A catalog of bird specimens associated with Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied and potential type material in the natural history collection in Wiesbaden

Bird specimens collected by 19^th century explorer and ornithologist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied form one of the foundation collections of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. However, parts of his collection remained in Germany and came to the Museum Wiesbaden. Since Wied described numerous new species without designating types, some of these specimens might be type material. Here we present a catalog of the 30 Wiesbaden specimens associated with him and discuss their potential type status. We conclude that 17 individuals in 11 species are potential type specimens that should be considered in future taxonomic work.     

Binding of an antagonistic monoclonal antibody to an intact and fragmented EGF-receptor polypeptide

A murine monoclonal antibody (No. 425) raised against human A431 carcinoma cells specifically immunoprecipitates the 170,000 molecular weight epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor from extracts of A431 cells as well as from extracts of human placenta and cultured fibroblasts, but does not recognize the murine receptor. Binding to the external domain of the human EGF-receptor was indicated by indirect immunofluorescent staining of fixed nonpermeable cells. The antibody binds to both glyco- and aglycoreceptor forms, indicating that the epitope is a part of the polypeptide chain. Binding of the antibody to the receptor is conformation dependent; i.e., denatured receptors lacking EGF-binding activity are not recognized by the antibody. The results of antibody binding studies indicate that the epitope is closely linked to the EGF binding active site, and is common to both high- and low-affinity EGF-receptors. Interaction of this epitope with the antibody inhibits EGF binding and bioactivity, and triggers receptor down-regulation, but does not generate EGFlike kinase-stimulatory or mitogenic responses either in vitro or in vivo. The antibody was tested for its ability to bind to domain-sized fragments of the 170-kDa EGF-receptor. It can recognize both the proteolytically generated 110-kDa EGF binding peptide, and a soluble 100-kDa EGF-receptor secreted by A431 cells. This indicates that the epitope recognized this antibody retains its conformation after proteolytic separation of the EGF binding domain from the rest of the receptor molecule.     

Enhancement of epidermal growth factor receptor expression on glioma cells by recombinant tumor necrosis factor α

Summary Recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF; optimal dose 1000 U/ml) significantly increased the density of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in three of four glioma cell lines in culture as determined by binding analysis of anti-EGF-R monoclonal antibody (mAb) 425. Since enhancement of EGF-R expression by rTNF- was inhibited when cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, the effects of rTNF may be protein-synthesis-dependent. The dose of rTNF that was optimal for up-regulation of EGF-R on glioma cells did not inhibit the growth of these cells.¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 lysed glioma cells in culture following its internalization into the cells. After glioma cells had been treated with rTNF, the growth-inhibitory effects of the mAb were significantly enhanced, probably a reflection of the increase in EGF-R density on the tumor cell surfaces. The rTNF effects were specific to the EGF-R and did not affect unrelated glioma-associated antigens. In our previous clinical trials,¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 showed immunotherapeutic effects in glioma patients. The present study provides the basis for considerations of combined immunotherapy of glioma patients with¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 and rTNF.     

Identification of novel genes specifically expressed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii zygotes

The maturation of zygotes formed by the fusion of two gametes is the essential part of the diploid phase of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii sexual life cycle and results in mature zygotes competent to germinate. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying zygote maturation and the attainment of competence for germination we isolated genomic clones representing three different genes that are specifically expressed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii zygotes. Accumulation of the RNAs started more than 24 h after mating, setting these genes apart from genes expressed in young zygotes [9]. Upon light-induced germination of zygotes, the mRNAs disappeared. The patterns of RNA accumulation and disappearance were gene-specific and suggested a function of these genes in maturation and/or in initial steps of germination.     

Isolation and characterization of a carcinoma-associated antigen

GA733 is a murine IgG2a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against human gastric carcinoma and is highly tumoricidal in nude mice. The GA733 antigen is a cell surface protein with two subunits of 30,000 and 40,000 daltons. The antigen isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography consists mainly of the 30,000-dalton subunit which bears the GA733 epitope. This subunit displayed several isoelectric points between 6.9 and 7.7. Anti-colon carcinoma MAb 17-1A also detects this antigen, but probably binds to a different epitope.     

Proton NMR and fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry analysis of the melanoma-associated ganglioside 9-O-acetyl-GD3

A glycolipid antigen, detected by a monoclonal antibody (ME 311) obtained by immunizing mice with a human metastatic melanoma cell line (WM 46), was isolated and structurally characterized. Using immunostaining on thin-layer chromatograms for monitoring, 1.0 mg of a pure alkali-labile disialoganglioside was obtained from 23 g of packed melanoma cells (WM 164). Fractionation of the lipid extract was done on DEAE-Sepharose columns into total disialogangliosides which were repeatedly separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. On mild alkaline treatment, the ganglioside was converted to a slower migrating species identical with a ganglioside GD3 isolated from the same source (Neu5Ac alpha 2----8Neu5Ac alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1-cer-amide) and specifically detected by monoclonal antibody R24. Comparison of the two gangliosides by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry (revealing an acetyl group on the terminal sialic acid on the alkali-labile species) and by 1H NMR (indicating the position of the acetyl group) suggested the following structure: Neu5,9Ac2 alpha 2----8Neu5Ac alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4Glc beta 1----1-ceramide. This is identical with a ganglioside proposed earlier to exist in melanoma cells (Cheresh, D. A., Varki, A. P., Varki, N. M., Stallcup, W. B., Levine, J., and Reisfeld, R. A. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 7453-7459). Immunostaining with ME 311 antibody of cell extracts on thin-layer chromatography chromatograms revealed only this ganglioside in the melanoma cells, while normal human brain was negative. However, in one of the total ganglioside extracts tested for presence of binding with antibody ME 311, three gangliosides were found to bind. No evidence was obtained for the presence of the antigenic epitope in mucins or glycoproteins of the melanoma cells.     

Characterization of two class II chitinase genes from peanut and expression studies in transgenic tobacco plants

Two different genes encoding class II chitinases from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. NC4), A.h.Chi2;1 and A.h.Chi2;2, have been cloned. In peanut cell suspension cultures, mRNA levels of A.h.Chi2;2 increased after ethylene or salicylate treatment and in the presence of conidia from Botrytis cinerea. The second gene, A.h.Chi2;1, was only expressed after treatment with the fungal spores. Transgenic tobacco plants containing the complete peanut A.h.Chi2;1 gene exhibited essentially the same expression pattern in leaves as observed in peanut cell cultures. Expression characteristics of transgenic tobacco carrying a promoter-GUS fusion of A.h.Chi2;1 are described.     

Shape of the pelvis and posture of the hindlimbs inPlateosaurus

The pelvis ofPlateosaurus is examined from a biomechanical point of view. The shape of the acetabulum in particular is analysed in order to determine the range of possible directions of the forces exchanged between femur and pelvis. These forces must have been more or less confined to a sagittal plane. From a quasi-static analysis under consideration of the major hip muscles ofPlateosaurus, a nearly but not fully extended posture of the hindlimbs can be deduced. The hip joints ofPlateosaurus and probably of some other dinosaurs with a narrow biacetabular width were balanced rather by adducting than by abducting muscles.