Fasciola hepatica: effect of 4-amino-6-trichloroethenyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide on glycolysis in vitro

In vitro, 4-amino-6-trichloroethenyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide, a potent fasciolicide, causes a potent concentration-dependent inhibition of glucose uptake by mature Fasciola hepatica. In F. hepatica treated with the disulfonamide and then fed [U-¹⁴C]glucose, there was a 60% inhibition of glucose utilization and a corresponding inhibition of acetate and propionate formation. Treated fluke parasites possessed much lower levels of adenosine triphosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, glucose 6-phosphate, and fructose 6-phosphate than untreated parasites and contained higher levels of glycerol and the free sugars fructose and mannose. Direct measurement of the effect of the disulfonamide on the glycolytic enzymes of F. hepatica demonstrated that 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3) and phosphoglyceromutase (EC 2.7.5.3) were inhibited. It is therefore suggested that the fasciolicidal activity of 4-amino-6-trichloroethenyl-1, 3-benzenedisulfonamide is due to inhibition of the enzymes 3-phosphoglycerate kinase and phosphoglyceromutase which effectively blocks the Embden-Myerhof glycolytic pathway.     

Calmodulin and the target size of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of human red-cell ghosts

An average target size of 251 kDa has been obtained for the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of calmodulin-depleted erythrocyte ghosts by radiation inactivation with 16 MeV electrons. This is close to twice the size of the purified calcium-pump polypeptide. When calmodulin was included during the ATPase assay, a component of about 1 MDa appeared in addition to the activated dimer.     

Inhibitory effect of heavy water on mutability of chemically injured Escherichia coli cells

After E. coli cells (WP2 and WP2uvrA) were treated with chemical mutagens (methyl methanesulfonate, MMS; N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, MNU; 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide, 4NQO) in 1/15 M phosphate buffer, the mutability of the treated cells plated on a D₂O-agar plate was compared with that plated on an ordinary H₂O-agar plate. The mutation frequency decreased more or less on the D₂O-agar plate. The D₂O-substitution effects, as termed by the relative mutation frequencies (MF_D2O/MF_H2O), are 0.92 for MMS, 0.29 for MNU, and 0.42 for 4NQO in WP2, and 0.68 for MMS, 0.49 for MNU, and 0.16 for 4NQO in WP2uvrA. The D₂O effect seemed to be partly related to the function of the uvrA gene-associated products. The pH dependence of mutability was discussed in connection with the D₂O-substitution effect.     

Recovery of methanotrophs from disturbance: population dynamics,evenness and functioning

Biodiversity is claimed to be essential for ecosystem functioning, but is threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. Prokaryotes have been assumed to be functionally redundant and virtually inextinguishable. However, recent work indicates that microbes may well be sensitive to environmental disturbance. Focusing on methane-oxidizing bacteria as model organisms, we simulated disturbance-induced mortality by mixing native with sterilized paddy soil in two ratios, 1:4 and 1:40, representing moderate and severe die-offs. Disturbed microcosms were compared with an untreated control. Recovery of activity and populations was followed over 4 months by methane uptake measurements, pmoA-qPCR, pmoA-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and a pmoA-based diagnostic microarray. Diversity and evenness of methanotrophs decreased in disturbed microcosms, but functioning was not compromised. We consistently observed distinctive temporal shifts between type I and type II methanotrophs, and a rapid population growth leading to even higher cell numbers comparing disturbed microcosms with the control. Overcompensating mortality suggested that population size in the control was limited by competition with other bacteria. Overall, methanotrophs showed a remarkable ability to compensate for die-offs.     

Mass Culturing of Ditylenchus dipsaci to Yield Large Quantities of Inoculum

Methods are described for rearing large quantities of Ditylenchus dipsaci on alfalfa tissues. Nematodes and alfalfa seed were disinfected and nematodes were reared in quantities sufficient to provide a continuous supply of inoculum for our alfalfa-breeding program. Nematodes reproduced best in darkness at 20-25 C. Cultures reached maximum numbers in 3-6 wk.     

Indol-3yl-acetic acid in roots of Zea mays

Indol-3yl-acetic acid was identified in extracts of sterile roots of Zeamays seedlings by means of TLC, chromogenic reactions, GLC and GC-MS.     

Letter: Crystallization and preliminary x-ray investigation of bovine erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase

The major form of bovine erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase has been prepared by a new method in which the conventional chloroform-ethanol treatment is replaced by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. Single crystals, suitable for high resolution X-ray diffraction studies, have been obtained from enzyme prepared by this method. The space group is P6₁22. The unit cell contains 12 enzyme molecules and has the dimensions $\text{a = b = 68}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c = 244}\text{A}\text{?}$.     

Le Système Nerveux des Cténaires

Summary A subectodermal nerve-net is demonstrated in ten species of Ctenophores by means of either Methylene Blue vital staining or silver impregnation. There is no evidence of subendodermal nerve-net. The ectodermal nerve-net displays a characteristic polygonal pattern which is thought to result from morphogenetic events. Both bipolar and tripolar neurones occur.Three types of concentrations of nervous tissue are described: a) a high accumulation of nervous perikarya at the aboral sensory pole; b) a noticeable densification of the net along the eight meridional ciliary strands of every species, and around the lips of Beroidea; c) in the Cydippids Pleurobrachia and Hormiphora two thick strands of fibers and neurones interconnecting the aboral organ and the tentacles: the tentacular nerves.Ultrastructural evidence is given for the presence of nervous elements under and amidst ectodermal epithelial cells. Three features allow the recognition and characterization of neurites and neurones: a) numerous clear and/or granulated vesicles; b) microtubules in variable amounts; c) frequent and highly differentiated synaptic contacts.The very peculiar arrangement of the presynaptic elements is observed in all the species of Ctenophores so far studied. These synaptic contacts suggest chemical transmission in the nerve-net.On the basis of ultrastructural evidence the author refutes the nervous nature previously attributed to the ciliated cells of the meridional grooves.A parallel is drawn between nervous systems of Cnidaria and Ctenophora.

Ce travail correspond à la première partie d'une thèse de Doctorat d'Etat, intitulée: «Système nerveux et intégration chez les Cténaires». Il a été effectué au sein de l'Equipe de Recherches Associée au C.N.R.S. n^o 183 (Directeur: Dr. Max Pavans de Ceccatty) et avec le concours du Centre de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie, de l'Université Claude Bernard.Ce travail a bénéficié de la collaboration technique de Madame J. Amsellem que nous remercions vivement.     

Quelques données ultrastructurales sur un myoépithélium: le pharynx d'un Bryozoaire

Résumé L'épithélium pharyngien d'Alcyonidium polyoum possède des cellules pourvues d'une très grande vacuole. L'incompressibilité du liquide vacuolaire permet un élargissement brusque de l'organe lors de la contraction du manchon musculaire strié qui enserre cette vacuole. Les fibres musculaires sont insérées sur le plasmalemme apical par des filaments unitifs. Le point d'attache est relié à la lame amorphe du cell-coat qui entoure les microvillosités par des fibrilles, réalisant probablement une liaison mécamique plus efficace. Le reticulum sarcoplasmique porte des ribosomes. Le cytoplasme apical renferme des vésicules de diverses catégories.

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Some ultrastructural data about a myoepithelium: The pharynx of a bryozoan

Summary Pharyngeal cells of Alcyonidium polyoum (Bryozoa) are provided with very large vacuoles. Each vacuole is enveloped by a thin layer of striated muscle, whose contraction enlarges the organ. Filaments join the muscular elements to the apical plasmalemma. This point of muscular insertion is connected by fibrils with the amorphic lamina of cell-coat which surrounds the microvilli. Ribosomes are often found on dyads. Various vesicles are located in the apical cytoplasm.