Differential Responsiveness in Zonal Growth of Cocklebur Seed Axes to CO2, C2H4, O2 and Respiration Inhibitors

The axial growth of de-coated cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicumWallr.) seeds, whose axes were divided into 4 zones, was examinedin relation to the temperature-dependent shift of the effectof C₂H₄ on germination. At 23?C, where both C₂H₄ and CO₂ stimulatedgermination, CO₂ promoted the axial growth at the radicle tipzone, whereas C₂H₄ promoted growth in the proximal portion ofthe axis. At 33?C, C₂H₄ inhibited germination, and stronglysuppressed the growth at the radicle tip, whereas the effectof CO₂ did not change. The inhibition of growth at the radicletip zone was alleviated by O₂ enrichment, which also reversedthe inhibition of germination. It is thus apparent that thetemperature-dependent shift of the action of C₂H₄ is associatedwith a temperature-dependent responsiveness of the radicle tipzone to C₂H₄. Growth of the radicle tip zone was sensitive toNaN₃, whereas the proximal portion was sensitive to benzohydroxamicacid, an inhibitor of alternative respiration, suggesting thatthere may be an increase in the operation of the alternativerespiration path along a gradient of axial tissue from the tiptowards the cotyledonary side. The effects of CO₂ and C₂H₄ arediscussed in relation to the different respiratory activitiesin each axial zone of cocklebur seeds. (Received May 9, 1986; Accepted November 6, 1986)     

Modification of regression of virally xenogenized tumor cells by cyclophosphamide and busulfan

Summary Rat fibrosarcoma cells infected with Friend leukemia virus (FV-KMT-17) grow for a short time and then regress spontaneously in syngeneic hosts. This regression mechanism was examined by analyzing the immunomodulating action of the antitumor drugs busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY). In preliminary experiments, the optimum dosages of BU and CY for the enhancement of DTH responses to SRBC were 10 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg respectively. Treatment of rats with BU (10 mg/kg) on day 5 induced the regression of KMT-17 cells, while in contrast, the same drug delayed the spontaneous regression of FV-KMT-17 cells. Pretreatment with CY (40 mg/kg) on day 5 did not affect the growth of KMT-17 or FV-KMT-17 cells. After the same treatment schedule, BU inhibited humoral antibody formation against SRBC and against virus-associated antigen (VAA), NK cell activity, and ADCC effector cell activity. On the other hand, CY did not affect the activities of NK cells or ADCC effector cells, although it significantly augmented the DTH responses to SRBC and the production of antibody to VAA but had no effect on production of antibodies to SRBC. These results suggest that NK cells and ADCC may play an important role in the initial stage of the spontaneous regression of FV-KMT-17 cells.Supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Japanese Ministry of Education Abbreviations used: BU, busulfan; CY, cyclophosphamide; PFC assay, plaque forming cell assay; VAA, virus-associated antigen; NK cell, natural killer cell; ADCC, antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity; MuLV, murine leukemia virus; DTH, delayed type hypersensitivity; SRBC, sheep red blood cells; C.I., cytotoxic index; CRBC, chicken red blood cells; IL-1, interleukin 1; IL-2, interleukin 2; IFN, interferon     

The Level of Stromal ATP Regulates Translation of the D1 Protein in Isolated Chloroplasts

The synthesis of the D1 subunit of the reaction center of photosystemII is light-dependent in isolated chloroplasts. The mechanismof the regulation by light was analyzed using spinach chloroplasts.The light-regulated synthesis of the D1 protein was preventedby the addition of atrazine and the dependence on the concentrationof atrazine of the inhibition was practically identical withthat of the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transportin photosystem II, as measured by the photoreduction of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol. Inhibitors of photosynthetic phosphorylation, suchas phloridzin, nigericin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone,also inhibited the light-dependent synthesis of the D1 protein.Determination of the levels of ATP in chloroplasts and the ratesof synthesis of D1 protein under the various degrees of inhibitioncaused by these reagents suggested that the level of ATP inthe soluble, stromal fraction can control the synthesis of theD1 protein. The level of stromal ATP in chloroplasts was furthermanipulated, either by modulating the intensity of actinic lightor by the addition of metabolites, such as glycerate, whichwas used to decrease the level of ATP in the light, and dihydroxyacetonephosphate/oxaloacetate, which was used to raise the level ofATP in the dark. The results definitely support the hypothesisthat the light-induced level of ATP is an essential determinantin the regulation of the synthesis of the D1 protein in isolatedchloroplasts. (Received July 25, 1991; Accepted October 22, 1991)     

Formation of Rhamnolipid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its Function in Hydrocarbon Fermentation

Screening test for obtaining growth stimulant (GS) produced by a hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa S₇B₁, was carried out. In consequence, the anthrone positive substance was most effective on the growth of this strain. Although the growth of this strain on glucose medium had no relation with the addition of GS, the growth on n-hexadecane medium was remarkably stimulated by the addition of GS. This effect of GS seemed to be specific on the growth of P. aeruginosa. GS which had a strong surface activity and emulsifying power was comfirmed to be rhamnolipid.     

Adrenomedullin in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent, long-lasting pulmonary vasodilator peptide. Plasma AM level is elevated in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), and circulating AM is partially metabolized in the lungs. These findings suggest that AM plays an important role in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone and vascular remodeling. We have demonstrated the effects of three types of AM delivery systems: intravenous administration, inhalation, and cell-based gene transfer. Despite endogenous production of AM, intravenously administered AM at a pharmacologic level decreased pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with PPH. Inhalation of AM improved hemodynamics with pulmonary selectivity and exercise capacity in patients with PPH. Cell-based AM gene transfer ameliorated pulmonary hypertension rats. These results suggest that additional administration of AM may be effective in patients with pulmonary hypertension. AM may be a promising endogenous peptide for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.     

Dissolved helium distribution in deep groundwaters from the Tono area,central Japan: a tool for tracing groundwater flow in fractured granite

The helium isotopic composition of groundwater collected from boreholes was measured in the Tono area from up to 840m underground. The ³He/⁴He and ⁴He/²⁰Ne ratios ranged from 9.1 × 10^–8 to 1.48 × 10^–6 and from 0.22 to 190, respectively, implying that the groundwater accumulates significant amounts of radiogenic ⁴He as it flows. In groundwater from sedimentary rocks, the levels of accumulated helium increase with depth, whereas those in the samples from fractured granite vary from borehole to borehole. Considering the hydrogeological and topographical model together, dissolved He concentrations in groundwater indicate the groundwater flow direction. Although the groundwater flow in fractured granite is generally thought to be controlled by the fracture pattern, the overall flow of the Tono area inferred from helium isotopes is also controlled by topography.     

An immunostimulatory DNA sequence from a probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium longum inhibits IgE production in vitro

The immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) BL07 (5'-GCGTCGGTTTCGGTGCTCAC-3') was identified from the genomic DNA of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536. ODN BL07 stimulated B-lymphocyte proliferation and induced interleukin-12 (IL-12) production in macrophage-like J774.1 cells. ODNs BL07 and BL07S (modified with phosphorothioate backbone) significantly inhibited immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and stimulated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-12 production, but did not affect IL-4 secretion in murine splenic cells of ovalbumin-primed BALB/c mice. These ODNs also significantly inhibited production of IgE in purified murine B cells in the presence of IL-4 and anti-CD40. The results suggest the potential of ODNs BL07 and BL07S in preventing IgE-related immune responses and the possible involvement of ODN BL07 in the antiallergic efficacy of B. longum BB536.