Electrosensory phase sensitivity in the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia in the detection of signals similar to its own

The electric organ discharge (EOD) of the South American knifefish Eigenmannia sp. is a permanently present wave signal of usually constant amplitude and frequency (similar to a sine wave). A fish perceives discharges of other fish as a modulation of its own. At frequency identity (F = 0 Hz) the phase difference between a fish's own electric discharge and that of another fish affects the superimposed waveform. It was unclear whether or not the electrosensory stimulus-intensity threshold as behaviourally determined depends on the phase difference between a fish's own EOD and a sine-wave stimulus (at F = 0 Hz). Also the strength of the jamming avoidance response (JAR), a discharge frequency shift away from a stimulus that is sufficiently close to the EOD frequency, as a function of phase difference was studied. Sine-wave stimuli were both frequency-clamped and phase-locked to a fish's discharge frequency (F = 0 Hz). In food-rewarded fish, the electrosensory stimulus-intensity threshold depended significantly on the phase difference between a fish's discharge and the stimulus. Stimulus-intensity thresholds were low (down to 3 V/cm, peak-to-peak) when the superimposed complex wave changed such that the shift in zero-crossings times relative to the original EOD was large but amplitude change minimal; stimulus-intensity thresholds were high (up to 16.9 V/cm, peak-to-peak) when the shift in zero-crossings times was small but amplitude change maximal. Similar results were obtained for the non-conditioned JAR: at constant supra-threshold stimulus intensities and F = 0 Hz, the phase difference significantly affected the strength of the JAR, although variability between individuals was higher than that observed in the conditioned experiments.Abbreviations ACP active phase coupling - EOD electric organ discharge - JAR jamming avoidance response - F frequency (fish) — frequency (stimulus) [Hz] - p-p peak-to-peak     

Discrimination of objects through electrolocation in the weakly electric fish,Gnathonemus petersii

Summary Three weakly electric fish (Gnathonemus petersii) were force-choice trained in a two-alternative procedure to discriminate between objects differing in their electrical characteristics. The objects were carbon dipoles in plexiglass tubing (length 2.5 cm, diameter 0.6 cm). Their electrical characteristics could be changed by varying the impedance of an external circuit to which they were connected (Fig. 1). In one (the capacitance dipole) the resistance was very low(< 3 ) and the capcitance variable. In the other (the resistance dipole) the resistance was variable and the capacitance low (<50 pF).Capacitances from several hundred pF (lower thresholds, Fig. 2) to several hundred nF (upper thresholds, Fig. 3) could be discriminated from both insulators and good conductors. In all cases the reward-negative stimulus was the capacitance dipole, which was avoided by all fish spontaneously. Thresholds were defined at 70% correct choices.The fish were then tested for their ability to discriminate between one object with a given capacitance and another with resistances varying from 3 to 200 k. The capacitance dipole continued to be the negative stimulus throughout. All 3 fish avoided it in at least 80% of the trials at each stimulus combination (Fig. 4). This result suggests that Gnathonemus perceives the capacitance and the resistance of objects differentially.The effect of the dipole-objects as well as some natural objects on the local EOD was recorded differentially very close to the fish's skin (Fig. 5). The amplitude of the local EODs was affected by all types of objects as they approached the skin. However, the waveform was changed only by capacitance dipoles and some natural objects (Figs. 6 and 7). It appears that the fish perceive not only intensity changes in the local EOD but wave-form deformations as well and can thus distinguish objects of different complex impedances.Abbreviations EOD electric organ discharge - f _max maximal spectral frequency - GP Gnathonemus petersii - LFS local filtered signal - PMA probing motor act - S+ positive stimulus - S negative stimulus     

Observations on the reduction of non-activated carboxylates by Clostridium formicoaceticum with carbon monoxide or formate and the influence of various viologens

Crude extracts or supernatants of broken cells of Clostridium formicoaceticum reduce unbranched, branched, saturated and unsaturated carboxylates at the expense of carbon monoxide to the corresponding alcohols. The presence of viologens with redox potentials varying from E ₀=-295 to-650 mV decreased the rate of propionate reduction. The more the propionate reduction was diminished the more formate was formed from carbon monoxide. The lowest propionate reduction and highest formate formation was observed with methylviologen. The carbon-carbon double bond of E-2-methyl-butenoate was only hydrogenated when a viologen was present. Formate as electron donor led only in the presence of viologens to the formation of propanol from propionate. The reduction of propionate at the expense of a reduced viologen can be followed in cuvettes. With respect to propionate Michaelis Menten behavior was observed. Experiments are described which lead to the assumption that the carboxylates are reduced in a non-activated form. That would be new type of biological reduction.Non-standard abbreviations glc Gas liquid chromatography - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - RP reverse phase; Mediators (the figures in parenthesis of the mediators are redox potentials E ₀ in mV) - CAV²⁺ carbamoylmethylviologen, 1,1-carbamoyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-296 mV) - BV²⁺ benzylviologen, 1,1-dibenzyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-360 mV) - MV methylviologen, 1,1-dimethyl-4,4-dipyridinium-dication (E ₀=-444 mV) - DMDQ²⁺ dimethyldiquat, 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-dipyridino-1,1-ethylendication (E ₀=-514 mV) - TMV²⁺ tetramethylviologen, 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-4,4-dipyridinium dication (E ₀=-550 mV) - PDQ²⁺ propyldiquat, 2,2-dipyridino-1,1-propenyl dication (E ₀=-550 mV) - DMPDQ²⁺ dimethylpropyldiquat, 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-dipyridino-1,1-propenyl dication (E ₀=-656 mV) - PN productivity number=mmol product (obtained by the uptake of one pair of electrons) x (biocatalyst (dry weight) kg)^-1×h^-1     

Intracellular sites of the synthesis of sweet potato mitochondrial F1ATPase subunits

Summary Five subunits (-, -, -, - and -subunits) of the six -and -subunits) in the F₁ portion (F₁ATPase) of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase were isolated by an electrophoretic method. The - and -subunits were not distinguishable immunologically but showed completely different tryptic peptide maps, indicating that they were different molecular species. In vitro protein synthesis with isolated sweet potato root mitochondria produced only the -subunit when analyzed with anti-sweet potato F₁ATPase antibody reacting with all the subunits except the -subunit. Sweet potato root poly(A)⁺RNA directed the synthesis of six polypeptides which were immunoprecipitated by the antibody: two of them immunologically related to the -subunit and the others to the - and -subunits. We conclude that the -subunit of the F₁ATPase is synthesized only in the mitochondria and the -, - and -subunits are in the cytoplasm.     

A novel wheat alpha-amylase gene (alpha-Amy3)

Summary A genomic clone of a wheat -amylase gene (Amy3/33) was identified, on the basis of hybridisation properties, as different from -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes which had been characterised previously. The nucleotide sequence revealed that this gene has the normal sequence motifs of an active gene and an open reading frame interrupted by two introns. The protein sequence encoded by this open reading frame is recognisably similar to that of -amylase from the -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes and there is high sequence homology in all three proteins at the putative active sites and Ca⁺⁺ binding region. In addition, the introns are at positions equivalent to the position of introns in the -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes. However, the sequence was less similar to -Amy1 and -Amy2 than these are to each other. Southern blot analysis showed that the Amy3/33 DNA is one of a small multigene family carried on a different chromosome (group 5) from either the -Amy1 or -Amy2 genes. A further difference from the -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes was the pattern of expression. Amy3/33 was expressed only in immature grains and, unlike the -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes, not at all in germinating aleurones. These data suggested therefore that this gene represents a third type of -amylase gene, not described before, which shares a common evolutionary ancestor with the -Amy1 and -Amy2 genes.     

Erratum: Cloning and sequencing of the phycocyanin gene from Spirulina maxima and its evolutionary analysis

The genes were cloned for the two apoprotein subunits, and ,of phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Spirulina maxima = Arthrospiramaxima) strain F3. The - and -subunit gene-coding regionscontain 489 bp and 519 bp, respectively. The -subunit gene is upstreamfrom the -subunit gene, with a 111-bp segment separating them.Similarities between the -subunits of S. maxima and nine othercyanobacteria were between 58% and 99%, as were those between the -subunits. The maximum similarity between the - and -subunits from S. maxima was 27%.     

Ultrastructural evidence of GABA-ergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation in the pacemaker nucleus of the gymnotiform electric fish,Hypopomus

The medullary pacemaker nucleus of Hypopomus triggers each electric organ discharge (EOD) by a single command pulse. It consists of electrotonically coupled pacemaker cells, which generate the rhythm, and relay cells, which follow the pacemaker cells and excite the spinal motoneurons of the electric organ. The pacemaker cells receive two inputs from the complex of the diencephalic prepacemaker nucleus (PPn), a GABA-ergic inhibition and a glutamatergic excitation. Relay cells, on the other hand, receive two glutamatergic inputs, one from a subnucleus of the PPn, the PPn-C, and a second from the sublemniscal prepacemaker nucleus (SPPn).We have labelled afferents to the pacemaker nucleus by injecting HRP to specific sites of the prepacemaker complex. By using immunogold-labelled antibodies and en-grid staining techniques, we demonstrated GABA and glutamate immunoreactivity in labelled synaptic profiles of ultra-thin sections of the pacemaker nucleus. The two types of synapses were interspersed on the surfaces of pacemaker cells, with GABA-immunoreactive synapses apparently representing the GABA-mediated input of the PPn-I, an inhibitory subdivision of the PPn, and glutamate-immunoreactive synapses representing the input of the PPn-G, an excitatory subdivision of the PPn. Only glutamate-immunoreactive synapses were found on relay cells.Abbreviations AMPA -Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid - CP central posterior nucleus - EOD electric organ discharge - GABA -aminobutyric acid - GAD L-glutamate decarboxylase - HRP horseradish peroxidase - JAR jamming avoidance response - NMDA N-methyl-D-aspartate - PPn (diencephalic) prepacemaker nucleus - SPPn sublemniscal prepacemaker nucleus     

Tonotopic organisation of the auditory organ of the locustValanga irregularis (Walker)

Summary The responses to pure tone stimuli of individual auditory receptors in the locustValanga irregularis were quantified and the location of receptors within the auditory organ identified through the intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow. Three groups of receptors were identified and classified according to their site of attachment to the tympanic membrane (Gray 1960). Group a cells were attached to the elevated process and were tuned to sound frequencies from 4 to 6 kHz (Fig. 2). Group c cells were attached to the folded body and were tuned to sound frequencies from 2 to 3.5 kHz (Fig. 3). Group d cells were attached to the pyriform vesicle and were tuned to sound frequencies from 14 to 25 kHz (Fig. 4). The receptor cell bodies belonging to these groups were separated into three distinct regions of the auditory organ (Fig. 5). There was no evidence of any tonotopic organisation within the three groups (Fig. 6). These data therefore support the conclusion that the receptors within the auditory organ of the locust are organized into specific physiological groups (Michelsen 1971a) and thus suggest that the mechanics of the auditory apparatus may indeed play a role in defining the tuning of the receptors.     

Structure of the majorO-glycosidic oligosaccharide of monkey erythrocyte glycophorin

Sialic acids and the majorO-glycosidic oligosaccharide of glycophorin MK from monkey (Japanese monkey,Macaca fuscata) erythrocyte membranes were characterized.N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (neu5Gc) was found as the major sialic acid, which was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as the trimethylsilyl methyl ester. ThreeO-glycosidic oligosaccharide units were obtained from a tryptic glycopeptide that contained all of the carbohydrate units in glycophorin MK by mild alkaline borohydride/borotritide treatment. Carbohydrate analyses of the oligosaccharides revealed that they were composed of Neu5Gc, galactose andN-acetylgalactosaminitol in the molar ratios of 111 (trisaccharide), 211 (tetrasaccharide) and 111 (pentasaccharide). The content of oligosaccharide units was estimated to be 1125 for penta-, tetra- and trisaccharide, respectively, based on the yields, the molecular weight, and the number of oligosaccharide attachment sites in the amino-acid sequence. The tetrasaccharide was the major oligosaccharide and its structure was proposed to be Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-3[Neu5Gc2-6]GalNAcol.     

Sialidase of swine influenza A viruses: variation of the recognition specificities for sialyl linkages and for the molecular species of sialic acid with the year of isolation

The sialidase of swine influenza A viruses of N1 and N2 subtypes, isolated from 1930 to 1992, was studied for substrate specificity with ganglio-series, lacto-series type II and GM3 gangliosides containing Neu5Ac2-3Gal, Neu5Gc2-3Gal and Neu5Ac2-6Gal linkages. All viral sialidases tested showed that the activity for hydrolysing substrates with Neu5Ac2-3Gal was higher than the activities with Neu5Gc2-3Gal and Neu5Ac2-6Gal linkages. When GM1b, GM3 and sialylparagloboside were used as substrates, the earliest strain (A/Wisconsin/15/30 H1N1, isolated in 1930) showed the activity ratio of Neu5Ac2-6Gal to Neu5Ac2-3Gal to be 0.13:0.2, and the ratio Neu5Gc2-3Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal to be 0.19:0.37, while those strains isolated from 1978 to 1992 exhibited ratios of 0.29:0.58 for Neu5Ac2-6Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal and 0.51:0.76 for Neu5Gc2-3Gal/Neu5Ac2-3Gal. The above results indicate that the substrate specificities of sialidases from swine influenza A viruses towards sialyl linkages and the molecular species of sialic acid are related to the year of isolation, i.e. strains isolated after 1978 exhibited higher activity towards Neu5Ac2-6Gal and Neu5Gc2-3Gal linkages when compared with strains isolated in an earlier year, 1930.Abbreviation Neu5Ac 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid - Neu5Gc 5-N-glycolyneuraminic acid - Gal d-galactose - Glc d-glucose - Cer Ceramide - II³(Neu5Ac)Lac Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-4Glc - GM3(Neu5Ac2-3Gal) Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GM3(Neu5Gc2-3Gal) Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GM1b(Neu5Ac2-3Gal) Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-3GalNac1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - GMlb(Neu5Gc2-3Gal) Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-3GalNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV³(Neu5Ac)nLc4Cer Neu5Ac2-3Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV³(Neu5Gc)nLc4Cer Neu5Gc2-3Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - IV⁶(Neu5Ac)nLc4Cer Neu5Ac2-6Gal1-3GlcNAc1-4Gal1-4Glc1-Cer - TDC taurodeoxycholate.     

Sequence analysis of 22 kDa-like α-coixin genes and their comparison with homologous zein and kafirin genes reveals highly conserved protein structure and regulatory elements

Several genomic and cDNA clones encoding the 22 kDa-like -coixin, the -prolamin of Coix seeds, were isolated and sequenced. Three contiguous 22 kDa-like -coixin genes designated -3A, -3B and -3C were found in the 15 kb -3 genomic clone. The -3A and -3C genes presented in-frame stop codons at position +652. The two genes with truncated ORFs are flanking the -3B gene, suggesting that the three -coixin genes may have arisen by tandem duplication and that the stop codon was introduced before the duplication.Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of -coixin clones with the published sequences of 22 kDa -zein and 22 kDa-like -kafirin revealed a highly conserved protein structure. The protein consists of an N-terminus, containing the signal peptide, followed by ten highly conserved tandem repeats of 15–20 amino acids flanked by polyglutamines, and a short C-terminus. The difference between the 22 kDa-like -prolamins and the 19 kDa -zein lies in the fact that the 19 kDa protein is exactly one repeat motif shorter than the 22 kDa proteins.Several putative regulatory sequences common to the zein and kafirin genes were identified within both the 5 and 3 flanking regions of -3B. Nucleotide sequences that match the consensus TATA, CATC and the ca. –300 prolamin box are present at conserved positions in -3B relative to zein and kafirin genes. Two putative Opaque-2 boxes are present in -3B that occupies approximately the same positions as those identified for the 22 kDa -zein and -kafirin genes. Southern hybridization, using a fragment of a maize Opaque-2 cDNA clone as a probe, confirmed the presence of Opaque-2 homologous sequences in the Coix and sorghum genomes.The overall results suggest that the structural and regulatory genes involved in the expression of the 22 kDa-like -prolamin genes of Coix, sorghum and maize, originated from a common ancestor, and that variations were introduced in the structural and regulatory sequences after species separation.     

Nuclear and cytoplasmic gene control of resistance to loose smut (Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary Using disomic chromosome substitution lines based on the susceptible wheat cultivar Chinese Spring, loose smut resistance of wheat cultivars Hope and Thatcher was shown to be conferred in each case by a single dominant major gene carried on chromosome 7 A (Hope) or 7 B (Thatcher). Partial resistance was determined by genes on an additional eight Hope or seven Thatcher chromosomes, and similarities were evident between the partial resistance genotypes ofHope and Thatcher. Chinese Spring exhibited a mean infection value of approximately 50%, indicating a significant level of partial resistance, which was found to be due, in part, to genes on the homoeologous chromosome arms 1 As, 1 Es and 1 Ds, and to cytoplasmic genes. Substitution of the Chinese Spring nucleus into the cytoplasm of Aegilops squarrosa, Ae. variabilis or Ae. mutica resulted in increased susceptibility to Ustilago tritici. Several alloplasmic lines of the resistant wheat cultivars Selkirk and Chris exhibited race-specific susceptibility to U. tritici.     

Steroid influences upon the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish: direct effects upon discharge frequencies with indirect effects upon electroreceptor tuning

Summary Previous studies indicated that gonadal steroids can induce changes in both motor and sensory aspects of the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish: androgens decrease the electric organ discharge frequencies and electroreceptor best frequencies of the South American gymnotoidSternopygus. The relationship between these two effects, however, was not known. In the present study, electric organ discharges (EODs) ofSternopygus dariensis were eliminated by means of spinal cord transections. This was done in order to allow an independent assessment of the influences of gonadal steroids upon electroreceptor tuning and those structures in the CNS responsible for establishing the discharge frequency. Transection alone affected neither the rhythmic discharges of the pacemaker nucleus that normally controls the discharge frequency, nor the best frequencies of electroreceptors. Similarly, administration of the androgen 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to transected animals also had no significant effect upon electroreceptor tuning. DHT did, however, cause significant decreases in the discharge rates of the pacemaker nucleus. Thus, the effects of gonadal steroids upon discharge frequencies in intact animals are a direct consequence of CNS influences, while effects upon electroreceptor tuning likely arise as a secondary consequence of the changed discharges of hormone-treated animals.Abbreviations ALLN anterior lateral line nerve - BF best frequency - DHT 5-dihydrotesterone - EOD electric organ discharge     

Variation in the karyotype of three cultivars of Narcissus tazetta L. (Amaryllidaceae)

Three cultivated varieties of Narcissus tazetta, Grand Soleil d'Or, Chinese Sacred Lily and Cypri, are triploid (2n = 3x+30) with the basic number 10. Grand Soleil d'Or has three homomorphic sets, each comprising 2 long submetacentrics, 4 long acrocentrics and 4 short acrocentrics. Karyotypes of the other two varieties are heteromorphic. Both possess one telocentric satellited chromosome. In addition, Cypri shows translocation between two chromosomes belonging to the seventh and eighth triplets. The number of secondary constrictions varies between 3 (Chinese Sacred Lily) and 4 (Grand Soleil d'Or and Cypri) which is also the number of nucleoli observed in the respective varieties.     

Synthesis of Aminoethyl Glycosides of the Ganglioside GM1 and Asialo-GM1 Oligosaccharide Chains

4-O-Glycosylation of 2-azidoethyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-O-benzoyl--D-galactopyranosyl)--D-glucopyranoside with a disaccharide donor, 4-trichloroacetamidophenyl 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-1-thio-2-trichloroacetamido--D-galactopyranoside, in dichloromethane in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid resulted in a tetrasaccharide, 2-azidoethyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 3)-(4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 4)-(2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-O-benzoyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl--D-glucopyranoside, in 69% yield. The complete removal of O-protecting groups in the tetrasaccharide, the replacement of N-trichloroacetyl by N-acetyl group, and the reduction of the aglycone azide group to amine led to the target aminoethyl glycoside of -D-Gal-(1 3)--D-GalNAc-(1 4)--D-Gal-(1 4)--D-Glc-OCH₂CH₂NH₂ containing the oligosaccharide chain of asialo-GM₁ ganglioside in 72% overall yield. Selective 3-O-glycosylation of 2-azidoethyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,6-di-O-benzyl--D-galactopyranosyl)--D-glucopyranoside with thioglycoside methyl (ethyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio-D-glycero--D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)oate in acetonitrile in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid afforded 2-azidoethyl [methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero--D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)oate]-(2 3)-(2,6-di-O-benzyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl--D-glucopyranoside, the selectively protected derivative of the oligosaccharide chain of GM₃ ganglioside, in 79% yield. Its 4-O-glycosylation with a disaccharide glycosyl donor, (4-trichloroacetophenyl-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl--D-galactopyranosyl) 1-thio-2-trichloroacetamido--D-galactopyranoside in dichloromethane in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid gave 2-azidoethyl (2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 3)-(4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 4)-{[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero--D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2 3)}-(2,6-di-O-benzyl--D-galactopyranosyl)-(1 4)-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl--D-glucopyranoside in 85% yield. The resulting pentasaccharide was O-deprotected, its N-trichloroacetyl group was replaced by N-acetyl group, and the aglycone azide group was reduced to afford in 85% overall yield aminoethyl glycoside of -D-Gal-(1 3)--D-GalNAc-(1 4)-[-D-Neu5Ac-(2 3)]--D-Gal-(1 4)--D-Glc-OCH₂CH₂NH₂ containing the oligosaccharide chain of GM₁ ganglioside.     

Steroid synthesizing cellular sites in the ovary of the domestic pigeon Columba livia (Gmelin): a histochemical study.

Synopsis The ovary of the domestic pigeon,Columba livia, has been assayed histochemically for the localization of ⁵-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (⁵-3-HSDH), 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-HSDH), 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-DH) and NADH-diaphorase activities during different periods of the reproductive cycle. ⁵-3-HSDH, 17-HSDH, 11-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activity was found in the theca interna of growing, atretic and postovulatory follicles, the granulosa of ovulatory, atretic and postovulatory follicles, and interstitial gland cells during the pre-incubation and the laying periods. During the incubation and squab feeding periods only ⁵-3-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activities were observed in the above mentioned cells. The steroidogenic potential of atretic follicles depends upon the type of atresia a follicle undergoes.     

β-Ether cleavage of the lignin model compound 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether and derivatives by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized 4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl-glycerol--guaiacyl ether (V) in low nitrogen, stationary cultures under which conditions the ligninolytic enzyme system is expressed. 4-Ethoxy-3-methoxyphenylglycerol XIII, guaicol and 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (II) were isolated as metabolic products. Exogenously added XIII was rapidly converted to 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol indicating that it is an intermediate in the metabolism of V. P. chrysosporium also metabolized 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-hydroxypropane VI. The degradation pathway for this dimer also included initial -ether cleavage and -hydroxylation of the diol product 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) 2,3 dihydroxypropane (XI) to yield the triol XIII which was cleaved at the , bond to yield 4-ethoxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol. Finally P. chrysosporium also cleaved the dimer 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1-hydroxypropane (VIII) at the -ether linkage yielding 1-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) 1,2 dihydroxypropane (IX) which was subsequently cleaved at the , bond to yield II. All of the results indicate that oxidative -ether cleavage is an important initial reaction in the metabolism of -aryl ether lignin substructure dimeric compounds. Metabolities were identified after comparison with chemically synthesized standards by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Abbreviations GLC Gas liquid chromatography - TMSi trimethylsilyl - TLC thin layer chromatography     

Structural studies of the glycopeptides of B-chain of cinnamomin – a type II ribosome-inactivating protein by nuclear magnetic resonance

Cinnamomin is a plant type II ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from the seeds of Cinnamomum camphora. It consists of two nonidentical polypeptide chains (A- and B-chain) held together through one disulfide linkage. Its A- and B-chain contain 0.3% and 3.9% sugars respectively. The B-chain of cinnamomin was digested by pronase E and then the liberated glycopeptides were separated from non-glycopeptides by gel filtration chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-4 column. Three crude glycopeptides were obtained by continuing chromatography over anion-exchange resin (AG1-X2) in the buffer of 2% pyridine-acetic acid (pH 8.3) with a polygradient elution system. Through further purification by the gel filtration chromatography and HPLC, three major glycopeptides, GP1, GP2 and GP3 were obtained. Mainly by two-dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) including TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC, their primary structures were analyzed as: Man1,3Man1,6(Man1,3)(Xyl1,2)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4GlcNAc1-(Gly-)Asn-Asn-Thr(GP1), Man1,6(Man1,3)(Xyl1,2)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4(Fuc1,3)GlcNAc1-Asn-Ala-Thr(GP2),Man1,6(Man1,3)Man1,6(Man1,2 Man1,3)Man1,4GlcNAc1,4GlcNAc1-(Ala-)Asn-Gly-Thr(GP3).     

Local motion processing in the optic tectum of the Japanese toad,Bufo japonicus

Summary The results of previous behavioral studies can be so interpreted that the prey-catching behavior in the toad is elicited if there is a local motion restricted with-in a small part of the visual field, while it is suppressed if there is a global motion over a large part of the visual field. This has led us to design experiments to answer a specific question (yet a very essential one for understanding neural processes underlying this behavior): Are there local motion detectors in the toad's visual system that are not activated by global motion over a large part of the visual field but are activated by local motion confined within a smaller part of it? The present study showed that (1) the majority of the toad's tectal neurons exhibit properties of the local motion detectors as defined above, and (2) these properties can be explained from the receptive field structure revealed in the present experiments. Based on these results, we suggest that the tectal local motion detectors are essential for the detection and localization of small moving prey-objects in the natural environment while ignoring the large moving objects or the self-induced motion of the visual field.Abbreviations ERF excitatory receptive field - G1-5 group 1–5 neurons