Records ofApristurus herklotsi (Lamniformes,Scyliorhinidae) and discussion of its taxonomic relationships

Additional specimens of the rareApristurus herklotsi are reported, and the characteristic features of this species are discussed.A. herklotsi is concluded to be a distinct species, having a very long snout, a narrow distance between the nostrils, a long caudal fin, a short abdomen, numerous teeth on both jaws, and a low number of monospondylous vertebrae.A. herklotsi appears to be mature at about 44 cm in total length.     

Purification of substrate proteins of casein kinases from the cytosol fraction of AH-66 hepatoma cells

We have attempted to purify endogenous substrate proteins for casein kinases I and II from the cytosol of AH-66 hepatoma cells. Utilizing the fact that only a few substrates are concentrated in the fraction eluted from DEAE-cellulose between 0.3 and 0.6 M NaCl, two substrates were purified from this fraction by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and HPLC on a DEAE-5PW column. The purified substrate proteins had molecular masses of 30.5 kDa and 31 kDa. The 31-kDa protein substrate was markedly phosphorylated by casein kinase II, but only slightly by casein kinase I. The radioactive phosphate incorporated into 31-kDa substrate by casein kinase II was 0.2 mol/mol of the protein and phosphorylation occurred on both threonine and serine residues. The 30.5 kDa protein was only slightly phosphorylated by casein kinase II, but not at all by casein kinase I.     

Purification of substrate proteins of casein kinases from the cytosol fraction of AH-66 hepatoma cells

We have attempted to purify endogenous substrate proteins for casein kinases I and II from the cytosol of AH-66 hepatoma cells. Utilizing the fact that only a few substrates are concentrated in the fraction eluted from DEAE-cellulose between 0.3 and 0.6 M NaCl, two substrates were purified from this fraction by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and HPLC on a DEAE-5PW column. The purified substrate proteins had molecular masses of 30.5 kDa and 31 kDa. The 31-kDa protein substrate was markedly phosphorylated by casein kinase II, but only slightly by casein kinase I. The radioactive phosphate incorporated into 31-kDa substrate by casein kinase II was 0.2 mol/mol of the protein and phosphorylation occurred on both threonine and serine residues. The 30.5 kDa protein was only slightly phosphorylated by casein kinase II, but not at all by casein kinase I.     

In vitro phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor gene RB protein by mitosis-specific histone H1 kinase

The major components of the mitosis-specific histone H1 kinase are CDC2 kinase and cyclin and the consensus amino acid sequence for phosphorylation by this enzyme has been proposed. We have noted the presence of such sequences in six sites of the tumor suppressor gene RB protein and determined whether or not RB protein is in fact phosphorylated by this kinase. Highly purified enzyme was used for this purpose. HeLa cell extracts immunoprecipitated with anti-RB antiserum as well as RB proteins expressed in E. coli cells were shown to be phosphorylated by this kinase in vitro. Synthetic peptides for the six expected sites were also phosphorylated. These results suggest the possibility that the function of RB protein is regulated by CDC2 kinase.     

Morphology and Taxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apristurus longicephahis</Emphasis> (Lamniformes,Seyliorhinidae)

Data on the individual variation and changes with growth in proportions and morphology are presented for the poorly known Apristurus longicephalus, and compared with those of other species. A. longicephalus is concluded to be a distinct species without synonyms, characterized by its long snout, widely separate nostrils, long caudal fin, short abdomen, very sparse teeth, and low number of monospondylous vertebrae. It is a species of small size, maturing at about 42 cm in total length.     

Trace element distributions in some saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills,Antarctica

The distributions of trace elements in Shield, Ace and Burton Lakes of the Vestfold Hills were investigated. Three aspects are discussed as follows: (1) the vertical distribution of 18 trace elements in the three lakes, (2) the behaviour of trace elements in the lakes, especially that of manganese in Shield Lake, and (3) the origin of trace elements in antarctic saline lakes.High concentrations of trace elements were found in these coastal saline lakes, when compared to open ocean water.We suggest that the peak of total extractable manganese, found at 20 m in Shield Lake, was related to the oxic/anoxic water interface brought about by microbiological activity. Solid phase manganese at the upper oxic layer may have precipitated and then reached the anoxic boundary to be there reduced to manganese ion. This dissolved manganese may then have diffused upwards to be reoxidized to a solid form. This cycle, repeated many times, may have produced the Mn profile.The alkali, alkaline earth elements and Cl were probably derived from relict seawater. Other elements were present in similar concentration ratios to those of South Polar aerosols. Residence time calculations indicate that fallout of aerosol particles, themselves derived from various sources, is capable of accounting for the measured concentrations of some trace elements in Shield Lake. This source of trace elements may be significant for other antarctic saline lakes.     

Tissue distribution of casein kinases

The activities of casein kinases 1 and 2 in cytosol fractions prepared from 12 different rat tissues were compared. Casein kinase activities were detected in all tissues examined. Total casein kinase activities of lung, spleen, testis, and thymus were much higher than those of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and adrenal gland. When activities of casein kinases 1 and 2 partially purified from lung, spleen, testis, and thymus prepared from 5 rats were compared, both total and specific activities of these kinases in testis were higher than those in the other tissues. These results indicate that testis is the most suitable tissue in rats for large-scale purification of casein kinase 1 as well as casein kinase 2.