Metabolic studies of the protozoan parasite, Crithidia luciliae, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to follow glucose metabolism in Crithidia luciliae. Parasites were grown aerobically and anaerobically in culture, with glucose as the major carbon source and 1H NMR spectra were acquired for the cell free medium. The 1H NMR resonances of metabolites utilised and produced during cell growth were identified by difference spectroscopy, and quantitated from standard curves using 3-trimethylsilyl propionate-2,2,3,3-d4 sodium salt as an internal standard. The major metabolites produced by C. luciliae grown aerobically on 8 mM glucose were succinate, pyruvate, acetate and ethanol, in final concentrations in the media when the cells entered stationary phase of 8.5 +/- 0.5, 5.0 +/- 0.3, 2.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.5 +/- 0.6 mM, respectively. The production of succinate and pyruvate, but not acetate and ethanol, followed closely the growth curve of the parasites. Succinate was also measured enzymically and glucose using an autoanalyser. In both cases the results correlated well with the NMR data. The amounts of end products formed were greater than could be accounted for by the utilisation of glucose or any other metabolite observable in the 1H NMR spectra. There was approximately one extra atom of carbon for each molecule of succinate formed, supporting the view that succinate is produced via phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and carbon dioxide fixation. Anaerobically the same major metabolites were produced, but with a decreased ratio of succinate to acetate and ethanol. The formation of glycerol from glucose was not observed under these conditions.

Kinetic mechanism of sheep liver NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase

The kinetic mechanism of the major sheep liver aldehyde reductase (ALR1) was studied with three aldehyde substrates: p-nitrobenzaldehyde, pyridine-3-aldehyde and D-glucuronate. In each case the enzyme mechanism was sequential and product-inhibition studies were consistent with an ordered Bi Bi mechanism, with the coenzymes binding to the free enzyme. Binding studies were used to investigate the interactions of substrates, products and inhibitors with the free enzyme. These provided evidence for the binding of D-glucuronate, L-gulonate and valproate, as well as NADP+ and NADPH. The enzyme was inhibited by high concentrations of D-glucuronate in a non-competitive manner, indicating that this substrate was able to bind to the free enzyme and to the E X NADP+ complex at elevated concentrations. Although the enzyme was inhibited by high pyridine-3-aldehyde concentrations, there was no evidence for the binding of this substrate to the free enzyme. Sheep liver ALR1 was inhibited by the ionized forms of alrestatin, sorbinil, valproate, 2-ethylhexanoate and phenobarbitone, indicating the presence of an anion-binding site similar to that described for the pig liver enzyme, which interacts with inhibitors and substrates containing a carboxy group. Sorbinil, valproate and 2-ethylhexanoate inhibited the enzyme uncompetitively at low concentrations and non-competitively at high concentrations, whereas phenobarbitone and alrestatin were non-competitive and uncompetitive inhibitors respectively. The significance of these results with respect to inhibitor and substrate binding is discussed.

Immunochemistry on cryptomonad biliproteins

A SURVEY IS MADE OF THE IMMUNOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF FOUR OF THE SIX KNOWN TYPES OF CRYPTOMONAD BILIPROTEINS: phycocyanins 612 and 645 and phycoerythrins 545 and 566. They were compared both among themselves and to selected biliproteins isolated from blue-green and red algae. All the cryptomonad biliproteins were shown to be closely related to each other by Ouchterlony double diffusion technics. An antigenic relationship among all the cryptomonad biliproteins and B-phycoerythrin (red alga) and C-phycoerythrin (blue-green alga) was established. Only a very marginal cross-reactivity was found between C-phycocyanin (blue-green algae) and the cryptomonad biliproteins. These results suggest a common ancestor for the photosynthetic units of all three biliprotein-containing phyla.

A prospective study of dysplasia and carcinoma in the rectal biopsies and rectal stump of eight patients following ileorectal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis

The present study concerns eight patients with ulcerative colitis treated by total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis and subjected to follow-up rectal biopsies who later developed precancer (two cases) or carcinoma in the retained rectum. We report the results of the biopsies and the detailed mapping of lesions in the resected rectal stump to highlight certain features which may lead to increased detection rate of early malignancy. Two groups of patients emerged. Group A: in all four cases the follow-up biopsies showed increasing severity of dysplasia; altered mucin secretion with predominance of sialomucins was seen in the biopsies even in the absence of inflammation or dysplasia; the biopsy findings (morphological and secretory) mirrored those observed in the rectal stump; in three, the lesions were villous polypoid growths, of which two were invasive carcinomas. Group B: in none of the cases was dysplasia seen in the biopsies and mucus secretion was normal; similar features were seen in the rectal stump; all had invasive carcinoma of which three were flat ulcerated lesions. The different behaviour of carcinoma in the two groups almost certainly reflects the different tumour phenotype characteristics and this is a matter for further study. From the practical point of view we emphasize the risk of relying on biopsy evidence of dysplasia alone as an indicator of malignancy and the need for additional immunological or histochemical tests to assess the individual risk of cancer in colitis.

Effects of DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA and bromoacetyl-CoA in rat liver and heart mitochondria. Inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase and displacement of [14C]malonyl-CoA from mitochondrial binding sites

The overt form of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT1) in rat liver and heart mitochondria was inhibited by DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA and bromoacetyl-CoA. S-Methanesulphonyl-CoA inhibited liver CPT1. The inhibitory potency of DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA was 17 times greater with liver than with heart CPT1. Inhibition of CPT1 by DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA was unaffected by 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or (in liver) by starvation. In experiments in which DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA displaced [14C]malonyl-CoA bound to liver mitochondria, the KD (competing) was 25 times the IC50 for inhibition of CPT1 providing evidence that the malonyl-CoA-binding site is unlikely to be the same as the acyl-CoA substrate site. Bromoacetyl-CoA inhibition of CPT1 was more potent in heart than in liver mitochondria and was diminished by 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or (in liver) by starvation. Bromoacetyl-CoA displaced bound [14C]malonyl-CoA from heart and liver mitochondria. In heart mitochondria this displacement was competitive with malonyl-CoA and was considerably facilitated by L-carnitine. In liver mitochondria this synergism between carnitine and bromoacetyl-CoA was not observed. It is suggested that bromoacetyl-CoA interacts with the malonyl-CoA-binding site of CPT1. L-Carnitine also facilitated the displacement by DL-2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA of [14C]malonyl-CoA from heart, but not from liver, mitochondria. DL-2-Bromopalmitoyl-CoA and bromoacetyl-CoA also inhibited overt carnitine octanoyl-transferase in liver and heart mitochondria. These findings are discussed in relation to inter-tissue differences in (a) the response of CPT1 activity to various inhibitors and (b) the relationship between high-affinity malonyl-CoA-binding sites and those sites for binding of L-carnitine and acyl-CoA substrates.

Detection of an antigenic cell wall layer in Histoplasma capsulatum. An immunoelectron microscopic study

Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells have been studied by immunoelectron microscopy using rabbit polyclonal antisera and a biotin-avidin-peroxidase detection system. An antigenic surface layer has been visualized in the cell wall of immunostained organisms. This layer was not seen in samples prepared by standard electron microscopic methods or in negative controls used with the immunocytochemical technique. Without immunostaining the cell wall of Histoplasma appeared almost transparent. In contrast, after immunoperoxidase staining the cell wall was conspicuous, bounded by the darkly stained outer layer. This electron dense layer, appeared to be a reservoir of surface antigens that were recognized by anti-Histoplasma antibodies.

Multiple rater performance appraisals: solutions for hospital personnel

Widely used single rater personnel appraisal systems are not as effective as they should be. Moreover, rater training does not improve ratings based on one person's judgment about an employee. Multiple rater appraisal systems improve accuracy by using the judgments of several knowledgeable people in arriving at a decision. Multiple rater performance appraisals are better than single rater systems because they increase participation; improve accuracy and perceived fairness; provide higher quality management information for selection decisions; supply better Equal Employee Opportunity documentation; give quantitative feedback for employees, appraisers and management; take less management time to complete the performance measurement process and, consequently, improve cost effectiveness.

Human brain 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase: purification and kinetic properties

6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase has been purified from human brain to a specific activity of 22.8 U/mg protein. The molecular weight was 90,000. At low ionic strengths enzyme activity increased, due to an increase in Vmax and a decrease in Km for 6-phosphogluconate, and activity subsequently decreased as the ionic strength was increased (above 0.12). Both 6-phosphogluconate and NADP+ provided good protection against thermal inactivation, with 6-phosphogluconate also providing considerable protection against loss of activity caused by p-chloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide. Initial velocity studies indicated the enzyme mechanism was sequential. NADPH was a competitive inhibitor with respect to NADP+, and the Ki values for this inhibition were dependent on the concentration of 6-phosphogluconate. Product inhibition by NADPH was noncompetitive when 6-phosphogluconate was the variable substrate, whereas inhibition by the products CO2 and ribulose 5-phosphogluconate and NADP+ were varied. In totality these data suggest that binding of substrates to the enzyme is random. CO2 and ribulose 5-phosphate are released from the enzyme in random order with NADPH as the last product released.

The three-point beam test for the evaluation of dental porcelain

The three-point beam test is simple and extremely sensitive to surface conditions. It appears to be ideally suited to the evaluation of dental porcelain, but specimen fabrication is difficult. In this study, specimens of porcelain fired on platinum foil have been constructed using an alumina former. The results showed excellent specimen consistency and reproducibility. Of the surfaces investigated, the use of tin-oxide-coated platinum foil did not result in an increase in transverse strength.

Initial-velocity kinetics of succinoyl-coenzyme A-3-oxo acid coenzyme A-transferase from sheep kidney

The initial-velocity kinetics of sheep kidney CoA-transferase are consistent with a Ping Pong mechanism. A KAcAc-CoA of 2.7 X 10(-5) M, KSucc-CoA of 1.6 X 10(-4) M, KSucc of 5.6 X 10(-3) M and KAcAc of 6.7 X 10(-5) M were determined by using a direct assay system that monitors the concentration of magnesium acetoacetyl-CoA enolate. However, product-inhibition kinetics of sheep kidney CoA-transferase are inconsistent with a Ping Pong mechanism. The possible involvement of separate binding sites for succinate and acetoacetate are discussed.

Polyol-pathway enzymes of human brain. Partial purification and properties of sorbitol dehydrogenase

Sorbitol dehydrogenase was isolated from human brain and purified 690-fold, giving a final specific activity of 11.1 units/mg of protein. The enzyme preparation was nearly homogeneous, but was unstable at most temperatures. It exhibited a broad pH optimum of 7.5-9.0 in the forward reaction (i.e. sorbitol leads to fructose), and of 7.0 in the reverse reaction (i.e. fructose leads to sorbitol). Substrate-specificity studies demonstrated that the enzyme had the capability to oxidize a wide range of polyols and that the enzyme had a higher affinity for substrates in the forward reaction than in the reverse reaction, e.g. Km for sorbitol was 0.45 mM, and that for fructose was 480 mM. However, the Vmax. was 10 times greater in the reverse reaction. At high concentrations of fructose (500 mM) the enzyme exhibited substrate inhibition in the reverse reaction. The enzyme mechanism was sequential, as determined by the kinetic patterns arising from varying the substrate concentrations. In addition, both fructose and NADH protected the enzyme against thermal inactivation. These findings, together with product-inhibition data, suggested that the mechanism is random rapid equilibrium with two dead-end complexes.

Inhibition of human brain aldose reductase and hexonate dehydrogenase by alrestatin and sorbinil

Human brain aldose reductase and hexonate dehydrogenase are inhibited by alrestatin (AY 22,284) and sorbinil (CP 45,634). Inhibition by alrestatin is noncompetitive for both enzymes, and slightly stronger for hexonate dehydrogenase (KI values 52-250 microM) than for aldose reductase (KI values 170-320 microM). Sorbinil inhibits hexonate dehydrogenase far more potently than aldose reductase, KI values being 5 5 microM for hexonate dehydrogenase and 150 microM for aldose reductase. The inhibition of hexonate dehydrogenase by sorbinil is noncompetitive with respect to both aldehyde and NADPH substrates, and is thus kinetically similar to the inhibition by alrestatin. However, sorbinil inhibition of aldose reductase is uncompetitive with respect to glyceraldehyde and noncompetitive with NADPH as the varied substrate. Inhibition of human brain aldose reductase by these two inhibitors is much less potent than that reported for the enzyme from other sources.

Stress: causes, consequences, and coping strategies

Because of the negative effect stress has on employee health and productivity, ways to manage stress should be of particular concern to human resources managers. Recognizing this, authors Heather R. Sailer, territorial sales representative for American Medical Systems, a division of American Hospital Supply Corporation, John Schlacter, professor of marketing, and Mark Edwards, assistant professor of agriculture--the latter two at Arizona State University--created a model for applying stress-management strategies. Their model integrates seven categories of strategies--two of which are physical maintenance and outside assistance. The model shows at which stage of stress--before, during, or after the stressful event--each strategy can most effectively be used, and in which are of management--self-management, systems management, or organizational management--it is most appropriate.

Syringomyelia and its surgical treatment--an analysis of 75 patients

A consecutive series of 75 patients with syringomyelia is presented, all of whom were treated by cranio-vertebral operations. Attention is drawn to the difficulty in assessing the results of treatment but 56 stabilised or showed modest improvement after surgery. Occluding the central canal appeared to have no greater influence on the progression of the disease than did simple decompression and did have a higher incidence of complications. Upper motor neurone weakness, joint position sense and central neck pain are the features most likely to improve and it is concluded that relieving the medullary compression resulting from a Chiari type 1 malformation, rather than influencing the syrinx, is the means by which this may occur. Simple decompression with preservation of the arachnoid membrane, combined with syringostomy in certain cases, is recommended.

Subcellular distribution and movement of 5'-nucleotidase in rat cells

1. Cell-surface 5'-nucleotidase was assayed by incubating whole-cell suspensions with 5'[3H]-AMP in iso-osmotic buffer and measuring [3H]adenosine production. The activity of cell-surface 5'-nucleotidase in hepatocytes, adipocytes and lymphocytes isolated from the rat was 15.0, 0.5 and 0.8pmol/min per cell at 37 degrees C respectively. 2. Disruption of the cells by vigorous mechanical homogenization or detergent treatment exposed additional 5'-nucleotidase activity, which represented 52%, 25% and 21% of the total activity in the three cell types respectively. This increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity which occurred when the cells were homogenized was due to a second pool of 5'-nucleotidase within the cell, rather than activation of the cell-surface enzyme. 3. In hepatocytes the intracellular 5'-nucleotidase activity was membrane-bound, indistinguishable from cell-surface 5'-nucleotidase in its inhibition by rabbit anti-(rat liver 5'-nucleotidase) serum and its kinetics with AMP, and was located on the extracytoplasmic face of vesicles within the cell. 4. The cell-surface 5'-nucleotidase of rat hepatocytes was rapidly inhibited when rabbit anti-(rat liver 5'-nucleotidase) serum or concanavalin A was added to the medium at 37 degrees C. Incubation with antiserum for 5 min at 37 degrees C inhibited 83 +/- 3% of the cell-surface enzyme. 5. Incubation of hepatocytes with exogenous antiserum or concanavalin A for 30 min at 37 degrees C resulted in over 50% inhibition of the intracellular enzyme. This inhibition was not prevented by disruption of the cytoskeleton or by ATP depletion. 6. Incubation of hepatocytes with exogenous antiserum or concanavalin A for up to 2h at 0 degrees C caused little or no inhibition of the intracellular enzyme, but over 75% inhibition of the cell-surface enzyme. 7. When surface-inhibited hepatocytes were washed and resuspended in buffer at 37 degrees C, 5'-nucleotidase was observed to redistribute from the intracellular pool to the cell surface.

Purification and properties of succinyl-coenzyme A-3-oxo acid coenzyme A-transferase from sheep kidney

CoA-transferase (succinyl-CoA-3-oxo acid CoA-transferase, EC 2.8.3.5) isolated from sheep kidney was purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme has a specific activity of approx. 200 units/mg. A mol.wt. of 110000 was obtained by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, and a lower mol.wt. of 102000 was determined by analytical ultracentrifugation. A sedimentation coefficient of 5.6S was also determined. A subunit mol.wt. of 56000 was obtained by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing of sheep kidney extracts indicated the presence of a single band of CoA-transferase activity with pI9.0. However, isoelectric focusing of purified CoA-transferase showed the presence of two peaks of CoA-transferase activity with pI values of 8.7 and 8.4, suggesting the presence of proteolytic activity during purification. Evidence for sheep kidney CoA-transferase being a dimer of two identical subunits has been obtained from sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the amino acid composition, peptide 'mapping' and N-terminal analysis.

Some properties of allophycocyanin from a thermophilic blue-green alga

Allophycocyanin was purified from the extremely thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus lividus. It was shown to be more stable to thermal or urea denaturation than allophycocyanin from a mesophilic organisms. Its amino acid composition and spectroscopic response to pH were investigated. An analysis was made of the relatively low fluorescence polarization of allophycocyanin compared to that of a comparable sized aggregate of the biliprotein, C-phycocyanin. A rather speculative conclusion was reached that suggests that the lower polarization of allophycocyanin may be caused by orientations or positioning of the chromophores that are more favorable for intra-protein energy transfer.

Physical-chemical properties of C-phycocyanin isolated from an acido-thermophilic eukaryote, Cyanidium caldarium

C-Phycocyanin from an acido-thermophilic eukaryotic alga, Cyanidium caldarium, was characterized with respect to subunit structure, absorption spectrum and fluorescence properties and was found to be similar to C-phycocyanins from mesophilic sources. The pH-dependence of fluorescence polarization and the changes in sedimentation velocity as a function of pH, concentration and temperature indicate the presence of extremely large amounts of unusually stable 19S aggregates. It was not possible to disaggregate this phycocyanin completely to monomer under normal conditions. The amino acid composition is similar to that of phycocyanins from other thermophilic and halophilic sources. The isoelectric point of this C-phycocyanin was 5.11, an unusually high value. The properties of this C-phycocyanin suggest an increase in protein stability as its mode of adaptation to the environmental stress of high temperature.