Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) is the enzyme that synthesizes epinephrine from norepinephrine. The aim of this study was to determine potential PNMT gene expression in the cardiac atria and ventricles of adult rats and to examine whether the gene expression of this enzyme is affected by immobilization stress. PNMT mRNA levels were detected in all four parts of the heart, with the highest level in the left atrium. Both Southern blot and sequencing verified the specificity of PNMT detected by RT-PCR. Single immobilization for 2 h increased gene expression of PNMT in both atria and ventricles. In atria, this effect was clearly modulated by glucocorticoids, because either adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy prevented the increase in PNMT mRNA levels in response to immobilization stimulus. This study establishes, for the first time, that PNMT gene expression occurs in cardiac atria and also, to a small extent, in ventricles of adult rats. Immobilization stress increases gene expression in atria and ventricles. This increase requires an intact hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, indicating the involvement of glucocorticoids.

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All four cysteine ligands to the structural zinc atom of human class-I and class-I11 alcohol dehydrogenase have been exchanged by site-directed mutagenesis in order to study the importance of the metal in the mammalian enzymes. The cysteine residues were replaced with Ala and Ser, residues that are not able to ligand zinc. All mutations resulted in inactive, unstable enzymes, in contrast to the non-mutated human alcohol dehydrogenases that are easily isolated. Northern-blot analysis revealed the presence of the expected mRNAs from expression plasmids constructed with the different mutated and non-mutated alcohol dehydrogenases, and Western-blot analysis gave faint signals for the mutated recombinant proteins from crude extracts. This verifies that the plasmid constructs are correct, but that the translated, mutated proteins lacking the zinc-stabilized local fold, are subject to rapid degradation. Hence, the results directly illustrate the importance of the structural zinc atom in mammalian alcohol dehydrogenase and confirm it as a component with 'structural' properties. The results are compatible with those from sensitivities to proteases and from the structures of other proteins within the super-family, indicating that the structural role of the zinc atom may involve conservation of interfaces regulating the enzyme quaternary structure.

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Formation of nitric oxide, and endothelium-derived relaxing factor, can be inhibited by administration of N-nitro-L-arginine methylesther (L-NAME). In the present study, the activity of the sympathoadrenal system in rats with blood pressure (BP) elevation induced by L-NAME was investigated. L-NAME was administered in a dose of 50 mg/kg, i.p. every 12 h for 4 days. Blood samples were collected via chronically inserted arterial catheters in conscious, freely moving rats at rest and during immobilization stress. Plasma epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA), as well as catecholamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured by HPLC method. In L-NAME treated animals, which slowed a significant increase in BP, plasma EPI levels were markedly elevated both before and during stress. Plasma NE levels were not significantly increased, however, DHPG levels, which indicate NE turnover and reuptake, were highly elevated. Plasma DA levels were not changed after L-NAME administration but DA metabolite DOPAC showed a significant elevation both under basal conditions and during stress. Thus, the present results indicate that the prolonged blockade of nitric oxide synthesis that causes arterial hypertension is associated with an activation of the sympathoadrenal system.

A relationship between hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension has been described; however, it is still not completely clear whether these phenomena are causally related (for review, see references 1-5).In rats, both acute and chronic hyperinsulinemia lead to an increase in blood pressure (BP).G8 The mechanisms of insulin-induced changes in BP regulation could involve several hctors-activation of catecholaminergic systems, sodium-fluid retention, modulation of cation transport, vasculopathy, etc.5 Moreover, several investigators have indicated a role for the sympathoneural system in insulin-mediated BP ~hanges.~+~-'3 Thus, one of the important ways by which hyperinsulinemia could increase BP is the activation of the sympathoadrenal system. However, the mechanism by which hyperinsulinemia could affect sympathoadrenal system activity remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this contribution, which represents a review with

A cDNA sequence coding for Japanese quail ovalbumin was used for the construction of expression plasmid under the ADH1 promoter of the yeast shuttle vector pVT101-U. The resulting recombinant expression vector pJK2 was used for the transformation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of quail ovalbumin in yeast cells was demonstrated by Western blotting followed by immunochemical detection.