The reactions of three species of grasshopper to simple visual stimuli at different temperature-humidity conditions

The effect of the temperature-humidity factor on the reaction of two different visual stimuli has been investigated with Chorthippus brunneus (Thunb.) (= Chorthippus bicolor Charp.), Chorthippus longicornis (Latr.) (= Ch. parallelus Zett.) and Mecostethus grossus (L.). At low and high temperatures (high and low relative humidities), the three species show a greater preference for surroundings with vertical stripes than for white surroundings. At medium temperature and relative humidity, the preference for white surroundings is greater than for surroundings with vertical stripes. In a comparison between the three species at high temperature, they show regarding their intensity of preference for surroundings with vertical stripes a ranking order which is identical with that of their preference for dense grass vegetation in natural environments. In a comparison between and at high temperature, show a greater preference for surroundings with vertical stripes than .

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zusammenfassung Die Wirkung des Temperatur-Luftfeuchtigkeits-Faktors auf die Reaktion gegenüber zwei optischen Reizen wurde bei Chorthippus brunneus (Thunb.) (= Chorthippus bicolor Charp.). Chorthippus longicornis (Latr.) (= Ch. parallelus Zett.) und Mecostethus grossus (L.) untersucht. Bei niederen und hohen Temperaturen (hoher und niederer relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit) zeigen die drei Arten eine größere Bevorzugung für Umgebungen mit vertikalen Streifen als für weiße Umgebungen. Bei mittlerer Temperatur und relativer Feuchtigkeit ist die Bevorzugung weißer Umgebung größer als für Umgebungen mit vertikalen Streifen. Bei einem Vergleich der drei Arten bei hoher Temperatur ergibt sich hinsichtlich der Stärke ihrer Bevorzugung für vertikal gestreifte Umgebung eine Rangfolge, die mit der ihrer Bevorzugung dichter Grasvegetation in natürlicher Umgebung identisch ist. Bei einem Vergleich zwischen und bei hoher Temperatur zeigen die eine größere Präferenz für Umgebung mit Vertikalstreifung als die .

     

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.     

Phylogenetic relationship of zeins and coixins as determined by immunological cross-reactivity and Southern blot analysis

Zeins from Zea mays L cv. Maya and coixins from Coix lacryma-jobi L. cv. Adlay were fractionated to obtain -, -, and -zein and -, -, and -coixin. The -coixins were composed of 4 polypeptide classes of 27 kDa (C1), 25 kDa (C2), 17 kDa (C4) and 15 kDa (C5) with solubility properties very similar to those of the 22 kDa and 19 kDa -zeins. Like the -zeins, the C1 and C2 -coixins corresponded to 80% of total Coix prolamins. The fraction corresponding to -coixin contained only one protein band of 22 kDa (C3). This coixin fraction has solubility properties similar to those of -zein and represents 15% of the total coixin. The -zein fraction was composed of a major 17 kDa protein band, while the -coixin fraction consisted of a mixture of - and -coixins.Polyclonal antibodies raised against C1 recognized C1 and C2 and cross-reacted strongly with the 22 kDa -zein, as did C4 and C5 antisera. The antiserum against -coixin showed strong cross-reaction with -zein. The homology between coixins and zeins was further investigated by using Southern hybridization analyses. The genomic DNA of maize and Coix were digested with several restriction enzymes and probed with cDNA clones representing 19 and 22 kDa -zeins as well as the 28 and 16 kDa -zeins. The Coix genome showed complex cross-hybridization sequences with the 22 kDa -zein cDNA, while no cross-hybridization was observed with the 19 kDa cDNA clone. The cDNA clone representing the 28 kDa -zein cross-hybridized with only one band of Coix genomic DNA, in contrast to the three bands observed in maize. This same Coix sequence also cross-hybridized with the cDNA clone representing the 16 kDa -zein. The relevance of these findings are discussed in the context of the origin of zein and coixin genes.     

Enzym-Topochemie von Frühentwicklung und Implantation des Kaninchens

Zusammenfassung Untersucht werden Frühstadien der Entwicklung des Kaninchens von der Ovulation bis zur Implantation, einschließlich Tube und Uterus. Registriert wird die Verteilung von Glykosidasen (-Galaktosidase, Neuraminidase, Glukosaminidase, -Glukuronidase, -Glukosidase), vor allem im Hinblick auf den Stoffwechsel von Mukosubstanzen. Die verwendete Methode zum Neuraminidasenachweis ist ein erster Versuch zur histochemischen Lokalisation dieses Enzyms.Ergebnisse. In Furchungsstadien sind -Glukuronidase und Glukosaminidase auffällig aktiv. Eine Funktion bei den wichtigen morphogenetischen Prozessen dieser Phase wird vermutet. Das Epithel der Tube zeigt vor allem eine Aktivität von Glukosaminidase und -Galaktosidase, die möglicherweise eine Beziehung zur Bildung der Mukoproteidschicht haben. Im Uterusepithel sind in allen Stadien -Galaktosidase und Glukosaminidase aktiv; -Glukuronidase tritt vor allem vor dem Eintritt des Keims in den Uterus und bei der Implantation hervor. Für die Auflösung der Blastozystenhüllen und für die Implantation ist wahrscheinlich die -Galaktosidase-, -Glukuronidase-und Glukosaminidaseaktivität der Trophoblastsprosse von Bedeutung. Neuraminidase ist dagegen vor allem im Uterusepithel lokalisiert.

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Enzyme topochemistry of the early development and implantation in the rabbitII. Glycosidases

Summary Early stages of development and the surrounding tissues of the Fallopian tube and the uterus are studied in the rabbit from ovulation to implantation. The topochemistry of the following glycosidases is demonstrated: -galactosidase, neuraminidase, glucosaminidase, -glucuronidase, -glucosidase. The distribution given for neuraminidase is the result of preliminary attempts to develop histochemical procedures for this enzyme.Results. In cleaving eggs, the activities of -glucuronidase and glucosaminidase are dominant. The epithelium of the Fallopian tube shows an activity of glucosaminidase and -galactosidase possibly correlated to the formation of the mucoproteid layer. These enzymes are also demonstrated in the epithelium of the uterus in all stages, whereas -glucuronidase has its maximum activity before eggs enter the uterus and at implantation. In the trophoblastic knobs, these three enzymes could have a physiological role in the processes of dissolution of blastocyst coverings and implantation. Neuraminidase activity is found in the epithelium of the uterus.

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Abkürzungen EDTA Äthylendiamintetraazetat - FBB Fast Blue B Salt (Echtblausalz B) - MS Mukosubstanz, -en - NA Neuraminsäure, Salinsäuren - NAase Neuraminidase - Nitro-BT Nitro Blue Tetrazolium Chloride - nMS neutrale Mukosubstanz, -en - p.c. post coitum - h.p.c., d p.c. Studen p.c., Tage p.c. - PMS Phenazinmethosulfat - PVP Polyvinylpyrrolidon - sMS saure Mukosubstanz, -en - v/v Mischungsverhältnis zweier Volumina - w/v Gewicht pro Endvolumen     

Die Hypokotylfarbe als Markierungsfaktor von Genomstufen der Zuckerrübe

Zusammenfassung In zunehmendem Maße werden anisoploideBeta-Rübensorten angebaut, deren zytologische Kontrolle zwecks Feststellung der Genomstufenprozentanteile recht arbeitszeitaufwendig ist. Übereinstimmend mit polnischen Autoren wurde festgestellt, daß die Hypokotylfarbe ein geeigneter Markierungsfaktor für die einzelnen Genomstufen darstellt. Kreuzt man tetraploide Pflanzen, die ein grünes Hypokotyl besitzen, mit diploiden Pflanzen, die ein rosa Hypokotyl aufweisen, so erhält man von dem tetraploiden Partner tetraploide grüne und triploide hellbraune, von dem diploiden Partner diploide rosa und triploide hellbraune Nachkommenschaften. Die in bezug auf die Hypokotylfarbe heterozygoten Pflanzen kann man demnach von den homozygot grünen und homozygot rosa Individuen unterscheiden. Die Kreuzung diploid grünxtetraploid rosa ist für diese Zwecke nicht brauchbar, da sich die triploiden Heterozygoten mit einem grünen und zwei rosa Allelen in der Hypokotylfarbe nicht deutlich von den homozygoten rosa Pflanzen abheben. Auf die Bedeutung dieser Markierungsmöglichkeit für bestimmte Forschungsprobleme, die Züchtung und die Saatgutkontrolle wird hingewiesen.     

Effects of supplied cinnamic acids and biosynthetic intermediates on the anthocyanins accumulated by wild carrot suspension cultures

Anthocyanins isolated and characterized from the wild carrot suspension cultures used here were 3-O--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-[-D-xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D<-galactopyranosylcyanidin (1), 3-O-[-D- xylopyranosyl-(12)--D-galactopyranosyl]cyanidin (2), 3-O-(6-O-sinapoyl)--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-[-D- xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D-galactopyranos ylcyanidin (3), 3-O-(6-O-feruoyl)--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-[- D-xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D-galactopyranosylcyanidin (4), 3-O-(6-O-coumaroyl)--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)- [-D-xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D-galactopyrano sylcyanidin (5), 3-O-[6-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl)]-- D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-[-D-xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D-galactopyranosylcyanidin (6), 3-O-[6-O-(3,4-dime- thoxycinnamoyl)]--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)-[-D-xylopyranosyl-(12)-]-D-galactopyranosylcyanidin (7), 3-O-[(6-O-sinapoyl)--D-glucopyranosyl-(16)--D-galactopyranosyl]cyanidin (8), and 3-O-(-D-galactopyranosyl)cyanidin (9). Except when cinnamic acids were provided in the culture medium, the major anthocyanin present in the two clones examined was 2. When the naturally occurring and some non-naturally occurring cinnamic acids were provided individually in the medium, 1 and 2 were minor components and the anthocyanin acylated with the supplied cinnamic acid, namely 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 was the major anthocyanin present in the tissue. When caffeic acid was provided the major anthocyanin in the tissue was 4, thereby suggesting that the caffeic acid was methylated before its use in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Other cinnamic acids supplied had limited effects on the anthocyanins accumulated and appeared not to result in the accumulation of new anthocyanins by the tissue. Thus the tissue can use some but not all analogues of sinapic acid to acylate anthocyanins. Additional anthocyanins were detected in extracts of the wild carrot tissue cultures using mass spectrometry (both MS/MS and HPLC/MS). The additional compounds detected have also been found in cultures of black carrot, an Afghan cultivar of Daucus carota ssp. sativa and the flowers of wild carrot giving no evidence for qualitative differences in the anthocyanins synthesized by subspecies, cell cultures from subspecies, or clones from cell cultures. There are major differences in the amounts of individual anthocyanins found in cultures from different subspecies and in different clones from cell cultures. Here anthocyanins without acyl groups were usually found in the tissues and their accumulation is discussed. On the basis of the structures of the isolated anthocyanins, a likely pathway from cyanidin to the accumulated anthocyanins is proposed and discussed.Abbreviations Sin sinapoyl - Fer feruoyl - 4-Coum. 4-coumaroyl - 3,4-MeO₂Cin 3,4-dimethoxyeinnamoyl - 3,4,5-MeO₃Cin 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl - Cya cyanidin     

Further cytogenetic analyses of the Croatian triploid shallot “Ljutika” (Allium cepa var.viviparum, Alliaceae) and its comparison with the Indian triploid “Pran”

Feulgen and silver-stained karyotypes and meiosis of two triploid viviparous onion forms (Allium cepa var.viviparum), the Croatian Ljutika and the Indian Pran, were comparatively analyzed. The results of chromosome measurements show that Ljutika and Pran are karyologically not identical, although significant similarities were found in the morphology of their chromosomes. Five geographically distant clones of Ljutika showed good agreement in the number and gross morphology of the chromosomes and in the number and position of NORs and interphase nucleoli. Heterotrivalents were predominant in meiosis of Ljutika but a relatively high frequency of higher multivalents together with univalents and bivalents were also observed. The relationship between Ljutika and Pran and their possible origin are discussed.     

Fromβ-lactams toα- andβ-amino acid derived peptides

Summary The potential of-lactams as intermediates for the access to- and-amino acid-derived peptides is shortly reviewed, with major focus on the technologies developed in our group. The two general strategies lie, on one side, in the oxidative ring expansion of 3-hydroxy-lactams toN-carboxy-amino acid anhydrides or Leuch's anhydrides and subsequent coupling with-amino acid esters and, on the other side, in the nucleophilic ring opening ofN-Boc--lactams. Both approaches have been successfully applied to the synthesis of,-diamino acid,-amino--hydroxy acid, polyhydroxylated-amino acid,,-disubstituted-amino acid,-amino acid,-amino--hydroxy acid and,-disubstituted-amino acid derived peptides. Because of the mild reaction conditions needed for the above transformations and the highly stereoselective procedures employed for the construction of the starting-lactam ring, the whole process allows the production of optically pure final products.     

α-and β-Glycosidases in maize roots

Four glycosidases were analyzed in 10 mm apical segments prepared from growing roots (15 mm) of Zea mays L. The pH optima were found to be 5.8 for -glucosidase, 4.4 for -galactosidase, 6.4 for -glucosidase and 6.0 for -galactosidase. The -glucosidase showed 4-fold higher activity than the -galactosidase. The distribution of the -glucosidase activity was signifcantly different from that of the -galactosidase, -glucosidase and -galactosidase.Abbreviations -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase - -Glu -glucosidase - -Gal -galactosidase