Stimulation of membrane-associated polysaccharide synthetases by a membrane potential in developing cotton fibers

Conditions which induce a transmembrane electrical potential, positive with respect to the inside of membrane vesicles, result in a substantial (4–12-fold) stimulation of the activity of membrane-associated -glucan synthetases in a membrane preparation derived from the developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber. Induction of electrical potentials which are negative with respect to the inside of the membrane vesicle results in little or no stimulation of -glucan synthesis. Those products whose synthesis is stimulated are mainly -1,3-glucan, but there is also a considerable increase in -1,4-glucan. No -1,4-glucan (starch) was detected in the reaction products. A transmembrane pH gradient was found to have no effect on -glucan synthesis. The results indicate that a transmembrane electrical potential can influence, either directly or indirectly, the activity of membrane-associated polysaccharide synthetases.Abbreviations UDP-glucose uridine-5-diphosphoglucose - PEG polyethylene glycol - BTP bistrispropane (1,3-bis[tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]propane) - MES 2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - VAL valinomycin     

Comparative residual toxicities of pesticides to the predator Agistemus industani (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on citrus in Florida

Residual toxicities of registered and selected experimental pesticides used on citrus against Agistemus industani Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were compared. Pesticides considered highly toxic to A. industani were: abamectin 0.15 EC at 731ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, pyridaben 75WP at 469g/ha, ethion 4EC at 7.01l/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, propargite 6.55 EC at 3.51l/ha, chlorfenapyr 2SC at 1.46l/ha applied alone or in combination with FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, sulphur 80DF at 16.81kg/ha, dicofol 4EC at 7.01l/ha, fenbutatin oxide 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 1.68kg/ha+ferbam 76 GF at 5.60kg/ha, ferbam 76GF at 11.21kg/ha, neem oil 90EC at 46.8l/ha, and copper hydroxide DF (40% metallic copper) at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha. Pesticides that were moderately to slightly toxic included: copper sulphate 98% at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, fenbuconazole 2F at 280ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil applied alone at 46.8l/ha or 23.4l/ha, and diflubenzuron 25WP at 1.40kg/ha. Pesticides that were non-toxic included: fenbuconazole 2F at 585ml/ha, malathion 57EC at 5.85l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, carbaryl 80S at 3.36kg/ha, chlorpyrifos 4EC at 4.68l/ha, and formetanate 92SP at 1.12kg/ha. Understanding the toxic effects of field weathered pesticides against key predacious mite species is important for effective IPM. The results of this study provide a comparison of direct and indirect toxic effects of various pesticides to A. industani under field conditions.     

An operational RNA code for amino acids and variations in critical nucleotide sequences in evolution

An operational RNA code relates specific amino acids to sequences/structures in RNA hairpin helices which reconstruct the seven-base-pair acceptor stems of transfer RNAs. These RNA oligonucleotides are aminoacylated by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. The specificity and efficiency of aminoacylation are generally determined by three or four nucleotides which are near the site of amino acid attachment. These specificity-determining nucleotides include the so-called discriminator base and one or two base pairs within the first four base pairs of the helix. With three examples considered here, nucleotide sequence variations between the eubacterial E. coli tRNA acceptor stems and their human cytoplasmic and mitochondrial counterparts are shown to include changes of some of the nucleotides known to be essential for aminoacylation by the cognate E. coli enzymes. If the general locations of the specificity-determining nucleotides are the same in E. coli and human RNAs, these RNA sequence variations imply a similar covariation in sequences/structures of the E. coli and human tRNA synthetases. These covariations would reflect the integral relationship between the operational RNA code and the design and evolution of tRNA synthetases.Based on part of a presentation made at a workshop- Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and the Evolution of the Genetic Code-held at Berkeley, CA, July 17–20, 1994     

The class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their active site: Evolutionary conservation of an ATP binding site

Previous sequence analyses have suggested the existence of two distinct classes of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. The partition was established on the basis of exclusive sets of sequence motifs (Eriani et al. [1990] Nature 347:203–306). X-ray studies have now well defined the structural basis of the two classes: the class I enzymes share with dehydrogenases and kinases the classic nucleotide binding fold called the Rossmann fold, whereas the class II enzymes possess a different fold, not found elsewhere, built around a six-stranded antiparallel -sheet. The two classes of synthetases catalyze the same global reaction that is the attachment of an amino acid to the tRNA, but differ as to where on the terminal adenosine of the tRNA the amino acid is placed: class I enzymes act on the 2 hydroxyl whereas the class II enzymes prefer the 3 hydroxyl group. The three-dimensional structure of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast, a typical class II enzyme, is described here, in relation to its function. The crucial role of the sequence motifs in substrate binding and enzyme structure is high-lighted. Overall these results underline the existence of an intimate evolutionary link between the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, despite their actual structural diversity.Based on a presentation made at a workshop— Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and the Evolution of the Genetic Code—held at Berkeley, CA, July 17–20, 1994 Correspondence to: G. Eriani     

Binding of the galactose-specificPseudomonas aeruginosa lectin,PA-I,to glycosphingolipids and other glycoconjugates

The carbohydrate-binding specificity ofPseudomonas aeruginosa lectin I (PA-I) in iodinated or biotinylated form was studied. A large number of glycosphingolipids, as well as some glycoproteins and neoglycoproteins were used as ligands. Also, inhibition by free saccharides of PA-I binding to glycosphingolipids was tested. It was found that the lectin binds most strongly to terminal and nonsubstituted Gal3Gal- or Gal4Gal-structures.Abbreviations PA-I Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin I - Cer ceramide - lactosylceramide Gal4GlcCer - iso globotriaosylcerami Gal3Gal4GlcCer - globotriaosylceramide Gal4Gal4GlcCer - globoside or globotetraosylceramide GalNAc3Gal4Gal4GlcCer - Forssman glycolipid GalNAc3GalNAc3Gal4Gal4GlcCer - P1 glycolipid Gal4Gal4GlcNAc3Gal4GlcCer - lactoneotetraosylceramide Gal4GlcNAc3Gal4GlcCer - B5 glycolipid Gal3Gal4GlcNAc3Gal4GlcCer - gangliotetraosylceramide Gal3GalNAc4Gal4GlcCer - GM1 Gal3GalNAc4(NeuAc3)Gal4GlcCer - RBC red blood cells - BSA bovine serum albumin - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TLC thin-layer chromatography - HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography - MS mass spectrometry - FAB fast-atom bombardment - EI electron impact     

Effect of androgens on histochemical fibre type

Summary The temporal muscles of the guinea pig show a sexual differentiation reflected in their histochemical enzyme pattern. Using histochemical methods for mitochondrial (SDH, -GPDH), and glycolytic enzymes (phosphorylase, LDH) it could be shown, that in adult animals the male muscle is a white muscle with marked activity of glycolytic enzymes, the female muscle a red muscle displaying high activity of mitochondrial enzymes. This differential enzyme pattern can be converted by the application of testosterone to the female type during the postnatal development. The male sex hormone thus affects the histochemical enzyme pattern of the muscle, converting the red, female into a white, male muscle in the female guinea pig.     

Action of rat liver Galβ1-4GlcNAc α(2-6)-sialyltransferase on Manβ1-4GlcNAcβ-OMe,GalNAcβ1-4GlcNAcβ-OMe,Glcβ1-4GlcNAcβ-OMe and GlcNAcβ1-4GlcNAcβ-OMe as synthetic substrates

Incubation of synthetic Man\1-4GlcNAc-OMe, GalNAc1-4GlcNAc-OMe, Glc1-4GlcNAc-OMe, and GlcNAc1-4GlcNac-OMe with CMP-Neu5Ac and rat liver Gal1-4GlcNAc (2-6)-sialyltransferase resulted in the formation of Neu5Ac2-6Man1-4GlcNAc-OMe, Neu5Ac2-6GalNAc1-4GlcNAc-OMe, Neu5Ac2-6Glc1-4GlcNAc-OMe and Neu5Ac2-6GlcNAc1-4GlcNAc-OMe, respectively. Under conditions which led to quantitative conversion of Gal1-4GlcNAc-OEt into Neu5Ac2-6Gal1-4GlcNAc-OEt, the aforementioned products were obtained in yields of 4%, 48%, 16% and 8%, respectively. HPLC on Partisil 10 SAX was used to isolate the various sialyltrisaccharides, and identification was carried out using 1- and 2-dimensional 500-MHz¹H-NMR spectroscopy.Abbreviations 2D 2-dimensional - CMP cytidine 5-monophosphate - CMP-Neu5Ac cytidine 5-monophospho--N-acetylneuraminic acid - COSY correlation spectroscopy - DQF double quantum filtered - HOHAHA homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn - MLEV composite pulse devised by M. Levitt - Neu5Ac N-acetylneuraminic acid - Neu5Ac2en 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid     

Neutral changes during divergent evolution of hemoglobins

Summary A comparison of the mRNAs for rabbit and human-hemoglobins shows that synonymous changes in codons have accumulated three times as rapidly as nucleotide replacements that produced changes in amino acids. This agrees with predictions based on the so-called neutral theory. In addition, seven codon changes that appear to be single-base changes (according to maximum parsimony) are actually two-base changes. This indicates that the construction of primordial sequences is of limited significance when based on inferences that assume minimum base changes for amino acid replacements.     

C alpha and C beta carbon-13 chemical shifts in proteins from an empirical database

We have constructed an extensive database of 13C C and C chemical shifts in proteins of solution, for proteins of which a high-resolution crystal structure exists, and for which the crystal structure has been shown to be essentially identical to the solution structure. There is no systematic effect of temperature, reference compound, or pH on reported shifts, but there appear to be differences in reported shifts arising from referencing differences of up to 4.2 ppm. The major factor affecting chemical shifts is the backbone geometry, which causes differences of ca. 4 ppm between typical - helix and -sheet geometries for C, and of ca. 2 ppm for C. The side-chain dihedral angle 1 has an effect of up to 0.5 ppm on the C shift, particularly for amino acids with branched side-chains at C. Hydrogen bonding to main-chain atoms has an effect of up to 0.9 ppm, which depends on the main- chain conformation. The sequence of the protein and ring-current shifts from aromatic rings have an insignificant effect (except for residues following proline). There are significant differences between different amino acid types in the backbone geometry dependence; the amino acids can be grouped together into five different groups with different , shielding surfaces. The overall fit of individual residues to a single non-residue-specific surface, incorporating the effects of hydrogen bonding and 1 angle, is 0.96 ppm for both C and C. The results from this study are broadly similar to those from ab initio studies, but there are some differences which could merit further attention.     

Studies on aneuploids of Petunia

Summary The seven possible primary trisomics of Petunia (2 n= 14) located in the progenies of triploid, hypertriploid and hypotriploid plants were distinguished from one another and from diploid on the basis of cytological and morphological criteria. They were provisionally named as Oval, Semi, Slender, Pseudonormal, Arrow, Narrow and Giant. In three of the trisomics, the extra chromosome was identified for the first time at pachytene stage. Postpachytene studies revealed no precise relationship between the length of extra chromosome and the frequency of multiple association.     

Expression of a chimeric stilbene synthase gene in transgenic wheat lines

A chimeric stilbene synthase (sts)gene was transferred into wheat. Stilbene synthases play a role in the defence against fungal diseases in some plant species (e.g. groundnut or grapevine) by producing stilbenetype phytoalexins like resveratrol. Resveratrol is also claimed to have positive effects to human health. Embryogenic scutellar calli derived from immature embryos of the two commercial German spring wheat cultivars Combi and Hanno were used as target tissue for cotransformation by microprojectile delivery. The selectable marker/reporter gene constructs contained the bargene either driven by the ubiquitinpromoter from maize (pAHC 25, also containing the uidAgene driven by the ubiquitinpromoter), or by the actinpromoter (pDM 302) from rice. The cotransferred plasmid pStil 2 consisted of a grapevine stscoding region driven by the ubiquitin promoter. Eight transgenic Combi and one Hanno T_Oplant were obtained and, except one Combi T_Oplant, found to be cotransformants due to the integration of both the stsgene and the selectable marker or reporter genes. Expression of the stsgene was proven by RTPCR, and, for the first time, by detection of the stilbene synthase product resveratrol by HPLC and mass spectrometry. The stsgene was expressed in four of the seven transgenic Combi T_{_o}plants. Two of the respective T₁progenies segregated in a Mendelian manner were still expressing the gene. Investigations into methylation of the stsgene showed that in three nonexpressing progenies inactivation was paralleled by methylation.     

γδ T-cell receptor repertoire in human peripheral blood and thymus

T-cell clones expressing the T-cell receptor (Tcr) were generated from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and from a thymus sample. In the panel of ten thymus-derived clones, four Tcr phenotypes [as defined by the reaction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against known V and V regions] were identified. All the clones lacked expression of the V3 V region, while seven clones were V1+ . V1 was found in combination with V9 or with undefined VVregions. In addition, two other Tcr phenotypes were identified on these clones: V9⁺ V1^– V3^– and V9^– V1^– V3^– One of the clones expressed CD4 and another was CD8positive. The remaining clones were CD4^– CD8^–. In the panel of 76 PBL-derived, Tcr-bearing clones, five Tcr phenotypes could be identified. In contrast to the thymus-derived clones, 30% of the clones were V3⁺ whereas V1 was expressed by a minority of the clones only. One clone was CD4-positive and approximately 30% of the clones were CD8-positive. Four of the five mAb-defined Tcr phenotypes could be identified on both thymus and PBL-derived T-cell clones. However, biochemical analysis of the Tcrs demonstrates differences in the usage of Ct- and C2-encoded y chains by T cells derived from the thymus and PBLs. The results therefore indicate that, at the clonal level, similarities and differences exist between the Tcr repertoires expressed in the thymus and by PBLs. Furthermore, they indicate that combinatorial Tcr heterogeneity is larger than has so far been described. The receptor diversity, combined with the potential of Tcr+ cells to express CD4 or CD8, indicates that these cells are a heterogeneous population that might mediate a number of immune functions.     

Physicochemical characterization of gamma-crystallins from bovine lens--hydrodynamic and biochemical properties

A detailed hydrodynamic study has been made on the -crystallin of the bovine lens. Sedimentation study indicates that -crystallin shows a nearly gaussian peak throughout the course of sedimentation at high speed, using a synthetic boundary cell. The diffusion and sedimentation coefficients are 10.3×10^–7 cm²/sec and 2.51 S, respectively. The weight-average molecular weight of the unfractionated -crystallin calculated from sedimentation equilibrium is 21,800. The four major subfractions of -crystallin show similar hydrodynamic properties with an intrinsic viscosity of 2.50 ml/g and a Stokes radius of 21 Å. The distinct electrophoretic mobilities exhibited by the four subfractions show gel-concentration dependence and similar slopes in the Ferguson plot, indicative of being charge isomers of the same molecular species. Amino acid analysis of these four subfractions corroborated the conclusions that these -crystallin polypeptides are closely related and comprise a multigene family of crystallins. Based on the sedimentation and intrinsic viscosity data, -crystallin can be modeled as a prolate ellipsoid with an axial ratio of approximately 3.0 and a hydration factor of 0.27 g water per gram protein. The circular dichroism data for -crystallins showed a minimum at about 217 nm, characteristic of a -sheet conformation. These structural characteristics are in good accord with those derived from X-ray diffraction data for -crystallin II.     

The level of free amino acids in erythrocytes of different breeds of hen

Summary The content of free amino acids was determined in erythrocytes of adult Leghorn (Lg, White Rock (WR) and Cornish (Cr) hens, bred under identical conditions. The concentration of total amino acids was twice as high in the erythrocytes as in plasma, amounting to 396 m/100 ml, 424 m/100 ml and 475m/100 ml in White Rock, Cornish and Leghorn hens, respectively.Significant differences were found in the ratio of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids. These values were 0.76, 1.75 and 3.19 in White Rick, Leghorn and Cornish hens, respectively; in the plasma of all 3 breeds the ratio was 1. Statistically significant interbreed differences were expressed more distinctly in erythrocyte than in plasma amino acid concentrations. For absolute concentrations the differences were significant in the case of 9 amino acids.     

Analysis of primary food sources and trophic relationships of aquatic animals in a mangrove-fringed estuary,Khung Krabaen Bay (Thailand) using dual stable isotope techniques

Stable carbon (¹³C) and nitrogen (¹⁵N) isotopes were used to elucidate primary food sources and trophic relationships of organisms in Khung Krabaen Bay and adjacent offshore waters. The three separate sampling sites were mangroves, inner bay and offshore. The ¹³C values of mangrove leaves were –28.2 to –29.4, seagrass –10.5, macroalgae –14.9 to –18.2, plankton –20.0 to –21.8, benthic detritus –15.1 to –26.3, invertebrates –16.5 to –26.0, and fishes –13.4 to –26.3. The ¹⁵N values of mangrove leaves were 4.3 to 5.7, seagrass 4.3, macroalgae 2.2 to 4.4, plankton 5.7 to 6.4 , benthic detritus 5.1 to 5.3, invertebrates 7.2 to 12.2 , and fishes 6.3 to 15.9. The primary producers had distinct ¹³C values. The ¹³C values of animals collected from mangroves were more negative than those of animals collected far from shore. The primary carbon sources that support food webs clearly depended on location. The contribution of mangroves to food webs was confined only to mangroves, but a mixture of macroalgae and plankton was a major carbon source for organisms in the inner bay area. Offshore organisms clearly derived their carbon through the planktonic food web. The ¹⁵N values of consumers were enriched by 3–4 relative to their diets. The ¹⁵N data suggests that some of aquatic animals had capacity to change their feeding habits according to places and availability of foods and as a result, individuals of the same species could be assigned to different trophic levels at different places.     

Short- and long-term effects of ACTH on the adrenal zona glomerulosa of the rat

Summary Short-term ACTH treatment provoked a decrease in volume of the lipid-droplet compartment in rat zona glomerulosa cells, and a rise in plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone. It enhanced activities of 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD), 11-hydroxylase (11OH) and 18-hydroxylase (18OH). Long-term ACTH administration produced a hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa and its parenchymal cells, a result of the increase in volume of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondrial compartment. The surface area per cell of mitochondrial inner membranes increased; the tubular cristae were transformed into a homogeneous population of vesicles. The plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone further increased, whereas those of aldosterone fell below basal levels (the aldosterone-escape phenomenon). The activities of 3HSD and 11OH were enhanced, that of 180H decreased. Therefore, ACTH stimulates zona glomerulosa growth and transforms parenchymal elements into zona fasciculata celltypes. Cyanoketone nullified acute ACTH effects on plasma and intracellular concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone, but did not affect the activities of 11OH and 18OH. Chronic ACTH treatment produced similar results, although 18OH activity was not suppressed. The mechanism underlying the aldosterone-escape phenomenon may thus involve a rise in the intracellular concentration of corticosterone, caused by the enhanced synthesis and activation of 3HSD and 11OH.     

Interpretation of metameric architecture in dominant shrubs of the Chilean matorral

Summary The seasonal progression of phenophases in 21 shrub species of the Chilean matorral was analyzed. Five modules or basic units that are responsible for the aboveground architecture of the plants were characterized. These modules appear to be organized in seven different spatial arrangements. In drought-deciduous species a module type with an absolute short shoot with limited apical growth, leafy or spiny, predominated. In evergreen species long shoot and temporal leafy short shoot module types were more frequent. The spatial arrangement of morphologically different modules and the temporal sequence of their formation allow a dynamic interpretation of the modular architecture of the plants.     

Effect of chemical modifiers of amino acid residues on proton conduction by the H+-ATPase of mitochondria

The effect of chemical modifiers of amino acid residues on the proton conductivity of H⁺-ATPase in inside out submitochondrial particles has been studied. Treatment of submitochondrial particles prepared in the presence of EDTA (ESMP) with the arginine modifiers, phenylglyoxal or butanedione, or the tyrosine modifier, tetranitromethane, caused inhibition of the ATPase activity. Phenylglyoxal and tetranitromethane also caused inhibition of the anaerobic release of respiratory H⁺ in ESMP as well as in particles deprived of F₁ (USMP). Butanedione treatment caused, on the contrary, acceleration of anaerobic proton release in both particles. The inhibition of proton release caused by phenylglyoxal and tetranitromethane exhibited in USMP a sigmoidal titration curve. The same inhibitory pattern was observed with oligomycin and withN,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. In ESMP, relaxation of H⁺ exhibited two first-order phases, both an expression of the H⁺ conductivity of the ATPase complex. The rapid phase results from transient enhancement of H⁺ conduction caused by respiratory H⁺ itself. Oligomycin,N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and tetranitromethane inhibited both phases of H⁺ release, and butanedione accelerated both. Phenylglyoxal inhibited principally the slow phase of H⁺ conduction. In USMP, H⁺ release followed simple first-order kinetics. Oligomycin depressed H⁺ release, enhanced respiratory H⁺, and restored the biphasicity of H⁺ release. Phenylglyoxal and tetranitromethane inhibited H⁺ release in USMP without modifying its first-order kinetics. Butanedione treatment caused biphasicity of H⁺ release from USMP, introducing a very rapid phase of H⁺ release. Addition of soluble F₁ to USMP also restored biphasicity of H⁺ release. A mechanism of proton conduction by F _o is discussed based on involvement of tyrosine or other hydroxyl residues, in series with the DCCD-reactive acid residue. There are apparently two functionally different species of arginine or other basic residues: those modified by phenylglyoxal, which facilitate H⁺ conduction, and those modified by butanedione, which retard H⁺ diffusion.