of annual killifishes Pterolebias longipinnis detected by 2-dimensional electrophoresis

1. Eye proteins of Pterolebias longipinnis have been analyzed by 2-dimensional isoelectric focusing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis during aging from adolescence until normal death. 2. The protein pattern on the gels changed gradually with progressing age. 3. In senescent eyes, three protein spots appeared for a time and 36 disappeared from the pattern. 4. The isoelectric points of the proteins in the presence of urea and the molecular weights in an unreducing buffer are presented.

Differences in the renal handling of pancreatic and salivary amylase in the rat

Plasma activity and excretion of pancreatic (P) amylase in the rat was found to be negligible. In contrast, the excretion rate of salivary (S) amylase was substantial and variable, depending on diuresis. P-amylase had a higher isoelectric point, a greater sieving coefficient, and a shorter half-life than S-amylase. A bolus injection of 125I-labelled enzymes was followed by the appearance of 125I-labelled enzyme- as well as protein-free 125I activity in the urine. The enzyme loss was smaller and the fraction of protein-free 125I activity higher following injection of P-amylase. The affinity of P-amylase to paraffin oil exceeded that of S-amylase in partition experiments with water and paraffin oil in vitro. It is concluded that both renal filtration and reabsorption of P-amylase exceed those of S-amylase. This might be due to the higher lipophility of P-amylase in comparison to the salivary type.

A mutation in the dam gene of Vibrio cholerae: 2-aminopurine sensitivity with intact GATC methylase activity

Vibrio cholerae mutants sensitive to 2-aminopurine (2AP) but with DNA adenine methylase activity similar to parental cells have been isolated. The mutant strains were sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV), methyl methane sulphonate (MMS) and 9-aminoacridine. The spontaneous mutation frequency of the mutants were not significantly affected. Attempts to isolate dam V. cholerae cells by screening 2AP sensitive cells have not been successful. All the mutant phenotypes could be suppressed by introducing the plasmid pRB103 carrying the dam gene of Escherichia coli into the mutant cells.

Cloning and characterization of mutL and mutS genes of Vibrio cholerae: nucleotide sequence of the mutL gene

The mutL and mutS genes of Vibrio cholerae have been identified using interspecific complementation of Escherichia coli mutL and mutS mutants with plasmids containing the gene bank of V. cholerae. The recombinant plasmid pJT470, containing a 4.7 kb fragment of V. cholerae DNA codes for a protein of molecular weight 92,000. The product of this gene reduces the spontaneous mutation frequency of the E. coli mutS mutant. The plasmid, designated pJT250, containing a 2.5 kb DNA fragment of V. cholerae and coding for a protein of molecular weight 62,000, complements the mutL gene function of E. coli mutL mutants. These gene products are involved in the repair of mismatches in DNA. The complete nucleotide sequence of mutL gene of V. cholerae has been determined.

Diagnosis of retinoblastoma by fine-needle aspiration and aqueous cytology

This article reports the cytodiagnosis of three cases of retinoblastoma in children aged 1.5, 2.5, and 5 yr. Two of them were diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology of the primary tumor and one by aqueous cytology. The tumor cells were usually round to oval, small and uniform, with scanty cytoplasm; they generally occurred in closely packed clusters of variable sizes. We discuss the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma with other round-cell tumors of childhood involving the orbit.

Lack of umuDC gene functions in Vibrio cholerae cells

Attempts to identify an umuDC analog, using interspecific complementation of Escherichia coli mutants with plasmids containing a gene bank of Vibrio cholerae, were not successful. The DNA from none of the vibrio species examined including marine vibrios hybridized to E. coli umuC and umuD gene sequences. These cells are not mutable by ultraviolet (UV) light and cannot Weigle-reactivate UV-irradiated choleraphages, suggesting that vibrios are deficient in the umuDC operon. This possibility is supported by the fact that when the plasmid pKM101 carrying the mucAB genes is introduced into V. cholerae cells, they acquire the UV-mutable phenotype and UV-irradiated choleraphages can be Weigle-reactivated.

Abortive replication of choleraphage phi 149 in Vibrio cholerae biotype el tor

Choleraphage phi 149 adsorbed irreversibly to Vibrio cholerae biotype el tor cells, and 50% of the injected phage DNA bound to the cell membrane. Although no infectious centers were produced at any time during infection, the host macromolecular syntheses were shut off and the host DNA underwent chloramphenicol-inhibitable degradation. Synthesis of monomeric phage DNA continued similar to that observed in the permissive host. However, the concatemeric DNA intermediates produced were unstable and could not be chased to mature phage DNA. Pulse-labeling of UV-irradiated infected cells at different times during infection allowed identification of phage-specific proteins made in this nonpermissive host. Although most of the early proteins were made, only some of the late proteins were transiently synthesized.

Excretion of cholera toxin from Escherichia coli: a potential oral vaccine for cholera

Escherichia coli strain N100 has been mutagenized by transposon mutagenesis and mutants with a cell surface leaky phenotype have been isolated. The mutant designated as E. coli N100::Tn5 excreted periplasmic proteins like ribonuclease and alkaline phosphatase. When this mutant strain was transformed with plasmids containing cloned cholera toxin genes, the toxin protein synthesized in the cells were excreted. The potentiality of this strain as a live oral vaccine for cholera has been discussed.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 5,6-exo-epoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives

1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 beta(1E,3S),4 alpha,5 alpha,6 alpha]-7-[5,6-Epoxy-3- (3-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-propenyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2- yl]-5-heptenoic acid (31) and [1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 beta(1E,3S),4 alpha,5 alpha,6 alpha]-7-[5,6-epoxy-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1- pentenyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid (37) were found to be selective TxA2 antagonists at the platelet and pulmonary thromboxane receptors. An efficient stereospecific synthesis of these compounds and a series of structural analogues is described. Compounds 31 and 37 both inhibited the bronchoconstriction induced by arachidonic acid in the anesthetized guinea pig.

Intracellular development of choleraphage phi 149 under permissive and nonpermissive conditions: an electron microscopic study

Intracellular development of choleraphage phi 149 following infection of Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio eltor cells under different conditions was examined by thin-section electron microscopy. Degradation of the host DNA following infection and formation of mature phage particles inside the infected cells were demonstrated. The concatemeric DNA intermediate formed during intracellular replication of phi 149 DNA in permissive hosts was resolved. In confirmation of biochemical evidence, no concatemeric DNA intermediate was observed for infection in high-phosphate medium.

Replication and packaging of choleraphage phi 149 DNA

The intercellular replication of the circularly permuted DNA of choleraphage phi 149 involves a concatemeric DNA structure with a size equivalent to six genome lengths. The synthesis of both monomeric and concatemeric DNAs during replication of phi 149 occurred in the cytoplasm. The concatemers served as the substrate for the synthesis of mature phage DNA, which was eventually packaged by a headful mechanism starting from a unique pac site in the concatemeric DNA. Packaging of DNA into phage heads involved binding of concatemeric DNA to the cell membrane. A scheme involving sequential packaging of five headfuls proceeding in the counterclockwise direction from the pac site is proposed. After infection under high-phosphate conditions, the concatemeric DNA intermediates were not formed, although synthesis of monomeric molecules was unaffected.

Fast method for two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins from biological samples

The method for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of J. Klose and M. Feller [(1981) Electrophoresis 2, 12-24] has been simplified by reducing the thickness of the gels from 3.5 to 1.1 mm for isoelectric focusing gels and from 3.5 to 0.84 mm for sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gels. Thin gels need less reagents and smaller sample volumes. Cooling of the thin gels during electrophoresis is more effective, which allows the use of higher electric power. Therefore, less time is required for an electrophoretic run (approx 4 h). The resolution increases due to the smaller size of the spots. The time required for staining the gels is reduced from at least 3 days to about 1 h. The method has been tested with a protein sample from the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani.

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a recA-like gene from Vibrio cholerae

A library containing more than 80% of the Vibrio cholerae genome was constructed by cloning BamH1 restriction fragments into pBR322. Using interspecific complementation of an Escherichia coli recA mutant with plasmids containing the gene bank of V. cholerae, a recA-like gene was identified. The recombinant plasmid, designated as pDP145, contained a 1.45 kb segment of V. cholerae DNA which codes for a protein of molecular weight 39,000. The product of this gene confers methyl methane sulphonate resistance on the E. coli recA mutant, suppresses its ultraviolet (UV) light sensitive phenotype and has proteolytic activity on the phage lambda repressor. Induction of a 39,000 dalton protein in UV-irradiated V. cholerae cells was demonstrated.

Meibomian gland carcinoma initially identified by cytology

A 60-year-old female presented with a growing tumor of her left upper eyelid of 6 mo duration. The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) report was consistent with the clinical diagnosis of meibomian gland carcinoma, which was subsequently confirmed by histopathologic examination of tumor tissue. Exenteration was performed following a course of radiotherapy. There was no sign of recurrence after a follow-up period of 6 mo.

Infection by choleraphage phi 138: bacteriophage DNA and replicative intermediates

Choleraphage phi 138 contains a linear, double-stranded, circularly permuted DNA molecule of 30 X 10(6) daltons or 45 kilobase pairs. Upon infection, the host DNA is degraded, and synthesis of phage-specific DNA is detectable 20 min after infection. The phage utilizes primarily the host DNA degradation products for its own DNA synthesis. A physical map of phi 138 DNA was constructed with the restriction endonucleases Bg/II, HindIII, and PstI. A concatemeric replicative DNA intermediate equivalent to eight mature genome lengths was identified. The concatemer was shown to be the precursor for the synthesis of mature bacteriophage DNA which is subsequently packaged by a headful mechanism.

Contractile behaviour of the human pyelo-ureteral musculature. II. Repetitive electrical stimulation effects

In normal proximal and distal pyeloureteral human strips and in pathological reflux or obstructive segments the influence of repetitive electrical stimulation at frequencies between 0.01 and 200 Hz on their contractile behaviour was studied. Between 0.01 and 1 Hz baseline tone and maximum amplitude of contraction were dependent on stimulation frequencies, but some strips showed an irregular response pattern. At frequencies between 1 and 200 Hz half of the strips showed a typical "on" and "off" contraction (at the beginning and end of the stimulus period respectively) separated by a plateau. We consider the "off" reaction to be a response to an ionic displacement at the end of the stimulus. Spontaneous activity was mostly observed in Tyrode solution and in calix and pyelum. Transmural nerve stimulation did not change the contraction patterns.

Contractile behaviour of the human pyelo-ureteral musculature. I. Contraction frequency/force relationship

405 normal and pathological ureteral and pyelic strips were electrically stimulated according to different schemes. Reflux strips produced stronger contractions than normal ones; transversally excised strips contracted stronger than longitudinal ones. The amplitude of a test pulse after a series of stimuli increased with increasing delay until a constant value (at 30 s). The first contraction after a rest period had a lower latency and higher amplitude ("rest contraction"). The time to peak force of contractions was constant. Elongation of the strips increased the amplitude but not the latency of the contractions. In the discussion the similarities between the contractile behaviour of the pyeloureteral muscle and of the heart are discussed.

Urethral instability: related to stress and/or urge incontinence?

Urethral instability (pressure variations of more than 15 cm. water during bladder filling) was noted in 12 of 34 women with bladder instability and 13 of 139 with a stable bladder. Of the patients 10 had urge, 5 mixed and 8 genuine stress incontinence, while 1 had enuresis and 1 had recurrent cystitis. A clear correlation between urethral pressure variations and electromyographic fluctuations in the anal and/or urethral sphincter was found in 14 of 17 patients. Only urethral pressure variations of more than 35 cm. water are reported as provoking urgency. Different types of pressure fluctuations are described but no fundamental differences or causative factors were found. A nervous rather than a vascular factor is designated as the main cause for urethral instability.

Effect of changes in the osmolarity of the growth medium on Vibrio cholerae cells

The rate and extent of lysis of Vibrio cholerae cells under nongrowing conditions were dependent on the osmolarity of the growth medium. Gross alterations in cellular morphology were observed when V. cholerae cells were grown in media of high and low osmolarity. The rate of lysis of V. cholerae cells under nongrowing conditions increased after treatment with chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol-treated V. cholerae 569B cells showed formation of sphaeroplast-like bodies in medium of high osmolarity, but not in low osmolarity. Changes in the osmolarity of the growth medium also regulated the expression of the outer membrane proteins. This regulation was abolished if V. cholerae cells were grown in Pi-depleted medium. Analysis of the lytic behavior and composition of outer membrane proteins of an osmotically fragile mutant strain revealed a similar dependence on the osmolarity of the growth medium.

Long term oscillation in glycolysis

To increase the period of glycolytic oscillations in yeast extracts (Saccharomyces uvarum), the dependence of the period on pH, on concentrations of phosphate and enzymes, and on temperature has been studied. Stable oscillatory trans were obtained at a pH value of about 6.5. Increasing the phosphate and decreasing the enzyme concentrations as well as decreasing temperature lengthened the period. By dilution of the extract with buffer while maintaining the metabolite concentrations at their initial level the period could be successively prolonged from 20 min to about 6 h.

Rotational differences in urethral pressure in incontinent women

Urethral pressure profile measurements are made by means of microtransducers at four different positions in the urethra (anterior, posterior, left and right side). The maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) is always highest in the anterior position in stress as well as in urge incontinent women. The functional urethral length shows no differences in the four positions. In all positions the recorded pressures and urethral length are higher in the urge incontinent group than in the stress incontinent group. A decrease of MUCP with age is observed in both groups.

Urethral and perineal instability

50 out of 271 female patients showed urethral pressure variations of at least 15 cm H2O during bladder filling. These pressure fluctuations were accompanied by variations in the EMG activity of the anal and periurethral striated musculature. Urethral instability is frequently associated with bladder overactivity and occurs in younger people. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms and implications for therapy are discussed.

Heterogeneous progeny viruses are produced by a budding enveloped phage

Infection of Acholeplasma laidlawii cells by the temperate enveloped mycoplasma virus L2 results in production of three morphological forms of progeny L2 virus: L2-I, L2-II, and L2-III. These morphological forms can be separated by velocity sedimentation and agarose gel electrophoresis. The latter technique was used to size the quasi-spherical particles: L2-I is 74 nm, L2-II is 88 nm, and L2-III is 132 nm in diameter. The protein composition of the three L2 forms is the same, although there are differences in protein stoichiometric ratios. L2-I, L2-II, and L2-III have the same 11.8 kilobase pair superhelical DNA genome. However, UV inactivation studies and restriction frequency measurements indicate that L2-I and L2-III each contain 1 genome copy, while L2-II contains 2-3 genome copies.

Lysis of Vibrio cholerae cells: direct isolation of the outer membrane from whole cells by treatment with urea

Cells of Vibrio cholerae underwent rapid autolysis when suspended in media of low osmolarity under non-growing conditions. Chaotropes like urea and guanidine. HCl which are potent protein denaturants caused complete and immediate lysis of whole cells. This unique sensitivity of V. cholerae to protein denaturants led to the development of a rapid method for the selective isolation of the outer membrane upon treatment of whole cells with urea. The composition of the outer membrane isolated from both whole cells and crude envelopes by treatment with urea was comparable with that of the outer membrane isolated by other conventional methods.

Phosphate repression of phage protein synthesis during infection by choleraphage phi 149

A synthetic medium for choleraphage phi 149 growth, in which the concentration of phosphate ions plays a significant role, has been defined. Upon infection, choleraphage phi 149 DNA binds to the cell membrane at three to four sites. The host macromolecular syntheses are shut off by 10 min after infection and the synthesis of phage-specific DNA is detectable after 20 min of infection. The phage utilizes primarily the host DNA degradation products for its own DNA synthesis. When added during the first 20 min of infection both nalidixic acid and novobiocin inhibit phage growth. The effects of these antibiotics are not pronounced when added late during infection. Pulse labeling of ultraviolet-irradiated infected cells at different times during infection has allowed identification of about 50 phage-specific proteins of which 19 are structural proteins. These proteins appear during the infection cycle in two distinct phases, early and late. When infection is carried out in high-phosphate medium, none of the late proteins is synthesized. Eleven of the 26 early proteins detected are DNA-binding proteins.

Repair of ultraviolet light-induced DNA damage in cholera bacteriophages

DNA repair-proficient and -deficient strains of Vibrio cholerae were used to examine host cell reactivation, Weigle reactivation and photoreactivation of u.v.-irradiated cholera bacteriophages. U.v. light-induced DNA damage in phages of different morphological and serological groups could be efficiently photoreactivated. Host cell reactivation of irradiated phages of different groups was different on the same indicator host. Phage phi 149 was the most sensitive, and phi 138 the most resistant to u.v. irradiation. While phi 138 showed appreciable host cell reactivation, this was minimal for phi 149. Attempts to demonstrate Weigle reactivation of u.v.-irradiated cholera phages were not successful, although u.v.-induced filamentation of host cells was observed.