The incorporation of P32 into the inositol phosphatides of rat brain

Stochastic Review Inventory Systems with Deteriorating Items; A Steady-State Non-Linear Approach

The primary goal of business organization is optimally maximizing their productivity and profit whilst reducing the cost resulting from lost sales and services given to their customers, which can be achieved by exceeding the balance between the demand and supply. Analyzing real-world situations, including integrated queuing-inventory systems, such as M/M/1-systems and M/M/1/∞-systems, can help business organizations reach this goal. This research analyzes integrated queuing-inventory systems with lost sales validated under a deterministic and uniformly distributed order size scheme under continuous review. The limited integrated inventory-queuing M/M/1/N-1-system was chosen as subject of our interest due to its closeness to reality. Thus, this system with exponentially distributed deteriorating products and random planning time with lost sales was simulated. This research aimed to analyze customers’ sanctification by studying the addition of the deterioration parameter γ to the model under consideration. The proposed model’s demand was based on Poisson, wherein service times and lead times are exponentially distributed. We also examined M/M/1/∞ and M/M/1/N-1-systems investigated by Shwarz et al. using the proposed method to solve the linear system of equations obtained from the steady-state system balance equations results obtained are compared to those obtained from simulating the Schwarz approach. The analyzed model was tested for different values of Q, demand rate λ, and γ. The obtained results showed a strong dependency between γ, Q, and λ, providing the needed information for decision-makers to reach their goals depending on the performance measure of interest.

Experimental impact of aspirin exposure on rat intestinal bacteria, epithelial cells and cell line

Aspirin, a commonly used therapeutic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is known to cause gastric mucosal damage. Intestinal bacteria having a regulatory effect on intestinal homeostasis play significant role in NSAID-induced intestinal injury. Bacteria and specific cell lines are considered to be suitable for toxicity screening and testing of chemicals. Therefore, to evaluate and compare in vitro toxicity, cultures of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), isolated bacteria and IEC-6 cell line were assessed for viability, morphometric analysis, membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents for membrane damage, dehydrogenase activity test for respiratory and energy producing processes and esterase activity test for intra- and extra-cellular degradation, following the post exposure to aspirin (0—50 µg mL- 1). Similar pattern of dose-dependent changes in these parameters were observed in three types of cells. Similar in situ effects on IEC validated the in vitro findings. These findings indicate that higher aspirin concentrations may alter cellular functions of IEC and gut bacteria. Furthermore, results suggest that gut bacteria and IEC-6 cell line can be used for the initial screening of gastrointestinal cellular toxicity caused by NSAIDs.

Influence of distillery effluent on germination and growth of mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds

Distillery effluent or spent wash discharged as waste water contains various toxic chemicals that can contaminate water and soil and may affect the common crops if used for agricultural irrigation. Toxic nature of distillery effluent is due to the presence of high amounts of organic and inorganic chemical loads and its high-acidic pH. Experimental effects of untreated (Raw) distillery effluent, discharged from a distillery unit (based on fermentation of alcohol from sugarcane molasses), and the post-treatment effluent from the outlet of conventional anaerobic treatment plant (Treated effluent) of the distillery unit were studied in mung bean (Vigna radiata, L.R. Wilczek). Mung bean is a commonly used legume crop in India and its neighboring countries. Mung bean seeds were presoaked for 6h and 30 h, respectively, in different concentrations (5-20%, v/v) of each effluent and germination, growth characters, and seedling membrane enzymes and constituents were investigated. Results revealed that the leaching of carbohydrates and proteins (solute efflux) were much higher in case of untreated effluent and were also dependent to the presoaking time. Other germination characters including percentage of germination, speed of germination index, vigor index and length of root and embryonic axis revealed significant concentration-dependent decline in untreated effluent. Evaluation of seedlings membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents (hexose, sialic acid and phospholipids) following 6 h presoaking of seeds revealed concentration-dependent decline, which were much less in treated effluent as compared to the untreated effluent. Treated effluent up to 10% (v/v) concentration reflected low-observed adverse effect levels.

Experimental exposure of arsenic in cultured rat intestinal epithelial cells and cell line: Toxicological consequences

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid and the drinking water contamination by inorganic arsenic remains a major public health problem. The trivalent arsenic (arsenite) is more toxic than the pentavalent form (arsenate), and is known to cause gastrointestinal toxicity. Specific immortal cell lines are considered to be suitable for toxicity screening and testing of chemicals as they are easy to handle and possess most of the biochemical pathways present in the corresponding cells present in vivo. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare the in vitro toxicity of arsenite on rat intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) and primary cultures of rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). To evaluate in vitro toxicity, cultures of IEC and IEC-6 cells were assessed for viability, morphometric analysis, membrane transport enzymes and structural constituents for membrane damage, dehydrogenase activity test for respiratory and energy producing processes and esterase activity test for intra and extra cellular degradation, following the post exposures to arsenite (0-20 ppm). Significantly similar concentration-dependent changes in these toxicity-screening parameters in IEC and IEC-6 were observed. Highest tested concentration of arsenite (20 ppm) was found to be detrimental in both IEC and IEC-6. Furthermore, to evaluate arsenite toxicity in epithelial cells of rat intestine, intestinal loops were filled with arsenite solutions and incubated for 30 min in situ. In situ studies also showed a significant arsenite concentration-dependent decline in epithelial cell membrane transport enzyme activities and total hexose and sialic acid contents. Concomitant release of membrane enzymes, hexose and sialic acid in the intestinal luminal fluid following higher arsenite exposures further indicated partial membrane damage. Similar morphological changes in IEC and IEC-6 were also evident. These findings also suggest that IEC-6 cell lines are suitable for initial screening of gastrointestinal cellular toxicity caused by arsenite.

Diacylglycerolipids isolated from a thermophile cyanobacterium from the Euganean hot springs

The Phormidium sp. ETS-05 thermophile blue-green alga is one of the most typical and widespread species of cyanobacteria of the thermal muds of the Euganean hot springs, the therapeutic properties of which have been known since ancient times. The polar diacylglycerolipids of this cyanobacterium consists of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. We have isolated and purified these four diacylglycerolipids from ETS-05, and then analysed them for their quantitative and structural features and fatty acid contents. The monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol show a marked presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, of which C18 : 4 is the most common. We propose that these glycoglycerolipids can be used as markers for monitoring the thermal mud colonisation process.

Ca2+-dependent regulation of synaptic SNARE complex assembly via a calmodulin- and phospholipid-binding domain of synaptobrevin

Synaptic core complex formation is an essential step in exocytosis, and assembly into a superhelical structure may drive synaptic vesicle fusion. To ascertain how Ca(2+) could regulate this process, we examined calmodulin binding to recombinant core complex components. Surface plasmon resonance and pull-down assays revealed Ca(2+)-dependent calmodulin binding (K(d) = 500 nM) to glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing synaptobrevin (VAMP 2) domains but not to syntaxin 1 or synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25). Deletion mutations, tetanus toxin cleavage, and peptide synthesis localized the calmodulin-binding domain to VAMP(77-94), immediately C-terminal to the tetanus toxin cleavage site (Q(76)-F(77)). In isolated synaptic vesicles, Ca(2+)/calmodulin protected native membrane-inserted VAMP from proteolysis by tetanus toxin. Assembly of a (35)S-SNAP-25, syntaxin 1 GST-VAMP(1-96) complex was inhibited by Ca(2+)/calmodulin, but assembly did not mask subsequent accessibility of the calmodulin-binding domain. The same domain contains a predicted phospholipid interaction site. SPR revealed calcium-independent interactions between VAMP(77-94) and liposomes containing phosphatidylserine, which blocked calmodulin binding. Circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated that the calmodulin/phospholipid-binding peptide displayed a significant increase in alphahelical content in a hydrophobic environment. These data provide insight into the mechanisms by which Ca(2+) may regulate synaptic core complex assembly and protein interactions with membrane bilayers during exocytosis.

The human papillomavirus type 16 E5 protein modulates phospholipase C-gamma-1 activity and phosphatidyl inositol turnover in mouse fibroblasts

The human papillomavirus type 16 E5 (HPV16-E5) protein is a membrane protein that has been associated with malignant growth. The protein affects growth factor-mediated signal transduction in a ligand-dependent manner. We show now that E5 expression in A31 fibroblasts results in an increased level of diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol phosphates. Immunoprecipitation of phospholipase C-gamma-1 (PLC-gamma-1) with specific antibodies and immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies reveal a large increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme in E5-expressing cells compared to control vector-transfected cells. This activation of tyrosine phosphorylation is growth factor independent. In addition, an enhanced formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) was observed in E5 cells. This increase did not result from activation of phospholipase D (PLD), although the enzyme was activatable by treatment with phorbol ester Thus, a phosphohydrolase-mediated DAG synthesis from PLD-produced PA can be excluded. The observed effects were not further enhanced by EGF showing that the presence of the growth factor is not necessary for maintaining permanent activation of PLC-gamma-1 in E5-expressing cells. The DAG- and inositol phosphate-mediated signal cascade within the cells is thus effectively uncoupled from external control via EGF and its receptor in the presence of E5 protein.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphate 5-kinase: purification and inhibition studies

A membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol phosphate 5-kinase has been purified approximately 110,000-fold from sheep brains. The purification procedure involves: sodium chloride (1M) extraction of the membrane, 20-40% ammonium sulfate fractionation, phosphocellulose (P-11) chromatography, a second phosphocellulose chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, heparin Sepharose chromatography, HPLC SP(SO3- polymer)-cation exchange chromatography, and HPLC gel filtration. The purified enzyme exhibited a final specific activity of 1750 nmole/min/mg of protein. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 60 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 130 kDa by HPLC gel filtration. Kinetic measurements showed that the apparent Km value of phosphatidylinositol phosphate 5-kinase for the utilization of ATP is 43 microM. The 2'(3')-0-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) derivative of ATP was found to be an inhibitor of the enzyme. The mode of inhibition is competitive, with a Ki value of 55 microM.

Picroliv and its components kutkoside and picroside I protect liver against galactosamine-induced damage in rats

D-Galactosamine (800 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) caused significant decrease in the activities of 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase and cytochrome P450 and increase in activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and acid ribonuclease in liver after 24 hr. The levels of RNA, protein and glycogen decreased while total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol and lipid peroxides increased. It also increased the serum levels of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin while protein concentration decreased significantly. Oral administration of Picroliv (12 mg/kg/day for 7 days), a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa, significantly prevented the biochemical changes in liver and serum of galactosamine-toxicated rats. Kutkoside (12 mg/kg/day for 7 days) also protected against changes in most of the hepatic and serum constituents studied. Another iridoid glycoside from Picroliv, Picroside I, at the same dose level could only prevent toxicant-induced changes in acid phosphatase, phospholipids and lipid peroxides in liver and alkaline phosphatase in serum. Mixture of Picroside I and Kutkoside in the ratio of 1:1.5 at 12 mg/kg dose elicited lesser response than Picroliv.

Picroliv protects against monocrotaline-induced hepatic damage in rats

Monocrotaline, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, caused changes in most of the biochemical parameters in rats 12 days after a single dose of 120 mg/kg. These included significantly increased activities of hepatic succinate dehydrogenase, acid ribonuclease, acid phosphatase, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase and 5'-nucleotidase and decreased in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and cytochrome P450. The levels of DNA, RNA and glycogen in liver and albumin and protein in serum decreased while serum bilirubin increased. The histopathological changes in liver were characterized by diffused hepatocyte alterations in the form of ballooning, granular cytoplasm, indistinct cell outlines, nuclear changes, focal necrosis, and vascular damage. When picroliv, a standardized iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa, was administered orally in a dose of 25 mg/kg simultaneously with monocrotaline, alterations in most of the biochemical parameters along with the histopathological changes in liver caused by monocrotaline were prevented.

Bioreactivity of intratracheally administered slate dust in rats: incorporation of 14C-acetate into lung lipids

The effect of intratracheally instilled slate dust on the phospholipid profile, and 14C-acetate incorporation into the lipids of lung lavage, whole lung tissue and its subcellular fractions, has been studied in rats. The acellular fraction of lung lavage showed a decrease in the phospholipid content at 4 days and then an increase at 40 days of dust exposure, whereas the cellular fraction showed the reverse. The order of 14C-acetate incorporation into total lipids and individual phospholipids showed a parallel trend. The rate of incorporation with total lipids of lung tissue was higher at the two stages of dust exposure and a similar pattern prevailed in the subcellular fractions, i.e. mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic fraction. Acetate incorporation was highest in mitochondria, followed by the microsomes. An increase in the microsomal and mitochondrial cholesterol levels was also observed. There was no significant change in the solvent-extracted 14C-counts of whole plasma, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitate and TCA supernatant of plasma. The results indicate that slate dust causes an enhanced synthesis of pulmonary surfactant and other lung lipids and, therefore, has an effect on the metabolism of type II alveolar epithelial cells.

Biochemistry of the various fractions of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis fusiformis of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

A comparative biochemical study on the various fractions (cyst wall, cyst fluid and zoites) of the sarcocysts of Sarcocystis fusiformis from oesophageal muscles of naturally infected Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was carried out. The study included analysis for glycogen, glucose, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and fatty acids. The pattern and the distribution of various biochemical constituents varied in the different fractions. The cell wall had the maximum concentration of glucose and phospholipids. Of all the fractions, cell fluid showed the highest contents of pyruvate and lactate, but with a higher level of pyruvate than lactate.

Isolation and characterization of basement membrane from frog skeletal muscle

Isolation of basement membrane from frog skeletal muscle has been described. The membrane preparation contained 35 micrograms hexoses, 1.72 micrograms sialic acid, 6.8 micrograms phospholipids, 0.21 micrograms cholesterol/mg protein. Na + K-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase could not be detected in the membrane preparation. Glycine accounted for about 20% of the total amino acids. On SDS-PAGE, the membrane resolved into 20-22 polypeptide bands.

Changes in the lipid composition and activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase during encystation of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni strain A-1

The contents of total lipids, total sterols, total and individual phospholipids: lysophosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and alkali-stable phospholipids I and II, were significantly lower in mature cysts of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni strain A-1 than in trophozoites. The major constituent sterols of trophozoites, viz. ergosterol, 7-dehydrostigmasterol and 7,22,25-tridehydrostigmasterol which resolved as a single spot on thin-layer chromatography, disappeared in the cysts. When trophozoites grown in the presence of [14C]acetate were transferred to encystation medium, there was a steady decrease in the radioactivity in the lipids and acid-soluble fraction (glycogen) of the encysting cells while the radioactivity increased in the akali-insoluble fraction (cellulose). The activity of isocitrate lyase in the encysting cells steadily increased up to 24 h of encystation, followed by a slight decrease during 24-32 h, but the activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase steadily decreased up to 32 h of encystation, beyond which time no enzyme activity was detected. Inhibitors of isocitrate lyase, glycolate and maleate at 8.5 to 34 mM concentration inhibited encystation by 18-67%.

Biochemistry of the sarcocyst of Sarcocystis fusiformis of buffalo Bubalus bubalis

Sarcocysts of Sarcocystis fusiformis from oesophageal muscles of naturally-infected Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) were analysed for total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, fatty acids and glycerides and total protein. Protein and phospholipids constituted the major portion of the sarcocyst. Acetylcholinesterase and glutamate-oxalo-acetate transaminase activities when assayed were higher than glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in sarcocysts.

Pulmonary biochemical response to slate dust in rats

The biochemical changes in rat lungs due to intratracheal instillation of 50 mg of slate dust have been studied up to 150 days of dust exposure. The remarkable feature of lung changes was the turnover of collagen in experimental animals after 90 days, reaching substantially higher values at 150 days. A concurrent increase in hexosamine and sialic acid contents was also observed. The phospholipid content in the whole lung tissue, as well as in the mitochondria, was generally higher in the dust-treated rats, particularly at the later stages. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities increased, whereas monoamine oxidase was marginally affected. Mitochondria from experimental animals appeared to be in a swollen state, particularly at 120 days of exposure. The above results suggest that slate dust exerts its toxic effects by causing alterations in the tissue make-up as well as in the mitochondrial functioning of the lung.

Effect of phosphatidylserine enrichment on amino acid transport in yeast

A 1.5- to 3.5-fold accumulation of phosphatidylserine was observed when Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were grown in the presence of hydroxylamine, a known inhibitor of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase. However, as compared to S. cerevisiae cells, the levels of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were much lower in C. albicans cells. The enrichment of phosphatidylserine selectively affected the transport of several amino acids.

Effect of phophatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine enrichment on the structure and function of yeast membrane

The phospholipid composition of yeast plasma membrane was manipulated by two different methods: (i) by using two auxotrophic strains KA101 (cho1) and MC13 (Cho+) which required phospholipid bases for growth and (ii) by supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3059) cells with high concentration of choline or ethanolamine. It was possible to enrich the plasma membrane with phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) by both methods. The uptake of amino acids, e.g., glycine, glutamic acid, leucine, lysine methionine, phenylalanine, proline and serine, was significantly reduced in PC- or PE-enriched cells. However, the extent of reduction in transport was variable among different strains. A fluorescent probe, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS), was used to monitor the structural changes induced by altered phospholipid composition. It was observed that the relative fluorescence intensity of bound ANS was decreased as a consequence of PC or PE enrichment. The decrease in fluorescence was probably associated with reduced number of available binding sites (n) and increased apparent dissociation constant (Kd). Furthermore, our results also suggest that a critical level of PE or PC is required for proper functioning of yeast membrane.

Metabolism of phosphoinositides in the rat erythrocyte membrane. A reappraisal of the effect of magnesium on the 32P incorporation into polyphosphoinositides

The metabolism of phosphoinositides was investigated in the red blood cell membrane of the rat by measuring 32P-incorporation into phospholipids after incubation of membranes with [gamma-32P]ATP in a medium containing magnesium. A new chromatographic procedure has been developed which facilitates the separation of triphosphoinositide, diphosphoinositide and phosphatidylinositol from the phospholipids present in lipid extracts of incubated 'ghost' under our experimental conditions only two phospholipids, diphosphoinositide and triphosphoinositide, were 32P-labelled. Furthermore, the results indicate that either di-or triphosphoinositide could be labelled preferentially, depending upon the magnesium concentration of the incubation medium. This clarifies some apparent discrepancies reported in the literature between the 32 P labelling of polyphosphoinositides observed in intact erythrocytes and that observed with 'ghost' membranes. In addition, the enzymatic pathways involved in the phosphoinositide metabolism are discussed.

The effect of lithium on the incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate into synaptosomal phospholipids from rat brain

Rats were treated with lithium added to the diet for five weeks (40 mmol LiCl/kg diet). The mean plasma lithium concentration was 0.48 mmol/l plasma, and the blood was drawn at 8 a.m. The brains were removed and synaptosomes were prepared according to the method of Gray & Whittaker (1962) and Bradford (1972). The synaptosomes were incubated for 120 min. with 32P-orthophosphate, either in a lithium-containing medium or in a lithium-free medium. The 32P-incorporation was lower in the synaptosomes from lithium-treated rats than the 32P-incorporation in synaptosomes from control rats regardless of the medium chosen. The results indicate that lithium treatment in vivo decreases the 32P-incorporation into synaptosomal phospholipids and that the effect remains after the removal of the lithium ion.

The effect of altered ergosterol content on the transport of various amino acids in Candida albicans

Candida albicans cells have low levels of ergosterol when grown in ascorbic acid-supplemented media. When cells are grown in hydroquinone-supplemented media, the ergosterol levels became higher as compared to normal cells. The uptake of lysine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, methionine and serine is reduced in hydroquinone-supplemented cells. In contrast to hydroquinone-supplemented cells, the rate and level of accumulation of these amino acids are higher in ascorbic acid-supplemented cells. Nystatin-resistant isolates of C. albicans with low ergosterol contents also exhibit an increased rate and level of accumulation of these amino acids. The uptake of phenylalanine and leucine remained unaffected by such a change in ergosterol levels brought about by different supplementation of the media. The results demonstrate a correlation between ergosterol levels and amino acids uptake. Contrary to various reports, the rate of K+ efflux does not seem to correlate with the amino acid uptake in C. albicans cells.

Effect of alloxan diabetes on some aspects of lipid metabolism in albino rats

Administration of alloxan (40 mg/kg i.v.) caused a marked decrease in the lipolytic and esterolytic activities of rat aorta. This effect was completely reversed when the diabetic rats were treated with low doses of insulin (2-3 U/die) for 3 days. The insulin-dependence of esterolysis and lipolysis in rat aorta and the role of hydrolases in atherogenesis in experimental diabetes have been discussed.

A calcium-activated polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase in the plasma membrane of human and rabbit erythrocytes

Haemoglobin-free human erythrocyte ghosts that were prepared in the presence of EDTA and were then exposed to Ca2+ showed a substantial loss of phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol diphosphate, measured either chemically or by loss of 32P from the lipids of prelabelled membranes. At the same time there was, as reported previously (Allan, D. and Michell, R.H., (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 455, 824--830), and approximately equivalent rise in the diacylglycerol content of the membranes. Analysis of the 32P-labelled water-soluble material released during this process showed that the major products were inositol diphosphate and inositol triphosphate. No change was seen in the phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidate content of the membranes, and there was no Ca2+-activated loss of 32P from the phosphatidate of prelabelled membranes: this suggests that Ca2+ did not activate phosphoinositide phosphomonoesterases or phosphatidate phosphomonoesterase in human erythrocyte membranes. It is concluded that human erythrocyte membranes contain at their cytoplasmic surface a Ca2+-activated phosphodiesterase that is active against both phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol diphosphate. Rabbit erythrocytes also contained this enzyme, but in these cells there was also evidence for the presence of a Ca2+-activated phosphatidate phosphomonoesterase.

Lithium induced alterations in rat ganglionic lipids

Superior cervical ganglia from normal or lithium fed rats were incubated in vitro with [U-14C]pyruvic acid, in Krebs-Ringer solution with or without lithium ion. Acute lithium incubations were performed on ganglia from normal rats with 25 mEquiv./l of lithium ion, while chronic incubations were performed on ganglia from lithium fed rats with 0.5 mEquiv./l lithium in the bathing solution. Lipids were extracted, separated by thin layer chromatography and specific activities of individual lipids and their fatty acids determined. In control ganglia shinogolipids contained 60-70% of the lipid radioactivity, glycerophospholipids 20-30% and neutral lipids 10-25%. Phosphatidylcholine contained 65% of the glycerophospholipid label and 40% of the lipid phosphorus, while sphingomyelin contained 90% of the sphingolipid label and exhibited the highest specific activity over all. Cholesterol was the major neutral lipid. Niety-five per cent of the glycerophospholipid label and 4% of the sphingomyelin label was localized in the fatty acids. The lipid and fatty acid compositions of all ganglia were similar. However the lipid radioactivity in chronic ganglia was lower than in control, with the sphingolipids most affected. In 80 min stimulated chronic ganglia stearic and oleic acid, radioactivity was depressed with respect to both control fatty acids and to the [14C]palmitate of chronic tissues. In both chronic and acute lithium ganglia stimulated for 80 min, the specific activities of phosphatidylinositol were significantly lower than in control. In contrast to control, the labeling of sphingolipids in resting acute ganglia was higher than in stimulated tissues.