Extracellular suppression allows mating by pheromone-deficient sterile mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MAT alpha haploids with mutations in the STE13 or KEX2 gene, and MATa haploids with mutations in the STE6 or STE14 gene, do not mate with wild-type cells of the opposite mating type. We found that such mutants were able to mate with partners that carry mutations (sst1 and sst2) that cause cells to be supersensitive to yeast mating pheromone action. Mating ability of MAT alpha ste13 and MAT alpha kex2 mutants could also be restored by adding normal MAT alpha cells to mating mixtures or by adding just the appropriate purified pheromone (alpha-factor). Therefore, the mating deficiencies caused by the ste13 and kex2 lesions, and by inference, the ste6 and ste14 mutations, appear to result only from secretion of an insufficient amount of pheromone or a nonfunctional pheromone.     

Prostaglandin-sepharose: Application to the purification of bovine lung 15 (S) -hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase

Prostaglandins E₁, F_1α and A₂ were covalently joined to the surface of Sepharose as carboxamide linkages. The insolubilized prostaglandins were shown to function effectively in the purification of 15(S) -hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.     

Ruptured fission yeast walls

Distributions of rupture sites of fission yeast cells ruptured by glass beads have been related to a new morphometric analysis. As shown previously (Johnson et al.,Cell Biophysics, 1995), ruptures were not randomly distributed nor was their distribution dictated by geometry, rather, ruptures at the extensile end were related to cell length just as the rate of extension is related to cell length. The extension patterns of early log, mid-log, late log, and stationary phase cells from suspension cultures were found to approximate the linear growth patterns of Kubitschek and Clay (1986). The median length of cells was found to decline through the log phase in an unbalanced manner.     

Block of axoplasmic transport in vitro by vinca alkaloids

The three potent antimitotic vinca alkaloids: vincristine (VCR), vinblastine (VLB), and vindesine (VDS) were compared for their effect in blocking axoplasmic transport in vitro using a desheathed preparation of the peroneal branch of cat sciatic nerve. A range of vinca alkaloid concentrations from 1–100μM was examined. The relative order of potency in blocking axoplasmic transport was VCR > VLB > VDS at a concentration of 25μM. At the higher concentrations block occurred so rapidly that a statistically significant difference between these agents could not be obtained. The relation of vinca block ot the transport mechanism is discussed.     

Initial synthesis of globin peptide chains in differentiating embryonic red blood cells

The initial time of synthesis of globin polypeptide chains in differentiating red cells has been delineated. Three analytical techniques were used, namely, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, acid urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that globin peptide chains are synthesized in proerythroblasts at the initial time when globin mRNA first enters into the cytoplasm, and there is no apparent time gap between these two events.     

Toxic shock syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A case is presented of toxic shock syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Toxic shock syndrome is rarely reported in patients who are immunosuppressed, perhaps because such patients are often treated vigorously with antibiotics at the earliest sign of infection. The association in this case may have been coincidental.     

Sequential passage of alpha2mu-globulin through the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus during secretion.

Studies on the synthesis and secretion of the sex-dependent urinary protein, alpha2mu-globulin, have been extended by establishing its sequential passage from the rough to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-rich fractions of the liver of adult male rats. After injection of 14C-labeled amino acids, the maximum radioactivity of alpha2mu occurred at 20 min in the rough, 25 min in the smooth microsomes and 30 or 35 min in the Golgi-rich fractions. Radioactive alpha2mu-globulin appeared in the bloodstream and kidneys after a lag of 20--25 min. Results indicate that alpha2mu-globulin follows a secretory pathway similar to that of serum albumin.     

Clinical manifestations of taeniasis in Taiwan aborigines.

From 1974 to 1989, a total of 24,500 aborigines at 67 villages in ten mountainous districts/towns in Taiwan were examined for the Taiwan Taenia infection and 12% were found to be infected. In order to define the clinical manifestations of taeniasis caused by the Taiwan Taenia, 1661 aborigines in ten mountainous districts were surveyed. The overall clinical rate was 76%. The clinical rate was highest among Atayal aborigines (81%), followed by Bunun (66%) and Yami (61%) aborgines and lowest among Ami aborigines (40%). Among 1153 infected people, 10% had passed gravid segments in the faeces for less than 1 year, 24% for 1-3 years, 17% for 4-5 years, 23% for 6-10 years, 16% for 11-20 years, 7% for 21-30 years, and 3% over 30 years. Twenty-six occurrences of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms were reported by 1258 infected persons. Passing proglottides in the faeces (95%) was the most frequent sign, followed by pruritis ani (77%), nausea (46%), abdominal pain (45%), dizziness (42%), increased appetite (30%), headache (26%), etc.