Comparative studies on the gastric glycopeptide in eleven animal species. 1. Glycopeptides in the stomachs of eleven mammalian species, including human, rabbit, horse, cow, pig, goat, sheep, dog, cat, guinea pig and rat were assayed by determining the carbohydrate content of materials which remained after proteolysis. 2. The glycopeptide content was higher in the mucosa than in the muscular layer including serosa, especially in the porcine stomach and the fourth stomachs of the ruminants than in the stomachs of any other animals. 3. The glycopeptide, which was stained with both alcian blue and PAS, was absent or sparingly present in the mucosae of the human, rabbit, horse stomachs and in the mucosae of the first to third stomachs of the cow, goat and sheep, whereas in the mucosae of the pig, dog, cat, guinea pig and rat stomachs and in the mucosae of the fourth stomachs of the cow, goat and sheep, it was found in noticeable extents.


Changes in serum glucose and lipids, and liver glycogen and phosphorylase during vitellogenesis in nature in the flounder (Platichtys flesus, L.). 1. During vitellogenesis in nature the concentration of phospholipid in serum of female flounders is correlated to the concentration of vitellogenin. 2. High levels of glucose and total lipid in blood occur before the onset of vitellogenesis. During early vitellogenesis the values decrease. At spawning they reach maximum levels. After spawning they decrease to low levels. 3. The concentration of glycogen in the liver oscillates during the period August to May. The phosphorylase activity shows peak activities with high concentrations of glycogen in the liver. There is no simple correlation between glycogen concentration in the liver and glucose concentration in the blood.


Fatty acid composition of hump triglycerides of the camel Camelus dromedarius. 1. Hump lipids of Camelus dromedarius (single-humped camel) were extracted and fractionated by thin-layer chromatography. 2. The hump lipids were found to be mainly triglycerides with a trace of phospholipids. 3. The fatty acid methyl esters of the triglycerides were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. 4. The major fatty acids were found to be palmitate (35%), stearate (26%), oleate (24%) and myristate (12%). Hexadecenoic (2%) and pentadecanoic acids were minor components.


Differential response of rat brown and white adipose tissue to environmental or nutritional stress. 1. In vivo fatty acid synthesis by brown adipose tissue was enhanced in rats exposed to cold (5 degrees C) or altitude (4300 m) for 7 days but was unaltered in rats exposed to heat (35 degrees C) for an equivalent period. In vivo fatty acid synthesis by white adipose tissue was depressed by cold exposure while altitude and heat exposure had no effect. 2. In vitro, CO2 production and lipid synthesis were elevated in brown adipose tissue from rats fasted for 4 days. Refeeding (4 days) such rats reversed these effects, leading to depressed values relative to those of control rats. In contrast, these metabolic events in white adipose tissue were decreased by fasting and increased compared to controls during subsequent refeeding.


Temperature acclimation in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): biochemical and organ weight changes. 1. Adult Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were acclimated to 5 +/- 1, 24 +/- 1 and 34 +/- 1 degrees C for 6-8 weeks. 2. Body weights of temperature acclimated gerbils did not differ significantly from controls. Organ wt/body wt ratios of liver, kidney and heart increased in cold-acclimated and decreased in heat-acclimated gerbils. Adrenal wt/body wt ratio increased in the cold and was unchanged in the heat. Relative weights of brain, spleen, lungs, brown fat and ovaries + uterus did not change with temperature acclimation. 3. Cold acclimation produced significant increases in specific and total activity of brown fat alpha GPO and liver SO and AAO and in total activity of kidney SO; a significant decrease in liver mitochondrial ADP/O ratio with succinate as substrate; and no change in brown fat SO or liver alpha KGO. 4. Heat acclimation produced significant decreases in specific and total activity of liver and kidney SO, and in total activity of brown fat SO and alpha GPO, and liver AAO and alpha KGO. 5. The combined biochemical and organ wt changes seen in temperature-acclimated gerbils suggest that this species is capable of altering its metabolic thermogenic potential in response to a wide range of ambient temperatures.


Occurrence and properties of low molecular weight RNA components from cells at different taxonomic levels. 1. The occurrence and gel electrophoretic properties of low molecular weight RNA components (LMW RNA) have been studied in species at different taxonomic levels. The LMW RNA components apart from tRNA, 5S RNA and 5.5S RNA are called LMW*RNA. 2. The major components of LMW*RNA in mammalian cells are L, A, C and D, accounting for 0.1-0.7% of cellular RNA. The gel electrophoretic migration of components L, C, and D is similar in different mammals but the migration of component A shows differences. 3. Amphibia, reptiles and birds contain L, A, C and D in about the same amounts as mammals but slight differences in migration are seen for L, C and D. Component A is absent from the nucleated red blood cells of the chicken and the frog. 4. Sea urchins contain three LMW*RNA components with migrations different from L, A, C and D. These components account for about 0.1% of the cellular RNA. 5. Insects contain only one LMW*RNA component, migrating as component L. 6. Tetrahymena, Physarum and Mycoplasmas have one component which may be a counterpart to component L in higher cells. Yeast shows no LMW*RNA components. 7. In the multicellular species the occurrence and gel electrophoretic migration of LMW*RNA components are not related to tumorigenicity, developmental stage or origin of tissue.


An electrophoretic description of five species of squirrel. 1. The blood serum proteins of five species of Nearctic squirrels were electrophoretically examined. 2. Protein polymorphism was detected in all the species described. 3. The use of the mean relative mobility of specific proteins was shown to be a valuable aid in distinguishing species.


Influence of diet on adiposal lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triacylglyceride synthetase activities in the developing pullet (Gallus domesticus). 1. Lipoprotein lipase activity of the abdominal fat pad and hepatic triacylglyceride synthetase activity were determined at 2, 7.5, 9, 12.5 and 20 weeks of age. 2. Specific activity of lipoprotein lipase in fat pad was constant at 2-9 weeks, decreasing until 20 weeks. Hepatic triacylglyceride synthetase activity decreased from 2 to 12.5 weeks, increasing by 20 weeks. 3. Lipoprotein lipase activity was higher throughout 20 weeks and triacylglyceride synthetase activity was higher at 7.5 weeks with energy restricted diet. 4. An inverse relationship existed between fat pad weight and specific activity of lipoprotein lipase; higher activity in adipose tissue of energy restricted pullets may have been a function of smaller fat pad size.


Some comparative aspects of the organ distribution of superoxide dismutase activity in the freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans. 1. Superoxide dismutase activities in five tissues of the relatively anaerobic freshwater turtle were compared with SOD activities in the same tissues of two mammalian species (mouse and rabbit) with a more usual pattern of dependence on O2 availability. 2. SOD activities in brain, lung and skeletal muscle, but not liver or cardiac muscle, are significantly lower in the turtle. The turtle also shows differences in the pattern of relative SOD activities in various tissues as compared to the two mammalian species. 3. The data indicate that a relationship does exist between SOD activities and O2 exposure in intact vertebrate systems, and is consistent with a physiological role for SOD in tissue O2 metabolism.


Some biochemical similarities and differences between two jack mackerel species, Trachurus declivis and T. novaezelandiae. 1. Six proteins, haemoglobin (two loci), serum esterase (two loci) and lactate dehydrogenuase (two loci) from two species of jack mackerel, Trachurus declivis and T. novaeselandiae, were compared electrophoretically. All six loci were found to be monomorphic. 2. LDH from red and white skeletal muscle tissue were electrophoretically different, but the red form and the white form were found to be identical in both species. 3. Both species share an electrophoretically identical serum esterase, but each species also has an electrophoretically distinct serum esterase. 4. Both species share an electrophoretically identical haemoglobin, but each species also has an electrophoretically distinct haemoglobin. 5. The otolith iron contents of the two species were compared and found to be identical.


[The fine structure of trout liver glycogen]. 1. The fine structure of trout liver glycogen has been investigated using an enzymatic method. 2. The total conversion of glycogen into glucose under the action of amyloglucosidase and the percentage of beta-amylolysis before (37.4%) and after (97.8%) isoamylase debranching are similar to the mammalian glycogen. 3. However, the resistance to beta-amylase of certain debranched material leads to an hypothesis during glycogenolysis.


Muscle esterases of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. 1. Muscle esterases of Gambusia affinis were separable into 14 electrophoretic bands that formed five groups according to differential physical and chemical properties. 2. Nine phenotypic patterns were observed among the populations sampled, based on variation within the EST-3 group of carboxylesterases. 3. A model for the molecular and genetic bases of the EST-3 polymorphism was proposed on the basis of phenotypic patterns and physicochemical characterization. 4. The isozymes of EST-3 are inferred to be dimeric molecules on the basis of electrophoretic patterns observed following incubation of the EST-3 enzymes with neuraminidase. 5. The binding of sialic acid is believed to be an epigenetic mechanism which operates to maintain the structural integrity of these enzymes.


The lipid content of epididymal spermatozoa of Rattus norvegicus. 1. Seven major lipids of rat spermatozoa from the caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis were separated and quantitated by TLC. 2. Spermatozoa from the caput epididymidis had a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) content of phospholipid, cholesterol, cholesterol ester and free fatty acid than those from the cauda epididymidis. 3. Spermatozoa from the corpus epididymidis had a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) content of monoglyceride than those from the caput epididymidis and a greater content of phospholipid, cholesterol, free fatty acids and monoglyceride than those from the cauda epididymidis.


Role of thyroid hormones in the normal and glucocorticosteroid hormone-induced evolution of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia) activity in axolotl liver. 1. In axolotl liver, the activity of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia), expressed per mg liver protein, decreases to a minimum at 5 months of age, then increases to a maximum at 8 months of age which is followed by a decrease again. The initial decrease between 3 and 5 months of age appears to be largely due to an increase in non-carbamoyl-phosphate synthase protein and the following increase between 5 and 8 months of age to a relative increase of carbamoyl-phosphate synthase protein. 2. Treatment of the animals with triiodothyronine causes an increase in carbamoyl-phosphate synthase activity, the extent of which is dependent upon hormone concentration and age of the animal. After 8 months of age no increase of enzyme occurs upon thyroid hormone treatment, although metamorphosis occurs. 3. Glucocorticosteroid hormones stimulate carbamoyl-phosphate synthase activity 2-to 3-fold in animals older than 6 months. However, in animals younger than 6 months, low concentrations of thyroid hormone, insufficient to induce metamorphosis, are necessary as permissive agents. 4. The stimulatory effects of high concentrations of thyroid hormones (T3) on carbamoyl-phosphate synthase appear to be mediated via a stimulatory effect on glucocorticosteroid biosynthesis. 5. The natural rise in enzyme activity between 5 and 8 months of age seems to be due to a rise in the concentration of circulating glucocorticosteroid hormones.


25-Hydroxycholecalciferol levels in camel, sheep and goat. 1. The plasma levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol were measured in female dromedary camels, female sheep and Sinai desert goats. 2. The camels had levels of 443 +/- 96 ng/ml in summer, and 267 +/- 113 ng/ml in winter. 3. The sheep had levels of 40.7 +/- 9.09 ng/ml in summer and 37.1 +/- 8.82 ng/ml in winter, i.e. roughly the same as man in that region. 4. The goats had lower levels: 23.9 +/- 5.67 ng/ml in summer.


Glutathione levels in the red blood cells of cattle. 1. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in the red blood cells of 259 cattle of two diverse populations consisting of various breeds. 2. There was a uniform distribution of GSH values ranging from 40.0 to 113.0 mg/100 ml red cells with a mean value of 72.0 mg +/- 1.26 (S.E.). 3. An absence of bimodal distribution was, thus, shown in the cattle breeds examined.


Diurnal variation in circulating levels of free fatty acids and growth hormone during crop gland activity in the pigeon (Columba livia). 1. Circulating levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and growth hormone (GH) were measured over a 24 hr period during the crop gland cycle of domestic pigeons (Columba livia). 2. Plasma FFA levels showed a marked circadian rhythm (p less than 0.004) with the peak level (considerably higher than that previously reported in nonbreeding pigeons) occurring at approximately 2400 hr. 3. It is suggested that these elevated levels reflect the increased demands for energy during incubation and crop "curd" production. 4. Diurnal fluctuations of plasma GH synchronizing with those of plasma FFA were not significant though peak concentrations were noted 4 hr previous to those of FFA. 5. Pigeons studied 12 days after hatching of young had the lowest levels of both plasma GH (p less than 0.06) and FFA (p less than 0.02) indicating their interacting relationship. 6. A consistently higher FFA level (p less than 0.02) was observed in the crop glands of male pigeons.


The use of electrophoresis of the water-soluble (sarcoplasmic) proteins of fish muscle to differentiate the closely related species of hake (Merluccius sp.). 1. Electrophoretic separation patterns of water-soluble proteins of five species of hake, Merluccius merluccius; M. australis; M. productus; M. bilinearis and M. angustimanus, have been examined. 2. The patterns were reproducible within each species and distinguishable from one another. 3. The frequency distribution of numbers of vertebrae and of gillrakers were obtained for the same fish. 4. Only the electrophoretic patterns gave an unequivocal identification of the species.


Muscle metabolic profiles and fiber-type composition in some marine mammals. 1. Hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase activities as well as fiber type composition were determined in skeletal muscles of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), and the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). 2. The subcutaneous muscle of the sea lion had intermediate glycolytic and oxidative enzyme activities. 3. The locomotory muscles examined in the otter and porpoise did not contain a single predominant fiber type, but did have a well developed oxidative as well as glycolytic metabolic capacity.


The Pasteur effect in rat jejunum and the influence of nematode infections. 1. The Pasteur effect was shown after 15 min but not after 30 min incubation of jejunal rings from normal rats. 2. During 15-30 min incubation, the rate of anaerobic lactate production decreased, while aerobic lactate production remained unchanged. Thus oxygen was necessary to maintain the functional integrity of the tissue during this period. 3. After infection with either Nematospiroides dubius or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, the Pasteur effect could not usually be shown, mainly due to a reduced rate of anaerobic lactate production. 4. The possible relationship of the loss of the Pasteur effect to the immune response is discussed.


Distribution and homologies of subunits in the LDH isoenzyme pattern of urodeles. 1. The subunit distribution and homologies of LDH isoenzymes are investigated in the species Triturus vulgaris, cristatus, alpestris and helveticus, and Ambystoma mexicanum by means of immunoprecipitation and starch gel electrophoresis. 2. Fresh tissue extracts contain the following patterns: (a) Trit. vulgaris--Two isoenzymes: the M4 and H4 tetramers. No hybrid formation is observed between H and M subunits. (b) Trit. cristatus--Two isoenzymes: the M4 and H4 tetramers. Occasional hybrid formation between H and M subunits takes place. (c) Trit. alpestris--Six isoenzymes: the M4, H4, H3H', H2H'2, HH'3 and H'4 tetramers. No hybrid formation between the M and the H and H' subunits is detected. (d) Trit. helveticus--Six isoenzymes: the M4, H4, H3H', H2H'2, HH'3, and H'4 tetramers; the H' subunit is more positively charged than the M subunit, which leads to pattern reversal in heart and skeletal muscle tissues. No hybrid formation between the M and the H and H' subunits is observed. (e) Ambyst. mex.--Eleven isoenzymes in heart, eye and brain, six isoenzymes in all other tissues tested. The presence of two M subunits, which form hybrids with the H subunit in a restricted way, is suggested. 3. In tissue extracts of the tested species the tendency of all present LDH subunits to form hybrids with each other without restriction is increased after prolonged storage at 2 degrees C. 4. The most acidic of the major isoenzymes (LDH1) in Trit. vulgaris, cristatus and helveticus tends to split into a series of sub-bands which migrate faster to the anode than the original main band.


Mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity in active and torpid ground squirrels, Spermophilus richardsoni. 1. Mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activity was assayed in liver homogenates from active and torpid ground squirrels. 2. Arrhenius plots of GPD activity were linear in non-hibernating animals and discontinuous in hibernators. Compared with non-hibernators, the energy of activation in hibernators was reduced between 37 and 25 degrees C, but increased between 25 and 6 degrees C. 3. A dose-response relation between GPD activity and injected thyroxine was determined in active animals. No correlation was found between enzyme activity at 37 or 6 degrees C and circulating titres of thyroid hormones, in ground squirrels sampled during the preparative and hibernating phases.


Protein variation and systematics in Malayan rats of the subgenus Lenothrix (Rodentia: Muridae, genus Rattus Fischer). 1. Electrophoretic variations of 9 erythrocyte proteins, coded by a separate gene locus each, were analysed in and among the 5 Malayan species of Rattus belonging to the subgenus Lenothrix. 2. The average proportion of loci heterozygous per individual for the taxa analysed is 0.037. 3. The results obtained confirm the specific status of the 5 taxa studied. With respect to the relative affinities among the species studied, the present results could resolve the discrepancies between conclusions based on morphological evidence and those based on cytological evidence. 4. The 5 species of Rattus studied may be assigned to 4 groups and comparative data suggest that these groups are relatively distantly related to one another.


Fingerprint correspondence of hemoglobins and the relationships of sea snakes. 1. Peptide fingerprints of tryptic digests of the globins of sea snake species of Hydrophis, Pelamis, Aipysurus, Laticauda and the terrestrial elapid Naja were compared. 2. Globin divergence, as estimated from peptide fingerprints, paralleled closely transferrin divergence, as measured immunologically. 3. Taxonomic affinities, suggested by the fingerprint data, are concordant with McDowell's taxonomic system for sea snakes with the following exceptions: (a) Laticauda shows a closer affinity to the true sea snakes than to the terrestrial elapid Naja. (b) Sea snakes appear to be more widely divergent from terrestrial elapids than his scheme suggests.


Seasonal variation in steroid biosynthesis by the testis of the lizard Tiliqua Rugosa. 1. Seasonal change in the biosynthesis of androgens by testicular tissue from a scincid lizard Tiliqua rugosa has been studied in vitro using [7-3H]pregnenolone and [4-14C]progesterone as substrates. 2. Evidence is presented for the synthesis of epitestosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 20 beta-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, and 17 alpha, 20 beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. 3. Epitestosterone was the major conversion product. Its yield was highest (68%) during summer and lowest (14%) during spring. The yield of testosterone was maximal (10%) during spring (mating season). The production of 20 beta-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one was highest during spring and undetectable during summer. 4. Histological evidence and changes in testicular weight indicated that spermatogenic activity was greatest during spring. Pronounced regression of the testis occurred immediately after the breeding season and lasted until autumn.


Kinetic investigations on the behaviour of free amino acids in the plasma and of two aminotransferases in the liver of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii Richardson) after feeding on a synthetic composition containing pure amino acids. 1. Growing rainbow trout were fed at 8 a.m. daily with a composition conforming with their requirements. 2. The free amino acids in the plasma exhibit no uniform behaviour after feeding. The concentrations of the indispensable amino acids rise. The dispensable amino acids behave indifferently. The aspartate and glutamate concentrations are also high 3 and 12 hr after feeding with pure amino acids, their variability also rising to 80-100% of their mean values. 3. The GOT reaches its maximum activity 6 hr after feeding; the GPT does not change. The amount of soluble protein in the liver fluctuates after feeding. 4. When comparing fish and mammals, the behaviour of the dispensable amino acids in the former may be ascribable to their relatively high amino acid requirement. However, the behaviour of the GOT and the soluble proteins in the liver appears to follow a rhythmic activity pattern.


A comparative study of ketone body metabolism between the camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the sheep (Ovis aries). 1. Plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and acetoacetate (AcAc) have been measured in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and sheep (Ovis aries). The activity of beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BHB-deH2) (E.C. 1.1.1.30) was studied in the rumen epithelium and the liver of these animals. 2. Concentrations of plasma BHB and AcAc in the camel were in respective order 33 and 4 times lower than that of the sheep. The ratios of BHB to AcAc were 0.61 and 4.8 for the camel and sheep, respectively. 3. The activity of BHB-deH2 in the rumen epithelium of the camel and sheep were 7.15 and 66 mumol/hr/g wet wt tissue, respectively. The activity in both species was higher in the rumen epithelium than in the liver.


Metamorphic variations in the hemoglobins of Bombina variegata (L.). 1. The electrophoretic pattern of the anuran Bombina variegata presents one band only until the end of premetamorphosis. Afterwards three new bands appear which substitute the larval band within 15-18 days of metamorphosis. 2. The gradual change of larval and adult hemoglobin, correlated with the development, has been reported in a diagram. 3. In Bombina variegata the hemoglobin change is total, like in most amphibians, but starts earlier and develops slower than in most other species.


Amount of repeated and non-repeated DNA in the genomes of closely related fish species with varying genome sizes. 1. Within the teleostean family Cyprinidae, diploid species occur with wide variation in genome size. There also exist species which were anciently tetraploid. 2. The quantitative changes of DNA content in the diploids are primarily due to differences in the amount of intermediately repeated DNA. DNA sequence composition of the ancient tetraploid genomes suggests that the species derived from diploid ancestors of small genome size. 3. The average base composition and the base compositional heterogeneity are similar in all the species examined.


The hepatic cytochrome level in the cat (Felis catus): normal value and variations in relation to some biological parameters. 1. The average level of the hepatic hydroxylating cytochrome was determined in the cat (0.380 +/- 0.085 nmol.mg-1 proteins). 2. Great individual differences were noted. 3. The level of cytochrome increases with age in the immature (age less than or equal to 8.5 months) and young adults (age: 10-18 months). It is diminished in the older animals. 4. The measured average level is lower than that in other species, and approaches the human one. 5. The induction capacity of phenobarbital is lower in the cat than in other mammals, for example the rat or the mouse.


The sarcoplasmic proteins of white muscle of an antarctic hemoglobin-free fish, Champsocephalus gunnari. 1. The protein composition of the sarcoplasm of Champsocephalus gunnari white muscle has been examined by ultracentrifugation and starch-gel electrophoresis. 2. The extracts have been fractionated by several methods in order to compare them more closely to similar extracts of other fish species and to isolate creatine kinase and the parvalbumins IV and V. 3. The creatine kinase does not appear to differ from other fish creatine kinases. Both parvalbumins are also very similar to other parvalbumins except that they are more easily oxidized than all the parvalbumins described so far.


A comparative study of vitamin D binding globulins in milk. 1. The occurrence of 25-hydroxy vitamin D binding protein in human, bovine, monkey and porcine milk was investigated. 2. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation revealed the presence of 4.2 S and 5.7 S binding globulins in the whey of human, monkey and porcine milk. 3. Although bovine plasma also contains a 4.2 S globulin only a 5.7 S protein was found in bovine milk. 4. The 4.2 S and 5.7 S globulins in milk could not be resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or by isoelectric focusing. 5. Plasma and whey binding proteins of any one species had the same isoelectric point but there were small differences among species (4.5-4.8). 6. Competitive displacement studies showed that the binding proteins in milk have high affinity for 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.


Intestinal peroxisomes of goldfish (Carassius auratus)--examination for hydrolase, dehydrogenase and carnitine acetyltransferase activities. 1. Rate sedimentation and isopycnic centrifugation were used to analyse the subcellular sites of enzymes in homogenates of goldfish intestinal mucosa. 2. The results allowed the following allocations to be made: carnitine acetyl transferase-mitochondrial and peroxisomal, xanthine dehydrogenase and NAD: alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase soluble phase, NADP: isocitrate dehydrogenase soluble phase and mitochondrial, and 2-naphthyl laurate hydrolase microsomal and/or brush border. 3. Histochemistry confirmed the use of alkaline phosphatase and 1-naphthyl acetate esterase as brush border and microsome markers respectively. 4. Urate oxidase, allantoinase, allantoicase, xanthine oxidase and glycollate/lactate oxidase, activities were undetectable, and 1-naphthyl palmitate hydrolase was present only as a contaminant from pancreas.


Patterns of purine nucleotides in fish erythrocytes. 1. The purine nucleotides were determined in the whole blood of 9 fresh water teleosts and 2 marine selachians. 2. GTP and ATP accounted for 88-99% of the total erythrocytes purines. 3. The ATP/ADP ratio ranged from 11 to 60 in the erythrocytes of the fish examined. 4. GTP is widely distributed in fish erythrocytes but its level ranged from 1 to 33 nmol/mg Hb (0.4 to 9 mumol/ml erythrocyte). 5. Lepomis and Esox exhibited a GTP/ATP ratio as elevated as in Anguilla; moreover the concentration of GTP per mol of Hb (physiologically most indicative) is higher in Lepomis, Esox, Ictalurus and Silurus than in Anguilla.


Effect of temperature on protein synthesis in fish of the Galapagos and Perlas Islands. 1. The temperature dependency of protein synthesis was studied in vivo in five species of Pacific fish collected in the Galapagos and Perlas Islands: batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), groupers (Epinephelus labriformis), catfish (Netuma platypogan), puffers (Arothron hispidus) and triggerfish (Sufflamen verres). 2. Liver protein synthesis, assayed by a rapid pulse injection technique, showed a moderate temperature dependency (Q10 = 2-3) in the 15-30 degree C range for all species except puffers (Q10 = 10-20). Synthesis was inhibited above 32 degrees C. 3. Protein synthesis in triggerfish was measured by the constant-infusion technique. Synthetic rates (% of tissue protein synthesized per day) at 25 degrees C were 20% for liver, 10% for gill, 1.8% for red muscle and 0.6% for white muscle. Q10 in the 20 degrees-30 degrees C range was 3.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C for all tissues.


Influence of dietary amino acid patterns on the free amino acid contents of blood and muscle of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii R.). 1. Groups of rainbow trout were given one or other of two diets that differed in amino acid profile for two months; concentrations of free amino acids in whole blood and latero-dorsal muscle were then measured. The effects of temperature (12 and 18 degrees C in freshwater) and salinity on the concentrations of free amino acids in these tissues were also observed. 2. Although both diets apparently met the essential amino acid requirements of the trout and were isoenergetic, they nevertheless had different nutritional values for trout. 3. Patterns of free amino acids in tissues of trout given the two diets were different. Blood and muscle amino acid fractions were affected differently by changes in dietary amino acids.


Regulation of glucose formation from lactate and pyruvate in isolated tubules of chicken kidney. 1. Isolated kidney tubules from chicken have been used to study the actions of ethanol, ouabain and aminooxyacetate on glucose formation from lactate and pyruvate. 2. In kidney tubules from well-fed chickens the rate of glucose production from lactate was higher than from pyruvate. Ethanol (10 mM) and ouabain (0.1 mM) were found to increase glucose formation from pyruvate but not from lactate. 3. It is concluded that in the presence of ethanol the fluxes of pyruvate through pyruvate dehydrogenase are in favour of the pyruvate carboxylase reaction restricted. 4. Glucose formation from lactate is decreased by aminooxyacetate (0.1 mM) and ouabain (0.1 mM). 5. Aminooxyacetate inhibited glucose formation from lactate, although chicken phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is located intramitochondrially. 6. The results indicate that the effect of aminooxyacetate like that of ouabain is caused by the restricted formation of pyruvate.


Alaskan malamute chondrodysplasia--VII. Isolation and characterization of copper, zinc and iron binding proteins in Canis familiaris. 1. Three low molecular weight (12,000, 10,000 and 7,000) metal binding proteins have been isolated from the livers of normal and chondrodysplastic Alaskan Malamutes. 2. Comparison studies between kennel (mixed breed) dogs and both adult and immature Alaskan Malamutes suggested that the disturbance in trace mineral metabolism found in the Malamutes is almost entirely reflected in the 12,000 mol. wt species. 3. The major copper-inducible protein (10,000 mol. wt) observed in kennel dogs was not found to be inducible in Malamutes and contained constant ratios of both copper and zinc to protein in metal binding proteins isolated from the livers of both normal and dwarf Malamutes. 4. The copper and zinc found in the UM2 concentrates (mol. wt greater than 2000) of immature Malamutes showed very little affinity to the proteins and these metals were found chiefly in a peptide fraction which apparently serves as a reservoir from which the storage proteins obtain the metals that they bind. 5. Regression analysis indicated a statistically significant correlation between both copper and zinc concentrations and the carbohydrate concentration in the proteins investigated.


Subspecific variations in Agkistrodon contortrix venoms. 1. Commercially available preparations of venoms of three subspecies of copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) were compared as to toxicity, enzymatic activities, effect on a nerve-muscle preparation and capacity to induce clotting of a fibrinogen solution or plasma. 2. Northern copperhead venom contained apparent neurotoxic activities that were not present in broadbanded copperhead venom and only partially present in southern copperhead venom. 3. Procoagulant activity was demonstrated in whole northern copperhead venom in the absence of exogenous calcium. Procoagulant activity was present in certain isolated fractions of southern and broadbanded copperhead venoms, but was not apparent in the whole venoms. 4. Differences were noted in the levels of enzyme activities and electrophoretic patterns of the three venoms.


Hemoglobin alterations of the 13-lined ground squirrel while in various activity states. 1. Characterization of fetal, winter-hibernating, winter-active, summer-active and summer-induced hibernating hemoglobins of 13-lined ground squirrels (Citellus tridecemlineatus) by isoelectric focusing (IEF) pH 7.0-9.0 indicated that this molecule is extremely responsive to the various activity states of this hibernator. 2. Major alterations of ground squirrel hemoglobin occur with the varying activity states as evidenced by the distinctive changes in the isoelectric points (pIs) of these protein components. 3. Hemoglobin from winter-hibernating or summer-induced hibernating ground squirrels does not revert to a fetal type of hemoglobin. 4. The presence of an additional hemoglobin peak pI 6.55 in the summer-induced hibernator may serve as a possible assay for hibernation inducing trigger(s) (HIT) molecules under study in our laboratory.


Effects of temperature, salinity, and feeding on aminotransferase activity in the liver and white muscle of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson). 1. The liver-somatic index of rainbow trout is governed by temperature and salinity, and by the interaction of these two factors. 2. The overall liver-alanine aminotransferase activity (in units/100 g body weight) increases slightly with increasing salinity of the surroundings in the case of rainbow trout. 3. The overall liver-aspartate aminotransferase activity (in units/100 g body weight) in rainbow trout depends on their food and the temperature at which they are kept. 4. Salinity adaptation leads to reductions in the specific alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the liver of rainbow trout. 5. The specific alanine aminotransferase activity in the muscle of starving rainbow trout kept in diluted seawater (580 mOsm/l, 18 degrees C) is clearly higher than in control animals kept in tapwater.


Fossil reptilian gelatins.

Fossil reptilian gelatins. 1. Studies have been made of products obtained by treating several reptilian fossil bones with dilute formic acid. 2. Their amounts and compositions have been compared with those of similarly treated fresh and Pleistocene bones. 3. Fewer and small peptides are obtained from the older fossils but in only one instance was the composition significantly different from that of the total protein. 4. For the collagenous proteins aspartic acid was the most readily freed by hydrolysis; for these older proteins it is alanine. 5. Unlike the Pleistocene proteins, the chromatograms from these older proteins have always had peaks in the position of beta-alanine, and usually others of unidentified origin.


Comparison of phospholipase activity with direct and indirect lytic effects of animal venoms upon human red cells. 1. The venoms of 22 species of arthropods, saurians, elapids and crotalids were studied concerning the phospholipase activity and the presence of a direct and an indirect lytic effect upon human red cells. 2. The venoms from the spiders Latrodectus and "tarantula", and the venoms from the scorpions of the genus Centruroides are not haemolytic and do not have phospholipase activity. 3. Only the venoms of Apis mellifera and Naja naja siamensis have shown direct lytic effect. 4. All other venoms studied have an indirect haemolytic effect associated to a phospholipase activity, but there is indication that other agents might be implicated in the haemolytic processes.


Red cell enzymes--V. Enzyme activities in the red blood cells of Saanen and Angora goats. 1. Activities of several enzymes associated with glucose metabolism were measured in the red blood cells of Saanen and Angora breed of goat. 2. No significant breed differences were observed in any enzyme activity.


Plasma lipid concentrations for some Brazilian lizards. 1. Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, phospholipids and triglycerides were determined for ten species of Brazilian lizards, Iguana iguana, Tropidurus torquatos and T. semitaeniatus (Iguanidae), Tupinambis teguixin, Ameiva ameiva and Cnemidophorus ocellifer (Teiidae), Mabuya maculata (Scincidae), Hemidactylus mabouia (Gekkonidae), Amphisbaenia vermicularis and Leposternon polystegum (Amphisbaenidae). 2. Considerable inter- and intra-species variations in plasma lipid concentrations were observed. 3. The percentage of total cholesterol esterified and the individual phospholipid composition of plasma were relatively constant for each species. 4. Over 60% of the cholesteryl esters present in plasma from three species each of iguanid and teiid lizards were polyenoic.


Arylsulfatase of sea urchin sperm--distribution of arylsulfatase in the gonads and gametes of echinoderms. 1. Fairly high activities of arylsulfatase are found in the sperm and mature testes of all the sea urchins studied; Strongylocentrotus intermedius, Strongylocentrotus nudus, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Anthocidaris crassispina, whereas the activities in the ovaries and eggs of these animals are low. 2. Neither the sand dollar, Clypeaster japonicus nor the starfishes, Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera prove to have considerable activities of the enzyme in their gonads and gametes. 3. Most of the activity of arylsulfatase in the sperm of S. intermedius is found in the seminal plasma, but the significant activity is bound to the spermatozoa. 4. Part, if not all, of the spermatozoa-borne arylsulfatase is suggested to exist on the surface of spermatozoa or in the acrosome or both. 5. The ubiquitous distribution of sperm arylsulfatase in sea urchins on the contrary to its absence in starfish or sand dollar is discussed in connection with the penetration of sperm through egg investments.


The binding of zinc to the soluble proteins of intestinal mucosa in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). 1. The binding of Zn2+ to soluble proteins of intestinal mucosa of winter flounder was examined using an equilibrium dialysis technique. 2. There appeared to be more than one binding system present for Zn2+ in the mucosal cytosol. 3. It required four times the normal endogenous Zn2+ level found in the mucosal cytosol to saturate the highest affinity (K1 = 2.42 x 10(7] binding system. 4. Of 10 metals tested Cu2+ was the only one which interfered with Zn2+ binding to the mucosal cytosol proteins. 5. It is postulated that binding proteins in the mucosal cytosol of winter flounder may play a role in the transport of Zn2+.


Metabolism of hibernating reptiles. Changes of free amino acids in blood, liver and brain. 1. Glutamic acid showed a significant decrease during hibernation in brain cortex. This is attributed to: (a) Transformation to glutamine to detoxicate ammonia. (b) The synthesis of GABA from glutamic acid. (c) It is suggested that the enzyme GAD is active during hibernation. 2. GABA showed a significant increase in liver and brain cortex. It was absent in the blood serum. (a) The present results show that non-neural tissues contain lower GABA than neural tissues. (b) GABA may be formed locally in tissues by decarboxylation of glutamate as well as from pathways connected with tricarboxylic acid cycle. 3. Aspartic acid showed increased levels in blood serum, liver and brain cortex, the greatest increase was observed in liver. 4. A significant increase was recorded in the level of arginine in brain cortex and liver, whilst a smaller percentage increase was recorded in ornithine level. It is assumed that transformation of arginine to ornithine was depressed during hibernation.


Enzymes of steroid hormone metabolism in ovarian tissue of teleosts. 1. Substrate-velocity kinetics and some other characteristics of three enzymes involved in steroid hormone metabolism in the ovary of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio and of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus were determined. 2. Labeled steroid products of the enzyme reactions were identified by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatographies, as well as by formation of derivatives. 3. 5 alpha-Steroid reductase of carp ovary was found to have a Michaelis-Menten constant undistinguishable from that of rat ovarian tissue, while the Km of the enzyme in mullet ovarian tissue was found to be different. 4. The Km of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of mullet ovarian tissue was similar to the value reported for mammalian gonadal tissue, but the constant for 17 beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase in the carp ovary was different. 5. It is for the first time that these enzymes of steroid hormone metabolism have been quantitatively determined in teleost ovarian tissue.


Studies on the evolution of elastin--I. Phylogenetic distribution. 1. Aortae and other tissues from numerous animals were examined for the presence of the rubbery protein elastin by (a) chemical purification and amino acid analysis, (b) presence of the cross-linking amino acids desmosine and isodesmosine and (c) histological staining. 2. Elastin was found in all vertebrates examined (42 species) with the exception of cyclostomes (3 species). It was absent from all invertebrates tested (14 species). 3. The amino acid compositions of vertebrate elastins showed marked and interesting interspecies variations.


Protein variation and systematics of three subgenera of Malayan rats (Rodentia: Muridae, genus Rattus Fischer). 1. Nine erythrocyte proteins coded by a separate locus each were analysed in and among seven Malayan species of Rattus belonging to three subgenera. 2. Electrophoretic data obtained confirm the specific status of the seven taxa and divide the seven species into three groups which correspond with Ellerman's (1949) subgenera Stenomys, Maxomys and Leopoldamys. 3. A comparative study together with 11 other species of Malayan Rattus previously analysed show that, with few exceptions, the overall relationships among the 18 species based on electrophoretic data correspond well with conclusions based on morphological evidence. 4. Malayan species of Rattus are relatively very diverse genetically (S = 0.27, range 0.01-0.94).


Effect of dietary fatty acids differing by chain lengths and omega series on the growth and lipid composition of turbot Scophthalmus maximus L. 1. A previous paper (Gatesoupe et al., 1977) showed that turbot had a specific requirement for omega 3HPUFA since equivalent dietary amounts of 18:3 omega 3 or omega 3HPUFA (0.55% of the diet) did not lead to the same growth performances. 2. In the present paper, we demonstrated that fish given a high level of dietary 18:3 omega 3 (3.7% of the diet), without omega 3HPUFA, presented better growth than those offered a lower level of 18:3 omega 3, and almost the same performances as fish receiving 0.57% omega 3HPUFA. 3. This suggested that turbot, like trout, might be able to use the 18:3 omega 3 as a precursor of the omega 3 series. Furthermore, according to the present relatively short-term experiment, elongation-desaturation reactions of the omega 3FA did not appear to be reduced with low dietary omega 3FA levels. 4. On the other hand, these types of reactions seemed to be totally missing with the 18:2 omega 6. Thus, it may be assumed that there was no direct relationship between growth and omega 3 elongating-desaturating activities, and that omega 3 lowering fish body content was not the cause, or at least not the only cause, of poor growth in long-term experiments.


Lipids from nerve tissues of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. 1. The predominant lipids of nerve cords, ganglion and brain from horseshoe crabs were cholesterol (11% of lipid) and phospholipid (81% of lipid). 2. Major phospholipids were phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline with lesser amounts of phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl inositol and sphingomyelin. 3. The phospholipid fraction was characterized by a high content of plasmalogen, i.e. alk-1-enyl acyl phosphatides, so that 42% of the ethanolamine phosphatides were the plasmalogen, phosphatidal ethanolamine. 4. Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine were high in polyunsaturation with 20:4 and 20:5 major fatty acids. Sphingomyelin had predominantly long chain saturated fatty acids. 5. Cerebrosides and gangliosides, which are associated with vertebrate nerve tissues, were absent from nerves of horseshoe crabs.


Electrophoretic variation in muscle lactate dehydrogenase in Snake Valley cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki subsp. 1. Electrophoretic variation observed in muscle A group lactate dehydrogenase in Snake Valley cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki subsp.) suggested the presence of two variant alleles at the A1 locus and a null allele at the A2 locus. 2. The taxonomic status of the Snake Valley cutthroat trout was reviewed.


Glycerol metabolism in the adult dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. 1. When adult Dirofilaria immitis were incubated up to 60 min in a medium containing physiological concentrations of glycerol and glucose, the mean amount of free glycerol present did not change significantly. 2. [14C]2-glycerol disappeared from media in which 1 g heartworms were incubated at a linear rate of about 0.7 mumol/hr/g during the first hour. 3. 85-95% of the radioactivity in the Folch extract remained in the aqueous phase. 4. Phosphoglycerides and diacylglycerols accounted for better than 90% of the 14C in the lipids. 5. The rate of glycerol conversion to lactate was only about 0.02% of the rate of glucose conversion under experimental conditions. 6. The data indicate that, although dog heartworms do utilize glycerol as a substrate in glycolysis, it is probably of more importance in lipid synthesis.


Lipid synthesis in the adult dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis. 1. Incorporation studies with three labelled substrates--[14C]2-glycerol, [14C]1-acetate and [14C]1-oleic acid--demonstrated that adult dog heartworms can synthesize all classes of complex lipids present, including free cholesterol. 2. Diacylglycerols and phosphoglycerides were most rapidly labelled regardless of the precursor employed. 3. 14C from glycerol was found in the aqueous phase of saponified lipids, whereas that from oleic acid was in the fatty acid portion. 4. Tag from acetate was predominantly in the fatty acid portion of saponified lipids and also occurred in the unesterified fatty acids. 5. Acetate and unesterified fatty acids, as represented by oleic acid, were more readily used for lipid synthesis than was glycerol.


Phospholipid composition of hibernating ground squirrel (Citellus lateralis) kidney and low-temperature membrane function. 1. Phospholipid analysis of kidney lipids from active and hibernating ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) indicate that molar quantities of phosphatidyl choline increase, while sphingomyelin decreases in hibernating animals. 2. Both of these changes are in such a direction as to enhance membrane fluidity and possibly contribute to low-temperature membrane function in these organisms.


The central role of phosphorylcholine in the metabolism of epidermis in the guinea-pig, Cavia porcellus. 1. CDP-choline, which has been identified for the first time in epidermis, accumulates when skin is deprived of glucose. 2. ATP and fatty acids depress uptake of [32P]orthophosphate into phosphorylcholine in skin maintained in vitro.


Oxygen uptake and lactate production by Schistosoma mansoni cercaria, cercarial body and tail, and schistosomule. 1. Oxygen consumption by Schistosoma mansoni cercarial bodies varies, with the batch of organisms, the incubation media and the temperature (27-37 degrees C), from 27.4 +/- 3.4 to 55.0 +/- 4.8 microliters O2/mg larval protein per hr. It is proportional to the concentration of organisms incubated, up to 25,000/ml, as calculated from whole protein. 2. Oxygen uptake by cercariae is inhibited by 5.6 mM glucose in the incubation media, a concentration that stimulates the respiration of cercarial bodies. 3. No significant differences in the oxygen uptake were presented by cercarial bodies with and without glycocalyx or glandular secretions, or devoid of all of them. 4. Inhibitors of the Krebs cycle and the respiratory chain, and uncoupling agents influence the oxygen uptake by cercariae, cercarial bodies and schistosomules to the same extent. 5. The permeability change presented by transformed larvae had no influence on the excretion of lactate by cercarial bodies, which is about 0.3 mumoles/mg protein per hr and remains constant for 5 hr; under nitrogen, this amount increased 70%. Cercariae in anaerobiosis, however, excreted as much as 15 times more lactate than under air. 6. Lactic dehydrogenases of cercariae, cercarial bodies and tails, and schistosomules are of the muscle type and do not change during the transformation.


Serum lipoprotein profiles of young atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau and atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer pigeons. 1. Newly-hatched atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau and atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer pigeons (Columba livia) had significantly lower (P less than 0.01) alpha/beta serum lipoprotein ratios than 6-week, 3-month, or 6-month old pigeons of the corresponding breed, as determined by densitometric analysis of polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoretic profiles. 2. Differences in alpha/beta serum lipoprotein ratios were not observed between the two breeds at any age studied.


Thyroglobulin biosynthesis in a larval (ammocoete) and adult freshwater lamprey (Lampetra planeri Bl.). 1. The biosynthesis of 18-19S thyroglobulin has been studied in a larval and adult freshwater lamprey (Lampetra planeri Bl.). 2. In vivo and in vitro experiments have been performed by injecting into the coelomic cavity or by incubating branchial region labeled constituents of Tg of higher vertebrates (125I, [3H]leucine and various [3H]carbohydrates). 3. Larvae (ammocoetes) and adults incorporate all labels into thyroglobulin (18-19S Tg), containing a small proportion of labeled T3 and T4, as identified by paper chromatography, and very minute amounts of stable iodine. 4. In adults, the biosynthesis of 18-19S Tg proceeds much more rapidly and the labels are incorporated in higher percentage than in larvae. 5. The demonstration of the biosynthesis of the specific thyroid protein, 18-19S Tg, in larvae indicates that the biochemical mechanism of hormonogenesis is present in larval endostyle before the morphological differentiation of thyroid cells and follicles occurring during metamorphosis. 6. Some 18-19S Tg is apparently stored in the endostyle.


The action of ATP on natural actomyosin. 1. When ATP is added to Limulus myosin B and the mixture is centrifuged at 50,000 rev/min for 3 hr to dissociate it into a supernatant of myosin and a pellet of actin, the results are contrary to expectation. The pellet does contain actin but no more than one obtains if the ATP is omitted. The supernatant also contains actin. 2. If this is done in the Model E centrifuge, the major peak disappears upon ATP addition and a new peak, sedimenting at a rate typical of myosin, appears. When only this slow moving peak is run on SDS gels, actin is clearly seen. 3. It is concluded that ATP does not dissociate this actomyosin but rather causes a conformational change.


A comparison of the isoenzymes, soluble proteins, polypeptides and free amino acids from ten isolates of Trypanosoma evansi. 1. Soluble extracts from different strains of Trypanosoma evansi were compared by several analytical procedures. 2. No isoenzymic differences were detected. 3. Some clear intraspecies differences in protein isoelectric points, in polypeptide sizes and in free amino acid contents were found.


Comparative levels of muscle glycolytic enzymes in mammals, fish, echinoderm and molluscs. 1. Levels of glycolytic enzymes were determined in terms of units of enzyme/mg protein in rat striated muscle, carp lateral muscle, holothuria longitudinal muscle of the body wall, and a snail foot muscle. 2. An attempt has been made to correlate levels of glycolytic enzymes as a parameter to establish a "biochemical distance" at molecular level and correlate this with the phylogenetic position in animals sufficiently separated in the animal tree of evolution. 3. The possibility of a peculiar kinetic behaviour of the glycolytic pathway in each muscle tissue studied, has been analyzed as the profiles of the ratios of pairs of enzymes bearing a substrate-product dependence. 4. A possible "futile synthesis" of some glycolytic enzymes, such as FDP-aldolase in the case of fish muscle, is proposed.


Comparison of peroxide metabolism enzymes in organs of congenic mice. 1. A study was made of the SOD, P and C activities and the protein contents of the tissue homogenates in the five most important organs of six inbred mouse strains. 2. From the results of comparative examinations it emerges that the above PME's exhibit substantial differences in the various inbred mouse strains. 3. Accordingly, only pure inbred mice or rats raised under identical conditions can be used for PME comparisons. 4. The examinations also reveal that the PME levels of the inbred strains are genetically determined.


An electrophoretic analysis of selected enzymes of the coconut crab, Birgus latro. 1. Employing starch gel electrophoresis at pH 8.6, a single anodal band of L(+)-lactate dehydrogenase activity was found in skeletal muscle of Birgus latro. 2. Two anodal malate dehydrogenase isozymes were observed in heart, skeletal muscle and pericardial gland tissue. Lung and gill exhibited the faster moving band only. 3. Multiple bands of esterase activity were detected in all tissues examined employing alpha-naphthylacetate or alpha-butyrate as substrate. 4. Multiple molecular forms of superoxide dismutase were observed in all tissues examined. 5. Lung exhibited a single cathodal band of carbonic anhydrase activity.


The influence of elevated environmental temperature and nutrient intake on thyroid status and hepatic enzyme activities in immature male chicks. 1. Increases in hepatic ATP citrate lyase specific activity and in serum thyroxine levels were observed in immature chicks in response to either controlled food and water intakes at 22 degrees C, or an elevation in environmental temperature to 30 degrees C. Hepatic phosphofructokinase specific activity was reduced at the higher temperature. 2. Over a 4-week experimental period thyroid function and hepatic enzyme activities adapted to the controlled nutrient intake but not to the temperature stressor.


Heterosis in the codominance model: electrophoretic studies of proteins in the chicken-quail hybrid. 1. Electrophoretical comparisons was carried out on qualitative and quantitative differences of three proteins in the cock-quail hybrid: albumin, immunoglobulin and hemoglobin. All three components correspond to situations of codominance. 2. Heterosis was demonstrated twice: the immunological potentialities of the hybrid are increased by its possession of two types of Ig G; the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen can be better regulated in the hybrid than in both parental species. 3. Proportions of the codominant parental components in the hybrid are different in the case of the three investigated proteins; this fact probably reflects the relative importance of the quantitative regulation of gene products in the hybrid.


The phosphoglucose isomerases of the bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma vivax. 1. The phosphoglucose isomerases (PGI's) of the bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei and T. vivax have been purified some 150-fold, using cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and isoelectric focussing. 2. The two trypanosome enzymes showed many similarities in kinetic properties, but differed from each other somewhat in thermal stability and in isoelectric point. 3. Both trypanosome enzymes differ from PGI's from other sources in having a higher Ki for the competitive inhibitor 6-phosphogluconate.


Translation of Taenia crassiceps mRNA in cell-free heterologous systems. 1. mRNA isolated from larval Taenia crassiceps directs efficiently the synthesis of proteins in cell-free heterologous systems. 2. Part of the newly synthesized proteins in a reticulocyte system are precipitable by a rabbit antiserum against T. crassiceps proteins. 3. Analysis of the antiserum-protein dissociated complex by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates that most of the proteins synthesized are of low molecular weight (13,000-22,000) although a protein of mol. wt. 260,000 is also produced. 4. Whether the newly synthesized proteins which are precipitable by specific antisera correspond to parasite antigens or to proteins with closely antigenic similarities remains to be established.


The hemoglobin of the common sting-ray, Dasyatis sabina: structural and functional properties. 1. The hemoglobin of the sting-ray, Dasyatis sabina, is both polymorphic and heterogeneous; three components predominate. 2. One major component has two kinds of polypeptide chain, of which one, presumably an alpha-chain, has a blocked NH2-terminus and an arginyl COOH-terminus, whereas carboxypeptidases A and B release tyrosine and histidine from the COOH-terminus of the beta-chain. 3. The amino acid sequence of the beginning NH2-terminal segment of the beta-chain of the major component has been determined. 4. The hemoglobin of the sting-ray, Dasyatis sabina, is highly resistant to urea and does not dissociate readily into subunits. 5. Oxygen binding by the hemoglobin is not affected by organic phosphates or high concentrations of either NaCl or urea. 6. The hemoglobin does not polymerize beyond tetramers. 7. Cooperativity, as monitored by n in the Hill equation, is pH-dependent and maximal between pH 8.5 and 9.0. 8. The hemoglobin has a large Bohr effect; the oxygen affinity is 16 times higher at pH 10 than at pH 6.5.


Amino acid composition and physico-chemical properties of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) myoglobin. 1. The heart ventricle myoglobin of Atlantic bluefin tuna has been purified and its amino acid composition has been determined. 2. The perturbing effect of guanidine hydrochloride on the molecular structure of tuna ferrimyoglobin and its corresponding apoprotein has been investigated by Soret absorbance and ultraviolet fluorescence. 3. The conformation-free energy of unfolding delta G0 has been calculated by thermodynamic treatments of the data concerning guanidine unfolding. 4. The results have been compared with other known myoglobins, particularly those of yellowfin tuna.


Specific properties of brown adipose tissue mitochondrial membrane. 1. Mitochondrial membrane of brown adipose tissue compared to that of liver possesses a very high activity of oxidative enzymes but a low activity of ATPase. 2. The polypeptide composition of the mitochondrial membranes proves that the above differences in enzyme activities are due to increased content of oxidative enzymes and decreased content of ATPase in brown adipose tissue. 3. The inhibition of ATPase of brown adipose tissue mitochondria by aurovertin, oligomycin and DCCD indicates modified proportions between the components of the ATPase complex. 4. The organization of brown adipose tissue mitochondrial membrane in relation to its thermogenic function is discussed.


Comparative chemical studies on the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) egg ovalbumin. 1. Three components of quail ovalbumin were fractionated by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. 2. These were A1, A2, and A3, of which the major is A2. They contained phosphorus of 3, 2 and 1 residues, respectively. 3. The amino acid composition were higher in Lys, Asp, Ser, Thr and Gly, and lower in Arg, Glu and Ile than chicken ovalbumin. 4. The carbohydrate compositions were slightly higher in hexose and lower in hexosamine than chicken ovalbumin. 5. The molecular weight was determined to be 43,000, and the isoelectric point was pI 4.70.


Tissue alkaline phosphatase activity in selected freshwater teleosts. 1. Kinetic studies of tissue alkaline phosphatase activity were carried out on eight species of teleost fishes taken from the Mississippi River. 2. Liver alkaline phosphatase activity expressed in mumoles of p-nitrophenol released per minute per gram of protein were as follows: Micropterus salmoides, 20.31; Stizostedion vitreum, 19.22; Pomoxis nigromaculatus, 18.76; Lepisosteus platostomus, 16.26; Esox lucius, 16.14; Hiodon tergisus, 13.83; Ictalurus punctatus, 10.87; Aplodinotus grunniens, 7.94. 3. Specific activity of the kidney alkaline phosphatase was about ten times the level of liver alkaline phosphatase for the species examined.


Radiorespirometric studies of carbohydrate metabolism by washed spermatozoa of various species. 1. The patterns of 14CO2 evolution from specifically labeled glucose substrates by washed bull, ram, boar, rabbit, dog, rooster and turkey spermatozoa were similar and indicated the Embden-Meyerhof and Kreb's cycle pathways as the major route of energy metabolism. 2. Honey bee spermatozoa metabolized glucose-3,4-[14C], glucose-[U-14C] or fructose-[U-14C], but not glucose-1-[14C], glucose-2-[14C]or glucose-6-[14C], indicating the presence of the glycolytic pathway, but the absence of respiration via the Kreb's cycle. 3. The rate of glycolysis exceeded the rate of respiration in the spermatozoa of all the species studied. 4. A preferential utilization of glucose-1-[14C] over glucose-6-[14C] was evident in some sperm samples, but no consistent indication of pentose cycle metabolism was observed, due to considerable variability between samples within each group. 5. Fructose metabolism was greater than glucose metabolism in the rooster, less in the dog, boar and turkey, and similar in the spermatozoa from the other species examined. 6. Only ram and bull spermatozoa metabolized acetate-1-[14C] to any extent.


Isolation and chemical composition of the leucocytes from donkey, horse, mule and pig. 1. Leucocytes from the blood of adult and young donkeys (Equus asinus L.), adult horses (Equus caballus L.), adult mules (Equus asinus x Equus caballus) and adult pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were obtained in a high degree of purity (99.9%) using Na2-EDTA-dextrans mixtures. 2. Sialic acids were released, purified, identified and determined from both non-delipided and delipided leucocytes. 3. N-glycolylneuraminic was the predominant sialic acid. N-acetylneuraminic acid and N,O-diacetyl-neuraminic acid were also found in all materials. Except in pig, other unidentified sialic acid(s) were also detected. 4. The concentration of total sialic acids (microgram/mg protein) is different according to the species, and in donkey species according to the age. 5. Galactose, glucose, mannose, fucose and (in a less amount) ribose were determined. Their total content is about 2-3-fold that of hexosamines. 6. There is a higher cholesterol content in adult donkey leucocytes than in those of young ones. 7. Total lipids, cholesterol or phospholipid contents are similar among the leucocytes of the above-mentioned species. 8. The similarities are marked in the electrophoresis patterns of proteins and glycoproteins for the donkey, mule and horse samples. 9. The molecular weights for leucocytes proteins were estimated as ranging between 230,000 and 20,000; and for the main protein bands, between 120,000 and 22,000.


Structural cuticular proteins in termite queens. The abdominal cuticle from queens of two termite species, Cubitermes fungifaber and Macrotermes bellicosus, has been investigated with respect to changes occurring during development of physogastry. The following properties have been determined: 1. Relative content of protein and chitin and the percentage of easily extracted protein. 2. Number of proteins separated by electrophoresis and their molecular weights. 3. Amino acid compositions of the intertergal and pleural membranes and of the neosclerites in M. bellicosus. The intertergal and pleural membranes appear to be typical "soft" cuticles, and the neosclerites must also be considered "soft" cuticles, although they are rather rigid.


Serological comparison of three strains of Aedes aegypti. Young adults of three strains of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, were compared serologically by means of the double-immunodiffusion technique. 1. Strains and sexes were serologically distinguishable. 2. Differences in antigenic composition were evident among the strains and sexes. 3. Degree of intraspecific serological relationship varied with sex.


The effects of magnesium on state 3 respiration of liver mitochondria from control and cold-acclimated rats and hamsters. 1. Increasing the Mg2+ concentration results in a depression of succinoxidase-linked state 3 respiration of liver mitochondria from both control and cold-acclimated rats and hamsters. 2. It appears that in the cold-acclimated hamster, liver mitochondrial respiration is more sensitive to changes in Mg2+ levels than that of the rat.


Electrophoretic separation of esterases of Alaria marcianae (La Rue, 1917) (Trematoda). 1. Disc electrophoresis was used to determine the esterase isoenzymes present in adults of the strigeoid trematode Alaria marcianae (La Rue, 1917). 2. Eight esterase bands were found with alpha-naphthyl acetate as the substrate and Fast Blue RR as the dye. 3. From results obtained with inhibitors, four different types of esterases were tentatively identified; cholinesterase (one band), ali-esterase or B-type (one band), arylesterase or A-type (2 bands) and acetylesterase or C-type (4 bands).


A comparison of the malate dehydrogenase of the propionic acid bacteria with the mammalian soluble and mitochondrial isoenzymes. 1. Like the malate dehydrogenases of eucaryotic cells, the Propionibacterium shermanii enzyme is a dimer consisting of two 35,000 molecular weight subunits. 2. In electrophoretic behavior, resistance to substrate inhibition and stability to heating and dilution the P. shermanii MDH is more similar to the s-MDH than to the m-MDH of pig heart. 3. The P. shermanii MDH has a high turnover number (ca. 140,000) as well as Km values for both L-malate and oxalacetate which are four times higher than the mammalian isoenzymes. 4. A coupled assay for MDH using the malate-lactate transhydrogenase and diaphorase is described in which both substrates, L-malate and NAD, are regenerated.


Further studies on the properties of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the coccidium Eimeria stiedai (Protozoa). 1. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Eimeria stiedai does not reduce NAD or any of its analogs tested. It does reduce NADP and its thionicotinamide and 3-acetylpyridine analogs. 2. It will accept D-glucose as substrate, but not 2-deoxy-D-glucose, glucose 1-phosphate, or 2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate. 3. Its response to a number of compounds that activate or inhibit the enzyme from other organisms has been determined. 4. The molecular weight is ca. 240,000 by gel chromatography, and only one isoenzyme could be detected by disc electrophoresis. 5. The enzyme resists conditions that commonly cause dissociation to lighter weight active forms.


Guanosine triphosphate (GTP): the major organic phosphate in the erythrocytes of the elasmobranch Mustelus canis (smooth dogfish). 1. Ion exchange column chromatography of red cell extracts from the smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis) reveals a phosphate pool which includes inorganic phosphate, AMP, ADP and ATP. 2. GTP and an iron complex of this nucleotide (Fe-GTP) account for approximately 40% of the principal organic phosphates. 3. ATP accounts for 30%, and AMP and ADP approximately 10% each. 4. 2,3-DPG is not detectable by either enzymatic or chromatographic analysis. 5. The use of a "purified" buffer system consisting of redistilled formic acid and de novo synthesized ammonium formate increases the ratio of GTP to Fe-GTP from approximately 1.4:1 to 10:1. This suggests that all of the iron nucleotide complexes (ATP and GTP) previously reported in red cells may not represent a normally occurring intraerythrocyte complex.


Comparative studies on red blood cell glucose phosphorylating activities of mammals. 1. ATP-D-hexose-6-phosphotransferase activity was measured in red blood cells of man, rabbit, pig and cow. Mean values ranged from 0.60 to 1.06 units/g haemoglobin and no significant difference was obtained with different glucose concentrations. 2. The characteristics of glucose phosphorylating activities in red blood cells of the species studied were similar. 3. Chromatography on DEAE column revealed two different glucose phosphorylating activities in red cells of man, rabbit and pig, and only one in cow red cells. 4. The first hexokinase activity is the predominant form and is saturated with low glucose concentrations; the second is noticeably marked at high glucose concentrations.


A molting rhythm for serum proteins of the cockroach, Blatta orientalis. 1. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in 4% gels of Blatta orientalis larval hemolymph revealed 4 major proteins. 2. Maximum incorporation of [14C]-leucine into total hemolymph protein occurs within 24 hr and is followed by negligible turnover in the next 24 hr. 3. Quantitative PAGE was used to monitor concentration changes during the molting cycle in synchronously molting cultures. 4. All 4 proteins show the same temporal rhythm of variation but different amplitudes. 5. The widely differing concentrations achieved are accounted for by different rates of synthesis.


Comparative studies of canine colipase and lipases from bovine, porcine, canine, human and rat pancreases. 1. Colipase was purified from canine pancreatic juice and found to have certain specificity in its reaction with various pancreatic lipases. 2. This colipase will stimulate the lipolytic activities of lipases isolated from canine, bovine and porcine pancreas but not lipases from a fungus, or from human and rat pancreases. 3. Characterization of these lipases showed (a) the molecular dimension of rat lipase is very different from the other lipases; (b) the pIs of canine, porcine and bovine lipases are almost identical but different from the pIs of rat, human and Candida (a fungus) lipases; and (c) the antiserum prepared against canine lipase will also react with lipases from human, hog and cow pancreases but not with rat and Candida lipases. 4. These physical differences can explain partly the difference in reaction between the various lipases and the canine colipase.


Enolase isozymes in Coho salmon.

Enolase isozymes in Coho salmon. 1. Analysis of the enolase isozymic distribution has been performed in tissues of the Coho salmon, using electrophoretic separation on cellulose acetate strips followed by localization of enzymatic activity. 2. A total of six electrophoretically distinct forms are seen in Coho salmon in patterns that differ both qualitatively and quantitatively from one tissue to another. 3. The isozymes in skeletal muscle and liver are sufficiently similar to one another that a purification procedure previously developed for trout muscle enolase by Cory & Wold (1966) can be used to partially purify enolase from either of the above-mentioned Coho tissues. The main form of enolase in Coho muscle has an isoelectric point of 7.57. 4. Both liver and skeletal muscle enolases can be reversibly denatured in guanidine HCl and subsequently renatured. Liver enolase appeared to renature somewhat faster than muscle enolase under the same conditions. 5. While polyploidy among salmonids may contribute to the complexity of enolase patterns in fish, the differences in isozymic patterns seen from one tissue to another indicate the presence of distinct, nonallelic genes, probably arising through gene duplication.


Structure and evolution of artiodactyla haptoglobins. 1. Artiodactyla haptoglobins (Hps), goat, sheep and cattle (family Bovidae), and pig (family Suidae) were structurally characterized. 2. The polymeric Hp systems of goat, sheep and cattle were similar to the polymeric human Hp system, while the monomeric system of pig was more comparable to the monomeric human form. 3. All members of the Artiodactyla (family Bovidae) examined exhibited a large polypeptide subunit, comparable to that of the beta subunit of human Hp. 4. In addition, a small subunit, similar in molecular weight to the human alpha 2 subunit, was demonstrated. Pig Hp was shown to have two subunits, one slightly larger than the human beta subunit and the other intermediate in size to the human alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits. 5. Immunoelectrophoretic and immunodiffusion studies indicated complete cross reactivity among the polymeric Artiodactyla Hps. 6. The polymeric Hps do not, however, cross react with the monomeric pig Hp.


Biochemical and immunological comparison of monkey (Macaca arctoides) and human salivary secretions. 1. Salivary secretions of the stumptail monkey (Macaca arctoides) were compared biochemically and immunologically with human salivas. 2. Similarities in biochemical composition and antigenic profiles as seen by immunoelectrophoresis indicate that monkey salivas can provide an excellent model system to study the role of saliva in the oral ecology of man.


Comparative studies on blood serum alpha-L-fucosidases from several mammalian species. 1. Peripheral blood serum alpha-L-fucosidases have been studied from various mammalian species: Sus scropha var domestica L. (pig), Capra hircus L. (goat), Bos taurus L. (bull, races Morucha and Charolais), Equus caballus L. (horse) and Equus asinus L. (donkey). 2. Fluorimetric and spectrophotometric procedures were used for determination of alpha-L-fucosidases. 3. alpha-L-Fucosidases were more active towards fluorescent substrates than towards chromogenic substrates. 4. pH optima values of the enzymes are: (A) 5.5 for sera from all above-mentioned species when fluorescent substrates were employed; (B) 4.0 for goat, 4.5 for bull, 5.0 for pig and 4.5-5.0 for horse and donkey sera when chromogenic substrates were used. 5. pH activity profiles are very similar for two races (Morucha and Charolais) of the same species (Bos taurus L.) and also for two species of the same genus (Equus caballus and Equus asinus L.). 6. These serum alpha-L-fucosidases are very labile under heat treatment, even at 37 degrees C.


Immunological cross-reactions between heterologous hemopexins. 1. The degree of immunological identity of the hemopexin of 64 mammals and non-mammals is determined by double diffusion in agar and two radioimmunoassays, employing antisera produced with the human or the rabbit protein. 2. Antigenic determinants are shared by the Eutherian mammals but not by the non-Eutherian mammals and lower animals. 3. The hemopexins of man and apes appear to be identical, whereas those of Old World monkeys lack one antigenic determinant, and New World monkeys lack at least two antigenic determinants.


Immunological, electrophoretic and kinetic properties of cardiac myosins from various species. 1. In a homologous radioimmunoassay for canine ventricular myosin light chains, the following percentages of cross-reactivities were obtained using the dog as a reference: human, 28%; sheep, 21%; cat, 8%; guinea-pig, 7%; rabbit, 5%; and rat, 4%. 2. In a homologous double diffusion immunoassay using specific gamma G to canine cardiac myosin heavy chains, dog cardiac myosin showed immunological identity with human and sheep cardiac myosin but partial identity with myosins of other species. 3. On a 5-20% polyacrylamide gradient, light chain C1 was electrophoretically distinct in some species; light chain C2 was electrophoretically identical in all species. 4. The K+-activated myosin ATPase of small animals was higher than that of larger animals at an alkaline pH; the same was true for Ca2+-activated myosin when assayed at pH 6.3.


Separation of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase isoenzymes from liver and plasma of six mammalian species by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. 1. The beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) activities of human, pig, calf, lamb, rat and rabbit liver and plasma have been investigated. 2. All preparations had maximum activity between pH 4.0 and 4.5 and Km values with the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside ranged from 0.54 to 2.54 mM. 3. The isoenzyme profiles of liver and plasma beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity were compared using DEAE-cellulose chromatography. In all species the major anionic component of liver (beta-N-acetylglucsaminidase A) was eluted at a higher salt concentration than the most anionic plasma isoenzyme. 4. The plasma beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase A isoenzyme of all species contained sialic acid residues whereas only the rabbit, pig and calf liver isoenzymes were sialylated.


Isolation of trimethyl amine oxide and other bases from the hydroid Tubularia larynx. 1. Trimethyl amine oxide, dimethyl amine and choline chloride have been isolated from the marine hydroid Tubularia larynx and identified using physical constants and spectral data. 2. The presence of two guanidine molecules has been demonstrated.


Biochemical studies of the chicken vitreous in light-induced avian glaucoma. Changes in several macromolecular species of the vitreous are traced during post-hatching development in normal and glaucomatous avian eyes. 1. Total gel vitreous, and its hydroxyproline content, change little during development. 2. Sol vitreous increases parallel eye growth, the concentrations of hexosamine and hexuronic acid remaining constant. 3. In light-induced avian glaucoma, the sol, but not the gel, is further increased, although the hyaluronic acid components are not diluted in the pathologically enlarged eye.


A comparison of the composition and apolipoprotein content of the lipoproteins isolated from human and ferret (Mustela putorius furo L.) serum. 1. The lipoproteins isolated at densities of less than 1.006, 1.006-1.063 and 1.063-1.21 g/ml from human and ferret (Mustela putorius furo L.) serum were compared. 2. Ferret very low density lipoprotein contained proportionately less triglyceride and more phospholipid than human. 3. Ferret low density lipoprotein contained proportionately more triglyceride and less cholesterol than human. 4. High density lipoprotein was the major lipoprotein in ferret serum. 5. The gel electrophoretic patterns of lipoprotein apoproteins and the pattern of apoprotein solubility in tetramethylurea were similar for human and ferret fractions. 6. The ferret may provide a convenient animal for the study of serum lipoprotein structure, function and metabolism.


Species-related difference in calcium accumulation by cardiac mitochondria. 1. Mitochondria isolated from the ventricles of Cavia porcellus, Mesocricetus auratus, Rattus rattus and Mus musculus accumulate calcium in an energy-linked process. 2. Measurements of the initial velocity of accumulation by dual-wavelength spectrophotometry show species-dependent variation, with Cavia demonstrating the fastest rate and Rattus the slowest rate of accumulation. 3. Total amount of calcium accumulated per unit protein varied in a manner similar to rate of accumulation, with Cavia accumulating the greatest amount of calcium and Rattus the least.


The maintenance of respiratory control at 25 degrees C by mitochondria from various animal and plant sources. 1. Mitochondria from four different animal and five different plant sources exhibit a wide variation in their capacity to maintain respiratory control at 25 degrees C. 2. Beef heart mitochondria, and pear and avocado fruit mitochondria exhibit the longest retention of respiratory control extending to periods of approximately 80 and 40 hr, respectively.


The effects of denervation on protein turnover of the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles of adult mice. 1. Changes in protein turnover of the soleus and EDL muscles of adult mice have been studied 1, 7 and 80 days after denervation. 2. Increased rates of protein degradation 7 and 80 days post-denervation correlated with the atrophy and loss of protein from these muscles. 3. Rates of protein synthesis in the EDL decreased 24 hr after nerve section. However, these synthetic rates increased again to become higher in the 7 day denervated muscles compared with their controls. These latter anabolic changes are inconsistent with the concept of a denervated muscle being inactive. 4. These findings have been compared with a similar study on muscles of growing rats. Any passive stretching of the denervated muscles by continued bone growth appears unlikely to be a crucial factor explaining the increased rates of protein synthesis 7 days after denervation.


Utilization of 3-hydroxybutyrate by chick cerebral hemispheres during postnatal maturation. 1. The utilization of 3-hydroxybutyrate has been studied in the chick telencephalon during its post-hatching maturation. 2. In the 1-day-old chick the blood concentration of 3-hydroxybutyrate appears to be relatively high and its value is 5 times that estimated in the 4- and 30-day-old chicks. 3. The determination of the cerebral arteriovenous differences of 3-hydroxybutyrate shows that the brain of the newly-hatched chick takes up 3 times more actively this ketone body than the brain of the 4-day-old bird does. 4. During incubation in a non-oxygenated and an oxygenated physiological medium, in the presence of 3-hydroxy [3-14C]butyrate, the specific radioactivity of the dicarboxylic amino acids in the 1-day-old chick brain slices is higher than in those of the 30-day-old chick, particularly in the oxygenated medium. 5. Thirty minutes after a subcutaneous injection of 3-hydroxy [3-14C]butyrate, the specific radioactivity of the dicarboxylic amino acids in the 1-day-old chick telencephalon is 3-4 times higher than that in the 4- and 30-day-old chick. 6. In conclusion, in the brain of the newly hatched chick, 3-hydroxybutyrate is an efficient precursor in the biosynthesis of dicarboxylic amino acids, particularly glutamate, and, as glucose, it is metabolically related to the "large compartment" of glutamate. 7. These results have been discussed comparatively to those previously obtained in the developing rodent brain.


Glutaminase activity in the chick central nervous system during postnatal growth. 1. Glutaminase activity was evaluated in the chick cerebral hemispheres, optic lobes and cerebellum between the 1st and 30th day of postnatal growth. 2. Glutaminase activity is higher in the cerebral hemispheres than in the optic lobes and is lowest in the cerebellum. 3. It seems to be inversely related to the magnitude of the variations of glutamine concentration in the three areas. 4. No direct relation exists between enzyme activity and glutamate concentration in the three tissues.


Electrophoretic characterization of the hemoglobins in pocket gophers of the genus Thomomys. 1. Hemoglobin phenotypes have been determined for closely related pocket gopher subspecies in the genus Thomomys from sea level and high altitude. 2. A single hemoglobin band was demonstrated for each gopher population with cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis, with a mobility of 73% relative to human Hb-A. 3. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a major Hb component (94% of the total Hb) showed a relative mobility of 68-69%; the minor Hb component showed a relative mobility of 74-75%. 4. The electrophoretic and physiological similarities of the gopher hemoglobins have persisted despite extreme differences in ambient PO2 in the habitats of each subspecies.


Comparative aspects of lipid metabolism in two shrews (Suncus etruscus and Crocidura russula). 1. The amounts of tissue lipids were higher in S. etruscus than in C. russula. 2. The level of liver phospholipids was specially low in C. russula, 2650 mg/100 g as opposed to 3725 g in S. etruscus. 3. This is in good agreement with a reduced rate of the labelled acetate incorporation into the lipids of C. russula. 4. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was greater in the liver of S. etruscus; however, the percentage of arachidonic acid was higher in C. russula--15% as opposed to 8%.


Comparative studies of vertebrate and invertebrate pyruvate kinases. 1. Electrophoretic patterns showed that among the vertebrates studied, L isozyme was present in rat and frog liver and also in rat kidney. 2. M2 is a frequent component in vertebrate tissues, giving support to the proposal that M2 is the ancestral form differentiating to other isozymes. 3. The above trend cannot simply apply to invertebrates. 4. Muscle pyruvate kinases from various animals were inhibited by the particular phosphagen present in their muscle. 5. The inhibition may have an important role in the regulation of glycolysis in muscle.


Nutritional factors and conditions for the axenic culture of free-living nematodes. 1. Soy-peptone has been fractionated to yield a series of increasingly purified components which sharply increase the populations of Caenorhabditis briggsae and Caenorhabditis elegans when added to the basal medium. The nutritionally active material appears to be a small polypeptide. 2. C. briggsae and C. elegans routinely reach populations of 150,000/ml or greater in 9 days in still culture, starting from an inoculum of only 500 organisms per ml. C. elegans is particularly sensitive to the depth of the medium. However, large populations can be achieved in deep cultures if continuous shaking is carried out. 3. Panagrellus silusiae shows improved populations if the basal medium is supplemented with the nutritional factor from soy-peptone. However, 0.5% acetic acid or 1% ethanol added to the medium serves equally well. There is no additive effect of ethanol and the factor.


Comparative aspects of adenylic acid deaminase and aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase. 1. The content of adenylic acid deaminase and of aspartate-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase of skeletal muscle tissue from a variety of animals has been determined. 2. White (fast) muscle contained large amounts of adenylic acid deaminase and red (slow) muscle contained large amounts of aspartate aminotransferase. There was a general inverse relationship between the adenylic acid deaminase and the aspartate aminotransferase content of muscles from various vertebrates. Thus, there is no simple correlation between the capacity to produce inosinic acid and ammonia from adenylic acid and the capacity to catalyse the formation of aspartate for conversion of inosinic acid back to adenylic acid. 3. The absence of adenylic acid deaminase from the tail muscles of the yabbie and other invertebrates indicates a marked difference in the Animal Kingdom.


Adaptation of Drosophila enzymes to temperature--I. Acetylcholinesterase and NADP-dependent isocitrate-dehydrogenase. 1. The relationship between Km and assay temperature was examined in three tropical and two temperate Drosophila species, and in the cosmopolitan species, D. melanogaster, for isocitrate dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase. 2. For both enzymes Km patterns were similar among species from the same habitat, and different between habitats. No such parallelism was seen with respect to thermal inactivation. 3. The Q10 values in general reflected temperature dependent changes in Km, but exceptions were noted.


Comparative study of triacylglycerol fatty acids in milk from two Leporidae species: rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hare (Lepus europaeus). 1. Fatty-acid composition of hare milk triacylglycerols markedly differed from that of rabbit milk and was essentially characterized by a 2.1 times lower concentration of medium-chain fatty-acids (M.C.F.A.). 2. Consequently, very high levels (greater than 70 moles %) of M.C.F.A., previously reported for rabbit milk, cannot be considered as a general characteristic of the Leporidae. 3. General tendencies recorded for intramolecular fatty acid distribution in hare milk triacylglycerols agreed with those reported for other animal species.


Some properties of liver alkaline phosphatase from the goat Capra hircus. 1. Gel-filtration of an extract from the liver of the local Hausa goat Capra hircus indicated the presence of two molecular forms of alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase, E.C. 3.1.3.1.). 2. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis showed that the lower-molecular-weight form had a similar electrophoretic mobility to alpha 2-globulin from goat serum, whereas the higher-molecular-weight form had a similar electrophoretic mobility to gamma-globulin. 3. Only the lower-molecular-weight form was detected on electrophoresis of a liver extract which contained some residual n-butanol used in the extraction procedure, whereas dialysed acetone powder obtained from the liver extract contained both molecular-weight forms. 4. The partially purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 9.8, and was stimulated by Mg2+. 5. The enzyme was heat-labile, and was competitively inhibited by phosphate ions but uncompetitively inhibited by L-phenylalanine. 6. These results are discussed in terms of the properties of the enzyme from other sources.


Relationships between spontaneous food intake and metabolic activities in the dormouse (Glis glis L.). 1. The relationships between food intake self-selection and liver substrates (glycogen, fat) or activities of pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, acetyl CoA carboxylase, glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase were determined during the spontaneous variations of body weight in the dormouse. 2. The results show that during the phase of increasing body weight, carbohydrate intake and enzyme activities involved in lipogenesis are on a high level. 3. On the last part of the body weight increasing phase, when lipid intake occurs, lipogenesis is depressed and a gluconeogenetic activity is set on, while total caloric intake is important and body weight is still increasing. 4. These metabolic changes are interpreted as a preparation to hibernating conditions in the dormouse.


Similarity of tuna N-acetylhistidine deacetylase and cod fish anserinase. 1. The brain and ocular fluid of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) contained high levels of N-acetylhistidine deacetylase. 2. This enzyme had a molecular weight of about 120,000 and was activated by zinc or cobaltous ions. 3. Cod (Gadus callarias) brain, ocular fluid and muscle contained a similar metal-activated thiol hydrolase, the muscle enzyme being known as anserinase. 4. The purified enzymes hydrolyzed N-acetylhistidine, carnosine, homocarnosine, anserine and certain other dipeptides. 5. Their specificity resembled that of hog kidney homocarnosinase. 6. In both fish, brain and ocular fluid were rich sources of this hydrolase, whereas muscle contained only trace amounts.


An assay for arginase in chicken kidney. 1. The enzyme arginase in chicken kidney is associated with mitochondria and the mitochondrial membranes must be disrupted to obtain maximum activity. 2. When the membranes were disrupted by sonication, approximately 30% higher 2. When the membranes were disrupted by sonication, approximately 30% higher arginase activity was observed than with the nonsonicated samples. 3. The optimum pH for assay of chick kidney arginase was 9.7-9.8. Prior heat treatment with Mn2+ decreased arginase activity. 4. Highest enzyme activity was obtained by using sonicated preparations and measuring initial reaction velocity during the first 1-2 min of incubation.


Studies on enzymes of nitrogen metabolism, and nitrogen end products in the developing chick (Gallus domesticus) embryo. 1. A total of 450 fertilized eggs were used to study the concentrations of uric acid, urea and ammonia in allantoic and amniotic fluids, and some enzymes of nitrogen metabolism in the liver and kidney during the development of the chick embryo from the 5th to 21st day of incubation. 2. Concentrations of the compounds studied were higher in allantoic fluid. The molar concentration of allantoic uric acid increased steadily with time. The pattern of urea and ammonia in both allantoic and amniotic fluids were the same. 3. Arginase (E.C.3.5.3.1) activity in both embryonic kidney and definitive kidney was higher than that in the liver. The specific activity of arginase (mumole urea formed/hr per g wet wt kidney) dropped during development. 4. Little arginine synthetase activity (argininosuccinate synthetase, E.C.6.3.4.5; and argininosuccinate lyase, E.C.4.3.2.1) was found in kidney, but none in the liver. 5. The complete urea cycle function was absent in both the liver and the kidney of the chick embryo.


Electrophoretic characterization of the nonspecific esterases of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis: conventional and isoelectric focused acrylamide gels. 1. The nonspecific esterases of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis, were examined through conventional and isoelectric focusing acrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. Conventional acrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved five components. These were characterized as: three carboxylesterases, one acetylcholinesterase and one acetylesterase. 3. Isoelectric focusing resolved 18 components. These were characterized as: 14 carboxylesterases, two acetylcholinesterases, one acetylesterase and one arylesterase. 4. The reproducibility and reliability of isoelectric focusing is discussed and compared to conventional acrylamide gel electrophoresis for the examination of multi-component isozyme systems such as non-specific esterases.


Induction of multiple cytochrome P-450 species in housefly microsomes--SDS-gel electrophoresis studies. 1. Microsomal fractions isolated from various housefly strains have been characterized with respect to multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. Susceptible NAIDM houseflies were pretreated with known inducers of cytochrome P-450, and their microsomal electrophoretic profiles were compared to control NAIDM microsomes, using as standards partially purified cytochrome P-450s from noninduced NAIDM houseflies. 3. Tentatively, at least five different species of cytochrome P-450 may exist in the NAIDM housefly strain. 4. A comparison of the microsomal electrophoretic profile of different housefly strains also indicates the presence of at least two additional cytochrome P-450 species. 5. Induction with alpha-pinene and phenobarbital was expressed by a shift of the maximum absorbance at 452 nm in the CO-difference spectrum to lower wavelengths in the NAIDM strain; whereas, beta-naphthoflavone, although increasing the amount of cytochrome P-450, did not change the wavelength of maximum absorbance. 6. Cytochromes of the P-452 type appear to predominate in the susceptible NAIDM strain, while cytochromes of the P-450 and P-448 types predominate in resistant strains.


Electrophoretic analyses of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase from mouse tissues. 1. Cellulose acetate zymograms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, "phenazine" oxidase and xanthine oxidase extracted from tissues of inbred mice were examined. 2. ADH isozymes were differentially distributed in mouse tissues: A2--liver, kidney, adrenals and intestine; B2--all tissues examined; C2--stomach, adrenals, epididymis, ovary, uterus, lung. 3. Two NAD+-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes were observed in liver and kidney and differentially distributed in other tissues. Alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, "phenazine" oxidase and xanthine oxidase were also stained when aldehyde dehydrogenase was being examined. 4. Two aldehyde oxidase isozymes exhibited highest activities in liver. 5. "Phenazine oxidase" was widely distributed in mouse tissues whereas xanthine oxidase exhibited highest activity in intestine and liver extracts. 6. Genetic variants for ADH-C2 established its identity with a second form of sorbitol dehydrogenase observed in stomach and other tissues. The major sorbitol dehydrogenase was found in high activity in liver, kidney, pancreas and male reproductive tissues.


Some properties of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat and chick brain: a comparative study. 1. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) has been purified to homogeneity from rat and chick brain by affinity chromatography with Sepharose bound 2',5' ADP. 2. Some properties of the two enzymes are studied and the effects of hydrogen ion concentration, Mg2+ ions, temperature and urea on the initial rate of enzyme are described. 3. G6PDH from chick brain differs from the rat enzyme in affinity for 2',5' ADP Sepharose, in pH optimum, in heat stability and it is differently affected by Mg2+ ions. No effect is detectable after urea treatment on enzymes from both sources.


Common and species-specific esterases of Equidae--IV. Horse of przewalski, onager and Zebra hartmannae. 1. Among several species of Equidae only E. przewalskii possesses a serum esterase identical with that of E. caballus. 2. The esterases of Hemionidae differ slightly from that of domestic horse by electrophoretic migration and by antigenic structure. 3. Zebras (grevyi, burchelli) appear devoid of this component but Z. hartmannae possesses an esterase of high enzymatic activity, differing notably from that of horse by electrophoretic and antigenic properties.