DNA environment of the aerobactin iron uptake system genes in prototypic ColV plasmids.

The aerobactin iron uptake system genes in the prototypic plasmid pColV-K30 are flanked by inverted copies of insertion sequence IS1 and by two distinct replication regions. To address the question of how these flanking regions may facilitate the maintenance and spread of the aerobactin system among the plasmids and chromosomes of enteric species, we investigated the DNA environment of 12 ColV plasmids. We found that the aerobactin system-specific genes are conserved in every plasmid phenotypically positive for the aerobactin system. The upstream IS1 and its overlapping replication region (REPI) are also conserved. This replication region was cloned from several ColV plasmids and found to be functional by transforming these cloned derivatives into a polA bacterial host. In contrast, the downstream flanking region is variable. This includes the downstream copy of IS1 and the downstream replication region (REPII). We infer from these results that sequences in addition to the two flanking copies of IS1, in particular the upstream region including REPI, have been instrumental in the preservation and possible spread of aerobactin genes among ColV plasmids and other members of the FI incompatibility group.     

烟草花粉管亚原生质体的分离和培养行为

应用酶法从烟草花粉管分离出大量亚原生质体。具核的和无核的亚原生质体之比约为1:1。这种亚原生质体在D_2培养基中培养后,不论有核的或是无核的都能生长管状结构和再生厚的壁。管状结构的生长有节律性,常呈结节状。随着管状结构的生长,细胞内含物逐渐流入生长中的管状结构内,有时会从薄的管状结构的顶端排出到培养液中。已生长管状结构的亚原生质体,具核的和无核的比例约为1:1.7,表明管状结构的生长和壁的再生与是否有核的存在无关。对酶液处理后花粉管亚原生质体从花粉管的释放和从单独的花粉管亚原生质体生长管状结构的过程,进行了活体连续观察和照相记录。实验结果说明,结节状的管状结构确实是从单独的一个亚原生质体形成的。管状结构的生长和壁的再生似乎与细胞质进入新生的管状结构有关。讨论了花粉管亚原生质体在植物遗传操作中应用的可能性。     

Purification and Characterization of an Iminopeptidase from the Primary Leaf of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Iminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.5) was substantially purified from the primary leaves of 7-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.). The purification procedure consisted of five steps: acid precipitation, molecular exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, Ultrogel AcA 44, Sepharose 2B and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Iminopeptidase isolated in this manner was only active against the β-naphthylamides of proline and hydroxyproline. For each substrate, the pH optimum was 7.4 and activity was sensitive to sulfhydryl group inhibitors. The iminopeptidase hydrolyzed the dipeptides Pro-Leu, Pro-Gly, Hyp-Gly, and Pro-Tyr. Iminopeptidase activity against the dipeptide Pro-Gly was higher than against Hyp-Gly. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 400,000. Evidence was obtained for the existence of endogenous inhibitors of iminopeptidase activity.     

Asymptomatic Significant Bacteriuria in the Non-pregnant Woman: II. Response to Treatment and Follow-up

Short courses of nitrofurantoin and ampicillin produced an immediate cure in 80% of adult non-pregnant bacteriuric women. Of the subjects so treated, 55% remained cured at the end of one year. Over the same follow-up period 36% of untreated bacteriuric women developed a spontaneous remission of bacteriuria. Treatment failed to prevent the development of symptomatic infection, and the reinfections which followed successful treatment were more commonly associated with the development of symptoms than the persistent or relapsing infections in untreated or unsuccessfully treated subjects.It is concluded that a search for bacteriuria in non-pregnant women is unlikely to be of value as a preventive measure, since in many instances it fails to detect urinary tract infection at an early stage and since treatment by methods suitable for large-scale use is ineffective.     

Effect of Nitrofurans and Chlortetracycline on Microorganisms Associated with Shrimp

Nitrofuran AF-2 displayed greater inhibitory effect than did nitrofuran Z when a mixed bacterial culture, including several proteolytic bacteria, isolated from shrimp was subjected to these compounds in vitro. Nitrofuran Z exhibited greater bactericidal properties than did chlortetracycline in all cultures used. Only 10 mug of nitrofuran AF-2 per ml was sufficient to inhibit the growth of mixed bacteria in nutrient broth, whereas 50 mug of nitrofuran Z per ml was necessary to accomplish the same inhibition. A 50-mug amount of chlortetracycline per ml displayed about the same inhibitory effect as either 10 mug of AF-2 per ml or 20 mug of Z per ml. The isolated proteolytic bacteria showed greater suppression of growth when subjected to AF-2 than when subjected to Z; however, both nitrofurans were effective in preventing growth. The addition of either 1 mug of AF-2 per ml or 5 mug of Z per ml to nutrient broth inhibited the growth of Achromobacter aquarmarinus, whereas chlortetracycline was less effective, requiring about 20 mug to suppress growth to the same degree.     

Studies on Microbial Ribonucleic Acid VI. Appearance of Methyl-deficient Transfer Ribonucleic Acid During Logarithmic Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) that is deficient in methyl groups may be detected in logarithmically growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The amount of methyl-deficient tRNA is not constant throughout the logarithmic phase, but is maximal about one generation before the onset of the late growth phase. During this latter phase, the tRNA is fully methylated. The methyl-deficient tRNA is present during a period of high metabolic activity of the cell, characterized by increased RNA and protein content.     

Biased gene conversion is not occurring among rDNA repeats in the Brassica triangle.

Hybridization is a common phenomenon that results in complex genomes. How ancestral genomes interact in hybrids has long been of great interest. Recombination among ancestral genomes may increase or decrease genetic variation. This study examines rDNA from members of the Brassica triangle for evidence of gene conversion across ancestral genomes. Gene conversion is a powerful force in the evolution of multigene families. It has previously been shown that biased gene conversion can act to homogenize rDNA repeats within hybrid genomes. Here, we find no evidence for biased gene conversion or unequal crossing over across ancestral genomes in allotetraploid Brassica species. We suggest that, while basic genomic processes are shared by all organisms, the relative frequency of these processes and their evolutionary importance may differ among lineages. Key words : Brassica, rDNA, gene conversion, allotetraploids.