No abstract

GLUTAMATE AND POTASSIUM TRANSPORT 149 depleted of its normal potassium content, small increases occurred on incubation with the two substrates. 6. It is suggested that glucose (or lactate or pyruvate) is required as a source of energy; whilst L-glutamate serves another function in potassium transport. We wish to thank Dr W. Klyne for information on the flame photometer of Domingo & Klyne (1949) and for instruction in its use.

DURING the last few years, investigations have been carried out in this laboratory with the object of discovering a method for a more quantitative and simple separation of the hydrolysis products of the proteins than those at present in vogue. In the course of this work a method was discovered, some 18 months ago, for the separation in almost quantitative yield of pure l-proline. The proline thus isolated was found to differ appreciably in its properties from those ascribed to it in the literature. It was found, for example, to have a considerably higher laevorotation ([a]"*-86 70) compared with that previously mentioned in the literature ([a]" =-800), and was found furthermore to crystallise from water, and to be only slightly soluble in cold absolute alcohol, although it is more readily soluble in the hot solvent. Recrystallisation from hot alcohol forms, in fact, a very convenient method for its purification. It was intended to withhold the publication of these results until the general researches had reached a more advanced stage. In the meantime, however, attention has been called to a paper published a few months ago by Kapfhammer and Eck [1927] which has only just come to the notice of the

THE study of the-hydrolysis of gliadin described in this paper was started during the tenure of an Alexander Brown Coxe Research Fellowship at Yale University during the year 1931-32. It is gradually being completed with a view to obtaining as complete a picture as possible of the disposition of the amino-acids in their separation by means of their copper salts.In the original paper [Town, 1928] three fractions were obtained by separating the copper salts of the amino-acids into:1. Those soluble in methyl alcohol.2. Those soluble in water, but insoluble in methyl alcohol.3. Those insoluble in water.In a later paper [Town, 1936] the methyl alcohol-soluble copper salt fraction was further subdivided into (a) a part precipitated by alcoholic CdCl2 and (b) the filtrate. The examination of the CdCl2 precipitate, which contains the proline, was fully reported.Modifications were introduced into this hydrolysis as a result of experience gained in previous hydrolyses. Important technical improvements were as follows.

No abstract