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D E Atkinson

Publications and source records attributed to D E Atkinson.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Nitrite reductase of Escherichia coli specific for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

Kemp, John D. (University of California, Los Angeles), and Daniel E. Atkinson. Nitrite reductase of Escherichia coli specific for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. J. Bacteriol. 92:628-634. 1966.-A nitrite reductase specific for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) appears to be responsible for in vivo nitrite reduction by Escherichia coli strain Bn. In extracts, the reduction product is ammonium, and the ratio of NADH(2) oxidized to nitrite reduced or to ammonium produced is 3. The Michaelis constant for nitrite is 10 mum. The enzyme is induced by nitrite, and the ability of intact cells to reduce nitrite parallels the level of NADH(2)-specific nitrite reductase activity demonstrable in cell-free preparations. Crude extracts of strain Bn will also reduce hydroxylamine, but not nitrate or sulfite, at the expense of NADH(2). Kinetic observations indicate that hydroxylamine and nitrite may both be reduced at the same active site. The high apparent Michaelis constant for hydroxylamine (1.5 mm), however, seems to exclude hydroxylamine as an intermediate in nitrite reduction. In vitro activity is enhanced by preincubation with nitrite, and decreased by preincubation with NADH(2).

Enzyme Induction↗

Permeability of the near-term rat placenta to hydrophilic solutes.

The permeability of the rat placenta at 21 days' gestation (term is 23 days) has been measured with fetuses intact in situ and by perfusion of the fetal circulation. Intact measurements were made by removal of fetuses at known time intervals after injection of radioisotopes to the anaesthetized mother and measurement of their radioactivity content. Unidirectional clearance (Kmf) was calculated and found to be in proportion to the diffusion coefficient in water (Dw) for [14C]mannitol, [14C]sucrose, [51Cr]EDTA and [3H]inulin but was relatively high for 22Na and low for [125I]albumin. The high value for 22Na is partially explained by transfer across the yolk sac placenta; cautery of the vitelline vessels significantly reduced the Kmf for 22Na but not that for [51Cr]EDTA or [125I]albumin. The low [125I]albumin value is explained on the basis of restricted diffusion of this tracer. Perfused permeability measurements were made by injection of radioisotope into the anaesthetized mother and measurement of the radioactive content of fetal perfusate samples. Although the Kmf for Na+ was significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced by 25 per cent, there was no other significant difference between results with the perfused placentae compared with those from the intact placentae. Comparison of the intact data with similar measurements in guinea pig and human confirms the similar permeability properties of the haemochorial placentae as a whole; the extra trophoblast layers in the rat make no discernible difference.

Animals↗