INTENSE CONCENTRATION OF (Y, r-DIAMINOBUTYRIC ACID BY CELLS*

The (Y , r-diaminobutyric acid and L-(Y) &diaminopropionic acid were synthesized for us by Miss Lillian Alonso, from L-glutamic acid (1) and L-asparagine (2). The diamino acids were included as their hydrochlorides in Krebs’ Ringer-bicarbonate medium, and this was added to the ascitic fluid suspension or to the separated cells or tissues at levels of 15 to 40 mM per liter. The methods of incubation, separation, and analysis of the cells for electrolytes (3) and diamino acids (4) have been recorded. Magnesium was determined by the method of Garner (5) applied to nitric or trichloroacetic acid extracts of the cells. Water uptake by the cells was measured by their increase of weight; shifts of water were taken into account in calculating shifts of ions from or into the cells. In the experiments in mice bearing the ascites tumor, 0.3 M solutions of diaminobutyric acid monohydrochloride were fed or injected under the loose skin in the scapular region by passing the needle under the skin for a cm. or more to obviate leakage from the site. After an hour the mouse was decapitated and the ascitic fluid removed and centrifuged, and the liver, kidney, and musculature of the hind legs excised quickly and weighed on a direct reading torsion balance. For electrolyte determinations (3)