80 kDa mouse sperm protein as a substrate of protein kinase C.

Calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) activity was detected mainly in the cytosol of the mouse sperm. The PKC in the cytosol fraction was partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Using the partially purified PKC, the phosphorylation of PKC substrates was examined in vitro. The phosphorylation of the 80 kDa protein was enhanced by phorbol ester treatment in vitro as well as in vivo. The partial amino acid sequence of this protein was homologous with that of guanosine 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase and myosin light chain kinase, both of which are related to ligand-receptor-transduction. The present data suggest that the activation of PKC and subsequent specific protein phosphorylation might be involved in the regulation of the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction.     

γ-linolenic acid production by microalgae

The production of γ-linolenic acid from algae in fresh and marine water was investigated. WhenSpirulina platensis was left in the dark condition, it contained about one and a half times γ-linolenic acid compared with conventionalSpirulina platensis. Marine microalga,Chlorella sp. NKG 042401 contained about 10% of γ-linolenic acid. The highest γ-linolenic acid content was obtained when this alga was cultured under the radiation of around 100 μEinstein/m²/s.     

Studies on indenopyridine derivatives and related compounds. II. Stereochemistry of 1-substituted 9-phenyl-1,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-indeno[2,1-b] pyridines and their acetates

Chemical and catalytical reduction of 1-methyl- or 1-benzyl-phenyl-1,3,4,9-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[2,1-b ]pyridin-4-ones (VIIa,b) afforded 1-methyl- or 1-benzyl-9-phenyl-1,3,4,4a,9,9a- hexahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-indeno[2,1-b ]pyridines (IXa,b), which gave the corresponding acetates (Xa,b) by treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine. Based upon a detailed study of 100 MHz nmr spectra of these compounds, it was concluded that the hydroxy group of IXa,b has an axial configuration taking B/C cis stable form which has the large aromatic group equatorial with respect to the piperidine ring, whereas the acetoxy group of Xa,b is equatorial taking an unfavorable B/C cis unstable form which has the large aromatic group axial with respect to the piperidine ring.     

Isolation and characterization of equinatoxins from the sea anemone Actinia equina L.

Equinatoxins were purified from the tentacles and bodies of the sea anemone Actinia equina by the use of acetone precipitation, as well as column chromatographies on Sephadex G-50 and CM-cellulose according to the modified method of Macek and Lebez (1988). The equinatoxins obtained, equinatoxin 1 and 2, were hemolytic glycoproteins with a relative molecular mass of 20000. Equinatoxin 2 was found to be rich in glycine, alanine and valine. The amino acid sequences of equinatoxins 1 and 2 were partially determined. A portion of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of equinatoxin 2 was similar to those of pyruvate kinase and sialidase.     

Examination of air usage during phonation: Correlations among test parameters

Correlations among parameters indicating air usage during phonation were investigated in 60 normal subjects and 1,545 voice patients. The parameters examined were maximum phonation time (MPT), mean air flow rate for maximum sustained phonation (MFRm), mean air flow rate for comfortable phonation (MFRc), and phonation quotient (PQ). In normal subjects, correlations among MPT, MFRm, and PQ were high, but those between MFRc and the others were moderate. In cases of paralysis and hypofunctional dysphonia, all correlations between the four parameters were high. In the cases of polyp, nodule, epithelial hyperplasia, glottic carcinoma, and hyperfunctional dysphonia, the correlation between MPT and MFRc was moderate or not significant. The low correlation between these parameters was associated with the variations in flow rate differences between maximum and comfortable phonations. The results suggest that measurement of all four parameters is not necessary in routine tests and that MPT and MFRc should be measured in most voice patients.     

Laryngeal sensory innervation: Origins of sensory nerve fibers in the nodose ganglion of the cat

Following horseradish peroxidase (HRP) application into each of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), internal branch (Int) and external branch (Ext) of the SLN, the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN), and the anterior branch (Ant) of the ILN, all labeled sensory neurons were found in the nodose ganglion (NG) of cats ipsilaterally. Labeled neurons of the SLN were seen in the rostral part of the NG. Within the rostral part of the ganglion, sensory neurons of the Int-SLN were aggregated and occupied the most rostral part while those of the Ext-SLN were scattered and in the middle part. Cell bodies of the ILN were slightly compact and located in the rostral part of the NG, extending to the middle part. Within the rostral and middle part of the NG, labeled neurons of the Ant-ILN were sparse and occupied in the middle part. Laryngeal sensory cell bodies were unipolar neurons of medium size. The mean number of labeled neurons of the SLN was 336 whereas that of the ILN was 124.     

Temperature dependence of intersystem crossing of pyrene

The temperature dependence of the rate constant for intersystem crossing from S₁ of pyrene was determined by means of a method proposed previously. In contrast to the conclusions of Stevens, Thomaz and Jones, and of Kropp, Dawson and Windsor, we conclude that both temperature-independent and temperature-dependent intersystem crossing processes exist. These two processes contribute equally at ≈ 150 K.