beta-Aminoisobutyric acid as a marker of thymine catabolism in malignancy.

Urine from untreated patients with various tumours and controls has been examined for the excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid and uric acid. The patients were classified into four groups: I, beta-aminoisobutyric acid and uric acid both normal; II, beta-aminoisobutyric acid normal, uric acid elevated; III, beta-aminoisobutyric acid elevated, uric acid normal; IV, beta-aminoisobutyric acid and uric acid both elevated. Uric acid was used as an indicator for tissue-breakdown. Pseudouridine being a specific parameter for t-RNA degradation was estimated for comparison. Increased urinary concentrations of beta-aminoisobutyric acid were frequently found in tumour patients, especially in patients with leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Tissue breakdown being the cause of the beta-aminoisobutyric aciduria could only be considered in part of the patients. Moreover, strongly elevated ratios of beta-aminoisobutyric acid to uric acid were found. Urinary patterns of pyrimidines and purines were determined in order to exclude other abnormalities. The results are discussed in relation to thymine metabolism and renal function.

A model for proton and potassium co-transport during the uptake of glutamine and sucrose by tomato internode disks.

Internode disks of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker) were shaken in glutamine and sucrose solutions. At low external pH (<±5.5), the uptake of these substances was accompanied with K(+) efflux, at high pH (>±5.5) with K(+) influx. Low concentrations of external K(+) (2 mmol l(-1)) stimulated the uptake of glutamine, which was strongly inhibited by the supply of high K(+) concentrations (20 mmol l(-1)). The effect of K(+) was particularly pronounced at high pH-values. Addition of CCCP in light reduced the uptake of glutamine to the same level as in the dark, and stopped the K(+) fluxes which coincided with the uptake. A model is presented wherein the movements of K(+) across the membrane are related to co-transport, depending on the membrane potential and the Nernst potential of K(+).