Hemoglobin Dallas (α97(G4)Asn→Lys):functional characterization of a high oxygen affinity natural mutant

Hemoglobin Dallas, an α-chain variant with a substitution of lysine for asparagine at position 97(G4), was found to have increased oxygen affinity ($\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1}\text{mmHg at pH}\text{7.3}\text{and}\text{20°C), diminished cooperativity (0n,}\text{the Hill coefficient}\text{= 1.7}$) and reduced Bohr effect (about 50%). Addition of allosteric effectors (such as 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, inositol hexakisphosphate and bezafibrate) led to a decrease in oxygen affinity and increase in cooperative energy. Kinetic studies at pH 7.0 and 20°C revealed that (i), the overall rate of oxygen dissociation is 1.4-fold slower than that for HbA and (ii), the carbon monoxide dissociation rate is unaffected. The abnormal properties of this hemoglobin variant can be atttributed to a more ‘relaxed’ T-state.     

The morphology,taxonomy and evolution ofRhodocoma (Restionaceae)

The vegetative and reproductive morphology, culm and rhizome anatomy and seed surface micromorphology ofRhodocoma are described. It is shown that this variation is best contained by recognizing three new species in the genus. These new taxa are described, and the phylogeny of the genus is investigated by cladistic analysis. The environmental parameters and distributions of the species are related to the cladogram. This suggests that the species are at present ecologically separated, and indicates that the speciation may have been sympatric. This is the first support for the hypothesis that sympatric speciation may have been important in the speciose Cape flora.     

Resistance in the wild crop relatives Avena macrostachya and Hordeum bogdani to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi

In previous screening tests the two wild crop relatives Avena macrostachya (Bal., ex Coss. et Dur.) and Hordeum bogdani (Wil.) demonstrated a high degree of resistance to the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). In a choice situation using wild and cultivated oats and barley, alate aphids settled in lower numbers on the wild species. The results were, however, variable in the Avena combination. Nymph production was significantly higher, development time shorter and adult weight higher on the cultivated varieties. From the third instar and onwards the excretion of honeydew was significantly lower on the resistant plants. In general the honeydew contained less than 1% free amino acids although excreta from H. vulgare contained 3.5%. The percentage of free amino acids found in the honeydew was similar for all plant species (5.2–7.6%) except for H. vulgare, on which the aphids excreted 22% of the amounts ingested. Amino acids excreted in high proportions on all plants included asparagine, -aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, and glycine. Tissue sectioning did not reveal any obvious mechanical barriers to stylet penetration. The potential use of these wild species as sources for aphid resistance breeding in oats and barley is considered.

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Résumè Lors d'examens systématiques antérieurs, Avena macrostachya (Bal. ex Coss. & Dur.) et Hordeum bogdani (Wil.) ont présenté une résistance élevée au puceron Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). Lorsqu'ils avaient un choix comprenant de l'avoine et de l'orge cultivés, les pucerons ailés ont atterri en nombres moins importants sur les espèces sauvages. Les résultats étaient cependant variables dans le complexe avoine. La production de nymphes et le poids des adultes étaient plus élevés sur espèces cultivées, ainsi que la durée du développement était plus longue sur les espèces sauvages. A partir du troisième stade, l'excrétion de miellat a été significativement plus faible sur les espèces résistantes. En général, le miellat y contenait moins de 1% d'acides aminés bien que sur H. vulgare il en contînt 3,5%. Les pourcentages d'acides aminés libres du miellat étaient semblables sur toutes les plantes (5,2–7,6%), à l'exception de H. vulgare sur lequel les pucerons excrétaient 22% des taux ingérés. Les acides aminés excrétés en fortes quantités sur les différentes plantes, comprenaient l'asparagine, l'acide -aminobutyrique, l'acide glutamique et la glycine. Des coupes de tissus n'ont révélé aucun obstacle mécanique clair à la pénétration des stylets. Les possibilités d'utiliser ces espèces sauvages comme source de résistance aux pucerons dans la sélection de l'avoine et de l'orge ont été examinées.

     

Initiation and development of wound tissue and roots on hypocotyl cuttings of Pinus sylvestris in vitro

The rooting of hypocotyl cuttings from 20-day-old seedlings of Pinus sylvestris L. cultured in vitro is discussed. About 40% of the cuttings cultured on medium lacking activated charcoal produced roots during the first two months. When activated charcoal was added to the medium, either root formation (75% formed roots) or wound tissue growth (95% formed large wound tissues) was stimulated in different experiments. These large wound tissues did not develop any roots. The anatomical changes in the basal part of the cuttings were similar during the first two weeks in all the cuttings studied. A vascular cylinder composed of short tracheids with many pores developed. Thereafter the differentiation process became varied. The amount of wound tissue produced and the time for rooting differed among the cuttings. Tracheid nests which were in contact with the vascular system in the hypocotyl via short tracheids were observed after three weeks. Subsequently, roots developed from the tracheid nests. The longer root formation was delayed, the larger the wound tissue became.
Short tracheids were found close to the wound tissue surface. Their ability to adsorb nutrients and water is discussed.     

Studies in the floral morphology and anatomy of nymphaeales

Floral morphology ofBrasenia schreberi Gmel. andCabomba caroliniana A. Gray was observed chiefly from an anatomical point of view. The receptacle ofB. schreberi is rather flat and a vascular plexus is observable in the mature flower. The vasculature in this plexus is so complex taht it is not easy to trace its structure in detail. by observation on small buds, it can be seen that the receptacular vasculature consists of a girdling bundle in the basal area and usually nine receptacular strands from which traces to the petals and stamens branch off. The vasculature in the receptacle is reconstructed and diagramatically shown as though split longitudinally and spread out in one plane. Floral vasculature inCabomba caroliniana is simpler, and is probably related to the smaller number of stamens and carpels. It also has a girdling bundle at the bottom of receptacle and this vasculature is suggested to be derived by simplification from aBrasenia-type vasculature. Evidence from floral anatomy suggests that these two genera are closely related. InNymphaea, a vascular plexus in the receptacle is also observed (Moseley, 1961; Ito 1983). The plexus ofBrasenia andNymphaea are not the same in their construction. Nevertheless, their fundamental floral vasculature is comparable and it is preferable to place them in the same family or same order.     

Anatomical Studies of Haustorium Ontogeny and the Remarkable Mode of Penetration of the Haustorium in Nuytsiafloribunda (Labill.) R. Br.

The development and structure of secondary haustoria of Nuytsia floribunda are described and compared with other Santalalean haustoria. After establishing contact with the host root, cortical folds of the haustorium grow around the root in separate directions and fuse forming a ring around it. At an early stage of development, meristematic tissue differentiates in the interior proximal part of the haustorium. Zones of collapsed layers are present in the outer cortical region. Subsequently, in the proximal part, two vascular cores, two lysigenous cavities and extensive masses of sclerenchyma develop prior to penetration of the host root. The sclerenchymatous cells form a characteristic structure, described as the sclerenchyma prong. During penetration the intrusive part of the haustorium reaches not only the host xylem but continues growing downwards until it entirely splits the host root. Comparable to a guillotine, the sclerenchyma prong is directly involved in this remarkable process. The sclerenchyma prong finally lies in the distal part of the haustorium. Following this mechanical slicing of the host root, tube-like cells of the intrusive part actively penetrate the host xylem in an axial direction.