Synergistic effect of an Escherichia coli mutator gene on mutagenesis by ultraviolet radiation and by alkylating agents

E. coli strains differing in a gene responsible for high spontaneous mutability (mut HI) were compared for their mutability by UV radiation and by the alkylating agents ethyl methanesulfonate and methyl methanesulfonate. All three exogenous mutagenic agents induced significantly higher frequencies of mutants with impaired carbohydrate-fermenting ability when the mutator allele rather than the wild-type allele was present. Thus the mut HI gene product possibly increases the probability of replication error due to alterations in the structure of the template strand of DNA. An attempt to detect an synergistic effect for UV-induced suppressor mutations was unsuccessful. The failure may have been due to the particular method used for scoring this type of mutation.     

The effect of 5-Iodouracil on the growth and biosynthetic processes of bacteriophage T4td8 in the absence of light

5-Iodouracil (IUra)-substituted progeny bacteriophage T4td8 were grown under conditions such that, upon CsCl equilibrium isopycnic gradient centrifugation, progeny with density distributions about the median similar to that of unsubstituted phage are obtained. In the absence of light a monotonie relationship exists between decreasing progeny viability and increasing percent IUra substitution. IUra is equivalent to thymine as a growth factor on a molar basis, and at concentrations of IUra plus thymine above that required for maximum particle production, the percent IUra substitution in phage DNA is determined by the mole fraction of IUra in the medium. The lethal effects of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IdUrd) and IUra are equivalent, and are not produced by a direct effect on the phage particles. At equivalent percent substitution in phage DNA the order of lethality is IUra > 5-bromouracil (BrUra) > 5-chlorouracil (ClUra). There is no interference with the transfer of thymine from host cell to progeny phage by the presence of IUra in the medium, and IUra affects neither the time of lysis nor the content of phage DNA in the infected cells.     

Effects of p-fluorophenylalanine on the induction of mutations in bacteriophage T4: I. 5-Bromouracil mutagenesis

The amino acid analogue p-fluorophenylalanine (PFPA) was found to have no mutagenic activity in the r system of bacteriophage T4. However, under standard conditions for 5-bromouracil (5-BU) mutagenesis, PFPA depressed the induced frequencies for both forward and reverse mutations. When the folate antagonist sulphanilamide (SU) was omitted from the mutagenic treatment medium or when it was replaced by Trimethoprim (TM), another folate antagonist, this depressive effect was abolished. It was proposed that PFPA alleviated the inhibitory action of SU.     

Effects of T3, T4 and methyltiouracile short-term treatments on plasma and liver lipid levels in rats (author's transl)

The effects of short-term administration of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and methyltiouracile (MTU) on liver and plasma lipid levels in female rats have been comparatively studied T3 increases the levels of all the studied liver lipids and decreases the plasma lipids. T4 produces smaller and even, in some cases (liver triglycerides and cholesterol esters), opposite effects. The administration of MTU produces, in general, opposite effects to T3 and T4.     

Repair replication of opossum lymphocyte DNA: effect of compounds that bind to DNA

Opossum lymphocytes were used for studies of DNA repair. Several compounds were assessed for their capacity to induce repair. Specially interesting was the fact that some intercalators (proflavin, ICR-170, quinacrine and acridine orange) did induce repair, as determined by [³H]thymidine incorporation in the presence of hydroxyurea, CsCl density gradient centrifugation of bromodeoxyuridine-containing DNA and autoradiographically detected unscheduled DNA synthesis.A comparison of the inhibitory effect of several chemicals on DNA replication and DNA repair was also carried out. In this study, repair synthesis was induced by UV irradiation. For most of the compounds, the concentration necessary to inhibit 50% of DNA replication or DNA repair was similar. The most notable exception was cycloheximide which inhibited replication much more effectively than repair. None of the compounds used in this study was found to specifically inhibit repair synthesis.Inhibition of DNA replication and DNA repair was a general effect exhibited by the compounds which bind to DNA. However, only some of these compounds were able to induce repair. As most of these compounds were mutagens it was concluded that the inhibitory effect could be more relevant to mutagenesis that the repair-induction effect.     

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid in seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid have been isolated from seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus. The concentration of each compound was ca 0.5 % of the fresh seed weight.     

p-Aminophenol-induced cytotoxicity in Jurkat T cells: protective effect of 2(RS)-n-propylthiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid

Acetaminophen (APAP) is hepatotoxic and can cause toxicity in Jurkat T cells. p-Aminophenol (PAP), an industrial chemical and APAP metabolite, is nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. Its potential toxicity in Jurkat T cells was investigated. PAP (10-250 μM) caused toxicity (decreased survival and increased LDH activity in incubation medium) and GSH depletion. At a concentration of 100 μM but not 250 μM, PAP increased DNA fragmentation. It decreased p-Akt levels (Elisa) and at higher concentrations decreased p-Akt expression (Western blotting). It had no effect on FasL expression. The cysteine precursor 2(RS)-n-propylthiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (250 μM) attenuated the PAP (100 μM)-induced decrease in viability and prevented GSH depletion and increased DNA fragmentation. It attenuated the PAP-induced decrease in p-Akt levels and protected against the decrease in p-Akt expression. The results demonstrate PAP-induced toxicity and suggest that it is due at least in part to apoptosis and involves GSH depletion and p-Akt inactivation.     

The mechanism of action of the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine: its effect on the growth and the enzymes of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli (author's transl)

N-(Phosphonomethyl) glycine prolongates the lag-phase and inhibits the growth rate of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aureofaciens. The eucaryotes Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Neurospora crassa are not inhibited. The effect of growth inhibition in an E. coli culture depends on the time of the herbicide addition and no cells showing resistance against it are observed. The inhibitory effect can be overcome completely by a mixture of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. N-(Phosphonomethyl)glycine inhibits phospho-2-oxo-3-deoxyheptonate aldolase and 3-dehydroquinate synthase. Both inhibitory effects are removed by addition of CO2. Chorismate mutase, prephenate dehydratase and prephenate dehydrogenase are not influenced by this herbicide. Anthranilate synthase is also inhibited by N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. This inhibition is removed by addition of Mg2. Phospho-2-oxo-3-deoxyheptonate aldoase is derepressed in E. coli cells grown in minimal medium containing N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine. Under these conditions the tyrosine-sensitive isoenyme is much more strongly derepressed than the phenylalanine-sensitive isoenzyme. 3-Dehydroquinate synthase is not affected. Chorismate mutase, prephenate dehydrogenase, prephenate dehydratase, and anthranilate synthase are derepressed, but to a lesser extent.     

2-amino-4-acetylaminobutyric acid, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and 2-amino-6N-oxalylureidopropionic acid (oxalylalbizziine) in seeds of acacia angustissima

A new amino acid previously detected in 17 species of Acacia has been isolated from seeds of Acacia angustissima and identified as oxalylalbizziine. These seeds also contain more than 6% dry weight of 2-amino-4-acetylaminobutyric acid, which has not been reported previously in a legume, and lower concentrations of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid.     

Effects of 2[5(4-chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate on fatty acid and glucose metabolism in perfused rat hearts determined using iodine-125 16-iodohexadecanoate

Long-chain fatty acid oxidation by the isolated perfused rat heart was assayed by external counting using [125I]16-iodohexadecanoic acid as substrate after administration of the hypoketonemic and hypoglycemic compound 2[5(4-chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate to rats. Glucose metabolism was also assessed by measuring release of tritium from [2-T]glucose. The oxidation of long chain fatty acids was virtually suppressed in hearts from fed or starved rats given 2[5(4-chlorophenyl)pentyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate while glucose utilization was increased 2-2.5 fold.     

A Pitfall of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) Assay due to Evaporation in wells on the Edge of a 96 well Plate

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5(3-carboxymethonyphenol)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) calorimetric assay is replacing the traditional 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as a fast, one-step assay of cell viability. We have observed that evaporation of the outer wells of a 96 well plate increases the absorbancy by 52% compared to the inner wells. Filling the outer 2 rows of wells with media and replacement of the media prior to addition of the MTS reagent will, however, correct this inaccuracy.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-amino-4-phenylbutanoic acid by the hydantoinase method

Biosynthesis of (S)-(+)-2-amino-4-phenylbutanoic acid (1) was performed by nonenantioselective hydantoinase and L-N-carbamoylase using racemic 5-[2-phenylethyl]-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (rac-2) as a substrate. The compounds involved in this biocatalysis process could be simultaneously resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography using Chirobiotic T column with a mobile phase of EtOH/H(2)O = 10/90 at pH 4.2-4.5. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful production of 1 by the combination of recombinant hydantoinase and L-N-carbamoylase.     

Synthesis and physical properties of phosphatidylcholine labelled with 9-(2-anthryl)nonanoic acid,a new fluorescent probe

Synthesis and physical properties of a new anthracene fatty acid, 9-(2-anthryl)nonanoic acid, and the corresponding anthracene-phosphatidylcholines which were obtained by condensing the acid with sn-1-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (PAPC) and with egg lysophosphatidylcholine (EAPC) are described. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments show that these lipids can undergo a liquid-crystal to gel phase transition at temperatures of 15°C and 18°C for EAPC and PAPC, respectively. In monolayers, PAPC exhibits a compression curve nearly superimposable to that of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), with a molecular area of 0.48 nm² at π = 30 mN m^?1. The data indicate that in these lipids, the anthracene group is only slightly more bulky than a normal acyl chain and that it does not significantly affect the regular phospholipid molecular packing. In ethanol solutions or when incorporated into egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes in a molar ratio of 1%, these lipids display UV absorption spectra and fluorescence emission spectra similar to those of 2-methyl anthracene. For EAPC liposomes, a broad and structureless fluorescence emission spectrum centered at around 450 nm, was recorded, suggesting the occurrence of anthracene excimers. As ascertained by UV spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence polarization and anthracene photodimerization experiments, EAPC displays good miscibility properties with lipids in the liquid state (egg phosphatidylcholine) or in the gel state (distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC)). The potential of these anthracene derivatives for studying the dynamics and the topological distribution of lipids in biomembranes is discussed.     

稻田CH4和N2O的排放及养萍和施肥的影响

用箱法对我国东北稻田ＣＨ４和Ｎ２Ｏ排放进行观测研究表明,东北稻田的ＣＨ４排放通量比南方稻田小,平均日排放通量和生长季节排放总量分别为０．０７和７．４ｇ·ｍ－２．稻田淹水期几乎没有Ｎ２Ｏ的净排放,但在非淹水期内却有大量Ｎ２Ｏ排放（平均通量５９μｇＮ２Ｏ·ｍ－２·ｈ－１）．稻田养萍和施肥明显促进ＣＨ４和Ｎ２Ｏ排放．稻田ＣＨ４和Ｎ２Ｏ排放之间存在消长关系．制定稻田温室气体减排技术措施时应充分注意这一关系．     

两种羟基苯乙酸对大豆萌发的化感效应研究

通过田间和室内试验相结合,利用高效液相色谱检测大豆根际土境和残茬腐解液中的对羟基苯乙酸和间羟基苯乙酸的含量;在培养皿内研究两种酚酸对大豆生长抑制效应;研究了二者对大豆DNA熔点(Tm)的影响,并采用SDS—PAGE方法研究二者对根系蛋白合成的影响．结果表明,在大豆根际土境和残茬腐解液中检测到对羟基苯乙酸;两种羟基苯乙酸处理后,大豆例根效和主根长均显著减少,表现出明显的化感抑制效应,间羟基苯乙酸的抑制效应更明显;两种羟基苯乙酸使大豆DNA的熔点(Tm)下降,一些小分子蛋白的合成受到影响,从而抑制大豆生长,表现出典型的化感效应。     

南极大磷虾粉对卤虫脂肪酸和氨基酸的营养强化作用

以卤虫(Artemia sp.)Ⅱ龄无节幼体作为试验材料,研究0、75、150、225 mg·L-1的南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba)粉对卤虫体内脂肪酸和氨基酸的强化效果,试验共进行18 h,每6h取样检测一次.结果表明:强化组各时段的二十二碳六烯酸、ω3-系列多不饱和脂肪酸总量以及多不饱和脂肪酸总量均显著高于对照组;除了75和225 mg·L-1组6h的二十碳五烯酸与对照组无显著差异外,其他各时段的二十碳五烯酸亦显著高于对照组;75mg·L-1组18h以及150 mg·L-1组12和18h的二十碳四烯酸亦显著升高;150 mg·L-1组的必需氨基酸总量和总氨基酸含量均显著高于对照组,此外,150 mg·L-1组各时间段的必需氨基酸总量/氨基酸总量比值显著高于其他两个强化组和对照组,225 mg·L-1组12 h的必需氨基酸总量/氨基酸总量比值显著高于对照组;南极大磷虾粉对卤虫的脂肪酸和氨基酸均具有较好的营养强化效果,并以150 mg·L-1的强化浓度,12和18 h的强化时间为宜.     

Biosynthesis of (2E,4E,6E)-5-acetoxymethyltetradeca-2,4,6-trienoic acid in Eremophila oppositifolia

Evidence is presented indicating that the triple conjugated branched chain fatty acid from Eremophila oppositifolia R.Br. arises by the acetate-malonate pathway with the side chain carbon atom originating from the S-methyl group of methionine.