Essential arginine residue in gramicidin S synthetase 1 of Bacillus brevis

Phenylalanine activation of gramicidin S synthetase 1 (GS 1) [EC 5.1.1.11] of Bacillus brevis is inhibited by phenylglyoxal. The inactivation of GS 1 by phenylglyoxal obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics and formation of a reversible enzyme-reagent complex prior to modification is indicated. Both ATP and phenylalanine prevent the inactivation by phenylglyoxal. ATP is competitive with phenylglyoxal, whereas phenylalanine is not. In the presence of ATP, one residue of arginine per mol of protein is protected from the modification as determined by amino acid analysis and incorporation of [7-14C]phenylglyoxal. These results indicate that a single arginine residue of GS 1 is essential for phenylalanine activation in binding the phosphate moiety of ATP.

Evidence for a single multifunctional polypeptide chain on gramicidin S synthetase 2 obtained from a wild strain and mutant strains of Bacillus brevis

The structures of the gramicidin S synthetase 2 s (GS 2, heavy enzyme) from a wild strain and mutant strains of Bacillus brevis have been studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The GS 2s used were obtained from a wild strain and group IV of mutant strains (BII-3, BI-3, BI-9) which lacked one specific amino acid activating activity. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of GS 2 bound to a radioactive substrate showed that: first, in the case of the wild enzyme, the radioactivity of the substrate amino acid was detected only in the polypeptide with a molecular weight of about 280,000, regardless of the amino acid species used as substrate; secondly, in the case of the mutant enzyme, the radioactivity of the amino acid which could be activated by the enzyme was also associated with the protein band with a molecular weight of about 280,000. Regardless of the enzyme species tested, a pantothenic acid residue was also present in the protein band with a molecular weight of about 280,000. These results suggest that GS 2 is a multifunctional one polypeptide enzyme and the mutant-type GS 2s from BII-3 (proline-lacking), BI-3 (valine-lacking), and BI-9 (leucine-lacking) are also multifunctional enzymes having molecular weights identical to that of the wild-type enzyme.

Self-mutilation. Plastic spherules in penile skin in yakuza, Japan's racketeers

Despite the reduction in crime in Japan there is a problem with organized racketeer groups, or yakuza in Japanese. The members of the yakuza can be recognized by their speech and behavior and by their physical characteristics such as tattooing and digital amputations. Penile balls are unusual sexual devices that have been found on some yakuza. Nine cases of unusual way of identifying yakuza are reported. A survey of a detension house showed that 28 prisoners out of 130, or 21.5%, had penile balls. Penile balls and the yakuza are discussed in relation to forensic psychiatry.

Sulfhydryl groups related to the catalytic activity of gramicidin S synthetase 1 of Bacillus brevis

Gramicidin S synthetase 1 (GS 1) [EC 5.1.1.11] (phenylalanine racemase) of Bacillus brevis contained about six sulfhydryl groups as determined by titration of the enzyme with 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). Two types of sulfhydryl groups could be detected in the reaction with DTNB. One sulfhydryl group reacted rapidly with DTNB whereas the other five reacted more slowly with it. Phenylalanine racemizing activity was abolished on the rapid sulfhydryl modification with DTNB. When GS 1 of the wild strain was preincubated with phenylalanine at 37 degrees C in the presence of ATP, MgCl(2), and dithiothreitol (DTT), the rapid sulfhydryl modification with DTNB was prevented. When GS 1 was incubated with L-[14C]phenylalanine in the presence of ATP, MgCl(2), and DTT, 1 mol of L-[14C]phenylalanine was incorporated per mol of enzyme protein as an acid-stable phenylalanine thioester-enzyme complex. On the other hand, for GS 1 of a gramicidin S non-producing and phenylalanine racemization-lacking mutant of B. brevis, the substate protection against the rapid sulfhydryl modification was not detected and L-[14C]phenylalanine was not incorporated into the enzyme protein as the thioester complex. These results strongly suggest that one sulfhydryl group of GS 1 which reacts rapidly with DTNB is essential for the racemizing activity.

Absence of pantothenic acid in gramicidin S synthetase 2 obtained from some mutants of Bacillus brevis

The pantothenic acid content of gramicidin S synthetase 2(GS 2) was estimated microbiologically with enzymes obtained from the wild strain and gramicidin S-lacking mutant strains of Bacillus brevis. Four mutant enzymes from BI-4, C-3, E-1, and E-2 lacked pantothenic acid. Other mutant enzymes from BII-3, BI-3, BI-9, and BI-2 contained the same amount of pantothenic acid as the wild-type enzyme. Pantothenic acid-lacking GS 2 belonged to group V of mutant enzymes, which could activate all amino acids related to gramicidin S; their complementary enzyme, gramicidin S synthetase 1(GS 1), lacked racemizing activity. To ascertain whether 4'-phosphopantetheine is involved in the formation of D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl diketopiperazine (DKP) and gramicidin S, combinations were tested of intact GS 1 from the wild strain with various mutant GS 2 either containing or lacking pantothenic acid. Only the combinations of wild-type GS 1 with mutant GS 2 containing pantothenic acid could synthesize DKP. Combinations with pantothenic acid-lacking GS 2 also failed to elongate peptide chains. Pantothenic acid-lacking GS 2 could bind the four amino acids which constitute gramicidin S as acyladenylates and thioesters, but the binding abilities were lower than those of the wild-type enzyme and other mutant enzymes containing the pantothenic group.

The influence of putrefactive changes on the determination of Paraquat in autopsy materials

This paper describes how the putrefactive changes in a cadaver will influence the determination of Paraquat in autopsy material. The carcasses of rats that had been given large doses of Paraquat and subsequently killed by cervical dislocation, were left at room temperature for up to seven days. Samples of stomach, caecum and liver were removed for the colorimetric determination of Paraquat with sodium dithionite following extraction on a Dowex 50W-4 column. Paraquat recovered from the stomach and caecum showed a decrease with time after death with the rate of decrease being greater in the caecum samples. However, the concentration of Paraquat in the liver increased for three days and then began to decrease gradually. The possible causes of these variations in Paraquat recovery are discussed. The findings appear to demonstrate the value of Paraquat determination even in samples from material that is in a state of advanced putrefaction.

In vivo and in vitro release of ACTH by synthetic CRF

The 41-residue corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was synthesized by the solid phase method. The synthetic CRF and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were examined for ACTH releasing activity and effects on the release of 5 other pituitary hormones in vivo and in vitro. Injection of the CRF into pharmacologically blocked rats increased plasma corticosterone levels in a dose-related manner. The minimum effective dose was 1.6 x 10(-12) mol/100 g body weight. CRF also significantly stimulated release of ACTH-like immunoreactivity in a dose-related manner from rat pituitary quarters beginning at a concentration of 10(-9) M. AVP, a peptide known to have CRF activity, exhibited slightly lower corticotropin releasing activity than the CRF at equimolar dose levels. Secretion of other pituitary hormones was not appreciably altered by either the CRF or AVP.

Amylase producing lung cancer. Electronmicroscopical and biochemical studies

A case of the lung cancer associated with marked elevation of serum (7820 IU/1) and of urinary amylase (2225 IU/1) was autopsied. Material was examined histopathologically, electronmicroscopically and biochemically. The pulmonary tumor tissues showed histological pattern of papillary adenocarcinoma. In addition to the small round bodies which were very similar to secretory granules, many large round bodies were noticed, diffusely distributed in the tumor cell. These large round bodies ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 micrometers in diameter and showed a lamellar or annular pattern. The soluble phase of the homogenized pulmonary tumor tissues had an amylase level of 11,300 IU/g of protein, which consisted of S-type isoamylase with minor components. Cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid were also present at greater concentration in the tumor tissue than the normal pulmonary tissue. The large round bodies appeared too, to be amylase including bodies from the electronmicroscopical and biochemical findings.

Effects of chlorpromazine and naloxone on growth hormone secretion in rats

The present study was conducted to examine roles of brain monoamines and opioid peptides in growth hormone (GH) secretion in unanesthetized, freely behaving rats. The administration of chlorpromazine (CPZ, 300 microgram/100 g, i.v.), an antagonist of brain monoamines, to rats that were passively immunized with antiserum to somatostatin immediately lowered plasma GH levels and inhibited episodic GH secretion. An intraventricular injection of beta-endorphin (3.5 microgram) stimulated GH secretion. This effect was completely inhibited by the prior administration of naloxone (100 microgram/100 g, i.v.), a specific antagonist of opioid peptides, but not by CPZ. In addition, the administration of naloxone did not inhibit episodic GH secretion. The results suggest that CPZ inhibits episodic GH secretion via a factor(s) other than somatostatin. It is also inferred that brain monoamines, but not opioid peptides, play major roles in the regulation of episodic GH secretion in rats.

Puffer poisoning in Japan--a case report

A fatal case of puffer poisoning in an 80-year-old man is reported. By using a bioassay with mice and extracts of crude poisons, the toxicities of the autopsy materials, fresh puffer ovaries, and the remaining cooked ovaries were determined and expressed in mouse units per gram (M.U.). Some medicolegal aspects of puffer poisoning are also discussed. Puffer poisoning is a primary cause of fatal food poisoning in Japan even though its frequency is not high.

Chlorpromazine inhibits episodic growth hormone secretion in the rat

Effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on plasma GH and prolactin levels were observed in conscious rats provided with chronic indwelling right atrial cannulae. The administration of CPZ (200 micrograms/100 g b.w. iv) suppressed episodic plasma GH burst and resulted in significant elevations of plasma prolactin levels. These were also observed in rats in which two types of hypothalamic deafferentation, i.e. anterior and complete, had been carried out. The data suggest that CPZ acts within the medial basal hypothalamus and inhibits episodic plasma GH secretion. In addition, it is inferred that catecholamines are involved in the generation of episodic plasma GH burst.

Suppression of cell-mediated immunity in rats transplanted with kidneys from donors compatible at the major histocompatibility complex

In order to study the immunological status of rats transplanted with H-1-compatible kidney allografts, LEW rats were grafted with F and (Fischer X Lewis)F1 (FLEWF1) kidneys. Most of the F kidneys were rejected within 55 days, only 4 of 24 surviving for more than 4 months. However, two-thirds of the FLEWF1 recipients survived for more than 4 months, the others having died within 64 days. During the first postoperative week, high levels of serum lymphocytotoxic antibodies were found in recipients of F kidneys, and thereafter there was little change. In this respect these rats did not differ from recipients of kidneys with major histocompatibility differences. However, recipients of FLEWF1 kidneys had low haemagglutinating and lymphocytotoxic antibody titres. No serum-blocking factor could be found in kidney of recipients by use of the microcytotoxicity assay (MCA) or inhibition of allorosette formation. Cellular immunity, which was studied by means of the graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) and the microcytotoxicity assay, was detected in the first postoperative week. This immunity gradually declined, and after 6 weeks it was no longer detectable. The immunological status of the long-term surviving kidney recipients remained unchanged, even when they were provided with further antigenic challenge in the form of two successive donor strain skin grafts.

Studies on gramicidin S synthetase. Purification of the heavy enzyme obtained from some mutants of Bacillus brevis

The heavy enzyme of gramicidin S synthetase was purified to an almost homogeneous state by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, ornithine-Sepharose 4B chromatography, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and Ultrogel AcA 22 chromatography. The enzyme was proved to be essentially homogeneous by ultracentrifugation and polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The heavy enzymes of gramicidin S synthetase from various groups of mutant strains lacking the ability to form gramicidin S were also purified to a similar extent. The sedimentation rates of the purified enzymes from a wild strain and the mutant strains (BI-3, BII-3, BI-9) were studied by analytical centrifugation and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The enzymes from the wild strain and these mutant strains were all found to have an S20,W value of 12.2 at a protein concentration of 2.5 mg per ml. These results strongly suggest that the failure of specific amino acid activation in the heavy enzyme of these gramicidin-lacking mutants might be due to some modification at the active center of the corresponding amino acid-activating enzyme rather than to a complete absence of the amino acid-activating enzyme protein in the heavy enzyme.

Studies on gramicidin S synthetase. Purification and properties of the light enzyme obtained from some mutants of Bacillus brevis

The phenylalanine-activating and/or-racemizing enzyme, i.e., the light enzyme, of gramicidin S synthetase was purified to a homogenous state by D-phenylalanine-Sepharose 4B chromatography from a wild and some gramicidin S-lacking mutant strains of Bacillus brevis. The light enzyme obtained from a mutant strain E-1 could activate phenylalanine but not racemize it, and had no phenylalanine-dependent ATP-[14C]AMP exchange activity, whereas the same enzyme obtained from other mutants and the wild strain had all three activities. Furthermore, the light enzyme of the mutant E-1 could form only acid-labile enzyme-bound phenylalanine, while the same fraction of the wild strain carried half of the enzyme-bound phenylalanine as acid-labile adenylate and half as a acid-stable thioester. These results suggest that the thiol site of the light enzyme of mutant E-1 might be damaged.

[Influence of indapamide on isolated rabbit arteries (author's transl)]

The effect of indapamide, a high ceiling diuretic, antihypertensive drug, was investigated in helically-cut strips of rabbit cerebral, coronary, renal, mesenteric and femoral arteries and aortae. The addition of indapamide in concentrations higher than 3 X 10(-5)M relaxed those arterial strips contracted with prostaglandin F2alpha; the relaxation being greater in cerebral, coronary and renal arteries. Atropine propranolol and aminophylline did not reduce the relaxing effect. Hydrochlorothiazide produced fewer incidences of relaxation. Treatment for 20 min with indapamide (3 X 10(-5) or higher) significantly attenuated the contractile response of mesentric arteries to nicotine and tyramine. Contractile responses to transmural electrical stimulation were not reduced but rather potentiated. The dose-response curve of norepinephrine was not significantly affected by indapamide. The contractile response of nictitating membranes of anesthetized cats to stimulation of preganglionic sympathetic nerves was not influenced by indapamide but was abolished by hexamethonium. It may be concluded that arterial relaxations induced by indapamide are due to a direct action on smooth muscles. Indapamide appears to attenuate the response to nicotine and tyramine by interfering with the mechanism of neuronal amine uptake. However, such does not involve a ganglionic blockade nor a reduction of the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminals.

The roles of corneal mucopolysaccharides and water contents in post-mortem corneal clouding

The quantitative changes in mucopolysaccharides (MPS) and water contents in post-mortem rabbit corneas were studied. On the basis of the results, the post-mortem periods were classified into 4 stages. The first stage was during the first day after death when the MPS and the corneal water contents were observed to have maintained their initial values and the cornea was "clear". The second was 1 to 3 days after death when the MPS remained at approximately their initial value, whereas the water contents were very pronounced. In this second stage the cornea was "a little clear" or "cloudy". The third was 3 to 6 days after death when the MPS were found to have decreased gradually, but the water contents maintained their high level. The cornea in this third stage was "cloudy" or "very cloudy". The fourth was 6 or more days after death when the two parameters were found to have decreased significantly, and the cornea was "very cloudy".

Stimulation of immunoreactive somatostatin release from hypothalamic synaptosomes by high (K+) and dopamine

Effects of high (K+) and dopamine on the release of immunoreactive somatostatin from isolated hypothalamic synaptosomes were studied in rats. High (K+) (60 mM) and dopamine (10(-6) M) in the incubation media stimulated the release of immunoreactive somatostatin and the former effect was completely abolished by the removal of Ca++ from the media. These suggest that hypothalamic somatostatinergic synaptosomes preserved at least one of the important basic properties of secretory cells. Although it is of interest to note that dopamine stimulated the release of somatostatin. Its physiological significance awaits further studies.

[Suppression of the cell-mediated immunity in minor histoincompatible rat kidney allograft recipients (author's transl)]

To study the immunological status of recipients of major compatible and minor incompatible kidney allografts, we transplanted FiS and FLF1 kidneys into LEW rats. Most of the FiS kidneys were rejected within 55 days. Of 24 recipients, only 4 survived longer than 4 months. However, two-thirds of the FLF1 recipients survived longer than 4 months. The other third died with 64 days. During the first postoperation week a high level of lymphocytotoxin was detected in the serum of the FiS kidney recipients. Thereafter hardly any alternation of its titer was found, and no variation among the recipients of major histocompatible kidney allografts was shown. The FLF1 kidney recipients showed a low titer of antibody. The hemagglutinin titer showed the same trend as the lymphocytotoxin titer. A blocking serum factor could not be found in the serum of the kidney recipients with the microcytotoxity assay method or with the allorosette-formation inhibition test. Cellular immunity, which was studied with the GvH-reaction and microcytotoxity assay, was detected in the first postoperative week. However, this immunity was gradually supressed, and after 6 weeks was no longer to be found. This immunological status remained unchanged in the indefinitive surviving kidney-recipients in spite of antigen inoculation with two skin allografts of donor origin. This immunological status could be defined as "graft acceptance".

[Active enhancement of canine liver allograft by pretreatment with polyspecific spleen alloantigen (author's transl)]

Because it is not possible to use donor specific antigens for the induction of immunological enhancement in cadaveric organtransplantation, attempts were made to use polyspecific antigens in the enhancement of orthotopic canine liver allotransplants. Of 34 mongrel recipients, 17 controls survived for 6.9 +/- 1.5 days. Six recipients (group 3) were given 750 mg/kg polyspecific, semisoluble antigen prepared from 20 spleens (PSEA 20) together with 10 mg/kg prednisolone on days 15, 8 and 1 before transplantation. The mean survival time of this group was 10.1 +/- 2.0 days (P less than 0.01 compared with the control group). Six other recipients (group 4) were treated similiarly, except that the antigen had been prepared from a pool of 70 spleens (PSEA 70). Survival was variable here: 3 survived for more than 3 weeks and the other 3 died on days 1, 7 and 8 post-operatively, with signs of accelerated rejection. Donors and recipients were not identical for LD determinants, but one donor recipient pair with near identity showed a higher degree of enhancement. The recipients displaying accelerated rejection had markedly higher lymphocytotoxic and haemagglutinating antibodies. Animals surviving for longer periods had low antibody titres. In addition, all recipients progressive rejection were found to show inhibition of leucocyte migration. After three antigen doses rosette-forming lymphocytes were present in increased numbers in peripheral blood, and remained unchanged thereafter.

[Is permanent survival of kidney allograft receivers in weak histo-incompatible combinations dependent on enhancement?]

To study the immunological status of indefinitely surviving recipients of histocompatible (minor histoincompatible) allografts we transplanted Fi or (Fi x LEW)F1-kidneys to LEW-rats. At the same time bilateral nephrectomy was performed. To examine the cellular immune response we carried out local GvHR, microcytotoxicity assay and allorosette-formation test with recipient cells. We also studied lymphocytotoxins in the serum of recipients. To detect a blocking serum factor we used allorosette-formation inhibition test and microcytotoxicity assay. A blocking serum factor could not be found. In spite of stimulation with donor specific skin graft the cellular immune response of prolonged surviving recipients was inhibited. Our results suggest that prolonged survival of minor histoincompatible renal allograft recipients was caused by suppression of cellular immune response.

Detection of serum-blocking factors by inhibition of allorosette formation in rats with long-surviving renal allografts following short-term postoperative ALS treatment

Thirty-nine (LEW x BN)F1 kidneys were transplanted to LEW rats. Twenty-four untreated recipients survived for a mean time of 16.1 +/- 1.7 days (group 1). Fifteen recipients received 4 ml of antilymphocytic serum per rat (group 3). In the last group 10 recipients survived for more than 4 months. The spleen cells of these permanently surviving 10 rats were obtained by splenectomy and used in a graft-versus-host assay, and this assay showed that the reactivity of these cells was normal. Following splenectomy the animals were given an (LEW x BN)F1 skin allograft, followed 18 days by a second. After another 18 days (LEW x Buf)F1 "third party" skin allografts were transplanted to the same animals. Animals of group 2 rejected their first grafts with a mean survival time of 12.2 +/- 1.2 days, whereas the second grafts were rejected normally as were the third party grafts. Attempts were made to detect lymphocytotoxic antibodies and haemagglutinins before and after the transplantation of skin grafts and none could be found up to day 53. The sera of group 2 inhibited allorosette formation by 38%. This serum-blocking factor was donor specific. It is probable that the survival of the kidney transplants following antilymphocytic serum treatment was brought about by the development of blocking antibodies.

Effect of hypophysectomy on hypothalamic somatostatin content in rats

The effect of hypophysectomy on the hypothalamic somatostatin content was examined in rats. Somatostatin content in the acid extract of the pituitary stalk and the median eminence tissue (SME) was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. In young male rats, the mean somatostatin content in SME was 63.9+/-5.0 ng. Two weeks after hypophysectomy, it was reduced significantly to 34.4+/-3.3 ng. The result may indicate that the elimination of feedback actions of GH and/or TSH on the hypothalamus led to the decreased synthesis and/or the release of somatostatin. However, the possibility that structural changes in the pituitary stalk and the median eminence tissue ensued after hypophysectomy resulted in the depletion of somatostatin cannot be ruled out.

[Immune status of indefinitely surviving rat renal allograft recipients after short course of ALS-treatment Detection of a serum blocking factor by allorosette formation inhibition test (author's transl)]

53 LBNF1 kidneys were grafted into L-rats. 24 untreated recipients served as control and survived 16.1 +/- 1.7 days. 14 recipients were treated with 4 ml alloantiserum (ADS) each, and the other 15 animals with 4 ml ALS each. 9 and 10 of these 14 and 15 animals survived for more than 4 months. We performed GvH-reaction with spleen cells of these 19 animals. It showed normal cellular immune response. After splenectomy first donor specific skin was transplanted, 18 days later second skin of same origin (LBNF1) and 18' days after third party skin (LBufF1). The first grafts survived 13.1 +/- 1.9 days in the recipients of ADS treatment and 12.2 +/- 1.2 days in the recipients of ALS. Second skin grafts were rejected delayed in the former recipients as the first grafts, in the later more accelerated than the first grafts. The third grafts survived as the controls. Before and after skin grafting we could not detect lymphocytotoxin and hemagglutinin. The sera of animals with ADS therapy inhibited the spontaneous allorosette formation to 46.0 +/- 4.4% and of ALS therapy 37.7 +/- 9.2%. Our results suggest that after ALS treatment blocking antibodies were produced in the recipients and they cause the enhancement of kidney allograft.