Satoshi Odagiri

The Binding of Calcium to κ-Casein and Para κ-Casein

The binding of calcium to κ-casein and para κ-casein was studied by infrared spectra. The binding of calcium to the phosphoryl groups of κ-casein reached a plateau above 1 mm CaCl2, and the binding to the carboxyl groups proceeded linearly up to 3 mm CaCl2, and slowly above 3 mm CaCl2, which were nearly identical to the results of αs1-casein previously reported. The binding to carboxyl groups of para κ-casein proceeded similarly. The conformational changes of κ-casein accompanying the bindings were determined by circular dichroism and ultraviolet spectra. The obtained results suggest that the hydrophobic sites of κ-casein are exposed to solvent without a change in secondary structure of the protein. Calcium promoted the dissolution of para κ-casein in the presence of urea.

Effect of Vitamin A and Estradiol on the Cystine and Hydroxyproline Content in Skin of Rats

In the previous paper the authors reported the increase of cystine content by vitamin A in the skin of rats fed vitamin A depleted ration. It is known that both depletion of vitamin A and administration of estrogens in massive dose have the keratinizing action on the epithelium of rats. The present studies were initiated to compare the action of vitamin A with estrogens on the cystine and hydroxyproline content in the skin of rats, and the authors reported the increase of these amino acids by supplementation of this vitamin and hormone.

Effects of V. B12 on the Destruction of Blood-Corpuscule in Rat Injected with Phenylhydrazine

Effects of V. B12 and liver extract on the destruction of blood-corpuscle in rat injected with phenylhdrazine are experimented. The content of urobilinogen in the excrements is estimated by colorimetric method and the fluctuation of V. B12 content in rat liver is determined by Euglena method. Blood-corpuscle of albino rat is destructed by the injection with phenylhydrazine. At that time, the injection of V. B12 or liver extract affects on the delay of the destruction of blood-corpuscle, not decreasing the content of V. B12 in the liver.