On the "struggle between chemistry and biology during aging"--implications for DNA repair, apoptosis and proteolysis, and a novel route of intervention

The possible effects of specific spontaneous changes in protein chemistry on age-related homeostatic dysfunction are discussed. Spontaneous racemization and isomerization of aspartic acid and deamidation of asparagine to four possible forms of aspartic acid in caspases and their substrates could profoundly alter apoptotic activity. Deamidation of asparagine residues at critically important sites of DNA glycosylases could compromise base excision repair activity. Furthermore, as oxidative damage may enhance asparagine/aspartate instability in proteins, and erroneously-synthesized proteins show increased susceptibility to oxidative attack, it is beginning to appear that the aberrant protein forms that accumulate during ageing are possibly interrelated. The role of cell growth rates in controlling constitutive proteolytic elimination of various forms of aberrant polypeptides is then discussed. Finally, it is pointed out that three recently described agents that delay senescence in cultured cells (aminoguanidine, N-t-butylhydroxylamine and kinetin) resemble carnosine in that they are also likely to react with glycoxidised proteins, as well as possess anti-oxidant activity. These observations suggest that pluripotency may be a necessary pre-requisite for effective anti-ageing activity.

Carnosine reacts with protein carbonyl groups: another possible role for the anti-ageing peptide?

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) can delay senescence and provoke cellular rejuvenation in cultured human fibroblasts. The mechanisms by which such a simple molecule induces these effects is not known despite carnosine's well documented anti-oxidant and oxygen free-radical scavenging activities. Carbonyl groups are generated on proteins post-synthetically by the action of reactive oxygen species and glycating agents and their accumulation is a major biochemical manifestation of ageing. We suggest that, in addition to the prophylactic actions of carnosine, it may also directly participate in the inactivation/disposal of aged proteins possibly by direct reaction with the carbonyl groups on proteins. The possible fates of these 'carnosinylated' proteins including the formation of inert lipofuscin, proteolysis via the proteasome system and exocytosis following interaction with receptors are also discussed. The proposal may point to a hitherto unrecognised mechanism by which cells/organisms normally defend themselves against protein carbonyls.

Carnosine, the anti-ageing, anti-oxidant dipeptide, may react with protein carbonyl groups

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is a physiological dipeptide which can delay ageing and rejuvenate senescent cultured human fibroblasts. Carnosine's anti-oxidant, free radical- and metal ion-scavenging activities cannot adequately explain these effects. Previous studies showed that carnosine reacts with small carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and protects macromolecules against their cross-linking actions. Ageing is associated with accumulation of carbonyl groups on proteins. We consider here whether carnosine reacts with protein carbonyl groups. Our evidence indicates that carnosine can react non-enzymically with protein carbonyl groups, a process termed 'carnosinylation'. We propose that similar reactions could occur in cultured fibroblasts and in vivo. A preliminary experiment suggesting that carnosine is effective in vivo is presented; it suppressed diabetes-associated increase in blood pressure in fructose-fed rats, an observation consistent with carnosine's anti-glycating actions. We speculate that: (i) carnosine's apparent anti-ageing actions result, partly, from its ability to react with carbonyl groups on glycated/oxidised proteins and other molecules; (ii) this reaction, termed 'carnosinylation,' inhibits cross-linking of glycoxidised proteins to normal macromolecules; and (iii) carnosinylation could affect the fate of glycoxidised polypeptides.

Carnosine and protein carbonyl groups: a possible relationship

Carnosine has been shown to react with low-molecular-weight aldehydes and ketones and has been proposed as a naturally occurring anti-glycating agent. It is suggested here that carnosine can also react with ("carnosinylate") proteins bearing carbonyl groups, and evidence supporting this idea is presented. Accumulation of protein carbonyl groups is associated with cellular ageing resulting from the effects of reactive oxygen species, reducing sugars, and other reactive aldehydes and ketones. Carnosine has been shown to delay senescence and promote formation of a more juvenile phenotype in cultured human fibroblasts. It is speculated that carnosine may intracellularly suppress the deleterious effects of protein carbonyls by reacting with them to form protein-carbonyl-carnosine adducts, i.e., "carnosinylated" proteins. Various fates of the carnosinylated proteins are discussed including formation of inert lipofuscin and proteolysis via proteosome and RAGE activities. It is proposed that the anti-ageing and rejuvenating effects of carnosine are more readily explainable by its ability to react with protein carbonyls than its well-documented antioxidant activity.

Carnosine reacts with a glycated protein

Oxidation and glycation induce formation of carbonyl (CO) groups in proteins, a characteristic of cellular aging. The dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is often found in long-lived mammalian tissues at relatively high concentrations (up to 20 mM). Previous studies show that carnosine reacts with low-molecular-weight aldehydes and ketones. We examine here the ability of carnosine to react with ovalbumin CO groups generated by treatment of the protein with methylglyoxal (MG). Incubation of MG-treated protein with carnosine accelerated a slow decline in CO groups as measured by dinitrophenylhydrazine reactivity. Incubation of [(14)C]-carnosine with MG-treated ovalbumin resulted in a radiolabeled precipitate on addition of trichloroacetic acid (TCA); this was not observed with control, untreated protein. The presence of lysine or N-(alpha)-acetylglycyl-lysine methyl ester caused a decrease in the TCA-precipitable radiolabel. Carnosine also inhibited cross-linking of the MG-treated ovalbumin to lysine and normal, untreated alpha-crystallin. We conclude that carnosine can react with protein CO groups (termed "carnosinylation") and thereby modulate their deleterious interaction with other polypeptides. It is proposed that, should similar reactions occur intracellularly, then carnosine's known "anti-aging" actions might, at least partially, be explained by the dipeptide facilitating the inactivation/removal of deleterious proteins bearing carbonyl groups.

A possible new role for the anti-ageing peptide carnosine

The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is found in surprisingly large amounts in long-lived tissues and can delay ageing in cultured human fibroblasts. Carnosine has been regarded largely as an anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger. More recently, an anti-glycating potential has been discovered whereby carnosine can react with low-molecular-weight compounds that bear carbonyl groups (aldehydes and ketones). Carbonyl groups, arising mostly from the attack of reactive oxygen species and low-molecular-weight aldehydes and ketones, accumulate on proteins during ageing. Here we propose, with supporting evidence, that carnosine can react with protein carbonyl groups to produce protein-carbonyl-carnosine adducts ('carnosinylated' proteins). The various possible cellular fates of the carnosinylated proteins are discussed. These proposals may help explain anti-ageing actions of carnosine and its presence in non-mitotic cells of long-lived mammals.

Pluripotent protective effects of carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide

Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) found in brain, innervated tissues, and the lens at concentrations up to 20 mM in humans. In 1994 it was shown that carnosine could delay senescence of cultured human fibroblasts. Evidence will be presented to suggest that carnosine, in addition to antioxidant and oxygen free-radical scavenging activities, also reacts with deleterious aldehydes to protect susceptible macromolecules. Our studies show that, in vitro, carnosine inhibits nonenzymic glycosylation and cross-linking of proteins induced by reactive aldehydes (aldose and ketose sugars, certain triose glycolytic intermediates and malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product). Additionally we show that carnosine inhibits formation of MDA-induced protein-associated advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and formation of DNA-protein cross-links induced by acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. At the cellular level 20 mM carnosine protected cultured human fibroblasts and lymphocytes, CHO cells, and cultured rat brain endothelial cells against the toxic effects of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and MDA, and AGEs formed by a lysine/deoxyribose mixture. Interestingly, carnosine protected cultured rat brain endothelial cells against amyloid peptide toxicity. We propose that carnosine (which is remarkably nontoxic) or related structures should be explored for possible intervention in pathologies that involve deleterious aldehydes, for example, secondary diabetic complications, inflammatory phenomena, alcoholic liver disease, and possibly Alzheimer's disease.

Carnosine, a protective, anti-ageing peptide?

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) has protective functions additional to anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging roles. It extends cultured human fibroblast life-span, kills transformed cells, protects cells against aldehydes and an amyloid peptide fragment and inhibits, in vitro, protein glycation (formation of cross-links, carbonyl groups and AGEs) and DNA/protein cross-linking. Carnosine is an aldehyde scavenger, a likely lipofuscin (age pigment) precursor and possible modulator of diabetic complications, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Carnosine protects proteins against methylglyoxal-mediated modifications

Methylglyoxal (MG) (pyruvaldehyde) is an endogenous metabolite which is present in increased concentrations in diabetics and implicated in formation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) and secondary diabetic complications. Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is normally present in long-lived tissues at concentrations up to 20 mM in humans. Previous studies showed that carnosine can protect proteins against aldehyde-containing cross-linking agents such as aldose and ketose hexose and triose sugars, and malon-dialdehyde, the lipid peroxidation product. Here we examine whether carnosine can protect protein exposed to MG. Our results show that carnosine readily reacts with MG thereby inhibiting MG-mediated protein modification as revealed electrophoretically. We also investigated whether carnosine could intervene when proteins were exposed to an MG-induced AGE (i.e. lysine incubated with MG). Our results show that carnosine can inhibit protein modification induced by a lysine-MG-AGE; this suggests a second intervention site for carnosine and emphasizes its potential as a possible non-toxic modulator of diabetic complications.

Protective effects of carnosine against protein modification mediated by malondialdehyde and hypochlorite

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hypochlorite anions are deleterious products of oxygen free-radical metabolism. The effects of carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidine), on protein modification mediated by MDA and hypochlorite have been studied. MDA and hypochlorite induced formation of carbonyl groups and high molecular weight and cross-linked forms of crystallin, ovalbumin and bovine serum albumin. The presence of carnosine effectively inhibited these modifications in a concentration-dependent manner. It is proposed that relatively non-toxic carnosine and related peptides might be explored as potential therapeutic agents for pathologies that involve protein modification mediated by MDA or hypochlorite.

Toxic effects of beta-amyloid(25-35) on immortalised rat brain endothelial cell: protection by carnosine, homocarnosine and beta-alanine

The effect of a truncated form of the neurotoxin beta-amyloid peptide (A beta25-35) on rat brain vascular endothelial cells (RBE4 cells) was studied in cell culture. Toxic effects of the peptide were seen at 200 microg/ml A beta using a mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT) reduction assay, lactate dehydrogenase release and glucose consumption. Cell damage could be prevented completely at 200 microg/ml A beta and partially at 300 microg/ml A beta, by the dipeptide carnosine. Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide found at high levels in brain tissue and innervated muscle of mammals including humans. Agents which share properties similar to carnosine, such as beta-alanine, homocarnosine, the anti-glycating agent aminoguanidine, and the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), also partially rescued cells, although not as effectively as carnosine. We postulate that the mechanism of carnosine protection lies in its anti-glycating and antioxidant activities, both of which are implicated in neuronal and endothelial cell damage during Alzheimer's disease. Carnosine may therefore be a useful therapeutic agent.

Protective effects of carnosine against malondialdehyde-induced toxicity towards cultured rat brain endothelial cells

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a deleterious end-product of lipid peroxidation. The naturally-occurring dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) is found in brain and innervated tissues at concentrations up to 20 mM. Recent studies have shown that carnosine can protect proteins against cross-linking mediated by aldehyde-containing sugars and glycolytic intermediates. Here we have investigated whether carnosine is protective against malondialdehyde-induced protein damage and cellular toxicity. The results show that carnosine can (1) protect cultured rat brain endothelial cells against MDA-induced toxicity and (2) inhibit MDA-induced protein modification (formation of cross-links and carbonyl groups).

Influence of advanced glycation end-products and AGE-inhibitors on nucleation-dependent polymerization of beta-amyloid peptide

Nucleation-dependent polymerization of beta-amyloid peptide, the major component of plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease, is significantly accelerated by crosslinking through Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) in vitro. During the polymerization process, both nucleus formation and aggregate growth are accelerated by AGE-mediated crosslinking. Formation of the AGE-crosslinked amyloid peptide aggregates could be attenuated by the AGE-inhibitors Tenilsetam, aminoguanidine and carnosine. These experimental data, and clinical studies, reporting a marked improvement in cognition and memory in Alzheimer's disease patients after Tenilsetam treatment, suggest that AGEs might play an important role in the etiology or progression of the disease. Thus AGE-inhibitors may generally become a promising drug class for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Non-enzymatic glycosylation of the dipeptide L-carnosine, a potential anti-protein-cross-linking agent

The dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) was readily glycosylated non-enzymatically upon incubation with the sugars glucose, galactose, deoxyribose and the triose dihydroxyacetone. Carnosine inhibited glycation of actyl-Lys-His-amide by dihydroxyacetone and it protected alpha-crystallin, superoxide dismutase and catalise against glycation and cross-linking mediated by ribose, deoxyribose, dihydroxyacetone, dihydroxyacetone phosphate and fructose. Unlike certain glycated amino acids, glycated carnosine was non-mutagenic. The potential biological and therapeutic significance of these observations are discussed.

Differences in susceptibility between crystallins and non-lenticular proteins to copper and H2O2-mediated peptide bond cleavage

The relative susceptibilities of lenticular proteins (alpha, beta and gamma-crystallins) and a number of proteins of non-lenticular origin, to hydroxyl radical-mediated peptide bond cleavage were compared. The non-lenticular proteins (bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, alcohol dehydrogenase, lysozyme, thyroglobulin, beta-amylase, haemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase) were readily cleaved into acid-soluble fragments following 5 hours treatment with copper ions and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast the crystallins were almost totally unaffected by similar treatment. When alpha-crystallin was pre-treated with acid or cleaved into large fragments with cyanogen bromide it became susceptible to hydroxyl radical attack, yet heating the protein did not diminish its resistance. It is suggested that the resistance of alpha-crystallin to the copper/peroxide-mediated fragmentation may be dependent on the conformation of the protein.

Regulation of breakdown of canavanyl proteins in Escherichia coli by growth conditions in lon+ and lon- cells

In vivo rates of proteolysis of canavanyl proteins were compared in lon+ and lon- Escherichia coli strains following growth in a variety of media. Both lon+ and lon- cells grown rapidly in complex media possessed higher levels of constitutive degradative activity than when cultured in minimal media. Pre-growth of lon+ cells in the presence of canavanine induced proteolytic activity following growth in minimal media as did stress agents such as heat, alcohol and puromycin: the lon mutant did not show the increased activity following canavanine treatment. The results suggest the presence of a proteolytic activity which selectively degrades aberrant proteins which does not involve protease La, the product of the lon gene, and which furthermore is regulated in part by growth conditions independently of the stress response.

Age-related changes in proteolysis of aberrant crystallin in bovine lens cell-free preparations

Bovine alpha-crystallin fragments were prepared by H2O2/Cu2(+)-mediated free-radical treatment (which generated 15.1 and 16.6 K Mr fragments) and cyanogen bromide cleavage (which generated 8.4, 13.8 and 16.8 K Mr fragments). Proteolysis of the fragments and native and denatured alpha-crystallin was then compared using bovine lens homogenates prepared from either cortex or cores of lenses obtained from animals of different ages (foetal, 1.5 years and 6.5 years old). In all preparations the fragments were more rapidly degraded than the denatured but uncleaved protein, while the untreated crystallin was only slightly susceptible to proteolytic attack. Both developmental and age-related differences in proteolytic activity towards the aberrant crystallins were detected, most notably a marked age-related decline in the fragment catabolism in preparations obtained from the cores. Should a similar decline occur in human lenses then the changes which we have detected may be important contributary factors towards cataractogenesis.

Degradation of intracellular protein in muscle. Lysosomal response to modified proteins and chloroquine

We previously showed that radioactive N-ethylmaleimide injected intramuscularly reacts with actomyosin and other muscle proteins and that a transfer of these modified proteins to lysosome-rich large granules was associated with their degradation (Gerard, K. W., and Schneider, D. L., (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 11798-11805). We now show that muscle cells, when challenged by an increase in proteins modified with N-ethylmaleimide, can increase degradation by increasing the activities of enzymes involved in protein turnover. Cathepsin B activity increased 2-fold 36 h after injection of N-ethylmaleimide. In contrast, non-lysosomal proteolytic enzymes, calcium-dependent protease, and leucine aminopeptidase, did not significantly increase. Lysosomes are also involved in the degradation of normal muscle proteins labeled with [3H]leucine. Treatment with chloroquine, a known inhibitor of lysosome function, resulted in an inhibition of protein degradation, in an increase of the muscle protein content, and in the accumulation of radioactive proteins in lysosomal fractions. Chloroquine treatment for 2 days led to a 270% increase in cathepsin B and a 160% increase in lysosomal ATPase activities, but only a 30% increase in neutral proteinase activities. These results indicate a role for lysosomes in regulation of protein turnover in muscle.

Growth of Vibrio costicola and other moderate halophiles in a chemically defined minimal medium

A simple chemically defined minimal medium consisting of sodium glutamate, glucose, vitamins, and salts was devised to support growth of the moderate halophile, Vibrio costicola, over as wide a range of NaCl concentrations as the complex medium, proteose peptone + tryptone. The lag period at higher NaCl concentrations was longer in the chemically defined minimal medium than in proteose peptone + tryptone. Chemically defined minimal medium also supported the growth of an unidentified moderate halophile, HX, and of Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio cholerae. The Mg2+ concentration required for good growth changed with the growth temperature for both V. costicola and HX.

Degradation of peptides and proteins of different sizes by homogenates of human MRC5 lung fibroblasts. Aged cells have a decreased ability to degrade shortened proteins

The degradation of haemoglobin and haemoglobin-derived peptide fragments by homogenates of MRC5 fibroblasts has been investigated. Results show that the smaller fragments were degraded more rapidly than larger substrates at both pH 5.5 and pH 7.5. Only the smallest of the soluble cyanogen bromide peptides (Mr 3500) was degraded at pH 7.5. Degradation at pH 5.5 proceeded more rapidly than that at pH 7.5 for all substrates tested but was more marked with the larger substrates. Homogenates prepared from aged cells degraded puromycin peptides and, to a lesser extent, cyanogen bromide peptides at a slower rate, at pH 7.5, than those prepared from younger cells. We suggest that cytosolic degradation is less selective and at least one cytosolic proteolytic activity decreases as cells age.

Abnormal proteins of shortened length are preferentially degraded in the cytosol of cultured MRC5 fibroblasts

Puromycyl peptides were degraded in MRC5 fibroblasts more rapidly than normal proteins labelled for the corresponding length of time for both long and short labelling periods. The degradation of the puromycyl peptides occurred almost exclusively in the cytosol of the cells. Even when the half-lives of normal and puromycyl peptides were manipulated to be similar, proportionally more of the normal proteins were degraded in the lysosomes. The rapid degradation of the puromycyl peptides was not due to the inhibition of protein synthesis brought about by puromycin but was due to the structure of the substrates themselves. The degree and intracellular site of degradation of puromycyl peptides closely mimic those of abnormal (missense) proteins containing amino acid analogues.

Changes in proteinase and peptidase activities during reticulocyte maturation

The ability of rabbit reticulocytes to degrade puromycin-peptides and aminoethylcysteine-induced aberrant polypeptides decreased during cellular maturation. Cell-free studies indicate that the fall in proteolytic activity is not a consequence of accumulation of proteinase inhibitors or the conversion of all of the abnormal protein into undegradable forms. A decrease in peptidase activity using seven dipeptides and one tripeptide as substrates was also found to accompany reticulocyte maturation. Addition of the aminopeptidase B inhibitor bestatin to reticulocyte extracts did not inhibit the conversion of acid-precipitable puromycin-peptides to acid-soluble products; bestatin did induce the accumulation of very low molecular weight material (possibly di- or tripeptides) within the acid soluble fraction.

Subcellular distribution of abnormal proteins in rabbit reticulocytes. Effects of cellular maturation, phenylhydrazine and inhibitors of ATP synthesis

Inhibitors of ATP synthesis (cyanide, dinitrophenol, fluoride) inhibited proteolysis of pulse-labelled abnormal proteins in rabbit reticulocytes and caused an accumulation of the aberrant polypeptides in the cell debris fraction in a manner analogous to phenylhydrazine-induced Heinz bodies. When the reticulocytes were separated into age-groups by sedimentation through discontinuous gradients of bovine serum albumin, the ability of the cells to degrade puromycin peptides decreased with increasing cellular maturity and, in the more mature cells, up to 40% of the labelled abnormal polypeptide remained associated with the cell debris fraction at the end of the chase period. It is suggested that the association of the abnormal polypeptide with the cell debris fraction is a consequence of a maturation-induced loss, or an inhibitor-induced inactivation of the cellular proteolytic activity.

Effects of ATP and cell development on the metabolism of high molecular weight aggregates of abnormal proteins in rabbit reticulocytes and cell-free extracts

Abnormal proteins synthesized in rabbit reticulocytes in response to (i) the lysine analogue aminoethylcysteine and (ii) puromycin, form high molecular weight aggregates prior to degradation. Inhibitors of ATP synthesis partially inhibit catabolism of the aminoethylcysteine-induced abnormal protein; degradation of puromycin peptides synthesized after incubation with 25 micrograms/ml puromycin was not inhibited. Catabolism of the analogue-induced high molecular weight aggregate of abnormal protein in cell-free extracts was markedly stimulated by ATP, whereas proteolysis of the aggregated puromycin-peptides was ATP-independent. The ability of the reticulocytes to degrade the puromycin-peptide aggregates was found to decrease with cellular maturity. It is suggested that the energy-dependency for proteolysis is in some way related to the chain length of the abnormal protein synthesized.

ATP-independent proteolysis of globin cyanogen bromide peptides in rabbit reticulocyte cell-free extracts

The catabolism of two rabbit globin cyanogen bromide peptides in cell-free extracts of ATP-depleted rabbit reticulocytes has been studied. Proteolysis of the peptides (3533 and 5957 molecular weight) proceeded rapidly in the absence of ATP, had a pH optimum of approximately 7.8, and was inhibited by omicron-phenanthroline, N-ethylmaleimide, cystamine zinc and cobalt ions, and puromycin peptide high-molecular-weight aggregates. Proteolysis of puromycin peptides was inhibited by the rabbit globin cyanogen bromide peptides. The ability of cell-free extracts of degrade the globin cyanogen bromide peptides decreased with the reticulocyte maturity. Blocking the globin cyanogen bromide peptide amino groups by succinic and maleic anhydride treatment decreased susceptibility to degradation. It is suggested that the globin cyanogen bromide peptides might provide model substrates, replacing puromycin peptides, for the investigation of ATP-independent proteolytic events.

Breakdown of aberrant protein in rabbit reticulocytes decreases with cell age

Rabbit reticulocytes, separated into ten cell age groups by bovine serum albumin density-gradient sedimentation, were pulse-labelled with [14C]leucine in the presence of either puromycin dihydrochloride or aminoethyl-L-cysteine (a lysine analogue). Intracellular proteolysis of both the puromyucinyl-peptides and analogue-containing protein decreased with cell maturity.

Inhibition of canavanyl-protein proteolysis in Escherichia coli by rifampin

Rifampin inhibited the intracellular proteolysis of canavanine-induced, rapidly sedimenting protein complexes in Escherichia coli.

Protein turnover in a moderately halophilic bacterium

Protein turnover was investigated in exponentially growing Vibrio costicola, a moderately halophilic bacterium that can grow in the NaCl concentration range 0.5–3.5 M (with optimal growth at about 1.0 M). In 1.0 or 1.5 M NaCl the breakdown rate of pulse-labelled proteins was about 5%/h whereas in 0.5 M NaCl breakdown was about 9%/h. These results are in contrast to those reported and observed in Escherichia coli which has a turnover rate of 1–2%/h in exponential growth. Growing E. coli in the highest possible NaCl concentration (1.0 M) did not significantly increase protein turnover. Shifting V. costicola from a higher to a lower NaCl concentration increased the rate of turnover of pulse-labelled proteins, whereas shifting it from a lower to a higher NaCl concentration decreased the rate of turnover. The critical factor in these experiments was not the NaCl concentration at which proteins were labelled but that at which the cells were subsequently incubated. The level of breakdown of long-labelled proteins was low (about 2%/h) and was not affected by shifts in NaCl concentration. Breakdown of pulse-labelled protein was inhibited by cyanide and tetracycline but not by iodoacetate, azide. or chloramphenicol. Treatment with streptomycin increased the rate of turnover. Turnover in cell-free systems was lower than in intact cells and was not inhibited by cyanide or tetracycline. It is suggested that the high rate of turnover, even at optimal NaCl concentrations, may reflect errors in protein synthesis, and that the effect of lower NaCl concentrations may be to alter "native" conformation and thus to increase the susceptibility of some of the properly made proteins to proteolysis.

Degradation of abnormal proteins in Escherichia coli. Differential proteolysis in vitro of E. coli alkaline phosphatase cyanogen-bromide-cleavage products

Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase has been purified and modified by either carboxymethylation or treatment with cyanogen bromide (CNBr). Only the CNBr-treated protein was degradable in an E. coli cell extract. Separation of the CNBr cleavage products by gel filtration in non-denaturing conditions gave rise to a number of oligomeric complexes, of which only those of molecular weight less than approximately 29000 were degradable in E. coli cell-free extracts. Carboxymethylation of the non-degradable complexes (greater than 29000 molecular weight) resulted in the formation of some complexes of less than 29000 molecular weight: such newly formed complexes were degradable by E. coli cell-free extracts. It is suggested that E. coli cell-free extracts may contain a protease/peptidase system which is active against peptide complexes below 29000 molecular weight, but inactive against peptide oligomers of greater molecular weight.

Bromouracil-resistant mutant of Chlamydomonas

5-Bromouracil (BU) inhibited the growth of wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardi. Two BU-resistant mutant strains were isolated that were resistant to it, and grew readily in the presence or the absence of BU. They did not use BU or thymine in the synthesis of DNA.