Proteins reproduction

In metazoans, antocatalysis with all its stractural and dynamic featnres (Pota and Stedman 1994) additionally provides a basis for signal transmission dnring cell-bndding, concentration waves of Ca ions propagate over cell membranes, acting as a means of both information and control, and they are released from storage proteins. Reproduction, as considered from the point of view of periodical autocatalytic use of certain kinds of matter and the limitations due to it, is a really critical process which excludes elements with just single, isolated functions in biocatalysis to become or remain essential, however efficient they may be for this isolated purpose . 

In experimental animals and in vitro, DHBs show a variety of biological effects including binding of metaboHtes to various proteins. Clastogenic effects have been observed in vitro and in some in vivo studies with the three compounds. No reproductive effects have been shown by conventional studies with either hydroquinone, catechol, or resorcinol (122). Hydroquinone has been shown to induce nephrotoxicity and kidney tumors at very high doses in some strains of rat (123) catechol induces glandular stomach tumors at very high dose (124). Repeated dermal appHcation of resorcinol did not induce cancer formation (125). 

Metabolic Functions. Manganese is essential for normal body stmcture, reproduction, normal functioning of the central nervous system, and activation of numerous enzymes (126). Synthesis of the mucopolysaccharide chondroitin sulfate involves a series of reactions where manganese is required in at least five steps (127). These reactions are responsible for formation of polysaccharides and linkage between the polysaccharide and proteins that form... 

Vanadium. Vanadium is essential in rats and chicks (85,156). Estimated human intake is less than 4 mg/d. In animals, deficiency results in impaired growth, reproduction, and Hpid metaboHsm (157), and altered thyroid peroxidase activities (112). The levels of coen2yme A and coen2yme Q q in rats are reduced and monoamine oxidase activity is increased when rats are given excess vanadium (157). Vanadium may play a role in the regulation of (NaK)—ATPase, phosphoryl transferases, adenylate cyclase, and protein kinases (112). 

Physiological Role of Citric Acid. Citric acid occurs ia the terminal oxidative metabolic system of virtually all organisms. This oxidative metabohc system (Fig. 2), variously called the Krebs cycle (for its discoverer, H. A. Krebs), the tricarboxyUc acid cycle, or the citric acid cycle, is a metaboHc cycle involving the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, or proteins to carbon dioxide and water. This cycle releases energy necessary for an organism s growth, movement, luminescence, chemosynthesis, and reproduction. The cycle also provides the carbon-containing materials from which cells synthesize amino acids and fats. Many yeasts, molds, and bacteria conduct the citric acid cycle, and can be selected for thek abiUty to maximize citric acid production in the process. This is the basis for the efficient commercial fermentation processes used today to produce citric acid. 

The liver plays an important role in the endocrine system. The concentrations of hormones in plasma, and the activity of the glands which secrete them, are determined by the rate at which they are deactivated by the liver. The liver also has a major function in female reproduction since it is the target tissue of ovarian estrogen, to which it responds by producing the yolk protein vitellogenin. " Xenobiotics that affect either of these functions can therefore be considered to be potential endocrine disrupters. 

The most recent advance in treating HIV infections has been to simultaneously attack the virus on a second front using a protease inhibitor. Recall from Section 27.10 that proteases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins at specific points. When HIV uses a cell s DNA to synthesize its own proteins, the initial product is a long polypeptide that contains several different proteins joined together. To be useful, the individual proteins must be separated from the aggregate by protease-catalyzed hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Protease inhibitors prevent this hydrolysis and, in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors, slow the reproduction of HIV. Dramatic reductions in the viral load in HIV-infected patients have been achieved with this approach. 

Beneficial effects have also been attributed to PAF. In reproduction, PAF secreted by the fertilized egg is instrumental in the implantation of the egg in the uterine wall. PAF is produced in significant quantities in the lungs of the fetus late in pregnancy and may stimulate the production of fetal lung surfactant, a protein-lipid complex that prevents collapse of the lungs in a newborn infant. 

The tetracyclines exert their effect by inhibiting bacterial protein syndiesis, which is a process necessary for reproduction of die microorganism. The ultimate effect of diis action is tiiat the bacteria are either destroyed or dieir multiplication rate is slowed. The tetracyclines are bacteriostatic (capable of slowing or retarding die multiplication of bacteria), whereas die macrolides and lincosamides may be bacteriostatic or bactericidal (capable of destroying bacteria). 

Water birds have not been shown to be directly affected by acidification. However, the prey of waterbirds may be of concern as these lower food-chain organisms may have elevated levels of toxic metals related to acidification of their habitat. Moreover, most water birds rely on some component of the aquatic food-chain for their high protein diet. Invertebrates that normally supply caJcium to egg-laying birds or their growing chicks are among the first to disappear as lakes acidify. As these food sources are reduced or eliminated due to acidification, bird habitat is reduced and reproductive rate of the birds is affected. The Common Loon is able to raise fewer chicks, or none at all, on acidic lakes where fish populations are reduced 37 and 5S). However, in some isolated cases, food supplies can be increased when competitive species are eliminated (e.g.. Common Goldeneye ducks can better exploit insects as food when competition from fish is eliminated). The collective influences of acidification are difficult to quantify on a specific area basis but for species that rely on a healthy aquatic ecosystem to breed, acidification remains a continuing threat in thousands of lakes across eastern North America 14). 

In vivo studies in animals suggest that endosulfan may disrupt normal reproductive hormone levels in male animals, but that it is not an endocrine disrupter in females. Persistent depressed testicular testosterone was seen in male rats after intermediate duration oral exposures to endosulfan. In ovariectomized female rats, orally administered endosulfan did not induce normal development of female reproductive tissues, and in female mice and immature female rats, acute parenteral exposure to endosulfan did not affect several endocrine-related end points. In vitro studies have evaluated endosulfan for estrogen receptor (ER) and cytosolic protein binding affinity, ER-mediated reporter gene expression, estrogenic induction of cell proliferation, and alteration of relative abundance of active estradiol metabolites. Overall, in vitro evidence in favor of endosulfan estrogenicity indicates relatively weak potency compared to 17[3-estradiol. Apparently contradictory results were reported in different... 

The POMC protein is processed differendy in the anterior lobe than in the intermediate lobe. The intermediate lobe of the pituitary is mdimentary in adult humans, but it is active in human fetuses and in pregnant women during late gestation and is also active in many animal species. Processing of the POMC protein in the peripheral tissues (gut, placenta, male reproductive tract) resem-... 

SAUNDERS P T, SHARPE R M, WILLIAMS K, MACPHERSON S, URQUART H, IRVINE D S, MILLAR M R (2001) Differential expression of oestrogen receptor alpha and beta proteins in the testes and male reproductive system of human and non-human primates. Mol Hum Reprod. 7 227-36. 

Typically several different carotenoids occur in plant tissues containing this class of pigments. Carotenoids are accumulated in chloroplasts of all green plants as mixtures of a- and P-carotene, P-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin. These pigments are found as complexes formed by noncovalent bonding with proteins. In green leaves, carotenoids are free, nonesterified, and their compositions depend on the plant and developmental conditions. In reproductive... 

The pituitary, as well as the hypothalamic hormones, also contribute to VN development. A transient prolactin receptor (PRLR) is expressed in the late foetal rat. At El8, there is positive staining for this binding protein along the lumenal border the reaction is restricted to the medial (sensory) zone [Freemark et al, Fig. 6(d), 1996]. These sites possibly function in the detection of endogenous lactogenic ligands such as PL-I and PL-II. The VNORs also occupy microvillous sites in this area, but the precise developmental role of PRLR in the early AOS is unknown. The modulatory influence of prolactin is well established after puberty in mammals as a reproductive determinant (Chap. 5). In a more central role, it acts on the EOG recorded from the accessory area of the bulb in newts (Toyoda, 2000). 

In support of this contention, the carrier protein Aphrodisin makes an early appearance in vaginal secretions. In pre-pubertal hamsters, it thus indicates chemosensory preparation for the onset of female maturity (Magert, 1999). The proven ability of the AOS to modulate the CNS-pituitary-gonadal axis by advancing or retarding endocrine activity (Chap. 5), underlines its role as primarily the chemosensor of the reproductive system. The adaptive consequence of responses, which allows an avoidance of premature breeding, or of a postponement of puberty, would seem to be advantageous. 

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