β-1-4-and β-1-3-glucan synthases are associated with the plasma membrane of the fungus Saprolegnia

Cytoplasmic membranes from mycelium or protoplasts of Saprolegnia monoica (a cellulosic cell-wall fungus) were separated by continuous sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Glucan synthases assayed at low (micromolar uridine 5-diphosphate (UDP) glucose for -1-4-glucan synthase) and high (millimolar UDP glucose for -1-3-glucan synthase) substrate concentrations were associated with membranes exhibiting vanadate-sensitive, oligomycin-insensitive ATPase and equilibrating at density 1.16 g cm^-3. Synthase activities were also bound to membranes of lower density (1.10 and 1.145 g cm^-3). Plasma membranes were stabilized by coating protoplasts with concanavalin A. After lysis of the protoplasts, plasma membranes recovered by low centrifugal forces were isolated in continuous isopycinic gradients. Both synthase activities peaked with [³H]concanavalin A and Na-vanadate ATPase indicating that the synthetases are located at the plasma membrane. Treatments of intact protoplasts with cold glutaraldehyde or proteases before disruption lead to a diminution of glucan-synthase activities indicating that at least part of the enzymes of plasma membrane face the outside of the cell.Abbreviations ConA concanavalin A - ER endoplasmic reticulum - GSI -1,4-glucan synthase - GSH -1,3-glucan synthase - UDP uridine 5-diphosphate     

T-cell receptor gene rearrangement and expression in human natural killer cells: natural killer activity is not dependent on the rearrangement and expression of T-cell receptor α, β, or γ genes

To test the hypothesis that the T-cell receptor (Tcr) gene encodes a natural killer (NK) cell receptor molecule, three human NK clones and fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes with NK activity from two patients with a CD16⁺ lymphocytosis were analyzed for rearrangements and expression of the human Tcr , , and genes. Two of the clones displayed distinct rearrangements of their Tcr and genes and expressed mature Tcr , , and l RNA. However, one of the clones and both patient samples displayed marked NK activity but failed to rearrange or express any of their Tcr genes. These findings demonstrate that human natural killer activity is not dependent on Tcr gene rearrangement and expression. In addition, they confirm previous findings concerning the lack of Tcr and gene expression in some natural killer cells. Thus, they suggest the existence of additional NK-specific recognition molecules.     

Lateral diffusion in the plasma membrane of maize protoplasts with implications for cell culture

Plasma-membrane dynamics in live protoplasts from maize (Zea mays L.) roots were characterized and examined for relationships as to the ability of the protoplasts to synthesize new cell walls and develop to cells capable of division. The lateral diffusion-coefficients and mobile fractions of fluorescence-labeled plasma-membrane proteins and lipids were measured by fluorescence photobleaching recovery. Small but significant effects on the diffusion of membrane proteins were observed after treatments with oryzalin or amiprophosmethyl, microtubule-disrupting drugs that increased the mobile fraction, and after treatments with cytochalasins B or D, microfilament-disrupting drugs that decreased the diffusion coefficient. A number of parameters were tested for correlative effects on membrane dynamics and protoplast performance in culture. Protoplasts isolated with a cellulase preparation from Trichoderma viride showed faster membrane-protein diffusion and a lower frequency of development to cells capable of division than did protoplasts isolated with a cellulase preparation from T. reesei. Membrane proteins in maize A632, a line less capable of plant regeneration from callus, diffused with a smaller diffusion coefficient but a greater mobile fraction than did membrane proteins in maize A634, a line with greater regeneration capacity. The plasma membranes of A632 and A634 protoplasts also differed with regard to lateral-diffusion characteristics of phospholipid and sterol probes, although the presence of both rapidly and slowly diffusing lipid components indicated the apparent existence of lipid domains in both A632 and A634. The protoplasts of the two lines did not differ significantly, however, in either wall regeneration or frequency of development to cells capable of division.Abbreviations and symbols D lateral diffusion coefficient - FITC fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate - FPR fluorescence photobleaching recovery - LY Lucifer yellow - LY-Chol dilithium 4-amino-N-[(-(carbo(5-cholesten-3-yl)oxy)hydrazinocarbonyl)aminol]-1,8-naphthalimide-3,6-disulfonate - LY-DC_16:0PE dilithium 4-amino-N-[3-(-(dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol-amino)ethylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,8-naphthalimide-3,6-disulfonate     

Plant regeneration from isolated microspores of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Embryogenesis and plant regeneration were induced in isolated microspore culture of linseed (oilflax, Linum usitatissimum). Microspores underwent cell divison which led to either microcallus or embryoid formation, when they were cultured in a modified liquid Nitsch-Lichter-Nitsch medium (Lichter 1985) at two different incubation temperatures (30 and 35 °C); some embryoids and microcalli further developed to larger calli. After transfer of the microspore derived calli to a solid medium containing zeatin (Img 1^–1) shoot induction was achieved from 36 to 66% of the calli. The highest frequency of regenerated plants was obtained in microspore cultures of the hybrid Atalante x Szegedi 62 (F₁) at 30 °C, whereas for the second genotype Pedigree 2 x Kiszombori 41 (F₂) the higher incubation temperature seemed to be more efficient. Shoots could be successfully rooted on an indole acetic acid containing medium and then transplanted to vermiculite and finally to soil. Most of the plants survived the transfer into soil in the greenhouse, where they could be successfully grown to maturity.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole acetic acid - N6 Chu (1978) medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - NLN Nitsch-Lichter-Nitsch (1985) - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - ZEA zeatin     

Lectin binding sites inParamecium tetraurelia cells

Summary Though all three lectins tested (ConA, RCA II, WGA) bound to the entire cell membrane, none bound selectively to the docking site of secretory organelles (trichocysts); the same results were achieved with FITC-conjugates, or, on the EM level, with peroxidase- or gold-labeling. Only WGA triggered the release of trichocysts and none of the lectins tested inhibited AED-induced synchronous exocytosis.When exocytosis was triggered synchronously in the presence of any of these three lectins (FITC-conjugates), the resulting ghosts trapped the FITC-lectins and the cell surface was immediately afterwards studded with regularly spaced dots (corresponding to the ghosts located on the regularly spaced exocytosis sites). These disappeared within about 10 min from the cell surface (thus reflecting ghost internalization with a half life of 3 min) and fluorescent label was then found in 6–10 vacuoles, which are several m in diameter, stain for acid phosphatase and, on the EM level, contain numerous membrane fragments (other-wise not found in this form in digesting vacuoles). We conclude that synchronous massive exocytosis involves lysosomal breakdown rather than reutilization of internalized trichocyst membranes and that these contain lectin binding sites (given the fact free fluorescent probes did not efficiently stain ghosts).Trichocyst contents were analyzed for their lectin binding capacity in situ and on polyacrylamide gels. RCA II yielded intense staining (particularly of tips), while ConA (fluorescence concentrated over bodies) and WGA yielded less staining of trichocyst contents on the light and electron microscopic level. Only ConA- and WGA-staining was inhibitable by an excess of specific sugars, while RCA II binding was not. ConA binding was also confirmed on polyacrylamide gels which also allowed us to assess the rather low degree of glycosylation (1% by comparison with known glycoprotein standards) of the main trichocyst proteins contained in their expandable matrix.Since RCA II binding could be due to its own glycosylation residues we looked for an endogenous lectin. The conjecture was substantiated by the binding of FITC-lactose-albumin (inhibitable by a mixture of glucose-galactose). This preliminary new finding may be important for the elucidation of trichocyst function.Abbreviations AED aminoethyldextran - BSE backscatter electrons - ConA Concanavalin A - DAB 3,3-diaminobenzidine - EM electron microscope - FITC fluorescein-isothiocyanate - kD kiloDalton - ME mercaptoethanol - MIP membrane-intercalate particle - M_r apparent molecular weight - PAGE polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis - PAS periodic acid Schiff - pI isoelectric point - POX peroxidase - RCA II Ricinus communis agglutinin II - SDS sodium dodecylsulphate - SEM scanning electron microscope - WGA wheat germ agglutinin     

Isolation and culture of cotton ovule epidermal protoplasts (prefiber cells) and analysis of the regenerated wall

Culture protocols were developed and characterization of the regenerated cell walls was performed for protoplasts of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., L., var. Acala SJ-2) ovule epidermal cells. This work was undertaken in order to extend studies concerning nutritional effects and regulation of nucleotide sugar incorporation into -1,3- and -1,4-glucan components of cotton fiber cell walls. Protein and carbohydrate polymers and recovered from the culture medium. Analysis of a cellular fraction indicated that the majority of ¹⁴C incorporated from [¹⁴C] glucose was present in the hot-water-soluble fraction of the cells. The majority of label incorporated into cell wall material could be solubilized with acetic-nitric reagent, indicative of noncellulosic material, and characterized as -1,3-linked glucans. Only 5 to 15% of the regenerated cell wall could be characterized as -1,4-linked glucose indicative of cellulose.     

Quantitation of movement of the phosphoryl group during catalytic transfer in the arginine kinase reaction: 31P relaxation measurements on enzyme-bound equilibrium mixtures

³¹P nuclear spin relaxation measurements have been made on enzyme-bound equilibrium mixtures of lobster-muscle arginine kinase in the presence of substituent activating paramagnetic cation Co(II) (in place of Mg(II)), i.e., on samples in which the reaction, ECoATParginine ECoADPP-arginine, is in progress. The results have been analyzed on the basis of a previously published theory (Nageswara Rao, B.D. (1995) J. Magn. Reson., B108, 289–293) to determine the structural changes in the reaction complex accompanying phosphoryl transfer. The analysis enables the determination of the change in the Co(II)-³¹P (-P(ATP)) vector as the transferable phosphoryl group moves over and attaches to arginine to form P-arginine. It is shown that the Co(II)-³¹P distance of 3.0 Å, representing direct coordination of Co(II) to -P(ATP), changes to 4.0 Å when P-arginine is formed in the enzyme-bound reaction complex. This elongation of the Co(II)-³¹P vector implies an excursion of at least 1.0 Å for the itinerant phosphoryl group on the surface of the enzyme.     

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.     

Effects of G-protein probes on interactions between auxin efflux carriers and phytotropin receptors in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) microsomal membranes

Microsomal vesicles prepared from etiolated hypocotyl tissue of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. All Green Bush) exhibited saturable N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid ([³H]NPA) binding, NPA-stimulated association of indol-3yl-acetic acid ([³H]IAA), and saturable binding of guanosine 5-O-[3-thiotriphosphate] (GTP--[³⁵S]). These vesicles were used to test the possibility that NPA receptors might interact with IAA-anion efflux carriers by coupling through a GTP-binding protein (G-protein). Unlabelled GTP--S or guanosine 5-O-[2-thiodiphosphate] (GDP--S) had no effect on saturable NPA binding or on the NPA-stimulated association of IAA with microsomes. NPA did not affect saturable binding of GTP--[³⁵S] to microsomes, either in the presence or absence of saturating concentrations of unlabelled GTP--S or GDP. It is concluded that the occupancy of phytotropin receptors is not transduced to auxin efflux carriers by a GTP-binding protein.     

Synthetic substrate analogues for UDP-GlcNAc: Manα1-6R β(1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II. Substrate specificity and inhibitors for the enzyme

UDP-GlcNAc: Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GlcNAc-T II; EC 2.4.1.143) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of complexN-glycans. We have tested a series of synthetic analogues of the substrate Man1-6(GlcNAc1-2Man1-3)Man-O-octyl as substrates and inhibitors for rat liver GlcNAc-T II. The enzyme attachesN-acetylglucosamine in 1-2 linkage to the 2-OH of the Man1-6 residue. The 2-deoxy analogue is a competitive inhibitor (K _i=0.13mm). The 2-O-methyl compound does not bind to the enzyme presumably due to steric hindrance. The 3-, 4- and 6-OH groups are not essential for binding or catalysis since the 3-, 4- and 6-deoxy and -O-methyl derivatives are all good substrates. Increasing the size of the substituent at the 3-position to pentyl and substituted pentyl groups causes competitive inhibition (K _i=1.0–2.5mm). We have taken advantage of this effect to synthesize two potentially irreversible GlcNAc-T II inhibitors containing a photolabile 3-O-(4,4-azo)pentyl group and a 3-O-(5-iodoacetamido)pentyl group respectively. The data indicate that none of the hydroxyls of the Man1-6 residue are essential for binding although the 2- and 3-OH face the catalytic site of the enzyme. The 4-OH group of the Man-O-octyl residue is not essential for binding or catalysis since the 4-deoxy derivative is a good substrate; the 4-O-methyl derivative does not bind. This contrasts with GlcNAc-T I which cannot bind to the 4-deoxy-Man- substrate analogue. The data are compatible with our previous observations that a bisectingN-acetylglucosamine at the 4-OH position prevents both GlcNAc-T I and GlcNAc-T II catalysis. However, in the case of GlcNAc-T II, the bisectingN-acetylglucosamine prevents binding due to steric hindrance rather than to removal of an essential OH group. The 3-OH of the Man1-3 is an essential group for GlcNAc-T II since the 3-deoxy derivative does not bind to the enzyme. The trisaccharide GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man-O-octyl is a good inhibitor (K _i=0.9mm). The above data together with previous studies indicate that binding of the GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man- arm of the branched substrate to the enzyme is essential for catalysis. Abbreviations: GlcNAc-T I, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-3R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (EC 2.4.1.101); GlcNAc-T II, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (EC 2.4.1.143); MES, 2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonic acid monohydrate.     

The mitochondrially encoded "phantom ATPase" of S. cerevisiae. II. A heterogeneous mitochondrial ATPase population in situ.

Summary The mitochondrial ATPase from a PHO 1 mutant (OLI 2, PHO 1, OLI 4 region on mit DNA of S. cerevisiae) was further examined. A new purification method using Lysolecithin instead of Triton allowed us to solubilize and separate a heterogeneous ATPase population from PHO 1-mitochondria: the major abnormal fraction had extremely low oligomycin-sensitivity (but normal specific immunological reactivity), while a minor normal fraction (representing about 20% of the initial mitochondrial ATPase activity) had high sensitivity and affinity for oligomycin.Moderate urea treatment of PHO 1-mitochondria leads to partial loss of ATPase activity and a concomitant increase of oligomycin-sensitivity, suggesting that a heterogeneous ATPase population exists in situ in the mitochondrial membrane: part of the major abnormal ATPase fraction is selectively inactivated by urea, producing a concomitant enrichment in the initially minor normal ATPase fraction.If the minor normal ATPase fraction is the only one capable of in vivo ATP synthesis, the deficient but oligomycin-sensitive cell growth and oxidative phosphorylation in vitro are readily explained.Further structural studies are under way to ascertain whether the minor normal ATPase fraction is strictly identical to the wild type, in which case PHO 1 is a regulatory gene, or not, in which case PHO 1 is a structural gene.     

Courtship behaviour of Nasonia vitripennis: Head nodding, mouth-part extrusion and pheromone discharge by abdomectomized males

Courting males of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis appear to release a pheromone with the extrusion of mouth parts during so-called head-nodding behaviour. This pheromone provokes sexual receptivity in conspecific virgin . Abdomectomized court readily but have lost the ability to induce receptivity. Head nodding, mouth-part extrusion, and presumably also pheromone discharge, are absent from their courtship behaviour. However, plugging the injury results in reappearance of these motor patterns, and restores courtship success to the level of intact controls. We present some evidence for a hydraulic system involved in pheromone discharge (with head nodding and mouth-part extrusion). At the same time we present evidence, based on comparative data, that this system is unlikely to be a simple on-and-off type behaviour.

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Zusammenfassung Männchen der Schlupfwespe Nasonia vitripennis produzieren ein Pheromon, das virginelle Weibchen paarungsbereit macht. Während der Pheromonabgabe strecken die Männchen unter Kopfnicken die Mundteile aus. Hinterleibamputierte Männchen sind immer noch balzfreudig, zeigen aber weder Kopfnicken noch Ausstrecken der Mundteile und die von ihnen bebalzten Weibchen wurden nie paarungsbereit. Wird die Schnittwunde mit Leim bedeckt, so balzt das hinterleiblose Männchen wie zuvor, aber mit ganz normalem Erfolg. Wir vermuten die Wirkung eines hydraulischen Systems bei der Pheromonabgabe. Wir bringen aber weitere, vergleichende Daten vor, die zeigen, dass ein solches System, wenn überhaupt wirksam, nicht einfacher Natur (An-aus-System) sein kann.

     

Wheat chromosome 2D carries genes controlling the activity of two DNA-degrading enzymes

DNA-degrading enzymes of 24.0 kDa and 27.0 kDa were observed to have different activities in two common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Wichita and Cheyenne. A substrate-based SDS-PAGE assay revealed that these two enzymes were much more active in Wichita than in Cheyenne. Genes controlling the activities of these two enzymes were localized on chromosome 2D by testing DNA-degrading activities in reciprocal chromosome substitution lines between Wichita and Cheyenne. While the allele on Wichita chromosome 2D stimulated the activities of the 24.0- and 27.0-kDa enzymes in Cheyenne, the allele on Cheyenne chromosome 2D did not reduce the activities of the 24-kDa and 27-kDa enzymes in Wichita. Whether these genes code for the DNA-degrading enzymes themselves or for factors that regulate the enzyme activities remains unknown.This work was supported in part by USDA-Competitive Research Grants Office grant No. 90-37140-5426 to P.S.B. Contribution from Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska. Journal Series Number 10304     

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     

Production of recombinant proteins in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells overexpressing the subtilisin-like proprotein converting enzyme furin

The proprotein processing enzyme furin is the mammalian prototype of a novel family of subtilisin-like serine endoproteases which possess cleavage specificity for sites involving multiple basic amino acid residues and are involved in the processing of precursor proteins of a variety of regulatory peptides and proteins. One of the limiting steps in the engineering of mammalian cells designed for the overproduction of secreted proteins is the endoproteolytic cleavage of the precursor molecule to its mature biologically active form. The extremely low level of endogenous furin is likely the reason why cells are not able to fully mature overexpressed precursor proteins to their mature form. Here, we report a CHO-derived cell line genetically engineered for the production of high levels of recombinant proteins that need such endoproteolytic maturation. First, the human furin cDNA under the control of the cytomegalovirus early promoter and enhancer was introduced and overexpressed in a DHFR-deficient CHO cell line. A permanent cell line CHO-D3-FUR was established that expressed biologically active furin. Subsequently, to demonstrate the capacity of CHO-D3-FUR cells to produce recombinant proteins in a fully matured form, two derivative cell lines were established that overexpressed the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and transforming growth factor 1 (TGF1); CHO-D3-vWF and CHO-D3-TGF1, respectively. Both derivative cell lines were able to produce relatively high levels of recombinant protein in a fully matured and biologically active form. Our results illustrate the potential of the CHO-D3-FUR cell line in the production of recombinant secretory proteins that need endoproteolytic activation at the consensus furin cleavage sequence Arg-X-Lys/Arg-Arg.Abbreviations ATCC American Type Culture Collection - CHO Chinese hamster ovary - CMV cytomegalovirus - DHFR dihydrofolate reductase - DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium - DT diphtheria toxin - EDTA ethylenediaminetetra-acetate - ECL enhanced chemiluminescence - ER endoplasmic reticulum - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - FUR FES upstream region - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid - MEM minimal essential medium - MTX methotrexate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TCA trichloroacetic acid - TFG transforming growth factor - vWF von Willebrand Factor     

Genetic analysis of two wheat cultivars, ‘Sonalika’ and ‘WL 711’ for reaction to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)

Summary Genetic analysis for leaf rust reaction of two widely adapted cultivars, Sonalika and WL 711, has been done using 21 near isogenic Lr lines and rust culture IL004 — avirulent on the two cultivars and all the Lr lines used. The segregation pattern in the F₂ generation indicated the presence of a recessive gene in Sonalika and of a dominant gene in WL 711. These genes in cultivars Sonalika and WL 711 have been identified as Lr 11 and Lr 13, respectively. Gene Lr 13 is no longer effective in WL 711 but it continues to give field resistance in the backgrounds of Chris, Prelude and Thatcher. There has been no significant change in the virulence spectrum of the leaf rust pathogen in India with the release of WL 711. High susceptibility of WL 711 seems to be due to the evolution of more aggressive forms of the pathogen to this cultivar. The gene Lr 11, which behaves as a recessive in Sonalika, was effective against leaf rust when this cultivar was released. The high susceptibility of Sonalika is probably due to an increase in the frequency of race 77 virulent on Lr 11. Lr 11 has shown a dominance reversal in the background of Sonalika. Present results suggest that interaction of resistance genes with the background genotype must be studied for their effective use in breeding programme.     

Kinetics of Δψ-Dependent Sucrose Transport in Plasma Membrane Vesicles from Higher Plant Cells

The inside-out vesicles of plasma membranes were isolated from pumpkin stem cells, and the kinetics of sucrose efflux induced by the K⁺-diffusion potential (_D) was studied by measuring light transmission. Two phases differing in their rates and duration were identified in _D-dependent changes of light transmission. The increase in _Delevated the rate and magnitude of the fast phase in light transmission changes but did not markedly affect the rate of the slow phase. These two phases also differed in their sensitivity to inhibitors and to changes in sucrose concentration in the external medium. Measurements of _Dduring sucrose transport by means of the fluorescence probe dis-C₃-(5) revealed differences in the magnitude of _Dand its stability in vesicles loaded with sucrose and mannitol, as well as under the action of inhibitors. The two-phase dependence of sucrose efflux from vesicles on the applied diffusion potential is discussed in the context of modern concepts on the functioning of sucrose carriers in the membranes.     

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     

Isolation and culture of Lens culinaris Medik. cv. Eston epicotyl protoplasts to calli

Protoplasts of Lens culinaris Medik. cv. Eston were isolated from epicotyl tissues of seedlings grown on Murashige & Skoog basal medium. For isolating the protoplasts, epicotyl tissues were digested for 12–14 h at 25°C in an isolation mixture (pH 5.7) containing 1% Cellulase RS, 0.5% Driselase, 0.25% Pectolyase Y23, 0.2M calcium chloride, 10 mM mannitol and 10 mM MES. Protoplasts were purified by flotation over 20% sucrose and washed with 0.2 M calcium chloride solution supplemented with 10 mM mannitol. Purified protoplasts were cultured at a density of 10⁵ ml^-1 in agarose (Seaplaque, 0.6%) blocks which were suspended in an identical but liquid KM8P culture medium lacking amino acids, ammonium nitrate, and coconut water but containing 0.35 M glucose and a growth regulator complement of either 2.2 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2.7 M naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2.3 M N-(2-furanylmethyl)-1H-purine-6-amine (kinetin), 2.2 M benzylamino purine (BAP), 2.3 M 2-methyl-4-(1H-purine-6-ylamino)-2-buten-1-ol (zeatin), and 1.4 M gibberellic acid (GA₃), or 5.4 M NAA and 2.2 M each of 2,4-D and BAP. The osmotic potential of the liquid culture medium was gradually reduced over a period of 3 weeks by replacing the spent medium with a fresh medium containing 0.25, 0.1 and 0 M glucose at weekly intervals. About 6% of the dividing protoplasts developed into cell colonies after 3 weeks of culture at 25°C in diffuse light (10 E m^-2s^-1). In 35–42 days the microcolonies were about 1 mm in diameter and developed into calli on transfer to agar-solidified B5 medium supplemented with growth regulators used in the protoplast culture medium and 5 mM glutamine. Attempts to regenerate plants from protoplast-derived calli have so far been unsuccessful.Department of Applied Microbiology and Food Science, University of Saskatchewan