Partial purification of active delta and epsilon subunits of the membrane ATPase from escherichia coli.

We have partially purified active delta and epsilon subunits of the E. coli membrane-bound Mg2+-ATPase (ECF1). Treating purified ECF1 with 50% pyridine precipitates the major subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) of the enzyme, but the two minor subunits (delta and epsilon), which are present in relatively small amounts, remain in solution. The delta and epsilon subunits were then resolved from one another by anion exchange chromatography. The partially purified epsilon strongly inhibits the hydrolytic activity of ECF1. The epsilon fraction inhibits both the highly purified five-subunit ATPase and the enzyme deficient in the delta subunit. The latter result indicates that the delta subunit is not required for inhibition by epsilon. By contrast, two-subunit enzyme, consisting chiefly of the alpha and beta subunits, was insensitive to the ATPase inhibitor, suggesting that the gamma subunit may be required for inhibition by epsilon. The partially purified delta subunit restored the capacity of ATPase deficient in delta to recombine with ATPase-depleted membranes and to reconstitute ATP-dependent transhydrogenase. Previously we reported (Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun. 62:764 [1975]) that a fraction containing both the delta and epsilon subunits of ECF1 restored the capacity of ATPase missing delta to recombine with depleted membranes and to function as a coupling factor in oxidative phosphorylation and for the energized transhydrogenase. These reconstitution experiments using isolated subunits provide rather substantial evidence that the delta subunit is essential for attaching the ATPase to the membrane and that the epsilon subunit has a regulatory function as an inhibitor of the ATPase activity of ECF1.     

A thermal synthesis of a new tin(IV) dithiocarbamate

A new tin dithiocarbamate containing sulphur bridges, di--sulphidobis [bis(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)tin(IV)], has been isolated from the thermal decomposition of tetrakis(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)tin(IV). A dimeric structure is proposed on the basis of results from mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and vapour pressure osmometry.

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Zusammenfassung Ein neues, Schwefelbrücken enthaltendes Zinn-Dithiocarbamat, Di--sulfidobis[bis(N,N-diäthyldithiocarbamato)Zinn(IV)], wurde bei der Zersetzung von Tetrakis(N,N-diäthyl-dithiocarbamato)Zinn(IV) isoliert. Aufgrund der Ergebnisse der Massenspektrometrie, der Infrarotspektroskopie, der Thermoanalyse und der Dampfdruck-Osmometrie wird eine Dimerstruktur vorgeschlagen.

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Résumé Un nouveau dithiocarbamate d'étain contenant des ponts de soufre, le di--sulfidobis[bis(N,N-diéthyl-dithiocarbamato)é tain(IV)], a été isolé lors de la décomposition thermique du tétrakis(N,N-diethyl-dithiocarbamato) étain(IV). Une structure dimère est proposéeà partir des résultats obtenus par spectrométrie de masse, spectroscopie infrarouge, analyse thermique et osmométrie sous pression de vapeur.

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—-- [/N,N- (/IV)], [/N,N- (/IV)], , (N,N- ) (IV). - , , .

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The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance given by Dr. A. G. Wedd with the vacuum sublimation technique. One of us, G. K. B., is grateful for a research scholarship provided by La Trobe University.     

INTERACTION OF VIOLOGEN DYES WITH CHROMATOPHORES AND REACTION-CENTER PREPARATIONS FROM RHODOSPIRILLUM RUBRUM

Abstract —Various low-potential viologen dyes enhance light-induced absorption changes in the near-infrared region (ΔA870) in chromatophore preparations from Rhodospirillum rubrum in the presence of dichlorophenol indophenol and a high concentration of ascorbate (DCPIP + asc). An increase in ΔA870 was also observed in large reaction-center preparations from R. rubrum with viologens in the presence of ascorbate. Our results indicate that E'₀, of the primary electron acceptor X may be as low as -0.37 V, as suggested recently by P. A. Loach (1973, personal communication).     

Measurement of cell migration on surface-bound fibronectin gradients

A novel technique for the quantitative observation of cell migration along linear gradient substrates functionalized with adhesive proteins is presented. Gradients of the cell adhesion molecule fibronectin are generated by the cross diffusion of functionalizable alkanethiols on gold and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance. Two distinct migration assays are described that characterize the movement of either sparsely populated noncontacting cells or a confluent monolayer of cells into free space. The drift speed of bovine aortic endothelial cells is measured and shown to increase along a fibronectin gradient when compared to a uniform control substrate using both assays. The results of these experiments establish reproducible conditions for studies of cell migration on gradients of surface-bound ligands.     

Reactions of metal carbonyl cluster complexes with multidentate phosphine ligands; reactions with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reactions of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂, or Rh₆(CO)₁₀(dppm)₃, depending upon the reaction conditions. Rh₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) may be obtained from the reaction of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ with dppm, but this derivative rapidly decomposes in solution to give Rh₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), and Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂. Ir₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) and Ir₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂ have also been prepared, and their structures are discussed on the basis of infrared and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data.     

The thiolate anion as a nucleophile Part XII. Reactions of Lead(II) Benzenethiolate

The reactions of various fluoroaromatics, C₆F_6?xH_x, and C₆F₅X (X = C₆F₆, Cl, Me, NO₂, CF₃, COCl, CH₂Br, OMe, and NH₂) with lead(II) benzenethiolate in DMF have been examined. Lead thiolate acted as an excellent source of benzenethiolate anions and displacement of fluorine, chlorine or the nitro group was observed. The new products have been characterized by elemental analysis, and NMR (H?1 and F?19), infrared and mass spectroscopy.     

Channel flow cell studies on the evaluation of surface pretreatments using phosphoric acid or polymaleic acid for calcite stone protection

The dissolution kinetics of surface-pretreated and weathered calcite was investigated in dilute acid using a channel flow cell with microdisk detection. Two pretreatments were studied, polymaleic acid and phosphoric acid. Treatment with polymaleic acid was shown to significantly passivate calcite but to a lesser extent than the phosphoric acid and the former coating was found to be less effective for protection of calcite from acid attack. However, treatment of calcite with phosphoric acid resulted in the passivation of calcite from acid attack which strongly inhibited dissolution, an effect that was enhanced even further after exposure to the environment.     

Potentiometric titration of hydrogen peroxide with an electropolished stainless steel electrode

The preparation and use of a stainless steel indicator electrode in the accurate potentiometric titration of aqueous hydrogen peroxide are described. The results agree excellently with those obtained by a standard colorimetric weight-titration procedure. The nature of the titration curves, potential changes and the factors affecting them are discussed. Rapid potentiometric titrations directly to the equivalence-point potential are possible, owing to the nature of the titration curve.     

Comparison of the structural and chemical composition of giant T-even phage heads.

A study has been made of the structure of the capsids of T4D giant phage produced from mutants in gene 23 and temperature-sensitive mutants in gene 24, and T4D and T2L giant phage formed by the addition of L-canavanine followed by an Larginine chase in the growth medium. All the giant phage capsids have been shown to be built according to the same geometrical architecture. This consists of a near-hexagonal surface net, lattice constant 129.5 A, folded into a left-handed T = 13 prolate icosahedron elongated along one of its fivefold symmetry axes. Their only apparent difference from wild-type T-even phage capsids is their abnormally elongated tubular part. A comparison of the capsomere morphologies and protein compositions of the giant phage capsids showed that all T4D giants are identical but differ from T2L: The T4D capsomere has a complex (6 + 6 + 1)-type morphology, whereas the T2L has a simple 6-type. T2L phage, however, lack two capsid proteins, "soc" and "hoc", present in T4D. The difference in capsomere morphology can therefore be related to the difference in the protein compositions of these two phage. Possible differences between the initiation and means of length regulation of giant phage heads and the aberrant polyheads are discussed.