Homoserine kinase from Escherichia coli K-12: properties, inhibition by L-threonine, and regulation of biosynthesis

We have partially purified homoserine kinase from a genetically derepressed strain of Escherichia coli K-12. The optimum pH of the enzyme-substrate reaction was 7.8 and the K(m) values for l-homoserine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate were both 3 x 10(-4) M. K(+) (or NH(4) (+)) as well as Mg(2+) were required for its activity. The sedimentation coefficient determined by ultracentrifugation in a sucrose density gradient was 5.0 +/- 0.25S. l-Homoserine was an excellent protector against heat inactivation of homoserine kinase. l-Threonine was a competitive inhibitor of homoserine kinase, suggesting that end-product inhibition of this enzyme plays a role in vivo in the overall regulation of threonine biosynthesis. The specific activity of aspartokinase I-homoserine dehydrogenase I and of homoserine kinase showed a strong positive correlation in extracts from strains under widely varying conditions of genetic or physiological derepression; it was concluded that these two enzymes are coordinately regulated in E. coli K-12.     

Experiments on whether schooling by their prey affects the hunting behaviour of cephalopods and fish predators

The experiments investigated the effects of a school of live prey fish on the hunting behaviour of squid, cuttlefish and pike (ambush predators) and perch (a chasing predator). The hunting behaviour of all species is described, including some previously unrecorded actions.
For all species the increasing shoal size from one fish to six, to 20, decreased the success of the predators' attacks per encounter with a prey. This was partly because attacks on larger shoals lasted longer, and fish became increasingly difficult to catch as a hunt went on. However, for some of the species there was a clear effect of the shoals at the start of the hunt. For other species it was less conclusive.
The disruptive effect of the shoals was shown to act for the ambush predators by interfering with the "optimal" sequence of an attack and causing avoidance actions together with so-called irrelevant behaviour. For the perch, shoals seemed to disrupt by forcing the predator continually to switch targets during his pursuit.
The artificiality of the experiments is discussed in relation to field observations. The relatively high incidence of avoidance and irrelevant behaviour seems to be an artefact, but the main results are quite compatible with field studies. In nature fish predators may be able to get sufficient food by restricting their attacks to individuals which are conspicuous either by an abnormal appearance or by becoming separated from the school. An individual prey fish no doubt gains a considerable advantage from the school by burying itself in the crowd. Our experiments show that a shoal can provide further protection in hampering the attack of a predator.     

Histochemical changes in the developing abscission layer in fruits of Prunus cerasus L.

Summary Abscission layer formation in the sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) during fruit maturation occurred in the transition zone between the fruit and the pedicel. The abscission layer, consisting of 5–8 rows of cells, was first identified by its low affinity for haematoxylin. The walls of cells in the abscission layer contained less total polysaccharides than adjacent cells. The pectins were degraded and the cellulose was partially broken down resulting in cell separation. The Ca level in the abscission zone decreased and Ca and Mg were lost from the walls of cells in the layer during abscission. After the abscission layer formed, cells associated with the layer had a lower capacity to bind ⁴⁵Ca than cells distal or proximal to the layer.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 4607     

Formation of mitochondria in Boderia (Protozoa: Foraminiferida)

Summary Approximately 25 per cent of the mitochondria in one day old, rapidly growing, schizonts of Boderia vary considerably in their morphology from the consistently spherical organelles present in adult animals. Mitochondrial biogenesis by division is indicated and illustrated. The internal reorganisation of the mitochondrion which occurs prior to fission has not been reported previously for this organelle.     

Autoradiographische Untersuchungen zur funktionellen und pathologischen Kernschwellung in der Rattenleber nach Fütterung von Thioacetamid

Summary In the liver parenchyma of rats a markedly increase of the nuclear volume occurs after the application of thioacetamide. According to autoradiographic and morphological criterions this nuclear enlargement can be separated into a functional and a pathological swelling. In case of the functional swelling the rate of incorporation for H³-phenylalanine and H³-cytidine in the karyoplasm — as a measurement for protein and ribonucleic acid metabolism — is proportional to the nuclear volume. But in case of the pathological swelling the incorporation of these precursors is very much lower. In the functional swollen as well as in normal nuclei the volumetrical nucleolus/karyoplasm ratio can serve as an expression of the synthetic activity of both nuclear components. Yet this relation does not exist in pathological swollen nuclei. Therefore the functional swelling of the nucleus in comparison with the normal synthetic activities of the nucleus (karyoplasm + nucleolus) is an increased stage of function with completely preserved nuclear productivity. The pathological swelling however is a decreased state of function with a decompensated nuclear capacity.

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Die autoradiographischen Arbeiten wurden im Institut für Medizinische Isotopenforschung der Universität Köln (Leiter: Prof. Dr. W. Maurer) durchgeführt, für die Synthese der tritiierten Aminosäure danken wir Herrn Dr. Dr. K. Hempel.

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Die Arbeit lag 1963 der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Würzburg als Teil einer Habilitationsschrift vor. Sie wurde durch Mittel des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaftliche Forschung ermöglicht.     

Une oasis aquatique à faune relique dans la Plaine du Danube inférieur

Résumé Etude d'un complexe de sources, situé dans la Plaine du Danube Inférieur (= Plaine Roumaine ou Plains de Valachie), à 100 m d'alt. environ. La station se caractérise par un complexe de facteurs uniques dans ce coin de (Europe: abondance de l'eau phréatique froide sortant à jour sur une surface restreinte, protection efficace grâce à une saulaie compacte, variété des substrats et abondance des sources trophiques. Ces éléments rendent possible l'existence d'une faune relique, comprenant rotifères, tardigrades, coléoptères, trichoptères, hydracariens, etc., espèces ayant ici leur seule station de la Plaine Roumaine. Les espèces qu'on signale dans le travail sont soit formes de montagne, soit à aréal septentrional ou septentrional-occidental, soit, enfin, caractéristiques pour les tourbières d'altitude, souvent même pour les tourbières acides à Sphagnum. On considère la faune du complexe de Corbii Ciungi comme un rests remarquable de la faune aquatique ayant peuplé la Plaine Roumaine antérieurement à la mise en friche sauvage des forêts et à l'extension impétueuse de l'agriculture, phénomènes ayant radicalement transformé ce territoire.