Complete elimination of hostplant quinolizidine alkaloids by larvae of a polyphagous lycaenid butterfly,Callophrys rubi

Caterpillars of the lycaenid butterfly Callophrys rubi accept a variety of hostplants. When fed inflorescences or leaves of Genista tinctoria (a natural hostplant) or Lupinus polyphyllus (a non-host), the larvae completely eliminate quinolizidine alkaloids ingested from their food in their frass. No alkaloids are stored. Infestation by the parasitoid wasp Distatrix sancus (Braconidae) did not affect alkaloid elimination. The presence of an effective anti-toxin system is discussed with reference to the evolution of hostplant relationships in the genus Callophrys. There is no evidence that in the secondarily myrmecoxenous larvae of C. rubi hostplantderived chemical defense takes the place of former myrmecophily.     

Epithelioid sarcoma

The first appearance, the 12-year follow-up, and the autopsy of a patient with a strange soft-tissue tumor in the lower leg region are described. Although it was originally taken for a malignant synovial tumor, its peculiar distribution pattern, together with its histologic picture, confirmed the final diagnosis as an epithelioid sarcoma.     

The potential of mass spectrometry imaging in plant metabolomics: a review

Phytochemistry Reviews - Imaging mass spectrometry (MSI) has contributed important information to several scientific fields and more recently to the biological sciences. The use of MSI as an...     

Effect of microtubule-associated proteins on the protofilament number of microtubules assembled in vitro

In order to demonstrate the effect of microtubule-associated proteins on the protofilament number of microtubules, we used different systems of microtubule formation in vitro in which these proteins are either functionally eliminated (by DNA or glycerol) or absent (purified tubulin). The results obtained by electron microscopy of ultrathin-sectioned material indicate that under standard conditions in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins microtubules are formed consisting predominantly of 14 protofilaments. In cases of deficiency of microtubule-associated proteins, the mean value of the protofilament number is lower, and the protofilament number within the microtubule population varies remarkably. On the other hand, the action of microtubule-associated proteins is enhanced by histones resulting in increased protofilament numbers. A model is proposed illustrating that the quality and the quantity of microtubule-associated proteins bound to microtubules determine the curvature between the protofilaments and restrict the variety of their binding angles. In this way the microtubule-associated proteins may be regarded as an important factor in determining the structural fidelity of microtubules.     

Cell degeneration during early development of hymenopteran olfactory sensilla

The imaginal pore plates of Hymenoptera apocrita so far examined embody five or six envelope cells respectively. In early developmental stages, however, supernumerary envelope cells have been found. The results are discussed in the context of cell death as a developmental phenomenon.     

Über Vorzugstemperaturen von Reptilien

Zusammenfassung V.T.-Bestimmungen an 25 Reptilienarten (Echsen und Schlangen) ergaben: Die artliche Höhe der V.T. hat Beziehungen zu Biotop und Lebensweise der Art. Arten aus kühlen Biotopen mit kühler Lebensweise haben tiefere V.T.-Werte als solche aus warmen Biotopen mit warmer Lebensweise. Echsen haben im allgemeinen höhere V.T. als Schlangen aus ähnlichen Biotopen und mit ähnlicher Lebensweise. Das Klima an sich beeinflußt — soweit es nicht schädigend wirkt — die V.T.Höhe des Individuums nicht. Junge Eidechsen haben tiefere V.T. als erwachsene, was wohl durch Verschiedenheiten in bezug auf Hautdicke, Pigmentierung und Körpermasse bedingt ist. Die artliche Pigmentierung und die V.T.-Höhe können indirekt miteinander in Beziehung stehen. Die artliche geographische Verbreitung nach Norden und Süden entspricht im großen und ganzen den artlichen V.T.-Höhen. Ebenso die vertikale Verbreitung in den Gebirgen. Innerhalb des Artareals auf dem Festland in der Ebene sind die V.T. etwa gleich hoch. In größeren Gebirgshöhen und auf kleinen Inseln können die Populationen andere (meist höhere) V.T. haben (geographische Vorzugstemperaturen). Populationen der gleichen Art oder Rasse von verschiedenen Inseln können in bezug auf die V.T.-Höhen voneinander abweichen. Es wird versucht, diese Verschiedenheiten in den V.T.-Höhen durch die Isolation der Populationen, durch die Mutationshäufung (die durch Selektion gefördert werden kann) entsteht, zu deuten. Die Höhe der V.T. ist bei den Reptilien ein erbliches Merkmal, das sich genetisch ähnlich wie die Körperfarbe zu verhalten scheint.Die Arbeit wurde z. T. mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft ausgeführt.     

Human nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (Nm23-H2) from melanoma cells shows altered phosphoryl transfer activity due to the S122P mutation.

The Ser122 --> Pro mutation in human nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK)-B/Nm23-H2 was recently found in melanoma cells. In comparison to the wild-type enzyme, steady state activity of NDKS122P with ATP and TDP as substrates was slowed down 5-fold. We have utilized transient kinetic techniques to analyze phosphoryl transfer between the mutant enzyme and various pairs of nucleoside triphosphates and nucleoside diphosphates. The two half-reactions of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the active site histidine residue (His118) were studied separately by making use of the intrinsic fluorescence changes which occur during these reactions. All apparent second order rate constants are drastically reduced, falling 5-fold for phosphorylation and 40-200-fold for dephosphorylation. Also, the reactivity of the mutant with pyrimidine nucleotides and deoxy nucleotides is more than 100-fold reduced compared with the wild-type. Thus, the rate-limiting step of the NDK-BS122P-catalyzed reaction is phosphoryl transfer from the phospho-enzyme intermediate to the nucleoside diphosphate and not phosphoryl transfer from the nucleoside triphosphate to the enzyme as was found for the wild-type protein. This results in a pronounced shift of the equilibrium between unphosphorylated and phosphorylated enzyme. Moreover, like the Killer-of-prune mutation in Drosophila NDK and the neuroblastoma Ser120 --> Gly mutation in human NDK-A/Nm23-H1, the Ser122 --> Pro substitution in NDK-B affects the stability of the protein toward heat and urea. These significantly altered properties may be relevant to the role of the mutant enzyme in various intracellular processes.