Le Genre Trimyema Lackey et les Caracteristiques Structurales des Ciliés Trichostomatida

SYNOPSIS. The longitudinal kineties of the holotrich ciliate Trimyema marinum each bear only three widely spaced cilia; but these cilia are located at identical horizontal levels so that they comprise three helicoidal ciliary bands running around the anterior pole of the organism. The two kineties whose cilia are found most anteriorad, located in a right dorso-lateral position on the body, are exceptional, however: they are prolonged anteriorly, bearing numerous short additional cilia.
These two "polykineties" wind clockwise around a kind of apical disc; their distal extremities continue to curve, dipping into a "prebuccal invagination" in which they may be said to constitute a vestibular ciliature.
In spite of its rather unique characteristics, the curious anatomy of this ciliate does conform to the organizational type recognized for holotrichs of the order Trichostomatida.     

Aspects ultrastructuraux et synthèse de la thyroglobouline dans les cultures de thyroides avant et après transplantation chez des rats hypophysectomisés

Two aspects concerning the study of thyroglobulin synthesis and of the ultrastructure of thyroid glands in organotypic cultures have been studied: (1) the chronology of ultrastructural alterations in thyroid cultures leading to the loss of thyroglobulin synthesis; and (2) the role of TSH in the re-establishment of the characteristic features in the cultured cells following transplantation.Alterations of the endoplasmic reticulum start on the very first day of culture. The ribosomes detach themselves from the membranes which then disappear. On the third and fourth day, significant alterations are observed on mitochondria and nuclei. The lysosomes disappear, while the Golgi apparatus is hardly affected.All the above modifications are reversible, since it is possible to re-establish the characteristic features of the endoplasmic reticulum and the synthesis of thyroglobulin after transplantation of the cultured glands into normal animals.The reappearance of phenotypic traits of the thyroid cells can also be obtained after transplantation into hypophysectomized rats. However, the level of thyroglobulin synthesis in these transplants, which is similar to that in the host gland, is lower than in grafts into normal animals.This results shows that TSH is not required for differentiation and for manifestation of the phenotypic traits of the thyroid gland. It seems therefore that the role of TSH is not to stimulate differentiation, but to maintain and regulate the level of specific processes in the already differentiated thyroid cell.     

Acides aminés libres et protéiques des divers types de rameaux du Periploca graeca: Rôle dans la circumnutation des tiges volubiles et compartimentation intracellulaire

Free and Bound Amino Acids in the Different Shoot Types of Periploca graeca: Role in the Circumnutation of Twining Shoots, and Cellular Compartmentation. A study has been made of amino acids of wall proteins, cytoplasmic TCA insoluble proteins and proteins of organelles in growing tissues from three types of shoots: short upright, twining, and creeping, all carried by the same specimen of Periploca graeca L. Each shoot type presents a specific pattern. The twining shoots are very rich in cytoplasmic TCA-insoluble proteins. The upright shoots distinguish themselves by a high level of proteins in the organelles and in the cell-wall. However, the composition of wallproteins is almost the same in the three types of shoots. This result excludes the existence of particular wall proteins (extensin, for example) in the twining and rapidly growing shoots. In these shoots the high level of free prolin is not a consequence of low incorporation in the proteins. Distribution of prolin, aspartic acid and glutamic acid between the cellular compartments (wall, hyaloplasm and organelles) has a specific pattern in each shoot type.     

Modifications des propriétés cytophotométriques des ADN et des histones nucléaires au cours de la sénescence des tritons (Triturus vulgaris et Triturus cristatus)

DNA and histones were studied by cytophotometry, in cartilaginous cells from urodele amphibians (Triturus vulgaris and Triturus cristatus) during ageing. With the Feulgen reaction, the DNA colorability decreased and their acid hydrolysis was more difficult. The coloration of the histones linked to DNA in chromatin was also changed. The results are discussed in relation to numerous works on deoxyribonucleoprotein modifications during cell ageing.ADN et histones ont été étudiés par cytophotométrie dans les cellules cartilagineuses d'Amphibiens Urodèles (Triturus vulgaris et Triturus cristatus) au cours du viellissement. Nous avons observé une baisse des affinités tinctoriales des ADN et une augmentation de leur résistance á l'hydrolyse acide pratiquée dans le cadre de la réaction de Feulgen. La colorabilité des histones associées aux ADN dans la chromatine est aussi modifiée. Tous ces résultats sont discutés en liaison avec les nombreux travaux effectués sur les modifications des désoxyribonucléoprotéines au cours du viellissement cellulaire.     

Modalités de l'inhibition de la croissance et de la synthèse des acides nucléiques des plantules de blé par l'acide abscissique

The growth of wheat seedlings (Triticum sativum) is inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA). The inhibition increases with the concentration of ABA (from 10^-6M to 5 × 10^-5M) and is stronger in the case of coleoptiles and first leaves than in roots. In contrast, naphthaleneacetic acid (ANA), at 10^-5M, exerts its greatest inhibitory effect on the roots. The inhibitory effect of ABA on coleoptiles can be partially overcome by kinetin and to a much smaller degree by gibberellic acid. Neither of these two compounds, at 10^-5M, had any effect on the ABA-induced inhibition of root growth. The RNA and DNA contents per plant organ are considerably reduced after treatment of the seedlings with ABA, particularly in the coleoptiles and the first leaves. The incorporation of uracil-2-¹⁴C and uridine T (G) into RNA of treated seedlings is reduced in the case of coleoptiles and first leaves, but considerably enhanced in roots. The mechanism of the action of ABA is discussed in the light of these results.