Erythrocyte acid phosphatase: species specificity in activity modulation by purine analogs

The previous studies of the interaction of purine analogs and human erythrocyte acid phosphatase isozymes were extended to include erythrocyte acid phosphatase from seven other species. Consistent responses, similar to the observations with the several genotypically different human isozymes, were observed. The isozyme from chimpanzee erythrocytes was similar to the human B-type isozyme while the baboon and cow isozymes were at the other extreme in responsiveness and were more divergent from the B-isozyme than was the human A-type isozyme. The ACP from rabbit, dog, sheep and rhesus erythrocytes exhibited intermediate levels of responsiveness but did differ from the human A-type isozyme. Additional studies indicated some differences between the responsiveness of the partially purified erythrocyte enzyme and the low molecular weight ACP from liver.     

A Serious Disease of Groundnut Caused by Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus in the Sudan

A serious disease of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) characterized by stunting of plants, downward rolling, mottling, general chlorosis and reduced size of the leaflets was observed in the Sudan. Surveys conducted from 1992 to 1994 showed that this disease was restricted to irrigated groundnut crops grown between the two Niles. The virus had slightly flexuous filamentous particles (626 nm long) and was transmitted by whiteflies. It was identified serologically as cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV). This appears to be the first record of natural occurrence of CPMMV on groundnut in the Sudan and the first evidence that it causes a disease of major economic importance.