SUMMARYImproved methods are described for growing about lo8 to lo9 synchronized single generations of ordinary-colourless (OC) cells of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii in submerged liquid 1200 ml. cultures at 24' . The stimulatory effect of white light on the synthesis of the internal pool of soluble protein and soluble polysaccharide, and on the dry wt./cell during ontogeny was assessed. Soluble protein was characterized by fractionation on DEAE-cellulose into a number of components : the quantities/cell were affected differentially by illumination. Light caused a sharp decrease in total glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity/cell during the last stages of growth, when the light-induced formation of soluble polysaccharide/cell was most pronounced.

Endorphin (END) levels in rat pituitary were assessed with the opiate receptor binding assay. Procedures reported to alter hormone secretion from END-rich intermediate or anterior lobes were examined for their effect on END content. Lesions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) had no significant effect on END content. Ingestion of 2% NaCl reduced END levels in a significant majority of the animals. Suckling, a natural physiological stimulus, significantly elevated neurointermediate lobe END. Footshock and immobilization each evoked 40–50% reductions in anterior lobe END content. Pituitary ENDs are thus affected by many of the same stimuli that also promote release of a number of peptide hormones derived from the same biosynthetic precursor. However, separate mechanisms likely exist for control of secretion of these peptides from anterior and neurointermediate lobe.

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