Deuterium isotope effects in carbohydrates revisited. Cryoprobe studies of the anomerization and NH to ND deuterium isotope induced 13C NMR chemical shifts of acetamidodeoxy and aminodeoxy sugars

Complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shift assignments have been generated from a series of acetamidodeoxy and aminodeoxy sugar derivatives. For free sugars, the enhanced sensitivity of an NMR cryoprobe allowed simple 1D and 2D NMR spectra to be obtained from essentially single anomers, before significant mutarotation had occurred. The NMR assignments have been used to characterize deuterium isotope effects on ¹³C chemical shifts measured under conditions of slow NH to ND exchange in single solutions. Within a range of 0 to −0.138 ppm, β, γ, δ, and ζ deuterium isotope effects have been observed, thus providing additional reference data for assignment of the ¹³C NMR spectra of nitrogenous saccharides.     

Quantitative variations in the expression of the mouse serum antigen Ss and its sex-limited allotype Slp

A radial immunodiffusion assay for quantitation of the Ss and Slp serum antigens is described. Significant differences between the mean serum concentrations of Ss and Slp were found among various inbred strains. Some of these differences have been shown to be associated with the H-2 haplotype. The quantitative difference between Slp levels associated with the H-2 ^a and H-2 ^S haplotypes has been used as a marker for the S region in the analysis of certain H-2 recombinant strains [A.TH, B10.S(7R), B10.S(9R), and B10.BSVS]. Male mice of two strains with the H-2 ^b haplotype have been shown to have significantly lower levels of Ss compared to males of the other strains tested. Male mice of every strain examined were found to have significantly higher levels of Ss in their serum than females of the same strain. The molecular relationship and developmental patterns of the Ss and Slp antigens have also been investigated using the radial immunodiffusion assay.     

OsPRX2 contributes to stomatal closure and improves potassium deficiency tolerance in rice

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) which are thiol-based peroxidases have been implicated in the toxic reduction and intracellular concentration regulation of hydrogen peroxide. In Arabidopsis thaliana At2-CysPrxB (At5g06290) has been demonstrated to be essential in maintaining the water-water cycle for proper H₂O₂ scavenging. Although the mechanisms of 2-Cys Prxs have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, the function of 2-Cys Prxs in rice is unclear. In this study, a rice homologue gene of At2-CysPrxB, OsPRX2 was investigated aiming to characterize the effect of 2-Cys Prxs on the K⁺-deficiency tolerance in rice. We found that OsPRX2 was localized in the chloroplast. Overexpressed OsPRX2 causes the stomatal closing and K⁺-deficiency tolerance increasing, while knockout of OsPRX2 lead to serious defects in leaves phenotype and the stomatal opening under the K⁺-deficiency tolerance. Detection of K⁺ accumulation, antioxidant activity of transgenic plants under the starvation of potassium, further confirmed that OsPRX2 is a potential target for engineering plants with improved potassium deficiency tolerance.     

Substrate positions and induced-fit in crystalline adenylate kinase.

The binding positions of ATP and AMP in pig muscle adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3) have been located by X-ray diffraction analysis. For this purpose crystals have been soaked with solutions containing substrates and substrate analogues. Two adenosine pockets and the region of the phosphates have been identified. In combination with other experimental data the pockets have been assigned to the AMP site and the ATP site, respectively. Moreover, the results suggest that the known conformations of adenylate kinase reflect an induced-fit of the enzyme: conformation B being related to the free enzyme E and conformation A being related to E¹, the enzyme species after a substrate-induced conformational change.     

Interstrain gene transfer in Chlamydia trachomatis in vitro: mechanism and significance

The high frequency of between-strain genetic recombinants of Chlamydia trachomatis among isolates obtained from human sexually transmitted infections suggests that lateral gene transfer (LGT) is an important means by which C. trachomatis generates variants that have enhanced relative fitness. A mechanism for LGT in C. trachomatis has not been described, and investigation of this phenomenon by experimentation has been hampered by the obligate intracellular development of this pathogen. We describe here experiments that readily detected LGT between strains of C. trachomatis in vitro. Host cells were simultaneously infected with an ofloxacin-resistant (Ofx^r) mutant of a serovar L1 strain (L1:Ofx^r-1) and a rifampin-resistant (Rif^r) mutant of a serovar D strain (D:Rif^r-1). Development occurred in the absence of antibiotics, and the progeny were subjected to selection for Ofx^r Rif^r recombinants. The parental strains differed at many polymorphic nucleotide sites, and DNA sequencing was used to map genetic crossovers and to determine the parental sources of DNA segments in 14 recombinants. Depending on the assumed DNA donor, the estimated minimal length of the transferred DNA was ≥123 kb in one recombinant but was ≥336 to ≥790 kb in all other recombinants. Such trans-DNA lengths have been associated only with conjugation in known microbial LGT systems, but natural DNA transformation remains a conceivable mechanism. LGT studies can now be performed with diverse combinations of C. trachomatis strains, and they could have evolutionary interest and yield useful recombinants for functional analysis of allelic differences between strains.     

Genetic structure and regulation of a replicon of plasmid lambdadv.

Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae carrying a small double-stranded RNA species (the killer plasmid) secrete a toxin which is lethal only to strains not carrying this plasmid.We have isolated mutants in eight chromosomal genes essential for replication or maintenance of the killer plasmid, called mak1 through mak8. Seven of these genes have been mapped. mak4 and mak5 are on chromosome II; mak1 and mak8 are on chromosome XV; mak3 and mak6 are on chromosome XVI; and mak7 is on chromosome VIII. We have not yet located mak2. Two other chromosomal genes, m and pets, have been shown to be required for replication or maintenance of the killer plasmid.One allele of mak1 results in temperature sensitivity for host growth. Two independent pets isolates also result in the petite phenotype, as well as temperature sensitivity for growth.Wild-type killer strains have been reported to carry two species of doublestranded RNA of 2.5 × 10⁶ and 1.4 × 10⁶ molecular weight (designated L and M, respectively); wild-type non-killers carried only L. We estimate the size of the L and M species at 3.0 × 10⁶ and 1.7 × 10⁶ daltons, respectively. We have also detected a third species of double-stranded RNA of molecular weight 3.8 × 10⁶ (XL) present in all killer and non-killer strains examined.Mutation of any of mak1 through mak8 results in loss of the killer-associated species of double-stranded RNA (M; 1.7 × 10⁶). These mutants retain both the L species (3.0 × 10⁶) and the XL species (3.8 × 10⁶) of double-stranded RNA, and have acquired two new minor RNA species.     

H-NMR of G-U-C and G-U-C-C in D2O: assignment of nonexchangeable protons and analysis of solution conformation

The ribonucleotide oligomers G-U-C and G-U-C-C have been synthesized enzymatically. These oligomers are cognates of the m⁷G⁴⁶-U⁴⁷-C⁴⁸-m⁵C⁴⁹ sequence found in the variable loop of t-RNA^phe. The ¹H-NMR chemical shifts of the base and ribose Hl; protons as well as the couplings. J_1'–2' of the ribose protons have been examined as a function of temperature. Assignments for these resonances have been completed, and used in the analysis of solution conformation for these oligomers. The results are consistent with the basic features of the A-RNA structure and suggest the absence of alternative ordered solution structures.     

Direct Induction in Wild-Type NEUROSPORA CRASSA of Mutants (qa-1C) Constitutive for the Catabolism of Quinate and Shikimate

A color test has been developed for the selection and identification of mutants in Neurospora crassa, constitutive for the three normally inducible enzymes which convert quinate to protocatechuate. By this means seven such mutants have been recovered after ultra violet irradiation of wild type and have been shown to be allelic (or very closely linked) to the qa-1^C mutants previously obtained by other means. Thus, the regulation of the synthesis of these three catabolic enzymes is indicated to be under the control of a single gene, qa-1⁺.     

Chemical intermediates in dopamine oxidation by tyrosinase,and kinetic studies of the process

A minor pathway for dopamine oxidation to dopaminochrome, by tyrosinase, is proposed. Characterization of intermediates in this oxidative reaction and stoichiometric determination have both been undertaken. After oxidizing dopamine with mushroom tyrosinase or sodium periodate in a pH range from 6.0 to 7.0, it was spectrophotometrically possible to detect o-dopaminoquinone-H⁺ as the first intermediate in this pathway. The steps for dopamine transformation to dopaminochrome are as follows: dopamine → o-dopaminequinone-H⁺ → o-dopaminequinone → leuko-dopaminochrome → dopaminochrome. No participation of oxygen was detected in the conversion of leukodopaminochrome to dopaminochrome. Scanning spectroscopy and graphical analysis of the obtained spectra also verified that dopaminequinone-H⁺ was transformed into aminochrome in a constant ratio. The stoichiometry equation for this conversion is 2 o-dopaminequinone-H⁺ → dopamine + dopaminochrome. The pathway for dopamine oxidation to dopaminochrome by tyrosinase has been studied as a system of various chemical reactions coupled to an enzymatic reaction. A theoretical and experimental kinetic approach is proposed for such a system; this type of mechanism has been named “Enzymatic-chemical-chemical” (E_ZCC). Rate constants for the implied chemical steps at different pH and temperature values have been evaluated from the measurement of the lag period arising from the accumulation of dopaminochrome that took place when dopamine was oxidized at acid pH. The thermodynamic activation parameters of the chemical steps, the deprotonation of dopaminequinone-H⁺ to dopaminequinone, and the internal cyclization of dopaminequinone to leukodopaminochrome have been calculated.     

Transport and metabolism of adenosine in human blood platelets

The uptake and metabolism of [¹⁴C]- or [³H]adenosine have been studied in suspensions of washed platelets and in platelet rich plasma. The appearance of radio-activity in the platelets and the formation of radioactive adenosine metabolites have been used to determine the uptake. Adenosine is transported into human blood platelets by two different systems: a low K_m system (9.8 μM) which is competitively inhibited by papaverine, and a high K_m system (9.4 mM) which is competitively inhibited by adenine. Adenosine transported via the low K_m system is probably directly incorporated into adenine nucleotides, while adenosine transported through the high K_m system arrives unchanged inside the platelet and is then converted into inosine and hypoxanthine or incorporated into adenine nucleotides.     

1H-NMR Of U-G-A and U-G-A-A in D2O:: Assignment of nonexchangeable protons and analysis of solution conformation

The ribonucleotide oligomers U-G-A and U-G-A-A have been synthesized enzymatically. These oligomers are cognates of the U³³-Gm³⁴-A³⁵-A³⁶ sequence found in the anticodon loop of t-RNA^phe. The ¹H-NMR chemical shifts of the base and ribose HI' protons as well as the couplings. J_1'–2', of the ribose protons have been examined as a function of temperature. Assignments for these resonances have been completed, and used in the analysis of solution conformation for these oligomers. The results are consistent with the A-RNA structure and suggest the absence of alternative ordered solution structures.     

Specific pattern of instability of Escherichia coli HisG gene cloned in Bacillus subtilis via the Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pCS194

The plasmid pCS194, generated in vivo by recombination of two Staphylococcus aureus plasmids, pC194 and pS194, coding, respectively, for chloramphenicol (Cm) and streptomycin (Sm) resistance, can be replicated also in Bacillus subtilis in the presence of either of the two antibiotics. In their absence, no segregation of the individual components is observed, but the whole plasmid is lost at a rate of about 10% per generation. The unique EcoRI site of pCS194 is located in the Sm^R determinant. EcoRI-cleaved pCS194 has been joined to an EcoRI-linearized Escherichia coli replicon, the in vitro recombinant pHisG plasmid, composed of the vector pBR313 plus a BglII-segment of E. coli chromosomal DNA, containing a functional hisG gene. The ligation mixture has been used to transform either E. coli or B. subtilis. Following E. coli transformation and selection for Ap^R and Cm^R (the latter is expressed in E. coli by the pC194 determinant), two his⁺ clones were picked at random and the plasmids extracted. These appear identical and contain the original segments. Conversely, after transformation of B. subtilis and selection for Cm^R, only his^? clones have been obtained. From them, deleted plasmids have been extracted. They have lost part or, more frequently, all of the E. coli DNA insert. In the latter case also most of the bracketing pS194 sequence has been lost, and the resulting plasmids are almost identical to pC194, the Cm^R parent of pCS194. When the intact recombinant plasmids, isolated from his⁺ Ap^R Cm^RE. coli clones, have been used to transform B. subtilis cells for Cm^R, again deleted plasmids almost identical to pC194 have been obtained. The events causing these rearrangements occur after in vitro ligation, during either transformation or early propagation of the plasmids, and are probably caused by a translocatable element present in pCS194. A detailed physical map of pC194, carrying the restriction sites for HindIII, HaeIII, HpaII, MboII, AluI, HhaI, and BglI, is presented.     

Cloning, characterization and expression of a chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase from Porteresia coarctata conferring salt-tolerance in transgenic tobacco

A gene coding for the chloroplastic fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (PcCFR) in Porteresia coarctata Tateoka (Roxb.), a halophytic wild rice, has been isolated along with its rice (Oryza sativa; var. indica) homologue (OsCFR), cloned and sequenced. Comparison between the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of these two revealed a difference in five amino acid residues, namely Glu¹⁴, Thr²⁴, Ala⁴⁸, Ala¹⁶³ and Arg²⁹⁶ in OsCFR which have been found to be replaced by Ser¹⁴, Ile²⁴, Ser⁴⁸, Ser¹⁶³ and Lys²⁹⁶ in PcCFR respectively. The purified recombinant PcCFR is found to retain its enzymatic activity in presence of up to 500 mM NaCl in vitro as opposed to OsCFR, which is inactivated even at lower salt concentration. The six in vitro point mutant proteins of PcCFR showed varied degree of sensitivity towards high salt, with the maximum OsCFR-like effect in the triple mutant S¹⁴A-S⁴⁸A-S¹⁶³A suggesting a possible concerted role of all three serine residues in the in vitro salt tolerance property of PcCFR protein. Transgenic tobacco plants with chloroplast targeted PcCFR and OsCFR gene(s) have been developed under constitutive expression of CaMV 35S promoter and NOS terminator. The PcCFR transgenics showed better plant growth during exposure to salt stress in comparison to either the OsCFR or the empty vector transformed plants. The PcCFR transgenics also revealed enhanced photosynthetic efficiency coupled with protection to both photodamage of PSII and chlorophyll degradation through better reactive oxygen species scavenging at higher concentration of NaCl during late salt-stress growth.     

Iridoid mono- and di-glycosides in Mentzelia

Eight species of Mentzelia (Loasaceae) have been investigated for iridoid glycosides. In addition to the known glucosides deutzioside, decaloside, mongolioside, loganin and sweroside, several novel compounds have been isolated and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic means. 6′-O-Acetyl deutzioside was found in a single species, while the diglycosidic compounds glucosyl-decaloside, allosyl-decaloside and quinovosyl-decaloside were each isolated from one or more species. In addition, a novel compound, epoxydecaloside (= 11-hydroxy-deutzioside), together with glucosyl-epoxydecaloside, allosyl-epoxydecaloside and mentzelosyl-epoxydecaloside are described. The last compound contains a 4-deoxy-α-l-erythro-pentopyranosyl moiety, whose parent sugar, named mentzelose, has not been encountered so far in nature. A non-glycosidic iridoid, mentzetriol, has been characterized solely by spectroscopic means and a structure is proposed. The secoiridoid secoxyloganin has been found for the first time in a plant source, and the coumarin glucoside scopolin has been isolated from two species of Mentzelia. ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra of several iridoid compounds are presented. The biosynthesis of the compounds is considered and the systematic position of Loasaceae discussed concluding in a possible derivation from Cornalean ancestors.     

Maternal and Zygotic Interactions between the Abnormal Oocyte Mutation and the Scute Inversion in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

The authors have studied the interaction between the abnormal oocyte mutation and an inversion of the X chromosome, In( 1)sc⁴, which has a proximal breakpoint in or near the heterochromatic region (ABO) that maternally interacts with the abo product. It has been demonstrated that the presence of X chromosomes carrying this inversion, besides a marked increase in the severity of the maternal effect of the abo mutation, produces a zygotic effect resulting in the lethality of the progeny of stocks homozygous for abo and sc⁴. These results indicate that the sc⁴ inversion carries an abnormal region indispensable for the development of abo zygotes from sc⁴;abo mothers.     

Exchange rates of pyridine on ferro- and ferriprotoporphyrin (IX) dimethylester in chloroform.

Nuclear magnetic resonance line-widths data have been used to determine the rate of solvent exchange from the first coordination sphere of ferro-and ferriprotoporphyrin(IX) dimethylester (Fe-PPD) in pyridine/chloroform. The average values of kinetic parameters for pyridine (PY) exchange indicate an SN2 mechanism tor Fe(III)-PPD(ΔH^&;#; = 36 kJ · mol⁻¹ ; ΔS^&;#; = −53 J·mol⁻¹K⁻¹; T_M(298 K) = 0.07 msec) and an SNI mechanism for Fe(II)-PPD (ΔH^&;#; = 67 kJ·mol⁻¹; ΔS^&;#; = 42 J · mol⁻¹K⁻¹; T_M(298 K) = 0.06 msec). Parallel to the accelerated ligand exchange rate at rising temperatures a redistribution of the electrons causing a transition of the metal porphyrin from the low-spin state to the high-spin state is observed. Enthalpy and entropy of the thermodynamic equilibrium between low- and high-spin Fe-PPD have been determined from experimental values of the average magnetic moment. A mean lifetime of low-spin Fe(III)-PPD was estimated from line. widths changes (T_L→H(298 K)≈ 20 msec) and the corresponding activation parameters have been obtained (ΔH^&;#;_L→H(298 K) = 26 kJ · mol⁻¹; ΔS^&;#;_L→H(298K) = −125 J · mol⁻¹K⁻¹).     

Association of P-mobile element activity and DNA methylation pattern changes in conditions of Drosophila Melanogaster prolonged irradiation

Changes of DNA methylation patterns of two Drosophila melanogaster strains (Canton-S and ri) irradiated with gamma-radiation in laboratory conditions with a low dose rate (1.2 × 10^?8, 0.3 × 10^?8, and 0.12 × 10^?8 Gy/s) have been studied. Two restrictases GluI and GlaI have been used taking in to account methylation peculiarities of Drosophila melanogaster. The difference between the patterns of DNA methylation in males and females in every studied strain in the control has been identified. The decrease of the methylation level in recognition sites for restrictase GluI in males and females of the ri-strain with higher activity of the P-mobile element as the result of chronic irradiation has been found. The decrease of the methylation level in recognition sites for restrictase GlaI in females of both strains has been noted. The question on the association of DNA methylation processes and activation of mobile elements has been discussed.