Nuclear matrix proteins bind very tightly to specific regions of the chicken histone H5 gene.

The nuclear matrix is operationally defined as the structure remaining after nuclease-digested nuclei are extracted with high concentrations of salt. The nuclear matrix is thought to have a role in organizing higher order chromatin into loop domains. We determined whether specific regions of the histone H5 gene were very tightly bound to protein of erythrocyte and liver nuclear matrices in vitro. We demonstrate that DNA fragments spanning sequences 5' to the promoter and the 3' enhancer region of the histone H5 gene, but not DNA fragments spanning the promoter, were very tightly bound to protein of nuclear matrices of erythrocytes and liver. The nuclear matrix consists of internal nuclear matrix and nuclear pore-lamina complex. Recently, we demonstrated that histone deacetylase could be used as a marker enzyme of the internal nuclear matrix. We demonstrate that nuclear pore-lamina complex preparations that were depleted of histone deacetylase activity, and thus of internal nuclear matrix, retained the protein that bound very tightly to the beta-globin and histone H5 enhancers. These results provide evidence that specific regions of the histone H5 gene are very tightly bound to nuclear pore-lamina complex protein.     

Lysophosphatidylserine enhances the transfer of 22:6n3 to lysophosphatidic acid in rat brain microsomes.

Although the acyl groups of phosphatidylserine in brain are uniquely enriched in docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3), the mechanism for this enrichment is not well understood. When rat brain homogenates and microsomes were incubated in the presence of lysophosphatidylserine (LPS) together with [14C]22:6n3 and cofactors for activation to its acylCoA, very little radioactivity was incorporated into phosphatidylserine (PS). On the other hand, [14C]20:4n6 was more actively incorporated into PS. Addition of LPS (1-10 uM), however, resulted in a 2-5 fold enhancement of the transfer of labeled 22:6n3 and 20:4n6 to phosphatidic acid (PA). Kinetic analysis indicated the ability of LPS to lower the Km and increase the Vmax of the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) acyltransferase reaction. Among other lysophospholipids tested, lysophosphatidylserine was most effective in enhancing PA biosynthesis. Since PA is an important intermediate for de novo biosynthesis of phospholipids, these results reveal a novel mechanism for promoting synthesis of PA enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain.     

Conformational epitope on gp120 important in CD4 binding and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralization identified by a human monoclonal antibody.

A human monoclonal antibody designated 15e is reactive with the envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of multiple isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antibody 15e also neutralizes HIV-1 with broad specificity and blocks gp120 binding to CD4. Characterization of the 15e epitope shows that it is conformation dependent and is distinct from previously recognized functional domains of gp120, suggesting that this epitope represents a novel site important for HIV-1 neutralization and CD4 binding. These findings have implications for the development of a vaccine for AIDS.     

Isolation and Characterization of a UDPGlucose: Flavonol O-Glucosyltransferase from Illuminated Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv Red Danish) Seedlings

A UDPGlc:flavonol O³-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.91) that catalyzes the formation of quercetin and kaempferol O³-glucosides has been purified about 1450-fold from illuminated red cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv Red Danish) seedlings with a 3.3% yield. Purification of the enzyme was achieved by (NH₄)₂SO₄-precipitation, gel-filtration, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Bio-Gel and Q-Sepharose, chromatofocusing, and electrophoresis in nondenaturing polyacrylamide (10%) gels. The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum between 5.8 and 6.2, isoelectric point in the pH range 4.25 to 4.55, a M_r of 59,000, and it was composed of two similar subunits of M_r 29,500. The glucosyltransferase reached half substrate saturation at 180 micromolar (UDPGlc) and 7 micromolar (quercetin) concentrations. Kaempferol, which was glucosylated at a relative rate of 87%, had a lesser affinity for the enzyme (K_m~12 micromolar). Flavanones, flavanols, flavones, dihydroflavonols, and anthocyanidins were not readily utilized as substrates, suggesting that the enzyme is specific for flavonol glucoside biosynthesis.     

Field uniformity of the Japonica rice region of Taiwan as estimated by relative genetic contribution

Summary Despite the concerns for genetic vulnerability that were raised in the 1970s, the field uniformity of the Japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) region in Taiwan has increased since 1980 with over 82% of the cultivated areas being covered by as few as three varieties and over half of this hectarage by a single variety. Japanese plant introductions are the major ancestral contributors of genetic constituents for varieties released in Taiwan. The main constitution of the genetic base present in the field has changed little since 1971. Six common ancestors comprised 60%, 55%, 78%, and 77% of the genetic constituents present in the field in 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1986, respectively. These estimates revealed that at least 55% of the genes utilized in the last 15 years came from the same sources. Recent efforts in introducing new germ plasm sources to variety development should continue to alleviate the possible crop loss due to continuous monoculture.Research supported by National Science Council (NSC 78-0211-B005-14)     

Identification of the posttranslational modifications of bovine lens alpha B-crystallins by mass spectrometry.

A combination of mass spectrometric techniques has been used to investigate the amino acid sequence and post-translational modifications of alpha B-crystallin isolated from bovine lenses by gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic fractions were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to determine the homogeneity and molecular weights of proteins in the fractions. The alpha B-crystallin primary gene product, its mono- and diphosphorylated forms, its N- and C-terminal truncated forms, as well as other lens proteins unrelated to the alpha B-crystallins were identified by their molecular weights. Detailed information about the sites of phosphorylation, as well as evidence supporting reassignment of Asn to Asp at position 80, was obtained by analyzing proteolytic digests of these proteins by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Results of this investigation indicate that alpha B-crystallin is phosphorylated in vivo at Ser 45, Ser 59, and either Ser 19 or 21. From the specificity of phosphorylation of alpha-crystallins, it appears that there may be two different kinases responsible for their phosphorylation.     

第四纪沟鞭藻类在海南岛砂质白云岩中的发现

该文所研究的样品采自海南省儋县排浦乡,为一套珊瑚岸礁海蚀坪潮间带的更新世砂质白云岩。作者对其中两块样品进行了分析研究,并获得沟鞭藻类囊孢4属10种,其中包括1新种2未定种。文中除了对这些属种进行了较为详细的描述以外,还讨论了它们所反映的古环境,认为含有这些化石的砂质白云岩是暖温带浅海环境下的产物。     

室温下有取向紫膜薄层中菌紫质的光静态

在室温条件下有取向PM薄层中的RR分子受光照可以建立多种PSS,这些PSS的建立与湿度和光照所采用的波长等因素有关。不同的PSS有不同的VCD。它们可以在设计制作分子器件时考虑使用。     

中国海菜花属植物的性状分析

本文对中国海菜花属全部已知分类群的84个形态学、生物学和生态学性状,进行了R分析和主成分分析。R分析结果表明,被研究的性状可明显地划分为若干组高度相关的性状,它们或表明本属向次生性陆生和异花传粉方向演化,或具重要的分类价值。主成分分析结果表明,仅前16个主成分几乎可保留84个性状的全部信息量,这说明在中国海菜花属分类研究中所选性状很合理;前3个主成分可保留总信息量的76.56%,说明在三维空间内能较好地反映中国海菜花属所有已知分类群间的相对位置。     

单眼剥夺对金黄地鼠视觉中枢GABA神经元分布的影响

用免疫细胞化学技术观察了单眼剥夺后金黄地鼠视觉中枢GABA神经元分布的变化。结果表明:单眼剥夺后,金黄地鼠视皮层和上丘的GABA阳性神经元暂时性增多,但剥夺后六个月,其数目显著减少。在单眼剥夺前和剥夺后侧膝体中GABA阳性神经元数目没有明显差异。剥夺眼对侧视皮层GABA阳性神经元数比剥夺眼同侧视皮层GABA神经元数目少。单眼剥夺后视觉中枢GABA神经元类型及形态与剥夺前没有差别。晚期单眼剥夺也能引起视觉中枢GABA神经元数量和分布的变化。以上结果表明,单眼剥夺后视觉中枢抑制神经元的结构发生了变化。