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Biomedical subjects

R M Syren

Publications and source records attributed to R M Syren.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

Proteinoid microspheres more stable in hot than in cold water.

The occurrence of organisms of primitive appearance near submarine hydrothermal vents has indicated sea-floor conditions that are like those under which proteinoid microspheres are produced in the laboratory. Experimental examination of the question of whether some proteinoid microspheres might be stable in hot water has revealed proteinoids that are soluble in cold water but precipitate on heating. Unanswered questions are discussed.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1982

Membrane, action, and oscillatory potentials in simulated protocells.

Electrical membrane potentials, oscillations, and action potentials are observed in proteinoid microspheres impaled with (3 M KC1) microelectrodes. Although effects are of greater magnitude when the vesicles contain glycerol and natural or synthetic lecithin, the results in the purely synthetic thermal protein structures are substantial, attaining 20 mV amplitude in some cases. The results add the property of electrical potential to the other known properties of proteinoid microspheres, in their role as models for protocells.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1978

Thermal copoly(amino acids) as inhibitors of glyoxalase I.

A number of copoly(alpha-amino acids) have been prepared thermally; some have been found to function as inhibitors of glyoxalase I, an enzyme which occupies a central position in Szent-Györgyi's theory of tumour genesis. These polymers are also of interest in the search for synthetic peptides having carcinostatic activity, since many natural peptides are active. The way in which the inhibitory activity varies with composition of the synthetic polymers has been investigated. Various properties (hydrophobicity, molecular weight, u.v. absorption, kinetic type) have been examined in a search for correlates of inhibitory activity. The relationship to the origin of enzyme control mechanisms is discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗