Phenolic acid effects on peanut growth and oil production

Plants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. PG No. 1) were given two foliar sprays of phenolic compounds (H-acid, 1, 2, 4-acid, resorcinol and RD-Brown) at 100 and 200 ppm, 35 and 50 days after sowing. In treated plants, shelling %, yield (kg/ha), number of gynophores per plant and number of pods per plant were significantly greater than in the control. Oil content of kernels also showed a significant increase with all the phenolic compounds applied. These compounds increased the linoleic acid concentration so improving nutritional quality. The number of gynophores was significantly correlated with the number of pods per plant and yield per hectare. The effect of phenolic compounds on growth and development was independent of their structural configuration.     

Distribution and characterization of the opioid octapeptide met5-enkephalin-arg6-gly7-leu8 in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat

Summary The distribution and characterization of the opioid octapeptide met⁵-enkephalin-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ (met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸) within the gastrointestinal tract of the rat has been determined by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay by use of a newly developed antibody to met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸. With both techniques, met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸-immunoreactivity (met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸IR) was detected in all regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract except the esophagus. The highest concentration of immunoreactive met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ was observed in the colon, while intermediate concentrations were found in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Immunostained somata were observed chiefly in the myenteric plexus; immunostained processes were present primarily in the myenteric plexus and the circular muscle layer. This distribution pattern is similar to that previously observed with antiserum to met⁵-enkephalin-arg⁶-phe⁷ (met⁵-enk-arg⁶phe⁷). Chromatographic analysis of met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷leu⁸-immunoreactive peptides extracted from the GI tract revealed the presence of an immunoreactive peptide of high molecular weight which accounted for approximately three-quarters of met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸-IR in both stomach and colon. These findings suggest a role for peptides related to the octapeptide met⁵-enk-arg⁶-gly⁷-leu⁸ in the regulation of GI function.     

Systematic study ofOsbertia (Asteraceae-Astereae)

Osbertia, a stoloniferous group confined to the montane regions of Mexico and adjacent Guatemala, was first proposed as a genus byGreene (1895), but most workers have retained the taxon as part ofHaplopappus. It is clearly closer toNoticastrum, Erigeron orHeterotheca than it is toHaplopappus sensu stricto. The present treatment recognizes two species, a widespread highly variableOsbertia stolonifera and a newly describedO. chihuahuana from northwestern Mexico. Distribution maps, distinguishing features, full synonymy and illustrations are presented.     

Molecular cloning of the F8 fimbrial antigen from Escherichia coli

Abstract The genetic determinant coding for the P-specific F8 fimbriae was cloned from the chromosome of the Escherichia coli wild-type strain 2980 (O18:K5:H5:F1C, F8). The F8 determinant was further subcloned into the Pst I site of pBR322 and a restriction map was established. In a Southern hybridization experiment identity between the chromosomally encoded F8 determinant of 2980 and its cloned counterpart was demonstrated. The cloned F8 fimbriae and those of the wild type strain consist of a protein subunit of nearly 20 kDa. F8 fimbriated strains were agglutinated by an F8 polyclonal antiserum, caused mannose-resistant hemagglutination and attached to human uroepithelial cells. The cloned F8 determinant was well expressed in a variety of host strains.     

Ethylene production and β-cyanoalanine synthase activity in carnation flowers

The relationship between ethylene production and the CN^--assimilating enzyme -cyanoalanine synthase (CAS; EC 4.4.1.9) was examined in the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flower. In petals from cut flowers aged naturally or treated with ethylene to accelerate senescence the several hundred-fold increase in ethylene production which occurred during irreversible wilting was accompanied by a one- to twofold increase in CAS activity. The basal parts of the petal, which produced the most ethylene, had the highest CAS activity. Studies of flower parts (styles, ovaries, receptacles, petals) showed that the styles had a high level of CAS together with the ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) system for converting 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene. The close association between CAS and EFE found in styles could also be observed in detached petals after induction by ACC or ethylene. Treatment of the cut flowers with cycloheximide reduced synthesis of CAS and EFE. The data indicate that CAS and ethylene production are associated, and are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that CN^- is formed during the conversion of ACC to ethylene.Abbreviations ACC 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid - AVG aminoethoxyvinylglyoine - CAS -cyanoalanine synthase - CHI cycloheximide - EFE ethylene-forming enzyme     

Binding of 8-bromoguanylic acid to ribonuclease T1 as studied by absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy

8-Bromoguanosine 2'- and 3'-phosphates have been shown to bind to RNase T1 with the same affinity as the corresponding guanosine phosphates, inducing difference absorption and circular dichroism spectra similar to those induced by the guanosine phosphates. Since the brominated ligands have reduced electron density on N-7 of the guanine ring and syn-fixed conformation due to a bulky, electron-withdrawing Br substituent on C-8, the difference spectra are not attributable to the protonation on N-7 and to the restriction of the ligand to syn-conformation as proposed previously.     

Capacitance--voltage relationship in phospholipid bilayers containing gangliosides

Changes in the position of the minimum of the parabolic capacitance-voltage curve allow the measurement of the amount of ganglioside present in artificial bilayers made with phosphatidylcholine-ganglioside mixtures and asymmetrically shielded with Ca2+. The screening effect of the ionic solution must be considered. With ganglioside/phospholipid molar ratios of up to 15%, all glycolipids can be found at the membrane surfaces.     

Comparison of six rabbit liver cytochrome P-450 isozymes in formation of a reactive metabolite of acetaminophen

This laboratory has recently reported the isolation of an ethanol-inducible form of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450, designated isozyme 3a. In view of the reports of others that the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen is increased in ethanol-treated animals and the human alcoholic, we have determined the activity of the six available P-450 isozymes in the activation of the drug to give an intermediate which forms a conjugate with reduced glutathione. Isozymes 3a, 4, and 6, all of which are present in significant amounts in the liver microsomes from rabbits chronically administered ethanol, exhibited the highest activities in the reconstituted enzyme system, whereas isozymes 3b and 3c were 10- to 20-fold less effective, and phenobarbital-inducible isozyme 2 was essentially inactive, even in the presence of cytochrome b5. The results obtained thus indicate that induction by ethanol of P-450 isozyme 3a (or a homologous enzyme in other species) may contribute to the toxicity of acetaminophen but that other cytochromes also play a significant role.     

The postribosomal particle of rabbit liver contains protein-synthesis factors and serum albumin mRNA

As demonstrated by indirect immunoprecipitation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, an 85S particle separated by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation from the postribosomal pellet of rabbit liver, is able to synthesize serum albumin if supplemented with both ribosomal subunits and sources of energy. It is retained on heparin bound to Sepharose 4B, contains translatable mRNA and apparently all protein factors required for translation. This particle may represent a highly organized protein synthesizing machinery, the combination of which with ribosomes results in formation of new protein molecules.     

Differentiated inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in L1210 cells by 8-methoxypsoralen

The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein was measured in L1210 cells following treatment with 8-methoxypsoralen in combination with long wavelength ultraviolet irradiation. The results show that the DNA synthesis is strongly inhibited (approximately 95%) at 200 ng/ml reaching a minimum within 2 hours while RNA synthesis is only weakly affected at this concentration (approximately 40% inhibition). At 2 micrograms/ml the RNA synthesis is inhibited approximately 90%. Even at this concentration only a moderate effect is seen on the protein synthesis. These results strongly indicate that the phototoxic action of 8-methoxypsoralen is primarily due to inhibition of DNA synthesis.