Die Aktivit?tsperiodik bei V?geln mit und ohne dunklem Schlafkasten

Zusammenfassung In 2 Versuchsserien wurden Kohlmeisen(Parus major) und japanische Möwchen(Lonchura striata var.domestica) einzeln und schallisoliert gehalten. In der ersten Versuchsserie, in der alle Vögel einen dunklen Schlafkasten hatten, wurde der Einfluß der Beleuchtungsstärke auf die Periode () der Hüpfaktivität und auf das Verhältnis von Aktivitätszeit zu Ruhezeit ( : -Verhältnis) untersucht. Sowhol Kohlmeisen als auch japanische Möwchen folgen der Regel, daß mit wachsender Beleuchtungsstärke die Periode kürzer und das : -Verhältnis größer wird.In der 2. Serie wurde der Einfluß Ruhe im dunklen Schlafkasten auf die Periodenlänge und auf das : -Verhältnis untersucht. Es wurden die Messungen aus Bedingung 1 (der Vogel hat einen dunklen Schlafkasten zur Verfügung) mit den Messungen aus Bedingung 2 (der Vogel hat keinen oder einen hellen Schlafkasten zur Verfügung) verglichen. Das Ergebnis bei Kohlmeisen entspricht den Befunden bei konstantem Licht verschiedener Intensität. Unter Bedingung 1 ist länger und das : -Verhältnis kleiner als in Bedingung 2. Das Ausmaß der Änderung von nach Fortnahme des dunklen Kastens ist unabhängig von der Periodenlänge in Bedingung 1. Das Ausmaß der änderung von : ist unabhängig von a : in Bedingung 1, jedoch schwach negativ korreliert mit der Periodenlänge in Bedingung 1.Bei japanischen Möwchen entsprechen die Ergebnisse dieser Versuchsserie nicht der Regel für tagaktive Vögel. Mit Benützen des dunklen Schlafkastens ist kürzer als ohne den Schlafkasten. Ohne den Schlafkasten ist etwa 24 Std. Das : -Verhältnis ist in Bedingung 1 unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen kleiner als in Bedingung 2. Das Ausmaß der Änderung von nach Fortnahme des Kastens ist mit der dazugehörigen Periode in Bedingung 1 hochsignifikant korreliert (Regressionskoeffizient b=-1.01, Korrelationskoeffizient r=0.89). Ebenfalls ist das Ausmaß der Änderung von : nach Fortnahme des Kastens mit : aus Bedingung 1 korreliert; es scheint, als würde ein bevorzugtes : -Verhältnis von etwa 2.0 eingeregelt.Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf 4 Punkte diskutiert: 1) Das circadiane System arbeitet innerhalb eines engen Bereiches von - und : -Werten optimal. 2) Der Optimalbereich wird bevorzugt unter ungünstigen Bedingungen angestrebt. 3) Der Entzug des dunklen Schlafkastens belastet japanische Möwchen mehr als Kohlmeisen. 4) Bei japanischen Möwchen wird in Bedingung 1 durch fortplfanzungsphysiologischen Einfluß verkürzt.

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Circadian activity rhythms of birds with and without a dark nest box

Summary Perch-hopping activity of Great tits(Parus major) and Bengales finches(Lonchura striata domestica), housed individually in soundproof boxes, was studied in two series of experiments. In the first series all birds had access to a dark nest box, in which they retired during their subjective night. In this experiment the effect of light intensity on the freerunning circadian activity rhythm was investigated. Both Great tits and Bengalese finches obey the circadian rule by responding to an increase in light intensity with shortening the circadian period () and with an increase of the ratio of activity time and rest time ( : ).In the second series of experiments the influence of sleeping in the dark nest box on both circadian period and : -ratio was studied. The results of two experimental conditions — without and with access to a dark nest box — were compared. In the Great tits, the results are in agreement with the effect of light intensity: when a dark nestbox is available, is longer and the : -ratio is smaller than in the absence of a nest box. The magnitude of the change in free-running period after removal of the nest box is independent of the original value of ; the amount of change : -ratio is likewise independent of the original : -ratio, but is weakly correlated to the original .InLonchura striata var. domestica, removal of the dark nest box leads to a lenghtening of the free-running period to about 24 hours; the : -ratio is smaller in the presence of a dark nestbox, if certain other conditions are fulfilled. The magnitude of the change in after removal of the nest box is highly correlated to the original free-running period (r=-0.89) in such a way that, without nest box, the period approaches a value of 24 hours. Also, the amount of change in : -ratio due to nest box removal is negatively correlated to the original : -ratio. A probably preferred : -ratio of 2.0 is adopted.These results are discussed in the view of 4 points: 1) The circadian system operates at its optimum within a narrow range of - and : -values. 2) This optimal range is especially adopted when conditions become adverse. 3) Removal of the dark nest box results in a more stressful situation for Bengalese finches than for Great tits. 4) In the Bengalese finches, is shortened in the presence of a nest box due to effects on reproductive physiology.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. JürgenAschoff zum 60. Geburtstag gewidemt.     

Cytokines in Brain Ischemia—The Role of TNFα

1. The role of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in the progression of ischemic brain injury is a new and exciting era of research. Evidence in support for a role for TNF in this respect is emerging as evidence on de novo upregulation of TNF following ischemia is now well established.2. TNF administered directly to the brain parenchyma elicits local microvascular injury in the form of pericapillary edema and leukocyte adhesion to cerebral capillaries.3. TNF administered into the cerebroventricular space prior to ischemia augment the extent of tissue damage and neurological deficits.4. Specific and potent inhibitors of TNF synthesis or TNF receptors must be developed and tried to prove firmly a role for TNF in ischemic brain injury.     

β-Glucanases in developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fibres

Cotton fibres possess several -glucanase activities which appear to be associated with the cell wall, but which can be partially solubilised in buffers. The main activity detected was that of an exo-(13)--d-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.58) but which also had the characteristics of a -glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21). Endo-(13)--d-glucanase activity (EC 3.2.1.39) and much lower levels of (14)--d-glucanase activity were also detected. The exo-(13)--glucanase showed a maximum late on (40 days post-anthesis) in the development of the fibres, whereas the endo-(13)--glucanase activity remained constant throughout fibre development. The -glucanase complex associated with the cotton-fibre cell wall also functions as a transglucosylase introducing, inter alia, (16)--glucosyl linkages into the disaccharide cellobiose to give the trisaccharide 4-O--gentiobiosylglucose.Abbreviations CMC carboxymethylcellulose - ONPG o-nitrophenyl--d-glucopyranoside - TLC thin-layer chromatography Presented at the Third Cell Wall Meeting held in Fribourg in 1984     

The energy transmission in ATP synthase: From the γ-c rotor to the α3β3 oligomer fixed by OSCP-b stator via the βDELSEED sequence

ATP synthase (F₀F₁) is driven by an electrochemical potential of H⁺ (H⁺). F₀F₁ is composed of an ion-conducting portion (F₀) and a catalytic portion (F₁). The subunit composition of F₁ is ₃₃. The active ₃₃ oligomer, characterized by X-ray crystallography, has been obtained only from thermnophilic F₁ (TF₁). We proposed in 1984 that ATP is released from the catalytic site (C site) by a conformational change induced by the DELSEED sequence via -F₀. In fact, cross-linking of DELSEED to stopped the ATP-driven rotation of in the center of ₃₃. The torque of the rotation is estimated to be 420 pN·å from the H⁺ and H⁺-current through F₀F₁. The angular velocity () of is the rate-limiting step, because H⁺ increased theV _max of H⁺ current through F₀, but not theK _m (ATP). The rotational unit of F₀ (=ab₂c₁₀) is /5, while that in ₃₃ is 2/3. This difference is overcome by an analog-digital conversion via elasticity around DELSEED with a threshold to release ATP. The distance at the C site is about 9.6 å (2,8-diN₃-ATP), and tight Mg-ATP binding in ₃₃ was shown by ESR. The rotational relaxation of TF₁ is too rapid (=100 nsec), but the rate of AT(D)P-induced conformational change of ₃₃ measured with a synchrotron is close to . The ATP bound between the P-loop and E188 is released by the shift of DELSEED from RGL. Considering the viscosity resistance and inertia of the free rotor (-c), there may be a stator containing OSCP (= of TF₁) and F₀-d to hold free rotation of ₃₃.     

Protonmotive force driven 6-deoxyglucose uptake by the oral pathogen,Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt

Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt was grown in glucose-excess continuous culture to repress the glucose phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system (PTS) and allow investigation of the alternative glucose process using the non-PTS substrate, (³H) 6-deoxyglucose. After correcting for non-specific adsorption to inactivated cells, the radiolabelled glucose analogue was found to be concentrated approximately 4.3-fold intracellularly by bacteria incubated in 100 mM Tris-citrate buffer, pH 7.0. Mercaptoethanol or KCl enhanced 6-deoxyglucose uptake, enabling it to be concentrated internally by at least 8-fold, but NaCl was inhibitory to its transport. Initial uptake was antagonised by glucose but not 2-deoxyglucose. Evidence that 6-deoxyglucose transport was driven by protonmotive force (p) was obtained by inhibiting its uptake with the protonophores, 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazine, gramicidin and nigericin, and the electrical potential difference () dissipator, KSCN. The membrane ATPase inhibitor, N,N¹-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, also reduced 6-deoxyglucose uptake as did 100 mM lactate. In combination, these two inhibitors completely abolished 6-deoxyglucose transport. This suggests that the driving force for 6-deoxyglucose uptake is electrogenic, involving both the transmembrane pH gradient (pH) and . ATP hydrolysis, catalysed by the ATPase, and lactate excretion might be important contributors to pH.Abbreviations DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol - CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DCCD N,N¹-dicyclohyxyl carbodiimide - p protonmotive force - pH transmembrane pH gradient - transmembrane electrical potential difference     

Observations on the biology of Leuciscus ‘svallize’ in the Kremasta reservoir (Greece)

The age, growth, feeding habits and reproductive biology of Leuciscus svallize in artificial lake Kremasta (Greece), are described. There is a considerable similarity in the feeding and reproductive characteristics between L. svallize and L. cephalus and also a similarity in the life span, growth patterns and age of maturation between L. svallize and some southern L. cephalus populations, which may suggest similar responses of closely related taxa to similar conditions.     

Effects of the expression of bovine growth hormone on the testes and male accessory reproductive glands in transgenic mice

The effects of physiological and excessive levels of growth hormone (GH) on reproductive functions are poorly understood, and impairment of fertility is frequently observed in transgenic animals overexpressing GH genes. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of chronic exposure to heterologous bovine GH (bGH) on the testes and accessory reproductive glands in transgenic mice. Endocrine function of the testes was evaluated by measuring the activities of two steroidogenic enzymes, 5-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (5-3-HSD) and 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-HSD). The activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and -glucuronidase, important hydrolytic enzymes of lysosomal origin, were measured in testes, seminal vesicles and ventral prostates in normal and transgenic mice. Testicular 5-3-HSD activity was higher in transgenic than in normal mice, while testicular 17-HSD activity in transgenic mice was not altered. Acid phosphatase activity was elevated in both seminal vesicles and ventral prostates of transgenic mice, while alkaline phosphatase activity was increased only in the prostate. The activity of -glucuronidase was elevated in the testes, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate gland of transgenic mice. These results suggest that chronic exposure to bGH is associated with significant stimulation of some hydrolytic enzymes in the testes and in the accessory reproductive glands of transgenic mice.     

A Cytogenetic Study of the Leaf Beetle Genus Cyrtonus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

The chromosomes of ten species of Cyrtonus and the genome sizes of six are surveyed. Among the total of 15 chromosomally studied species, 11 have 2n=28 chromosomes and a 13+Xy_p male meioformula, three have 2n=40 and 19+Xy_p and one 2n=46 and 22+Xy_p. All but one species with 28 chromosomes show only metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes, whereas the species with 40 and 46 chromosomes display some telocentrics or subtelocentrics, that are probably derived from the former by centric fissions. However, since the number of major chromosome arms is strikingly higher in these latter species (NF=70 and 78) than in the 28-chromosome species (mostly NF=56), other chromosomal rearrangements such as pericentric inversions or heterochromatin accretions could also be involved. The genome sizes display a narrow range, from 1C=0.6–1.22pg, and they are not significantly correlated with the chromosome numbers. Some possible factors implied in the rough chromosomal evolution of Cyrtonus are discussed in relation to a few other genera of the subfamily Chrysomelinae.     

Dynamic conformational states of DNA containing T·T or BrdU·T mispaired bases: wobble H-bond pairing versus cross-strand inter-atomic contacts

The dynamic structure of 11-mer DNA duplexes of different sequences with or without homopyrimidine (T·T, or BrdU·T) mismatches was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on a time scale from 200 ps to 1 ns. The conformational analysis suggests that in mismatched duplexes the formation of classical T·T wobble H-bonding pairing is nearest-neighbor sequence-dependent and, in most cases, three-centered H-bonds and numerous alternative close cross-strand interatomic contacts exist. Thus, in duplex W1, where the central triplet is 5d(CTA)·d(TTG), two wobble conformations W () and W () are formed and exchange rapidly at 300 K. In contrast, when the central triplet is 5d(TTT)·d(ATA) (W2 duplex) wobble conformations are rarely observed at 300 K, and the T·T mispair most often adopts a twisted conformation with one largely persistent normal H-bond, plus a stable cross-strand contact involving a T flanking base. However, at elevated temperature (400 K) the same W2 duplex shows frequent exchange between the two classical wobble conformations (), as is in the case when the central triplet is 5d(TBrdUT)·d(ATA) (W3 duplex at 300 K). It is suggested that in the W2 sequence, restrictions due to thymine-methyl/ interactions prevent the formation of wobble pairing and thermal activation energy, and/or the chemical replacement of T by BrdU are required in order for the T(BrdU)·T mismatch to adopt and exchange between wobble conformations. The specific short and/or long-lived (double/triple) cross-strand dynamic interactions in W1, W2 and W3 duplexes are throughout characterized. These frequent atomic encounters exemplify possible inter-strand charge transfer pathways in the studied DNA molecules.Figure 3D structure snapshots of wobble and frequent overlapping conformers formed within the W3 central triplet during 200 ps MD: + . H-bonds (magenta) and close cross-strand contacts, Å (orange).     

Human plasma trans-sialidase donor and acceptor specificity

Earlier we have isolated from human plasma desialylated low density lipoproteins (dLDL) and showed that, first, dLDL induce cholesterol esters accumulation—the main process accompanying atherosclerosis development. Second, the process of lipoprotein desialylation took place in plasma, and, finally, sialic acids removed from LDL are transferred to other serum glycoconjugates. In this study we have isolated from human plasma an enzyme transferring sialic acid residues (trans-sialidase) by affinity chromatography and studied its donor and acceptor specificity. Isolated enzyme in the presence of saccharide acceptor can remove sialic acids from different lipoproteins, glycoproteins (fetuin, transferrin), and gangliosides (GM3, GD3, GM1, GD1a, GD1b). Plasma enzyme translocates 2-6, 2-3 and to a lower extent 2-8 bonded sialic acids. Sialoglycoconjugates of human serum erythrocytes, serum lipoproteins, glycoproteins, and gangliosides can serve as donors of sialic acid for trans-sialidase. Desialylated lipoproteins, especially dLDL,are more preferable sialic acid acceptors. Transferred sialic acid is found to be 2-6, 2-3,and 2-8 connected.     

Influence of ampicillin,clindamycin or metronidazole upon the 7α-dehydroxylation of bile acids in the human intestine

The effect of ampicillin, clindamycin and metronidazole upon the 7-dehydroxylation of cholic acid by the microflora in the intestine was tested in healthy subjects. Clindamycin gave a significant decrease in the 7-dehydroxylation. With the other two antibiotics, no significant changes were seen.     

Interaction of media components during bioreactor sterilization: definition and importance of R0

Summary Sterilization of bioreactor media, to destroy viability of the indigenous microbial population, is normally accomplished by autoclaving, or heating with pressurized steam. However, simultaneous chemical changes in media can also be expected to result from the high temperatures. A kinetic procedure involving on-line computer calculation of heat input, designated asF ₀ values, was previously developed to estimate sterility achievement. A similar kinetic procedure, based on a general purpose Arrhenius pseudo rate equation and designated asR ₀ values, has now been designed to evaluate, and control the effects of temperature and heating time on chemical reactions occurring in the media. Data are presented indicating thatR ₀ may be a useful parameter for reducing variability in culture metabolism and scale-up when these variations result from different nutrient concentrations produced by non-standard heating during media sterilization in stirred bioreactors.     

On age morphological changes of males of Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary Young and adult males of 11 species of Chydoridae are studied, their figures being published here (fig. 1–15). The necessity is stressed to distinguish young forms of males and gynandromorphic individuals.Pleuroxus balatonicus is considered to be described from the population ofPleuroxus unicatus having under Balaton Lake conditions retarded transformation of young males into adult form, and accordingly having unusually numerous young males. \qO\qs\qn\qo\qv\qn\qy\ye \qr\ye\qz\qu\ql\Qj\qt\qa\qt\qy 11 (. 1–15). . , Pleuroxus uncinatus , Pleuroxus balatonicus.     

Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents:Leptothorax nylanderi Förster etSolenopsis fugax Latreille

Résumé En l'absence de son propre couvain,Solenopsis fugax a élevé des larves deLeptothorax nylanderi, à la température de 22°C. Les ouvrières deSolenopsis détruisirent une partie de ces larves mais nourrirent celles qu'elles épargnèrent; ces dernières grossirent lentement pendant cinq à six mois, sans atteindre le stade prénymphe. Lorsque les ouvrières deS. fugax et les larves deL. nylanderi furent soumises ensemble à un hivernage préalable, elles donnèrent les mêmes résultats que sans hivernage. La présence d'une jeune reine deSolenopsis fut défavorable aux larves deLeptothorax.Inversement,L. nylanderi fut capable d'élever, à la température de 22°C, des larves deS. fugax et de les amener jusqu'au stade adulte. En présence de leurs propres larves, les ouvrières deL. nylanderi détruisirent tapidement toutes les larves deS. fugax introduites dans leur nid. D'autre part, un jeune couvain deLeptothorax remplaçait plus ou moins rapidement les larves deLeptothorax enlevées au préalable; sa présence était alors défavorable au développement des larves deSolenopsis. Un hivernage en début d'expérience fut plutôt favorable auxS. fugax, de même que la présence d'une reine féconde deLeptothorax. LesSolenopsis ainsi obtenus n'ont pas vécu plus de sept semaines. Ils étaient tous de caste ouvrière et de taille très petite.

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Summary When its own eggs and larvae missed,Solenopsis fugax bred larvae ofLeptothorax nylanderi, at a temperature of 22°C. TheSolenopsis workers killed some of this larvae and fed the others; these slowly grew bigger during five or six months but never reached the pre-pupa stage. The result was the same if the workers ofS. fugax and the larvae ofL. nylanderi overwintered together or not at all. A youngSolenopsis queen being there was noxious to the larvae ofLeptothorax.On the contrary,L. nylanderi has been able to breed larvae ofS. fugax up to the imago stage, at a temperature of 22°C. When its own larvae were in the nest, together with larvae ofS. fugax, the workers ofL. nylanderi killed the larvae ofS. fugax. On the other hand, new eggs and young larvae ofLeptothorax had to replace, more or less quickly, the larvae which had been taken away, and that was noxious to the growth ofSolenopsis larvae. An overwintering at the beginning of the experiment was rather favourable toS. fugax as was the presence of a fecundLeptothorax queen. TheSolenopsis thus obtained lived no longer than seven weeks. They all were workers and very small.

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S. Fugax L. Nylanderi 22° . Leptothorax , , , , . . S. Fugax Leptothorax.,L. Nylanderi 22° S. Fugax . L. Nylanderi ( )Leptothorax ; S. Fugax Solenopsis, Leptothorax. S. Fugax . .

     

Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

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Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

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Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

The taxonomic significance of the trunk limbs of the chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary The differences in the structure of the trunk limbs allow to outline three sections of Chydoridae (see table I and fig. 1), coinciding with the sections distinguished according to the structure of the head pores.

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Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Chydoridae (. ), , .

     

Bacterial regeneration of ammonium and phosphate as affected by the carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus ratio of organic substrates

The effect of carbonnitrogenphosphorus (CNP) ratio of organic substrates on the regeneration of ammonium and phosphate was investigated by growing natural assemblages of freshwater bacteria in mineral media supplemented with the simple organic C, N, and P sources (glucose, asparagine, and sodium glycerophosphate, respectively) to give 25 different substrate CNP ratios. Both ammonium and phosphate were regenerated when CN and NP atomic ratios of organic substrates were 101 and 161, respectively. Only ammonium was regenerated when CN and NP ratios were 101 and 10–201, respectively. On the other hand, neither ammonium nor phosphate was regenerated when CN and NP ratios were 151 and 51, respectively. In no case was phosphate alone regenerated. As bacteria were able to alter widely the CNP ratio of their biomass, the growth yield of bacteria appeared primarily dependent on the substrate carbon concentration, irrespective of a wide variation in the substrate CNP ratio.     

Leaf water relations characteristics of Lupinus angustifolius and L. cosentinii

Summary Lupins (Lupinus angustifolius and L. cosentinii) growing in 321 containers in a glasshouse were exposed to drought by withholding water. Leaf water potential (₁), and leaf osmotic potential (_s) were measured daily as soil water became depleted. Leaf water relations were further assessed by a pressure-volume technique and by measuring _s and relative water content of leaves after rehydration. Analysis by pressure-volume or cryoscopic techniques showed that leaf osmotic potential at saturation (_s100) decreased from -0.6 MPa in well watered to -0.9 MPa in severely droughted leaves, and leaf water potential at zero turgor (_zt) decreased from about -0.7 to -1.1 MPa in well watered and droughted plants, respectively. Relative water content at zero turgor (RWC_zt) was high (88%) and tended to be decreased by drought. The ratio of turgid leaf weight to dry weight was not influenced by drought and was high at about 8.0. The bulk elastic modulus () was approximately halved by drought when related to leaf turgor potential (_p) and probably mediated turgor maintenance during drought. The latter was found to be negatively influenced by rate of drought. Supplying the plants with high levels of K salts did not promote adjustment or turgor maintenance.     

Heritable variation in the phaseolin protein of nondomesticated common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Crude protein extracts from single seeds of nondomesticated Mexican bean accessions were analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for variability in phaseolin protein. Six new phaseolin types; M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, which contained polypeptides within the same range of molecular weights (51,000 to 45,000 daltons) as occur in the S, T and C phaseolin types of cultivated beans were identified. No T and C types were found among the non-domesticated Mexican accessions, and the S type occurred in less than 7% of the seeds screened. Genetic analyses of F₂ progenies from crosses between Sanilac (S), and five of the M types showed that each M phaseolin phenotype was allelic to the S type and expressed codominantly.     

DNA profile of the spore of blastocladiella emersonii: Evidence for γ-particle DNA

Summary Procedures were developed for isolating DNA from zoospores of Blastocladiella emersonii, critical steps being the use of non-frozen cells, enzymatic elimination of polysaccharide, and a combined treatment with T₁RNAse and pancreatic RNAse for complete removal of RNA. Methods for isolating -particles from spores were also established. Extraction of DNA directly from purified -particles substantiated previous assumptions that they contain DNA. Heat denaturation and preparative CsCl equilibrium sedimentation studies of whole spore DNA revealed the presence of four distinct components, I–IV, with buoyant densities of 1.731, 1.715, 1.705, and 1.687 g/cm³. The major species appeared to be nuclear chromatin. Nucleolar and mitochondrial sites were tentatively assigned to species II and III, respectively. Evidence was presented that species IV resided in -particles. Some possible roles for -particle DNA were discussed.Abbreviations EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis (B-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetracetic acid - EDTA ethylenediaminetetracetic acid - TCA trichloroacetic acid - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - SSC 0.15 M NaCl and 15 mM Na citrate