THREE TYPES OF PHEROMONES IN THE DOMESTIC RABBIT, ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS (L)

Differences in frequency and duration of sniffing and chinningreactions make it feasible that male domestic rabbits are ableto discriminate between objects with and without secretion ofthe submandibular cutaneous chin gland. They also react differentlyto their own chin gland secretion as compared with that of othermales. Rabbits discriminate clearly between faecal pellets and placebos,own and strange pellets, and fresh and old ones. Pellets producedin the individual home cages appear to be less interesting thanthose put down in a room simulating a group territory. Reactionsto own, strange, old and fresh urine indicate a function inthe olfactory communication for urine as well. Higher values of frequencies for sniffing and chinning pheromonecarriers appeared to be due to more repetitions of these alternatingbehaviours within an encounter with a scent carrier rather thanto more returns to it. Qualitatively different sniffing behaviour with respect to pheromoneswas also found.     

The Deduced Amino Acid Sequence of Phytochrome from Adiantum Includes Consensus Motifs Present in Phytochrome B from Seed Plants

A cDNA for the phytochrome of the fern Adiantum capillus-venerisL. was cloned and sequenced. The deduced phytochrome is 50{smalltilde}55% identical to phytochromes of seed plants, and 68%identical to Selaginella phytochrome. Regions resemble thosein previously characterized phytochromes from ferns, lower plantsand seed plants. ³Present address: Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 21 Miyukigaoka,Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, 305 Japan ⁴Present address: Plant Growth Regulation Laboratory, The Instituteof Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Hirosawa 2-1, Wako-shi,Saitama, 351-01 Japan ⁵Present address: Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.,Hatoyama, Saitama, 350-03 Japan     

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase of Maize Leaves: an Improved Method for Purification and Reduction of the Inhibitory Effect of Malate by Ethylene Glycol and Bicarbonate

Light-adapted and dark-adapted forms of phosphoenolpyruvatecarboxylase were purified from maize leaves by an improved methodthat included chromatography on Butyl-Toyopearl in the presenceof ethylene glycol. The inhibition by malate was relieved notonly by increasing concentrations of ethylene glycol but alsoby bicarbonate at pH 7.0. ¹Present address: NEOS Central Research Laboratory, 1-1 Ohike-machi,Kosei-cho, Shiga, 520-32 Japan. ²Present address: Asahi Medical Co., Ltd., 4-3400-I Asahimachi,Nobeoka, 882 Japan. ³Present address: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-135 Komakado,Gotemba, 412 Japan.     

Induction of Cytosolic Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase in Pea Leaves by Ultraviolet-B Irradiation

Levels of subunits of two acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylases werehigh in small leaves of Pisum sativum, decreased with growth,and remained constant in fully expanded leaves. Irradiationof fully expanded leaves induced the cytosolic isozyme only.This result suggests a key role for the cytosolic enzyme inprotection against UV-B. ¹Present address: Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, BiotechnologyInstitute, Akita Prefectural College of Agriculture, 2-2 Minami,Ohgata, Akita, 010-04 Japan ²Present address: Laboratory of Plant Molecular Biology, Schoolof Agricultural Sciences Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-01 Japan     

Studies on chlorophyll formation in Chlorella protothecoides III. Effects of chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, and ethionine on chlorophyll formation

Effects of chloramphenicol, cycloheximide, puromycin and ethionineon the light-independent and subsequent light-dependent processesof chlorophyll formation in "glucose-bleached" cells of Chlorellaprotothecoides were studied. These substances, except puromycin,strongly suppressed different phases of chlorophyll formation.Ethionine most strongly suppressed the light-independent phaseand chloramphenicol an early, relatively short process in thelight-dependent phase of chlorophyll formation. Cycloheximideseverely suppressed all phases of chlorophyll formation. Possibleimplications of these results for the biosynthesis of chlorophyllin algal cells are discussed. ¹ Present address: National Food Research Institute, Ministryof Agriculture and Forestry, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135, Japan. ² Laboratory of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, TamagawaUniversity, Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan (Received October 5, 1972; )     

Elicitor Activity of a Fungal Product Assessed at the Single-Cell Level by a Novel Gel-Bead Method

Elicitor from Erysiphe pisi was incorporated into gel beads.Individual beads were placed on single cells from barley coleoptiles.The elicitor induced unusual cytoplasmic responses and temporaryresistance to infection in coleoptile cells. The technique isapplicable to assessment of elicitor activity at the single-celllevel. ¹Contribution no. 118 from the Laboratory of Plant Pathology,Mie University. ²Present address: Laboratory of Plant Pathology & GeneticEngineering, College of Agriculture, Okayama University, Okayama,700 Japan     

CHOICE OF BIOASSAY IN ASSESSING ACTIVITY OF ENDOGENOUS GROWTH SUBSTANCES

A chloroform extract of peelings and buds of ‘Red Pontiac’potato tubers yielded chromatographic eluates that exhibitedqualitatively and quantitatively different stimulating and inhibitingresponses on four bioassays. The essentiality of selecting asatisfactory array of bioassays, coupled with a thorough extractionprocedure, is emphasized. ¹This research was supported by United States Public HealthService Grant EF-61 ²Present address: Department of Botany, Hebrew University, Jerusalem,Israel ³Present address: Department of Agronomy, University of Tokyo,Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo     

CHLOROPHYLL-SENSITIZED REDUCTION OF PLASTOQUINONE BY ASCORBIC ACID AND QUENCHING OF CHLOROPHYLL-FLUORESCENCE BY PLASTOQUINONE

1. Photochemical reduction of plastoquinone by ascorbic acid inethanol was sensitized with some derivatives of chlorophyll.The order of effectiveness was as follows: allomerized chlorophylla > chlorophyllin a > chlorophyll a > chlorophyll b> pheophytin a.
2. Quenching of the fluorescence of chlorophylla by plastoquinonewas observed. The quenching constant calculatedwas 71 litreper mole.

¹Contribution No. 159 from the Department of Biology, Facultyof Science, Kyushu University. Supported in part by a grant-in-aidfor Fundamental Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education. ²Present address: Biological Laboratory, General Education Department,Kyushu University, Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka. ³Present address: Biological Institute, Daiichi College of PharmaceuticalSciences, Tamagawa-machi, Takamiya, Fukuoka.     

Periplasmic location of dissimilatory nitrate and nitrite reductases in a denitrifying phototrophic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides forma sp. denitrificans

The localization of dissimilatory nitrate and nitrite reductasesof a denitrifying phototrophic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroidesforma sp. denitrificans, was investigated. Nitrate and nitritereductases were located in the periplasmic space of the bacteriumgrown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate either in lightor in darkness. Chromatophores showed nitrate and nitrite reductaseactivities when dithionite-reduced benzyl viologen was an electrondonor; this suggests that the enzymes were trapped inside thevesicles. ¹Present address: Japanese Red Cross Central Blood Center, Hiroo4-1-31, Shibuyaku, Tokyo 150, Japan. ²Present address: Plant Growth Laboratory, University of California,Davis, California 95616, U.S.A. (Received November 7, 1979; )     

The presence of gibberellin A20 in Stevia rebaudiana and its significance for the biological activity of steviol

Gibberellin-like substances of stems and leaves from Steviarebaudiana were analyzed and gibberellin A₂₀ was identifiedby gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of GA₂₀in S. rebaudiana is significant for the interpretation of thegibberellin activity of steviol. It indicates that steviol,the C-13 hydroxykaurenoic acid, may function as a precursorfor C-13 hydroxy-gibberellins and not as a gibberellin analog. ¹ This work was supported by National Science Foundation GrantGB 17304 to M. R. and by a Research Grant-in-Aid from SigmaXi to L. M. A. The research described is from a dissertationsubmitted by L. M. A. in partial fulfillment of the requirementsfor the Ph.D. degree. ² Present address: Laboratory of Plant Morphogenesis, Departmentof Biology, Manhattan College, Bronx, N. Y. 10471, U. S. A. (Received June 12, 1978; )     

Studies on Microbody Development in Wounded Sweet Potato Root Tissue: Proposal for the Post-Translational Transport of Catalase into Preexisting Microbodies

Pure microbody fractions could be prepared in considerable yieldsfrom sweet potato root tissue slices incubated for 16 hr and3 days. The ratio of catalase activity to phospholipid contentin the fraction from slices incubated for 3 days was about 3times that from slices incubated for 16 hr. Total catalase activityin the former slices was about twice that in the latter. Thissuggests that catalase synthesized during incubation of theslices is transported into microbodies preexisting in intacttissue. ¹ Present address: Laboratory of Food Technology, Faculty ofApplied Biological Science, Hiroshima University, Fukuyama,Hiroshima 720, Japan. ² Present address: Terumo Co., Ltd., Omiya, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka418, Japan. (Received July 1, 1982; Accepted September 24, 1982)     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON GROWTH, RESPIRATION, PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND PIGMENT CONTENT IN RHODOPSEUDOMONAS PALUSTRIS

1. Comparative studies were performed on growth, photosyntheticand respiratory activities, and pigment content in Rhodopseudomonaspalustris.
2. The growth of the organism, as influenced by variousculturalconditions such as light, aerobiosis, anaerobiosisand nutritionalfactors was investigated.
3. The respiratoryactivity of the bacterium was found to be higherin dark-growncells than in cells grown in the light. The photosyntheticactivitydid not significantly depend on the growth conditionsof theculture. Cells of younger cultures were found to be moreactivethan those of older cultures, with respect both to respirationand photosynthesis.
4. The pigment content was found to be higherin the light-growncells than in the dark-grown ones. The ratiophotosyntheticactivity/bacteriochlorophyll was significantlyhigher in thelatter than in the former.
5. Light, as well asvarious nutritional factors, was found toexert a marked accelerationon pigment formation, although ithas not yet been possibleto culture cells completely lackingin photosynthetic pigmentsand accordingly in photosyntheticactivity.

¹ Present address: Division of Dermatology and Urology, TokyoMetropolitan Hiroo Hospital, Tokyo. ² Present address: Department of Biology, Saitama University,Urawa. ³ Present address: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine,Yokohama University, Yokohama. ⁴ Present address: Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry,Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo. (Received July 23, 1961; )     

The in situ sinking rates of herbivore fecal pellets

The vertical flux of pigmented fecal pellets was measured forperiods of 4 h or less with closely spaced sediment traps. Thesettling of the nighttime injection resulting from macrozooplanktongrazing activity could be monitored as the pellets settled throughthe water column. Sinking rates of fecal pellets showed a rangeof 31 – 122 m d^–1 with an average of 87 m d^–1.Longer term experiments show that the vertical phaeopigmentflux is conservative, and that there is no significant lossof pigments en route to the sea floor. In Dabob Bay, coprophagyin the water column is most likely a minor consideration. Theamount of chlorophyll sinking out of the euphotic zone usuallyrepresents <1% of the standing crop, and is usually only5% or less than the phaeopigment flux. This suggests that grazingis the predominant process accounting for the major loss ofchlorophyll from the water column. ¹Contribution no. 1332 from the School of Oceanography, Universityof Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. ²Present address: The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University,Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.     

ORNITHINE CYCLE ENZYMES IN THE BLUE-GREEN ALGA NOSTOC MUSCORUM

Cell-free extracts of a bacteria-free culture of Nostoc muscorumwere used to demonstrate the occurrence of part of the KREBS-HENSELEITornithine cycle in blue-green algae. Evidence is presented forthe conversion of ammonia and bicarbonate to carbamyl phosphateand the coupling of carbamyl phosphate to ornithtne to yieldcitrulline. Attempts to demonstrate the conversion of citrullineto arginine were not successful. ¹Present address: Scripts Institute of Oceanography, Universityof California, La Jolla, California, U.S.A. ²Present address: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition,The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, U.S.A.     

Changes in soluble proteins in potato leaves infected with Phytophthora infestans

A new protein was observed in the electrophoretic gel band ofleaves of cultivar susceptible to Phytophthora infestans, whenthe DNA fraction of a resistant hybrid was applied to the leaves.The Rf value of this band coincided with that of the hybrid6 hr after die inoculation of a race of P. infestans to whichit was resistant. ¹Present adress: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture.Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606) Japan. ²His former family name was Nakao. (Received December 19, 1975; )     

Changes in glutamate dehydrogenase activity in cut-injured sweet potato root tissue

Changes in glutamate dehydrogenase activity in sweet potatoroot tissue in response to slicing were investigated with mitochondrialand supernatant fractions. Results indicated that activity inmitochondrial fraction had decreased, whereas activity in supernatantfraction had increased, 12 hr after slicing. The increase inactivity in the supernatant fraction may be related to the regenerationof phenylalanine, a precursor of polyphenols. ¹This paper constitutes Part 104 of the Phytopathological Chemistryof Sweet Potato with Black Rot and Injury. ²Present address: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture,University of Tokyo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113, Japan. (Received August 15, 1972; )     

METHYLENE BLUE INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN RHODOPSEUDOMONAS PALUSTRIS

1. Photosynthesis in Rhodopseudomonas palustris was found tobe completely inhibited by the reduced form of methylene blueat the concentration below 1x10^–5 M, provided that thecells had been in contact with the dye in the dark in anaerobiosis.The inhibition could be eliminated by washing the poisoned cellsor by replacing the anaerobic atmosphere with an aerobic one. 2. Other thiazine or oxazine dyes with E¹₀ near 0 volt, suchas thionine, brilliant cresyl blue and toluidine blue, in theirreduced forms, were also almost equally effective. 3. The mechanism of this dye-inhibition of bacterial photosynthesiswas discussed. ¹Present address: Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, TokyoInstitute of Technology, Meguro-ku, Tokyo. (Received August 21, 1961; )     

Lipoxidase in early growth of wheat

Lipoxidase activity in etiolated wheat seedlings grown for 3.5days was localized primarily in the coleoptile and first leafof the seedling with moderate activity in the germinated seedand root. After 7 days growth, the distribution of lipoxidasewithin the plant did not change markedly while the total activitydecreased. The dormant wheat seed exhibited 2 major and 2 minor bands oflipoxidase activity on polyacrylamide gel zymograms. After germination,there was a marked change in the relative intensities of the4 lipoxidase bands depending on the part of the seedling assayed. ¹ Supported in part by funds from the Agricultural ResearchService, U. S. Department of Agriculture Grant No. 12-14-100-7654(74)administered by the Western Utilization Research and DevelopmentDivision, Albany, California. Published with the approval ofthe Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station. ² Present address: U. S. Department of Agriculture, NorthernGrain Insects Research Laboratory, Brookings, South Dakota 57006,U.S.A. ³ Present address: Institute of Experimental Phytopathologyand Entomology, Ivanka Pri Dunaji, Czechoslovakia.     

Orthovanadate Suppresses Accumulation of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase mRNA and Chalcone Synthase mRNA in Pea Epicotyls Induced by Elicitor from Mycosphaerella pinodes

Orthovanadate delayed accumulation of mRNAs encoding phenylalanineammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase in pea epicotyls inducedby an elicitor from Mycosphaerella pinodes. However, accumulationof mRNA for a putative P-type ATPase was not affected. The relationshipbetweenthe ATPase and defense responses is discussed. ³Present address: Plant Pathology Laboratory, School of Agriculture,Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-01 Japan.