Visual-vestibular convergence in the vestibular nuclei of the cat

Responses from neurons of the vestibular nuclei were recorded in N₂O-anaesthetized cats. Most neurons in the rostral parts of the nuclei responded to bimodal visual-vestibular stimulation, following a trapezoidal velocity profile. Both combinations of the two stimuli were tested: rotation of the animal with stationary visual field and rotation with overtaking visual field, i.e. the visual pattern running in the same direction as the turntable with twice the velocity. Some correlation of physiological data with results in corresponding psychophysical experiments were found. As a possible biological function of visual-vestibular convergence a phylogenetic solution for discrimination of body and outer world movement is discussed.     

Mg2+ inhibition of Na2+-stimulated Ca2+ release from brain mitochondria

Magnesium has been shown to modulate the Na+-stimulated release of Ca2+ (Na/Ca exchange) from brain mitochondria. The presence of 5 mM MgCl2 extramitochondrially inhibits the Na/Ca exchange as much as 70%. Additionally, Na+-stimulated Ca2+ release is enhanced by the presence of divalent chelators, this stimulation also being inhibited by the addition of excess Mg2+. The inhibitory effect of Mg2+ and the enhancement by chelating agents were both reversible. Heart mitochondria exhibit a similar enhancement of Na/Ca exchange by chelators and inhibition by MgCl2, though not as pronounced.     

Genetic Mapping in the Lignin-Degrading Basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

A method of meiotic segregation analysis based on recombinant selection in the homothallic basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium was developed. Using this method, we were able to reveal linkage relationships and to estimate recombination frequencies between seven mutations to auxotrophy. We detected two linkage groups, the first containing four and the second three of the seven mapped mutations.     

Influence of chlorophyll concentrations on the reliability of measurements with an oxygen electrode when studying photosynthetic efficiency in bioassays using microalgae

Euglena gracilis and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were used as model organisms to establish the best conditions for studying photosynthetic efficiency using the Light Pipette – experimental system, which enables sensitive detection of changes in oxygen evolution/consumption and an easy collection and digitalisation of data. Chlorophyll concentrations of 0.005, 0.025, 0.050 and 0.075 mgmL^-1 were investigated using different light regimes. Cultures of E. gracilis at the same chlorophyll concentration absorbed more light(measured at 580 μmol m^-2 s^-1) than those of C. reinhardtii. Cell density had a considerable effect on the reliability of measurements. Chlorophyll concentrations between 0.025 mg_Chl ml^-1 and 0.050 mg_Chlml^-1 can be recommended when applying the Light Pipette system in bioassays using microalgae. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Role of Electrostatic Interactions in Binding of Histone H3K4me2/3 to the Sgf29 Tandem Tudor Domain

Several reader domain proteins that specifically recognize methyllysine-containing histones contain the negatively-charged aspartate or glutamate residues as part of the aromatic cage. Herein, we report thermodynamic analyses for the recognition of histone H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 by the tandem tudor domain of Sgf29 and its recognition site variants. Small uncharged and large aromatic substitutions on the Asp266 site resulted in a significant decrease in binding affinities for both H3K4me3 and H3K4me2, demonstrating the role of the negative charge of Asp266 in the readout process by Sgf29. This study emphasizes the essential contribution of electrostatic interactions to the overall binding affinity, and reveals that the underlying mechanisms for the recognition of Kme2/3 depend on the composition and arrangement of the aromatic cage.     

AN ANALYSIS OF LEAF ELONGATION IN XANTHIUM PENSYLVANICUM PRESENTED IN RELATIVE ELEMENTAL RATES

Maksymowych , Roman . (Villanova U., Villanova, Pa.) An analysis of leaf elongation in Xanthium pensylvanicum presented in relative elemental rates . Amer. Jour. Bot. 49(1): 7–13. Illus. 1962.—Xanthium plants were grown vegetatively, and leaves, whose developmental stages were specified by a previously described leaf plastochron index (L.P.I.), were marked with India ink along the midrib and photographed during 3 successive days. The relative elemental rates of elongation, d(dX/dpl)/dX were estimated during the whole course of development. The pattern of elongation was not constant but was changing with increasing plastochron age of the leaf. The elements of a young leaf of L.P.I. 0.75 elongated with a constant relative rate. In older leaves, the d(dX/dpl)/dX values were progressively declining toward the tip of the lamina. After L.P.I. 6.3 the only increment in length was due to the elongation of the elements of the petiole. The pattern of growth distribution is discussed in terms of relative elemental rates with respect to cell division and cell elongation in various portions of the lamina and is correlated with the basipetal trend of tissue differentiation in the developing Xanthium leaf.