Population genetics of red cell glyoxalase I (E.C.: 4.4.1.5)

Summary The polymorphism of Glyoxalase I was investigated in a population sample from Southwestern Germany. The frequency of the GLO² allele was determined to be 0.427.

---

Zusammenfassung Der Polymorphismus der Glyoxalase I wurde an einer Bevölkerungsstichprobe aus Südwestdeutschland untersucht. Die Genhäufigkeit für GLO¹ beträgt 0,427.

---

---

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Ex vivo protocol for testing virus survival on human skin: experiments with herpesvirus 2.

We report an ex vivo method, which uses pieces of human skin excised during routine plastic surgery, for testing survival of hazardous pathogens. Using this procedure, we compared the survival of human herpesvirus 2 on human skin and on metal disks. At the physiological skin temperature of 32 degrees C, the half-life of the virus on skin was 1.44 h while on metal disks it was 0.36 h. Even at ambient temperature (22 degrees C), the virus lost infectivity faster (half-life = 0.96 h) on metal disks than on the skin at 32 degrees C. The method described could be used to assess the survival of other human pathogens on skin and to evaluate the germicidal activity of handwashing agents and other topicals.     

C. I. acid red 52: a new stain for cells of granulocytic origin

Using the xanthene dye C.I. acid red 52 (C.I. 45100) as a single agent stain applied to coverslip preparations of blood and bone marrow, primary and secondary granules in cells of neutrophilic origin stained brilliant pink. In eosinophils, granules stained dark red. In leukemic myeloblasts that also stained with Sudan black B and demonstrated myeloperoxidase and specific esterase activity, a few bright red staining granules were visualized with acid red 52. In some leukemic promyelocytes, Auer rods stained bright red. In leukemic lymphoblasts, no red granules were seen. Of a wide variety of dyes tested so far, acid red 52 is the most sensitive stain for primary and secondary granules of granulocytes in blood and bone marrow.     

Photodynamic activity of dyes with different DNA binding properties I. free-radical induction in DNA.

The photosensitizing efficiencies of eight dyes have been compared; two acridines, two xanthene derivatives, one sulphur-containing dye and three chemotherapeutic agents. The analysed reaction was the photosensitized induction of free radicals in calf-thymus DNA at low temperature. The binding of these dyes to DNA was first measured. Both strong (process I) and weak (process II) binding, with different intensities, either alone or together, were observed as mode of fixation. Whatever the nature of their binding, all the dyes used revealed a photosensitizing power as inducers of peroxide radicals in DNA. Their relative efficiencies, expressed as a function of the amount of dye molecules bound to DNA, were found to be very different. Intercalation, however, appeared to favour the free-radical induction as the first strongly bound molecules were more efficient.     

Chromosome-banding study in Gerbillinae (Rodentia). I. Comparative analysis of Gerbillus poecilops, G. henleyi and G. nanus

An analysis was made of the R- and C-banding of chromosomes of the following Gerbillus species (Rodentia, Gerbillidae): G. poecilops (Taif, Saudi Arabia), G. henleyi (Oursi, Burkina Faso; Kairouan, Tunisia), and G. nanus (Taif and Hofuf, Saudi Arabia; Sind desert, Pakistan). Their karyotypes show the same chromosome number (2n = 52), but a different N.F.a. (number of autosomal arms), ranging from 58 to 62 in the species overall, and from 58 to 60 among G. nanus forms, due to pericentric inversions involving chromosomes 1 and 4. Moreover, large inter-individual variations of heterochromatin segments of chromosomes 25, X, and Y were found. Considering morphology and karyotype, G. poecilops and G. henleyi appear to be rather monomorphous species, whereas G. nanus produces a series of forms as a consequence of speciation, in which both chromosomal and morphological differentiations occur that do not correlate.     

Mutagenicity testing of certified food colors and related azo, xanthene and triphenylmethane dyes with the Salmonella/microsome system.

Thirty-seven azo, xanthene and triphenylmethane dyes including FD and C colors currently approved for use in the U.S.A. and a number of delisted food colors, were tested in the Salmonella/microsome system. In addition to direct plate tests with five tester strains (TA1535, TA100, TA1537, TA1538, TA98), the azo dyes were also assayed after chemical reduction to their component amines. Also, a selected group of azo dyes was subjected to liquid tests (both aerobic with microsomes and anaerobic) and to plate tests involving initial 16 h anaerobic incubations to facilitate microbial reduction of the azo bond. None of the presently listed FD and C colors was mutagenic in any of the test modifications. Among formerly listed colors only Butter Yellow (p-dimethylaminoazobenzene), a recognized animal carcinogen, was mutagenic in the aerobic liquid test. Several other azo dyes were either directly mutagenic, viz. Acid Alizarin Yellow R and Alizarin Yellow GG; required microsomal activation, viz. Acid Alizarin Red B and Methyl Red; or required chemical reduction and microsomal activation, viz. Acid Alizarin Violet N and Sudan IV. Of the non-azo dyes tested only two xanthene dyes appeared to be mutagenic, viz. 9-(2-sulfophenyl)-6-hydroxy-3-isoxanthenone and its 2,4,5,7-tetrabromo derivative.     

Vascular endothelium (review). I. General morphology. 2B: phylogenesis of the vascular endothelium

The phylogenetic descent of vascular endothelium from mesenchyme--derived precursors is described related to the development of a vessel--bound microcirculation. Endothelial precursors in primitive animals may have migrated into tissue clefts gradually forming vascular tubes. True microcirculatory vessels at first appear in the nemertines, a closed vascular system is present in some annelids whereas in arthropods an open lacunar system predominates. The first appearance of true endotheliocytes is under discussion; the author gives some evidence that it is present already in some annelids. Precursor of the endothelial wall of vessels may be the so called "Leydig's membrane", covered with amoebocytes and other mesenchymal cells. The molluscs exhibit many variants of endothelium. In the fishes, the vascular system begins to split into a blood and a lymphatic system. Obviously the specialization of endothelium correlates with the level of evolution. Despite the complicated course, the evolution of endothelium may be regarded as monophyletic.     

Modification of duplex poly(G).poly(C) by platinum (II) compounds.

The modification of the double-stranded poly(G).poly(C) complex by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) was studied by two modes: the action of cis-DDP on poly(G) before formation of the duplex with poly(C) and that on the prepared duplex. It was shown that in the latter case modification disordered the integrity of the duplex only negligibly at rb less than or equal to 0.05 and led to improved interferon-inducing and antiviral activity tested on mice infected by Influenza and Herpes viruses.     

Mutagenic activity of oxathiolane steroids: structural requirement for the genotoxic activity in Salmonella and E. coli.

Oxathiolanes and disulfonyl derivatives of steroids were tested for mutagenic activity in the Ames tester strains. The test compounds exhibited mutagenic activity without metabolic activation although metabolic activation markedly enhanced their activity. A significant decrease in the survival of the radiation-sensitive mutants recA, lexA and rer of E. coli was observed as compared to their wild-type counterpart in the presence of the test steroid. Structural features which appear to be crucial for the mutagenic activity in these steroidal drugs are: (i) an electron-donating group at position 3, and (ii) a bulky group anchored at the 5th and 6th positions. The test steroids appear to damage DNA which in turn initiates the SOS repair with the concomitant induction of mutation.     

Dissociation of double-stranded poly(I) . poly(C) by cis-diammine-dichloro-Pt(II).

The covalent binding of cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 on the double stranded poly(I) . poly(C) induced an irreversible dissociation of the two strands. This dissociation was evidenced mainly by poly(I)-Agarose affinity chromatography which allowed to recover free strands of cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2-poly(I) from a cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2-poly(I) . poly(C) complex, by density equilibrium centrifugation where free poly(C) could be isolated, and by acid titrations of the metal-poly(I) . poly(C) complexes. The separation of the two strands of the polyribonucleotide upon cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 fixation was shown not to exceed 90--95%. A dissociation curve of the polynucleotide double helix as a function of the amount of bound cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 was determined and was shown to be of a characteristic cooperative effect. The fixation of the paltinum compound to poly(I) . poly(C) seemed also to be cooperative.     

Effects of methallibure (I.C.I. 33828) on the female reproductive tract of the Indian Desert gerbil (Meriones hurrianae Jerdon).

Effects of methallibure (I.C.I. 33828) have been studied on the reproductive organs of female gerbils, Meriones hurrianae. Methallibure administration caused reduction of gonadal weight indicating suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins. In the ovaries of the treated females extensive atresia of follicles and of corpora lutea was observed. In addition methallibure interrupted the sex cycle, and a dioestrous vaginal pattern was retained throughout medication. A significant decrease in the level of RNA, protein and sialic acid in the uterus and vagina and of glycogen in the uterus was found. Histological and biochemical changes in the ovaries and uteri suggest a possible direct antioestrogenic action of the compound.     

Population genetics of red cell glyoxalase I (E.C.:4.4.1.5): Gene frequencies in southwestern Germany.

The polymorphism of Glyoxalase I was investigated in a population sample from Southweatern Germany. The frequency of the GLO-2 allele was determined to be 0.427.