Surfactant effects on adrenergic responses in the gills of the flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

Summary The interactions between catecholamines and surfactants was investigated in perfused gills of the marine teleostPlatichthys flesus L. The activity of the branchial ion pumps was monitored via the electrogenic transepithelial potential (inside positive) measured in gills bathed and perfused with identical saline. Vascular resistance of the arterio-arterial and arterio-venous pathway was also recorded simultaneously by measuring respectively the afferent perfusion pressure and venous flow in gills perfused at constant flow and at constant efferent pressure. The specific effects of respective - and -adrenergic receptor stimulation was investigated by the administration of discrete doses of either adrenaline in the presence of 10 mol l^–1 propranolol or isoprenaline in the perfusate. In the absence of surfactants the -adrenergic effects were an inhibition of electrogenic ion transport, a decrease in venous flow and an increase in the vascular resistance of the arterioarterial vascular pathway. In contrast the -adrenergic effects consisted of a stimulation of electrogenic ion transport and a vasodilation of the arterio-arterial pathway. Both anionic (linear alkyl sulphonate; sodium lauryl sulphate) and non-ionic (nonyl phenol ethoxylate; synthetic alcohol ethoxylate) surfactants were administered in the perfusate at nominal concentrations of 1 mol l^–1 (0.3–0.5 mg l^–1). None of these compounds had any effect on the affinity or the efficacy of the -adrenergic responses. In contrast there was a significant reduction in the efficacy of isoprenaline in the presence of all of the surfactants used but only in the case of the synthetic alcohol ethoxylate was there an effect on the affinity of this agonist for the -adrenergic receptor. The results are discussed in the context of the mechanism of action of these environmental contaminants and the nature of adrenergic receptors in the gill.     

Interaction sites on phosphorylase kinase for calmodulin

Holophosphorylase kinase was digested with Glu-C specific protease; from the peptide mixture calmodulin binding peptides were isolated by affinity chromatography and identified by N-terminal sequence analysis. Two peptides originating from the subunit, having a high tendency to form a positively charged amphiphilic helix and containing tryptophane, were synthesized. Additionally, a homologous region of the subunit and a peptide from the subunit present in a region deleted in the isoform were also selected for synthesis. Binding stoichiometry and affinity were determined by following the enhancement in tryptophane fluorescence occurring upon 1:1 complex formation between these peptides and calmodulin. Finally, Ca²⁺ binding to calmodulin in presence of peptides was measured. By this way, the peptides 542–566, 547–571, 660–677 and 597–614 have been found to bind specifically to calmodulin.Together with previously predicted and synthesized calmodulin binding peptides four calmodulin binding regions have been characterized on each the and subunits. It can be concluded that endogenous calmodulin can bind to two calmodulin binding regions in as well as to two regions in and . Exogenous calmodulin can bind to two regions in and in . A binding stoichiometry of 0.8mol of calmodulin/ protomer of phosphorylase kinase has been determined by inhibiting the ubiquitination of calmodulin with phosphorylase kinase. Phosphorylase kinase is half maximally activated by 23nM calmodulin which is in the affinity range of calmodulin binding peptides from to calmodulin. Therefore, binding of exogenous calmodulin to activates the enzyme. A model for switching endogenous calmodulin between , and and modulation of ATP binding to as well as Mg²⁺/ADP binding to by calmodulin is presented.     

Effects of lactation on the regulation of hepatic metabolism in the rat and sheep: adrenergic receptors and cyclic AMP responses

The number and coupling efficiency of -adrenoceptors in liver membranes and intact hepatocytes of lactating and non-lactating female rats were compared to assess whether or not alterations in this signalling system could contribute towards the changed pattern of hepatic metabolism during lactation. In view of the different adaptations of hepatic metabolism to lactation in ruminants, the adrenergic receptor profile of sheep liver membranes was also determined. Post-receptor responses at two stages down-stream of cyclic AMP generation were also evaluated in rat hepatocytes in response to the -adrenergic agonist isoprenaline. No changes in the number or affinity of hepatic -adrenoceptors were found in sheep or rats when lactating and non-lactating individuals were compared. Sheep liver was found to have a much greater concentration of -adrenoceptors than rat liver, and a much higher ratio of :₁. The sensitivity and responsiveness of cyclic AMP generation in response to isoprenaline were similar in hepatocytes prepared from lactating and non-lactating rats, although the response to saturating concentrations of glucagon was diminished in hepatocytes from lactating rats. The activity ratio of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) also reacted similarly (in respect of both responsiveness and sensitivity) to isoprenaline in these two groups of hepatocytes. Contrastingly, the sensitivity of rat hepatocyte phosphorylase activity to -adrenergic stimulation was greatly diminished during lactation.     

The taxonomic significance of the trunk limbs of the chydoridae (Cladocera)

Summary The differences in the structure of the trunk limbs allow to outline three sections of Chydoridae (see table I and fig. 1), coinciding with the sections distinguished according to the structure of the head pores.

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Chydoridae (Cladocera)

Chydoridae (. ), , .

     

Genetics of Ia-like alloantigens in chickens and linkage withB major histocompatibility complex

Two sets of backcross matings were performed to test for linkage between genes coding for the Ia-like antigens (Ia) and the B erythrocyte antigens (Ea-B) of the chicken. Evidence is presented which indicates that the la antigens are determined by a single codominant locus and that theEa-B and Ia loci are on the same chromosome. Failure to detect a single recombinant between theEa-B and Ia loci out of 208 progeny suggests close linkage of the two genes with a map distance of up to about 2 centimorgans. The Ia genes are thus included in theB major histocompatibility complex of the chicken.     

The effect of monoterpenes on astaxanthin production by a mutant ofPhaffia rhodozyma

Summary The total pigment and astaxanthin content ofPhaffia rhodozyma increased with increasing concentrations -pinene up to 500 l -pinene/l. Above this concentration the total pigment and astaxanthin content as well as the biomass production decreased. The addition of 500 l -pinene/l increased the total pigment content from 1652 g/g to 2201 g/g and the astaxanthin content from 1554 g/g to 1883 g/g. A sharp decrease in maximum specific growth rate occurred above 150 l -pinene/l.     

Polysaccharide and protein secretion by grass microhairs

Summary Secretory activities of bicellular microhairs from grasses belonging to the subfamilies Chloridoideae, Arundinoideae, Panicoideae, and Bambusoideae, and including the chloridoid, panicoid and Enneapogon microhair morphological types, have been investigated. Light microscopic histochemistry indicated that all microhairs studied secrete polysaccharide and protein (or glycoprotein), including those which also secrete salt. Localization of polysaccharide at ultrastructural level using periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazidesilver proteinate staining revealed that in panicoid type microhairs dictyosomes are involved in polysaccharide secretion, whereas in the chloridoid and Enneapogon types partitioning membranes seem to be involved instead.Abbreviations Ag silver precipitates representing localization of polysaccharide - BC basal cell - C cuticle - CC cap cell - CH cuticular chamber - CN system of membrane bound channels and vesicles - CP chloroplast - CW cell wall - D dictyosomes - M mitochondria - N nucleus - PTM partitioning membranes - RER rough endoplasmic reticulum - S secretory material - St starch grain - US unstained dictyosome cisternae - V vesicle     

Sterol conjugates of two phenotypically different calli of Beta vulgaris

Steryl glycosides are the predominant form of sterol at 88% of the total sterol in non-betalain producing calli of Beta vulgaris. The total sterol decreases and sterol form shifts from steryl glycosides to 97% free sterol upon the transition of non-betalain to betalain producing calli. A substantial decrease in stigmasterol (24--ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3-ol) and sitosterol (24-ethylcholest-5-en-3-ol) levels is observed during this transition, and alters the ratio of ⁷:⁵ sterols. Spinasterol (24- ethyl-5-cholesta-7,22E-dien-3-ol) is the dominant sterol at 43% and 95% of the total sterol in non-betalain producing and betalain producing calli. The level of 22-dihydrospinasterol (24-ethyl-5-cholest-7-en-3-ol) is reduced in both calli to 3% from 25% in leaves. Lanosterol (4,4,14-trimethyl-cholesta-8(9),24-dien-3-ol) and cycloartenol (9,19-cyclopropyl-4,4,14-trimethyl-cholest-24-en-3-ol) were identified in betalain and nonbetalain producing callus respectively.     

A new enzymatic route to the synthesis of 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid

Summary Cholic acid (3,7,12-trihydroxy-5-cholanoic acid) was completely and selectively transformed into 12-ketoursodeoxycholic acid (3,7-dihydroxy-12-oxo-5-cholanoic acid) by means of two consecutive enzymatic steps catalyzed, the first, by 7- and 12-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and, the second, by 7-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Coenzyme regeneration was carried out with -ketoglutarate-glutamate dehydrogenase and glucose-glucose dehydrogenase, respectively.     

Über die Eignung von Naphthyl-α-l-fucosiden zur Untersuchung der α-l-Fucosidasen

Zusammenfassung Verglichen mit 1- und 2-Naphthyl--d-glucosid,--d-galactosid,--d-glucuronid,--d-N-acetylglucosaminid,--d-glucosid,--d-galactosid und--d-mannosid werden 1- und 2-Naphthyl--l-fucosid schneller oder im gleichen Ausmaß von Homogenaten verschiedener Rattenorgane hydrolysiert. Trotzdem fällt der histochemische Nachweis der -l-Fucosidasen methodenunabhängig im Gegensatz zu dem der anderen Glykosidasen überwiegend negativ aus. Ursache dafür ist die massive Hemmung der -l-Fucosidase durch Aldehydfixation und Diazoniumsalze; die Inhibitionsrate liegt bei 90% bzw. zwischen 85 und 98%; die - und -d-Glucosidase, - und -d-Galactosidase, -d-Mannosidase, -d-Glucuronidase sowie -d-N-Acetylglucosaminidase werden durch Aldehydfixation oder Kuppler höchstens zu 70% gehemmt. Daher können 1- und 2-Naphthyl--l-fucosid für die histochemische Darstellung der -l-Fucosidase nicht einschränkungslos empfohlen werden. Kleine Mengen Dimethylformamid hemmen die meisten Glykosidasen nicht.Für biochemische Messungen der -l-Fucosidase eignet sich speziell 1-Naphthyl--l-fucosid und läßt sich an Stelle von p-Nitrophenyl--l-fucosid werwenden. Bei der fluorometrischen Untersuchung der -l-Fucosidase in Rattenorganen mit dem 2-Naphthylderivat ergeben sich bemerkenswerte Aktivitätsunterschiede.

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Suitability of naphthyl--l-fucosides for the investigation of -l-fucosidases

Summary In comparison with 1- and 2-naphthyl -d-glucoside, -d-galactoside, -d-glucuronide, -d-N-acetylglucosaminide, -d-glucoside, -d-galactoside and -d-mannoside 1- and 2-naphthyl -l-fucoside are hydrolyzed more quickly or to the same extent by homogenates prepared from freezedried cryostate sections of various rat organs. Nevertheless, when the fucosides are employed for the histochemical demonstration of -l-fucosidase mostly negative data were obtained independent on the method used, whereas all other naphthyl glycosides deliver positive results. The reasons for these discrepancies are the marked inhibition of -l-fucosidase by aldehyde fixation and diazonium salts. Then, -l-fucosidase activity is suppressed to 90% and between 85 and 98% respectively; the inhibition of - and -d-glucosidase, - and -d-galactosidase, -d-mannosidase, -d-glucuronidase and -d-N-acetylglucosaminidase by the fixative or coupling reagent does not exceed 70%. Therefore 1- and 2-naphthyl -l-fucoside cannot be recommended in general for histochemical purposes. Small amounts of dimethylformamide do not influence the activity of most of the glycosidases investigated.For biochemical measurements, however, especially 1-naphthyl -l-fucoside represents a suitable alternative in a fluorometric procedure instead of p-nitrophenyl -l-fucoside used for the photometric evaluation of -l-fucosidase. With the fluorometric method the enzyme was measured in rat organs, which posses remarkably different activities of -l-fucosidase.

     

Zur Dynamik feiner Pseudopodien von Hochmoor-Amöben

Zusammenfassung Es werden verschiedene Vorgänge an sehr zarten Pseudopodien beschrieben und mit Hilfe der an submikroskopischen Fibrillen (schraubig gebauten Mikrofibrillen und Mikroröhrchen der Elektronenmikroskopie) auftretenden Torsionsspannungen und Rotationen gedeutet.

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On the dynamics of slender pseudopodia of bog amebae

Summary Different processes which occur on very slender pseudopods are described. They are interpreted with the help of torsional forces and revolutions of the submicroscopic fibrils (helical microfibrils and microtubules in electron microscopy).

     

Contextualizing Images in Dreams and Daydreams

A contextualizing image (CI) is a powerful central image of a dream which appears to contextualize (provide a picture-context for) the dreamer's emotion. For instance, dreamers who have experienced any serious traumatic event sometimes dream, I was overwhelmed by a tidal wave. This appears to picture their feeling of terror and/or vulnerability.A scoring system for CIs is examined here and is applied to dreams and daydreams supplied by 40 students. Two raters scoring dreams on a blind basis showed good inter-rater reliability. Recent dreams were shown to have more as well as more intense CIs than recent daydreams; likewise, dreams that stand out had more intense CIs than daydreams that stand out. Students with thin boundaries had more and more intense CIs than students with thick boundaries in their recent dreams and nightmare, but not so clearly in dreams and nightmares that stand out. The emotions judged as contextualized by the powerful images tended towards fear/terror and helplessness/vulnerability in dreams (especially in dreams that stand out) whereas emotions contextualized by images in daydreams showed a wide range with no clusters.     

The human genes for the α and γ subunits of the mast cell receptor for immunoglobulin E are located on human chromosome band 1823

The receptor with high affinity for immunoglobulin E (FcERI) is a key molecule in triggering the allergic reaction. It is tetrameric complex of one subunit, one subunit, and two disulfide-linked subunits. This receptor is present exclusively on mast cells and basophils. Molecules identical to the subunit of FcRI also form cell surface complex with other Fc receptors such as mouse FcRIIa in macrophages and most probably with human FcRIII (CD16) in natural killer (NK) cells. Here we show by in situ hybridization that the human genes for the (FCER1A) and subunits (FCER1 G) of FcERI and the gene for FcRIII (FCGR3, CD16) are located on human chromosome band 1823.     

Topography of the subunits of Micrococcus lysodeikticus F1-ATPase

Summary The combined use of proteolytic digestion and lactoperoxidase catalyzed labelling with [¹²⁵I] applied to membrane-bound or soluble pure F₁-ATPase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus has allowed us to establish the topography of its , , and subunits within the protein molecule and with respect to the plane of the membrane.The subunit is most externally located to the membrane bilayer looking towards the cytoplasmic face, a position consistent with its proposed catalytic role. The and subunits lie in an intermediate layer between the subunits and the membrane, in which the subunit occupies a central position within the F₁-ATPase molecule in contact with the subunit. The subunit appears to be tightly bound to the F₀ component of the ATPase complex, probably buried in the membrane bilayer. A molecular arrangement of M. lysodeikticus ATPase is proposed that, taking into account the subunit stoichiometry _{3 3 2 2} (MW 420 000), accommodates the role assigned to each subunit and most, if not all, the known properties of this bacterial energy-transducing protein.     

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.     

Pancreatic glucagon cells contain endorphin-like immunoreactivity

Summary On the basis of the histochemical activity of succinic dehydrogenase, only two fibre-types are distinguished in pigeon pectoralis major muscle. These are narrow Red and broad White. The histochemical activity of myofibrillar ATPase was studied in these two distinct fibre-types. Both fibre-types showed high activity for the ATPase. Red fibres of pigeon pectoralis were not alkali-labile, at incubation pH 9.4, as were the Type I fibres of both avian and mammalian muscles. Again unlike Type I fibres, the Red fibres of pigeon pectoralis lacked the characteristic activation of acid-preincubated ATPase reaction. Pigeon pectoralis Red fibres are known to posses some characteristics of fast-twitch fibres (e.g. high fat, considerable phosphorylase, fibrillenstruktur myofibrillar arrangement, focal en plaque pattern of nerve endings). It is emphasized, therefore, that the pigeon pectoralis Red fibres are not equivalent to Type I or slow-twitch, muscle fibres, but they are possibly fast-twitch fatigue resistent or Type II Red muscle fibres.     

Visualization of the uptake of high-density lipoprotein by rat aortic endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in vitro

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) were conjugated to Fluorescein 1,1-dioctadecyl 3,3,3,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) or colloidal gold for the investigation of ultrastructural aspects of binding and uptake of HDL by cholesterol-loaded cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells from rat aorta. When cells were incubated for 2h at 4°C, HDL–DiI and HDL–gold conjugates were seen only on the cell surface. When cells were returned to incubation at 37°C for 5min, HDL–DiI appeared in the cytoplasm and colocalized with the fluorescent cholesteryl ester tag BODIPY-FL-C₁₂. HDL–gold conjugates appeared in the plasmalemmal invaginations and plasmalemmal vesicles. After incubation for 15min, most of the HDL–gold conjugates reappeared on the cell surface. After incubation for 30min, only a few conjugates were observed and they localized in lysosomal-like bodies. Quantitative data indicated that when the cholesterol-loaded cells were incubated at 4°C for 2h, the numbers of HDL–gold associated in clusters on the endothelial cell surface was 1.18 clusters/m. When cells were returned to incubation at 37°C for 5min, this value decreased to 0.7, increased again to 1.13 at 15min, and decreased to 0.29 at 30min. The numbers of clusters in the plasmalemmal invaginations were 0.06 clusters/m at 4°C for 2h, increased to 0.34 at 37°C for 5min and decreased gradually to 0.19 and 0.04 at 15 and 30min, respectively. The incidence of clusters in the plasmalemmal vesicles per non-nuclear cytoplasm was 0.01 clusters/m² at 4°C for 2h, increased significantly to 1.08 at 37°C for 5min, and decreased to 0.43 and 0.14 at 15 and 30min, respectively. This work supports that the plasmalemmal invaginations and plasmalemmal vesicles are linked to the HDL uptake in cholesterol-loaded aortic endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.     

Aufbau, Variabilit?t und m?gliche Funktionen des Rufduetts beim ThermometerhuhnLeipoa ocellata

Zusammenfassung Beim ThermometerhuhnLeipoa ocellata tragen die Partner eine Paares ein Rufduett vor. Der Anteil des besteht aus einer Rufreihe, die sich aus einer Folge von 2–7 identischen, zweisilbigen Rufen zusammensetzt. Das trägt einen einzelnen, obertonreichen und langgezogenen Ruf vor. Sowohl der Ruf des als auch die Rufreihe des wird in Serien vorgetragen. Innerhalb einer solcher Ruf- bzw. Rufreihenserie können mehrere Duette auftreten. Die Rufe sind jedoch nicht ausschließlich an das Duett gebunden. Die Variabilität im Aufbau des Duetts äußert sich im Zeitpunkt des Einsatzes des antwortenden Vogels, in der Anzahl der -Rufe während des Duetts und in der Anzahl der Einheiten, aus denen sich der Duettanteil des zusammensetzt. Das beginnt signifikant häufiger als das eine Serie, in der ein oder mehrere Duette vorkommen. Ebenso ist es häufiger der Initiator des ersten in dieser Serie liegenden Duetts. Das Duett dient wohl hauptsächlich zur Festigung des Zusammenhalts zwischen den Paarpartnern. Es erfüllt jedoch von seinen physikalischen Eigenschaften her auch die Bedingungen, die für ein territorial wirksames Signal gelten.

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Structure, variability and possible functions of duetting in the Mallee FowlLeipoa ocellata

Summary In the Australian Mallee Fowl,Leipoa ocellata, both and of a pair are involved in a call duet. The part of the consists of a sequence of 2–7 identical two-syllable calls. The contributes a single long-drawn-out call rich in harmonics. The call of the as well as the call sequence of the are presented in series. Within a series of calls () or call sequences () several duets can occur. The respective vocalizations, however, do not exclusively occur during the duet.The variability in the details of the duet expresses itself in the lag period after which the mate responds, in the number of -calls during the duet, and in the number of calls within the call sequence of the . The begins a series during which one or several duets occur significantly more frequently than the . The circumstances under which duetting occurs indicate that duet calling mainly serves to maintain the pair bond. Moreover, due to its physical characteristics the duet also seems to be suited to serve as a territorial signal.

     

The ultrastructural ionic fixation technique localizing acetylcholinesterase activity,reveals simultaneously acetylcholine-like cation in the synaptic vesicles of the motor nerve terminals

Summary A new cytochemical technique is proposed for side by side localization of acetylcholine and of acetylcholinesterase activity of motor end-plate at ultrastructural level. The technique is based on the simultaneous ionic fixation of vesicular acetylcholine and of histochemical copper thiocholine precipitate with phosphomolybdic acid: the molybdic heteropolyanion forms insoluble salts with these two quaternary ammonium cations, providing in situ acetylcholine phosphomolybdate and copper thiocholine phosphomolybdate. Both of them are osmium resistant; the electron dense precipitates allow for a fine localization of acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase activity at electron microscopic level.     

Cryptomonad biliproteins — an evolutionary perspective

Each cryptomonad strain contains only a single spectroscopic type of biliprotein. These biliproteins are isolated as 50000 kDa '₂ complexes which carry one bilin on the and three on the subunit. Six different bilins are present on the cryptomonad biliproteins, two of which (phycocyanobilin and phycoerythrobilin) also occur in cyanobacterial and rhodophytan biliproteins, while four are known only in the cryptomonads. The subunit is encoded on the chloroplast genome, whereas the subunits are encoded by a small nuclear multigene family. The subunits of all cryptomonad biliproteins, regardless of spectroscopic type, have highly conserved amino acid sequences, which show > 80% identity with those of rhodophytan phycoerythrin subunits. In contrast, cyanobacteria and red algal chloroplasts each contain several spectroscopically distinct biliproteins organized into macromolecular complexes (phycobilisomes). The data on biliproteins, as well as several other lines of evidence, indicate that the cryptomonad biliprotein antenna system is primitive and antedates that of the cyanobacteria. It is proposed that the gene encoding the cryptomonad biliprotein subunit is the ancestral gene of the gene family encoding cyanobacterial and rhodophytan biliprotein and subunits.Abbreviations Chl chlorophyll - CER chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum - SSU rRNA small subunit ribosomal RNA