On the Decomposition Products of Epinephrine Hydrate (1905)

Abstract

This is the first paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC). The title page and the table of contents of the issue in which it appeared are also reprinted to provide a glimpse into the field of biochemistry at that time. Similar ancillary information will be published periodically with Classic papers to record changes in the Journal and the field during the past century. The contributions of John Jacob Abel, Professor of Pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, to the Journal and the Society deserve special note. He was not only a distinguished scientist but was also one of the founders of both the Journal and the American Society of Biological Chemists (ASBC). Abel convinced Christian A. Herter, then Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Columbia University, to finance and start the Journal. In 1905, Abel wrote to 21 other American biochemists (1Edsall J. The Journal of Biological Chemistry after seventy five years.J. Biol. Chem. 1980; 255 (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: (A wonderful history of the JBC).): 8939-8951Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar, 2Chittenden R.H. The First Twenty-five Years of the American Society of Biological Chemists. 1945; (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE)Google Scholar). “Dr. Herter and I have decided that the time has arrived for the establishment in this country of a Journal of Biological Chemistry. The scope of the Journal is to be a wide one. We hope to publish articles on bacteriological chemistry, plant chemistry and the better sort of clinical chemistry. Then pharmacological work which is of a chemical character will also be welcomed. The pharmacological papers of a more physiological character should be published elsewhere.” Later in the same letter to emphasize the broad scope of the Journal, “we are willing to publish anything of a chemical nature in the whole field of biology whether this touches the plant or animal kingdom” (1Edsall J. The Journal of Biological Chemistry after seventy five years.J. Biol. Chem. 1980; 255 (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: (A wonderful history of the JBC).): 8939-8951Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar). (This statement of Journal scope and mission is as useful today as it was in 1905.) Before the first issue of the JBC appeared in October 1905, an announcement of the intended scope was issued. “Without rigidly defining the scope of the Journal, it may be stated that its pages will be open First. To workers in Zoology and Botany and the branches of knowledge in which these sciences are applied, for such of their researches as are of a chemical or physicochemical nature. Second. To workers on the chemical side of the experimental medical sciences, as Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Hygiene, Physiological Chemistry, and Bacteriology. Third. To those who are engaged in any branch of Clinical Medicine when their researches are of a chemical nature. Fourth. To the specialist in organic chemistry, who will find here a fitting place for publication of researches which have biological or medical interest. The growing importance of chemical research in the elucidation of general biological and medical problems and also the increasing activity of American investigators in this field, point to the need of a journal of the character here outlined. At present there is no periodical in the English language that meets the requirements of the biological chemist” (1Edsall J. The Journal of Biological Chemistry after seventy five years.J. Biol. Chem. 1980; 255 (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: (A wonderful history of the JBC).): 8939-8951Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar). As seen on the title page, Abel and Herter served as the first Editors, and Abel continued as the Managing Editor for several years. (Herter's important contributions will be addressed in a subsequent issue.) Abel also acted as the founder of the ASBC. He made the initial proposal, convened a meeting of well known biological chemists that led to its formation, and later became the second President of the Society. Interest in the formation of the new society came primarily from members of the American Physiological Society, which had been formed in 1887, who felt that the chemical side of physiology had attracted a significant and growing number of scientists and a separate society would be desirable. The American Chemical Society had started a biochemical section in 1905, and an increasing number of chemical papers were presented at the American Physiological Society meetings. The success of the JBC in its first year also suggested that a new society would be welcome. Abel circulated the following letter dated October 16, 1906 to the 24 scientists whose names appear on the title page of the Journal. “The enclosed circular is being sent to the gentlemen whose names appear on the title page of the Journal of Biological Chemistryfor the purpose of obtaining their signatures, should the project therein outlined meet with their approval. These gentlemen are also requested to name other prominent workers in biological chemistry whose signatures should be secured. When the circular has received the signatures of a sufficient number of representative men, it will be sent to a selected list of chemists in various branches of biology and medicine as an invitation to membership in the new society. The responsibility of selecting this list should fall on the signers of the proposal. Will you not cooperate in this matter? Have you any suggestions to offer in respect to the method of selection? It is of course assumed that only those who are worthy of membership by virtue of acquirements and work accomplished will be nominated. The proposal has followed as the result of conversations with biological chemists in different parts of the country, and it would seem that the time has come for bringing the project to the attention of those most capable of launching it. Details, such as the form of constitution to be adopted, the question of affiliation with other scientific bodies, annual time and place of meeting, etc. will naturally be subjects for consideration at the meeting for organization” (2Chittenden R.H. The First Twenty-five Years of the American Society of Biological Chemists. 1945; (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE)Google Scholar). At a meeting on December 26, 1906, the ASBC was officially formed with 29 charter members. Shortly thereafter, the Council of the Society elected 52 additional members bringing the total membership in the first year to 81. (ASBMB membership in 2001 is about 10,000.) Abel was a great scientist with many major accomplishments during an active 50-year career. Overall, his research can be characterized as being primarily directed toward the isolation and characterization of hormones. He and his collaborators worked for more than 10 years to describe the active secretion of the suprarenal gland that raised blood pressure, epinephrine. He also isolated and crystallized insulin (3Abel J.J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1926; 12 (Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE: Unimplemented EXLNK TYPE): 132-136Crossref PubMed Google Scholar). During his long and productive research career, Abel also provided a training ground for many scientists. Notable among them was Vincent Du Vigneaud who was a postdoctoral fellow with Abel and in 1955 received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the chemical synthesis of oxytocin and vasopressin. In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Abel was notable as an organization builder. Before his critical efforts in founding the JBC and the ASBC, he had founded the Journal of Experimental Medicinein 1895, and later, in 1909, he was influential in founding the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. He was instrumental in founding the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and served as its Editor for 23 years. A remarkable career and a fitting way to begin the series of JBC Classics reprinted.