The suppression of Haemoglobin E synthesis

The blood of two infants with Haemoglobin E trait and a form of -thalassaemia (Haemoglobin H Disease) was examined and it was confirmed that the proportion of Haemoglobin A:E was higher than in uncomplicated Haemoglobin E trait.Haemoglobin H ( ₄ ^A ) was added to the haemoglobin solution from a Haemoglobin E trait carrier. This mixture was dissociated into its ₂, ₂ ^A and ₂ ^E subunits, and these were then recombined. The proportion of A:E had risen to that found in vivo in Haemoglobin E trait carriers with Haemoglobin H Disease.It is suggested that competition between ^A and ^E for -chains may be an example of the mechanism by which -thalassaemia interacts with -chain abnormal haemoglobins.     

New structures of the O-specific polysaccharides of Proteus. 3. Polysaccharides containing non-carbohydrate organic acids

Four new Proteus O-specific polysaccharides were isolated by mild acid degradation from the lipopolysaccharides of P. penneri 28 (1), P. vulgaris O44 (2), P. mirabilis G1 (O3) (3), and P. myxofaciens (4), and their structures were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy and chemical methods. They were found to contain non-carbohydrate organic acids, including ether-linked lactic acid and amide-linked amino acids, and the following structures of the repeating units were established: 3)--L-QuipNAc-(13)--D-GlcpNAc-(16)--D-GlcpNAc-(1 (S)-Lac-(2–3) (1) 4)--D-GlcpA-(13)--D-GalpNAc-(14)--D-Glcp-(13)--D-Galp-(14)--D-GalpNAc-(1 L-Ala-(2–6) (2) 3)--D-GalpNAc-(16)--D-GalpNAc-(14)--D-GlcpA-(1 L-Lys-(2–6)--D-GalpA-(14) (3) 4)--D-GlcpA-(16)--D-GalpNAc-(16)--D-GlcpNAc-(13)--D-GlcpNAc-(1 (R)-aLys-(2–6) (4) where (S)-Lac and (R)-aLys stand for (S)-1-carboxyethyl (residue of lactic acid) and N-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-L-lysine (alaninolysine), respectively. The data obtained in this work and earlier serve as the chemical basis for classification of the bacteria Proteus.     

NADH dehydrogenase: a new molecular marker for homoeology group 4 in Triticeae. A map of the 4RS chromosome arm in rye

Summary Structural gene loci encoding the monomeric isozymes nicotin adenin dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADH dehydrogenase or NDH) have been located on the 4AL, 4B, and 4DS chromosome arms of Triticum aestivum cv Chinese Spring, on the 4RS chromosome arm of Secale cereale cultivars Imperial, King II, Dakold, and Ailes, on the 4S¹ S/7S¹ chromosome of Aegilops longissima, the 4E of Elytrigia elongata, and the CSU-A of Aegilops umbellulata. All the results support the homoeologous relationships among these chromosomes in the five species studied. In addition, a map of the 4RS chromosome arm in cv Ailes has been realized, linking loci Pgm-1 (located on the 4RS chromosome arm) and Ndh-1 (17.91 cM), with an estimated distance between both loci and the centromere of 20.00 cM and 32.12 cM, respectively.     

The serum proteins of the syrian hamster and the effect of corticosteroids on their fractions

Summary The normal distribution of the serum proteins, as determined by paper-electrophoresis in eighty-seven Syrian hamsters, is reported.The effect of different corticosteroids (cortisone acetate and prednisone) on the serum proteins of the hamster has also been evaluated. Cortisone acetate produced a decrease in the ₁- ₂- and -globulins, while prednisone produced a decrease in the - and -globulins, an increase in albumin and a marked hyperlipemia.

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Zusammenfassung Die normale Verteilung der Serumproteine wurde mit Papierelektrophorese in 87 Goldhamstern bestimmt.Die Wirkung verschiedener Corticosteroide (Cortisonazetat und Prednison) auf die Serumproteine des Hamsters wurde bestimmt. Cortisonazetat rief eine Abnahme der ₁- ₂- und -Globuline hervor, während Prednison eine Abnahme der - und -Globuline, eine Zunahme des Albumins und eine bedeutende Hyperlipämie hervorrief.

     

Endo-β-mannanase,the leguminous aleurone layer and the storage galactomannan in germinating seeds ofTrigonella foenum-graecum L.

The activity ofendo--mannanase in the endosperm of fenugreek seeds at different stages of germination varies pari passu with storage galactomannan breakdown.Endo--mannanase is similarly associated with the galactomannan breakdown which occurs when isolated fenugreek half-endosperms are incubated under germination conditions. Metabolic inhibitors,acting on the aleurone layer reduceendo--mannanase production in the half-endosperms in proportion to their inhibition of galactomannan breakdown.It is concluded (a) thatendo--mannanase activity, like galactomannan breakdown, is regulated by the fenugreek aleurone layer and (b) that theendo--mannanase is almost certainly instrumental in bringing about galactomannanan hydrolysis in vivo.This is part five in a series of papers dealing with galactomannan metabolism. Part four: Planta (Berl.)112, 301–308 (1973)     

Carotenoid pigments of Stigmatella aurantiaca (Myxobacterales)

Summary In this first article on the carotenoids of Myxobacterales we report on the minor carotenoids of Stigmatella aurantiaca: phytoene, phytofluene, lycopene, -carotene, 4-keto--carotene, 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy--carotene, 4-keto-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy--carotene, 4-keto-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-torulene, and 1,2,1,2-tetrahydro-1,1-dihydroxy-lycopene. These pigments account for about 10% of total carotenoids.     

Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

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Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

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Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

Testosterone and progesterone metabolism in the central nervous system: Cellular localization and mechanism of control of the enzymes involved

Summary This paper summarizes the most recent data obtained in the authors' laboratory on the metabolism of testosterone and progesterone in neurons and in the glia.1. The activities of 5-reductase (the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone; DHT) and of 3-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (the enzyme that converts DHT into 5-androstane-3,17-diol; 3-diol) were first evaluated in primary cultures of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and type-1 and type-2 astrocytes, obtained from the fetal or neonatal rat brain. The formation of DHT and 3-diol was evaluated incubating the different cultures with labeled testosterone or labeled DHT as substrates. The results obtained indicate that the formation of DHT takes place preferentially in neurons; however, also type-2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes possess considerable 5-reductase activity. A completely different localization was observed for 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; the formation of 3-diol appears to be prevalently, if not exclusively, present in type-1 astrocytes; 3-diol is formed in very low yields by neurons, type-2 astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Moreover, the results indicate that, in type 1 astrocytes, both 5-reductase and 3-HSD are stimulated by coculture with neurons and by the addition of neuron-conditioned medium, suggesting that secretory products released by neurons might intervene in the control of glial cell function.2. Subsequently it was shown that, similarly to what happens when testosterone is used as the substrate, 5-reductase, which metabolizes progesterone into 5-pregnane-3,20-dione, (DHP), shows a significantly higher activity in neurons than in glial cells; however, also type-1 and type-2 astrocytes as well as oligodendrocytes possess some ability to 5-reduce progesterone. On the contrary, 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the enzyme which converts DHP into 5-pregnane-3-ol-20-one (THP), appears to be present mainly in type-1 astrocytes; much lower levels of this enzyme are present in neurons and in type-2 astrocytes. At variance with the previous results obtained using androgens as precursors, oligodendrocytes show considerable 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, even if this is statistically lower than that present in type-1 astrocytes. The existence of isoenzymatic forms of the enzymes involved in androgen and progesterone metabolism is discussed.     

Search for A-factor-Dependent Variants in Actinomycete Populations

A study of 28 nocardia-like, asporogenous, and oligosporous spontaneous morphological variants belonging to 23 species of streptomycetes revealed five strains producing regulators of the A-factor group. Streptomyces griseus 1439, which forms aerial mycelium and spores only in the presence of exogenous A-factor, was used as the test strain. Among the 28 spontaneous variants, three new A-factor-dependent strains were revealed, which represented the species Streptomyces griseus, S. citreofluorescens, and S. viridovulgaris subsp. albomarinus. These weakly differentiated variants did not produce A-factor and behaved as its recipients, responding by changes in their morphological characteristics at a concentration of this regulator in the medium of 0.01 g/ml or higher. The original collection strains in whose populations the variants were selected produced substances of the A-factor group. The A-factor-dependent variants differed in the level of the regulator required for maximal expression of the morphological characteristics: it was necessary to introduce the A-factor at a concentration of 1 g/ml for S. citreofluorescens and S. viridovulgaris subsp. albomarinus and at 10 g/ml for S. griseus.     

Cellular localization of glycoside hydrolases inBacteroides fragilis

The localizations of six glycosidases produced byBacteroides fragilis—-glucosidase, -glucosidase, -galactosidase, -galactosidase, -N-acetylglucosaminidase, and -l-fucosidase—were studied. Cell fractions and cell extracts were obtained by Triton X-100 release, by disruption by freeze-pressing and sonication, and by osmotic release. Isoelectric focusing of a cytoplasmic and of a Triton X-100 extract of the cell wall fraction was performed and revealed differences in the relative distribution of differently charged forms of -N-acetylglucosaminidase. -Galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase were used as cytoplasmic and periplasmic markers, respectively. It is concluded that inB. fragilis -glucosidase is periplasmic, -l-fucosidase and -galactosidase are cytoplasmic, and -n-acetylglucosaminidase is cell associated and bound to the cell envelope by hydrophobic interactions. -Glucosidase and -galactosidase are localized cytoplasmically and/or located in the cell envelope.     

Enzymic activities and galactomannan mobilisation in germinating seeds of fenugreek (Trigonella fœnum-graecum L. Leguminosae)

Summary The activities of -galactosidase, -mannosidase and -mannosidase were determined in extracts from the endosperm and from the embryo of fenugreek seeds at different stages of germination. Endosperm homogenates contained little or no activity of the above enzymes in the early stages of germination, before the reserve galactomannan began to be mobilised. The onset of galactomannan breakdown coincided with the appearance of -galactosidase and -mannosidase activities, which increased throughout the period of galactomannan degradation and then remained constant. A similar rise in -galactosidase and -mannosidase activities occurred during galactomannan breakdown in dry-isolated endosperms incubated under germination conditions. The increase could be suppressed by metabolic inhibitors which also inhibit galactomannan breakdown. Embryo homogenates contained high -galactosidase, high -mannosidase and some -mannosidase activity at all stages of germination.No oligomannosyl -1,4 phosphorylase activity could be detected either in the endosperm or in the embryo.It is concluded that the galactomannan of fenugreek is broken down by a series of hydrolases secreted by the aleurone layer of the endosperm. They include -galactosidase, -mannosidase and probably also endo--mannanase.This is part four in a series of papers dealing with galactomannan metabolism. Part three: Planta (Berl.) 106, 44–60 (1972).     

Genetic analysis of bacterial blight resistance in seventy-four cultivars of rice,Oryza sativa L.

Summary The genetics of resistance to bacterial blight, Xanthomonas oryzae (Uyeda and Ishiyama) Dowson, for 74 cultivars of rice, Oryza sativa L., was studied. The PX061 isolate of bacterial blight from the Philippines was used for inoculation of parental and hybrid populations. Single dominant genes at the Xa 4 locus convey resistance in 38 cultivars. Of these, 18 are resistant at all stages of plant growth and thus have the Xa 4 ^aallele for resistance. However, 20 are susceptible up to maximum tillering stage but are resistant at booting and flowering stages. These cultivars have the Xa 4 ^ballele for resistance. Thirty-two cultivars have single recessive genes for resistance which are allelic to xa 5.The resistance in DV85, DV86 and DZ78 is conditioned by two genes. At maximum tillering stage xa 5 conveys resistance. However, at later growth stages an additional dominant gene, designated Xa 7 in DZ78, also gives resistance. The dominant genes of DV85 and DV86 are probably allelic to Xa 7. Xa 7 segregates independently of Xa 4, xa 5 and Xa 6, however like Xa 6, it conveys resistance at booting and post-booting stages only.The resistance in PI 231129 is conditioned by a single recessive gene, designated xa 8. It also segregates independently of Xa 4, xa 5 and Xa 6.     

(T2AG3)n Telomeric Sequence Hybridization Indicating Centric Fusion Rearrangements in the Karyotype of the Rodent Oryzomys Subflavus

Chromosome preparations of 30 specimens of Oryzomys subflavus trapped in eight Brazilian localities were C-, and G-banded and analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Two karyotypes were found, 2n=50/FN=64, at three coastal localities of the Atlantic Forest domain, and 2n=58/FN=70 at two sites located in the Cerrado biome, Brazil Central. Two fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) patterns of the telomeric sequence (T₂AG₃)_n were observed: in both karyotypes the probes hybridized to the telomeres of all chromosomes and also a hybridization signal in the centromeric regions of two autosome pairs was seen in the 2n=50 karyotype. These results, together with the occurrence of other diploid numbers described in the literature, suggest that O. subflavus is a complex species, bearing fusion/fission rearrangements proper to the different biomes which it inhabits.     

Investigations of carotenoids in some faunal elements of the Adriatic Sea. IV-molluscs

The carotenoids in the molluscsClanculus cruciatus, Patella coerulea, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Sepia officinalis andLoligo vulgaris from the Adriatic sea were investigated. Their presence was determined by means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography. The following carotenoids were found inC. cruciatus; mytiloxanthin-like, lutein, lutein ester, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin-like; inP. coerulea: mytiloxanthin-like, lutein, lutein ester, lutein-5,6-epoxide, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin-like; inM. galloprovincialis: -carotene, mytiloxanthin-like, lutein, lutein ester, lutein-5,6-epoxide and zeaxanthin; inS. officinalis: -carotene, lutein, lutein ester, tunaxanthin and zeaxanthin; inL. vulgaris: -carotene, -carotene, -carotene, -cryptoxanthin, isocryptoxanthin, isorenieratene, capsanthin, capsorubin, mutatochrome, triophaxanthin, zeaxanthin, 4-hydroxy--carotene and 4-keto--carotene     

A “Bloom” in the Water of Amursky Bay (Sea of Japan) Caused by the Dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin, 1841

A bloom in the water of Amursky Bay (Sea of Japan) caused by the dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina Dujardin, 1841 was recorded for the first time. The highest density of this species in the bloom area was 443.3 million cells/liter. The abundant development of microalga was observed from July to September 2002 at a water temperature of 17–24.5°C and a salinity of 7–18. Changes in the density of O. marina and other species of phytoplankton during the bloom period are analyzed. Possible reasons for the blooms of O. marina in Amursky Bay are discussed.     

Content of RNA polymerase in haploid and merodiploid strains of Escherichia coli

Summary In cell-free extracts of E. coli merodiploids carrying F-factor with ilv-thi chromosome fragment the activity of RNA polymerase is not increased, and there is no excess of free active core-enzyme or sigma-factor. Only immunochemical analysis reveals 25% excess of RNA polymerase material in some merodiploids as compared to a haploid. However, neither the amount of + relative to total protein nor : ratio does not differ in haploid and merodiploids.     

Characterization of Na,K-ATPase genes in Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis>) and comparative genomic organization with rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

A combination of molecular and in silico approaches was employed to assemble a survey of Na, K-ATPase genes contained in the ancestrally tetraploid genome of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Molecular characterization of genomic clones coding for the subunit revealed two single genes (1a and 2) and two pairs of presumably homeologous genes (1b/i-ii and 1c/i-ii). Each of the six genes showed high sequence similarity to isoforms previously isolated from rainbow trout and extensive structural differences relative to putative orthologs in the human genome. In silico analysis of expressed sequence tag (EST) collections indicated that at least five (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, and 3) and four (1a, 1b, 2, and 3b) subunit isoforms are expressed in Atlantic salmon. Meiotic linkage analysis further showed that Na, K-ATPase genes are dispersed throughout the salmon genome, with the exception of two multigene clusters on linkage groups AS-22 and AS-28. Duplicate gene copies for the isoform 1b were assigned to linkage groups with multiple homeologous anchors (AS-22 and AS-23), while 2 duplicates suggested a new homeologous affinity between AS-05 and AS-28. In addition, the comparison of linkage arrangements with rainbow trout also showed that the genomic organization of Na, K-ATPase genes is consistent with the evolutionary conservation of syntenic chromosome regions between these species.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Linkage of the β-Like ω-Globin Gene to α-Like Globin Genes in an Australian Marsupial Supports the Chromosome Duplication Model for Separation of Globin Gene Clusters

The structure, function, and evolutionary history of globin genes have been the subject of extensive investigation over a period of more than 40 years, yet new globin genes with highly specialized functions are still being discovered and much remains uncertain about their evolutionary history. Here we investigate the molecular evolution of the -globin gene family in a marsupial species, the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii. We report the complete DNA sequences of two -like globin genes and show by phylogenetic analyses that one of these genes is orthologous to embryonically expressed -globin genes of marsupials and eutherians and the other is orthologous to adult expressed -globin genes of marsupials and eutherians. We show that the tammar wallaby contains a third functional -like globin gene, -globin, which forms part of the -globin gene cluster. The position of -globin on the 3 side of the -globin cluster and its ancient phylogenetic history fit the criteria, originally proposed by Jeffreys et al. (1980), of a fossil -globin gene and suggest that an ancient chromosome or genome duplication preceded the evolution of unlinked clusters of - and -globin genes in mammals and avians. In eutherian mammals, such as humans and mice, -globin has been silenced or translocated away from the -globin locus, while in marsupials -globin is coordinately expressed with the adult -globin gene just prior to birth to produce a functional hemoglobin (_{2 2}).