ROLE OF NUCLEUS IN CYTOPLASMIC ACTIVITIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE FORMATION OF SURFACE MEMBRANE IN ELODEA LEAF CELLS

Using leaf cells of Elodea densa, investigations were made onthe role of nucleus in some activities of protoplasm, by comparingthe behaviours of nucleated and enucleated halves of protoplast,which were separated by means of plasmolytic treatment of intactcells.

1. Plasmolytic treatment caused a remarkable chloroplast-systrophe,which was more pronounced in nucleated halves than in enucleatedones, in which the systrophe, if any, was dispersed gradually.
2. In general, protoplasmic streaming was suppressed under plasmolyticconditions, although in nucleated protoplasm a rotation of systrophedchloroplast-bunch was often observed after a longer durationof culture.
3. The membrane which was re-formed on the surfaceof divided protoplasmichalves was found to be more solidifiedand less elastic in thenucleated halves than in the enucleatedhalves.
4. Detection of RNA in the cytoplasm by UNNA-PAPPENHEIM'sstainingmethod showed that the ability of pyronin uptake wasdecreasedin the enucleated halves as compared with that inthe nucleatedhalves.
5. By treatment with ribonuclease, theproperties of nucleatedprotoplasmic halves were rendered tobe similar to those ofthe enucleated halves.
6. Based on theobservations, discussions were made on the r?leof nucleus inthe regulation of the membrane formation by, andthe viscosityand other physico-chemical properties of, thecytoplasm.

¹ This study was supported by a grant-in-aid for DevelopmentalScientific Research from the Ministry of Education, No. 407041(1955), and No. 407084 (1960). (Received November 19, 1960; )     

Meconopsis wilsonii subsp.wilsonii (Papaveraceae) Rediscovered

Field studies in the Lamagetou Nature Reserve,Mianning Xian,Sichuan Province,in the summer of2005revealed a particularlyrichand diverseflora.Thevegetationinthe area comprises thickets and forests ofmixed shrubs(Salix,Lonicera,Rhododendron)andtrees(Abies,P…     

New Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) from Mianning,Southwestern Sichuan

Two new species of Meconopsis, Mpulchella and Mheterandra are described and characterized. Differences with similar species are discussed and photos showing the diagnostic features are provided.     

New Species of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) from Laojun Shan and Yao Shan,Northern Yunnan,China

Two new species, Meconopsis muscicola and M.yaoshanensis (Papaveraceae), are described and characterized. Differences separating them from similar species are discussed and photos showing their diagnostic features are provided.     

A Macromolecule-Free Partially Defined Medium for Trypanosoma cruzi*

SYNOPSIS. A macromolecule-free medium, containing in its defined part 3 salts, glucose, hemin, 21 amino acids, 3 lipids, and some undefined components obtained by dialysis of liver infusion, was developed for serial cultivation of Trypanosomacruzi at 28 C. The medium allows prolonged cultivation of T. cruzi by serial transfers and growth comparable to that obtained in more complex media, including those containing blood serum.     

Lack of Discrimination between Early and Late T4 mRNA by Host Initiation Factors

DURING development of T4 phage in E. coli, control at the translational level may play an important part in switching the reading of early to late T4 messenger RNAs. In vitro experiments have shown that protein factors isolated from ribosomes of T4 infected cells can restrict translation of either host mRNA or R17 phage RNA, whilst permitting normal translation of late T4 mRNA^1–4. This alteration of specificity has been attributed to an initiation factor F3^5,6. It is unlikely that this switch is related to the shut-off of host protein synthesis which occurs immediately after infection^7,8, because they occur at distinctly different times in vivo^{1, 3}.     

Immunological Difference between Glucose-6-P Dehydrogenase and Hexose-6-P Dehydrogenase from Human Liver

SHAW and Barto¹ have demonstrated the presence of an autosomally inherited glucose-6-P dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the deer mouse. Subsequently, Ohno et al.² found a similar enzyme in trout and showed that this enzyme and the autosomally inherited mouse enzyme differed from the sex-linked G6PD in possessing marked catalytic activity with galactose-6-P. This autosomally inherited G6PD was therefore named hexose-6-P dehydrogenase (H6PD)^2,3. It was shown to oxidize glucose-6-P, galactose-6-P, mannose-6-P and 2-deoxy glucose-6-P with a K_m of the order of 10^?5 M. It also oxidizes glucose with a K_m of 0.7 M³. It appears to be identical to the so-called “glucose dehydrogenase”. The enzyme utilizes both NAD and NADP and is microsome-bound. G6PD is localized in the soluble fraction of the cells of various tissues. Although it has been shown that two dehydrogenases from liver have different substrate specificity, molecular weight and elec-trophoretic mobility^3,4, it has been suggested that the two enzymes are merely isozymes and they might be interconvertible^5–7. We have now partially purified the two enzymes from human liver and show that they have different immunological properties.     

Heteroses in Net Photosynthetic Rate, Leaf Area, Tillering, and Some Physiological Characters of 35 F1 Rice Hybrids

Net photosynthetic rate, leaf area, tillering, shoot weight,and leaf area ratio for 35 F₁ rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybridsduring the vegetative stage were compared with correspondingvalues for parental varieties. Shoot weight and leaf area showedheterosis. However, hybrid vigour was not reflected in net photosyntheticrate. Leaf area was closely correlated with heteroses in shootdry weight and tillering. Thus F₁ rice hybrids grow vigorouslybecause of their high leaf area development, which is causedby high tillering. Key words: F₁ rice hybrid, Net photosynthetic rate, Leaf area     

Isolation of an Encapsulated Strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis

An encapsulated strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from a human clinical specimen was demonstrated by electron microscopy. The outermost layer of the cell wall of these organisms probably consists mostly of polysaccharide.     

Enzymes of the Ornithine-Arginine Metabolism of Trypanosomatids of the Genus Crithidia*

SYNOPSIS. Twelve strains of Crithidia, which fall into 8 species, were tested for occurrence of enzymes of ornithine-arginine metabolism. The following enzymes were investigated: arginase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase, argininosuccinate lyase, citrulline hydrolase, arginine deiminase and urease. Arginase and argininosuccinate lyase were found in all species. Citrulline hydrolase was also found in all but the 2 strains carrying endosymbiotes C. deanei and C. oncopelti. On the other hand, ornithine carbamoyltransferase was found only in these 2 strains. Arginine deiminase and urease were absent in all strains. The existence of a common enzymatic pattern for species of the genus Crithidia is thus reported.