Linus Pauling note to self concerning research on succinic dehydrogenase. April 12, 1950. Page 1  Larger Images / More Information. 1 p.  View Transcript

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Activity Listings

• LP Note to Self: “Succinic dehydrogenase”, April 12, 1950. [Filed under LP Science: (Research on Biological Specificity, 1930-1967), Box #8.001, Folder #1.6]

  Dictated by Linus Pauling

  at New Orleans

  Succinic dehydrogenase

  I have been talking with a man named Dr. E. Kun, of Tulane University Medical School. He is a biochemist. He told me that Quastell in 1933 had proposed that succinic dehydrogenase consisted of a protein which had the power of holding on to a dicarboxylic acid by its two carboxyl groups, and that midway between the combining groups for the carboxyl groups is a hydrosulfide group, in the enzyme, which has the power in some way of hydrogenating a double bond. I am not sure what Quastell's evidence is, but Kun has shown that the substance methylglyoxal will combine with the hydrosulfide group of succinic dehydrogenase and destroy its activity, whereas if malonic acid, which is an inhibitor for the enzyme, is present and is combined with the enzyme, the enzyme is protected against the action of methylglyoxal. This seems to be good evidence for the idea that a hydrosulfide group is located in this position. Kun thinks that there are probably two hydrosulfide groups, which can form a disulfide when they give up their two hydrogens.

  I think that Kun has published or is planning to publich[sic] a paper on this subject.

• Letter from Beatrice Wulf, Executive Secretary, Gates and Crellin Laboratories, to Dr. Edward N Wise RE: Writes that they have cancelled the hotel reservations for LP and AHP in Albuquerque because they will be staying with Professor and Mrs. Steffens. [Filed under LP Science: (American Chemical Society: Correspondence, 1950-1964), Box #14.006, Folder #6.2]
• Letter from Beatrice Wulf, Executive Secretary, Gates and Crellin Laboratories, to Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque, RE: Cancels LP and AHP’s reservation for May 7 and 8. [Filed under LP Science: (American Chemical Society: Correspondence, 1950-1964), Box #14.006, Folder #6.2]
• Letter from David W. Kramer, Chairman, Lectureship Committee, to LP RE: Thanks him for his participation in the Phi Delta Epsilon sponsored lectureship. Encloses the honorarium. [Letter from LP to Kramer May 22, 1950] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1950s.11]
• Letter from LP [Signed by Beatrice Wulf] to Maude and Carsten Steffens, Chemistry Department, University of New Mexico, RE: Writes that they are looking forward to visiting them and they plan to arrive on Sunday or early Monday. Also informs him that his diet prohibits him from eating meat, fish, or fowl, but that he can eat everything else. [Filed under LP Science: (American Chemical Society: Correspondence, 1950-1964), Box #14.006, Folder #6.2]
• Letter from LP to David R. Idler RE: Replies to his questions regarding the reactivity of anthracene. [Letter from Idler to LP undated, assumed April 5, 1950] [Filed under LP Correspondence: ( I: Correspondence, 1950) #185.11]
• Letter from LP to James H. Durkin, President, United Office and Professional Workers of America, RE: Thanks him for the invitation to speak at the International Convention of the United Office and Professional Workers of America, but declines the offer. [Letter from Durkin to LP March 30, 1950] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (U: Correspondence, 1950), #421.9]
• Letter from LP to James O. Kelley, Executive Secretary, American Academy of Allergy, RE: Informs him that he did not prepare a manuscript of his talk entitled, “Molecular Concepts of Serological Phenomena,” so he cannot provide him with a copy for inclusion in their journal. [Letter from Kelley to LP March 28, 1950] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1950s.8]
• Letter from Mack C. Fuqua, Program Chairman, Baton Rouge Section, American Chemical Society, to LP RE: On behalf of the members of the Baton Rouge Section of the ACS, thanks LP for presenting the lecture on “The Structure of Antibodies and the Nature of Serological Reactions.” Expresses their hope that LP and AHP’s tour through the area was a pleasant one. [Letter from LP to Fuqua June 9, 1950] [Filed under LP Science: (American Chemical Society: Correspondence, 1950-1964), Box #14.006, Folder #6.2]
• Letter from Professor Chesney R. Moe, San Diego State College, to LP RE: Asks him to be a guest speaker at an evening lecture of the Physics Department at San Diego State College. [Letter from LP to Moe June 30, 1950] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1950s.17]
• Letter from R. Roberts, Acting Head, Chemistry Branch, Department of the Navy, ONR to LP RE: Informs him that the proposed renewal of his research project “Molecular Structure of Certain Compounds of Boron” has been approved and he will receive funding in the amount of $9,780. Clarifies that this is not a contract and does not act as any sort of authorization, that will be sent to Cal Tech from the Contracts division. [Letter from Walter to Rice February 14, 1950] [Filed under LP Science: (Office of Naval Research: Correspondence, Contract Status Reports and Project Status Reports, 1947-1962), Box #14.031, Folder #31.1]
• Letter from W.A. Pennington, Chief Chemist and Metallurgist, Carrier Corp, to LP RE: Asks for assistance with a chemical-thermodynamic equation. [Letter from LP to Pennington June 9, 1950] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (C: Correspondence, 1950), #74.18]
• Newspaper Clipping: “Chemical Society to Hear Teacher from California”, Publication Unknown, April 12, 1950. [Filed under LP Biographical: Scrapbooks, 1946-1950: Box #6.005, Folder 5.55]