Non-polymerizable tropomyosin and control of the superprecipitation of actomyosin.

Non-polymerizable tropomyosin was prepared by the digestion of several C-terminal residues of tropomyosin with carboxypeptidase A [EC 3.4.12.2]. The intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight of the non-polymerizable tropomyosin were almost the same as those of untreated tropomyosin. Like untreated tropomyosin, the non-polymerizable tropomyosin in combination with troponin repressed the superprecipitation of actomyosin in the absence of calcium, while this repression was released by addition of calcium. However, the curve representing the superprecipitation rate as a function of pCa was less steep than that found with actomyosin containing untreated tropomyosin: in the former case, the rate increased to a plateau over about 2 pCa units, while in the latter case, it did so over about 1 pCa unit. These experimental results provide evidence that the "co-operation" in the regulation mechanism of skeletal muscle contraction, which is indicated by the steep curve of the contraction versus pCa relation, is mediated by tropomyosin-tropomyosin interaction along the thin filament.

[Studies on circadian rhythm and the feedback mechanism of hormone secretion from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system --pertaining to the circadian variation of feedback sensitivity in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis-- (author's transl)].

In order to investigate the relationship if any between the circadian rhythm of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system and of feedback sensitivity in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, temporal changes of serum corticoid level and of ACTH responsiveness to metyrapone were studied in 5 controls, 4 patients with loss of consciousness due to central nervous system diseases (Group A), 2 blind subjects (Group B) and 2 patients with psychiatric disorders accompanied with sleep-wake cycle disturbance (Group C). Two patients in Group A with normal circadian rhythm of serum corticoid levels exhibited abnormal rhythm in ACTH responsiveness to metyrapone. In contrast, 2 other patients in Group A with normal rhythm in ACTH responsiveness to metyrapone exhibited abnormal circadian rhythms of serum corticoid levels. In spite of the disturbed circadian rhythm of serum corticoid levels, 2 patients in Group B showed normal rhythm in ACTH responsiveness to metyrapone. Two patients in Group C exhibited abnormalities in both circadian changes. It was concluded that there might be different control mechanisms between the circadian rhythmicity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system and of the feedback sensitivity.