In vitro insertion of the lambda attachment site into the plasmid RP4.

Summary The region of the phage lambda chromosome containing the attachment site (P · P) and the genes int and xis, excised by the action of endonuclease R.EcoRI, has been inserted into the unique site for that enzyme on the promiscuous conjugative plasmid, RP4, generating the recombinant plasmid RP4att. Transformants containing the hybrid plasmid were recognised by their ability to allow efficient lysogenization by phage b2 (Weil and Signer, 1968; Echols et al., 1968) containing the mutant attachment site · P. The construction and properties of the hybrid plasmid RP4att are described.     

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency of Magnaporthe grisea in rice cultivars

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency for leaf blast was studied in the crosses IR36/CO39 (partially resistant × highly susceptible) and IR36/IR64 (both partially resistant). On the natural scale, gene action appeared multiplicative. After log transformation, additive effects described most of the genetic variation in the cross IR36/CO39, while additive and dominance effects were about equal in magnitude in the cross IR36/IR64. Dominance was towards increased resistance. No transgressive segregation occurred in the cross IR36/CO39. The number of genes that reduce lesion number was estimated to be zero in CO39 and five or more in IR36. The cross IR36/IR64 showed transgressive segregation in both directions, and IR36 and IR64 each contain at least one gene that is not present in the other cultivar. The heritabilities (narrow sense) in the F₂ were low (range 0.06–0.16), while narrow sense heritabilities based on F₃ lines were much higher (range 0.41–0.68). Lesion numbers in F₃ lines were reasonably correlated with those in F₅ progenies derived from the same F₂ plant (r was±0.6 in both crosses). Partial resistance can be effectively improved by selecting the most resistant plants from the most resistant F₃ lines.     

Analysis of the effect of rye chromosomes 4R, 6R and telomeric heterochromatin on 7R on homologous chromosome pairing in pentaploid hybrids (AABBR,AABBD)

Summary Meiotic pairing in Triticum turgidum cv. Ma (4x) with a mean chiasmata frequency of 27.16 per cell was compared with chiasmata frequencies in its hybrids with several triticale strains, Chinese Spring wheat and its addition lines for Imperial rye chromosomes 4R and 6R. In hybrids between Ma and x Triticosecale cv. Rosner the chiasmata frequency was marginally reduced by an average of 1.25%, by 8.8% in hybrids with x Triticosecale cv. DRIRA HH and by 6.7% with DRIRA EE (lacking 90% telomeric heterochromatin from chromosome arm 7RL). In pentaploid hybrids between Ma and T. aestivum cv. Chinese Spring the reduction was an average of 10.30%, while addition lines with rye chromosome 6R reduced chiasmata frequencies by an average of 7.4% and rye addition line for 4R showed the greatest depression in chiasmata frequency in hybrids by a 25.04% reduction. An interchange difference involving long chromosome segments was observed between Ma and Rosner.Contribution No. 819 Ottawa Research Station     

Identification of a 4A/7R and a 7B/4R wheat-rye chromosome translocation

Summary By producing chromosome substitutions with Imperial rye chromosomes 4R (C) and 7R (D) in the wheat cultivar Chinese Spring two spontaneous translocation lines were obtained. One involves segments of wheat chromosome 4A and rye chromosome 7R, the other involves portions of wheat chromosome 7B and rye chromosome 4R     

On age morphological changes of males of Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary Young and adult males of 11 species of Chydoridae are studied, their figures being published here (fig. 1–15). The necessity is stressed to distinguish young forms of males and gynandromorphic individuals.Pleuroxus balatonicus is considered to be described from the population ofPleuroxus unicatus having under Balaton Lake conditions retarded transformation of young males into adult form, and accordingly having unusually numerous young males. \qO\qs\qn\qo\qv\qn\qy\ye \qr\ye\qz\qu\ql\Qj\qt\qa\qt\qy 11 (. 1–15). . , Pleuroxus uncinatus , Pleuroxus balatonicus.     

Identification of a 1B/1R wheat-rye chromosome translocation

Summary The common wheat selection 79-4045 was identified as a wheat-rye 1B/1R chromosome translocation line, by means of C-banding patterns and test cross with Chinese Spring double-ditelosomic line. The translocation chromosome consisted of the long arm of wheat chromosome 1B, including its centromere, and the short arm of rye chromosome 1R or tis portion.     

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.     

Spontaneous chlorophyll mutants of Pennisetum americanum: Genetics and chlorophyll quantities

Summary Thirteen spontaneously occurring chlorophyll deficient phenotypes have been described and their genetic basis was established. Ten of these — white, white tipped green, patchy white, white virescent, white striping 1, white striping 2, white striping 4, fine striping, chlorina and yellow virescent showed monogenic recessive inheritance and the remaining three — yellow striping, yellow green and light green seedling phenotypes showed digenic recessive inheritance. The genes for (i) white tipped green (wr) and yellow virescent (yv) and (ii) patchy white (pw) and white striping 1 (wst 1) showed independent assortment. Further, the genes for white (w), white tipped green (wr) and yellow virescent (yv) were inherited independently of the gene for hairy leaf margin (Hm).In the mutants — white tipped green, patchy white, white striping 1, white striping 2, fine striping, chlorina, yellow virescent, yellow striping, yellow green and light green phenotypes total quantity of chlorophyll was significantly less than that in the corresponding controls, while in white virescent there was no reduction in the mature stage. For nine of the mutants the quantity of chlorophyll was also estimated in F₁'s (mutant x control green). In F₁'s of six of the mutants — white tip, patchy white, chlorina, yellow virescent, fine striping and yellow striping the quantity of chlorophyll was almost equal to the wild type. In the F₁'s of three of the mutants — white striping 1, white striping 2 and light green an intermediate value between the mutant and wild types was observed. In yellow virescent retarded synthesis of chlorophyll, particularly chlorophyll a was observed in the juvenile stage. Reduced quantity of chlorophyll was associated with defective chloroplasts. In the mutants — white tipped green, white virescent, fine striping, chlorina, yellow striping, yellow green and light green defective plastids were also observed. In patchy white secondary destruction of chlorophylls and the presence of defective plastids were found to be associated with reduced chlorophyll quantity at maturity.Paper chromatographic studies of leaf flavonoids revealed some variation between the inbreds, but there were three common spots, 7, 8 and 9, except for PDP in which the spot 8 was absent. Chlorophyll deficient mutants differed from their respective controls in the absence of one or more of the spots present in the controls and in the presence of new spots in some of the mutants.Most of the chlorophyll mutants showed higher survival rate in the Kharif season than in Rabi season which was attributed to the higher mean day temperature and longer day light period in the Kharif season than in Rabi season.     

Nucellar callus of ‘Femminello’ lemon,selected for tolerance toPhoma tracheiphila toxin,shows enhanced release of chitinase and glucanase into the culture medium

Phoma tracheiphila is the causative agent of the disease mal secco. Citrus cultivars differ substantially in respect to their sensitivity to the pathogenP. tracheiphila and its toxin. Some cultivars (e.g., Femminello lemon) are inherently sensitive while others (e.g., Tarocco orange) are tolerant. Cell lines derived from nucellar tissue of Femminello, Tarocco and a cell line selected for tolerance to the fungal toxin (Femminello-S) were used to study host-pathogen interaction. Our results showed that calli or conditioned media of Tarocco and Femminello-S inhibited the size of co-cultivated fungal colonies when compared to Femminello. In addition, conditioned medium of Tarocco as well as FemminelloS, but not Femminello, promoted bursting of hyphal tips. A ten-fold increase in chitinase and glucanase enzymatic activity, as evaluated by radiometric assay and laminarin hydrolysis respectively, was detected in Femminello-S extracellular extracts as compared to Femminello. An increase in chitinase was also shown by immunoblot analysis. Our findings suggest a positive correlation between the presence of chitinase and glucanase in the conditioned media of the cultured cells and the tolerance of those cells toP. tracheiphila toxin.     

Effects of soil pH and associated cations on growth of apple trees planted in old orchard soil

Summary Trunk circumferences were measured on apple trees which had been grown for 5 to 10 years on land previously in apple orchard. Soil beneath each tree was analysed for soil acidity characteristics and basic cations. Tree growth (trunk circumference), was generally retarded but highly variable, but correlated well with the soil measurements in four of the six orchards investigated. Size of Delicious, Tydeman and Rome Beauty cultivars correlated positively with soil pH and negatively with 0.02M CaCl₂-soluble Al and Mn, while that of McIntosh grown adjacent to the Delicious and Tydeman trees in two of those orchards correlated little or not at all with these soil acidity characteristics. However, in the three orchards where McIntosh trees were grown, their size correlated (r=0.72^**, 0.71^**, 0.54^**) well with exchangeable soil Mg. The effects of soil acidity and associated nutrient deficiencies on growth of young apple trees is discussed.Contribution No. 602.     

α-Thalassemia in Saudi Arabia: deletion pattern

Summary -Thalassemia exists at a high prevalence in several regions of Saudi Arabia. The restriction endonucleases Bam HI and BglII were used to investigate the molecular basis of deletion type of -thalassemia in 226 subjects from the eastern and 61 subjects from the northwestern regions of the country. The arrangements-/ and-/- were common. BglII digestion revealed the existence of rightward deletion in a majority of the cases. Leftward deletions, both homozygous and heterozygous, were also identified. Triple -gene arrangements -/ and -/- were observed at a low frequency in both regions.     

Sugar conformation of a stereospecific 2′-R or 2′-S deuterium-labeled DNA decamer studied with proton-proton J coupling constants

The sugar conformation of a DNA decamer was studied with proton-proton ³J coupling constants. Two samples, one comprising stereospecifically labeled 2-R-²H for all residues and the other 2-S-²H, were prepared by the method of Kawashima et al. [J. Org. Chem. (1995) 60, 6980–6986; Nucleosides Nucleotides (1995) 14, 333–336], the deuterium labeling being highly stereospecific 99% for all 2-²H, 98% for 2-²H of A, C, and T, and 93% for 2-²H of G). The ³J values of all H1-H2 and H1-H2 pairs, and several H2-H3 and H2-H3 pairs were determined by line fitting of 1D spectra with 0.1–0.2 Hz precision. The observed J coupling constants were explained by the rigid sugar conformation model, and the sugar conformations were found to be between C3-exo and C2-endo with _m values of 26° to 44°, except for the second and 3 terminal residues C2 and C10. For the C2 and C10 residues, the lower fraction of S-type conformation was estimated from J_H1H2 and J_H1H2 values. For C10, the N–S two-site jump model or Gaussian distribution of the torsion angle model could explain the observed J values, and 68% S-type conformation or C1-exo conformation with 27° distribution was obtained, respectively. The differences between these two motional models are discussed based on a simple simulation of J-coupling constants.     

Study on the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza of three cultivars of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary The establishment and development of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi were studied in three cultivars of potato, which differed in susceptibility to Late blight, in a field experiment on a lateritic sandy-loam during two growing seasons (1980 and 1981). The cultivars SSC 1174 (highly resistant) and Kufri Jyoti (resistant) showed an earlier establishment and more rapid development of VAM fungi than up-to-date (highly susceptible). The first mycorrhizal infection in both SSC 1174 and Kufri Jyoti was observed after 12 days in 1980 and 8 days in 1981, whereas in up-to-date it was observed after 19 and 12 days respectively. The mycorrhizal infection increased with the age of the plants in all the three cultivars.     

Hydrolysis of 2-substituted aryl and heteroaryl alkanoates by Candida rugosalipase

sThe hydrolysis of several esters catalyzed by lipase of Candida rugosa was used to analyse the interaction between the ester substrate and the active site and the geometry and steric restrictions of alk, ar and h subsites. Using 4-R-C H -CH(R)-COOEt and ethyl trans-cinnamate, the presence of a low electronic density zone in the ar pocket is described, the dimensions of the pocket produced by Phe-296 and Leu-297 in the alk subsite and the size of the h subsite are described.     

Immunofluorescence localization of the epidermolytic toxin target in mouse epidermal cells and tissue

Summary An epidermolytic toxin target was observed in keratohyalin granules of sectioned epidermis by a direct fluorescence procedure using FTC-toxin, but not by an indirect procedure using sequential reaction with toxin, anti-toxin and FTC-secondary antibody. The investigation of the two procedures was extended to keratinocytes. A dispase digestion procedure yielded three fractions which corresponded to basal, spinous and granular cells according to biochemical and morphological criteria. It was shown that the direct and indirect procedures both detected the toxin target in the keratohyalin granules of granular cells, but that the indirect procedure was very insensitive. In control experiments, the profilaggrin of keratohyalin granules was detected readily in cells by a direct procedure using FTC-antiprofilaggrin but only weakly by an indirect double antibody procedure. Insensitivity to indirect procedures thus appears to be a particular property of the keratohyalin granule site. It was shown that the toxin target was readily accessible in permeable (trypsin-isolated) granular cells but inaccessible in impermeable (dispase-isolated) cells.     

On morphological variation in Keratella cochlearis populations from Holstein lakes (Northern Germany)

Keratella cochlearis occurs in many Holstein lakes (northern Germany) as three well defined and separated forms: cochlearis, hispida, and tecta, each showing very little variation between the lakes. The present data show that the tecta form did not originate from a Lauterborn cycle.     

Generation of mutants of CK2α which are dependent on the β-subunit for catalytic activity

To shed light on the structural features underlying high constitutive activity of protein kinase CK2 a number of mutants of the human CK2 subunit altered in the interactions between the N-terminal segment and the activation loop have been generated and shown to be defective in catalytic activity. In particular the truncated mutant 2-12 displays under standard conditions an almost complete loss of catalytic activity accounted for by a dramatic rise in its Km for ATP (from 10 to 206 M) and a reduced Kcat. Such a drop in efficiency is paralleled by conformational disorganization, as judged from Superdex 75 gel filtration profile. Both catalytic properties and gel filtration behaviour similar to those of wild type CK2 were restored upon association with the regulatory -subunit, suggesting that constitutive activity is conferred to CK2 and to CK2 holoenzyme through different molecular mechanisms. In the holoenzyme an assumable release of tension at the backbone of Ala-193 (as seems to be indicated by a comparison of the crystal structures of maize CK2 alone vs. a CK2– peptide complex) may result in the ability of the activation loop to adopt its proper conformation independently of interactions with the N-terminal segment.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to whitebacked planthopper in twenty-one varieties of rice,Oryza sativa L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) was studied in 21 rice varieties. Reactions of F₁; F₂ and F₃ progenies of the crosses of 21 resistant varieties with the susceptible variety TN 1 revealed that a single dominant gene governs resistance in Mushkan 41, Santhi, Siahnakidar 195, SM2-34, Tirisurkh 251, Zirijowaian 245, 18, 24A, 39, 76 S, 78, 180, 213 B, 267, 293, CI 6037-4, NP97, S39 JKW and Bansphul. In varieties 65 and 274 A, resistance is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. Tests for allelism with the Wbph 1 gene originally identified in N 22 revealed that the dominant gene present in all the test varieties is the same as Wbph 1. Further studies are required to determine the allelic relationships of the recessive gene found in varieties 65 and 274 A.     

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     

Genotypic control of pollen plant formation in Nicotiana tabacum L.

Summary Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) of four varieties (Badischer Burley, White Burley, Techne, Kupchunos) were raised at different temperatures and daylengths and the effect of genotype on embryogenic pollen grain formation in situ and on pollen plant formation in anther and pollen cultures from these plants was studied. Genotype controlled embryogenic pollen grain and pollen plant formation by defining productivity under standard growth conditions (long days at 24 °C). Kupchunos was the most productive variety, followed by White Burley, Techne, and Badischer Burley. Furthermore, genotype defined which environmental factor was able to affect embryogenic pollen grain and pollen plant formation and also to which degree. In anther cultures, in addition to these effects, genotype controlled the formation of (an) inhibitory substance(s) in the anther wall in interaction with the plant growth conditions. In Badischer Burley and Techne, inhibitor action could be prevented by isolation of the pollen after one week of anther culture. Finally, direct pollen cultures in Badischer Burley and Techne produced embryos were only when the pollen was isolated from nearly mature anthers, while in White Burley and Kupchunos, embryos also produced at earlier stages and at higher yields. This indicated that genotype controls the time when the embryogenic pollen grains become ready to divide. The results are discussed in relation to strategies to overcome recalcitrance of species and genotypes.