<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuamotuichthys bispinosus</Emphasis>, a new genus and species from off Tuamotu Islands,South Pacific Ocean (Ophiidiformes,Bythitidae)

A new bythitid genus and species, Tuamotuichthys bispinosus, is described from an adult male (88mm SL), caught by dredge in 1990, off Morane Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago (23°0843 S, 137°0919 W, 536m). It is characterized by having large scales on head and body, two opercular spines, few gill rakers (total 11, 3 of them long), depressed head, vertically expanded posterior maxilla, and a short predorsal (29% SL), each of which resembles several known genera (Calamopteryx, Cataetyx, Diplacanthopoma, Grammonus, and Lucifuga). The combination of character states, however, does not fit any of the known bythitid genera.     

Confidence interval estimators for heritability for several mating and experiment designs

Summary Confidence interval estimators have not been described for several heritability (H) estimators relevant to recurrent family selection. Previously described H interval estimators do not apply to onefactor mating designs in split-plot in time experiment designs in one or more locations, one-factor mating designs for several experiment designs in two or more locations and years, and two-factor mating designs for several experiment designs in two or more locations or years. Our objective was to derive H interval estimators for these cases. H reduced to a function of constants and a single expected mean square ratio in every case; H=1–E(M)/E(M) where E(M) is a linear function of expected mean squares and E(M) is a single expected mean square. It was shown that F=[M/E(M)]/[M/E(M)] has an approximate F-distribution with df and df degrees of freedom, respectively, where M and M are mean squares corresponding to E(M) and E(M), respectively. H is a function of F, therefore, we used F to define an approximate (1–) interval estimator for H.Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Paper No. 7923     

Cajaflavanone and cajanone released from Cajanus cajan (L. Millsp.) roots induce nod genes of Bradyrhizobium sp.

A broad-host-range plasmid (pEA2-21) containing a Bradyrhizobium sp (F-4) nod DABC-lacZ translation fusion was constructed and used to monitor nod gene expression in response to pigeonpea root exudate. Two nod-inducing compounds were isolated and identified. Spectral analysis using ultraviolet absorption, infrared spectra, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry showed that the two inducers were 5,4-dihydroxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2, 2-dimethyl pyrano-[5, 6:7, 8]-flavanone (cajaflavanone) and 2,4,5-trihydroxy-5-isopentenyl-6, 7-dimethylchromene iso-flavanone (cajanone). When pEA2-21 was introduced into Rhizobium trifolii and R. meliloti cajanone and cajaflavanone did not induce nod gene indicating that specificity of induction appears to be influenced by the host-strain genome.     

Tissue-distribution of secondary phenolic biosynthesis in developing primary leaves of Avena sativa L.

Primary leaves of oats (Avena sativa L.) have been used to study the integration of secondary phenolic metabolism into organ differentiation and development. In particular, the tissue-specific distribution of products and enzymes involved in their biosynthesis has been investigated. C-Glucosylflavones along with minor amounts of hydroxycinnamic-acid esters constitute the soluble phenolic compounds in these leaves. In addition, considerable amounts of insoluble products such as lignin and wall-bound ferulic-acid esters are formed. The tissue-specific activities of seven enzymes were determined in different stages of leaf growth. The rate-limiting enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis in this system, chalcone synthase, together with chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6) and the terminal enzymes of the vitexin and isovitexin branches of the pathway (a flavonoid O-methyltransferase and an isovitexin arabinosyltransferase) are located in the leaf mesophyll. Since the flavonoids accumulate predominantly (up to 70%) in both epidermal layers, an intercellular transport of products is postulated. In contrast to the flavonoid enzymes, L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.12), and S-adenosyl-L-methionine: caffeate 3-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.-), all involved in general phenylpropanoid metabolism, showed highest activities in the basal leaf region as well as in the epidermis and the vascular bundles. We suggest that these latter enzymes participate mainly in the biosynthesis of non-flavonoid phenolic products, such as lignin in the xylem tissue and wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acid-esters in epidermal, phloem, and sclerenchyma tissues.Abbreviations CHI chalcone isomerase - CHS chalcone synthase - 4CL 4-coumarate: CoA ligase - CMT S-adenosyl-L-methionine:caffeate 3-O-methyltransferase - FMT S-adenosyl-L-methionine:vitexin 2-O-rhamnoside 7-O-methyltransferase - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - IAT uridine 5-diphosphate L-arabinose:isovitexin 2-O-arabinosyltransferase - PAL L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase     

Physical and genetic structure of the glpD-malT interval of the Escherichia coli K-12 chromosome. Identification of two new structural genes of the glp-regulon

Summary A transducing phage carrying glpDlacZ, glpR, and malT was isolated from a strain harboring a glpDlacZ fusion. Comparison of restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns of DNA isolated from this phage with that of the previously cloned malT region (Raibaud and Schwartz 1980) facilitated the construction of recombinant plasmids carrying different portions of the glpD-malT region. Results of minicell analysis and complementation studies showed that this region of the chromosome encodes at least five polypeptides. These included the previously identified glpD, glpR, and malT gene products. In addition, two new structural genes of the glp regulon (glpE and glpG) located between the glpD and glpR genes were identified. Hybrid plasmids carrying glpDlacZ and glpRlacZ fusions were constructed. Restriction endonuclease cleavage analysis of these two plasmids demonstrated that glpD and glpR are divergently transcribed     

Synthetic substrate analogues for UDP-GlcNAc: Manα1-6R β(1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II. Substrate specificity and inhibitors for the enzyme

UDP-GlcNAc: Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GlcNAc-T II; EC 2.4.1.143) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of complexN-glycans. We have tested a series of synthetic analogues of the substrate Man1-6(GlcNAc1-2Man1-3)Man-O-octyl as substrates and inhibitors for rat liver GlcNAc-T II. The enzyme attachesN-acetylglucosamine in 1-2 linkage to the 2-OH of the Man1-6 residue. The 2-deoxy analogue is a competitive inhibitor (K _i=0.13mm). The 2-O-methyl compound does not bind to the enzyme presumably due to steric hindrance. The 3-, 4- and 6-OH groups are not essential for binding or catalysis since the 3-, 4- and 6-deoxy and -O-methyl derivatives are all good substrates. Increasing the size of the substituent at the 3-position to pentyl and substituted pentyl groups causes competitive inhibition (K _i=1.0–2.5mm). We have taken advantage of this effect to synthesize two potentially irreversible GlcNAc-T II inhibitors containing a photolabile 3-O-(4,4-azo)pentyl group and a 3-O-(5-iodoacetamido)pentyl group respectively. The data indicate that none of the hydroxyls of the Man1-6 residue are essential for binding although the 2- and 3-OH face the catalytic site of the enzyme. The 4-OH group of the Man-O-octyl residue is not essential for binding or catalysis since the 4-deoxy derivative is a good substrate; the 4-O-methyl derivative does not bind. This contrasts with GlcNAc-T I which cannot bind to the 4-deoxy-Man- substrate analogue. The data are compatible with our previous observations that a bisectingN-acetylglucosamine at the 4-OH position prevents both GlcNAc-T I and GlcNAc-T II catalysis. However, in the case of GlcNAc-T II, the bisectingN-acetylglucosamine prevents binding due to steric hindrance rather than to removal of an essential OH group. The 3-OH of the Man1-3 is an essential group for GlcNAc-T II since the 3-deoxy derivative does not bind to the enzyme. The trisaccharide GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man-O-octyl is a good inhibitor (K _i=0.9mm). The above data together with previous studies indicate that binding of the GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man- arm of the branched substrate to the enzyme is essential for catalysis. Abbreviations: GlcNAc-T I, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-3R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (EC 2.4.1.101); GlcNAc-T II, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (EC 2.4.1.143); MES, 2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonic acid monohydrate.     

Cytogenetic studies in the genus Zea

Summary Premeiotic colchicine treatment brings about the production of one to five quadrivalents in Zea mays ssp. mays (maize, 2n=20) and an increase in the number of quadrivalents from five to ten in Zea perennis (2n=40). The results confirm the allotetraploid nature of maize and suggest that the species possesses two homoeologous genomes (A2A2 B2B2) that fail to pair, probably due to the presence of Ph-like genes. Moreover, the autoallooctoploid nature of Zea perennis, with a genome formula A1A1 A1A1 C1C1 C2C2, is supported by the present results.     

Monotelodisomics in pearl millet

Summary In the progeny of crosses between plants with the chromosome number 2n=13+2 telocentrics as the male parents and the normal diploids of Pennisetum typhoides S. & H., two plants with 2n=13+1 telocentric chromosome were located. These two plants were heterozygous for an interchange, since at diakinesis and metaphase I associations of four chromosomes were observed. These plants had a chromosome constitution of 2n=13+t (or 6+tI); one chromosome of a homologous pair was represented by a telocentric chromosome so was monosomic for one arm, that is, these plants were monotelodisomics (Kimber and Sears, 1968).     

Continuous bacterial ferrous iron oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in rotating biological contactors

Summary Fe oxidation in rotating biological contactors has been studied over a range of influent Fe concentrations. Rotation speeds greater than 20 rpm did not affect the oxidation rate. Hydraulic loading rates above a critical value reduce the oxidation rat at influent Fe>4g/L.     

The role of insertions, deletions, and substitutions in the evolution of R6 related plasmids encoding aminoglycoside transferase ANT-(2")

Summary In 7% of gram-negative bacteria resistance to gentamicin is mainly mediated by plasmid-encoded aminoglycoside transferase ANT-(2). The genome organization of 15 aadB plasmids (42-110 kb) was analyzed by restriction and hybridization techniques. They appeared to be IncFII-like replicons but were distinct from R6 by virtue of small substitutions in the transfer region. Aminoglycoside resistance genes aadB and aadA were located on Tn21 related elements. Only one of them was able to transpose its resistance genes mer sul aadA and aadB (Tn4000), the other elements were naturally occurring defective transposons. In some of these structures deletions were identified at the termini, at sul, aadA, mer or transposition function-insertions adjacent to aadA or mer. The mode of these rearrangements and their site-specificity were considered with respect to the evolution of the Tn21 transposon family.Abbreviations aadA (genotype) AAD-(3) (phenotype): aminoglycoside 3-adenylytransferase - aadB ANT-(2): aminoglycoside 2-adenylyltransferase - aphA APH-(3)I: aminoglycoside 3-phosphotransferase - aacA AAC-(6): aminoglycoside 6-N-acetyl-transferase - aacC AAC-(3): aminoglycoside 3-N-acetyltransferase - cat CAT: chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase - Ap ampicillin - Su sulfonamides - Tc tetracycline - Sm streptomycin - Spe spectinomycin - Hg mercury - Cb carbenicillin - Dk dibekacin - Gm gentamicin - Km kanamycin - Nm neomycin - Net netilmycin - Pm paromomycin - But butirosin - Tm tobramycin - Sis sisomycin - Cm chloramphenicol - kb kilobase     

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     

Icthyological studies in La Cuarentena Lagoon (Carabajal Island), Paraná River: Density of Prochilodus platensis Holmberg (Curimatidae)

Capture-recapture data on the fish of La Cuarentena Lagoon (Carabajal Island) 31° 42 15 S – 60° 37 30 W are given. Prochilodus platensis Holmberg (sábalo') represented 90% of the 1287 fish tagged. By means of the Schumacher & Eschemeyer formula (1943), it was estimated that 6681 (6657–6706) individuals were present. Total biomass of the species was calculated at 87094 kg, representing 66.18 kg ha^–1. Results are compared with data from different water bodies of the Paraná River.     

The effect of the methyl substituent on the bioconversion of cyclohexene derivatives

Summary The absence of the methyl substituent at the 2position of the cyclohexene ring of TCHP enhances the conversion rate as well as the yields of the 3-hydroxy product obtained byStreptomyces natalensis and the 3-keto product obtained byMycobacterium smegmatis.Abbreviations TCHP 1-(2-thienyl)-3-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1-propanone - TCHP-OH 1-(2-thienyl)-3-(3-hydroxyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1-propanone - TCHP-ketone 1-(2-thienyl)-3-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl-3-one)-1-propane - TMCHP 1-(2-thienyl)-3-(2-methyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-propanone     

A general equation for the evaluation of the error that affects the value of the maximum specific growth rate

A general equation is proposed to evaluate the absolute error that affects the maximum specific growth rate calculated from batch or continuous experiments. This error depends on the relative errors of the cell concentration measurements and on the duration of the test.Nomenclature X ₁ Cell concentration at the beginning of the exponential growth phase or of the washing-out period - X ₁ Lowest value of X ₁ due to experimental errors - X ₁ Highest value of X ₁ due to experimental errors - X ₂ Cell concentration at the end of the exponential growth phse or of the washing-out period - X ₂ Lowest value of X ₂ due to experimental errors - X ₂ Highest value of X ₂ due to experiment errors - Relative error that affects X ₁ - Relative error that affects X ₂ - t Exponential growth stage or washing-out duration - Asolute error that affects - Maximum specific growth rate - ₁ Lowest value of due to experimental errors - ₂ Highest value of due to experimental errors The author is with the Instituto Mauá de Technologia, Estrada das Lágrimas 2035, 09580-900, São Caetano do Sul, SP, Brazil     

Nucleotide sequence of the maize chloroplast rpo B/C1/C2 operon: Comparison between the derived protein primary structures from various organisms with respect to functional domains

Summary The genes (rpo B/C₁/C₂) coding for the , , subnits of maize (Zea mays) chloroplast RNA polymerase have been located on the plastome and their nucleotide sequences established. The operon is part of a large inversion with respect to the tobacco and spinach chloroplast genomes and is flanked by the genes trnC and rps2. Notable features of the nucleotide sequence are the loss of an intron in rpoC₁, and an insertion of approximately 450 by in rpOC₂ compared to the dicotyledons tobacco, spinach and liver-wort. The derived amino acid sequence of this additional monocotyledon specific sequence is characterized by acidic heptameric repeat units containing stretches of glutamic acid, tyrosines and leucines with regular spacing. Other structural motifs, such as a nucleotide binding domain in the subunit and a zinc finger in the subunit, are compared at the amino acid level throughout the RNA polymerase subunits with the enzymes from other organisms in order to identify functionally important conserved regions.The sequence data presented in this paper will appear in the EMBL/Gen Bank/DDBJ Nucleotide Databases under the accession number X17318     

Effect of mineralization of tea prunings on some soil characteristics

Summary The effect of incorporating tea prunings with soil on some edaphic characteristics was examined. During the first two months of incorporation tea prunings decomposed rapidly and brought about an increase in the availability of N and K and the organic matter content both in the surface (0–3) and sub-surface (3-6) soil. Incorporation of prunings reduced leaching of added N and K and the application of fertilizer N tend to reduce K availability in soil.     

A passage saturation transfer paramagnetic resonance study of the rotational diffusion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase

A study was made of the dependence on temperature of the saturation transfer ESR spectra obtained from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles labeled withN-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-maleimide. When the spin-labeled preparation was heated, some change occurred that was accompanied by an increase in the spectral parametersL/L andH/H (Thomaset al. (1976).J. Chem. Phys. 65, 3006–3024). This heat-induced increase inL/L andH/H competed with the reduction in these parameters that would normally accompany a reduction in ₂, with the result that a biphasic response to increasing temperature was observed. The heat-induced perturbation was partially irreversible. Consequently, although the preparation also exhibited a biphasic response to cooling, the heating and cooling curves did not coincide. It is suggested that a heat-induced re-orientation of the nitroxide probe with respect to the membrane normal, together with the anisotropic nature of the rotational motion, could be the cause of the departure from the expected monotonic relationship between the spectral parameters and temperature.     

Medicarpin and maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6′-O-malonate conjugates are constitutive compounds in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cell cultures

Summary The pterocarpan phytoalexin conjugates medicarpin 3-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate and maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate were isolated from cell suspension cultures of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar ILC 3279 and structurally elucidated. Both pterocarpan conjugates are constitutive metabolites of the chickpea cell cultures. Upon application of an elicitor from yeast to the cell cultures a substantial increase in the level of the phytoalexin aglycones medicarpin and maackiain was observed although a delayed but significantly higher rise of the conjugates also occurred. The significance of the pterocarpan conjugates for phytoalexin production is discussed.Abbreviations MeGM medicarpin 3-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate - MaGM maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate - MeG medicarpin 3-O-glucoside - MaG maackiain 3-O-glucoside - FGM formononetin 7-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate - BGM biochanin A 7-O-glucoside-6-O-malonate - IFR NADPH: 2-hydroxyisoflavone oxidoreductase - PTS pterocarpan synthase - IGT UDP-glucose: isoflavone 7-O-glucosyltransferase - IMT malonyl-coA: isoflavone 7-O-glucoside-6 -O-malonyltransferase - RT retention time - sh shoulder - d duplette - m multiplette - s singulette     

Interaction of cytochrome c L with methanol dehydrogenase from Methylophaga marina 42:

The reaction of methanol dehydrogenase with cytochrome c _L from Methylophaga marina and the reactions of the non-physiological substrates, Wurster's blue and ascorbic acid, with both proteins were studied as a function of temperature (4–32 °C), pressure (1–2000 bar) and ionic strength using the optical high pressure stopped-flow method. The thermodynamic parameters H, S and V were determined for all reactions where electron transfers are involved. These data allowed the determination of the Maxwell relationships which proved the internal thermodynamic consistency of the system under study. A conformational change on the cytochrome c _L level was deduced from both breaks in the Arrhenius plots and the variation of the V with temperature.Abbreviations MOPS 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid - CHES 2-(cyclohexylamino)ethanesulfonic acid - MDH methanol dehydrogenase - EDTA ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid disodium salt - BTB bromothymol blue (3,3-dibromothymolsulfoneph-thalein) - PQQ 2,7,9-tricarboxy-lH-pyrrolo-[2,3f]quinoline-4,5-dione - cytochrome c _HH mammalian horse heart cytochrome c