Search for chromosomal variations among gas-exposed persons in Bhopal

Summary A chromosomal survey using standard lymphocyte cultures employing different media and G-banding techniques was initiated in 1984. This study became particularly important following the tragic gaseous exposure of the population in Bhopal at midnight on 2 December 1984. We have been able to formulate a chromosomal profile for each person whom we have studied; during 1986–1988, 154 persons were examined twice. Among seemingly normal individuals, as many as 20% might possess some chromosomal abnormality; of these, 50% may develop, at a later date, some kind of pathological complication (such as tumours, recurrent abortion or transmission of defects to their offspring). The people exposed to methyl isocyanate have repeatedly shown Robertsonian translocations, mostly in acrocentric chromosomes 13 and 21. Other types of translocations have been studied among all exposed (53) and normal (101) persons; the involvement of chromosomes 5, 9, 11, 14 and 16 is statistically significant (P= <0.001). One of the major clinical symptoms is dyspnoea; we have estimated that almost all seriously dyspnoeic patients have developed at least two categories of chromosomal aberrations, one of which is Robertsonian translocation, in at least 10% metaphases. Our chromosomal survey will be of significance because we are able to identify people with chromosomal aberrations that might be correlated with future pathological consequences of the accident. The chromosomal load that can be sustained with an apparently normal phenotype can also be measured.     

Identification of G-proteins in rat parotid gland plasma membranes and granule membranes: presence of distinct components in granule membranes

We have identified by immunoblotting and ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin the presence of Mr 43 and 46 KDa G_s, and 39 and 41 KDa G_i;.. subunits in rat parotid gland plasma membranes but not in granule membranes. A Mr 28 KDa polypeptide that served as substrate for ADP-ribosylation by both cholera toxin and pertussis toxin was present exclusively in granule membranes. Photoaffinity crosslinking of [-³²P]GTP showed the presence of high molecular weight GTP-binding proteins (Mr 160,100 KDa) in granule membranes. Six low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins (Mr 21–28 KDa) were differentially distributed in both plasma membranes and granule membranes. The present study identifies various GTP-binding proteins in rat parotid gland plasma membranes and granule membranes, and demonstrates the presence of distinct molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in granule membranes. These granule-associated GTP-binding proteins may be involved in secretory processes.     

Effect of bromocriptine,a dopamine receptor agonist,on the experimentally induced gastric ulcers in albino rats

The effect of bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor agonist, has been studied on the aspirin, phenylbutazone and reserpine induced gastric ulcers in rats. A single dose of bromocriptine 4 mg/kg s.c. produced a significant exacerbation of gastric ulcers induced by all the three ulcerogenic drugs, whereas in the same dose administered once daily for 5 consecutive days, it produced a marked protective effect in all the models. A review of the literature shows that different mechanisms may be involved in the opposite effects of acutely and chronically administered bromocriptine observed in this study. The study also points towards a role of dopamine in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulceration.     

Phenolic acid effects on peanut growth and oil production

Plants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. PG No. 1) were given two foliar sprays of phenolic compounds (H-acid, 1, 2, 4-acid, resorcinol and RD-Brown) at 100 and 200 ppm, 35 and 50 days after sowing. In treated plants, shelling %, yield (kg/ha), number of gynophores per plant and number of pods per plant were significantly greater than in the control. Oil content of kernels also showed a significant increase with all the phenolic compounds applied. These compounds increased the linoleic acid concentration so improving nutritional quality. The number of gynophores was significantly correlated with the number of pods per plant and yield per hectare. The effect of phenolic compounds on growth and development was independent of their structural configuration.     

Ras complements the carboxyl terminus of v-Abl protein in lymphoid transformation.

Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) mutants expressing v-Abl proteins lacking the carboxyl terminus are compromised in the ability to transform lymphoid but not NIH 3T3 cells. This feature correlates with the presence of low levels of phosphotyrosine in lymphoid cells infected with carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants. In contrast, high levels of phosphotyrosine are observed in NIH 3T3 cells infected with wild-type and mutant Ab-MLV. Two downstream targets affected in lymphoid transformants are the GTPase-activating protein and GTPase-activating protein-associated protein p62, molecules which are heavily tyrosine phosphorylated in lymphoid cells transformed by wild-type Ab-MLV but not carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants of Ab-MLV. This difference suggested that signaling mediated via the Ras pathway may be compromised in lymphoid cells expressing the carboxyl-terminal truncation mutants. Consistent with this idea, expression of v-Ha-ras complemented these mutants in primary bone marrow transformation assays and increased transformation frequencies obtained with the Ab-MLV mutants 8- to 20-fold. These data suggest that a biologically important link exists between the carboxyl terminus of v-Abl protein and the Ras pathway. Signals transmitted via this connection may enhance those mediated via other regions of the v-Abl protein and facilitate transformation of primary, nonimmortalized cells such as pre-B lymphocytes.     

Body shape and women’s attractiveness

This paper examines the role of body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on the judgment of women’s physical attractiveness. It presents evidence that WHR is correlated with a woman’s reproductive endocrinological status and long-term health risk. Three studies were conducted to investigate whether humans have perceptual and cognitive mechanisms to utilize the WHR to infer attributes of women’s health, youthfulness, attractiveness, and reproductive capacity. College-age as well as older subjects of both sexes rank female figures with normal weight and low WHR as attractive and assign to them higher reproductive capability. The study concludes that WHR is a reliable and honest signal of a woman’s reproductive potential. The adaptive significance of body fat distribution and its role in mate selection is also discussed.     

Identification of 3- and 4-phosphorylated phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates in stomatal guard cells

Components of the polyphosphoinositide signalling pathway have been identified in stomatal guard cells of Commelina communis L., one of the few plant systems shown unequivocally to be capable of responding to release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the cytoplasm by increase in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. 'Isolated' epidermal strips of C. communis (in which all cells other than guard cells have been killed by treatment at low pH) were radiolabelled with myo -[2n-³H]inositol or [³²P]orthophosphate for 17–18 h. The phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates were extracted. Phosphoinositides were deacylated and the head groups resolved by HPLC. The water-soluble products generated by mild periodate cleavage of HPLC-purified, deacylated lipid fractions were examined. The resulting biochemical analysis led to the identification of: PtdIns, PtdIns3 P , PtdIns4 P , PtdIns(3,4) P ₂ and PtdIns(4,5) P ₂. Thex inositol phosphates were resolved by HPLC. Preliminary analysis of HPLC-purified putative inositol phosphate fractions resulted in the identification of each inositol phosphate class, that is, Ins P , Ins P ₂, Ins P ₃, Ins P ₄, Ins P ₅ and Ins_P6. Many of these inositol phosphates occurred in different isomeric forms. The presence of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides suggests that they may have a role in signalling in stomatal guard cells.     

[2-3H]ATP synthesis and 3H NMR spectroscopy of enzyme-nucleotide complexes: ADP and ADP.Vi bound to myosin subfragment 1

Summary The synthesis of [2-³H]ATP with specific activity high enough to use for ³H NMR spectroscopy at micromolar concentrations was accomplished by tritiodehalogenation of 2-Br-ATP. ATP with greater than 80% substitution at the 2-position and negligible tritium levels at other positions had a single ³H NMR peak at 8.20 ppm in 1D spectra obtained at 533 MHz. This result enables the application of tritium NMR spectroscopy to ATP utilizing enzymes.The proteolytic fragment of skeletal muscle myosin, called S1, consists of a heavy chain (95 kDa) and one alkali light chain (16 or 21 kDa) complex that retains myosin ATPase activity. In the presence of Mg²⁺, S1 converts [2-³H]ATP to [2-³H]ADP and the complex S1.Mg[2-³H]ADP has ADP bound in the active site. At 0°C, 1D ³H NMR spectra of S1.Mg[2-³H]ADP have two broadened peaks shifted 0.55 and 0.90 ppm upfield from the peak due to free [2-³H]ADP. Spectra with good signal-to-noise for 0.10 mM S1.Mg[2-³H]ADP were obtained in 180 min. The magnitude of the chemical shift caused by binding is consistent with the presence of an aromatic side chain being in the active site. Spectra were the same for S1 with either of the alkali light chains present, suggesting that the alkali light chains do not interact differently with the active site. The two broad peaks appear to be due to the two conformations of S1 that have been observed previously by other techniques. Raising the temperature to 20 °C causes small changes in the chemical shifts, narrows the peak widths from 150 to 80 Hz, and increases the relative area under the more upfield peak. Addition of orthovanadate (V_i) to produce S1.Mg[2-³H]ADP.V_i shifts both peaks slightly more upfield without chaning their widths or relative areas.