Potassium Ions are More Effective than Sodium Ions in Salt Induced Peptide Formation

Prebiotic peptide formation under aqueous conditions in the presence of metal ions is one of the plausible triggers of the emergence of life. The salt-induced peptide formation reaction has been suggested as being prebiotically relevant and was examined for the formation of peptides in NaCl solutions. In previous work we have argued that the first protocell could have emerged in KCl solution. Using HPLC-MS/MS analysis, we found that K⁺ is more than an order of magnitude more effective in the L-glutamic acid oligomerization with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in aqueous solutions than the same concentration of Na⁺, which is consistent with the diffusion theory calculations. We anticipate that prebiotic peptides could have formed with K⁺ as the driving force, not Na⁺, as commonly believed.     

Qualitative and Quantitative Studies on DNA and RNA Synthesis in Loxodes striatus Nuclei*

SYNOPSIS. In this study the characteristics of the synthesis of DNA and RNA in the nuclei of Loxodes were investigated. Loxodes striatus is a primitive ciliate with 2 pairs of structurally differentiated diploid nuclei, the macro- and micronuclei. The macronuclei are differentiated morphologically into a clearly recognizable central core and an outer zone. To determine DNA and RNA synthesis, individual organisms were analyzed by autoradiography after incubating groups of cells with a ³H-labeled precursor ([³H]thymidine for DNA and [³H]uridine for RNA). The following observations were made: (A) All portions of macro- and micronuclei appeared to contain DNA as judged by the localizations of incorporated [³H]thymidine. (B) The macro- and micronuclei did not synthesize DNA at the same time; moreover, the duration of DNA synthesis in the former was much longer than of the latter nucleus. (C) Replication of DNA in the inner core and outer zone of the macronucleus occurred at separate times with little if any overlap. (D) All of the detectable [³H]uridine incorporation was found in the macronucleus and none in the micronucleus. Within the macro-nucleus the central core was more heavily labeled. (E) The quantitative differences in the label of the different components of the nuclear complex were investigated. (F) Contrary to the previously reported information our results suggest that DNA synthesis can occur in adult macronuclei. The possible explanation of these results is discussed in the context of the nuclear evolution of ciliates and of recent information on nuclear differentiation.     

碳离子辐射诱导的远隔效应

放射治疗诱导的远隔效应能够抑制非辐射区域内肿瘤的生长，目前已有临床和临床前研究表明，常规放疗射线（X射线、γ射线）能够诱导远隔效应的发生，但是对于其发生的机理以及碳离子诱导的远隔效应研究较少。与常规放疗射线相比，碳离子束具有高传能线密度、高相对生物效应、低氧增强比以及复杂DNA损伤等优势，并且具有激活肿瘤细胞更强免疫原性的潜力。本文综述了常规放疗以及碳离子放射治疗诱导的远隔效应及其机理，为寻找更有效的癌症放疗方法提供参考。     

枸杞体细胞胚发生中对痕量金属离子吸收的动态研究

以药用植物宁夏枸杞（Lycium barbarum L.)愈伤组织为材料,离体培养诱导体细胞胚发生,采用多重示踪技术和γ射线能谱分析法研究枸杞研究枸杞体细胞胚发生中对多种痕量金属离子的吸收动态,结果表明：（1）体胚发生中对多种痕量金属离子的吸收呈选择性。对多重示踪剂溶液中的23种核素,只吸收了其中的16种（Mn-52,Zn-65,Co-56,Co-60,As-74,mTc-95,Rh-99,V-48,Rb-83,Rb-84,Sr-85,Y-87,Y-88,Zr-88,Zr-89),而对另7种未吸收（Be-7,Tc-96,Ru-97,mRh-101,Sc-46,Ga-67和Cr-51)。（2）吸收呈动态变化,在同一发育期对不同的金属离子吸收率不同,如第10天,大部分金属离子的吸收率在5％／g左右,而se-75,Rb-83,Sr-85,Zr-89的则是10％－30％/g,在不同发育期对同一种金属离子的吸收率不同,如对Se-75的吸收总体呈上升趋势。第5天达第1峰值14％/g。随后缓慢下降,基本稳定,第15天后急剧上升,至第20天达第2个峰值20％／g;随着胚性细胞的分化与分裂,吸收既存在一致性,也存在非一致性。Se-75,Rb-83,Sr-85,Co-56和V－48等核素的吸收趋势相似,基本上呈上升曲线,而Mn-52的吸收趋势则类似正态分布曲线。     

Enhancing Effect of Nickel Ions on the Response to Magnesium Ions of Single Fibers of the Frog Glossopharyngeal Nerve: Competitive Inhibition by Calcium Ions of the Nickel-enhanced Response to Magnesium Ions

Single fibers of the frog glossopharyngeal nerve respond toMgCl₂ at concentrations exceeding 10 mM. NiCl₂ at 1 mM enhancedthe Mg²⁺ response. CaCl₂ at 0.5–2 mM induced an inhibitionof the Ni²⁺-enhanced response to Mg²⁺ ions. A quantitative explanationfor these results is provided by the hypothesis that Ni²⁺ ionssecondarily affect a magnesium receptor (designated X^*_Mg) thatis responsible for the Mg²⁺ response and that Ca²⁺ ions inhibitthe Ni²⁺-enhanced response to Mg²⁺ ions by competing with Mg²⁺ions for X^*_Mg. Double-reciprocal plots of the experimental dataindicate that Ni²⁺ ions do not affect the affinities of X^*_Mgfor both Mg²⁺ ions (agonist) and Ca²⁺ ions (competitive antagonist)appreciably, and that Ni²⁺ ions at 1 mM enhanced the maximalresponse to Mg²⁺ ions by 270%. It appears that a magnesium receptorinteracts with an Ni²⁺-binding element that is affected by Ni²⁺ions and, thus, Ni²⁺ ions can induce an enhancement of the Mg²⁺response. Chem. Senses 22: 613–622,1997.     

Lipid Peroxidation Induced by Phenolics in Conjunction with Aluminum Ions

Using the whole plant and model systems, we demonstrate that the aluminum ions (Al³⁺) stimulate phenolic-dependent lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Donor) roots was 30 % higher under AlCl₃ treatment than without Al. Major decomposition product of lipid peroxidation was 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) but not thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a widely used markers for lipid peroxidation. Similarly, AlCl₃ stimulated lipid peroxidation of soybean liposomes in the presence of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and H₂O₂/horseradish peroxidase system which can oxidize phenolics. Al³⁺ was found to enhance lipid peroxidation induced by oxidized CGA. Intermediates of lignin biosynthesis in plants, including p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid and coniferyl alcohol, also showed similar effects. These results suggest that Al³⁺ has a potential to induce oxidative stress in plants by stimulating the prooxidant nature of endogenous phenolic compounds.     

Analysis of the Chromosome Aberrations Induced by X-Rays in Somatic Cells of DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

A technique has been perfected for enabling good microscope preparations to be obtained from the larval ganglia of Drosophila melanogaster. This system was then tested with X-rays and an extensive series of data was obtained on the chromosome aberrations induced in the various stages of the cell cycle.-The analysis of the results obtained offers the following points of interest: (1) There exists a difference in radio-sensitivity between the two sexes. The females constantly display a greater frequency of both chromosome and chromatid aberrations. They also display a greater frequency of spontaneous aberrations. (2) In both sexes the overall chromosome damage is greater in cells irradiated in stages G(2) and G(1). These two peaks of greater radiosensitivity are produced by a high frequency of terminal deletions and chromatid exchanges and by a high frequency of dicentrics, respectively. (3) The aberrations are not distributed at random among the various chromosomes. On the average, the Y chromosome is found to be more resistant and the breaks are preferentially localized in the pericentromeric heterochromatin of the X chromosome and of the autosomes. (4) Somatic pairing influences the frequency and type of the chromosome aberrations induced. In this system, such an arrangement of the chromosomes results in a high frequency of exchanges and dicentrics between homologous chromosomes and a low frequency of scorable translocations. Moreover, somatic pairing, probably by preventing the formation of looped regions in the interphase chromosomes, results in the almost total absence of intrachanges at both chromosome and chromatid level.     

Genetic Effects Induced by Nickel Sulfate in Germline and Somatic Cells of WR Mice

We examined the effects of nickel sulfate at doses 0.5 to 5.0 mg/kg (1/200–1/20 LD₅₀) on the frequency of dominant lethal mutations and double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) in germline cells and on an increase in frequency in gene mutations W ^y in pigment cells of first-generation mice. The results indicated that spermatogenesis stages most sensitive to nickel sulfate (at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg) are spermatozoids, early spermatids, late spermatocytes, and stem spermatogonia. No statistically significant increase in the total TSB level was detected in spermatozoids 4 weeks after exposure. At the same time, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage of cells with an extremely high level of DNA fragmentation (supposedly apoptotic cells) was observed upon exposure at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Nickel sulfate at doses of 5.0 and 1.0 mg/kg induced a marked increase in the c-kit gene expression in pigment cells of heterozygous first-generation WR mice as compared to control (P < 0.001). It was shown that the nonobservable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of nickel sulfate on the dominant lethal mutation frequency and gene mutations was 1/200 LD₅₀, while the lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL) was 1/100 LD₅₀.__________Translated from Genetika, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 894–901.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Domshlak, Elakov, Osipov.     

Germ-Line and Somatic Recombination Induced by in Vitro Modified P Elements in Drosophila Melanogaster

The P element insertion Δ2-3(99B) has previously been shown to activate incomplete P elements elsewhere in the genome. We show that this element, in conjunction with a second incomplete P element, P[CaSpeR], also induces recombination in the male germ line. The recombination is induced preferentially in the region of the P[CaSpeR] element. Recombinant chromosomes contain the P[CaSpeR] element in more than 50% of cases, and alternative models of transposon replication and preferential chromosome breakage are put forward to explain this finding. As is the case with male recombination induced by P-M dysgenic crosses, recombination appears to be premeiotic in a high proportion of cases. The Δ2-3(99B) element is known to act in somatic cells. Correspondingly, we show that the Δ2-3(99B)-P[CaSpeR] combination elevates the incidence of somatic recombination.     

Induced Formation of Lipase by Geotrichum candidum Link

It was recognized that Geotrichum candidum Link which was selected as the efficient lipase producer formed lipase only in the presence of substrate or its relating compounds such as oils or fatty acids in a cultivation medium. From the experimental results obtained by the cultivation of the microorganism and also by using of washed cells, it seemed that lipase was formed inducibly. It is likely that the produced lipase is localized around the cell wall and membrane and it is released from the cells after a certain period from the inducible synthesis.     

High-Level Expression of Ice Nuclei in Erwinia herbicola Is Induced by Phosphate Starvation and Low Temperature

In laboratory cultures of ice nucleation-active (Ice⁺) Erwinia herbicola isolates, it has been difficult to achieve high-level expression of ice nuclei, especially nuclei active at temperatures warmer than −5°C (i.e., type 1 ice nuclei). Here we demonstrate that starvation for phosphate and exposure to low temperature triggers expression of ice nuclei in E. herbicola cultures. Starvation for nitrogen, sulfur, or iron was less effective. Under optimal conditions with two different strains, essentially all cells produced ice nuclei active at −10°C or warmer, with an average of 22% containing type 1 ice nuclei within 1 h of a low-temperature shift. These conditions did not greatly enhance the shedding of ice nucleation-active membrane vesicles that are known to be produced by Ice⁺ E. herbicola isolates. These results support the theory that the Ice⁺ phenotype may allow nutrient-limited epiphytes to trigger freezing damage, releasing nutrients from host plants. Received: 2 November 1997 / Accepted: 5 January 1998     

Effects of Magnesium Ions on Thermal Inactivation of Alkaline Phosphatase

The effect of Mg²⁺ on the thermal inactivation and unfolding of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase has been studied at different temperatures and Mg²⁺ concentrations. Increasing the Mg²⁺ concentration in the denatured system significantly enhanced the inactivation and unfolding of the enzyme during thermal inactivation. The analysis of the kinetic course of substrate reaction during thermal inactivation showed that at 47°C the increased free Mg²⁺ concentration caused the inactivation rate to increase. Increasing the temperature strengthened the effect of Mg²⁺ on the thermal inactivation. Control experiment showed that this is not due to salt effect. The time course of fluorescence emission spectra showed that the emission maximum for Mg²⁺-containing system was always higher than that of Mg²⁺-free system, and the higher temperature enhanced this difference. In addition, Mg²⁺also enhanced the unfolding rate of the enzyme at 47°C. The potential biological significance of these results are discussed.     

The Formation of Coremia in Ceratocystis piceae Induced by Hexanal

Hexanal, and to a lesser degree nonanal, added in gaseous form induce coremia formation in the blue stain fungus Ceratocystis piceae (Münch) Bakshi grown in axenic agar culture. The optimum initial concentration of hexanal in the gas phase proved to be c. 2 mg/1 (2 × 10⁻⁵M). Possible ecological implications are discussed.     

Changes in the Fine Structure of Microbial Cells Induced by Chaotropic Salts

The electron microscopic examination of thin sections of cells of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris and the gram-positive bacteria Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis showed that cell treatment with the chaotropic salts guanidine hydrochloride (6 M) and guanidine thiocyanate (4 M) at 37°C for 3–5 h or at 100°C for 5–6 min induced degradative processes, which affected almost all cellular structures. The cell wall, however, retained its ultrastructure, integrity, and rigidity, due to which the morphology of cells treated with the chaotropic salts did not change. High-molecular-weight DNA was localized in a new cell compartment, the ectoplasm (a peripheral hydrophilic zone). The chaotropic salts destroyed the outer and inner membranes and partially degraded the outer and inner protein coats of Bacillus subtilis spores, leaving their cortex (the murein layer) unchanged. The spore core became accessible to stains and showed the presence of regions with high and low electron densities. The conditions of cell treatment with the chaotropic salts were chosen to provide for efficient in situ PCR analysis of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes with the use of oligonucleotide primers.     

Morphology of Nurse Cell Nuclei Induced by Meloidodera floridensis: A Graphics Application

The highly irregular distribution of nuclear material in the host nurse cell induced by Meloidodera floridensis has made it difficult to interpret the number of nuclei from two-dimensional micrographs alone. The primary goal of this investigation was to determine the distribution of nuclear material from a three-dimensional solid surface model of the nurse cell nucleus. This model demonstrated the continuity of nuclear material as a single highly irregular nucleus. Custom computer graphics programs were written to accept digitized tracings of nuclear material. From these digitized tracings, a wireframe or polygonalized mesh model was generated. The model was shaded, colored, rotated, and analyzed. This technique provides controlled transparency of the model to display nucleoli within the nucleus. Photographs of the computer screen, color printouts, and video recordings were used to record final results. These refined computer graphic tools have a range of applications in nematode host-parasite relationships, ontogeny, and morphology.     

Chemically Induced Polyploidization in Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel through Somatic Embryogenesis

Polyploid Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel 'Speedy' plants were obtained from somatic embryos induced on anther filaments exposed to mitosis inhibitors. Primary embryos yielded less polyploid plantlets than secondary embryos. Colchicine could be efficiently replaced by oryzalin or trifluralin (10 μM), resulting in an average yield of 5% polyploids. The mitosis inhibitors were directly added to the induction medium. Morphological differences between diploid and tetraploid S. wallisii hybrids were observed. Throughout our experiments flow cytometry was applied as an unambiguous screening tool. Ploidy breeding within the genus Spathiphyllum holds promises towards the development of tetraploid hybrids with an altered morphology, or triploids with a reduced fertility.