Heptanol-induced decrease in cardiac gap junctional conductance is mediated by a decrease in the fluidity of membranous cholesterol-rich domains

To assess whether alterations in membrane fluidity of neonatal rat heart cells modulate gap junctional conductance (g _j ), we compared the effects of 2mm 1-heptanol and 20 μm 2-(methoxyethoxy)ethyl 8-(cis-2-n-octylcyclopropyl)-octanoate (A₂C) in a combined fluorescence anisotropy and electrophysiological study. Both substances decreased fluorescence steady-state anisotropy (r_ss), as assessed with the fluorescent probe 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) by 9.6±1.1% (mean ±sem,n=5) and 9.8±0.6% (n=5), respectively, i.e., both substances increased bulk membrane fluidity. Double whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments showed that 2mm heptanol uncoupled cell pairs completely (n=6), whereas 20 μm A₂C, which increased bulk membrane fluidity to the same extent, did not affect coupling at all (n=5). Since gap junction channels are embedded in relatively cholesterol-rich domains of the membrane, we specifically assessed the fluidity of the cholesterol-rich domains with dehydroergosterol (DHE). Using DHE, heptanol increased r_ss by 14.9±3.0% (n=5), i.e., decreased cholesterol domain fluidity, whereas A₂C had no effect on r_ss (−0.4±6.7%,n=5). Following an increase of cellular “cholesterol” content (by loading the cells with DHE), 2mm heptanol did not uncouple cell pairs completely:g _j decreased by 80±20% (range 41–95%,n=5). The decrease ing _j was most probably due to a decrease in the open probability of the gap junction channels, because the unitary conductances of the channels were not changed nor was the number of channels comprising the gap junction. The sensitivity of non-junctional membrane channels to heptanol was unaltered in cholesterol-enriched myocytes. These results indicate that the fluidity of cholesterol-rich domains is of importance to gap junctional coupling, and that heptanol decreasesg _j by decreasing the fluidity of cholesterol-rich domains, rather than by increasing the bulk membrane fluidity.     

Molecular analysis of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent l-sorbose: phosphotransferase system from Klebsiella pneumoniae and of its multidomain structure

We have cloned a 3.4 kb DNA fragment from the chromosome of Klebsiella pneumoniae that codes for a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent l-sorbose: phosphotransferase system (PTS). The cloned fragment was sequenced and four open reading frames coding for 135 (sorF), 164 (sorB), 266 (sorA) and 274 (sorM) amino acids, respectively, were found. The corresponding proteins could be detected in a T7 overexpression system, which yielded molecular masses of about 14000 for SorF, 19000 for SorB, 25000 for SorA and 27000 for SorM. SorF and SorB have all the characteristics of soluble and intracellular proteins in accordance with their functions as EIIA^Sor and EIIB^Sor domains of the l-sorbose PTS. SorA and SorM, by contrast, are strongly hydrophobic, membrane-bound proteins with two to five putative transmembrane helices that alternate with a series of hydrophilic loops. They correspond to domains EIIC^Sor and EIID^Sor. The four proteins of the l-sorbose PTS resemble closely (27%–60%) the four subunits of a d-fructose PTS (EIIA^Lev, EIIB^Lev, EIIC^Lev, and EIID^Lev) from Bacillus subtilis and the three subunits of the d-mannose PTS (EIIA,B^Man, EIIC^Man, and EIID^Man) from Escherichia coli K-12. The three systems constitute a new PTS family, and sequence comparisons revealed highly conserved structures for the membranebound proteins. A consensus sequence for the membrane proteins was used to postulate a model for their integration into the membrane.     

Cl− channels in basolateral renal medullary membranes: VII. Characterization of the intracellular anion binding sites

A unique property of basolateral membrane Cl^– channels from the mTAL is that the Cl^– concentration facing the intracellular aspects of these channels is a determinant of channel open time probability (P ₀ ). The K _1/2 for maximal activation of P ₀ by Cl^– facing intracellular domains of these channels is 10 mm Cl^–. The present experiments evaluated the nature of these Cl^–-interactive sites. First, we found that the impermeant anion isethionate, when exposed to intracellular Cl^– channel faces, could augment P ₀ with a K _1/2 in the range of 10 mm isethionate without affecting conductance (g _Cl, pS). Second, pretreatment of the solutions facing the intracellular aspects of the channels with either 1 mm phenylglyoxal (PGO), an arginine-specific reagent, or the lysine/terminal amine reagent trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, 1 mm), prevented the activation of P ₀ usually seen when the Cl^– concentration of solutions facing intracellular channel domains was raised from 2 to 50 mm. However, when the Cl^– channel activity was increased by first raising the Cl^– concentration bathing intracellular channel faces from 2 to 50 mm, subsequent addition of either PGO or TNBS to solutions bathing intracellular Cl^– channel faces had no effect on P ₀ . We conclude that the intracellular aspects of these Cl^– channels contain Cl^–-interactive loci (termed [Cl] _i ) which are accessible to impermeant anions in intracellular fluids and which contain arginineand lysine-rich domains which can be inactivated, at low ambient Cl^– or isethionate concentrations, by interactions with PGO or TNBS.We acknoeledge the able technical assistance of Anna Grace Stewart. Clementine M. Whitman provided her customary excellent secretarial assistance. This work was supported by Veteterans Administration Merit Review Grants to T. E.Andreoli and to W. B. Reeves. C. J. Winters is a Veterans Administration Associate Investigator.     

Different arachidonate and palmitate binding capacities of the human red cell membrane

Human red cell membrane bindings of arachidonate and palmitate at pH 7.3 are investigated at temperatures between 0 and 38°C by equilibrating ghosts with the long-chain fatty acids bound to bovine serum albumin in molar ratios (v) within the physiological range (<1.7). Linearized relations of ghost uptakes and fatty acid monomer concentrations in buffer provide estimates of the binding capacities and corresponding equilibrium dissociation constants (K _dm ). The temperature-independent arachidonate binding capacity, 5.5 ± 0.5 nmol g^–1 packed ghosts, is approximately fivefold smaller than that of palmitate, 26.6 ± 2.0 nmol g^–1. While K _dm of arachidonate binding 5.1 ± 0.5 nm is temperature independent, K _dm of palmitate increases with temperature from 3.7 nm at 0°C to 12.7 nm at 38°C.The large difference in binding capacities suggests the presence of at least two different fatty acid binding domains in human red cell membranes.     

Superstoichiometric binding of L-Phe to phenylalanine hydroxylase from Caenorhabditis elegans: evolutionary implications

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) catalyzes the hydroxylation of L-Phe to L-Tyr. Dysfunctional PAH results in phenylketonuria and mammalian PAH is therefore highly regulated and displays positive cooperativity for L-Phe (Hill coefficient (h) = 2). L-Phe does not bind to the regulatory ACT domain in full-length tetrameric human PAH and cooperativity is elicited by homotropic binding to the catalytic site (Thórólfsson et al. in Biochemistry 41:7573–7585, 2002). PAH from Caenorhabditis elegans (cePAH) is devoid of cooperativity for L-Phe (h = 0.9), and, as shown in this work, structural analysis reveal an additional L-Phe binding site at the regulatory domain of full-length cePAH. This site involves the GA(S)L/ISRP motifs, which are also found in ACT domains of other L-Phe binding proteins, such as prephenate dehydratase. Isothermal titration calorimetry further demonstrated 2 binding sites per subunit for cePAH versus ~1 for hPAH. Steric occlusion of the regulatory site, notably by residues Lys215/Tyr216 from the adjacent catalytic domain, appears to hinder regulatory binding in full-length hPAH. Accordingly, the humanized mutant Q215K/N216Y of cePAH binds ~1.4 L-Phe/subunit. This mutant also displays high catalytic activity and certain positive cooperativity for L-Phe (h = 1.4). Our results support that the acquisition of positive cooperativity in mammalian forms of PAH is accompanied by a closure of the regulatory L-Phe binding site. Concomitantly, the function of the regulatory ACT domain appears to be adapted from amino acid binding to serving the communication of conformational changes among catalytic subunits.     

Characterization of Candida sp. NY7122, a novel pentose-fermenting soil yeast

Yeasts that ferment both hexose and pentose are important for cost-effective ethanol production. We found that the soil yeast strain NY7122 isolated from a blueberry field in Tsukuba (East Japan) could ferment both hexose and pentose (d-xylose and l-arabinose). NY7122 was closely related to Candida subhashii on the basis of the results of molecular identification using the sequence in the D1/D2 domains of 26S rDNA and 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer region. NY7122 produced at least 7.40 and 3.86 g l⁻¹ ethanol from 20 g l⁻¹ d-xylose and l-arabinose within 24 h. NY7122 could produce ethanol from pentose and hexose sugars at 37°C. The highest ethanol productivity of NY7122 was achieved under a low pH condition (pH 3.5). Fermentation of mixed sugars (50 g l⁻¹ glucose, 20 g l⁻¹ d-xylose, and 10 g l⁻¹ l-arabinose) resulted in a maximum ethanol concentration of 27.3 g l⁻¹ for the NY7122 strain versus 25.1 g l⁻¹ for Scheffersomyces stipitis. This is the first study to report that Candida sp. NY7122 from a soil environment could produce ethanol from both d-xylose and l-arabinose.     

Organization and expression inPseudomonas putida of the gene cluster involved in cephalosporin biosynthesis fromLysobacter lactamgenus YK90

TheLysobacter lactamgenus YK90pcbAB gene encoding -(l--aminoadipyl)-l-cysteinyl-d-valine (ACV) synthetase is located immediately upstream of thepcbC gene in the same orientation in the gene cluster involved in cephalosporin biosynthesis. ThepcbAB gene encodes a large polypeptide composed of 3722 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 411 593 Da. The predicted amino acid sequence has a high degree of similarity with those of known ACV synthetases from fungi and actinomycetes. Within thepcbAB amino acid sequence, three conserved and repeated domains of about 600 amino acids were identified. The domains also share a high degree of similarity with non-ribosomal peptide synthetases such as gramicidin synthatase 2 ofBacillus brevis. ThepcbAB gene was expressed under the control of thelac promoter inPseudomonas putida. Expression of the gene cluster involved in cephalosporin biosynthesis inP. putida led to the accumulation of -lactam antibiotics. Deletion analysis of an open-reading frame located between thecefE andcefD genes from the gene cluster revealed that it encoded deacetylcephalosporin C synthetase (cefF). From the results presented here and those of previous studies, the genes involved in cephalosporin biosynthesis inL. lactamgenus appear to be clustered in the orderpcb AB-pcbC- cefE-cefF-cefD-bla in the same orientation within a 17-kb region of DNA.     

The hybrid histidine kinase Slr1759 of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 contains FAD at its PAS domain

The cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 harbours 47 histidine kinases (Hiks). Among these are hybrid histidine kinases with one or two response regulator domains as well as numerous Hiks with several sensory domains. One example is the hybrid histidine kinase Slr1759 (Hik14) that has two PAS domains arranged in tandem linked to a predicted GAF domain. Here, we show that a Slr1759 derivative recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli has a flavin cofactor. Using truncated Slr1759 variants, it is shown that the flavin associates with the first PAS domain. The cofactor reconstitutes the activity of d-amino acid oxidase apoprotein from pig kidney, indicating that the flavin derivative is FAD. Furthermore, the Slr1759 histidine kinase domain indeed undergoes autophosphorylation in vitro. The phosphorylated product of a recombinant Slr1759 derivative is sensitive to acids, pointing to a histidine residue as the phosphate-accepting group.     

Development of P-protein in sieve elements ofMimosa pudica

Summary The P-protein in sieve elements of leaves ofMimosa pudica L. is first discernible as fine fibrous material which forms homogeneous aggregates. Ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and dictyosomes with associated vesicles occur in the cytoplasm surrounding the aggregates. The plastids and mitochondria are in a parietal position in the parts of the cell where the nascent P-protein accumulates. In a later stage, the fibrillar material is organized into a three-dimensional system of five- and six-sided elongated compartments. The corners of the compartments appear solid at first, then they become electron lucent in the center and assume tubular form. Aggregates of mature P-protein tubules usually occur near the compartmentalized system. Tubules in pentagonal or hexagonal arrangements may be present in the aggregates and may be partly interconnected. The conclusion was drawn that the P-protein tubules are assembled at the corners of compartments within a continuous orderly system. The fully formed tubules occur first in aggregates, the P-protein bodies. Later the aggregates become loose and partly dispersed. Many of the dispersed tubules assume a loose, extended, helical form characteristic of P-protein in older sieve elements.This work was supported in part by National Science Foundation grant GB-5506. I am also grateful to MissHatsume Kosakai and Mr.Robert H.Gill for technical assistance.     

Adhesion forces in the self-recognition of oligosaccharide epitopes of the proteoglycan aggregation factor of the marine sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microciona prolifera</Emphasis>

Cell aggregation in the marine sponge Microciona prolifera is mediated by a multimillion molecular-mass aggregation factor, termed MAF. Earlier investigations revealed that the cell aggregation activity of MAF depends on two functional domains: (i) a Ca²⁺-independent cell-binding domain and (ii) a Ca²⁺-dependent proteoglycan self-interaction domain. Structural analysis of involved carbohydrate fragments of the proteoglycan in the self-association established a sulfated disaccharide β-d-GlcpNAc3S-(1→3)-α-l-Fucp and a pyruvated trisaccharide β-d-Galp4,6(R)Pyr-(1→4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-α-l-Fucp. Recent UV, SPR, and TEM studies, using BSA conjugates and gold nanoparticles of the synthetic sulfated disaccharide, clearly demonstrated self-recognition on the disaccharide level in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. To determine binding forces of the carbohydrate–carbohydrate interactions for both synthetic MAF oligosaccharides, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were carried out. It turned out that, in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions, the force required to separate the tip and sample coated with a self-assembling monolayer of thiol-spacer-containing β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-α-l-Fucp-(1→O)(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₆S- was found to be quantized in integer multiples of 30 ± 6 pN. No binding was observed between the two monolayers in the absence of Ca²⁺-ions. Cd²⁺-ions could partially induce the self-interaction. In contrast, similar AFM experiments with thiol-spacer-containing β-d-Galp4,6(R)Pyr-(1→4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-α-l-Fucp-(1→O)(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₆S- did not show a binding in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. Also TEM experiments of gold nanoparticles coated with the pyruvated trisaccharide could not make visible aggregation in the presence of Ca²⁺-ions. It is suggested that the self-interaction between the sulfated disaccharide fragments is stronger than that between the pyruvated trisaccharide.     

Notes on fungi from north-east India — XXII some species of hypoxylon from Assam

Summary Hypoxylon stygium (Lév)Sacc.,H. archeri Berk.,H. bovei Speg. var.microspora Miller,H. truncatum (Schw.ex Fr.)Miller,H. nummularium Bull. ex Fr. var.merillii Miller (=Hypoxylon asarcodes (Theissen)Miller?) andH. deustum (Hoff. ex Fr.)Grev. (=Ustulina zonata (Lév.)Sacc.), occurring in the tea gardens of Assam are illustrated and described. In addition, the following species ofHypoxylon hitherto reported from this country are enlisted:H. multiforme Fr. (=H. atropurpureum Fr., =H. hookeri Berk.)H. fragiforme (Pers. ex Fr.)Kickx. (=H. coccineum Bull.),H. rubiginosum Pers. ex Fr. (=H. fusco-purpureum (Schw.)Berk. et Curt., =H. nectrioides Speg., =H. perforatum Schw. ex Fr.),H. hypomiltum Mont.,H. indicum (=H. haematostroma Mont.? =H. distillatum Berk. et Fr.),H. investiens (Schw.)Curt.,H. crocopeplum Berk. et Curt. (=H. ochraceo-flavum Berk. et Cooke),H. pistillare Pers. ex Fr.,H. haematostroma Mont. (=H. vividum Berk. et Br.).H. jecorium Berk. et Rav. (=Nummularia cinnabarina P. Henn.),H. suborbiculare (=Nummularia suborbicularis (Welw. et Currey() =H. sclerophaeum Berk. et Curt? Sacc.),H. truncatum (Schw. ex Fr.)Miller (=H. annulatum (Schw.)Mont.) andH. stygium (Lév.)Sacc.     

Sites of phospholipid biosynthesis during induction of intracytoplasmic membrane formation in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

A rapid, gratuitous and cell-division uncoupled induction of intracytoplasmic photosynthetic membrane formation was demonstrated in low-aeration suspensions of chemotrophically grown Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. Despite a nearly 2-fold increase in phospholipid levels, no significant increases were detected in the specific activities of CDP-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatidyltransferase (phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase, EC 2.7.8.5) and CDP-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol:L-serine O-phosphatidyltransferase (phosphatidylserine synthase, EC 2.7.8.8), the first committed enzymes of anionic and zwitterionic phospholipid biosyntheses, respectively. The distribution of phosphatidylglycerophosphate and phosphatidylserine synthase activities after rate-zone sedimentation of cell-free extracts indicated that intracytoplasmic membrane phospholipids were synthesized mainly within distinct domains of the conserved cytoplasmic membrane. Labeling studies with ³²P_i and L-[³H]phenylalanine suggested that preexisting phospholipid was utilized initially as the matrix for insertion of intracytoplasmic membrane protein that was synthesized and assembled de novo during induction.Abbreviations BChl bacteriochlorophyll a - B800-850, B875 peripheral and core light-harvesting BChl-protein complexes, respectively, identified by near-IR absorption maxima This paper is dedicated to Professor Gerhart Drews on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday     

Cloning, expression and characterization of l-aspartate β-decarboxylase gene from Alcaligenes faecalis CCRC 11585

l -Aspartate β-decarboxylase (Asd) is an important enzyme to produce l-alanine and d-aspartate. The genomic library of Alcaligenes faecalis CCRC 11585 was cloned into pBK-CMV and transformed into Escherichia coli. One clone, which carried the asd gene and expressed Asd activity, was isolated and chosen for further study. PBK-asdAE1 was subcloned and its sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame, consisting of 1599 bp, that encodes a 533-amino-acid polypeptide. The nucleotide sequence of the asd gene from A. faecalis CCRC 11585 (asdA) showed 84% identity with that from Pseudomonas dacunhae CCRC 12623, and the amino acid sequence showed 93% identity. The amino acid sequence of the AsdA showed 51–58% homology with various aminotransferases. Alignment of the AsdA with several aspartate or tyrosine aminotransferases revealed 17 conserved amino acids that appeared in most of the conserved amino acid residues within the pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) binding domains of aminotransferases. Furthermore, the asdA gene was cloned into expression vector pET-21a and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). A protein band sized at 61 kDa is present on the SDS-PAGE gel from the intracellular soluble form of E. coli BL21(DE3)/pET-asdA. The specific activities of the pET-AsdA purified by using His-Bind chromatography is 215 U/mg at 45°C and pH 5.0, which is 1000-fold higher than that of the A. faecalis crude extract. This is the first report of an asdA gene sequence from A. faecalis and represents the potential application of a recombinant AsdA for production of l-alanine or d-aspartic acid. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 132–140. Received 02 November 1999/ Accepted in revised form 23 June 2000     

The role of calcium andN-linked glycans in the oligomerization and carbohydrate binding properties of human immunodeficiency virus external envelope glycoprotein

Envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus (gp120 and gp41) occur as oligomers. Here, we show by gel filtration analysis that gp 120 oligomerizationin vitro is calcium- and temperature-dependent. Recombinant gp120 (rgp120) species were recovered as monomers at 20 °C in the absence of calcium, but as tetramers at 37 °C in 10mm CaCl₂. Under the latter condition,N-glycanase-deglycosylated rgp120 formed hexamers. Relative to intact rgp120, which has been reported to display carbohydrate-binding properties forN-acetyl--d-glucosaminyl and mannosyl residues, deglycosylation enhanced rgp120 specific binding to mannose-divinylsulfone-agarose, para-aminophenyl--d-GlcNAc-agarose and fetuin-agarose matrices. Taken together, these results rule out the role of homologous lectin-carbohydrate interactions viaN-linked glycans in the rgp120 oligomerization, even though its lectin properties may also be calcium-dependent. Deglycosylation may unmask domains of rgp120 polypeptide backbone that independently play a role either in rgp120 lectin activity or in calcium-dependent oligomerization.     

Deuteromycetes from jabalpur-II

Summary In this paper eighteen fungi belonging to the form class Deuteromycetes are described from Jabalpur (M.P.) India. Of these one, viz.Sarcinella palawanensis (Syd.)V. P. Sahni (=Stigmella palawanensis Syd.) is described as a new combination. Among the new fungus records for India may be citedSeptoria cassiicola Kell. &Swingle onCassia fistula L.,Coniothyrium fuckelii Sacc. onAnogeissus latifolia Wall.,Phomopsis bakeri Syd. onFicus bengalensis L.,Cercospora woodfordiae Petch. onWoodfordia fruticosa (L.)Kurz.,Cercospora guanicencis Young onCaesalpinia sepiaria Roxb., andCercospora chevalieri P. Saccardo onAmorphophallus companulatus Blume.Phyllosticta buteae Syd. onButea monosperma (Lam.)Kuntze,Colletotrichum dracaenae-fragrentis (Mori)Petrak &Sydow onDracaena brachystachys Hook.,Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. &Curt.)M. B. Ellis onCassia fistula L. andCassia tora L.,Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.)Link. onButea monosperma (Lam.)Kuntze andCercospora bougainvilleae P. N. Rao onBougainvillea glabra Choisy are new state records.Discosia artocreas Tode exFr. onHolarrhena antidysentrica Wall.,Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. onButea monosperma (Lam.)Kuntze,Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.)Butler &Bisby onButea monosperma (Lam.)Kuntze,Alternaria tenuis Nees exFr. onYucca alofolia L.,Alternaria tenuissima (Nees exFr.)Wiltshire onBougainvillea glabra Choisy, andCurvularia lunata (Wakker)Boed. onCassia tora L. are new host records.     

Zwei neue Heliotropium-Arten aus Afghanistan

Summary Two new species ofHeliotropium sect.Catimas DC. from the desert Registan in south-eastern Afghanistan are described, one of which,H. arenicolum Rech. f. et H.Riedl, is very closely related toH. Rechingeri H.Riedl (1967) and different from it only in the colour of the stems and the longer basal part of the style. The other one,H. leucocladum H.Riedl, belongs to a very natural group of xerophytic and halophytic species includingH. digynum (Forssk.)Aschers.,H. eremobium Bge.,H. Aucheri DC.,H. halame Boiss. etBuhse,H. Popovii H.Riedl andH. carmanicum Bge. Adaptations to the extremely dry habitat are discussed.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the lichen familySphaerophoraceae (Caliciales); a new generic classification and notes on character evolution

A phylogenetic analysis of the familySphaerophoraceae (Caliciales, lichenized ascomycetes) has resulted in a new generic classification. Notes on character evolution are given. The generaSphaerophorus s. str.,Bunodophoron andLeifidium, gen. nov., are accepted.Pleurocybe andPseudosphaerophorus are considered synonyms ofBunodophoron andThysanophoron is considered synonym toSphaerophorus. The following new combinations are proposed:Bunodophoron coomerense (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. diplotypum (Vain.)Wedin,B. dodgei (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. flaccidum (Kantvilas & Wedin)Wedin,B. formosanum (Zahlbr.)Wedin,B. imshaugii (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. insigne (Laurer)Wedin,B. kinabaluense (M. Satô)Wedin,B. macrocarpum (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. madagascareum (Nyl.)Wedin,B. microsporum (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. murrayi (Ohlsson)Wedin,B. notatum (Tibell)Wedin,B. ohlssonii (Wedin)Wedin,B. patagonicum (C. W. Dodge)Wedin,B. ramuliferum (I. M. Lamb)Wedin,B. scrobiculatum (C. Bab.)Wedin,B. tibellii (Wedin)Wedin,B. whakapapaense (Wedin)Wedin, andLeifidium tenerum (Laurer)Wedin.     

Deuteromycetes from Jabalpur-I

Summary In the present paper twelve fungi belonging to the form class Deuteromycetes are described from Jabalpur (M.P.) India. Among these the new host records areMonochaetia carissae Munjal &Kapoor onCarissa spinarum L.,Pestalotia neglecta Thuem. onAtylosia scarabaeoides,Benth.,Pestalotia japonica Syd. onCelastrus paniculatus Willd.,Pestalotia theae Sawada var.minor Stey. onButea monosperma (Lam.)Kuntze,Pestalotia versicolor Speg. onBuchanania lanzan Spreng.,Colletotrichum dematium (Pers. exFr.)Grove onAmorphophallus sp.,Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. &Mag.)Bri. &Cav. onCassia tora L.,Coniella diplodiella (Speg.)Petrak &Syd. on.Anogeissus latifolia Wall.,Hendersonula toruloidea Nattrass onPhilodendron bipinnatifidum Schott. andMyrothecium roridum Tode exFr. onCasearia tomentosa roxb. The above fungi include two species (Pestalotia neglecta Thuem. andPestalotia theae Sawada var.minor Stey.) which have been described for the first time from this country.Sphaeropsis tumefasciens Hedges onCitrus medica L. var.acida L. is a new record from this state; andExcipularia narsapurensis Subramanian, also a new record from the state, is reported for the first time on a named host.     

Some results and prospects of the utilization of beneficial entomophagous insects in the control of insect pests in Georgian SSR (USSR)

Résumé Nous avons brièvement indiqué dans cette note les travaux de lutte biologique entrepris en Géorgie par introduction d'entomophages parasites et prédateurs contre des Insectes nuisibles également introduits auparavant. Nous avons particulièrement souligné l'importance deAphelinus mali Muls. contreEriosoma lanigerum Hausm.,Rodalia cardinalis Muls. contreIcerya purchasi Mask.,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Muls. contrePseudococcus gahani Green,Lindorus lophanthae Blaisdell contre une série de Diaspidides (Aspidiotus hederae Vall.,A. destructor Sign.,Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morg.),Aonidiella citrina Coq.),Prospaltella berlesi How. contrePseudaulacaspis pentagona Targ.,Pseudaphycus malinus contrePseudococcus comstocki (Kuw.),Leptomastix dactylopii How. et Leptomastidea abnormis (Gyr.) contrePseudococcus vitis Niet.,Rhizophagus grandis Gyll. contreDendroctonus micans Kugel.      

Zur taxonomischen Stellung und Nomenklatur vonMicropus longifolius (Compositae-Inuleae)

Zusammenfassung Die unter den NamenMicropus longifolius Boiss. etReut. bzw.Cymbolaena longifolia (Boiss. etReut.)Smoljan. gut bekannte Art wurde zuerst alsStylocline griffithii A.Gray beschrieben. Ihre taxonomische Stellung in bezug auf die GattungenMicropus undStylocline wird diskutiert. Es erscheint am richtigsten, die Art in eine eigene monotypische Gattung zu stellen, ihr korrekter Name ist dannCymbolaena griffithii (A.Gray)Wagenitz, comb. nov.

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Summary The species usually known asMicropus longifolius Boiss. etReut. orCymbolaena longifolia (Boiss. etReut.)Smoljan. was described for the first time in 1873 asStylocline griffithii A.Gray. The taxonomic position in relation to the generaMicropus andStylocline is discussed. It seems most appropriate to regard this species as belonging to a monotypic genus. In this case its correct name isCymbolaena griffithii (A.Gray)Wagenitz, comb. nov.