Formation of α-l- and β-d-fucosidase in cultures ofStreptococcus mitis

Summary The formation of-l- and-d-fucosidase fromStreptococcus mitis ATCC 15909 was studied in fermentors under controlled conditions. Both-l- and-d-fucosidase appeared extracellularly at the end of the growth period. The optimal pH for synthesis of the enzymes was 7.0 and the formation of fucosidase activities was repressed at growth below 35° C. The investigated enzymes were stable in the pH range studied. The enzymes were mainly located in the cytoplasmic fraction.     

Transport of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose into mammalian pancreatic β-cells

Summary The transport and oxidation of 3-O-methyl-d-(U-¹⁴C)glucose was studied in microdissected pancreatic islets of obese-hyperglycemic mice. There was no significant production of¹⁴CO₂ during incubation for 2 h. A comparison with the uptake of sucrose and mannitol indicated that 3-O-methyl-d-glucose was uniformly distributed across the -cell plasma membrane. Externald-glucose inhibited the entry of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose and caused a significant net loss of 3-O-methyl-d-glucose from islets equilibrated with this compound. The transport of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose was also markedly reduced in the presence of phlorizin or phloretin, whereasd-mannoheptulose ord-glucosamine exerted a slight inhibition. The results support our hypothesis that the transport ofd-glucose into the pancreatic -cells is carriermediated, and indicate that 3-O-methyl-d-glucose is a non-metabolizable substrate for this carrier in the pancreatic islets. Since in contrast tod-glucose 3-O-methyl-d-glucose does not stimulte insulin release from the type of islets used, the secretagoric recognition system ford-glucose is probably not identical with the membrane transport system.     

Molecular specificity of the tubular resorption of “acidic” amino acids

Single sections of superficial proximal convolutions of rat kidney were microperfused in vivo and in situ. The perfusion fluids contained radioactively labelledl- ord-aspartate,l-glutamate,l-pyroglutamate, or N-methyl-d-aspartate.l--Carboxyglutamate as well as the other amino acids were added in the unlabelled from. Results.l- andd-Aspartate (0.073 mmol·1^–1) are quickly resorbed at about the same rate.d-Aspartate resorption was blocked byl-aspartate (5 mmol·1^–1) but not by -alanine (5 mmol·1^–1).l-Aspartate resorption was inhibited byl-glutamate (2 mmol·1^–1) but not byd-glutamate,l-asparagine,l-phenylalanine or by succinate (2 mmol·1^–1, each). The fast resorption ofl-glutamate (0.073 mmol·1^–1) was blocked byd-aspartate,l-cysteate (2 mmol·1^–1), but not by 3-mercaptopicolinic acid (0.15 mmol·1^–1),l-glutamine, 2-oxoglutarate, taurine, N-methyl-l-glutamate or kainic acid (2 mmol·1^–1, each).l--Carboxyglutamate (0.66 mmol·1^–1) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (2mol·1^–1) were found to be resorbed only at an extremely small rate.l-pyroglutamate (0.076 mmol·1^–1) resorption was not influenced byl-glutamate (1 mmol·1^–1). Fractional excretion of -carboxyglutamate was 7–25% (l-from) or 45–70% (d-form) at an artificially elevated plasma level of 12mol·1^–1.It is concluded thatl- andd-aspartate,l-glutamate,l-cysteate and, to a much smaller extent,l--carboxyglutamate, are accepted by the tubular resorption mechanism highly specific for acidic amino acids. N-Substitution, the amidation of the - or -carboxyl group, or the removal of the -amino moiety almost completely abolish the ability of such compounds to be resorbed via this carrier; N-methylated or -carboxylated derivatives of acidic amino acids are not resorbed at all from the proximal tubule. The resorption of glutamate, but not of aspartate, is highly stereospecific.Parts of this work were presented at meetings of the German Physiological Society in 1978 [28] and of the Gesellschaft für Nephrologie in 1980 [29] as well as at the VIIIth International Congress of Nephrology in Athens in 1981 [26]with technical assistance of Angelika Ascher and Gertaud Vetter     

d-glucose balance in the enterocyte of rat jejunum “in vitro”

An everted sac of male albino rat jejunum (Wistar strain) incubated in vitro is used. Netd-glucose and Na⁺ transport together withd-glucose concentration in the emerging fluid [5], or in the serosal fluid, and in the enterocytes are determined. Celld-glucose concentration does not change significantly in a range between 20–200 moles or between 50–500 moles of netd-glucose transepithelial transport, depending on the experimental conditions.As far as cellulard-glucose and Na⁺ concentration is concerned, the enterocyte behaves as an homeostatic system.The mechanism involved ind-glucose extrusion is extensively discussed. Two hypotheses seem to be possible. First, the mechanism is an active metabolically dependent one, just as it is for sodium transport. Second, the metabolic activity favoursd-glucose facilitated permeability through the basolateral membrane in such a way as to maintain a constant relationship betweend-glucose and Na-extrusion, notwithstanding the fact thatd-glucose concentration gradient across the basolateral membrane lowers by increasing Na and glucose extrusion rate.     

Contraluminal p-aminohippurate transport in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney

Using the stop-flow peritubular capillary microperfusion method contraluminal transport of corticosteroids was investigated (a) by determining the inhibitory potency (apparent K _i values) of these compounds against p-aminohippurate (PAH), dicarboxylate (succinate) and sulphate transport and (b) by measuring the transport rate of radiolabelled corticosteroids and its inhibition by probenecid. Progesterone did not inhibit contraluminal PAH influx but its 17- and 6-hydroxy derivatives inhibited with an app. K_i of 0.36 mmol/l. Introduction of an OH group in position 21 of progesterone, to yield 11-deoxycorticosterone, augments the inhibitory potency considerably (app. K _{i, PAH} of 0.07 mmol/l). Acetylation of the OH-group in position 21 of 11deoxycorticosterone, introduction of an additional hydroxy group in position 17 to yield 11-deoxycortisol or in position 11 to yield corticosterone brings the app. K _{i, PAH} back again into the range of 0.2–0.4 mmol/l. Acetylation of corticosterone or introduction of a third OH group to yield cortisol does not change the inhibitory potency, but, omission of the 21-OH group or addition of an OH group in the 6 position reduces or abolishes it. Cortisol and its derivatives prednisolone, dexamethasone and cortisone exert similar inhibitory potencies (app. K _{i, PAH} 0.12–0.27 mmol/l). But again, omission of the 21-OH group in cortisone or addition of a 6-OH group reduces or even abolishes the inhibitory potency against PAH transport. The interaction of corticosterone was not changed when 11, 18-epoxy ring (aldosterone) was formed. On the other hand, the interaction was considerably augmented if the 11-hydroxy group was changed to an oxo group in 11-dehydrocorticosterone (app. K _{i, PAH} 0.02 mmol/l). When the A ring of corticosterone is saturated and reduced to 3, 11-tetrahydrocorticosterone the inhibitory potency is not changed very much. But if more than four OH or oxo groups are on the pregnane skeleton or if the OH in position 21 is missing, the inhibitory potency decreases drastically (app. K_{i, PAH} 0.7–1.7 mmol/l). Introduction of a 21-ester sulphate into corticosterone, cortisol and cortisone does not change app. K _{i, PAH} very much. Glucuronidation, however, reduces it (app. K_{i, PAH} 1.2 mmol/l). None of the tested corticosteroids interacts, in concentrations applicable, with dicarboxylate transport and only the sulphate esters interact with sulphate transport.Radiolabelled cortisol, d-aldosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, and corticosterone are rapidly transported into proximal tubular cells. With the latter three compounds no sign of saturation and no transport inhibition with probenecid could be seen. Only with cortisol was a shift toward saturation observed. In addition, cortisol transport could be inhibited by probenecid. The data indicate that corticosteroids interact with the contraluminal renal PAH transporter, whereby hydroxylation in position 21 augments, and hydroxylation in the 6 or 3, 17 position reduces interaction. However, as tested so far, simple diffusion seems to prevail when corticosteroids cross the cell membrane. Sulphation makes corticosteroids also a substrate for the sulphate transporter.     

Detection and quantitation of cell-surface sugar receptor(s) ofLeishmania donovani by application of neoglycoenzymes

Promastigote culture forms of the log growth phase ofLeishamania donovani stock LRC L 51 were investigated for expression of cell-surface carbohydrate-binding sites using 15 types of a chemically glycosylated enzyme termed neoglycoenzyme. Carbohydrate conjugation and coupling yield were kept constant to ensure that the type of carbohydrate moiety, was the only variable feature of the applied tools. Para-aminophenyl derivatives of the following carbohydrate residues were used for the glycosylation of -galactosidase fromEscherichia coli: -d-lactose, -d-thiogalactose, -d-mannose, -l-rhamnose, -d-N-acetylgalactosamine, -d-N-acetylgalactosamine, -d-N-acetylgalactosamine, -d-N-acetylgalactosamine, -d-N-acetylglucosamine, the - and -glucosides maltose and cellobiose, -d-xylose, -d-mannose-6-phosphate, the -galactoside melibiose, -l-fucose, and -d-glucuronic acid as well as sialic acid. Only melibiose, fucose, and glucuronic acid showed no binding affinity for the cultured flagellates; this served as an internal control reaction to exclude any binding to the linker group. This result demonstrates that many but not all sugar types can be recognized by appropriate receptor structure(s) on the surface of the promastigoteLeishmania. Transformation of the binding data for neoglycoenzymes exposing lactose, mannose, rhamnose, andN-acetylated hexose residues, which was carried out to obtain the dissociation constants and to estimate the number of binding sites at saturation, revealedK _D values of around 100mm and around 10⁴ binding sites for the polyvalent ligands.     

Voltage-clamp studies of the Na+/glucose cotransporter cloned from rabbit small intestine

Inward Na⁺ currents associated with the cloned intestinal Na⁺/glucose cotransporter expressed in Xenopus oocytes have been studied using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp method. The steady-state current/voltage relations showed voltage-dependent (V _m from +20 to –75 mV) and relatively voltage-independent (V _m from –75 to –150 mV) regions. The apparent I _max for Na⁺ and glucose increased with negative membrane potentials, and the apparent K _0.5 for glucose (K _0.5 ^Glc ) depended on V _m and [Na]_o. Increasing [Na]_o from 7 to 110 mmol/l had the same effect in decreasing K _0.5 ^Glc from 0.44 to 0.03 mmol/l as increasing the V _m from –40 to –150 mV. The I/V curves under saturating conditions (20 mmol/l external sugars and 110 mmol/l [Na]_o) were identical for d-glucose, d-galactose, -methyl d-glucopyranoside and 3-O-methyl d-glucoside. The specificity of the cotransporter for sugars was: d-glucose, d-galactose, -methyl d-glucopyranoside > 3-O-methyl d-glucoside d-xylose > d-allose d-mannose. K _i for phlorizin ( 10 mol/l) was independent of V _m at saturating [Na]_o. We conclude that a variety of sugars are transported by the cloned Na⁺/glucose cotransporter at the same maximal rate and that membrane potential affects both the maximal current and the apparent K _0.5 of the cotransporter for Na⁺ and glucose.     

Demonstration of sodium-dependent,electrogenic substrate transport in rat small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles by a cyanine dye

The cyanine dye DiS-C₂(5) was tested as an indicator for changes in membrane potential of subfractionated rat jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. The fluorescence of this dye increased with inside positive and decreased with inside negative potentials. The sensitivity to inside negative potentials was greater than to inside positive potentials. The addition ofl-alanine,l-phenylalanine,l-methionine,d-galactose andd-glucose in the presence of sodium provoked a transient fluorescence increase indicating an inside positive membrane potential due to electrogenic, sodium-coupled transport. Besides the sodium-dependence, the dye reflected stereo-specificity and saturability ofd-glucose transport. Whend-glucose loaded vesicles were incubated ind-glucose-free medium, a decrease in fluorescence was observed indicating thatd-glucose efflux is also electrogenic.Abbreviations Dis-C₂(5) 3,3-diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide - DiS-C₃(5) 3,3-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-ethane sulfonic acid - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis-(-aminoethyl-ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid     

The localization of lectin-binding sites on Schwann cell basal lamina

Summary Basal laminae were separated from Schwann cells of mouse sciatic nerves by Bonification, and the distributions of lectin-binding sites were demonstrated by electron microscopy using ferritin-conjugated lectins. Only three out of the 11 lectins examined were bound to the basal laminae of Schwann cells: they wereRicinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I),Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin (ConA) andTriticum vulgaris agglutinin (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA). It was notable that WGA was bound more densely to the cellular side than to the interstitial side, whereas in the case of RCA-I and ConA there were no differences in the binding density on the two sides of the basal lamina.These results indicate that there are sugar residues such as -d-galactose, -d-mannose, -d-glucose and (1–4) linkedN-acetyl-d-glucosamine in the Schwann cell basal laminae. The first three sugar residues are almost equally densely distributed on the cellular and interstitial sides of the basal laminae, whereas (1–4) linkedN-acetyl-d-glucosamine is more densely distributed on the cellular than on the interstitial side. This result suggests that the basal lamina has a polarity in chemical composition between the cellular and interstitial sides. These findings are discussed in the context of the preferential attachment of regenerating axons to the cellular side of the Schwann cell basal laminae.     

Genetic characterization of an α-specific gene responsible for sexual agglutinability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: mapping and gene dose effect

Summary A recessive ag1 mutation leads to specific defect in sexual agglutinability specifically in cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cryptopleurine resistance gene cry^R 1, closely linked to the mating type locus, was used to select / strains which emerged from / strains by mitotic nonreciprocal recombination, to genetically analyse ag1, since ag1 is expressed only in mating type. The ag1 gene was found to be linked to the centromere tightly, to met3 at 4.4 cM, and to ilv3 at 12 cM on chromosome X. Sexual agglutinability of cells was shown to be dependent on the dose of the AG1 gene, using / isogenic strains carrying AG1/AG1, AG1/ag1 or ag1/ag1. The sst2-1 mutation did not suppress the ag1 mutation. Based on these results, function of the AG1 gene is discussed.Abbreviations cM centimorgan - FDS first division segregation - NPD nonparental ditype - PD parental ditype - SDS second division segregation - TT tetratype     

Topographical distribution of the secretin- and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase system in the heart of five animal species

Adenylate cylase stimulation by secretin and VIP was compared to the effect of glucagon,d,l-isoproterenol, Gpp[[NH]p, and NaF in atria and ventricles from rat, guinea pig, rabbit, dog and Cynomolgus monkey. In rat ventricular membranes, secretin was a better stimulant than VIP and was as active asd,l-isoproterenol. In rat auricular membranes both peptides were inactive. In guinea pig and rabbit heart membranes (ventricular and auricular) VIP and secretin were inactive. In dog and monkey atria, VIP stimulation of adenylate cyclase was comparable to that ofd,l-isoproterenol, secretin being inactive. In dog ventricules, VIP was less efficient thand,l-isoproterenol, secretin being inactive. In monkey ventricles, by contrast, VIP was slightly more efficient thand,l-isoproterenol, secretin having a small effect only in left ventricles. The present results established a clear difference between animal species with respect to the efficacy of the peptides of the secretin/VIP family: the presence of secretin-preferring receptors in rat heart contrasted with the presence of VIP-preferring receptors in dog and monkey heart. Our results in dog and monkey hearts suggest that VIP might be a candidate for a physiological control of heart function.Abbreviations VIP vasoactive intestinal peptide - Sn secretin - Gpp[NH]p guanosine 5-O-(2-3-imido) triphosphate - EGTA ethylene glycol bis (2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid     

Mechanism of the enhancing effect of sorbitol on ileal Ca uptake in rat enterocytes

The effect of sorbitol on Ca uptake by isolated ileal epithelial cells was investigated. Intestinal cells were isolated from rat ileum by mechanical vibration.⁴⁵Ca uptake was approximately 2 times higher in cells exposed to 200 mM sorbitol ofd-alanine than in control cells. This enhancing effect of sorbitol on percentage Ca uptake decreased with increasing Ca concentrations in the incubation medium suggesting an effect on Ca entry velocity. The addition of 10 M nifedipine or 200 M verapamil to the incubation medium was devoid of any effect on Ca uptake in ileal cells, whereas 100 M trifluoperazine or chlorpromazine abolished the stimulatory effect of sorbitol. Finally, the effect of sorbitol on isolated cells was independent of a measurable change of cellular ATP content. In conclusion, the stimulatory effect of sorbitol on ileal Ca uptake is probably exerted through mechanisms other than an increase in intracellular ATP concentration. Sorbitol may enhance enterocyte Ca transport via a direct interaction with calmodulin and/or the Ca pump. It may also exert its effect through an inhibition of the basolateral Na Ca exchanger.     

Isolation and genetic study of p-fluoro-dl-phenylalanine-resistant mutants overproducing β-phenethyl-alcohol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary p-Fluoro-dl-phenylalanine (PFP)-resistant mutants which produce a large amount of -phenethyl-alcohol, a rose-like flavor component, were isolated from the isogenic strains X2180-1A and X2180-1B of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells of these mutants accumulated phenylalanine and tryptophan more than 3-fold times that of wild-type cells, while they accumulated less than half the tyrosine. The activity of prephenate dehydrogenase (PDG) (EC 1.3.1.12) was markedly decreased while that of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (EC 4.1.2.15) was increased. Genetic analysis revealed that the mutation occurred at the TYR1 locus, encoding PDG, and that the mutated TYR1 gene, tyr1-pfp, caused both PFP resistance and -phenethyl-alcohol overproduction. This was supported by molecular genetic studies with cloned tyr1-pfp DNA.     

Interspecific genetic complementation analysis of human and sheep fibroblasts withβ-galactosidase deficiency

Interspecific somatic cell hybrids were analyzed by genetic complementation to determine if a lysosomal storage disease in sheep associated with deficiencies of -galactosidase and -neuraminidase was homologous with any of four -galactosidase-deficient human diseases. Fibroblasts from -glactosidase-deficient sheep, cats, and human patients were fused and assayed histochemically for -galactosidase, with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl -d-galactoside. We observed complementation in heterokaryons consisting of fibroblasts from -galactosidase-deficient sheep and fibroblasts from patients with galactosialidosis or mucolipidosis type II, but no complementation in heterokaryons consisting of fibroblasts from -galactosidase-deficient sheep and fibroblasts from human or feline GM₁, gangliosidosis (type I) or from human mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB fibroblasts. We conclude that the ovine disease is due to a mutation at the genetic locus homologous with that of GM₁, gangliosidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB, suggesting that the primary defect in the ovine disease is a mutation of the -galactosidase structural gene.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a Candida tsukubaensis α-glucosidase gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The molecular cloning of an -glucosidase gene isolated from a Candida tsukubaensis (CBS 6389) genomic library in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is reported. The cloned gene is contained within a 6.2 kb Sau3A DNA fragment and directs the synthesis and secretion of an amylolytic enzyme into the extracellular medium of the recombinant host, S. cerevisiae. The cloned enzyme was found to have an unusually broad substrate specificity and is capable of hydrolysing -1,2, -1,3, -1,4 and 1,6 linked, as well as aryl and alkyl, d-glucosides. On the basis of its substrate specificity profile, the cloned enzyme was classified as an -glucosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.20). It has a pH optimum in the range 4.2–4.6, a temperature optimum of 58°C and is readily inactivated at pasteurization temperature (60°C). Southern blot analysis failed to reveal any homology between the cloned gene and genomic DNA isolated from other well characterized amylolytic yeasts. A rapid plate-assay, based on the utilization of a chromogenic substrate X--d-glucoside to detect the expression of the cloned -glucosidase in S. cerevisiae transformants, was developed.     

Adenosine triphosphate-dependent K currents activated by metabolic inhibition in rat ventricular myocytes differ from those elicited by the channel opener rilmakalim

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) dependent potassium channels (K_ATP channels) in heart ventricular muscle cells can be activated by depletion of intracellular ATP stores as well as by channel openers. In the present study we examined whether properties of K_ATP channels are dependent on the mode of activation. Whole-cell and single-channel currents were investigated by use of the patch-clamp technique in isolated ventricular rat myocytes. The channel opener rilmakalim dose dependency activated whole-cell currents [concentration for half-maximal activation (EC₅₀) = 1.1 M, Hill coefficient = 3.1, saturation concentration 10 M]. Metabolic inhibition with 2-deoxy-d-glucose (10 mmol/l) also activated K_ATP currents after a time lag of several minutes. These currents were about two-fold higher than the rilmakalim-activated currents (rilmakalim-activated current 3.9 ±0.2nA, 2-deoxy-d-glucose-activated current 8.1±0.9 nA; both recorded at 0 mV clamp potential). While the rilmakalim-activated current could be blocked completely and with high affinity by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide [concentration for half-maximal inhibition (IC₅₀) = 8 nM, Hill coefficient = 0.7] the 2-deoxy-d-glucose-activated current could only be blocked partially (by maximally 46%) and higher glibenclamide concentrations were needed (IC₅₀ = 480 nM, Hill coefficient = 0.8). The partial loss of blocking efficiency after metabolic inhibition was not restricted to glibenclamide but was also observed with the sulfonylureas glimepiride and HB 985, as well as with the non-sulfonylureas HOE 511 and 5-hydroxydecanoate. Single-channel studies were in accordance with these whole-cell experiments. Both rilmakalim and metabolic inhibition with the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) activated single channels in the attached mode, where the number of current levels was significantly higher in the case of FCCP. Rilmakalim-activated channels were completely blocked by 10 M glibenclamide, whereas several single-channel levels appeared in the presence of 100 M glibenclamide after metabolic inhibition. In conclusion, after metabolic inhibition the amplitude of the activated K_ATP current is about twice as high as under saturating concentrations of the opener rilmakalim. Moreover, channels activated by metabolic inhibition lost part of their sensitivity to known channel blockers.     

Effect of inhibitors of glycosylation and carbohydrate processing on invasion of malignant mouse MO4 cells in organ culturef

Inhibitors of glycosylation and carbohydrate processing were used to investigate the role of carbohydrates exposed at the cell surface in invasion. Malignant mouse MO₄ cells were confronted with embryonic chick heart in organ culture, an assay shown to be relevant for a number of aspects of invasionin vivo. Tunicamycin (1·0g/ml), 2-deoxy-d-glucose (100mm),-OH-norvaline (1·0mm), and Monensin (0·1g/ml) reversibly inhibited the invasion of MO₄ cells. At these concentrations the drugs also inhibited the growth of MO₄ cells. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (10mm), swainsonine (0·4g/ml), and Marcellomycin (0·1 g/ml) permitted invasion. Marcellomycin also reversibly inhibited the growth of MO₄ cells. These results show that drugs known to interfere with the glycosylation or processing of carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins in different ways have different effects on the invasion of MO₄ cellsin vitro.Part of this work has been presented at the conference on Treatment of Metastasis: Problems and Prospects, held at the Strand Palace Hotel, London, 15–17 October 1984.     

On the secretagogue effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the rat exocrine pancreas

Summary DbcAMP0.1 mM induces the discharge of exportable enzymes from rat pancreas fragments incubated in vitro. This effect is qualitatively similar to the action of physiological secretagogues acting via hormone receptors: 1) it is accompanied by the appearance of exocytotic images at the acinar cell apex; 2) it is energy dependent but energy supply is low while that required for the carbamylcholine or caerulein response is high and can only be afforded by oxidative phosphorylation; 3) it is calcium dependent, but no alteration of inward or outward calcium movement can be observed; 4) it is altered by agents known to disrupt the microfilamentous microtubular system [41]. However, the secretory response to DbcAMP is quantitatively less than that obtained with hormonal stimuli. A damaging effect of DbcAMP on pancreatic acinar cells is ruled out on histological and biochemical grounds: there is no significant leakage of LDH; protein synthesis, 2-deoxy-d-glucose andl-leucine uptake are unaltered. The secretagogue effect of DbcAMP is reversible, dose-related and specific. It is not mediated by neuro-transmitter release or by interaction with their receptors. The evidence presented points to a direct interaction of DbcAMP on the pancreatic acinar cell and suggests the last step of the secretory cycle as the most probable site of action of the nucleotide derivative.Abbreviations cAMP Adenosine-3,5-monophosphate - cyclic DbcAMP: N⁶-2-O-Dibutyryl-adenosine-3,5-monophosphate, cyclic - DbcGMP N²-2-O-Dibutyryl-guanosine-3,5-monophosphate, cyclic - 5-AMP Adenosine-5-monophosphate - TCA Trichloracetic acid - ATP Adenosine triphosphate - NADH Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide - Tris Tris-(hydroxy-methyl) amino-methane - EGTA Ethylene glycol-bis ( aminoethylether)-NN-tetraacetic acid - LDH Lactic dehydrogenase Part of this work has been presented in abstract from at the VIIIth Symposium of the European Pancreatic Club, Toulouse, France, October, 1975, 23rd–25th and at the Biochemical Society of Belgium [40]This work was partially carried out under contracts from the Ministère de la Politique Scientifique within the framework of the Association Euratom—University of Brussels—University of Pisa, and the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (France)     

Isolation and preliminary characterization of 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine-resistant mutants of baby hamster cells

A large number of 9--d-arabinofuranosyladenine (araA) -resistant mutants of baby hamster kidney cells (BHK 21/Cl3) were isolated. These mutants can be grouped into three mechanistically distinct classes. All the mutants showed cross-resistance to deoxyadenosine (dAdo). The mechanism of resistance to araA and dAdo in the class I mutants can be attributed to a mutation to adenosine kinase (AK) deficiency. The class II mutants have normal levels of AK, adenosine deaminase, and deoxyadenosine kinase. These mutants also show resistance to 1--d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (araC), and the mechanism of resistance is probably due to a mutation in the ribonucleotide reductase gene producing an enzyme that has an increased resistance to the inhibition by 9--d-arabinofuranosyladenine 5-triphosphate (araATP) and 2-deoxyadenosine 5-triphosphate (dATP). The class III mutants, unlike those of classes I and II, show extreme adenosine (Ado) sensitivity. The Ado^s/araA^r/dAdo^r phenotypic properties can be attributed to a single mutation. Classes II and III are novel araA-resistant mutants.     

Establishment of immortalized Schwann cells from Sandhoff mice and corrective effect of recombinant human β-hexosaminidase A on the accumulated GM2 ganglioside

We have established spontaneously immortalized Schwann cell lines from dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves of Sandhoff mice. One of the cell lines exhibited genetically and biochemically distinct features of Sandhoff Schwann cells. The enzyme activities toward 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl--D-glucosamine (-hexosaminidases A, B, and S) and 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetyl--D-glucosamine-6-sulfate (-hexosaminidases A and S) were decreased, and GM2 ganglioside accumulated in lysosomes of the cells. Incorporation of recombinant human -hexosaminidase isozymes expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells into the cultured Sandhoff Schwann cells via cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptors was found, and the incorporated -hexosaminidase A degraded the accumulated GM2 ganglioside. The established Sandhoff Schwann cell line is useful for investigation and development of therapies for Sandhoff disease.