An insect glycoprotein: a study of the particles responsible for the resistance of a parasitoid's egg to the defence reactions of its insect host.

A study has been carried out of the chemical composition and physical structure of small particles, 130 nm in diameter, isolated from the calyx of the ichneumon, Nemeritis canescens. The particles are vesicular, consisting of a densely-staining core surrounded by an outer membrane. The core of the particles is made up of protein and carbohydrate in the ratio 100:17; no nucleic acid was detected. The basic chemical subunit of the core of the particles appears to be a glycoprotein of molecular mass ca. 45 000. The basic structural subunit of the core, however, is a short, hollow cylinder, about 10 nm across. It seems likely that several chemical subunits make up one structural subunit, and that many structural subunits, surrounded by the membrane, make up a single particle.     

Arrestment responses of the parasitoid, Nemeritis canescens, to a contact chemical produced by its host, Plodia interpunctella

ABSTRACT. The locomotory response of walking parasitoids to a contact chemical from their host is reviewed, and in particular the response of the ichneumonid, Nemeritis canescens Grav., to the mandibular gland secretion of its host, Plodia interpunctella Hubn., is investigated. In response to the presentation of the host chemical on a surface, a walking Nemeritis exhibits a complex ortho-kinetic response involving stopping, walking at a reduced speed and probing with the ovipositor. In response to the removal of the chemical following presentation, as would occur when the insect left the edge of the chemical patch, the wasp exhibits a klinotactic response which directs it back to the patch at an average angle of 157° relative to the orientation at the moment of stimulation. This turning-back response at the patch edge greatly increases the time spent on a patch of contact chemical. The waning of this response determines when a host patch is abandoned. This waning is retarded by increasing the concentration of contact chemical on the patch and by opposition while on the patch.     

Inter-and intra-specific effects of the mandibular gland secretion of larvae of the Indian-meal moth, Plodia interpunctella

ABSTRACT. The effects of the mandibular gland secretion of larvae of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) on the behaviour of conspecific larvae and on its parasitoid, Nemeritis canescens (Gravenhorst) were studied in open chambers and in an olfactometer. The secretion is deposited in the form of droplets on the silk while it is being spun, and as irregular patches on the substratum. Plodia larvae presented with a choice between fresh food and food contaminated with mandibular gland secretion chose fresh food. Those provided with contaminated food only, chose this in preference to starvation. The secretion also caused 'attraction' and stimulation of oviposition movements in female Nemeritis , leading to increased parasitization. The stimulatory effect of the droplets was remarkably persistent and could be detected after storage for at least 5 years at room temperature as well as at 4°C or -7°C. Chemical analysis indicated the presence of two components, the major with an Rf value of 0.6 (empirical formula C₂₄H₄₀O₄), and the other with an Rf value of 0.8 (empirical formula C₂₂H₃₈O³).     

Concentration effects and the response of Nemeritis canescens to a secretion of its host

An ovipositional response in the ichneumonid parasite Nemeritis canescens is elicited by a compound from the mandibular gland secretion of flour moth caterpillars. Exposure to that compound, even at concentrations too low to elicit an observable response, influences the parasites' subsequent response to a host larva or to the compound itself, increasing or decreasing that subsequent response to an extent that depends on the timing and on the amount of the compound at the initial exposure. When the same compound is deposited on the parasites' antennae, as by attacked host larvae, the parasites groom and oviposition is postponed.     

Food conversion efficiency of a parasitic wasp, Nemeritis canescens

Abstract. 1. The calorific efficiency with which N. canescens converts the larva of E. kuehniella into its own tissues has been measured by microbomb calorimetry.
2. The calorific values found for Ephestia larvae are high in comparison with those of other insects and may be associated with their high fat content.
3. The growth efficiency of 61% achieved by Nemeritis is sustained by the higher assimilation efficiency of 94%, owing to the parasitoid's habit of feeding directly on the host's haemolymph.
4. The overall efficiency of conversion of adult moth (host) to adult ichneumonid (parasitoid) is of the order of 59% which is broadly representative of endoparasitoids and higher than that achieved by true predators.     

Problems of orientation associated with cocoon-spinning by Nemeritis

Abstract. 1. Larvae of Nemeritis that have reached full growth in a caterpillar of Ephestia invariably push the host remains towards the closed end of the host cocoon and pupate with their heads towards the open end. Larvae reaching full growth in a pupal host are usually orientated in the same direction, but occasionally in reverse.
2. The parasitoid does not orientate itself by direct reference to the host cocoon but in relation to the final position of the host. The host remains are probably used as a point of reference.
3. As the parasitoid spins its own cocoon, it isolates itself from some external stimuli and has need of a new point of reference. It provides this by incorporating guide marks, in the form of areas of specially woven threads, in successive layers of its cocoon.
4. The final mark, on the innermost layer, not only indicates the anterior end of the cocoon, but also may help the adult to bite its way out.
5. The presence of similar marks has been observed in the cocoons of five other species of Ichneumonidae, representing the two subfamilies Ophioninae and Cryptinae.
6. The significance of these provisions for correct orientation of ichneumon wasps is briefly discussed.     

The effect of shape on the margination dynamics of non-neutrally buoyant particles in two-dimensional shear flows

The margination dynamics of microparticles with different shapes has been analyzed within a laminar flow mimicking the hydrodynamic conditions in the microcirculation. Silica spherical particles, quasi-hemispherical and discoidal silicon particles have been perfused in a parallel plate flow chamber. The effect of the shape and density on their margination propensity has been investigated at different physiologically relevant shear rates S. Simple scaling laws have been derived showing that the number n of marginating particles scales as S(-0.63) for the spheres; S(-0.85) for discoidal and S(-1) for quasi-hemispherical particles, regardless of their density and size. Within the range considered for the shear rate, discoidal particles marginate in a larger number compared to quasi-hemispherical and spherical particles. These results may be of interest in drug delivery and bio-imaging applications, where particles are expected to drift towards and interact with the walls of the blood vessels.     

Catalase particles in the epithelial cells of the guinea-pig small intestine

Synopsis Purified preparations of epithelial cells have been made from the guinea-pig small intestine. Homogenates of these preparations have been analysed by centrifugation in a zonal rotor. The results confirm the presence of lysosomes in these cells and indicate the existence of catalase particles which equilibrate in a sucrose gradient at a density of between 1.21 and 1.23 and which have a different distribution from other subcellular particles except lysosomes. Injection of Triton WR-1339 into fasting animals enables the separation of lysosomes and catalase particles.     

On the differences of molecular aggregates structure with long wave fluorescence in the photosystems I and II]

Galactolipase and protenase action on the low temperature fluorescence spectra of light chloroplast fragments obtained from grana or intergrana thylakoids and grana thylakoids system before and after isolation photosystem I particles have been studied. Identical hydrolytic enzymes action in the two type photosystem I particles have been studied. Identical hydrolytic enzymes action in the two type photosystem I particles were observed. Grana thylakoids system after removing photosystem I particles contained photosystem II in the most purified form. These measurements results confirmed our previous suggestion that the band at 735 nm in the low temperature fluorescence spectra of light and heavy fragments belongs to the different native chlorophyll a aggregates.     

Effect of charged particles of relativistic energy on the number of chromosome aberrations in human blood lymphocytes. Dose-response relationship and the RBE of protons, deuterons and helium ions

In experiments with human blood lymphocyte culture exposed to fast protons, deuterons and helium ions the frequency and types of chromosome aberrations have been studied. Fast charged particles of a relativistic energy are shown to have a pronounced harmful effect resulting in a sharply increased formation of exchange chromosome aberrations as compared to that produced by gamma-radiation. The RBE coefficients of the particles under study have been determined: their values vary depending on the type of radiation and the tests used.     

Techniques for the estimation of cell concentration in the presence of suspended solids.

Measuring cell concentration is of fundamental importance in many biochemical processes. However, this measurement is very difficult to make when solid particles are present along with the cells. This review examines strategies that have been used to estimate cell concentration in the presence of solid particles.     

Influence of intraparticle diffusional limitation on the observed kinetics of immobilized enzymes and on catalyst design

Numerical solutions to the equations describing simultaneous mass transfer and enzymic reaction within porous spherical particles have been used to examine the effect of enzyme content and other parameters on the kinetic behavior of immobilized enzymes. These solutions have also been compared with experimental data for enzymes immobilized to DEAE-cellulose particles. The influence of particle size and enzyme content on catalyst design is discussed.     

Study of RNA distribution in the nucleolar components of Ehrlich cell using RNase-gold method

Summary The RNA distribution in Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli has been investigated using RNase-gold method. This technique has been applied to sections of cells prepared under various fixation and embedding conditions. As expected, the specificity and intensity of labelling by gold particles have varied according to the experimental conditions used. Interestingly, however, it has been noted that the localization of gold particles does also vary and in particular within the fibrillar centre. This observation underlines the interest of assyying the RNase-gold complex under various conditions.The gold particles were particularly concentrated over the granular component and to a lesser extent, in the dense fibrillar component. In the latter constitutent, it has been noted that the gold markers were preferentially localized at the edge of the dense fibrils. Surprisingly, a few gold particles have also been detected in the fibrillar centres. The weak labelling has persisted even after pepsin or DNase extraction but has completely disappeared after RNase extraction. Further, an inhibition of rRNA synthesis by a treatment with actinomycin D has not produced a significant decrease of the number of gold particles present in the fibrillar centre. These results suggest that fibrillar centres contain a small amount of RNA which would not correspond to pre-rRNA.     

Study of RNA distribution in the nucleolar components of Ehrlich cell using RNase-gold method

The RNA distribution in Ehrlich tumour cell nucleoli has been investigated using RNase-gold method. This technique has been applied to sections of cells prepared under various fixation and embedding conditions. As expected, the specificity and intensity of labelling by gold particles have varied according to the experimental conditions used. Interestingly, however, it has been noted that the localization of gold particles does also vary and in particular within the fibrillar centre. This observation underlines the interest of assaying the RNase-gold complex under various conditions. The gold particles were particularly concentrated over the granular component and to a lesser extent, in the dense fibrillar component. In the latter constituent, it has been noted that the gold markers were preferentially localized at the edge of the dense fibrils. Surprisingly, a few gold particles have also been detected in the fibrillar centres. The weak labelling has persisted even after pepsin or DNase extraction but has completely disappeared after RNase extraction. Further, an inhibition of rRNA synthesis by a treatment with actinomycin D has not produced a significant decrease of the number of gold particles present in the fibrillar centre. These results suggest that fibrillar centres contain a small amount of RNA which would not correspond to pre-rRNA.     

On the internal structure of bacteriophage lambda

The structure of bacteriophage lambda has been studied by electron microscopy of negatively stained particles. The phage particles will eject their DNA if they are heated or dialyzed against a chelating agent. The ghost particles, so formed, have a channel running down their tails. Since the channel is not visible in normal particles, the channel may be filled with part of the DNA molecule. Up to 30% of the ghosts contain round objects about half the internal diameter of the head. The round objects, called "cores," have the same buoyant density as the coat protein. The core may be a protein spool about which the phage DNA is wound.     

Developmental failure after experimental activation of insect eggs

Summary

Eggs taken from the genital tracts of Venturia (Nemeritis) canescens (Hym., Ichneum.) and Psychoda cinerea (Dipt., Psychod.) can be activated by brief exposure to distilled water. However, embryogenesis fails soon unless some other conditions are met. These are mechanical deformation of the egg in Venturia, and mating in Psychoda. Development ceases at or soon after meiosis in Psychoda and in most Venturia eggs; the remaining Venturia eggs fail to form an orderly blastoderm although they contain hundreds of nuclei. In Venturia the anomalies are probably due to insufficient activation of some cytoplasmic component(s) while Psychoda eggs fail in the absence of some paternal contribution, possibly the sperm which in this case must enter the oocyte within the follicle.     

Electron Microscopy of the Carboxysomes (Polyhedral Bodies) of Thiobacillus neapolitanus

The carboxysomes of Thiobacillus neapolitanus are shown, by electron microscopy, to consist of a paracrystalline array of 10-nm particles surrounded by a "membrane." The 10-nm particles have a center hole or depression and have been previously identified as ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. The membrane is a monolayer approximately 3.5-nm thick.     

Differences in egg wastage by superparasitism,contrastingVenturia (=Nemeritis) canescens searching singly versus searching in groups

A statistical and graphic study is presented of the wastage of eggs by Venturia (=Nemeritis) canescens when searching singly and in groups of 10 among hosts at four different host densities in laboratory universes as described byHuffaker andMatsumoto (preceding paper of this journal). The host insect was the fluour moth Anagasta kühniella and the host densities used were 10, 30, 100 and 200 per universe. Intensity of egg wastage due to superparasitim varied significantly according to host density, and between the two parasite densities employed, 1 and 10, using both F-tests and chi-square tests. Plots of k-factor analysis on this egg wastage showed high negative correlations with host density, and the raw data for single parasites was well represented by a parabola while that for the grouped parasites departed from this relationship only at the lowest host density.     

Structures and roles of the polymorphic forms of tobacco mosaic virus protein. VII. Lengths of the growing rods during assembly into nucleoprotein with the viral RNA

The length distributions of growing particles have been determined and followed as a function of time during the reconstitution of tobacco mosaic virus from its isolated RNA and protein. The protein was supplied either largely as the “disk” aggregate or as A-protein obtained by cooling a disk preparation. In a further experiment, the growth was initiated with disks and then continued with A-protein. It has been possible to correct the resulting distributions of lengths for the effect of broken RNA molecules and hence to obtain a picture of the distribution of lengths of the growing particles.From these distributions and also the average lengths, it is concluded that the growth is most rapid when disks are the protein source, giving full length particles in six to ten minutes. When A-protein is supplied for the growth, the rate is about one quarter of that with disks, irrespective of whether the rods have been nucleated with disks or not.     

The size and number of intramembrane particles in cells of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy.

By freeze-fracture electron microscopy, particles have been observed on the protoplasmic leaflet (PF face) of cytoplasmic and intracytoplasmic membranes of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. The particles are present under all culture conditions of chemotrophically and phototrophically grown cells. However, the number of particles per microM2 increased significantly when the formation of the photosynthetic apparatus in the membrane is induced. Intracytoplasmic membranes, where the bulk of photosynthetic activity is localized, always have a higher density of particles than cytoplasmic membranes. Under all conditions particles with a diameter of 9.5 nm dominate. The frequency of particles with diameters greater or smaller than 9.5 nm changed with culture conditions. A comparison of biochemical and electron microscopic data have lead us to the conclusion that the particles, formed under conditions which allow the synthesis of the photosynthetic apparatus, are composed of photochemical reaction centers and antenna light-harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I (B 875)-protein complexes. The total molecular weight of these particles is calculated to be 500,000.