A new actinomycete strain SK4-6 producing secondary metabolite effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

A new actinomycete strain designated SK4-6, was isolated. This organism exhibited strong activity against bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus, in addition to the causative agents of Candidiasis and Aspergillosis diseases, Candida albicans and Aspergillus species respectively. Morphological and chemical studies indicated that this organism belongs to the genus Streptomyces. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence of strain SK4-6 showed a high similarity, 99%, with S. qinlingensis. Optimization of cultural conditions was carried out using Plackett–Burman statistical design where seven variables were examined. Starch, pH and inoculum size showed a positive effect on the production of the active substances, however, sucrose, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and yeast extract repress the production.     

Sucrose protectable inhibition of the sucrose transporter by N-ethylmaleimide

To understand contradictory data published in the literature,the sensitivity of sucrose and of valine uptake to N-ethylmaleimide(NEM) was reinvestigated in detail with plasma membrane vesiclespurified by phase partitioning from mature sugar beet (Betavulgaris) leaves. Uptake in the vesicles was energized by anartificial proton-motive force combining a pH gradient and anelectrical gradient. Three main parameters were varied in theexperiments: the presence of a reducing agent, dlthiothreitol(DTT) In the medium used to store the vesicles, the temperatureof pretreatment with NEM (12 or 23°C) and the temperatureof incubation with the labelled substrate (12 or 23°C).Sensitivity of sucrose uptake to NEM only appeared with vesiclesthat had been stored in the presence of DTT, and if the pretreatmentwas run at 23°C. The temperature of incubation with labelledsucrose did not affect NEM sensitivity. The NEM sensitivityof valine uptake was not affected in the same way as sucroseuptake by the temperature of preincubation, showing that theeffects observed were specific for a given transporter. Underconditions which normally inhibit sucrose uptake, addition ofsucrose during NEM pretreatment protected the sucrose transporteragainst NEM inhibition. Key words: Sugar transport, plasma membrane, differential labelling, thiol reagents     

Aflatoxin-B1 inhibition of spermatogenesis in the toad Bufo regularis

Aflatoxin-B1 was injected in a dose of 0.01 mg/50 g body weight into the dorsal lymph sac of male toads (Bufo regularis) to evaluate its effect on the testes. After three and six weeks' treatment the diameters of the seminiferous tubules were significantly reduced. Furthermore, spermatogenic cells were almost completely absent. The histological evidence also showed complete suppression of spermatogenesis. It is suggested that one or several AFB1 metabolites may be responsible for suppression of spermatogenesis in the given toads, through inhibition of testicular androgenic activity.