Biosynthesis of the yeast cell wall: Selective assays and regulation of some mannosyl transferase activities

Assays have been developed for some transfer reactions involved in the synthesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wall mannoproteins, both in a particulate preparation in the presence of EDTA or Triton X-100, and after lipid extraction with chloroform-methanol at -20C.The mannosyl transferase activities were also studied in cells made permeable to GDP-mannose by toluene-ethanol treatment (in situ). In these permeabilized cells, the glycosylating reactions dependent on lipid carriers (dolichol derivatives) did not function, but those independent of them were unaffected.The lipid-independent mannosyl transferase activities were partially inhibited by nucleotide diphosphates probably in a competitive manner. Increase of the nucleotide diphosphate pool in vivo might slow down the speed of the transfer reactions carried out by the mannan synthetase system.     

Nitrogen cycling in a15N-fertilized bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop

To increase our understanding of the fate of applied nitrogen inPhaseolus vulgaris crops grown under tropical conditions,¹⁵N-labelled urea was applied to bean crops and followed for three consecutive cropping periods. Each crop received 100 kg urea-N ha^?1 and 41 kg KCl?K ha^?1. At the end of each period we estimated each crop's recovery of the added nitrogen, the residual effects of nitrogen from the previous cropping period, the distribution of nitrogen in the soil profile, and leaching losses of nitrogen. In addition, to evaluate potential effects of added phosphorus on nitrogen cycling in this crop, beans were treated at planting with either 35 kg rock-phosphate-P, 35 kg superphosphate-P, or 0 kg P ha^?1. Results showed that 31.2% of the nitrogen in the first crop was derived from the applied urea, which represents a nitrogen utilization efficiency of 38.5%. 6.2% of the nitrogen in the second crop was derived from fertilizer applied to the first crop, and 1.4% of the nitrogen in the third crop. Nitrogen utilization efficiencies for these two crops, with respect to the nitrogen applied to the first crop, were 4.6 and 1.2%, respectively. In total, the three crops recovered 44.3% of the nitrogen applied to the first crop. The remainder of the nitrogen was either still in the soil profile or had been lost by leaching, volatilization or denitrification.¹⁵N enrichment of mineral-N(NO₃+NH₄) suggests that at the end of the second crop, the pulse of fertilizer applied to the first crop had probably passed the 120 cm depth.¹⁵N enrichment of organic-N suggests that root activity of beans and weeds transported nitrogen to 90–120 cm (or deeper). We could account for 109 kg fertilizer-N ha^?1 in harvested biomass, crop residue, and soil at the end of the first cropping period. This indicates an experimental error of about 10% if no nitrogen was lost by volatilization, denitrification, or leaching below 120 cm. At the end of the second and third crops, 76 and 80 kg N ha^?1, respectively, could be accounted for, suggesting that 20 to 25% of the applied-N was lost from the system over a 2-crop period. The two types of added phosphorus did not significantly differ in their effects on bean yields.     

Chemical enthalpy-entropy compensation effect in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl carboxylates catalyzed by alkaline mesentericopeptidase

The temperature dependence of the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl carboxylates with general formula H(CH₂)_nCOOC₆H₄NO₂ catalyzed by alkaline mesentericopeptidase has been studied (n varying from 1 to 7, temperature range 2–30°C, pH 8.80, 5 vol% dimethylsulfoxide). The activation parameters of the deacylation step depend on the length of the hydrophobic side chain of the substrate molecule ( , , and decrease by 2.0 kcal/mol, 4.9 kcal/mol, and 10 eu, respectively, as the length of the acyl carbon chain increases from n = 1 to n = 4). The following criteria were applied to establish a chemical enthalpy-entropy compensation effect: (a) Exner's plot of log vs : (b) Petersen's plot of log, k/T vs 1/T; (c) Exner's statistical treatment in coordinates log k vs 1/T; (d) according to Krug et al. (ΔH^≠ vs ΔG_Thm^≠). By use of all the above-mentioned criteria the existence of a chemical enthalpy-entropy compensation effect was proved with an isokinetic temperature β of about 470°K, which is significantly higher than the average experimental temperature.     

Sympathetic control on salivary secretion by the parotid gland in rabbit. I. Effects on the unstimulated gland (author's transl)]

The sympathetic influences on the rabbit unstimulated parotid gland were studied. The experiments were carried out in anaesthetized rabbits with the Stenon aduct cannulated. Direct stimulation of the superior cervical ganglion elicits variable salivary flows. The high amylase content in the saliva points to a sympathetic secretory action upon acinar cells. The administration of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (dihydroergotamine, phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine) clearly reduces and even abolishes the effect of the sympathetic stimulation upon flow. The administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) slightly reduces the sympathetic action. However the amylase activity is greatly reduced. All this suggests that the secretory effects on the fluid fraction should predominantly be alpha-adrenergic while on the secretion of enzymes the beta-receptors should play an important role.     

Studies on the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized rats: A model for abnormal cellular atrophy and death

Summary Biochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that the atrophy of adrenal cortex in hypoyhysectomized rats involves the following changes: (1) One to two days after hypophysectomy, there is loss of template activity resulting from cumulative DNA-damage and heterochromatinization.In vivo ACTH-administration led to recuperation of these cells, indicating damage during hypophysectomized state to be reversible. (2) If the duration of hypophysectomy is prolonged, some of the cells become irreversibly damaged and can no longer recuperate afterin vivo ACTH administration. (3) The period of most rapid cell death is from the third to seventh day after hypophysectomy. The cause of cell death is probably due to membrane damage in the absence of protein synthesis, leading to lysis of the cells. Lysozomes and macrophages are apparently not involved.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. grants AM-5384 and AM-13724 and taken in part from dissertations submitted by Chan and by Mostafapour to Wayne State University in partial fulfillment towards the Ph.D. degree.An invited article.     

Persistence of Cell Division Synchrony in Spirogyra Insignis (Gamophyceae): Membrane Proteoglycans Transmitting Synchronizing Information Throughout Generations

Spirogyra insignis shows a long-term persistence of cell division synchrony in the absence of the synchronizing Zeitgeber, so that at least six generations are involved in the process. This tentatively suggests that a mechanism of transmission throughout generations of synchronizing information could maintain this synchrony. Apparently, a vital part of the molecular basis of this mechanism is a membrane proteoglycan complex. This complex could obtain temporal information from a synchronizing Zeitgeber and be transmitted to the progeny by distribution of plasma membrane between daughter cells.     

Kiwifruit micropropagation through callus shoot-bud induction

Summary A profitable system for the establishment of morphogenic callus cultures and indirect shoot induction and development was accomplished from nodal shoot segments obtained from adult and micropropagated plants of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa [Chev.] Liang and Ferguson, var.deliciosa) cv. “Hayward”. The effects of medium composition, cytokinin levels, dilution of salts, and type of callus derived from the cultured primary explants were studied. Medium composition as well as type of callus greatly affected organogenic responses.     

Conversion of Cellulose to Methane and Carbon Dioxide by Triculture of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus, Desulfovibrio sp., and Methanosarcina barkeri

The fermentation of cellulose by monocultures of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus and cocultures of A. cellulolyticus-Methanosarcina barkeri, A. cellulolyticus-Desulfovibrio sp., and A. cellulolyticus-M. barkeri-Desulfovibrio sp. was studied. The monoculture produced ethanol, acetate, H₂, and CO₂. More acetate and less ethanol was formed by the cocultures than by the monoculture. Acetate was utilized by M. barkeri in coculture with A. cellulolyticus after a lag period, whereas ethanol was metabolized by the sulfate reducer only under conditions of low H₂ partial pressure, i.e., when cocultured with A. celluloyticus-M. barkeri or when grown together with the methanogen. Only the three-component culture carried out the rapid conversion of cellulose to CO₂ and methane. Furthermore, this culture hydrolyzed the most cellulose—85% of that initially present. This amount was increased to 90% by increasing the population of M. barkeri in the triculture. Methane production was also increased, and a quicker fermentation rate was achieved.     

A lectin-like receptor on mammalian macrophages

Rat Kupffer cells in vitro strongly bind neuraminidase-treated rat erythrocytes but not untreated erythrocytes. Binding between cells is inhibited by preincubation of macrophages with D-galactose and related sugars, but not with unrelated saccharides. We therefore suggest that cell adherence is mediated by a galactose-specific receptor on the Kupffer cell membrane.