Apterichtus keramanus, a new snake-eel from Okinawa, southern Japan (Ophichthinae, Ophichthidae)

A new snake-eel,Apterichtus keramanus, is described on the basis of a single 276-mm TL specimen trawled from the coast of Kerama Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The species is unique in the genus in having the posterior nostril opening entirely inside the mouth and a dark band running from the anteroventral margin of the eye to the upper lip.     

Chromatic Regulation of Photosystem Composition in the Cyanobacterial Photosynthetic System: Kinetic Relationship between Change of Photosystem Composition and Cell Proliferation

Kinetics of the change of photosystem (PS) composition in cyanobacteriainduced by chromatic light were studied in relation to cellproliferation. The study was made for two unicellular strains,Synechococcus NIBB 1059 and Synechocystis (Aphanocapsa) PCC6714. We found that (1) the change to a higher or lower PS I/IIratio was due to acceleration or suppression of apparent PSI formation, and (2) it progressed on a similar time scale tothat of the cell proliferation. The apparent rate constant ofthe change in the PS I/II ratio was proportional to that ofcell proliferation, µ, when this was low, but at highvalues of µ the increase in the rate constant of the changein the PS I/II ratio became smaller, causing a deviation fromthe linear relationship. Results indicate that under autotrophicconditions, the photoregulated composition change occurs asa result of thylakoid development, which accompanies cell proliferation. (Received June 23, 1986; Accepted December 5, 1986)     

Effect of Supra-High Irradiation on the Photosynthetic System of the Cyanophyte Synechocystis PCC 6714

Stability of thylakoid components under supra-high irradiancewas studied with the cyanophyte Synechocystis PCC 6714. Theactivity of overall photosynthesis was quickly inactivated (T_1/2=20min) under supra-high irradiance (300 W m^–2, white light).In parallel with the inactivation of photosynthesis, QA in PSII was also inactivated. Both inactivations were acceleratedby chloramphenicol (CAP) addition. The reactivation of PS IIrequired weak irradiation and was suppressed by CAP. However,PS I measured as P700 was very stable. The level of PS I measuredas P700 was not significantly reduced by the irradiation for12 h even in the presence of CAP while the level of Cyt b₅₅₉,component of PS II, was decreased markedly. The function ofPS I before and after supra-high irradiation with CAP was examinedby comparing sizes of P700 oxidation induced by a short flash,by a continuous light, and by determination of O₂-and ferredoxin-reduction.No difference was observed in PS I actions before and afterthe irradiation treatment. These results indicate that the PSI complex is very tolerant of supra-high irradiation. However,the cells grown under supra-high irradiance contained much fewerPS I and PS II complexes than Cyt b₆–f complexes. Theformer levels were reduced to a half to one fourth of thosebefore growth while the level of Cyt b₆–f complex wasnot reduced so much. A possible mechanism for changes in thylakoidcomposition under supra-high irradiation was discussed. (Received February 16, 1991; Accepted June 12, 1991)     

Mutual interactions between optic lobe circadian pacemakers in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

The coupling mechanism between the bilaterally paired optic lobe circadian pacemakers in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus was investigated by recording locomotor activity, under constant light or constant red light, after the optic nerve was unilaterally severed.

A human monoclonal antibody directed to blood group i antigen: heterohybridoma between human lymphocytes from regional lymph nodes of a lung cancer patient and mouse myeloma

A fusion of human lymphocytes released from regional lymph nodes of papillary adenocarcinoma of lung cancer with mouse myeloma P3-X63-Ag8-U1 cells resulted in a stable hybridoma-secreting human IgM antibody (NCC-1004) that reacts with a large proportion of squamous cell carcinomas of lung and esophagus as well as carcinoma of thyroid glands. However, the antibody also reacts with normal red blood cells, B lymphocytes, and a few other limited loci in normal tissues such as the basal cells of bronchial epithelium and the basal cell layer of stratified squamous epithelium, as well as endothelium and alveolar lining epithelium. The antigen defined by NCC-1004 has been characterized as blood group i antigen on the basis of the following results. The antibody preferentially agglutinates cord erythrocytes in contrast to adult erythrocytes. The agglutination was obvious at 4 degrees C, but diminished greatly at 37 degrees C, and was enhanced after sialidase treatment. The antibody specifically reacts with lacto-norhexaosylceramide (nLc6) and sialosyllacto-norhexaosylceramide (IV3NeuAcnLc6), but does not react with lacto-neotetraosylceramide (nLc4), sialosyllacto-neotetraosylceramide (IV3NeuAcnLc4), lacto-isooctaosylceramide (IV6Gal beta 1----4GlcNAcnLc6; I antigen), and other standard glycolipids so far tested. The properties of the antibody and its antigen are identical to those previously described for the i blood group system. Inasmuch as the hybridoma was established by hybridization of lymphocytes derived from regional lymph nodes of lung cancer, and the antigen was found in the patient's lung cancer tissue, the i antigen in lung cancer is probably recognized as a tumor-associated antigen by the host's immune cell system.     

Activated c-raf gene in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline

A rat hepatocellular carcinoma, IQ7, induced by 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) gave two transformants of NIH 3T3 cells on DNA mediated gene transfer. One of these transformants was examined further and secondary and tertiary transformants were obtained. The secondary transformant was tumorigenic in nude mice. The activated oncogene in this primary transformant was identified as rat c-raf by Southern blot analysis.     

Identification of jasmonic acid in Mimosa pudica and its inhibitory effect on auxin- and light-induced opening of the pulvinules

Jasmonic acid was identified from Mimosa pudica L. plants by mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Effects of authentic jasmonic acid on pulvinule movement and transpiration of the pinnae were compared with those of abscisic acid. Jasmonic acid and abscisic acid each at 10⁻⁵ M inhibited both auxin- and light-induced opening of the pulvinules. A closure-inducing activity of jasmonic acid at 10⁻⁴ M was greater than that of abscisic acid at 10⁻⁴ M. Pinnae transpiration was reduced by 10⁻⁵ M abscisic acid but not by 10⁻⁴ M jasmonic acid.     

Electron microscopy of two types of gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary glands of persistent estrous and diestrous rats

Summary Persistent estrus and diestrus was produced in rats by the administration of estrone for either 5 days or 30 days, respectively, immediately after birth. Female rats without any treatment were used for control. After these rats grew up, the anterior pituitaries were examined by electron microscopy. The identification criteria for two types of gonadotrophs, FSH-and LH-cells, proposed by Barnes were adopted. In the persistent estrous rats, FSH-gonadotrophs were almost normal, but LH-gonadotrophs were filled with an abundance of secretory granules which were probably suppressed in discharge. On the other hand, in the persistent diestrous rats, FSH-cells were few in number and strongly atrophic, containing a few secretory granules, while LH-cells were almost normal or rather slightly activated. These electron microscopic findings well coincide with the results of light microscopy of ovaries, which suggested that in the persistent estrous rats FSH secretion might be almost normal but the secretion of LH might be inhibited, while in the persistent diestrous rats FSH secretion might be almost totally abolished but LH might be moderately secreted. From these findings, identification of FSH-and LH-gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary of the rat well coincides with that proposed by Barnes in mice.