Studies on the binding site of the galactose-specific agglutinin PA-IL from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The binding properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa agglutinin-I (PA-IL) with glycoproteins (gps) and polysaccharides were studied by both the biotin/avidin-mediated microtiter plate lectin-binding assay and the inhibition of agglutinin-glycan interaction with sugar ligands. Among 36 glycans tested for binding, PA-IL reacted best with two glycoproteins containing Galalpha1-->4Gal determinants and a human blood group ABO precursor equivalent gp, but this lectin reacted weakly or not at all with A and H active gps or sialylated gps. Among the mammalian disaccharides tested by the inhibition assay, the human blood group Pkactive Galalpha1-->4Gal, was the best. It was 7.4-fold less active than melibiose (Galalpha1-->6Glc). PA-IL has a preference for the alpha-anomer in decreasing order as follows: Galalpha1-->6 >Galalpha1-->4 >Galalpha1-->3. Of the monosaccharides studied, the phenylbeta derivatives of Gal were much better inhibitors than the methylbeta derivative, while only an insignificant difference was found between the Galalpha anomer of methyl- and p -NO2-phenyl derivatives. From these results, it can be concluded that the combining size of the agglutinin is as large as a disaccharide of the alpha-anomer of Gal at nonreducing end and most complementary to Galalpha1-->6Glc. As for the combining site of PA-IL toward the beta-anomer, the size is assumed to be less than that of Gal; carbon-6 in the pyranose form is essential, and hydrophobic interaction is important for binding.      

The periodic swarming of Anchistioides antiguensis

Observations from the jetty of the Biological Station, Bermuda, of the appearance of Anchistioides antiguensis (Schmitt) at the surface over a short period in 1934 and eight months in 1935 are recorded, and show definite periodicity sometimes of sufficient intensity to merit the term swarming.
The periodicity coincides with the two weeks of the lunar cycle when the moon wanes from the last quarter to the first quarter of the new cycle. It appears to consist of two maximum appearances separated by an interval of some days.
Direct lunar influence, sex and the reproductive period, the surface-temperature, wind and weather, and the state of the tide are shown to have no connexion with swarming.
An explanation is suggested based on the feeding habits and depending on the periodic activity of the worms that form the food. The double maximum of the swarming period is shown to represent two stages of growth.