Morphologische untersuchungen an zwei drüsentypen (Thoraxdrüse,Mandibeldrüse) von Lepidopterenraupen

Two types of possibly homologous glands different in structure and formation have been found. One of them is represented in C. vinula L. and N. anceps Goeze, it is an endocrine organ. The other in S. ligustri, S. ocellata, M. neustria and L. monacha has an excretory duct and therefore is an exocrine organ.

---

---

Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Characterization of the Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli nifA gene,a positive regulator of nif gene expression

We report the isolation, mutational analysis and the nucleotide sequence of the Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli nifA gene. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with other NifA sequences indicated the presence of the conserved central activator and the C-terminal DNA-binding domains. Nodules elicited by a R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli nifA mutant were symbiotically ineffective. The expression of a nifA-gusA fusion was shown to be independent on the oxygen status of the cell. We cloned the three nifH copies of R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and determined the nucleotide sequence of their promoter regions. The expression of nifH-gusA fusions is induced under microaerobic conditions and is dependent on the presence of NifA.Abbreviations bp base pair(s) - kb kilobase(s) - ORF open reading frame     

Agitation,aeration and perfusion modules for cell culture bioreactors

For an optimized bioreactor design which is adapted to the cultivation of sensitive animal cells different modular bioreactor components for gentle agitation, sufficient aeration and long-term perfusion were developed and investigated with respect to their suitability from laboratory to production scale. Aeration systems have been designed for both shear sensitive cells and cells which tolerate bubbles. The systems are based on either membranes for bubble-free aeration or stainless steel sparger systems. They were characterized by determination of their oxygen transfer capacity and optimized in cultivation processes of different cell lines under process conditions such as batch and perfusion mode.Different impellers for suspension cells and cells grown on carriers were investigated for their suitability to ensure homogeneous gentle mixing. A large pitch blade impeller as well as a novel 3-blade segment impeller are appropriate for homogeneous mixing at low shear rates. Especially with the 3-blade segment impeller fluid mechanical stress can be reduced at a given stirrer speed which is advantageous for the cultivation of cells attached to microcarriers or extremely shear sensitive suspension cells. However, our results indicate that shear sensitivity of animal cells has been generally overestimated.Continuous perfusion of both suspension cell cultures and cells cultivated on microcarriers could be successfully performed over extended periods of time using stainless steel spinfilters with appropriate pore sizes and systems based on microporous hydrophilic membranes. Spinfilters are suitable cell retention systems for technical scale bioreactors allowing continuous perfusion cultures of suspension cells (pore size 10 to 20 m) as well as anchorage dependent cells grown on microcarriers (pore size 75 m) over six weeks to 3 months.Applying the developed modules for agitation, aeration and perfusion process adapted bioreactor set-ups can be realized which ensure optimum growth and product formation conditions in order to maximize cell and product yields.     

The ultrastructure of campaniform sensilla on the eye of the cricket,Gryllus campestris

Summary The structure of the campaniform sensilla of the cricket eye was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Each sensillum is innervated by a single bipolar neuron. Its axon extends through the retina into a side-branch of the nervus tegumentarius. The dendrite extends through a cuticular channel to the surface of the cornea. The distal part of the dendrite, the sensory process, contains a tubular body and is attached to a cuticular cap which is obliquely inserted into the exocuticle between the corneal lenslets. Some particular structural features as well as the function of the campaniform sensillum of the cricket eye are discussed.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant Ho 463/10The authors are indebted to Prof. H. Altner, University of Regensburg, and Mrs. Evelyn Thury, Contron GmbH, München for use of the scanning electron microscope facilities     

UPTAKE OF GLUCOSE ANALOGUES BY RAT BRAIN CORTEX SLICES: Na+-INDEPENDENT MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

Abstract— The glucose analogues 3-O-methyl-D-glucose and α-methyl-D-glucoside were not metabolized in brain tissue.
The uptake of these two sugars into the intracellular compartment of brain cortex slices was investigated using media with normal and low Na⁺ concentration (replacement of all NaCl with choline Cl). The cellular transport was not Na⁺-dependent. The transport mechanism clearly distinguished between the two sugars in both normal and low Na⁺ media.     

Veränderungen der Oenozyten und ihre Funktion während der Metamorphose bei Schwärmern und Zahnspinnern

Zusammenfassung VonCerura vinula undSphinx ligustri wurden die Oenozyten im letzten Larvenstadium und in der Puppe untersucht und ihre Struktur beschrieben. Ihre Aktivitätsphasen liegen zur Zeit der beiden Häutungen (Larven- und Puppenhäutung) und im letzten Larveninstar vor der Umfärbung, einem äußerlich sichtbaren Metamorphoseschritt, und vor der Puppenhäutung im Färbungsstadium III. Sie stehen mit den Umwandlungsprozessen, die in den Raupen zu diesem Zeitpunkt stattfinden in deutlichem Zusammenhang. —2–4 Monate nach der Puppenhäutung sind in den diapausierenden Puppen noch aktive larvale Oenozyten vorhanden. — Aktivitätsphasen sind charakterisiert durch viele große und kleine Vakuolen neben kanalartigen Strukturen im Zytoplasma, stark verzweigte Kerne und weitreichende Zellaus- und-einbuchtungen.Im Vorpuppenstadium (Färbungsstadium IV) entstehen die imaginalen Oenozyten aus der Epidermis, sie werden erst kurz vor der Adulthäutung aktiv.Haemozyten, neurosekrethaltig, legen sich dicht an die Oenozyten an und dringen zwischen Zelleinfaltungen ins Innere vor.Lipide, besonders reichlich in aktiven Phasen vorhanden, konnten sowohl im Zytoplasma nachgewiesen werden, als auch ihr Übertritt aus dem Fettgewebe, das den Drüsen eng anliegt.Glykogen tritt ebenfalls in den Oenozyten auf, seine Menge steht aber in keinem merklichen. Zusammenhang mit den Zellrhythmen. Physiologische Versuche beweisen, daß die Oenozyten und auch die Prothorakaldrüsen in aktiven Phasen das Häutungs- und Metamorphosehormon abgeben. Sie lösen beide den Umfärbungsprozeß aus. Gehirne mit neurosekretorischen Zellen in aktiver Phase oder Cholesterin können die Prothorakaldrüsen und z.T. auch die Oenozyten zur Abgabe ihres Hormons anregen.

---

Changes of oenocytes and their function during metamorphosis of sphingidae and notodontidae

Summary Oenocytes of the last larval instar and the pupa ofCerura vinula andSpinx ligustri have been examined, and their structure described. The activity phases of the oenocytes at the time of both moultings, as well as during the last larval instar prior to an externally visible color change and prior to the pupal ecdysis i.e. during color change stage III) were clearly related to the process of metamorphosis, which was occurring in the larvae at this time 2–4 months after pupal ecdysis, diapausing pupae still show active larval oenocytes. Activity phases are characterized by many large and small vacuoles in addition to channel-like cytoplasmatic structures, heavily branched nuclei and extensive cell processes and infoldings of the cell membrane. In the pharate pupal stage (colour change stage IV) the imaginal oenocytes originate from the hypodermis, becoming active just prior to the adult ecdysis.Haemocytes containing neurosecretory material attach themselves to the oenocytes and enter through infoldings of the cell membrane. Lipids, which are particularly abundant during active phases, could be demonstrated in the cytoplasm as well as passing from the fatty tissue closely surrounding the glands. Glycogen was also present in the oenocytes. There was, however, no noticeable relation of these materials to the rhythm.Physiological experiments demonstrated that oenocytes as well as prothoracic glands, when active, secrete the moulting and metamorphosis hormone. Both glands initiate the process of colour change. Brain tissue, containing active neurosecretory cells, or cholesterol, may stimulate the prothoracic galnds and the oenocytes to secrete their hormone.

---

---

Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

30 years of repeat expansion disorders: What have we learned and what are the remaining challenges?

Tandem repeats represent one of the most abundant class of variations in human genomes, which are polymorphic by nature and become highly unstable in a length-dependent manner. The expansion of repeat length across generations is a well-established process that results in human disorders mainly affecting the central nervous system. At least 50 disorders associated with expansion loci have been described to date, with half recognized only in the last ten years, as prior methodological difficulties limited their identification. These limitations still apply to the current widely used molecular diagnostic methods (exome or gene panels) and thus result in missed diagnosis detrimental to affected individuals and their families, especially for disorders that are very rare and/or clinically not recognizable. Most of these disorders have been identified through family-driven approaches and many others likely remain to be identified. The recent development of long-read technologies provides a unique opportunity to systematically investigate the contribution of tandem repeats and repeat expansions to the genetic architecture of human disorders. In this review, we summarize the current and most recent knowledge about the genetics of repeat expansion disorders and the diversity of their pathophysiological mechanisms and outline the perspectives of developing personalized treatments in the future.

Tandem repeats represent one of the most abundant class of variations in human genomes, which are polymorphic by nature and become highly unstable in a length-dependent manner. The expansion of repeat length across generations is a well-established process that results in human disorders mainly affecting the central nervous system. At least 50 disorders associated with expansion loci have been described to date, with half recognized only in the last ten years, as prior methodological difficulties limited their identification. These limitations still apply to the current widely used molecular diagnostic methods (exome or gene panels) and thus result in missed diagnosis detrimental to affected individuals and their families, especially for disorders that are very rare and/or clinically not recognizable. Most of these disorders have been identified through family-driven approaches and many others likely remain to be identified. The recent development of long-read technologies provides a unique opportunity to systematically investigate the contribution of tandem repeats and repeat expansions to the genetic architecture of human disorders. In this review, we summarize the current and most recent knowledge about the genetics of repeat expansion disorders and the diversity of their pathophysiological mechanisms and outline the perspectives of developing personalized treatments in the future.     

Histologische untersuchungen am wehrsekretbeutel von Cerura vinula L. und Notodonta anceps Goeze (Notodontidae,Lepidoptera)

The larvae of Cerura vinula L. and Notodonta anceps Goeze secrete formic acid for defence. The glandular protective system which forms the acid and changes of the cell structure were studied with the light-microscope.

---

---

Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.