Isolation of a gametophyte-specific cDNA encoding a lipoxygenase from the red alga Porphyra purpurea.

A cDNA clone encoding a lipoxygenase was obtained from a subtracted cDNA library specific for the gametophyte of Porphyra purpurea. The amino acid sequence of the P. purpurea lipoxygenase is most similar to the sequences of animals and plants in the iron-binding, catalytic region located in the C-terminal half of the enzymes.

O-526, a piperidine analog of GBR 12909, retains high affinity for the dopamine transporter in monkey caudate-putamen.

1,4-Disubstituted piperazines such as GBR 12909 (1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine) and GBR 12935 (1-[2-(bis(phenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine) are among the most potent and selective ligands for the dopamine transporter in brain. However, they also bind to a widely distributed "piperazine acceptor site". In order to assess whether the piperazine moiety of GBR 12909 is critical for binding to the dopamine transporter, two piperidine analogs of GBR 12909, one with the nitrogen proximal to the diphenylmethyloxy moiety (O-549, (1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperidine), the other distal to this moiety (O-526, 4-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-1- (3-phenylpropyl)piperidine) were synthesized.

GBR 12909 and 12935 block dopamine uptake into brain synaptic vesicles as well as nerve endings.

GBR 12909 and 12935, commonly used as potent neuronal dopamine uptake blockers, also inhibit dopamine uptake into brain synaptic vesicles. The concentrations required for the latter activity (34-45 nM) are one order of magnitude higher than those required for inhibiting neuronal uptake of dopamine (1-6 nM). In contrast, the two activities differ by three orders of magnitude for cocaine (137 microM versus 0.

[3H]WIN 35,428 binding to the dopamine uptake carrier. II. Effect of membrane fractionation procedure and freezing.

In the present study the dopamine transporter on rat striatal membranes was labeled with [3H]WIN 35,428 (2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane) and its binding state or form was compared between fresh and frozen tissue fractionated by various protocols. Freezing striatal tissue resulted in a decrease in binding to crude or P2 membranes, but did not consistently generate upward concave Scatchard plots. Among various conditions, sodium phosphate buffers containing sucrose, employed for homogenization and for measurement of binding to freshly prepared P2 membranes, were most likely to give multiple binding component resolutions.

[3H]WIN 35,428 binding to the dopamine uptake carrier. I. Effect of tonicity and buffer composition.

In the present study, the dopamine transporter on rat striatal membranes was labeled with [3H]WIN 35,428 (2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane), and its binding state or form was manipulated by changing tonicity and buffer composition. Binding to P2 membranes was enhanced by the presence of sucrose in the assay. This effect was not due solely to factors relating to tonicity because creation of isotonicity by dextrose or N-methyl-D-glucamine was less effective, and an increase in binding by sucrose was also observed in assays that were already isotonic by a mixture of sodium phosphate and NaCl.

Dopamine and serotonin release-regulating autoreceptor sensitivity in A9/A10 cell body and terminal areas after withdrawal of rats from continuous infusion of cocaine.

The effects of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) autoreceptor agents on electrically induced [3H]DA and [3H]5-HT release from superfused slices of striatum, nucleus accumbens and ventral mesencephalon (VM) containing A9 and A10 neurons were investigated in rats made tolerant to the stimulatory effect of cocaine on locomotor behavior by a 14-day continuous infusion of cocaine (29 mg/kg/day) by s.c. implanted osmotic minipumps followed by a 7-day drug-free period.

The ribosomal RNA repeats are non-identical and directly oriented in the chloroplast genome of the red alga Porphyra purpurea.

A detailed restriction map of the chloroplast genome of the red alga Porphyra purpurea has been constructed. Southern hybridization experiments with cloned or gel-purified restriction fragments and PCR products indicate that the P. purpurea chloroplast genome is approximately 188 kb in size.

[3H]dopamine and [3H]serotonin release in vitro induced by electrical stimulation in A9 and A10 dopamine regions of rat brain: characterization and responsiveness to cocaine.

The present study investigated [3H]dopamine (DA) and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release evoked by electrical stimulation in superfused ventral mesencephalon (VM) slices containing A9 and A10 DA neurons. Electrically induced [3H]DA release from VM was, at least, of two origins: one was from DA somatodendrites, regulated by DA autoreceptors, and increased by DA uptake blockers; another was from 5-HT terminals, modulated by 5-HT autoreceptors, and could be minimized by the copresence of fluoxetine during the labeling of the slices. Release of both origins was Ca(++)-dependent and tetrodotoxin-sensitive.

Cationic and anionic requirements for the binding of 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)[3H]tropane to the dopamine uptake carrier.

The present study reports the ion dependency of 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)[3H]tropane ([3H]CFT) binding to the dopamine transporter in the rat striatum. The results indicate that [3H]CFT binding to synaptosomal P2 membranes requires low concentrations of Na+ (peak binding between 20 and 50 mM Na+), is stimulated by phosphate anion or I-, but is unaffected or only slightly affected by F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, or SO(4)2-. Concentrations of Na+ of > 50 mM become inhibitory except in the presence of I-, which shifts peak binding levels toward higher Na+ concentrations and also elevates the peak binding level.

A High-Resolution Gene Map of the Chloroplast Genome of the Red Alga Porphyra purpurea.

Extensive DNA sequencing of the chloroplast genome of the red alga Porphyra purpurea has resulted in the detection of more than 125 genes. Fifty-eight (approximately 46%) of these genes are not found on the chloroplast genomes of land plants. These include genes encoding 17 photosynthetic proteins, three tRNAs, and nine ribosomal proteins.

Metaphit-induced audiogenic seizures in mice: II. Studies on N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, GABA, and sodium channel receptors and on the disposition of metaphit in the brain.

We previously demonstrated that metaphit (a phencyclidine analogue with an acylating isothiocyanate group) induces occurrence of audiogenic seizures in mice exposed to audio stimulation 24 h after metaphit administration. We have studied various receptor systems associated with excitatory and inhibitory networks: sites for competitive and noncompetitive antagonists of the N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor complex, for [3H]muscimol on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex, and for [3H]batrachotoxinin A20-alpha-benzoate on the voltage-dependent sodium channel. Mice were examined for neurochemical changes at 24 h after pretreatment with metaphit, when susceptibility to audiogenic seizures is greatest.

Metaphit-induced audiogenic seizures in mice: I. Pharmacologic characterization.

Metaphit [an analogue of phencyclidine (PCP) with an acylating isothiocyanate group] induced audiogenic clonic to clonic-tonic seizures in mice exposed to audio stimulation 24 h after metaphit administration. The incidence of seizures was reduced by treatment 30 min before audio stimulation with specific PCP-like compounds [5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801), and PCP itself], competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP-5 and NPC-12626), antiepileptic drugs [phenobarbital (PB), phenytoin (PHT)], and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists (muscimol and diazepam). In contrast, when given in conjunction with metaphit, most of these drugs were ineffective in protecting animals from audiogenic seizures 24 h later.

A beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III gene (fabH) is encoded on the chloroplast genome of the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis.

DNA sequencing of a region of the chloroplast genome of the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis revealed an open reading frame of 326 amino acids. Databank searches indicated that this ORF is 34% identical to an E. coli gene (fabH) encoding beta-ketoacyl-carrier protein synthase III.

Two amino-acid biosynthetic genes are encoded on the plastid genome of the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis.

To isolate the gene encoding the amino-acid biosynthetic enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS) from the red alga Porphyra umbilicalis, PCR experiments were carried out using P. umbilicalis DNA as the template and degenerate oligonucleotides representing conserved regions of ALS amino-acid sequences. Interestingly, the PCR product (0.

Evidence for mutually exclusive binding of cocaine, BTCP, GBR 12935, and dopamine to the dopamine transporter.

The present study addressed the possibility that there are distinct but allosterically interacting populations of binding sites for dopamine/cocaine and BTCP/GBR (N-[1-(2-benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine/1-(2-diphenylmethox y) - ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine) (selective dopamine uptake blockers) on the dopamine transporter in the rat striatum. Dopamine uptake sites were labeled in vitro with the cocaine analog [3H]CFT (2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane), and the inhibition of binding by CFT or cocaine was measured. A graphic method was adopted for studying shifts in inhibitory potency resulting from the addition of a second compound.

Determination of radioligand specific activity using competition binding assays.

Radioligand binding assays are routinely utilized in laboratories throughout the world to study receptors and their related binding sites, carrier proteins, and enzymes. To accurately estimate equilibrium binding parameters, such as the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and maximal number of binding sites (Bmax), the investigator must know the correct value of the specific activity of the radioligand. If the specific activity is overestimated the Kd and Bmax values will be underestimated, while underestimation of the specific activity results in an overestimation of the Kd and Bmax.

Dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide in rat striatal slices.

The present study explored the mechanisms underlying the dopamine releasing effect of phenylbiguanide, a compound commonly used as a 5-HT3 receptor agonist. Phenylbiguanide, and also serotonin and 2-methyl-serotonin, enhanced the outflow of radioactivity from superfused rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine. The presence of the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensin prevented the increase in outflow.

Radiolabeling of dopamine uptake sites in mouse striatum: comparison of binding sites for cocaine, mazindol, and GBR 12935.

This study addressed the possibility of a unique binding interaction between cocaine and the dopamine transporter as compared with other blockers of dopamine uptake. Cocaine binding sites in a fresh P2 fraction of mouse striatum were labeled with [3H]CFT, a phenyltropane analog of cocaine also known as WIN 35,428, and compared with sites labeled with [3H]mazindol or [3H]GBR 12935. Under the conditions used, homogeneous binding was observed that was inhibited monophasically by cocaine, CFT, and mazindol; the same potencies were observed with the three radioligands.

Cocaine binding sites in mouse striatum, dopamine autoreceptors, and cocaine-induced locomotion.

BALB/cByJ mice received cocaine (25 mg/kg IP) once a day for 3 days, resulting in a greater locomotor response to cocaine on day 3 than on day 1. On day 4, a dose (0.03 mg/kg SC) of apomorphine, targeted at dopamine autoreceptors, caused the same degree of locomotor depression in cocaine- as in saline-pretreated mice.

An hsp70 homolog is encoded on the plastid genome of the red alga, Porphyra umbilicalis.

A PCR experiment using Porphyra umbilicalis DNA as the template and degenerate oligonucleotides representing conserved regions of hsp70 amino acid sequences generated a 1 kb product that hybridized exclusively to the plastid DNA of this red alga. DNA sequencing of two contiguous EcoRI plastid DNA clones revealed a 620 amino acid open reading frame with 71% identity to the dnaK gene of the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis 6803. Northern hybridization experiments detected a 2.

Effect of metaphit on dopaminergic neurotransmission in rat striatal slices: involvement of the dopamine transporter and voltage-dependent sodium channel.

Metaphit, an isothiocyanate analog of phencyclidine (PCP), increased the basal release of radioactivity (outflow) from perfused rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine above levels observed with the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensin. Preperfusing the slices with metaphit, followed by its removal, attenuated the amphetamine- or dopamine-induced outflow. In slices prepared from reserpine-pretreated rats, the metaphit (100 microM)-induced outflow was reduced to that observed with 10 microM nomifensin, suggesting a vesicular releasing effect of metaphit in addition to dopamine uptake blockade.

Electroencephalographic characteristics of audiogenic seizures induced in metaphit-treated small rodents.

Adult male mice, rats, and guinea pigs were subjected to intense sound stimulation of an electric bell (100 dB, 12 kHz for 60 s) after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of metaphit (1-(1-(3 isothiocyanatophenyl)-cyclohexyl)piperidine) (50 mg/kg).

Carrier-mediated efflux of [3H]dopamine and [3H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine: effect of ascorbic acid.

The carrier-mediated efflux of [3H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) and [3H]dopamine was examined in mouse striatal synaptosomal P2 fractions. Although the two compounds are transported by the same carrier, the translocation of the carrier-ligand complex is more rapid with MPP+ than with dopamine. With dopamine-stimulated efflux of preloaded [3H]dopamine, externally present dopamine at a concentration of 1.