SNARE proteins (soluble NSF-attachment protein receptors) are thought to be central components of the exocytotic mechanism in neurosecretory cells, but their precise function remained unclear. Here, we show that each of the vesicle-associated SNARE proteins (v-SNARE) of a chromaffin granule, synaptobrevin II or cellubrevin, is sufficient to support Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis and to establish a...

A new compound, 2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl) thioacetamide (Fig. 1) with a powerful inhibitory effect on gastric secretion has recently been synthesised.' Bedi, Gillespie, and Gillespie (1967), using vagally innervated and Heidenhain pouch dogs, have shown it to inhibit gastrin-stimulated acid secretion. In that they failed to demonstrate any effect on histaminestimulated or amechol-stimulated gastri...

A carboxymethyl starch (CMS) film was prepared by a process in which gelatinized CMS was dried, and subsequently treated with water-soluble carbodiimide in the presence of zein in 70% ethanol or 70% acetone to form acid-amide cross-linkages in order to increase the hydrophobicity of the surface of the film. A small amount of zein protein was found to be present on the surface of the zein-CMS co...

The study of toxic effects on small intestinal function is complicated by the integration of the activity of the small intestine with the activities of other regions of the GI tract. Also, the barrier and portal functions of the intestine are not as clearly defined as sometimes assumed. The intestinal surface functions as a barrier to the ingress of large quantities of large water soluble molec...

Cell-free systems that catalyze the condensation of acetylcoenzyme A to form long chain fatty acids have been prepared from chicken liver by Wakil et al. (l), from yeast by Lynen (2), and from rat liver and brain by Brady, Bradley, and Trams (3, 4). In 1957, Stumpf and Barber (5) described a mitochondrial system isolated from avocado mesocarp that incorporated (Y-acetate into long chain fatty a...

Several metalloporphyrins, particularly highly chlorinated water soluble meso-tetraphenylporphyrins, have been shown to be good biomimetics of the lignin peroxidases which degrade lignin in vivo. Metal complexes of the water soluble phthalocyaninetetrasulfonic acid have been examined as catalysts for the oxidation of lignin since the phthalocyanines are readily available and inexpensive. The co...

From the marine sponge Reniera sarai 3-alkylpyridinium oligomers and polymers have been isolated. 3-Alkylpyridinium polymers are potent anticholinesterase agents; in addition, they show hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. Oligomers with a molecular weight lower than 3000 Da do not possess any significant activity. We report structural characterization of 3-alkylpyridinium polymers and their beh...