Study of membrane-bound ribosomes during pea chloroplasts formation]

Membrane-bound ribosomes of chloroplasts, isolated from pea seedlings during grana formation, can be partially liberated by 0.5 M KCl and 0.001 M puromycin. In case of mature chloroplasts, after the completion of grana formation process these agents are inefficient, and liberation of ribosomes and polyribosomes may be achieved only after solubilization of thylakoid membranes by 1% Triton X-100. Electron microscopic study of the heavy membrane fraction of young chloroplasts reveals electron-transparent membranes, containing rings and discs of thylakoids with a diameter of about 2 mum. These rings are liberated together with ribosomes under the action of 0.5 M KCl; Triton X-100 liberates equally-sized annular polyribosomes. The rings detected in chloroplast membranes at early stages of development are regarded as structures, precursor grana thylakoids, and the annular polyribosomes included into them as immediate participants of thylakoid morphogenesis.     

Participation of the SSB protein in the repair of the DNA in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells following gamma radiation

Survival of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, SSB content of the chromatin, and repair DNA synthesis rate were investigated after gamma-irradiation, the rate of repair synthesis was shown to depend on the SSB-protein content of the chromatin. Changes in the amount of SSB-protein in the chromatin were not connected with the postirradiation accumulation of single-strand sites in DNA.     

Participation of the NAD-poly(ADP ribose) system in the degradation of chromatin in irradiated thymocytes

The diminution of NAD level in mouse thymus lymphocytes precedes their death under the effect of various genotoxic agents and manifests itself by the time of the onset of chromatin degradation. At the same time, in vitro, NAD does not influence the activity of micrococcus nuclease of Ca2+,Mg2+-dependent endonuclease from human spleen. Stimulation of protein poly(ADP-ribosylation) by exogenous NAD does not change the sensitivity of chromatin to micrococcus nuclease. In contrast to hepatocytes, in the thymus, no inhibition of Ca2+,Mg2+-endonuclease, resulting from ADP-ribosylation, occurs which may be due to low activity of ADP-ribosyl transferase in thymocytes. Incubation of thymus lymphocytes with benzamide prior to irradiation does not inhibit chromatin degradation. It is suggested that the decrease in the NAD level is one of the indications of the injury to thymocytes which is not related to the induction of their death. In contrast to thymocytes, the pretreatment of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with benzamide produces a radiosensitizing effect.     

Effects of a lymphocytic chalone-containing preparation on the mitotic activity of mouse thymocytes in vivo

It has been shown that chalone-containing substance obtained from the rat spleen decreased the mitotic activity of mouse thymocytes upon its intraperitoneal administration to animals. The maximum inhibition was observed 45 min after the injection. Thus, the substance examined has the property of G2 chalone.     

Effect of the inducers of cellular differentiation and of ionizing radiation on thymus lymphocytes: chromatin degradation and programmed cell death

The cytotoxic response of thymocytes to chemical inducers of differentiation does not represent a non-specific toxic action of these drugs. The death of thymocytes treated with the inducers or with gamma-rays is associated with internucleosomal chromatin fragmentation. All treatments are more effective on the most radiosensitive sub-population of these cells. This subpopulation is characterized by the maximal level of spontaneous DNA lesions. Incubation of thymocytes with the inducers of differentiation raises the level of these lesions. It is suggested that the processes of thymocyte death after the inducer treatment or irradiation and of cellular differentiation have features in common, and the capacity of thymocytes to limit or reverse the potentially lethal effects of these treatments is determined by the level of pre-existing spontaneous DNA lesions.     

Proteolytic enzymes as markers of productivity and heterosis of silkworm

A positive correlation between the activity level of cysteine proteinases in developing eggs of common silkworm moth (Bombyx mori L.), on the one hand, and a set of commercial characteristics, on the other, was found. This allows the determination of cysteine proteinase activities (pH optima of 3.0, 3.6, and 8.6) to be recommended as a biochemical test for an early prediction of potential productivity of silkworm breeds. A positive correlation between the activity level of acid cysteine proteinases in eggs of parental breeds and a set of commercial characteristics of their hybrids was detected, indicating the possibility of predicting the degree of heterosis.Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2005, pp. 99–106.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Krylova, Yarygin, Filippovich.     

Effect of the modification of carboxylic groups in protohemin IX on the properties of endoperoxide prostaglandin synthetase

The effect of protohemin IX and its modified analogs (monomethyl ester, dimethyl ester, as well as monoamides with Val-Phe-OCH3 or Leu-His-OCH3) has been examined on the activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase from sheep vesicular glands (PGH-synthetase, EC 1.14.99.1, isolated as apoenzyme). For holoenzymes having the above compounds as prosthetic groups, the dissociation constants, relative activities and the apparent inactivation constants in the course of the reaction have been determined. The effect of Tween 20 on the indicated parameters for holoenzymes with protohemin IX and its mono- and dimethyl esters has been studied. Modification of one of the two carboxylic groups of protohemin IX markedly increases the dissociation constant for the respective holoenzyme and virtually does not affect catalytic activity. Modification of both carboxylic groups of protohemin IX hinder the binding with the apoenzyme and strongly reduces the catalytic activity of the holoenzyme.     

The different effects of carbon dioxide on the toxicity of silver ions for prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms

The effect of carbon dioxide on survivability of bacteria Escherichia coli and the germination ability of conidia of the fungus Neurospora crassa in the presence of silver nitrate was studied. It was shown that carbon dioxide increased the toxic effect of silver ions on prokaryotic cells of E. coli but did not change the survivability of spores of the eukaryote N. Crassa.