Genetics and Mechanism of Resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria in Peanut Germplasm

Segregation of resistance to Meloidogyne arenaria in six BC₅F₂ peanut breeding populations was examined in greenhouse tests. Chi-square analysis indicated that segregation of resistance was consistent with resistance being conditioned by a single gene in three breeding populations (TP259-3, TP262-3, and TP271-2), whereas two resistance genes may be present in the breeding populations TP259-2, TP263-2, and TP268-3. Nematode development in clonally propagated lines of resistant individuals of TP262-3 and TP263-2 was compared to that of the susceptible cultivar Florunner. Juvenile nematodes readily penetrated roots of all peanut genotypes, but rate of development was slower (P = 0.05) in the resistant genotypes than in Florunner. Host cell necrosis indicative of a hypersensitive response was not consistently observed in resistant genotypes of either population. Three RFLP loci linked to resistance at distances of 4.2 to 11.0 centiMorgans were identified. Resistant and susceptible alleles for RFLP loci R2430E and R2545E were quite distinct and are useful for identifying individuals homozygous for resistance in segregating populations.     

The effects of heparin cofactor II-derived chemotaxins on neutrophil actin conformation and cyclic AMP levels

The serine proteinase inhibitor heparin cofactor II (HC) can be cleaved by polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) elastase (LE) to yield potent chemotactic activity for PMN and monocytes. In contrast to the bacterially-derived chemotaxin formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), the HC-derived chemotaxin does not stimulate PMN degranulation or oxidative burst activity. We compared the effects of HC-derived chemotaxins to the effects of fMLP on PMN actin conformation and on the cAMP levels. Both the HC chemotaxins and fMLP rapidly induced an increase in F-actin which was similar in magnitude and time-course. However, in contrast to fMLP, HC-derived chemotaxins did not elevate cAMP levels. HC-derived chemotaxins may be useful probes of chemotactic responses, since they do not have the mixed biological activities of fMLP.     

Changes in protein phosphorylation during the cell cycle of Chinese hamster ovary cells

The phosphorylation patterns of proteins were examined during the cell cycle of Chinese hamster ovary cells. This was accomplished by labeling synchronized cells at various times with [32P]orthophosphate and separating the proteins by both isoelectric focusing and nonequilibrium pH gradient two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The most dramatic changes occurred during late G2/M when approximately eight proteins (including vimentin, lamin B, and histones 1 and 3) showed increased phosphorylation. Ten other proteins appeared to be uniquely phosphorylated during late G2/M. Of these 10 proteins, seven were no longer phosphorylated shortly after mitosis. There is also at least one protein which showed a relative decrease in phosphorylation during late G2/M.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of bovine nuclear protein genes

Summary We have recently cloned both the bovine protamine (Krawetz et al. 1987, DNA 6: 47–57) and high mobility group (HMG-1) cDNAs (Pentecost and Dixon 1984, Bioscience Reports 4: 49–57). They have been used as probes for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis of male-female pairs of different species and breeds, within the genus Bos. Utilizing this approach we have studied inheritance, chromosomal location and gene copy number of the bovine protamine and HMG-1 genes. This revealed that these nuclear protein genes are highly conserved suggesting that selective pressure has maintained their gene structures during evolution. A polymorphic Taq 1 restriction fragment was identified that was shown to be a heritable marker. These genes are not sex-linked and are present in a single copy for protamine and at least two copies for the HMG-1.     

Antithrombin action of phosvitin and other phosphate-containing polyanions is mediated by heparin cofactor II

We have examined the antithrombin effects of various phosphate-containing polyanions (including linear polyphosphates, polynucleotides and the phosphoserine glycoprotein, phosvitin) on the glycosaminoglycan-binding plasma proteinase inhibitors, antithrombin III (ATIII) and heparin cofactor II (HCII). These phosphate-containing polyanions accelerate the HCII-thrombin reaction, as much as 1600-fold in the case of phosvitin. The HCII-thrombin reaction with both phosvitin and polynucleotides appears to follow the ternary complex mechanism. The HCII-thrombin complex is rapidly formed in the presence of these phosphate polyanions (each at 10 micrograms/ml) when 125I-labeled thrombin is incubated with human plasma (ex vivo). None of these phosphate polyanions accelerate the ATIII-thrombin reaction. Our results suggest that the antithrombotic effect of these phosphate-containing polyanions is mediated by HCII activation and not by ATIII.     

Scabies in Sheffield: a family infestation.

From June 1972 to May 1973 the medical officer of health and general practitioners in Sheffield referred all suspected cases of scabies to the Hallamshire Hospital skin department. Contact tracing, similar to that in VD departments, was carried out by a specially trained state registered nurse. In all, 1482 cases were found in 609 households. This was ten times the number referred to the skin department in 1971. Infestation was introduced to households mainly by schoolchildren and teenagers, especially by girls. The commonest sources were friends and relatives outside the home. Schools did not play an appreciable part in spread. The secondary attack rate in households was 38%. Notification of cases, adequate treatment within the home, and contact tracing are recommended to halt the present epidemic of scabies.     

Foraging ecology of Cookiecutter Sharks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Isistius brasiliensis</Emphasis>) on pelagic fishes in Hawaii,inferred from prey bite wounds

The Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) is an ecto-parasitic predator of numerous large pelagic fish and mammals. However, little is known of its foraging ecology due to its elusive foraging tactics in the pelagic environment. We used bite scar patterns on pelagic fishes landed at the Honolulu Fish Auction to assess some of the Cookiecutter Shark foraging habits. Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) had the greatest percentage of bites (87.9 ± 25.0% of individuals had healed scars) followed by Opah (Lampris guttatus, 33.0 ± 8.3% of individuals). Most fish with scars only had one Cookiecutter Shark bite per individual with the exception of Swordfish, which often had >5 bites per individual. Furthermore, Swordfish had a higher proportion of healed bite scars meaning they had been attacked while free-swimming. Seasonal changes in the probability of hooked fish being bitten by sharks were apparent for Swordfish, Bigeye Tuna and Opah. Based on bite scar diameter, larger Cookiecutter Sharks may preferentially attack Swordfish rather than the other species of pelagic fish. When taken in conjunction with diving behavior of pelagic fish, and fishing depths, the results add further support to the hypothesis that Cookiecutter Sharks perform diel vertical migrations.