Staining Tomato Fruit Cuticle and Exocarp Tissues

Immature fruit of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum (Celebrity), was examined to observe the cuticle, its interface with the epidermis, and the general histology of the outer exocarp. Paraffin sections were stained first with Bismarck brown Y. Structures already stained in various hues of brown were stained again with either azure B, aluminum hematoxylin and alcian blue 8GX, or the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Bismarck brown-azure B displayed the cuticle in strong contrast with subjacent tissue; however, nuclei were not easily identified at low magnification. Bismarck brown-hematoxylinalcian blue produced a sharply contrasted combination of yellow cuticle, bright blue cell walls and purple nuclei. Nuclei stained purple with hematoxylin were easily identified at × 100. Bismarck brown-PAS stained the cuticle golden brown and subjacent tissues magenta red. Surprisingly, epidermal cells stained specifically and intensely with PAS while pretreatment with an aldehyde blockade and omission of periodic acid prevented staining of all other tissues.     

Oil Blue N or Na as a Fat Stain for Animal Histology

Oil blue N or NA gives precise dark blue staining of fatty substances in animal tissues when supersaturated solutions in dilute isopropanol are used. A stock saturated solution in 60% isopropanol, when diluted to 40 or 50% isopropanol, gives good staining in 5 to 10 minutes, without appreciable precipitate.

Suitable counterstains are 1:1000 solutions of Janus green B, Bismarck brown Y and Bismarck brown R. These require about 5 minutes and should be followed by one-minute differentiation in 5% acetic acid. Of the three, Bismarck brown R gives the best contrast.     

Iodine as an Aid in Identification of Asci and Ascospores of Schizosaccharomyces octosporus

Transverse paraffin sections of mature greenwood stems of rose (Rosa x hybrida) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) were stained with Bismarck brown followed by azure B or tolnidine blue O. The Bismarck brown was replaced by thiazin dye metachromasia in all structures except the cuticle which remained brown or yellow. The interface between the cuticle and exterior cell walls of the epidermis was delineated clearly.     

The Use of Bismarck Brown Y in some new Stain Schedules

The staining quality of Bismarck brown Y may be improved and sterility maintained by adding 5% phenol to a 1% aqueous solution. Use the phenolic Bismarck brown in combination with iron alum hematoxylin except for stripped epidermis in the following procedures:

Stem and Root Schedule: Mordant sections from water in 4% iron alum for 10 minutes. Rinse in distilled water and stain in 0.5% aqueous hematoxylin for 1 minute or until darkly stained. Rinse in distilled water and destain in 2% iron alum until a gray color appears. Rinse thoroly in distilled water and intensify hematoxylin by transferring sections to 0.5% aqueous lithium carbonate until the desired black color appears. Rinse thoroly in distilled water and stain for 1-5 minutes in phenolic Bismarck brown. Rinse in distilled water, dehydrate successively in 30, 50, 70, 95 and 100% alcohol. Clear in methyl salicylate for 5 minutes, then to xylene for 3-5 minutes, and mount in balsam.

Middle Lamellae in Wood: Destain more thoroly in 2% iron alum than for the general stem and root schedule, and intensify in lithium carbonate for a longer period (about 1 hour).

White Potato Tuber Sections: Modify above schedule by reducing time of destaining in 2% iron alum to about 30-60 seconds and intensify hematoxylin until starch grains appear bluish in color. Stain in phenolic Bismarck brown for 1-2 minutes.

Wheat Grain Sections: Fix grain for sectioning when in “dough” stage. Use schedule the same as for potato tuber except for reducing time of staining in phenolic Bismarck brown to about 45 seconds.

Tradescantia zebrina Epidermis: Strip epidermis from leaf while submerged in water. Fix in 100% alcohol 10 minutes, pass thru 95, 70, 50, 30, and 10% alcohol to water. Stain in phenolic Bismarck brown for 10-20 minutes. Dehydrate, clear in methyl salicylate and mount in balsam.     

Influence of Virus Inflections on Impedance Parameters

This paper deals with investigations of some electrical parametersin four host-virus interactions. (1) With gradient correctionsfrom healthy plants, injury was detected by the resistance ratioat a distance 1.5 mm external to the localized necrotic lesionscaused by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in leaves of Nicotianaglutinosa, and was interpreted as evidence of an altered metabolismpossibly associated with limiting cell-to-cell spread of thevirus. (2) The influence of systemic infections of virus X wasexamined in potato tubers. In one of the two varieties, viz.Bismarck, the magnitude of three parameters allowed the diagnosisof the presence of the virus. (3) Systemic infections of tomatospotted wilt (TSW) in leaves of N. glutinosa caused very markedchanges, affecting 21 out of 24 parameters. (4) Systemic infectionsof TMV in petioles of N. tabacum caused less pronounced changesthan those of TSW in leaves of N. glutinosa. On the basis of changes in major parameters, infection of TSWin leaves of N. glutinosa and infections of virus X in potatotubers var. Bismarck are considered to have certain featuresin common as regards influence on host metabolism. Possibleexplanations are given for some of the parameter changes.     

Polysialic acid export in Escherichia coli K1: the role of KpsT, the ATP-binding component of an ABC transporter, in chain translocation

The polysialic acid (polySia) capsule of Escherichia coli K1is a key virulence determinant of the organism, allowing itto evade host defenses. The proteins necessary for expressionof the capsule are encoded by the 17 kb kps gene cluster. Thiscluster contains two genes, kpsM and kpsT, that are requiredfor polySia transport across the cytoplasmic membrane. KpsMis a hydrophobic integral inner membrane protein, while KpsTis a peripheral inner membrane protein that binds ATP. Theybelong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporters.To study the role of KpsT in polySia translocation, we usedPCR mutagenesis to isolate dominant negative mutations of plasniid-encodedkpsT. All mutations mapped to the same glutamic acid residueat position 150, adjacent to Walker motif B of KpsT. Wild-type(kps⁺) cells harboring one such allele, E150G, did not transportpolySia to the cell surface but accumulated intracellular polysaccharideand produced small colonies containing cells that grew as longfilaments. The E150G protein still bound ATP as shown by 8-azidoATPphotolabeling assays. We combined the E150G allele with eachof five mutations isolated previously in kpsT. Mutations thatdisrupt ATP-binding (K44E) or alter regions of the protein thoughtto interact with KpsM (G84D, S126F) suppressed the dominantnegative phenotype while mutations in the C-terminal portionof the protein (C163Y, H181Y) did not suppress. These studieshave allowed the development of a working model for the roleof KpsT in polySia chain translocation. ABC-transporter dominant negative mutation Escherichia coli Kl KpsT polysialic acid     

Comparison of the flowering behavior of the long-day plant Lemna gibba G3 from different laboratories

In an effort to determine the cause for the wide discrepanciesin the level of flowering response reported for the long-dayplant Lemna gibba L., strain G3, cultures of L. gibba G3 wereobtained from the laboratories of W. S. Hillman (G3-H), R. Kandeler(G3-K), Y. Oota (G3-O) and and A. Pieterse (G3-P) and comparedto the L. gibba G3 (G3-C) from this laboratory. Under continuouslight all cultures gave FL% values of 77 or above, and on a9L:15D short-day treatment, all cultures were completely vegetative.However, on daylengths of 10 to 12 hr, small but statisticallysignificant differences were obtained for the different cultures.The critical daylength curves for G3-G, which showed the shortestcritical daylength, and G3-K, which showed the longest criticaldaylength, differed by approximately one hour. Salicylic acidtreatment caused flower promotion in each culture, but statisticallysignificant differences were obtained between some of the culturesin their response to salicylic acid. It is concluded that the large discrepancies in the floweringresponses of L. gibba G3 that have been reported are due primarilyto differences in culturing methods and counting proceduresin the different laboratories. However, the results also indicatethat there may be distinct cultures of L. gibba G3 that exhibitsmall physiological and/or genetic differences that would makeprecise quantitative comparison between different laboratoriesvery difficult. (Received January 23, 1979; )     

虫害诱导的水稻挥发物对褐飞虱的驱避作用

水稻叶片在遭受害虫的危害时,释放一些特异性的挥发性物质。这些挥发性信息物质在调节植物、植食性昆虫及其天敌的相互关系中有重要作用。利用“Y”型嗅觉仪研究了褐飞虱对虫害诱导的11种水稻挥发物（浓度为2 Μl 化合物溶解在100 Μl丙酮溶液中）的行为反应。结果表明,(E)-2-己烯醛、(E)-2-己烯-1-醇、-2-庚醇和水杨酸甲酯等4种化合物对褐飞虱成虫有显著的驱避作用,而(Z)-3-己烯-1-醇、-2-庚酮、柠檬烯、罗勒烯、芳樟醇、-β-子丁香烯和橙花叔醇等7种物质对褐飞虱成虫的选择行为无显著影响。浓度梯度的实验表明,浓度(不同体积的待测化合物用100 Μl丙酮稀释)较低的(E)-2-己烯醛（0.5 Μl、1 Μl）和芳樟醇（05 Μl、1 Μl、5 Μl）对褐飞虱成虫的选择行为无显著影响,而较高浓度的(E)-2-己烯醛（5 Μl、10 Μl）和芳樟醇（10 Μl）对褐飞虱成虫均有明显的驱避作用。     

Revision of the Genus Goodallia (Bivalvia: Astartidae) with the Description of Two New Species

A revision of the Recent species of the genus Goodallia (Astartidae)is presented. Adult shell and prodissoconch morphology of allthe species are described and figured. In total, five speciesare recognized: G. triangularis (Montagu, 1803), G. pusilla(Forbes, 1844), G. macandrewi (Smith, 1881), G. micalii new species,and G. gofasi new species. G. triangularis and G. pusilla are widespreaddistributed in the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa,and in the Mediterranean. G. macandrewi is restricted to thetype locality in the Canary Islands, while what has been calledG. macandrewi from the Mediterranean corresponds to an undescribedspecies here named G. micalii, distributed in the Central andEastern Mediterranean. A second undescribed species from offthe Atlantic Moroccan coast is named G. gofasi, and is knownonly from the type material of station B33 of the expedition CINECA CHARCOT III. The named forms, variability and distributionof G. triangularis are discussed. (Received 30 January 1998; accepted 27 August 1998)     

Plant Cuticle Staining with Bismarck Brown Y and Azure B or Toluidine Blue O before Paraffin Extraction

Transverse paraffin sections of mature greenwood stems of rose (Rosa x hybrida) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) were stained with Bismarck brown followed by azure B or tolnidine blue O. The Bismarck brown was replaced by thiazin dye metachromasia in all structures except the cuticle which remained brown or yellow. The interface between the cuticle and exterior cell walls of the epidermis was delineated clearly.     

A distinct structural region of the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) is recognized by the N-terminal domain of the proteasomal ATPase Mpa

The mycobacterial ubiquitin-like protein Pup is coupled to proteins, thereby rendering them as substrates for proteasome-mediated degradation. The Pup-tagged proteins are recruited by the proteasomal ATPase Mpa (also called ARC). Using a combination of biochemical and NMR methods, we characterize the structural determinants of Pup and its interaction with Mpa, demonstrating that Pup adopts a range of extended conformations with a short helical stretch in its C-terminal portion. We show that the N-terminal coiled-coil domain of Mpa makes extensive contacts along the central region of Pup leaving its N-terminus unconstrained and available for other functional interactions.

Structured summary

MINT-7262427: pup (uniprotkb:B6DAC1) binds (MI:0407) to mpa (uniprotkb:Q0G9Y7) by pull down (MI:0096) MINT-7262440: mpa (uniprotkb:Q0G9Y7) and pup (uniprotkb:B6DAC1) bind (MI:0407) by isothermal titration calorimetry (MI:0065)     

基于线粒体COⅠ基因序列的小萤叶甲属部分种类分子系统学研究（鞘翅目：叶甲科：萤叶甲亚科）

本文目的是通过对小萤叶甲属部分种类的线粒体COⅠ基因进行比较,探讨小萤叶甲属昆虫进化与寄主植物之间的关系,同时对几种分类地位模糊的昆虫进行分析和归类。测定了我国菱角萤叶甲Galerucella birmanica Jacoby和褐背小萤叶甲Galerucella grisescens Joannis以及小猿叶甲Phaedon brassicae Baly线粒体COⅠ基因720 bp序列,并调用GenBank中小萤叶甲属等其他8种昆虫的同源序列,对序列的碱基组成、转换颠换、遗传距离等进行了分析。并以小猿叶甲为外群,分别采用邻接法（NJ）、最大简约法（MP）和贝叶斯推论法（BI）建立这些种的分子系统发育关系。序列分析结果表明：小萤叶甲属昆虫COⅠ基因A+T含量平均为71.8％,存在较强的A+T含量偏向性,氨基酸的变异率为18.3％; 小萤叶甲属与外群之间的遗传距离(0.169～0.198)远远大于属内种间的距离(0.001～0.134)。依据分子系统树结果我们推测小萤叶甲属昆虫的进化与寄主植物之间有着显著的关系,在传统分类学上曾隶属于其他属的几种昆虫与小萤叶甲昆虫有着更近的亲缘关系。     

Cloning and Characterization of the Ribosomal Protein Genes in the spc Operon of a Prokaryotic Endosymbiont of the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon kondoi

To correlate a prokaryotic endosymbiont in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphonkondoi, with the endosymbionts in related aphid species as wellas with free-living bacteria and subcellular organelles, andto study the mode of its gene expression within aphid cells,we have cloned and characterized the genes encoding ribosomalproteins S3, L16, L29, S17, L14, L24, L5, S14, S8, L6, L18,S5, L30, L15 and secretion protein Y (Sec Y) from the S10 andspc ribosomal protein gene operons of this endosymbiont. Theorganization of these genes is identical to that in Escherichiacoli, and their nucleotide sequences are highly similar (87%identity) to the corresponding E. coli genes. They are muchless similar to the corresponding chloroplast and mitochondrialgenes. The guanine plus cytosine G+C content of the genes ofthe A. kondoi endosymbiont is much higher than those of theendosymbionts in related aphid species reported so far. It appearseither that the A. kondoi endosymbiont is derived from an ancestralbacterium different from those in other aphids or that its G+Ccontent increased in a relatively short time after the evolutionarydivergence of its host.     

Ion-Exchange Properties of Isolated Cell Walls of Brown Algae: The Interstitial Solution

Kloareg, B., Demarty, M. and Mabeau, S. 1987. Ion-exchange propertiesof isolated cell walls of brown algae: the interstitial solution.—J.exp. Bot. 38: 1652–1662. Isolated cell walls of Pelvetia canaliculata (Dene) et Thur.,Laminaria digitata (L.) and other intertidal brown algae wereequilibrated in seawater and various mixtures of sodium andcalcium chlorides. After elution with distilled water, the interstitialsolution was assayed for ionic composition. With respect tothe external solution, it was less concentrated and containedlower proportions of divalent cations. Such modifications wererelated to the divalent ionic fraction and the total anion concentrationof the external solution. No significant differences were foundamong the brown algae investigated in spite of the differingcomposition of their walls. Results were analysed accordingto the polyelectrolyte condensation model. When the concentrationof the external solution was high (1000 meq dm³), experimentaldata were qualitatively in good agreement with the predictionsof the model. Key words: Cell walls, ion-exchange, Phaeophyta.     

Additional Schiff-Type Reagents for Use in Cytochemistry

Twenty-four new Schiff-type reagents were discovered in a survey of 140 different dyes. These dyes include acid fuchsin, acridine yellow, acriflavine hydrochloride, azure C., Bismarck brown R, Bismarck brown Y, celestine blue B, chrysoidine 3R, chrysoidine Y extra, cresyl violet, crystal violet, gentian violet, methylene blue, neutral violet, phenosafranin, phosphine GN, proflavine, toluidine blue O, and toluylene blue. Positive results obtained with crystal violet and a few samples of methylene blue are considered due to impurities. Various chemical extractions, aldehyde blocking reagents, and enzymatic treatments were used to verify the aldehyde specificity of the above dye-SO₂, reagents as well as azure A, brilliant cresyl blue, neutral red, safranin O, and thionin which have been mentioned by other workers. These reagents were tested in the Feulgen reaction for DNA and the PAS reaction for polysaccharides. Absorption curves were obtained from individual nuclei stained for DNA. The absorption peaks ranged from 450 mμ, to 630 mμ. depending on the dye studied. The Feulgen reaction could be followed by the PAS reaction or vice versa in mouse intestine using reactive dyes of complementary colors. The evidence indicates that a potential Schiff-type reagent must have at least one free NH₂ group on the dye molecule.     

A Six-Dye Staining Schedule for Sections of Mesquite and Other Desert Plants

Materials are fixed in FPA (formalin, 2; propionic acid, 1; 70% ethanol, 17). Paraffin sections on slides are brought to 50% ethanol and stained as follows: (1) in Bismarck brown Y, a 0.02% solution in 0.1% aqueous phenol, 10-30 min; wash 30 sec in 0.7% acetic acid, and wash in distilled water 20-30 sec; (2) in crystal violet, 1% in 70% ethanol alkalinized with 1 drop of 1 N NaOH per 100 ml, 12-35 min; wash 30-60 sec in tap water to remove excess stain, and rinse 0.5 sec in 70% ethanol; then mordant in I₂-KI, 1% each in 70% ethanol, 40 sec, and rinse in 70% ethanol 2-5 sec; (3) in a mixture containing 0.4% acid fuchsin and 0.6% crythrosin B in 70% ethanol about 0.5 sec; rinse in 70% ethanol 5-15 sec to remove excess red; dehydrate in 70%, 95%, and absolute ethanol, 2-3 sec each; (4) in fast green FCF, 0.5% in a mixture of equal parts of methyl cellosolve, absolute ethanol, and clove oil, 5-15 sec; rinse in a mixture of clove oil, 10 ml; absolute ethanol, 100 ml; and methyl cellosolve, 10 ml, 5-7 sec; (5) in orange G, 0.75 gm in a mixture of clove oil, 40 ml; absolute ethanol, 40 ml; and methyl cellosolve, 60 ml, 5-30 sec; rinse clean in a 1:1 mixture of xylene and absolute ethanol, 5-20 sec Complete the clearing in pure xylene, 3 changes, 1.5 min in each, and apply a cover glass with synthetic resin. Slides are agitated in all steps except Bismark brown Y, crystal violet, and the xylenes. Contrast and staining intensity are adjusted by varying staining times in the dye solutions.     

家蚕G蛋白α亚基基因BmGα73B的克隆与表达

异三元G蛋白是真核细胞感知外界信号后将信号传递到胞内的重要分子,在生物中参与了广泛的信号转导途径,如光、神经递质和激素等。为了研究G蛋白在家蚕Bombyx mori中的生理功能及其作用机理,我们运用生物信息学方法在已有的家蚕基因组数据库中找到了一段与G蛋白alpha亚基（Gα）同源性很高的序列。通过设计特异性引物,运用PCR和RACE技术,成功地克隆了一个家蚕Gα基因的全长cDNA序列。该基因全长1 509 bp (GenBank登录号：EU914850),开放阅读框（ORF）为1 158 bp,编码385个氨基酸。Blast和DNAstar等软件分析发现该基因编编码的蛋白质与其他物种已知的Gα具有一定的保守性,将它命名为BmGα73B。RT-PCR扩增检测该基因在家蚕不同组织器官和不同发育时期的转录表达活性,结果表明它在不同发育时期的家蚕各组织器官中都有表达。从组织水平上看,BmGα73B在中肠中表达量最高,在马氏管、头部和神经索等组织中也有适量表达。在家蚕的不同发育时期中,转录水平峰值出现在幼虫期,在蛹早期也有适量的表达,而在预蛹期、蛹后期和成虫期几乎没有表达。结果说明BmGα73B可能参与了家蚕生长前期的中肠发育过程,为进一步研究G蛋白在家蚕发育过程的作用奠定了一定的基础。     

Isolation and Analysis of the Cell Walls of Brown Algae: Fucus spiralis, F. ceranoides, F. vesiculosus, F. serratus, Bifurcaria bifurcata and Laminaria digitata

Mabeau, S. and Kloareg, B. 1987. Isolation and analysis of thecell walls of brown algae: Fucus spiralis, F. ceranoides, F.vesiculosus, F. serratus, Bifurcaria bifurcata and Laminariadigitata.—J. exp. Bot. 38: 1573–1580. Cell walls were isolated from six marine brown algae, Fucusspiralis, F. ceranoides, F. vesiculosus, F. serratus, Bifurcariabifurcata (Fucales, Phaeophyta) and Laminaria digitata (Laminariales,Phaeo-phyta). Yields of isolated cell walls ranged from 35–45%of thallus dry weight. Walls were composed mainly of alginatesand sulphatcd fucans, the proportions of which correlated withspecies zonation in the intertidal region. This result is consistentwith the hypothesis that the sulphated fucans are associatedwith the adaptation of macroalgae to the intertidal environment.Comparing the chemical composition of isolated cell walls withthat of whole plants, we conclude that alginic acid is mainlypart of the fibrillar wall while a significant proportion ofthe sulphated fucans probably belongs to the intercellular spacematrix. Since ascophyllan-like polysaccharides were more abundantin the fucan extracts from the isolated cell walls than fromthe whole plants, it is suggested that differences in the structureof fucans might be related to differences in their localizationthroughout the tissue. Key words: Cell walls, Phaeophyta, sulphated fucans     

Description of ten new Lobophora species from the Bismarck Sea (Papua New Guinea)

Sampling in the framework of the research program called ‘La Planète Revisitée’ in Kavieng and Madang (Papua New Guinea) brought thus far unknown diversity of the brown algal genus Lobophora to the surface. DNA‐assisted alpha taxonomy allowed identifying the presence of 16 species Lobophora from these two localities, which only share four species in common. Ten species are newly described, including four, which are only known to the Bismarck Sea. A more exhaustive sampling across the Bismarck Sea, and more largely across the Coral Triangle, will very likely unveil an even greater diversity. The present study underscores the fragmentary nature of our knowledge of macroalgal diversity in this region.