Sul Controllo Della Glicolisi Nel Lievito

Abstract

On the control of carbohydrate utilization in yeast. — The results of a previous investigation showed that in higher plants the stimulating action of 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) on oxygen uptake and glycolysis is accompained by a fall of the level of reducing sugars, due to an increase of their respiratory utilization, and thus — according to every evidence — of the rate of hexose phosphate synthesis.

In the present work, the occurrence of a similar phenomenon in yeast (where the inhibiting effect of DNP on glucose uptake is not so much marked as in higher plant tissue) was investigated.

Here again DNP, at a 10^-4M concentration, induced a rapid decrease of the disaccaride trehalose and of glycogen, such as to account for the increased rate of respiration and of fermentation. The ratio between the contributions to CO₂ of Carbons 1 and respectively 6 of glucose was not significantly changed by DNP, which suggests that at least part of the DNP induced increase of glycolysis was mediated by the Embden Meyerhof pathway, and thus that a larger amount of fructose diphosphate was formed in the presence of the uncoupler.

In other experiments the effects of DNP on the dissimilation of C¹⁴ labeled glucose, glycerol and pyruvate to CO₂ and ethanol, and on the incorporation of the radioactive isotope into various fractions, 15 minutes after feeding the labeled substrates, was investigated. It was found that:

1) Glucose and glycerol uptake is not markedly inhibited by DNP at the concentration employed (^10–4M).

2) In the absence of DNP, a considerable portion of the radioactivity fed as glucose or glycerol and taken up by the yeast cells is recovered in the glycogen and trehalose fractions. (35% of the glucose, and 22% of the glycerol taken up). This is also observed for carbons 2 and 3, but not for carbon 1 of pyruvate. This indicates a reversibility of the glycolitic processes comprehended in the region between phospho-enol pyruvate andpolysac-carides; while the pyruvate kinase reaction appears to represent a sharp barrier at the « lower » end of glycolysis.

3) DNP almost completely inhibited the incorporation of C¹⁴ from glucose and glycerol into glycogen and trehalose, although it increased the rate of its dissimilation to CO₂ and ethanol. The total amount of glucose and glycerol transformed in the various metabolites (and thus — according to every evidence — phosphorylated) was somewhat lowered and proteins synthesis severely depressed. These effects are interpreted as due to the uncoupling action of DNP at the mitochondrial level, and to the consequent general decrease of the ATP and UTP levels required for protein and for polysaccharide synthesis.     

Variazioni di Metaboliti Nel Seme di Ricino in Fase di Maturazione

Abstract

Changes of glycolytic substrates level during ripening of the castor bean seed. — The changes of the concentration of carbohydrates and of the main glycolytic substrates in the castor bean seed during the ripening phase were investigated. The following results were obtained:

The level of unphosphorylated sugars and of acid hydrolysable polysaccharides remains almost unchanged, with a tendency to a rise during the ripening phase. The slight increase of these compounds, together with the transition of the R. Q. from high to low values, might be interpreted as an indication of a shift of the seed from the a metabolism of fat synthesis to one of conversion of lipids into sugars, such as is observed in the germinating castor bean seeds.

Hexose monophosphate level sharply decreases during the last period of maturation. However, the level of these substrates does not fall so low as to suggest a severe limitation for the pentose-P pathway activity.

Fructose diphosphate, DOAP, GAP, 3 PGA, 2 PGA, PEP and pyruvate levels consistently increase during the ripening process. This indicates that the drop of oxygen uptake observed in this phase cannot be due to a lack of glycolytic substrates. On the other hand, the ratios between some substrates are shifted, during ripening, from values close to the theoretical equilibrium constants to quite different values. This finding, when correlated with the one of the strong decrease of the glycolytic flow, strongly suggests a severe inactivation of the glycolyting enzymes during ripening.

The increase of pyruvate in tissues showing a decreasing respiratory activity indicates a fall of the oxidative capacity of mitochondria. This might be due to a lack of ADP, or other high energy bond acceptor, following a block of synthetic processes. However, no decrease of ADP level, and an increase of the ADP/ATP ratio during ripening is observed, Among the alternative hypothesis: a) lack or excess of oxalacetate; b) increase of concentration of some Krebs cycle inhibitor; c) inactivation of mitochondrial enzymes, the latter is thought most probable, in view of the finding of a sharp decrease of some other enzyme activities during ripening, of the above mentioned interpretation of the shift of the ratios between glycolytic substrates, and of the very low level of mitochondrial activity in preparation from the mature castor bean seed. These results when correlated with those from parallel investigations on the biochemistry of castor bean seed maturation and germination suggest, as a working hypothesis, that the respiratory metabolic inactivation accompanyng seed repening is due to a general block of the metabolism of ribonucleic acid and thus protein synthesis.     

Flora E Vegetazione Della Formazione Ofiolitica Di Rossena

Summary

The A. is dealing in his research the groups of ophiolitics rocks of Rossena (Reggio Emilia). He enumerates the kinds found in the formation and describes the different types of association wich colonise the diabase and the largest of the little periferic tops of serpentine. He ascertains in this rock the lack of the relict species.     

Variazioni Di Composizione in Piante Di Vicia Faba L. Trattate Con Acido Gibberellico (Nota preliminare)

Abstract

The effects of gibberellic acid on the composition of VICIA FABA. — The A. takes into consideration fresh weight, dry weight, total ash and chlorophyll, carotene, mineral content variations in Vicia Faba L. plants as affected by pure and practical gibberellic acid treatments.     

AZione Della Luce Sull'Assorbimento Salino Da Parte Di Tessuti Clorofilliani In Ambiente Privo Di CO2

Abstract

Effect of light on uptake by photosynthetic tissues in the absence of co₂. — The effect of light and of CO₂ on the uptake of ⁸⁶Rb and ^-32P by isolated leaves of Elodea canadensis has been studied. The uptake of both these ions is strongly stimulated by light both in the presence and in the absence of CO₂. In the case of phosphate, light stimulates uptake and inhibits the leakage of the ion from the tissues.

These results which confirm and extend the results of other Authors, support the conclusion that the stimulation by light of active uptake of solutes by green tissues is physiologically relevant. Furthermore, they suggest that the utilization of light energy for active uptake does not depend on CO₂ fixation and assimilation.     

L'effetto Di Popolazione Nelle Colture Del Polline: Alcuni Aspetti Della Sua Natura

Abstract

Pollen population effect in artificial culture: some aspect of its nature. — The ability of pollen to grow on several rather different artificial media has not yet allowed investigators to determine the best conditions for each species. However a common requirement for all kinds of pollen is a high density of pollen grains on the culture medium, that stimulates the pollen germination and the pollen tube growth. Many investigators dealing with the causes of that phenomenon failed to reach a convincing conclusion on its causes. Our experiment was set to test the ability of an unknown pollen growth factor (PGF) to diffuse from growing pollen into the medium. Consequently after removal of the pollen culture a second pollen population grown on the same medium should be able to use the PGF eventually dissolved in it. Widely scattered populations of Malus pollen were grown onto membrane filters in contact with such «preconditioned» media and tested for their ability to germinate. Because the percentage of germination were lower than expected, wide-pored membranes (8.0 μ instead of 0.8 μ) were tested, thus achieving a rate of germination as high as that of the crowded populations of pollen. Hence it was argued that the PGF is water soluble, but is absorded on the membrane before reaching the contact of the pollen. However if the pores surface is small enough to be saturated by part of the PGF the free remainder is still enough to stimulate the small population of pollen. To test the assumption (BREWBAKER and KWACK, 1963) that simply Ca++ supported by other cations is the PGF, Ca++, Mg++ and K+ have been supplemented to the Standard medium as sulfates at a 10—⁴ M concentration, combined in a factorial design. The results are reported in table 2 and can be briefly summarized as follow. The most efficient ion appears to be K+, followed by Ca++ and Mg++. Each one is able to increase significantly the rate of germination with respect to the following ion, but two negative interactions (Ca × K and Mg × K, P: 0.01) were found to be significant. Because the only significant interactions were with K+, and because the mixtures containing K+ significantly differ but from treatment with Ca++ and Mg++, and not from K+, it could be tentatively stated that the negative interaction is at expenses of the K+ stimulatory effect (see fig. 1). The joint evaluation of both experiments strongly suggests the idea that the PGF is an organic rather than an inorganic molecule, with high affinity with the membrane on which it can be adsorbed. Most probably this organic growth factor needs an inorganic ion to display its stimulatory effect, but this cannot be identified with the PGF. In fact none of the tested inorganic molecules is adsorbed on the narrow pored membrane and they display full stimulatory activity through it. The second experiment seems to suggest the idea that such inorganic ion is K+.     

Osservazioni Sul Meccanismo Di Conversione Della Energia Luminosa In Energia Chimica Nel Processo Fotosintetico

Abstract

Contribution to the knowledge of the mechanism of light energy conversion into chemical energy during the photosinthetic process. — A general scheme for the pathways of electron transport in chloroplasts is discussed, in the light of the recent evidence for the existence of cyclic photophosphorylation in vivo. The possible function of cytochrome f is discussed.     

Reazioni delle piante di Ricinus communis a incisioni sperimentali

Summary

The author has produced wounds in the stem of Ricinus communis, studing the regeneration and cicatrization processes.

The rapidity of the surface cicatrization is in relation with the water loss of the waunded cells.

Both in the stems woumded let free and in those in which an extra tissue has been introduced, the cicatrization processes tacke place. They only take place with different velocity. The healing process lead to the reconstruction of the cortical and the conducting tissues.

The whole reconstruction of the stele may occur, when the flow of the assimilated stuffs is slowed. Sothat it is probable that the regeneration depends more upon the tissue nutrition tham on a specifical properti of the tissues.     

Contributi Alla Conoscenza Della Vegetazione Ruderale Torinese: Indagini Sulla Flora E Sui Consorzi Vegetali Di Un'Area Incolta Ed Abbandonata Nella Zona Centrale Dell'Abitato Di Torino

Abstract

The composition of the flora growing on the ground where Turiner Polytechnic School was once located and then destroyed by an air bombardment during the Second World War was investigated. The area of this ground of 15.000 m²., is in the central zone of the town and is limited by Cavour, San Francesco da Paola, Giolitti and Dei Mille Streets.

The actual flora consists of about 160 taxa, making an ensemble of ruins and dry grounds plants, but with an evident contribution also of meadow plants, which, under favorable conditions, group themselves the same as neglected meadows in the suburbs.

The analysis of this vegetable grouping suggests some assumptions on the dynamics of the vegetation and on the transformations occurred since the day of the pioneering.

Some rare or in town ruins Turiner flora unknown plants are described, which could be saved there thanks to the fact that the continued disturbing and treading action of man was avoided; in fact the admission to the above-mentioned area had been precluded.

A list of the observed or collected taxa follows, with the addition of some phyto-phenological findings. A summary of the occurring of the observed patterns, according to their belonging to the vegetation bands and to their diffusion area, concludes the investigations.     

Ricerche Sulla Vegetazione Della Valsesia. VII. Notholaena Marantae (L.) Desv. in Valsesia

Abstract

Researches on the vegetation of Valsesia. VII. «Notholaena marantae» (L.) Desv. in the Sesia Valley. — It's hereby described a station of Notholaena marantae (L.) Desv. near «Giavina Rossa» (Valsesia-Piedmont, Italy). This is probably the only place in the whole valley. The fern grows in a kind of ground formed by peridotitic rocks and on a little dry wall supporting the debris. The fern presence in a wooden valley, and under an oceanic climate could be a very interesting subject for hystorical geobotanic researches.     

Evoluzione Della Cerchia Legnosa in Quercus Aegilops L. a Tricase

Abstract

The author has examined the cambial activity and the formation of the annual ring in Quercus aegilops from February 1954 to February 1955. Material was collected at Tricase (Lecce) the only Italian locality where this oriental species grows although it is doubtful whether it is spontaneous.

Cambial activity starts in the middle of April both in the main stem and in the branches following flowering and bud development. It goes on for about five months until the second half of August forming a complete growth ring. This annual ring shows the normal sequence of early wood with wide vessels formed during the second half of April and the whole of May, intermediate wood with medium and small size vessels, parenchima, and fibres formed in June-July, and late wood with few small size vessels, parenchima, and fibres formed from the end of July to middle August.

There is no reawakening of cambial activity in autumn even if the climatic conditions are favourable. Tylosis are very easily formed in the wood vessels and by this process the plant can withstand the drought of the Apulian summer.     

Studio Anatomico delle Reazioni Indotte dalla Decapitazione Combinata a 2,4-D in Turioni di Asparagus Officinalis L

Summary

1) Young stems of Asparagus officinalis L., from 12 to 46 cm. in length, were decapitated just below the shoot apex and 2,4-D was applied to the cut surface in concentrations 0,1% to 2% by weight in lanolin paste. Decapitated Asparagus stems treated with lanolin only served as controls. A total of 50 stems, of which 10 controls, were investigated.

2) Apart from the sprouting of lateral buds in two plants, no other macroscopical or histological reaction was noticed in the control material. Following treatment with 2,4-D, on the contrary, the following gross responses were evidently seen

a) Bending reaction (figs. 2, 3, 5). This was found to occur in 13 plants, on the second to fourth day since decapitation and at a distance of 1 to 5 cm. from the cut surface. Only in one case was the bending so pronounced as to bring about a complete change in polarity of the upper portion of the stem;

b) Tumor formation. In 8 plants, 7 of which had been treated with doses 1% or 2% of 2,4-D, a swelling appeared just below the surface of decapitation. Due to a difference in cell elongation between the cells of the fundamental parenchyma and those of the cortex, the cut surface took, in a few days, a spoon-like appearance (fig. 10). In two of the 8 plants a tumor-like swelling was noted at some distance from decapitation (fig. 11);

c) Unbalanced elongation in fasciated stems. This brought about the bending towards the cut surface of the more elongated portion in fasciated stems (fig. 15);

d) Longitudinal splits in fasciated stems. (figs. 12, 13). Longitudinal splits were noticed in some of the fasciated stems, which appeared also affected by a very strong gummosis;

e) Survival of decapitated stems. 2,4-D treatment clearly increases the survival of decapitated stems, the maximum duration of survival being 19 days in controls and 30 to 33 days in some stems treated with 1% or 2% phyto-hormone;

f) Sprouting of lateral buds (figs. 4, 5). The frequency of this phenomenon in 2,4-D treated material is not higher as compared with that of controls. However, the treatment seems to induce some auxinlike responses in lateral branches.

3) Concerning the histological reactions, the following can be said

a) No mitosis stimulation is induced neither by wounding alone nor by wounding plus 2,4-D in any portion of the Asparagus stem;

b) radial cell elongation of cortical cells and, in some cases, of pericycle cells (Borgstrom's «transverse reaction») is responsible for both sub-terminal tumors and the two tumor-like swellings of the type reported in fig. 11 (fig. 20 for histological details). Differential elongation in different portions of the stem is responsible for some of the gross responses referred to above;

c) extensive lignification and suberization of parenchyma and, sometimes, epidermal cells occur in 2,4-D treated material. Lignification begins, on the 12th to the 15th day since decapitation, in the cells of the pericycle and fundamental parenchyma surrounding the outermost bundles and gradually spreads centripetally reaching, in extreme cases, some portions of the pith (fig. 24). In these same cases, the lignification process (which is generally present in the first 2 or 3 cm. below the cut surface) may extend as far as 7 cm. below the surface of decapitation. The lignification process appears not to be spred evenly in the stem, being sometimes localized in one or more large areas (fig. 18) and expressing itself in highest degree in zones near the divergence of leaf traces (fig. 16). Lignification of cortical parenchyma and of isolated groups of epidermal cells occurs in a later stage, being concomitant with some suberization process in other cells of the same region of the stem. Photographs of different patterns of both suberization and lignification processes in the layers from epidermis to outermost bundles are reported in figs. 26 to 31, all taken from material treated with 2% 2,4-D. The lignification process takes place according to the well-known scheme of «vascular differentiation» (Sinnot e Bloch 1945);

d) gummosis is very common in 2,4-D treated material. The various stages of gummosis in the different tissues of the stem have been described and special attention has been paid to the extensive formation of lysigenous spaces, following cell degeneration (figs. 32 to 37).

4) In discussing the results of the present investigation, the point is stressed that by experimental means it has been possible to induce in Asparagus some patterns of tissue differentiation and distribution which are to be found in other species of Monocotyledons. After taking into special consideration the actually available data on «vascular differentiation», a twofold effect of 2,4-D on this process is assumed to have taken place, namely: a) favouring influence on cell wall lignification and b) prolongation of survival, probably bringing about a kind of «aging» of tissues. This prolongation of survival seems also to have been a determining factor in the occurrence of the strong gummosis noticed.     

Congenital deficiency of factor VII in a canine family

Prolonged prothrombin time in the blood coagulation test was seen in some beagle dogs whose activated partial prothrombin times were distributed within the normal range. This phenomenon suggested possible abnormalities in coagulation factors II, V, VII, and/or X. Therefore, a revised cross-matching test was given and a determination of coagulation factors related to the extrinsic system was performed. We also determined whether or not factor VII inhibitor was present. The results were as follows: 1) In the revised cross-matching test, the prolonged prothrombin times were revised when normal canine serum was added to the plasma that showed prolongation of prothrombin time, but not when pooled normal canine plasma absorbed with BaSO4 was added to it. 2) The level of factor VII in the plasma with prolonged prothrombin time was 5 approximately 10% of the level in normal canine plasma. 3) Factor VII inhibitor was not detected in the plasma with prolonged prothrombin time or in normal plasma. Consequently, the prolongation of prothrombin time was attributed to a deficiency in factor VII. This abnormality was confirmed to be congenital.     

Factor VII levels, R353Q and -323P0/10 Factor VII variants, and the risk of acute coronary syndrome among Arab-African Tunisians

The importance of the extrinsic haemostatic system, of which factor VII/VIIa (FVII/FVIIa) is a key constituent, in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is well recognized. The contribution of FVII gene variants R353Q and -323P0/10, and altered FVII plasma levels to the risk of ACS was investigated in a North African Tunisian Arab cohort consisting of 308 ACS cases and 312 age-, gender- and ethnically-matched control subjects; FVII antigen levels were determined by ELISA. Regression analysis was used in assessing the association of FVII variants and changes in FVII levels to the overall risk of ACS. Significantly higher FVII antigen levels were seen in ACS patients (P < 0.001), and were associated with ACS and with ACS severity, and this association was confirmed by multivariate regression analysis, after adjusting for a number of confounders (BMI, smoking, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, and glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels). While the carriage of 353Q allele, was associated with significant reduction in FVII plasma levels, the distribution of the R353Q genotypes was comparable between cases and control subjects, thereby indicating that altered FVII levels, independent of R353 variant, were associated with increased risk of ACS. In contrast, the -323Ins variant, while not associated with altered FVII plasma levels, was associated with ACS, following adjustment for BMI, smoking, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, and glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and FVII levels. In summary, elevated FVII levels, and the -323P0/10 but not R353Q polymorphism, constitute risk factors for ACS.