Identification of a domain in cytochrome C that displaces [3H]TCP binding from rat brain membrane receptors: synthesis of beta-neuroprotectin.

1. A stereospecific radioreceptor binding assay for the phencyclidine analogue, [3H]TCP, was utilized to screen for inhibition of binding in extracts of rat brain. 2.

Isolation and identification of a peptide from rat brain which inhibits [3H]TCP binding.

1. A stereospecific radioreceptor binding assay for the phencyclidine analogue [3H]TCP was utilized to screen for inhibitors of binding in extracts of rat brain. 2.

Benzylic monooxygenation catalyzed by toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida.

Toluene dioxygenase, a multicomponent enzyme system known to oxidize mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons to cis-dihydrodiols, oxidized indene and indan to 1-indenol and 1-indanol, respectively. In addition, the enzyme catalyzed dioxygen addition to the nonaromatic double bond of indene to form cis-1,2-indandiol. The oxygen atoms in 1-indenol and cis-1,2-indandiol were shown to be derived from molecular oxygen, whereas 70% of the oxygen in 1-indanol was derived from water.

General method of synthesis for natural long-chain beta-diketones.

Two general methods of synthesis have been developed for the preparation of long-chain beta-diketones. The first relies on malonate-type alkylation of acid chlorides derived from fatty acids, while the second, more direct method, involves coupling and subsequent hydrolysis of long-chain acetylenes with acid chlorides of fatty acids.

Identification of cis-diols as intermediates in the oxidation of aromatic acids by a strain of Pseudomonas putida that contains a TOL plasmid.

Pseudomonas putida BG1 was isolated from soil by enrichment with p-toluate and selection for growth with p-xylene. Other hydrocarbons that served as growth substrates were toluene, m-xylene, 3-ethyltoluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The enzymes responsible for growth on these substrates are encoded by a large plasmid with properties similar to those of TOL plasmids isolated from other strains of Pseudomonas.