Non-coordinate synthesis of RNA polymerase beta beta'' subunits in a temperature-sensitive beta''-subunit mutant of Escherichia coli

Summary On exposure to high temperature of a temperature-sensitive RNA polymerase subunit (rpoC92) mutant of Escherichia coli, selective reduction was observed in the rate of synthesis of a group of proteins including RNA polymerase subunit. The finding that the synthesis of subunit but not subunit was specifically repressed in this mutant grown at non-permissive temperature indicates that the functionally intact RNA polymerase is required for the synthesis of subunits be coordinated. In addition, the assembly of newly synthesized RNA polymerase subunits was inefficient in this mutant at the steps where altered subunit was involved, and the unassembled enzyme subunits were rapidly and preferentially degraded. During recovery to non-restricted growth, the synthesis of both and subunits was transiently enhanced in parallel leading to recovery of the intracellular concentration of functional RNA polymerase.     

Nucleoside and deoxynucleoside phosphorylation in formamide solutions

Nucleosides or deoxynucleosides were converted to a number of phosphorylated nucleotide and deoxynucleotide derivatives by ammonium or alkali dihydrogen phosphates in formamide. Conversions were smaller and slower at room temperature and greater and faster at elevated temperatures. Nucleotides afforded product mixtures similar to those obtained for nucleosides under the same conditions, indicating the occurrence of transphosphorylation processes. Products of reaction at elevated temperatures were cyclic nucleotides, nucleoside monophosphates, nucleoside diphosphates and cyclic nucleotide phosphates. The relative amounts of products formed were quite temperature dependent. Cyclic nucleotides were found to be in greatest abudance for reactions run at 125° or above. Relative yields of 2, 3 and 5 nucleotides and 3 and 5 deoxynucleotides from several experiments are reported. 5-Monophosphates were generally found to be present in larger quantities than 2 or 3 monophosphates. 2-Deoxyadenosine showed a preference for phosphorylation at the 3 position. Conclusions reached from mechanistic studies are that the phosphorylations are a series of equilibrium reactions, with cyclic nucleotides being formed irreversibly.Presented in part at the 3rd Northwest and 5th Rocky Mountain Joint Regional ACS Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 1980.     

Synthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid esters of betacyanins via 1-O-acylglucosides of hydroxycinnamic acids by protein preparations from cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum and petals of Lampranthus sociorum

Protein preparations from cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum L. and petals of Lampranthus sociorum (L.Bol.) N.E.Br. (Mes.C.L.Bol.) catalyzed the formation of acylated betacyanins, i.e. celosianin I and II (p-coumaroyl-and feruloylamaranthins) and lampranthin I and II (p-coumaroyl- and feruloylbetanins), from 1-O-(p-coumaroyl)-and 1-O-feruloyl--glucoses as acyldonors and the respective acceptor molecules amaranthin (betanidin 5-O-sophorobiuronic acid = betanidin 5-O--[12]-glucuronosyl--glucoside) and betanin (betanidin 5-O--glucoside). The enzymes involved could generally be classified as 1-O-hydroxycinnamoyl--glucose:betanidinglycoside O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferases (EC 2.3.1.-).Abbreviations HCA hydroxycinnamic acid - HCA hydroxycinnamoyl (=hydroxycinnamic acid-ester moiety) - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - TLC thin-layer chromatography     

Die ?Stresemannsche Revolution“ in der Ornithologie des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts

Zusammenfassung Erwin Stresemann (1889–1972), Generalsekretär, Präsident und Ehrenpräsident der Deutschen Ornithologischen Gesellschaft (bzw. Deutschen Ornithologen-Gesellschaft) über 50 Jahre, war einer der hervorragendsten Ornithologen des 20. Jahrhunderts. In den 1920er und 1930er Jahren gab er den Anstoß für eine weltweite Transformation der älteren, vorwiegend systematisch-faunistischen Ornithologie zu einem Zweig der modernen Biologie und beeinflusste einen großen Kreis von Zeitgenossen (die Stresemannsche Revolution). Mit seinem maßgeblichen Aves-Band (1927–1934) des Handbuchs der Zoologie und den Dissertationen seiner Schüler entstand durch Verbindungen mit der Genetik, der funktionellen Morphologie, der Physiologie und Ethologie der Vögel eine Neue Biologische Ornithologie.

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The Stresemann Revolution in ornithology during the early 20^th century

Summary Erwin Stresemann (1889–1972), Secretary General, President and Honorary President of the Society of German Ornithologists for 50 years, was one of the outstanding ornithologists of the 20^th century. During the 1920s and 1930s, he initiated the global transformation of the traditional ornithology, which had been primarily systematic and faunistic in scope, into a branch of modern biological science, a New Avian Biology, and influenced a large circle of contemporaries (the Stresemann Revolution). He forged links, directly or indirectly, between ornithology and genetics, functional morphology, physiology and ethology, when he published his seminal volume Aves (1927–1934) in the German Handbook of Zoology, and instigated the theses of a large number of PhD students.

     

Experiments on the water budget of densely and sparsely needled spruces [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in a declining stand

Summary The osmotic potentials of needles were compared from numerous trees that had been classified according to needle loss along an altitude profile. With the increasing degree of damage of the trees, the maximum and minimum values deviated more strongly above and below the common mean of all samples. The level of water content of the needles unequivocally reflected the vitality of the trees. Experiments covering a whole vegetation period were performed on a tree pair selected from a natural stand. They were designed to demonstrate differences in water balance between the healthy and damaged state of the trees. For the damaged tree, measurements of the water potentials of single needles showed a greater reduction of potential during the course of the day compared to the healthy tree. Recovery in the evenings was slower and often incomplete. The osmotic potentials of damaged and healthy shoots measured in individual needles also differed both predawn and especially after transpiration stress. Depending on weather and soil desiccation, the differences were more or less pronounced. In the damaged tree, the rises in potential after saturation of the twigs fell far short of the healthy tree. Reduction of water potential, osmotic potential and relative water content under comparable stress conditions suggest a reduced tolerance of drought by damaged trees. In the context of earlier experiments this result was ascribed to a lack of stomatal control, and long-term pollution effects were thus explained as a specific disturbance of hydroregulation.     

Endogenous abscisic acid and 2-trans-abscisic acid in alternate bearing ‘Wilking’ mandarin trees

The relationship of abscisic acid (ABA) and 2-trans-abscisic acid (t-ABA) to alternate bearing has been examined in Wilking mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees. Leaves, stems and buds of trees loaded with fruit (on trees) had 4.3, 6.0 and 2.2 fold higher ABA levels than the corresponding organs from off trees. Leaves had higher ABA levels than stems and buds in both on and off trees. t-ABA was non-detectable in Wilking leaf, stem and bud tissue. Amounts of t-ABA not exceeding 40% of the ABA content, were found in Shamouti and Valencia orange buds and in Wilking fruit peel.The elevated levels of ABA in on tree organs may reflect a stress imposed by the fruit overload.     

γ-Glutamylamine cyclotransferase

Summary -Glutamylamine cyclotransferase, an enzyme found in a number of animal tissues and cells, catalyzes the conversion of -(L--glutamyl)-L-lysine to free lysine and 5-oxo-L-proline as well as the release of free amines and the formation of 5-oxo-L-proline from a variety of other L--glutamylamines. Among its substrates are both the mono- and di--glutamyl derivatives of putrescine, spermidine and spermine, and a derivative of -(L--glutamyl)-L-lysine in which both the -amino group and the carboxyl group of the lysine moiety are blocked. The enzyme does not act on most -glutamyl--amino acids, nor is it active toward the -lysyl derivatives of L-aspartic acid or D-glutamic acid. Derivatives of -(L--glutamyl)-L-lysine in which the -amino or the -carboxyl function of the glutamyl moiety is blocked also do not serve as substrates. The specificity of -glutamylamine cyclotransferase is in accordance with the proposal that it functions biologically in the latter stages of the catabolism of products of the action of transglutaminases. Some suggestions as to the manner in which -glutamylamine cyclotransferase serves this function are made based on present knowledge of protein degradation.     

A new metabolic pathway from n-dodecane to α, ω-dodecanedioic acid in a mutant of Candida tropicalis

Summary The metabolic formation of ,-dodecanedioic acid via ,-dodecanediol from n-dodecane using a mutant S76 of Candida tropicalis was studied.It was found that resting cells of S76 produce ,-dodecanediol from n-dodecane. This intermediate was identified by different analytical methods. With n-dodecanol as substrate the quantitative changes in the concentrations of ,-dodecanediol as well as other intermediates, e.g. monoacid, -hydroxy acid and ,-dioic acid produced by resting cells of S76 for different periods of time were determined. With ,-dodecanediol as the sole carbon source, quantitative changes of -hydroxy acid and ,-dioic acid produced by S76 were also recorded.The results confirm the existence of a new metabolic pathway via ,-diol in the course of ,-dioic acid formation from n-alkane in the mutant S76 of C. tropicalis.     

Donor tissue and culture condition effects on mesophyll protoplasts of Medicago sativa

Mesophyll protoplasts were produced from clones of two cultivars of Medicago sativa, Rangelander and Regen S. Protoplasts from the Regen S clone generally gave rise to calli while those from the Rangelander clone would undergo direct embryogenesis. Effects of plant growth conditions, donor tissue pretreatment and protoplast culture conditions on mesophyll protoplast production and subsequent development patterns were investigated. The major factor determining whether or not mesophyll protoplasts would be produced from either of the clones was the pretreatment in water of shoots excised from the donor plants. Pretreatment in water containing growth regulators did not alter protoplast production or development in the Regen S clone. Pretreatment of the Rangelander clone shoots with abscisic acid or naphthaleneacetic acid was slightly beneficial to embryo production while pretreatment with benzylaminopurine was detrimental. Altered leaf morphology induced by growth condition changes did not affect mesophyll protoplast production or subsequent development patterns when shoots were pretreated in water. Culture of protoplasts in liquid droplets or solid agar medium increased low density protoplast survival and subsequent embryo production in the Rangelander clone.     

High crossability of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch) with bread wheat and the differential elimination of barley chromosomes in the hybrids

Four bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Aobakomugi, Chinese Spring, Norin 61 and Shinchunaga, were pollinated with five barley lines/cultivars consisting of three cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) lines, Betzes, Kinai 5 and OHL089, and two wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch) lines, OUH602 and OUH324. Crossability, expressed as the percentage of embryo formation, varied from 0 to 55.4% among the cross combinations. The two wild barley lines generally had a higher crossability than the previously reported best pollinator, Betzes, and some Japanese wheat cultivars were better as the female parent than Chinese Spring. Ninety four hybrid plants were obtained from 250 embryos cultured, and their somatic chromosome numbers ranged from 21 to 36. Eighteen plants were mosaic in chromosome number. Twenty one-chromosome plants appeared most frequently (45.7%) followed by 28-chromosome plants (14.9%). C-banding analysis revealed that elimination of barley chromosomes was mainly responsible for the occurrence of aneuploid plants. In hypoploids derived from Betzes-crosses, chromosome 5 was preferentially eliminated as previously reported, while in hypoploids derived from OUH602-crosses, chromosome 4 was preferentially eliminated. The wild barley line OUH602 may be a useful parent for producing a new wheat-barley addition set because of its high crossability with wheat and a different pattern of chromosome elimination.     

Komparative Aussagemuster in Bezug zu komplementären und enkaptischen Modellen der Morphologie

The unity of organisms can be viewed in terms of the concepts of enkapsis and complementarity. A model (or a type) represents those properties (of elements, structure, and system) which renders cases - the organisms under consideration — comparable. Comparability is established by operations (or metamorphoses) which relate a case to a model. Therefore, the model and the operations must be enumerated together, if a certain morphology is to be established and applied. Two models, which in some way are related, are conjunct, otherwise they are disjunct. If one model is deducible from the other, they are enkaptic conjunct. If the models are essentially different, that is to say that they cannot be transduced into each other, although they condition each other, they are complementary conjunct: although not comparable themselves, only both together describe a case (or a set of cases) completely. Now, the comparability of a case with two models is considered. The two basic patterns of general comparability are homology and analogy. If the two models are complementary conjunct, nine patterns of special comparability can be distinguished. Each is named in accordance with the general meaning of homology and analogy and, as far as possible, with conventional scientific usage. With minor modifications the terminology also applies to more complicated patterns of comparability including distinct or different conjunct models.     

Relationship between transport and metabolism of α-naphthaleneacetic acid, β-naphthaleneacetic acid and α-decalylacetic acid in segments of Coleus

Summary Transportand metabolism of -naphthaleneacetic acid -naphthaleneacetic acid, and -decalylacetic acid, all labelled with ¹⁴C in the carboxyl, group, were studied. Only -naphthaleneacetic acid is transported in a polar way. Most of the radioactivity in the tissue is in a low molecular form, either free or as immobilization products. The immobilization of -naphthaleneacetic acid is similar to that of -naphthaleneacetic acid. Immobilization of -decalylacetic acid is typically different. Bioassays showed -naphthaleneacetic acid as the sole biologically active component. It is concluded that stereo requirements necessary for biological activity are also required for polar auxin transport. It is further concluded that the observed specificity of the transport system is not related to the formation of immobilization products.     

Adventitious shoot formation from leaf explants of Rhododendron

A protocol for high frequency adventitious shoot regeneration adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants of Rhododendron spp. has been developed. The highest percentage of regeneration and the greatest number of shoots were obtained when leaf explants were cultured on Anderson's medium containing 4.9 M IBA and 73.8 M 2iP. Genotypic variation was observed for adventitious shoot regeneration potential among the seven cultivars tested. Regeneration frequencies ranged from 0 to 96%. Lodestar had the highest rate of regeneration after 3 months of culture with 96% shoot regeneration and an average of 14 shoots per explant. Regenerated shoots were rooted in soil in about 2 months. This protocol should be useful in applying gene transfer techniques to Rhododendron improvement.Abbreviations IAA 1-H-indole-3-acetic acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - IBA 1-H-indole-3-butyric acid - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA 6-benzyladenine - 2iP N-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1-H-purine-6-amine     

Synthesis of N-linked pentasaccharides with isomeric glycosidic linkage

As part of a program to explore the structural requirement of N-glycans in the carbohydrate-mediated biological interactions, N-linked pentasaccharide core structure was stereochemically modified in terms of glycosidic linkage. Three isomers, -D-Man-(13)-[-D-Man-(16)]--D-Man-(14)--D-GlcNAc-(14)--D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, -D-Man-(13)-[-D-Man-(16)]--D-Man-(14)--D-GlcNAc-(14)--D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, and -D-Man-(13)-[-D-man-(16)]--D-Man-(14)--D-GlcNAc-(14)--D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, were synthesized. Synthesis of the pentasaccharide with natural linkage is also described.     

Production of a novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides by the cells of Penicillium citrinum

A novel syrup containing neofructo-oligosaccharides was produced from sucrose (Brix 70) by whole cells of Penicillium citrinum. The efficiency of fructo-oligosaccharides production was more than 55% and those of the main carbohydrate components, 1-kestose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Glc), nystose (Fruf 21Fruf 21 Fruf 21 Glc) and neokestose (Fruf 26 Glc12 Fruf), were 22, 14 and 11%, respectively.     

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity leads to silica-induced NF-κB activation through interacting with tyrosine-phosphorylated IκB-α and contributing to tyrosine phosphorylation of p65 NF-κB

The role of the subunits of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase in NF-B activation in silica-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. Results indicate that PI3-kinase activity was increased in response to silica. The p85 subunit of PI3-kinase interacted with tyrosine-phosphorylated IB- in silica-stimulated cells. PI3-kinase specific inhibitors, such as wortmannin and LY294003, substantially blocked both silica-induced PI3-kinase and NF-B activation. The inhibition of NF-B activation by PI3-kinase inhibitors was also observed in pervanadate-stimulated but not in LPS-stimulated cells. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of NF-B p65 was enhanced in cells stimulated with silica, pervanadate or LPS, and wortmannin substantially inhibited the phosphorylation event induced by the first two stimulants but not LPS. Antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), blocked silica-induced PI3-kinase activation, suggesting that reactive oxygen species may be important regulatory molecules in NF-B activation by mediating PI3-kinase activation. Our data suggest that p85 and p110 subunits of PI3-kinase play a role in NF-B activation through interaction with tyrosine-phosphorylated IB- and contributing to tyrosine phosphorylation of p65 NF-B.     

Improvement of β-amylase thermostability in transgenic barley seeds and transgene stability in progeny

The genetic improvement of enzymes important in the brewing process is one of the main goals of barley biotechnology. For the improvement of -amylase thermostability in barley seeds, we have already constructed a mutant thermostable -amylase gene, using site-directed mutagenesis and random mutagenesis to achieve the substitution of seven amino acids of the original barley -amylase. This sevenfold-mutant barley -amylase showed a thermostability increased by 11.6 °C compared to the original enzyme. In the present article, a thermostable -amylase gene under the control of the barley -amylase promoter was introduced to barley protoplasts, and fertile plants were generated from 9 independent transgenic lines. Subsequent analyses indicated that the thermostable -amylase gene was expressed and -amylase activity derived from both native and modified genes was detected in the seeds of 6 transgenic lines. The transgene was stably transmitted to progeny, and thermostable -amylase was synthesized in T₄ seeds, demonstrating that our strategy is applicable for the improvement of seed quality for industrial utilization.     

Effects of midazolam on the contraction and relaxation of segments of thoracic aorta stripped of endothelium and stimulated by adrenaline – experimental study in rabbits

To evaluate the effects of midazolam on the angiokinesis of segments of rabbits' thoracic aorta stripped of endothelium and stimulated by adrenaline.Two groups of aortic rings removed from albinic rabbits anesthetized with thiopental were used (Group I – 6 animals; Group II – 12 animals), stripped of endothelium, studied in an organ chamber, perfused by Krebs-Henseleit solution. The groups were stimulated by adrenaline, recording the maximum contraction and dT/dt at 12, 36, 60 and 120. When the plateau phase was reached, the vessel was washed with perfusion solution, recording relaxation at 2, 4 and 6. When the base values were reached, Group I underwent a new adrenergic stimulus; and Group II was stimulated with midazolam and then with adrenaline, and the same values were recorded. T test was applied as a statistical analysis when two variables were studied. When studying more than two variables the Anova test was used, supplemented by the Tuckey test.Group I did not show any significant difference between the two stimuli. Group II – the midazolam significantly reduced the maximum contraction induced by adrenaline (83.01 ± 4.11%) (p < 0.01). The dT/dt was reduced at 12 (57.06 ± 8.47%), and also at 36 (70.59 ± 5.26%). There was no significance at 60 and 120 (p < 0.01).The relaxation increased significantly at all measurements – at 2-adrenaline 39.31 ± 9.60%; adrenaline/midazolam: 44.06 ± 9.62% (p < 0.05). At 4-adrenaline: 53.08 ± 8.3%; adrenaline/midazolam: 61.68 ± 8.50% (p < 0.01). At 6-adrenaline: 76.26 ± 5.45%; adrenaline/midazolam: 84.20 ± 7.96% (p < 0.01).Midazolam significantly reduced the maximum contraction obtained by the adrenergic stimulus as well as the dT/dt in the initial phases of contraction. The relaxation speed also increased.     

Factors that effect leaf regeneration efficiency in apple,and effect of antibiotics in morphogenesis

Several factors that affect the frequency of organogenesis in apple leaf explants were examined for the scion cultivars Empire, Freedom, Golden Delicious, Liberty, McIntosh, and Mutsu and for the rootstocks Malling 7A and Malling 26. The main factors affecting morphogenesis were BA concentration, basal medium, leaf explant origin and maturity, explant orientation, and photosynthetic photon flux. Depending on the genotype, optimal regeneration was obtained using either 22.2 or 31.1 M BA and the N6 basal medium, with the exception of Golden Delicious which regenerated better on MS medium. After 6 weeks, the average number of shoots per segment varied from 5 to 16, and the percentage of regeneration between 70 and 100%, depending on the genotype tested and the maturity of the explant. Regeneration capacity increased dramatically from the tip towards the base of the leaf, and was higher from the middle to the proximal end.Cefotaxime and carbenicillin, two antibiotics commonly used during transformation studies to eliminate Agrobacterium tumefaciens from plant tissue, were tested to determine their effect on morphogenesis. Cefotaxime at a dose of 250 mg 1^-1 enhanced regeneration and shoot development, whereas carbenicillin at a dose of 500 mg l^-1 induced abundant callus formation and inhibited regeneration. Kanamycin, a widely used selection agent for plant transformation, strongly inhibited regeneration even at very low doses. Schemes for selection and recovery of transgenic apple plants when kanamycin is used as the selection agent are discussed.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - Cef cefotaxime - Crb carbenicillin - IBA indolebutyric acid - Kan kanamycin - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) medium - M Malling - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - N6 medium (Chu et al. 1975) as modified by Welander (1988) - PPF photosynthetic photon flux     

Restriction fragment analysis of ‘null’ forms at the Gli-1 loci of bread and durum wheats

Summary Wheat accessions lacking some of the - and -gliadin components encoded by the Gli-1 loci on the short arm of chromosome 1D in bread wheat and chromosome 1A in durum wheat were studied by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and restriction fragment analysis. Digested genomic DNAs of normal and null forms were probed with a cDNA clone related to -/-gliadins and with a genomic clone encoding an LMW subunit of glutenin. The hybridisation patterns with the -/-gliadin probe were similar to those of cvs Chinese Spring and Langdon used as standards for bread and durum wheats, respectively, but several restriction fragments located on the 1D chromosome of bread wheat and the 1A chromosome of durum wheat were absent in the null forms. In addition, specific LMW glutenin fragments encoded by the same chromosomes were also absent in the null forms, suggesting that simultaneous deletions of blocks of genes for both -/-gliadins and LMW glutenins had occurred. Comparisons of the protein and RFLP patterns enabled some proteins to be mapped to specific restriction fragments.