Strain differences in rat brain epinephrine synthesis: regulation of alpha-adrenergic receptor number by epinephrine

Inbred tht strains Fischer 344 (F344) and Buffalo (BUF) differ in serveral physiological and behavioral measures. It was found that the activity of adrenomedullary and regional brain phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase is at least four times higher in F344 rats than in BUF rats; these strain-dependent differences corresponded directly with the epinephrine content of the medulla-pons and hypothalamus. Conversely, alpha-adrenergic receptor density in brain regions containing phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase is two to three times lower in F344 rats than in BUF rats; alpha-receptors in frontal cortex (a brain region lacking phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity and epinephrine) are similar in both strains. These findings suggest that strain-dependent differences in alpha-receptors are regulated by inherited differences in presynaptic adrenergic neuronal function in different brain regions.     

From epinephrine to cyclic AMP

Binding of catecholamines to the beta-adrenergic receptor results in the activation of adenylate cyclase and the intracellular formation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). In the past 20 years the events that lead from hormone binding at the cell surface receptor site to the synthesis of cAMP at the inner layer of the membrane have been intensively studied. Signal transduction in this system involves the sequential interaction of the beta-adrenergic receptor with the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and the adenylate cyclase catalyst (C). The mechanism of signal transduction from the receptor through Gs to C, as well as the role of the adenylate cyclase inhibitory G protein Gi, is discussed.     

Potentiation of epinephrine and norepinephrine by iproniazid

The effects of pretreatment with iproniazid on the toxicity and cataract-producing ability of epinephrine and norepinephrine were studied. The epinephrine and norepinephrine were administered in such a way that a slow, prolonged rate of absorption was achieved. Under these conditions, the lethality and cataract-producing ability of these amines were shown to be significantly enhanced by the action of iproniazid.     

Reaction of hydrated electrons with ferricytochrome C

The reaction of ferricytochrome c with hydrated electrons produced at pH 6.8 by radiolysis with electron pulses lasting 50 to 1000 nanoseconds has a specific rate constant of 5.5 x 10(10) liter mole(-1) sec(-1) for the formation of the primary adduct. By using appropriate wavelengths, another fast, consecutive process was demonstrated, with the pure first order rate constant 1.0 x 10(5) sec(-1). Its characteristics agree with it being an intramolecular process within the enzyme. Approximately 50 percent of all electrons which add to ferricytochrome c end in forming ferrocytochrome c.     

利用酶反应热效应检测过氧化氢酶活性

为了探索酶活性测定的新方法，降低酶活性常规测试中干扰因素的影响，提高酶活性测定的准确性，利用低电势电位差计及热电偶换能器检测过氧化氢酶活性，结果表明，测定的H2O2质量分数以9．6％为好，可以用于酶活性从0．5u至3．5u酶活力的检测，当H2O2质量分数在2．4％－7．2％时，酶反应速率与底物浓度有线性关系；当底物质量分数超过9．6％时，酶反应速率显现底物抑制的动力学特征。     

Inhibition of O-methyltransferase by catechol and sensitization to epinephrine

Catechol at equimolecular concentration inhibits the inactivation of adrenaline by O-methyltransferase in vitro about 50 percent. The inhibition is probably responsible for the sensitization of smooth muscles to epinephrine by various ortho di- or triphenols.     

Tissue levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine in hemorrhagic shock

Severe depletion of endogenous norepinephrine was observed in the brain, heart, liver, and spleen of albino rabbits in which hemorrhagic shock had been induced. On the other hand, the epinephrine content of these tissues was significantly elevated above the levels in tissues of control animals. The norepinephrine and epinephrine levels of skeletal muscle in shocked animals remained unaffected.     

Xenon Tetrafluoride: Reaction with Aqueous Solutions

Xenon tetrafluoride reacts with water to yield xenon, oxygen, hydrofluoric acid, and a very soluble species containing xenon. Evaporation of the solution yields a white, crystal-line substance which has been identified as xenon (VI) oxide, XeO(3).     

固体超强酸SO4^2-/ZrO2/Al2O3催化乙二胺合成哌嗪的研究

采用超声化学共沉淀法制备SO4^2-/ZrO2/Al2O3固体超强酸催化剂,并对该催化剂在常压固定床反应器中催化乙二胺合成哌嗪的性能进行了研究.结果表明,乙二胺的转化率随反应温度升高而增大,哌嗪的选择性和收率在温度超过250℃条件下急剧下降;进料速度超过0.50 mL/min后,乙二胺的转化率和哌嗪的收率急剧降低,而哌嗪的选择性与进料速度没有明显关系;乙二胺的进料质量分数不超过50%,原料转化率、哌嗪收率以及哌嗪选择性没有明显差别;但随乙二胺质量分数进一步增大,原料转化率急剧下降,而哌嗪的选择性和哌嗪的收率则下降更快.     

Reaction of monosaccharides with proteins: possible evolutionary significance

Measurements were made of the rate of condensation of various monosaccharides with amino groups of hemoglobin to form Schiff base linkages. The reactivity of each sugar was dependent on the extent to which it exists in the open (carbonyl) structure rather than in the ring (hemiacetal or hemiketal) structure. Among the 15 monosaccharides tested, aldoses showed higher reactivities than ketoses. Glucose was the least reactive of the aldohexoses. The emergence of glucose as the primary metabolic fuel may be due in part to the high stability of its ring structure which limits potentially deleterious nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins.     

PCR法进行胚胎性别鉴定的研究进展

通过胚胎性别鉴定,可控制家畜后代性别比例,获得巨大经济效益。早期胚胎性别鉴定的方法有,核型分析法,H-Y抗原法,X-连接酶检测法和PCR扩增法等。PCR法因其简单、快速、准确等优点,成为目前比较理想的胚胎性别鉴定方法。笔者对性别决定基因、PCR法胚胎性别鉴定的几个关键环节进行了综述,并对其前景进行了展望。     

O-Methylation,the principal route of metabolism of epinephrine in man

Evidence is presented which indicates that the principal pathway of metabolism of epinephrine in man is O-methylation to metanephrine. The extent of the conLversion to metanephrine, a physiologically inactive compound, indicates that the enzyme responsible for this reaction, catechol-O-methyl transferase, is the enzyme mainly involved in the termination of action of epinephrine in man.