Brachyptera Group. Sp.32. C. Brachyptera. Sp.33. C.c RUFA. Sp.34. C. Troglodytes. Sp.35. C. Fulvicapilla.

A part from considerations as to where it is best wedged into the linear sequence, the brachyptera group is defined in general terms as a compact group of four small or very small species which resemble one another in many important specific characters and the other thirty-six species classified here as Cisticola in so many ways of form, coloration and behaviour as to make them best understood by classifying them also under that generic name.     

The precipitation of poly-L-glutamic acid. II. beta-Precipitation.

Infrared and X-ray diffraction studies have established that in the β-precipitation region of poly-L -glutamic acid the chains are in the β-conformation. Therefore, a major molecular conformational change has taken place upon precipitation. It is shown that the size of the α-helical aggregates remains constant with time in the β-region. Strong evidence can be offered to indicate that the transformation involves a transitory random-coil intermediate. Reasons are advanced, in view of the stability of the β-form, as to why two distinct precipitation regions exist.     

Agglutinability of cattle red cells. 3. Conglutination.

Addition of both complement and conglutinin was necessary to conglutinate the cattle red cells (CRC) when they were sensitized by different blood typing reagents. Although the degree of conglutinability of the CRC was influenced by the particular blood factor-reagent combination the average conglutinability (i.e. average titre scores) of CRC from different MZ pairs varied from 1.9 to 16.2. The titres of complement varied from zero to 1:32, while the titres of conglutinin ranged from 1:8 to 1:1024 in the different sera from MZ cattle twins. The variance due to differences in the titre scores between MZ pairs was 82.2% for conglutinin and 68.3% for complement. There was no evident association between the titres of conglutinin and complement.     

Proteinases of Streptomyces fradiae. II. Specificity.

It has been shown that extracellular proteinases synthesized by a keratinolytic strain of S. fradiae are characterized by diversified activity in the decomposition of both proteins and synthetic substrates. Among the six proteinases isolated, apart from the ones dominating and having relatively low specificity, there are two enzymes characterized by narrow catalytic abilities--extremely similar to those of trypsin. These proteinases intensively degraded all the trypsin substrates studied, but they were inactive or showed slight activity toward others. They were also highly sensitive to such specific inhibitors of trypsin as TLCK, SBTI and TIO.     

1H n.m.r. studies of insulin. Assignment of resonances and properties of tyrosine residues.

The assignment of the aromatic 1H n.m.r. resonances of the four tyrosine residues of bovine 2-zinc insulin is reported, based on double resonance techniques, use of Hahn spin echo pulse sequences and examination of specific derivatives nitrated at tyrosines A14 and A19 as well as des-(B26-B30)-insulin. Titration curves of the four tyrosine residues show that residues A14 and B16 have normal pK' values of 10.3-10.6 in solution, consistent with their accessibility to solvent in monomer and dimer in the crystal. Tyrosine residues A19 and B26 have pK' values of 11.4 and exhibit other features in their titration curves that are consistent with limited accessibility to solvent and a nonpolar environment. The meta protons of residues B16 and B26 both observe the titration of a nearby tyrosine residue, probably A19. Interpretation of the n.m.r. data obtained in solution is consistent with the crystallographic data for the monomer and dimer obtained on insulin crystals [Blundell, Dodson, Hodgkin & Mercola (1972) Adv. Protein Chem. 26, 279-402].     

E.s.r. of spin-trapped radicals in aqueous solutions of peptides. Reactions of the hydroxyl radical.

The reactions of hydroxyl radicals with 30 dipeptides and several larger peptides were studied in aqueous solutions. The OH radicals were generated by U.V. photolysis of H2O2. The short-lived peptide radicals were spin-trapped using t-nitrosobutane and identified by e.s.r. For dipeptides containing the amino terminal residues glycine, alanine and phenylalanine, abstraction of the hydrogen from the carbon adjacent to the peptide nitrogen was the major process leading to the spin-adducts. Such radicals will be referred to as backbone radicals. Dipeptides with a carbonyl terminal serine residue and also glycylglutamic acid form both backbone and side-chain radicals, with the latter being formed in larger quantities. For dipeptides, side-chain radicals were detected on either the carboxyl or amino terminal residues of both. The effect of pD on the e.s.r. sectrum of the spin-adducts of glycylglycine was studied and the pK of the carboxyl group of this radical was determined to be 2.5. For (Ala)3 and (Ala)n, with an average value of n = 1800, backbone and minor side-chain radicals were observed. For ribonucleases-S-peptide, containing 20 amino acid residues, both backbone and side-chain radicals were detected.     

C.P.-D.D.-M.A.S. 13C-N.M.R. investigations of anhydrous and hydrated cyclomalto-oligosaccharides: The role of water of hydration

Hydrated and anhydrous cyclomaltohexaose, cyclomaltoheptaose, and cyclomalto-octaose (cyclodextrins) have been investigated by the c.p.-d.d.-m.a.s. ¹³C-n.m.r. technique. The chemical shifts of the signals of C-1 and C-6 provide information about conformation and the results agree fairly well with the earlier scattering data on hydrated systems, but some discrepancies have been found for cyclomaltohexaose. Th conformation of the macro-rings seems to be determined by the hydration water. The unique role of water in forming crystals of cyclomalto-oligosaccharides is demonstrated.     

The genetics of self-incompatibility in Brassica campestris L. ssp. Oleifera Metzg. I. Characteristics of S-locus. Control of self-incompatibility

Self-incompatibility in Brassica campestris c.v. Arlo is controlled by a single locus sporophytic system. The identity and expression of the S alleles were determined in eight inbred and two hybrid families. It was found that co-dominance of alleles is more frequent in the stigma, whereas dominance relations between pairs of alleles predominate in the pollen. A linear order of dominance was established between six S alleles and alleles high, intermediate and low in the dominance series were recognized.In considering the variation in the expression of compatibility and the segregation ratios in inbred, F₁, F₂ and backcross progenies, the presence of a specific S allele conditioning self-fertility, or a single dominant self-compatibility factor independent of the S locus could not be established. Instead, self-compatibility in this cultivar was ascribed to the segregation of a polygenic complex which is capable of modifying the incompatibility reaction to the point of self-fertility, or to a reduction in the strength of the reaction due to the presence of S alleles low in the dominance series.     

1H-n.m.r. evaluation of the ferricytochrome c-cardiolipin interaction. Effect of superoxide radicals.

The interaction between ferricytochrome c and cardiolipin was investigated by 1H n.m.r. at 270 MHz. From the phospholipid-induced changes of the protein spectral features it is concluded that the first 2 equivalents of cardiolipin cause a conformational change at the lower part of the solvent-exposed haem edge, involving a rearrangement of the hydrogen-bond interactions of propionate 6, thus partly accounting for the lowered redox potential of cytochrome c in the presence of cardiolipin. The increased value for the pK of the alkaline isomerization of ferricytochrome c shows that cardiolipin stabilizes the native structure of the protein, indicating that the oxidized form assumes ferrocytochrome c-like properties. Peroxidation of cardiolipin by superoxide radical ions drastically decreases the protein binding to this phospholipid. The implications of this finding, and the likelihood of the ternary cytochrome c-cardiolipin-cytochrome c oxidase complex, for the binding of cytochrome c to cytochrome c oxidase in vivo, are discussed in relation to peroxidative damage following ischaemia and reperfusion.     

E.s.r. of free radicals in irradiated uracil-beta-D-arabinofuranoside.

Electron-spin-resonance measurements have been made on single crystals of uracil-beta-D-arabinofuranoside, which were irradiated by 4-0 MeV electrons at 77 K. At low temperatures, two radicals have been identified, one attributed to a hydrogen abstraction from 05' in the sugar moiety and the other to a radical anion located on the pyrimidine ring. The former is very unstable and seems to act as a precursor to other unidentified radical species stable at 77K. At room temperature, the main resonance is due to hydrogen addition to C5 and is probably produced by protonation of the anion. This same radical is also produced by X-irradiation at room temperature.     

13C-n.m.r. study of C hordein.

Insoluble xylan was prepared from ground birch (Betula pubescens) pulp by alkali extraction and precipitation with ethanol. The only sugar detected after acid hydrolysis of the preparation was xylose. The insoluble xylan was used as substrate in a nephelometric assay to determine the xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8, 1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase and EC 3.2.1.37, 1,4-beta-D-xylan xylohydrolase) activities of Aspergillus and Trichoderma enzymes. The nephelometric method is reliable in evaluating xylanase hydrolysis of insoluble xylan.     

Neurobiology of Stomotoca. I. Action systems.

The layout of nerves, muscles, and conducting epithelia is described for the simple hydrozoan medusa Stomotoca. Comparisons are drawn with Sarsia and other recently studied forms. The major action systems are those responsible for swimming, crumpling (protective involution), tentacle posture, pointing (unilateral reciprocal flexions of the manubrium and margin), and visceral movements (barely mentioned). Crumpling is a simple summating response in this species. Crumpling and pointing are considered to use the same effectors but different conduction pathways. New histological results include the demonstration of a nerve plexus running through the endodermal canal system and a nerve plexus in the ectoderm encircling the peduncle. Special attention is given to the distribution of synapses and gap junctions, as possible trasmission pathways in behavioral responses. Some details are included on organization within the marginal nerve rings.     

R.b.e. and o.e.r. of extended-Bragg-peak helium ions: survival and development of rat embryos.

Rats were exposed under aerobic or hypoxic conditions to 200-1200 rads of 60Co gamma-rays or extended-Bragg-peak helium ions on the eighth day of gestation. Uterine contents were examined on the twentieth day of gestation. At the 50 per cent embryonic survival level, helium ion r.b.e. was 1(.0) (aerobic) and 1(.2) (hypoxic). Maximum attainable gamma-ray and helium-ion o.e.r.s. were 2(.2) and 1(.7) respectively, indicating an oxygen-effect gain (o.e.g.) of 1(.2). At the 10 per cent survival level helium ion r.b.e. was 1(.1) (aerobic) and 1(.4) (hypoxic). Gamma-ray and helium-ion 0.e.r.s. were 2(.0) and 1(.5) respectively, indicating a helium ion o.e.g. of 1(.3). These data demonstrate that the small fraction of high-LET radiation present in this helium ion beam has a neglible effect on the aerobic r.b.e., but lowers the effective o.e.r. of the beam approximately 25 per cent relative to that of gamma-rays. Helium ions were significantly more effective than gamma-rays in killing embryos under hypoxic conditions, in producing congenital abnormalities under aerobic conditions, and in stunting foetal growth under both conditions.     

Mechanisms of chromosome banding. V. Quinacrine banding.

A series of biochemical investigations were undertaken to determine the mechanism of Q-banding. The results were as follows: 1. In agreement with previous studies, highly AT-rich DNA, such as poly(dA)-poly(dT), markedly enhanced quinacrine fluorescence while GC containing DNA quenched fluorescence. These effects persisted at DNA concentrations comparable to those in the metaphase chromosome. 2. Studies of quinacrine-DNA complexes in regard to the hypochromism of quanacrine, DNA Tm, DNA viscosity, and equilibrium dialysis, indicated the quinacrine was bound be intercalation with relatively little sid binding. 3. Single or double stranded nucleotide polymers, in the form of complete or partial helices, were 1000-fold more effective in quenching than solutions of single nucleotides, suggesting that base stacking is required for quenching. 4. Studies of polymers in the A conformation, such as transfer RNA and DNA-RNA hybrids, indicated that marked base tilting does not affect the ability of nuclei acids to cause quenching or enhancement of quinacrine fluorescence. 5. Salts inhibit the binding of quinacrine to DNA. 6. Spermine, polylysine and polyarginine, which bind in the small groove of DNA, inhibited quinacrine binding and quenching, while histones, which probably bind in the large groove, had little effect. This correlated with the observation that removal of histones with acid has no effect on Q-banding. 7. Mouse liver chromatin was separated into five fractions. At concentrations of quinacrine from 2 times 10-6 to 2 times 10-5 M all fractions inhibited to varying degrees the ability of the chromatin DNA to bind quinacrine and quench quinacrine fluorescence. At saturating levels of quinacrine two fractions, the 400 g pellet (rich in heterochromatin) and a dispersed euchromatin supernatant fraction, showed a decreased number of binding sites for quinacrine. These two fractions were also the richest in non-histone proteins. 8. DNA isolated from the different fractions all showed identical quenching of quinacrine fluorescenc. 9. Mouse GC-rich, mid-band, AT-rich, and satellite DNA, isolated by CsCL AND Cs-2SO-4-Ag+ centrifugation all showed identical quenching of quinacrine fluorescence, indicating that within a given organism, except for very AT or GC-rich satellites, the variation in base composition is not adequate to explain Q-banding.We interpret these results to indicate that: (a) quinacrine binds to chromatin by intercalation of the three planar rings with the large group at position 9 lying in the small groove of DNA, (b) most pale staining regions are due to a decrease binding of quinacrine, and (c) this inhibition of binding is predominately due to non-histone proteins.     

Gelation of sickle hemoglobin. III. Nitrosyl hemoglobin.

Sickle cell nitrosyl hemoglobin was examined for gelation by an ultracentrifugal method previously described (Briehl &; Ewert, 1973) and by birefringence. In the presence of inositol hexaphosphate gelation which exhibited the endothermic temperature dependence seen in gels of deoxyhemoglobin S was observed by both techniques. In the absence of inositol hexaphosphate no gelation was observed, nor did nitrosyl hemoglobin A exhibit gelation. On the assumption that gelation is dependent on the deoxy or T (low ligand affinity) as opposed to the oxy or R (high ligand affinity) quaternary structure this supports the conclusion that nitrosyl hemoglobin S in inositol hexaphosphate assumes the T structure, in contrast to the other liganded ferrohemoglobin derivatives oxy and carbon monoxide hemoglobin. Assuming further that the quaternary structures and isomerizations are the same in hemoglobins A and S it can also be concluded that nitrosyl hemoglobin A in inositol hexaphosphate assumes the T state. Since no gelation was seen in stripped nitrosyl hemoglobin S, inositol hexaphosphate serves to effect an R to T switch in this derivative. Thus R-T isomerization in nitrosyl hemoglobin occurs without change in ligand binding at the sixth position of the heme group confirming the conclusion of Salhany (1974) and Salhany et al. (1974).Lowering of the pH toward 6 favors gelation of NO hemoglobin S as it does of deoxy and aquomethemoglobin S (Briehl &; Ewert, 1973,1974), consistent with a favoring of the T structure due to strengthening of the interchain salt bridges and the binding of inositol hexaphosphate and/or changes in site-to-site interactions on which gelation depends.     

R.M. Cowling,D.M. Richardson & S.M. Pierce (eds.) 1977. Vegetation of Southern Africa.

We determined the role of bird dispersal in seed and seedling dynamics of the tree Kalopanax pictus from 7 years of observing seed rain and seedling emergence in a broad-leaved deciduous forest in central Japan. We also performed an experiment on the influence of seed pulp on germination of seeds of K. pictus. Seeds of this species can lie dormant for several years, and this causes rather constant yearly seedling emergence in spite of irregular seed production. The spatial distribution of the seedlings that emerged each year (maximum distance from nearest conspecific seed-bearing tree of 90 m) was wider than that of gravity-dispersed seeds (max. distance of 37 m), suggesting seed dispersal by birds in winter. Emerged seedling densities at sites over 20 m from the nearest conspecific seed-bearing tree were highest in the spring of 1991, about half a year after the largest seed fall of the observation period. However, emerged seedling densities within 20 m from seed-bearing trees were highest in 1992, 1.5 years after the largest seed fall. These field observations may be explained by the experimental results on the effects of seed pulp on germination. Intact seeds germinate slowly at low germination rates, while seeds without seed pulp germinate quickly at high germination rates. Fallen seeds with seed pulp thus appear to form a seed bank near seed sources (temporal dispersal), while seeds scattered by birds appear to increase the possibility of reaching the present safe sites in distant areas with quick germination (spatial dispersal).     

Energetics of intercalation specificity. I. Backbone unwinding.

An empirical partitioned-potential function with optimized parameters was employed to investigate the basis of intercalation specificity recently observed by experimental techniques. The nature of this specificity is discussed in terms of component interactions for all non-truncated complementary dinucleoside triphosphate mini- (or miniature) helices. Our calculations agree with available evidence indicating the preference of Pyr(3′-5′)Pur sequences over Pur(3′-5′)Pyr sequences to change from the B-DNA to the intercalated conformation. Base–base (stacking) and base–phosphate interactions control the specificity. The extent of net electrostatic charge on the phosphate groups play an important but limited role in establishing the observed specificity. These results should apply for the class of aromatic agents involved in nonspecific intercalation with nucleic acids but not necessarily for aromatic agents involved in specific reactions with a particular nucleotide base.     

E.s.r. of free radicals in aqueous solutions of substituted pyrimidines.

Reactions of OH radicals with methyl and ethyl derivatives of uracil, cytosine and thymine in aqueous solutions have been investigated. Photolysis of H2O2 was used to generate OH radicals and the radicals on the base derivatives were spin-trapped using t-nitrosobutane and identified with the help of e.s.r. spectroscopy. Addition of OH radicals was found to take place predominantly to the C(5)--C(6) double bond of the bases. H-abstraction from the methyl group occurred in the N(1) methyl derivatives of uracil, cytosine and thymine. Radicals formed by H-abstraction from the methyl group were also detected for 3-methyluracil, thymine, 1-methylthymine and 1-ethylthymine. Introduction of a methyl or ethyl group at the N(1) position of uracil, cytosine and thymine causes an increase in the C(6) proton coupling and a decrease in the N(1) splitting for radicals formed by OH addition at the C(5) position.     

H.p.l.c. separation and study of the charge isomers of human placental glutathione transferase.

Glutathione transferase (GST) from human placenta was purified by affinity chromatography and anion-exchange h.p.l.c. The enzyme exhibited different chromatographic and electrophoretic behaviours according to the concentration of GSH, suggesting a possible change in the net charge of the molecule and a concomitant conformational change due to ligand binding. Two interconvertible forms were quantitatively separated into distinct catalytically active states by h.p.l.c. Depending upon the GSH concentration, polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of one or two bands. A Kd of 0.42 mM for GSH was determined fluorimetrically. The loss in intrinsic fluorescence also suggested a conformational change in the enzyme. Kinetic studies using ethacrynic acid were conducted to determine whether the presumed conformational change could effect the catalytic capability of placental GST. A biphasic response in initial velocities was observed with increasing concentrations of GSH. Two apparent Km values of 0.38 and 50.27 mM were obtained for GSH, whereas Vmax. values showed a 46-fold difference. It was concluded that the enzyme assumes a highly anionic form in the presence of a low GSH concentration, whereas it is converted into relatively weaker anionic form when its immediate environment contains a high GSH concentration. Since the average tissue concentration of total GSH was estimated at 0.11 mM for term placenta, the results suggest that the high-affinity-low-activity conformer would predominate in vivo.     

Studies of polysaccharide fractions from the lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas aeruginosa N.C.T.C. 1999.

Two polymeric water-soluble fractions were isolated by gel filtration after mild acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa N.C.T.C. 1999. The fraction of higher molecular weight retained the O-antigenic specificity of the lipopolysaccharide and may be 'side-chain' material. This fraction was rich in N (about 10%) and gave several basic amino compounds on acid hydrolysis; fucosamine (at least 2.8% w/w) was the only specifc component identified. The fraction of lower molecular weight was a phosphorylated polysaccharide apparently corresponding to 'core' material. The major components of this fraction and their approximate molar proportions were: glucose (3-4); rhamnose (1); heptose (2); 3-deoxy-2-octulonic acid (1); galactosamine (1); alanine (1-1.5); phosphorus (6-7). In the intact lipopolysaccharide this fraction was probably linked to lipid A via a second residue of 3-deoxy-2-octulonic acid, and probably also contained additional phosphate residues and ethanolamine. The residues of 3-deoxy-2-octulonic acid were apparently substituted in the C-4 or C-5 position, and the phosphorylated heptose residues in the C-3 position. The rhamnose was mainly 2-substituted, though a little 3-substitution was detected. The glucose residues were either unsubstituted or 6-substituted. Four neutral oligosaccharides were produced by partial acid hydrolysis and were characterized by chemical, enzymic, chromatographic and mass-spectrometric methods of analysis. The structures assigned were: Glcpalpha1-6Glc; Glcpbeta1-2Rha; Rhapalpha1-6Glc; Glcpbeta1-2Rhapalpha1-6Glc. The galactosamine was substituted in the C-3 or C-4 position, the attachment of alanine was indicated, and evidence that the amino sugar linked the glucose-rhamnose region to the 'inner core' was obtained.