Kaolin particle films suppress many apple pests, disrupt natural enemies and promote woolly apple aphid

Multiple applications of hydrophobic kaolin particle film in apple orchards suppressed numbers of blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum), brown leaf weevil (Phyllobius oblongus), attelabid weevil (Caenorhinus pauxillus), leafhoppers (Empoasca vitis and Zygina flammigera) and green apple aphid (Aphis pomi) colonies. The kaolin treatments reduced the apple sawfly (Hoplocampa testudinea) fruit infestation on cultivar J. Grieve, and the fruit damage caused by oyster scale (Quadraspidiotus ostreaeformis), mussel scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi), early caterpillars, leaf rolling moths (Tortricidae), fruitlet‐mining tortrix moth (Pammene rhediella) and codling moth (Cydia pomonella). There was no effect on the number of colonies of rosy leaf curling aphid (Dysaphis devecta), nor on the fruit damage caused by common earwig (Forficula auricularia) and apple sawfly on cv. G. Delicious. The level of infestation of rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea), leaf miner moths (Phyllonorycter blancardella, Lyonetia clerkella), and agromyzid flies (Phytomyza heringiana) increased in the kaolin‐treated plots. Kaolin treatments promoted woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) infestation, which became severe, while it reduced the abundance of polyphagous predators like F. auricularia, predaceous Heteroptera and Coleoptera, the red velvet mite (Allothrombium fuliginosum), spiders (Araneae) and the abundance of common black ant (Lasius niger). The treatments also reduced parasitism of the apple sawfly by the ichneumonid Lathrolestes ensator. Many weeks after ending the kaolin treatments, the number of predaceous Coleoptera and especially the number of spiders remained low in the kaolin‐treated plots.     

Recombinant human interleukin-12 is the second example of a C-mannosylated protein

The beta-chain of human interleukin 12 (IL-12) contains at position 319-322, the sequence Trp-x-x-Trp. In human RNase 2 this is the recognition motif for a new, recently discovered posttranslational modification, i.e., the C-glycosidic attachment of a mannosyl residue to the side chain of tryptophan. Analysis of C-terminal peptides of recombinant IL-12 (rHuIL-12) by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy revealed that Trp-319beta is (partially) C-mannosylated. This finding was extended by in vitro mannosylation experiments, using a synthetic peptide derived from the same region of the protein as an acceptor. Furthermore, human B-lymphoblastoid cells, which secrete IL-12, were found to contain an enzyme that carries out the C-mannosylation reaction. This shows that nonrecombinant IL-12 is potentially C-mannosylated as well. This is only the second report on a C-mannosylated protein. However, the occurrence of the C-mannosyltransferase activity in a variety of cells and tissues, and the presence of the recognition motif in many proteins indicate that more C-mannosylated proteins may be found.     

Dynamics-modulated biological activity of transforming growth factor beta3

Transforming growth factor beta3 (TGF-beta3) is an important mediator of growth, maintenance, and repair processes in human cells. Internal dynamic properties have been derived from (15)N NMR relaxation data and mapped onto the spatial structure of TGF-beta3. The pattern of internal dynamics in the structure identifies potential "hot spots" of binding free energy and reveals the importance of conformational entropy in the interaction of TGF-beta3 with the receptors. The observed internal dynamics set TGF-beta3 apart from other TGF-beta isoforms, with which it shares the same fold. These findings may explain functional differences among the various TGF-beta isoforms and thus prove essential in the search for related therapeutic agents.     

An approach to the structure determination of nucleic acid analogues hybridized to RNA. NMR studies of a duplex between 2'-OMe RNA and an oligonucleotide containing a single amide backbone modification.

The backbone modification amide-3, in which -CH2-NH-CO-CH2- replaces -C5'H2-O5'-PO2-O3'-, is studied in the duplex d(G1-C2-G3-T4.T5-G6-C7-G8)*mr(C9-G10-C11-A12-A13-C14-G15+ ++-C16) where . indicates the backbone modification and mr indicates the 2'-OMe RNA strand. The majority of the exchangeable and non-exchangeable resonances have been assigned. The assignment procedure differs from standard methods. The methyl substituent of the 2'-OMe position of the RNA strand can be used as a tool in the interpretation. The duplex structure is a right-handed double helix. The sugar conformations of the 2'-OMe RNA strand are predominantly N-type and the 2'-OMe is positioned at the surface of the minor groove. In the complementary strand, only the sugar of residue T4 is found exclusively in N-type conformation. The incorporation of the amide modification does not effect very strongly the duplex structure. All bases are involved in Watson-Crick base pairs.     

Polypurine/polypyrimidine hairpins form a triple helix structure at low pH.

1D and 2D NMR investigations of the 15 residue deoxynucleotide sequence d(TCTCTC-TTT-GAGAGA) show that above pH = 6.5 the molecule adopts a B-form hairpin conformation. As the pH is lowered below 6.5 molecules progressively associate in pairs to form a partially triple helical, partially single stranded structure in which the bases of the oligopyrimidine d(TC)3 tract from one molecule form Hoogsteen pairs with the d(G-A)3 tract of the other. Imino protons of protonated cytosines can be observed at very low field (approximately 15 ppm). The enthalpy of triplex formation was estimated by NMR techniques to be -16 kcal mol-1. Intense H6 to H3' cross peaks from residues in all three strands suggest the presence of N-type sugars at some but not at all possible sites. Surprisingly strong cross peaks between H5' or H5" and non-exchangeable base protons are also observed. These suggest that certain of the O5'-C5'-C4'-C3' phosphate backbone torsion angles (gamma) are unusual.     

Conformational Analysis of the 3′-5′-Cyclic Dinucleotide d<pApA> by Means of Molecular Mechanics

Abstract

The conformational properties of the cyclic dinucleotide d<(pApA)> were studied by means of molecular mechanics calculations in which a multiconformation analysis was combined with minimum energy calculations. In this approach models of possible conformers are built by varying the torsion angles of the molecule systematically. These models are then subjected to energy minimization; in the present investigation use was made of the AMBER Force field. It followed that the lowest energy conformer has a pseudo-two-fold axis of symmetry. In this conformer the deoxyribose sugars adopt a N-type conformation. The conformation of the sugar-phosphate backbone is determined by the following torsion angles: α⁺, β¹, γ⁺, ?¹ and ζ⁺. The conformation of this ringsystem corresponds to the structure derived earlier by means of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The observation of a preference for N-type sugar conformations in this molecule can be explained by the steric hindrance induced between opposite H3′ atoms when one sugar is switched from N- to S-type puckers. The sugars can in principle switch from N- to S-type conformations, but this requires at least the transition of γ⁺ to γ^?. In this process the molecule obtains an extended shape in which the bases switch from a pseudo-axial to a pseudo-equatorial position. The calculations demonstrate that, apart from the results obtained for the lowest energy conformation, the 180° change in the propagation direction of the phosphate backbone can be achieved by several different combinations of the backbone torsion angles. It appeared that in the low energy conformers five higher order correlations are found. The combination of torsion angles which are involved in changes in the propagation direction of the sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA-hairpin loops and in tRNA are found in the dataset obtained for cyclic d<(pApA)>. It turns out that in the available examples, 180° changes in the backbone direction are localized between two adjacent nucleotides.     

The use of the Insect Growth Regulators fenoxycarb and epofenonane against leafrollers in Integrated Pest Management in apple orchards

The applicability of the Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) with juvenile-hormone activity, epofenonane and fenoxycarb, was investigated in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in six apple orchards during 1977–1983, against tortricid larvae. In some of these orchards Adoxophyes orana (F.v.R.) was the main pest species, and in others Pandemis heparana (Denn. & Schiff), Archips podana (Scop.) and Archips rosana (L.) were predominant.The IGR was sprayed twice at the time of emergence of last-instar larvae in spring, and resulted in adequate reduction of the numbers of the leafroller complex during the rest of the year. Reinfestation by moths never resulted in an increase to a harmful population level. IGR treatments kept fruit damage by leafrollers at a low level.

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Utilisation de deux régulateurs de croissance d'insectes (RCI), l'épofénonane et le fénoxycarbe, en lutte intégrée contre les tordeuses des vergers de pommiers

Résumé L'épofénonane et le fénoxycarbe, deux régulateurs de croissance d'insectes (RCI) analogues de l'hormone juvénile, ont été testés contre les tordeuses de 1977 à 1983 dans 6 vergers de pommiers conduits en lutte intégrée. Dans certains vergers, l'espèce la plus abondante était Adoxophyes orana, dans d'autres par contre Pandemis heparana, Archips podana ou Archips rosana étaient dominantes.Cette étude vise à déterminer: (a) si l'immigration à partir de vergers voisins, en particulier de l'espèce bivoltine A. orana, peut compromettre le succès de la lutte; (b) si deux applications annuelles de RCI suffisent pour lutter simultanément contre plusieurs espèces différentes de tordeuses.L'importance de l'immigration est estimée en comparant les résultats obtenus avec les RCI dans des vergers isolés et non isolés.Deux traitements aux RCI sont effectués au printemps au moment où les larves de la génération hivernante sont au dernier stade. Ces traitements conduisant à une réduction remarquable pour le reste de l'année du complexe des tordeuses y compris A. orana, quelque soit la situation du verger. Une réinfestation ultérieure n'a jamais provoqué un dépassement du seuil économique de tolérance. L'application des RCI a permis de maintenir les attaques de tordeuses sur fruits à un bas niveau. Les RCI preentent un intérêt considérable pour la lutte intégrée contre les tordeuses car les autres moyens sélectifs disponibles actuellement sont peu efficaces.

     

Integrity of the preimplantation pig blastocyst during expansion and loss of polar trophectoderm (Rauber cells) and the morphology of the embryoblast as an indicator for developmental stage

The embryonic ectoderm of the pig differentiated and became part of the outer barrier of the blastocyst (earlier formed by the trophectoderm alone) before shedding of the overlying polar trophectoderm around Day 10, thus securing the integrity of the rapidly expanding blastocyst. Ferritin, added to the medium of the blastocyst, was taken up rapidly by trophectoderm cells, but did not reach the blastocoele, and consequently no tracer was found within hypoblast cells. Embryonic ectoderm cells did not absorb the macromolecule, before or after loss of the polar trophectoderm. When ferritin was injected into the blastocoele, trophectoderm, hypoblast and embryoblast cells all absorbed the tracer. At Day 11, blastocyst diameter and embryoblast cell number varied widely and were hardly correlated. We suggest that embryoblast development may be a more reliable indicator for the developmental stage of a blastocyst than its diameter, which may merely be an indication of the viability of the trophoblast.     

Head lice in the Netherlands: Susceptibility for insecticides in field samples

A double application of 1% lindane failed to cure head louse infestations in 38 out of 110 children in two cities. Residue tests showed considerable resistance levels in all samples from fourteen cities. The average LD 50's were 0.9% lindane and 2% dieldrin. A baseline for malathion was determined. LD 50 is 0.1% malathion. The results show that field-collected head lice can be used for insecticidal testing.

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Zusammenfassung In neun Schulen und zwei Städten wurden Kinder mit aktiven Kopfläusen zweimal in wöchentlichem Abstand mit einer alkoholischen einprozentigen Lindanlösung behandelt. In 38 von 110 Fällen versagte diese Behandlung, was auf Lindanresistenz in diesen Orten hindeutet. In vitro-Versuche wurden mit Läusen aus vierzehn Städten durchgeführt und ergaben durchwegs einen ähnlichen Resistenzgrad wie in den Feldversuchen.Beim Vergleich der gewogenen Durchschnitte war kein Einfluss einer erhöhten Mortalität (über 20%) in den unbehandelten Kontrollen auf die Versuchsresultate festzustellen. LD-50-Werte von 0.9% für Lindan und 2% für Dieldrin weisen auf die in den Niederlanden verbreitete Lindanresistenz hin. Die Grundlinie der Wirkung von Malathion, als Ersatz für Lindan, wurde bestimmt und eine LD 50 von weniger als 0,1% ermittelt. Einige Tiere überlebten bei 0,4% und bei 0,8% und zwar im Gegensatz zu anderweitigen Beobachtungen. Zur Unterscheidung resistenter und empfindlicher Läuse sollten deshalb die Testkonzentrationen erhöht werden.Die Resultate zeigen, dass im Feld gesammelte Kopfläuse für Insektizidteste geeignet sind. Beim Test sollte die Beobachtungszeit von 24 auf 18 Stunden verkürzt werden, wodurch eine annehmbarere Mortalität in Unbehandelt bei halbierter Wirkung erreicht wird.

     

Heteronuclear NMR assignments and secondary structure of the coiled coil trimerization domain from cartilage matrix protein in oxidized and reduced forms.

The C-terminal oligomerization domain of chicken cartilage matrix protein is a trimeric coiled coil comprised of three identical 43-residue chains. NMR spectra of the protein show equivalent magnetic environments for each monomer, indicating a parallel coiled coil structure with complete threefold symmetry. Sequence-specific assignments for 1H-, 15N-, and 13C-NMR resonances have been obtained from 2D 1H NOESY and TOCSY spectra, and from 3D HNCA, 15N NOESY-HSQC, and HCCH-TOCSY spectra. A stretch of alpha-helix encompassing five heptad repeats (35 residues) has been identified from intra-chain HN-HN and HN-H alpha NOE connectivities. 3JHNH alpha coupling constants, and chemical shift indices. The alpha-helix begins immediately downstream of inter-chain disulfide bonds between residues Cys 5 and Cys 7, and extends to near the C-terminus of the molecule. The threefold symmetry of the molecule is maintained when the inter-chain disulfide bonds that flank the N-terminus of the coiled coil are reduced. Residues Ile 21 through Glu 36 show conserved chemical shifts and NOE connectivities, as well as strong protection from solvent exchange in the oxidized and reduced forms of the protein. By contrast, residues Ile 10 through Val 17 show pronounced chemical shift differences between the oxidized and reduced protein. Strong chemical exchange NOEs between HN resonances and water indicate solvent exchange on time scales faster than 10 s, and suggests a dynamic fraying of the N-terminus of the coiled coil upon reduction of the disulfide bonds. Possible roles for the disulfide crosslinks of the oligomerization domain in the function of cartilage matrix protein are proposed.