A 24-amino acid peptide corresponding to the S4 segment of the sodium channel was synthesized. In order to perform fluorescence energy transfer measurements and to monitor the interaction of the peptide with lipid vesicles, the peptide was selectively labeled with fluorescence probes at either its N- or C-terminal amino acids. The fluorescent emission spectra of 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4- yl-(NBD-)labeled analogues displayed blue shifts upon binding to small unilamellar vesicles (SUV), reflecting the relocation of the fluorescent probe to an environment of increased apolarity. The results revealed that both the N- and C-terminus of the S4 segment are located within the lipid bilayer. Titration of solutions containing NBD-labeled peptides with SUV was used to generate binding isotherms, from which surface partition constants, in the range of 10(4) M-1, were derived. The shape of the binding isotherms as well as fluorescence energy transfer measurements suggest that aggregation of peptide monomers within the membrane readily occurs in acidic but not in zwitterionic vesicles. Furthermore, the results provide good correlation between the incidence of aggregation in PC/PS vesicles and the ability of the peptides to permeate the vesicle's membrane. However, a transmembrane diffusion potential had no detectable effect on the location of the peptide within the lipid bilayer or on its aggregation state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics on phospholipase D (PLD) activity were investigated in permeabilized NG108-15 cells and in isolated rat brain membranes. Neomycin inhibited guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-stimulated PLD activity in digitonin-permeabilized NG108-15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (50% inhibition at 100 microM). Neomycin similarly inhibited PLD activity present in rat brain membranes and assayed in vitro with [3H]phosphatidylcholine as substrate (50% inhibition at 65 microM). Other aminoglycosides tested (kanamycin, geneticin and streptomycin) were nearly equipotent inhibitors of rat brain PLD. These results indicate that aminoglycoside antibiotics inhibit phosphatidylcholine-PLD activity with comparable and sometimes greater potency than their well known inhibition of phosphoinositide-phospholipase C. The possibility that PLD inhibition could mediate some of the toxic side effects of aminoglycosides is suggested.
The effect of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis on the development of embryogenic cell cultures of celery (Apium graveolus L.) was studied. Several developmental stages of somatic embryos were compared for differences in the content and biosynthesis of free polyamines and for cytokinin content. Cyclohexylamine and particularly methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), inhibited both cell division and the organization of polar embryos from globular embryos. Difluoromethylornithine slightly promoted embryo development, especially cell division.The free putrescine content of globular embryos was 6-fold that of fully differentiated plantlets, and that of spermidine 2-fold. Only a slight increase in the spermine content was found with embryo development. These differences were confirmed by data from polyamine biosynthesis. Incorporation of 14C-arginine into polyamines was slightly higher than that of 14C-ornithine. Over 96% of this incorporation was detected in the putrescine fraction. Incorporation of 14C into putrescine in globular embryos was 3 to 4-fold that in fully-differentiated plantlets. Incorporation into spermidine and spermine was, however, higher in plantlets than in globular embryos.Cytokinin analysis revealed considerable differences in the biological activity between the developmental stages of embryogenesis. This could be due to endogenous cytokinins and/or BA taken up from the maintenance medium. Cytokinin levels decreased with increased embryo development. Most of the detected cytokinin-like activity co-chromatographed with BA and its metabolites. Some as yet unidentified peaks of activity were recorded in the globular embryos.The results are considered with respect to the possible participation of polyamines and cytokinins in the development of embryogenic cell cultures of celery. It is suggested that the onset of embryogenesis is characterized by a high content of putrescine and cytokinins, while a decrease in putrescine synthesis and cytokinin content, and an increase in spermidine and spermine content, accompany further embryo development and plantlet formation.Abbreviations: ADC = arginine decarboxylase; ODC = ornithine decarboxylase; 2,4-D = dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; DFMA = difluoromethylarginine; DFMO = difluoromethylornithine; MGBG = methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone); CHA = cyclohexylamine; BA = benzyladenine; BAR = benzyladenine riboside 246
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