Histidase activity in cultivated human amniotic fluid cells

Epithelial and fibroblast cells were obtained from cultures of amniotic fluid cells. Epithelial cells demonstrated high activities of histidase. In contrast, histidase activity was not detected in fibroblasts derived from the same original culture. This observation indicates that cultures of amniotic fluid cells consist of cells with different biochemical properties as well as morphological characteristics.

A polynucleotide segment rich in adenylic acid in the rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA component of mouse sarcoma 180 ascites cells

The rapidly-labeled polyribosomal RNA component from mouse sarcoma 180 cells is retained on nitrocellulose (Millipore) membrane-filters at high ionic strength. This property is due to the presence of a polynucleotide sequence rich in adenylic acid that resists both T(1) and pancreatic RNase digestion. The resistant material shows sedimentation characteristics close to those of transfer RNA. The RNA molecules that contain this material can be separated from the rest of the polysomal RNA by differential phenol extraction with neutral and alkaline Tris buffers. Synthetic poly(A) exhibits the same behavior as the rapidly-labeled polysomal RNA with respect to Millipore binding and phenol fractionation. The characteristics of the rapidly-labeled polysomal RNA component permit its isolation free of ribosomal RNA.

Attachment of ribosomes to membranes during polysome formation in mouse sarcoma 180 cells

Addition of nutrients to starved mouse S-180 cells leads to rapid conversion of ribosomal monomers to polysomes. During this process, a portion of the ribosomes originally found in the 17,000 g (10 min centrifugation) supernatant of cell lysates becomes firmly attached to structures sedimenting at 500 g (5 min centrifugation). Electron microscopy of sections of the intact cells showed the change from randomly distributed ribosomal particles to clusters. Association with membranes also became evident. The material sedimenting at 500 g comprised nuclei enclosed in an extensive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network. This fraction prepared from recovering cells showed numerous ribosome clusters associated with the ER network. The appearance of many of these clusters indicated that the ribosomal particles were not directly bound to the membranes. RNase treatment released about 40% of the attached ribosomes as monomers, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid released 60% as subunits. It is suggested that during polysome formation a portion of the ribosomes becomes attached to the membranes through the intermediary of messenger RNA.

Diacetyl production by Propionibacterium shermanii in milk cultures

Diacetyl production by propionibacteria in milk cultures was studied using a previously described sensitive method specific for diacetyl. Twenty-four strains belonging to six Propionibacterium species were included in the study. A strain of P. shermanii that produced relatively large amounts of diacetyl in milk was chosen for investigations on factors affecting diacetyl production.Accumulation of the diketone in milk cultures was greater at 21 C than at 32 or 37 C although the rate of production of the compound was greater at the higher temperatures. Rapid cooling after incubation stabilized the diacetyl levels in milk cultures, and prolonged refrigerated holding caused an increase in the concentration of the flavor compound. The dicarbonyl production was greatly affected by the pH of the culture medium, the most favorable range being 4.0 to 4.5. In mixed culture study using a homo-fermentative Streptococcus lactis in combination with the P. shermanii strain, diacetyl production by the latter was greatly enhanced by the rapid pH depression brought about by the streptococci. Diacetyl reductase assays on cell-free extract preparations from the P. shermanii strain showed little or no activity.