Modifikationen des DNS-Gehalts in Zuckerrübenzellen

Summary In epidermal cells of the cytoledons of sugar beets, Beta vulgaris L., the DNA content per cell can be increased 2–4 fold by means of compensatory growth and other measures of better nutrition, by application of stronger light, or by addition of more moisture to the soil. It decreases with deviations from the optimal growth temperature (22° C) and after lack of nitrogen in the nutritive solution. Differences in DNA content, representing mainly differences in the level of endopolyploidy, result in corresponding differences in the number of plastids in the cells.     

Mechanism of α Factor Biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The biosynthesis of alpha factor, a mating-type-specific regulatory oligopeptide which is secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells of alpha mating type, was studied. In batch cultures only small amounts of the peptide were synthesized during the exponential growth phase. During the stationary phase, alpha factor was produced at a constant rate and accumulated in the culture medium. Inhibition of translation in wild-type cells by cycloheximide, or in mutant strains under conditions which blocked protein or ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis completely inhibited the production of alpha factor. These results indicate that the factor is produced by ribosomal translation of a specific messenger RNA and not by an extraribosomal mechanism of peptide synthesis.     

The partial purification and characterization of cytosol alcohol dehydrogenase from Astasia

1. The cytosol alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol-NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.1) of Astasia longa was partially purified and characterized from cells grown in the presence of air+CO(2) (95:5) or of O(2)+CO(2) (95:5). 2. Under both these growth conditions, the cells contained a fraction, ADHII, which was characterized by its electrophoretic properties, by a high degree of resistance to heat inactivation, by a sharp pH optimum at 8.2 and by its kinetic properties. The estimated molecular weight of this fraction was approx. 150000, which is similar to that of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase. 3. Cells grown in air+CO(2) (95:5) contain another fraction, ADHI, which can be further separated into two subfractions by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. This was termed fraction ;ADHI-air'. 4. In addition to fraction ADHII, cells grown in the presence of O(2) have a twofold increase in fraction ADHI-air activity as well as two new fractions that could not be demonstrated in air-grown cells. These new fractions which we have called fraction ;ADHI-O(2)', account for about 10% of the total activity. 5. The ADHI fractions (air) and (O(2)) have similar broad pH-activity curves and similar kinetic properties, both having a lower K(m) for ethanol and NAD than fraction ADHII. However, they differ from each other with respect to their activity with various substrates. The estimated molecular weight of these two ADHI fractions and their chromatographic behaviour on hydroxyapatite and on DEAE-cellulose also distinguish them.     

Der cis-trans-Positionseffekt in Heterokaryen morphologischer Mutanten von Podospora anserina

Zusammenfassung Der cis-trans-Positionseffekt in Heterokaryen der nicht gekoppelten morphologischen Mutanten z und oct-1 von Podospora anserina wird durch quantitative Kernunterschiede vorgetäuscht.Im cis-Fall führt die Wuchsverminderung von Hyphen mit überwiegendem Gehalt an Doppelmutantenkernen nach Mikrosektorenbildung im Mycel zu einer Selektion der Hyphen mit überwiegendem Wildkerngehalt. Die Doppelmutantenkerne sind nach 6 cm Wuchsstrecke aus dem Mycel verschwunden. Dieses weist daher Wildphänotyp auf.Im trans-Fall wird eine Kernentmischung durch Anastomosenbildung kompensiert, da die entestehenden Kleinsektoren gleich schnell wachsen. Das Mycel bringt daher die oct-1- und z-Merkmale in einem intermediären Phänotyp zum Ausdruck.

---

The cis-trans position effect in heterocaryons of morphological mutants of Podospora anserina

Summary The cis-trans position effect of the two non-linked morphological mutants z and oct-1 in heterocaryons of Podospora anserina is caused by quantitative differences of the two types of nuclei.In the cis configuration, there is a growth diminuition of hyphae containing predominantly nuclei of the double mutant type which leads to a selection of hyphae containing mainly the wildtype nuclei. This is due to the formation of microsectors. After 6 cm of mycelial growth the double mutant nuclei are no longer distinguishable; the mycelium adopts the wild phenotype.In the trans configuration, the microsectors of both types of mutant nuclei exhibit the same growth rate; the separation of nuclei is prevented as a result of the formation of hyphal anastomoses. The mycelium shows then an intermediate phenotype with both mutant characteristics.

---

---

Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

81. Jahresversammlung (1968) zu Innsbruck

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Intracerebral distribution pattern of radioactive morphine and morphine-like drugs after intraventricular and intrathecal injection

Summary The intracerebral distribution patterns of ¹⁴C-morphine, ³H-dihydromorphine, and ³H-fentanyl after intraventricular injection were studied autoradiographically in rats and rabbits. The extent of permeation into the ventricular wall was measured at different times after injection. The hydrophilic morphine and dihydromorphine could be demonstrated within the tissue up to 4 hours. They seemed to be retained within the gray matter and hindered in crossing fiber bundles. On the other hand, the lipophilic fentanyl was quickly removed from the brain but remained relatively longer demonstrable within the white matter. Also, after intrathecal injection of ¹⁴C-morphine a time dependent spread from the injection site was observed. The use of autoradiography in pharmacological experiments as described was found advantageous. Thus, it is possible to correlate directly, the time course of the pharmacological effect and the respective distribution pattern of the drug applied. This may lead to better information about the probable sites of drug action.     

Nachweis einer Pupillenreaktion im Auge der Schmeißfliege

Zusammenfassung Elektronenoptische Untersuchungen mit der Gefrierätzmethode an Augen der Normalform von Calliphora erythrocephala (Meig.) ergeben, daß im dunkeladaptierten Zustand die Rhabdomere 1–6 in den Retinulazellen dicht von Vesikeln umgeben sind, die wahrscheinlich durch Pinocytose an den Mikrovilli der Rhabdomere entstehen. Diese Bläschen fehlen im helladaptierten Zustand nahezu völlig. Die optische Dichte des umgebenden Mediums der lichtleitenden Rhabdomere wird dadurch im Dunkel-Auge herabgesetzt, was mit Hilfe der Becke-Methode im Lichtmikroskop festgestellt werden konnte.Physikalische Berechnungen mit den Gleichungen der geometrischen Optik ergeben, daß durch diese Brechzahländerung in den Sinneszellen im dunkeladaptierten Auge der physiologisch wirksame Lichtfluß in den Rhabdomeren l–6 im grünen Spektralbereich um etwa 30% erhöht werden kann.

---

Evidence for a longitudinal pupil in the blowfly eye from studies with light and electron microscopes

Summary Eyes of the wild-type blowfly, Calliphora erythrocephala (Meig.), were investigated by using freeze-etching and the light microscope. In the dark-adapted eye a layer of vesicles 1 m thick borders on the rhabdomeres in sense cells Nos. 1 to 6. These vesicles may arise by pinocytosis at the bases of the rhabdomeric microvilli and decrease the optical density of the sense cell medium adjacent to the rhabdomeres. In the light-adapted sense cells only a few vesicles could be seen. No differences could be observed to exist between the two states of adaptation in the retinular cells Nos. 7 and 8 and in the axial retinular space.Calculations based on geometrical optics show that when rhabdomeres Nos. 1 to 6 are in the dark-adapted state they can transmit about 1.3 times more light energy than when they are in the light-adapted state. The results show the existence of a light-induced pupil reaction correlated to ultrastructural changes in the photoreceptor cells of the blowfly eye.

---

---

Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danke ich für die Gewährung eines Ausbildungsstipendiums.     

Absence of Free Aldehydes in Fresh Tissues, as Shown with a Neutralized Schiff Reagent

A neutralized Schiff's reagent (pH 6.7) was prepared and used to investigate the role of the acidic nature of the routine Schiff's reagent (pH 2.6) in the plasmal reaction. The neutralized reagent was satisfactory as an aldehyde reagent in the nucleal reaction on gut and, although giving a less intense reaction than the routine reagent in the PAS reaction on the gut and plasmal reaction on the aorta, was satisfactory here in respect to localization and thus to aldehyde specificity. Control sections for the plasmal reaction of unfixed nerve and aorta gave positive results when placed in the routine Schiff's, this increasing with time left in the reagent. Similar control sections in the neutralized Schiff's reagent remained consistently negative even though left in this reagent for 0.5 hr. The positive reaction of such control sections is apparently due to acid hydrolysis of labile plasmalogens by the routine Schiff's reagent in myelin and elastin and not to the presence of “free” aldehydes in these tissue elements     

Endocytosis in the ureteric duct epithelium of the hagfish (Myxine glutinosa L.)

Summary Solutions containing ferritin or thorotrast particles were microperfused through the ureteric duct of the hagfish. The markers were taken up by the epithelial cells by way of endocytosis and were transported in bulk in apical vesicles. Newly formed apical vesicles containing marker showed bristle coating on the cytoplasmic side of their limiting membrane. This coating appeared to be lost during the movement of vesicles deeper into the cytoplasm.The findings indicate that the epithelial cells in the ureteric duct have capablity for extensive bulk uptake of macromolecules from the luminal fluid. The mechanisms involved in absorption appear to be similar to those in proximal convoluted tubules of mammals.The apical dense tubules observed with some fixation techniques appear to represent collapsed endocytotic vesicles.The authors are indebted to Finn Walwig, Cand. real., Marine Biology Station, University of Oslo, Dröbak, Norway for kindly supplying the hagfishes used in this study. The technical assistance of Miss Signe Fjeldsenden and Miss Britt-Marie Pettersson is gratefully acknowledged.This work has been supported by grants from the Karolinska Institutet Medical School, Stockholm, Sweden (Therese och Johan Anderssons Minne).     

Die Rolle der Fimbrien bei der eigenartigen Sternbildung von Agrobacterium luteum

Zusammenfassung Die bemerkenswerte Sternbildung von Agrobacterium luteum Stamm A61 (Moll et al., 1967; Ahrens, 1968) ist auf polare Fimbrien zurückzuführen, die um die Sternaggregate ausgebreitet sind. Es wird angenommen, daß sich Schwärmzellen an den Fimbrien verfangen und durch Kontraktion rasch zum Stern gezogen werden. Nach elektronenoptischen Präparaten sind die Fimbrien bis zu 10,5 lang und können die beobachtete Sternbildung gut erklären. Agrobacterium luteum Stamm B14 besitzt ebenfalls lange polare Fimbrien. Beide Stämme tragen peritriche Geißeln, deren Struktur sich deutlich von den dünnen und unregelmäßigen Fimbrien unterscheidet.

---

The function of fimbriae in the peculiar star formation of Agrobacterium luteum

Summary The remarkable way of star formation in Agrobacterium luteum strain A61 (Moll et al., 1967; Ahrens, 1968) was found to be due to polar fimbriae which are spread around the star-shaped aggregates. It is assumed that swarmers adhere to the fimbriae and, by contraction, are swiftly pulled towards the star. As seen in electron microscopic preparations, the fimbriae are up to 10,5 long and may well explain the star formation observed. Agrobacterium luteum strain B 14 also possesses long polar fimbriae. Both strains have peritrichous flagella, the structure of which being clearly distinct from the delicate and irregular fimbriae.