Sexual dimorphism in neuronal projections from the antennae of silk moths (Bombyx mori,Antheraea polyphemus) and the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

Summary The antennal lobe of both sexes of the silk moth Bombyx mori contains 55–60 ventrally located antennal glomeruli; in addition, that of the male contains a dorsal macroglomerular complex (MGC). A group of identifiable glomeruli consisting of two lateral large glomeruli (LLG) and four medial small glomeruli (MSG) is present in both sexes, but the LLG are greatly enlarged in the female. A MGC is also present in the male gypsy moth Lymantria dispar and male giant silk moth Antheraea polyphemus. The MGC in all of these species is organized into 3–4 distinct levels of glomeruli. Antennal sensory fibers were stained by cobalt backfills in B. mori, A. polyphemus, and L. dispar. Most fibers stained from cut long hairs (sensilla trichodea) projected to MGC in males and LLG in both sexes of B. mori. The distribution of fibers in the MGC of B. mori was topographically biased in that a majority of fibers from anterior branches projected medially in MGC while most fibers from posterior branches projected laterally or anteriorly. Terminal arborizations of single fibers were each restricted to a single glomerular level of the MGC. Fibers projecting to the posterior antennal center were frequently stained in cut-hair and control preparations, apparently by uptake of cobalt through intact sensilla on flagellar branches.     

Ozone alteration of transport of cations and the Na+/K+-ATPase in human erythrocytes.

We have purified glutaminase 65-fold from cow brain; the final specific activity is 24 μmol/min/mg. The enzyme is stable between pH 7.5 and 9.0 and has maximal activity at pH 8.8. It requires P_i for activity. The dependence of activity on P_i concentration is sigmoidal; 50 mmP_i gives half-maximal velocity at pH 8.8. At 0.2 mP_i, pH 8.8, the dependence of activity on glutamine concentration is hyperbolic; the observed K_Gln was 30 mm. Increasing P_i concentrations increase the apparent V_m and decrease the apparent K_Gln. NH₄⁺ does not inhibit at concentrations up to 0.1 m. Glutamic acid inhibits competitively with respect to glutamine; at 0.2 mP_i pH 8.8, K_Gln was 30 mm and K_Glu was 19 mm. The results are consistent with a model in which NH₄⁺ is released irreversibly from the enzyme-substrate complex and is the first product released. The activity of glutaminase appears to be independent of the nature of the buffer with which it is equilibrated before being assayed.     

Involvement of two distinct regulatory T cell populations in the antigen-specific suppression of cytolytic T cell generation.

Alloantigen-specific, radiation-resistant T cells generated in mixed-lymphocyte cultures inhibited the generation of allospecific CTL responses in vitro. This regulatory T cell population was studied using mAb generated to Ag-specific suppressor factors that regulate the response to the synthetic terpolymer L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT). Both monoclonal 984 D4.6.5 and a pool of four mAb 2441, when added in the presence of complement, eliminated alloantigen-specific inhibition of the CTL response. When separate cell cultures treated with mAb 984 or 2441 plus complement were recombined, inhibition was reestablished, suggesting that two or more populations of cells are required for active inhibition. Furthermore, neither the mAb 984 nor the mAb 2441 plus complement had any effect on any stage of CTL development. This suggests that the inhibition of the CTL response was not the result of cytolytic activity via the regulatory T cells. Experiments in which these antibodies were added without complement treatment showed that the mAb 2441 neutralized the inhibitory activity, whereas mAb 984 augmented inhibition. It is concluded from these studies that regulatory T cells originally identified in humoral immune responses also regulate cell-mediated immune responses. Suppressor epitopes are displayed on the surface of these cells that allow them to be distinguished from other T cells. These data also show the utility of the mAb 984 and 2441 raised against specific suppressor T cell products in different experimental models of immunity. These studies suggest that phenotypically distinct Ts cell populations can play a normal regulatory role in both cell-mediated and humoral immunity.     

A microstructural finite element simulation of mechanically induced bone formation.

A finite element method to simulate the formation of an interconnected trabectular bone microstructure oriented with respect to applied in vivo mechanical forces is introduced and quantitatively compared to experimental data from a hydraulic bone chamber implant model. Randomly located 45 microm mineralized nodules were used as the initial condition for the model simulations to represent an early stage of intramembranous bone formation. Boundary conditions were applied consistent with the mechanical environment provided by the in vivo bone chamber model. A two-dimensional repair simulation algorithim that incorporated strain energy density (SED), SED gradient, principal strain, or principal strain gradient as the local objective criterion was utilized to simulate the formation of an oriented trabecular bone microstructure. The simulation solutions were convergent, unique, and relatively insensitive to the assumed initial distribution of mineralized nodules. Model predictions of trabecular bone morphology and anisotropy were quantitatively compared to experimental results. All simulations produced structures that qualitatively resembled oriented trabecular bone. However only simulations utilizing a gradient objective criterion yielded results quantitatively similar to in vivo observations. This simulation approach coupled with an experimental model that delivers controlled in vivo mechanical stimuli can be utilized to study the relationship between physical factors and microstructural adaptation during bone repair.     

Identification of MarvelD3 as a tight junction-associated transmembrane protein of the occludin family

Background

Protein translocation across the membrane of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is the first step in the biogenesis of secretory and membrane proteins. Proteins enter the ER by the Sec61 translocon, a proteinaceous channel composed of three subunits, α, β and γ. While it is known that Sec61α forms the actual channel, the function of the other two subunits remains to be characterized.

Results

In the present study we have investigated the function of Sec61β in Drosophila melanogaster. We describe its role in the plasma membrane traffic of Gurken, the ligand for the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptor in the oocyte. Germline clones of the mutant allele of Sec61β show normal translocation of Gurken into the ER and transport to the Golgi complex, but further traffic to the plasma membrane is impeded. The defect in plasma membrane traffic due to absence of Sec61β is specific for Gurken and is not due to a general trafficking defect.

Conclusion

Based on our study we conclude that Sec61β, which is part of the ER protein translocation channel affects a post-ER step during Gurken trafficking to the plasma membrane. We propose an additional role of Sec61β beyond protein translocation into the ER.