Adoptions expérimentales de larves entre des fourmis de genres différents (II):Myrmica laevinodis Nylander etAnergates atratulus Schenck

Résumé Nous avons fait élever des larves d'Anergates atratulus par des ouvrières deMyrmica laevinodis à 22°C. Pour y parvenir, il n'est pas utile de faire hivernerensemble les larves d'Anergates et les ouvrières deMyrmica. La présence de larves autochtones n'empêche pas lesMyrmica d'élever des larves d'Anergates. Dans toutes les expériences lesMyrmica ont été soumises au fridavant de recevoir des larves d'Anergates. Aucune reine deMyrmica n'a été utilisée dans ces expériences.Sur les 64 larves d'Anergates que nous avons utilisées, 38 se sont transformées en imagos. C'est au début de l'adoption et au moment des métamorphoses que périrent la plupart des 26Anergates perdus. Les femelles vécurent en général 2 ou 3 jours et cherchèrent très tôt à quitter le nid natal. Les mâles vécurent 2 à 3 semaines.

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Summary Larvae ofAnergates atratulus were experimentally reared by workers ofMyrmica laevinodis, at 22°C. An overwintering of both larvae ofAnergates and workers ofMyrmica is not necessary for the success of that experiment. The presence of larvae ofMyrmica does not keep theMyrmica from rearing larvae ofAnergates. The workers ofMyrmica have been cooled, in all the experiments, before receiving larvae ofAnergates. No queen ofMyrmica have been used in that experiments.38 of the 64 larvae ofAnergates used became imagos. Most of the 26 lostAnergates died at the beginning of the adoption and during the metamorphosis. The females lived generally 2 or 3 days and tried, very early, to leave their native nest. The males lived 2 or 3 weeks.

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Anergates atratulus Myrmica laevinodis, 22 . bmecme Anergates Myrmica. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica Anergates. Myrmica . 64 Anergates , 38 . 26 Anergates 2 3 . 2 3 .

     

A structural model for elongation factor 1 (EF-1) and phosphorylation by protein kinase CKII

EF-1a binds aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome with the hydrolysis of GTP; the complex facilitates the exchange of GDP for GTP to initiate another round of elongation. To examine the subunit structure of EF-1 and phosphorylation by protein kinase CKII, recombinant , , and subunits from rabbit were expressed in E. coli and the subunits were reconstituted into partial and complete complexes and analyzed by gel filtration. To determine the availability of the and subunits for phosphorylation by CKII, the subunits and the reconstituted complexes were examined as substrates for CKII. Formation of the nucleotide exchange complex increased the rate of phosphorylation of the subunit and reduced the Km, while addition of to or the complex inhibited phosphorylation by CKII. However, a had little effect on phosphorylation of . Thus, the and subunits in EF-1 were differentially phosphorylated by CKII, in that phosphorylation of was altered by association with other subunits, while the site on was always available for phosphorylation by CKII. From the availability of the subunits for phosphorylation by CKII and the composition of the reconstituted partial and complete complexes, a model for the subunit structure of EF-1 consisting of (22)2 is proposed and discussed.     

Variant forms ofα-2-l-fucosyltransferase in human submaxillary glands from blood group ABH “secretor” and “non-secretor” individuals

The properties of the -2-l-fucosyltransferases in submaxillary gland preparations from blood group ABH secrefors and non-secretors were compared. The level of activity in the non-secretor gland homogenates amounted to about 5% only of that found in the secretor gland preparations. The enzymes from the two sources differed in solubility properties, charge and affinities for donor and acceptor substrates. The enzyme from secretor glands showed a preference for acceptors with Type 1 [d-galactosyl(1–3)-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine] structures whereas the enzyme from non-secretor glands had a preference for Type 2 [d-galactosyl(1–4)-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine] structures.These results demonstrate that expression of the secretor gene (Se) is associated with a molecular form of the -2-l-fucosyltransferase that is different from the species present in the same tissue when theSe gene is not expressed.     

The sialyl-α2,6-lactosaminyl-structure: Biosynthesis and functional role

Sialylation represents one of the most frequently occurring terminations of the oligosaccharide chains of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Sialic acid is commonly found ,3- or ,6-linked to galactose (Gal), ,6-linked to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) or ,8-linked to another sialic acid. The biosynthesis of the various linkages is mediated by the different members of the sialyltransferase family. The addition of sialic acid in ,6-linkage to the galactose residue of lactosamine (type 2 chains) is catalyzed by -galactoside ,6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal.I). Although expressed by a single gene, this enzyme shows a complex pattern of regulation which allows its tissue- and stage-specific modulation. The cognate oligosaccharide structure, NeuAc,6Gal1,4GIcNAc, is widely distributed among tissues and is involved in biological processes such as the regulation of the immune response and the progression of colon cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the biochemistry of ST6Gal.I and on the functional role of the sialyl-,6-lactosaminyl structure.     

Preparation of a series of sulfated tetrasaccharides from shark cartilage chondroitin sulfate D using testicular hyaluronidase and structure determination by 500 MHz1H NMR spectroscopy

Six tetrasaccharide fractions were isolated from shark cartilage chondroitin sulfate D by gel filtration chromatography followed by HPLC on an amine-bound silica column after exhaustive digestion with testicular hyaluronidase. Their structures were determined unambiguously by one- and two-dimensional 500 MHz¹H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with HPLC analysis of chondroitinase AC-II digests of the tetrasaccharides. One fraction was found to contain two tetrasaccharide components. All the seven tetrasaccharides shared the common core structure GlcA1-3GalNAc1-4GlcA1-3GalNAc with various sulfation profiles. Four were disulfated comprising of two monosulfated disaccharide units GlcA1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate) and/or GlcA1-3GalNAc(6-sulfate), whereas the other three were hitherto unreported trisulfated tetrasaccharides containing a disulfated disaccharide unit GlcA(2-sulfate)1-3GalNAc(6-sulfate) and a monosulfated disaccharide unit GlcA1-3GalNAc(4-or 6-sulfate). These sulfated tetrasaccharides were demonstrated to serve as appropriate acceptor substrates for serum -N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, indicating their usefulness as authentic oligosaccharide substrates or probes for the glycobiology of sulfated glycosaminoglycans.Abbreviations NFU National formulary unit - COSY correlation spectroscopy - HOHAHA homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn - 1D or 2D one- or two-dimensional - IdoA l-iduronic acid - GlcA d-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid - Di-0S GlcA1-3GalNAc - Di-4S GlcA1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate) - Di-4S GlcA1-3GalNAc(4-sulfate) - Di-6S GlcA1-3GalNAc(6-sulfate) - Di-6S GlcA1-3GalNAc(6-sulfate) - Di-diS _d GlcA(2-sulfate)1-3GalNAc(6-sulfate) - Di-diS_E GlcA1-3GalNAc(4, 6-disulfate) - U G, U, 2S, 4S, and 6S represent GlcA, GalNAc, GlcA, 2-O-sulfate, 4-O-sulfate, and 6-O-sulfate, respectively     

Puromycin enhances 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced protein synthesis in wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster

The effect of cycloheximide and puromycin on 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced protein synthesis in wing discs of Drosophila melanogaster has been studied by one-dimensional and two-dimensional SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis. It is found that puromycin, but not cycloheximide, when applied simultaneously with the hormone enhanced the hormone-induced synthesis of the early and late proteins. However, when puromycin was applied after hormone treatment, only the late proteins were induced. The possible implication of these observations is discussed.     

DNA markers tightly linked to a gall midge resistance gene (Gm2) are potentially useful for marker-aided selection in rice breeding

We have developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that could effectively reduce the time period required to screen and select for Gall Midgeresistant rice lines under field conditions. The primers for the assay were designed on the basis of sequence information of two phenotype specific random amplified polymorphic DNA fragments which were found to be tightly linked to Gall Midge biotype-1 resistance gene (Gm2). The two RAPD fragments, F8₁₇₀₀ in the susceptible parent ARC6650 and F10₆₀₀ in the resistant parent Phalguna, were identified after screening 5450 loci using 520 random primers on genomic DNAs of ARC6650 and Phalguna. These primers, when used in a multiplexed PCR, amplified specifically a 1.7-kb and 0.6-kb fragment in the susceptible and resistant parents, respectively. When this assay was performed on genomic DNAs of 44 recombinant inbred lines derived from ARC6650 x Phalguna and 5 lines derived from other crosses where one of the parents was Phalguna, ARC6650 or their derivatives, the primers amplified a 1.7-kb fragment in all of the susceptible lines or a 0.6-kb fragment in all of the resistant ones. These markers can be of potential use in the marker-aided selection of Gall Midge biotype-1 resistant phenotypes. As screening for resistance can now be conducted independent of the availability of insects, the breeding of resistant varieties can be hastened.     

Pleconax Rafin. — eine bis heute unbeachtete Silenoideen-Gattung (Caryophyllaceae)

Zusammenfassung Die zwischen den Arten der SektionConoimorpha Otth (UntergattungConocalyx Willk.) der GattungSilene und den übrigen Arten derselben Gattung sowie aller übrigen Gattungen der TribusLychnideae A. Br. existierenden Unterschiede berechtigen zur Abtrennung dieser Sektion (Untergattung) als selbständige GattungPleconax Rafin. Nach bisherigen Untersuchungen gehören in diese Gattung folgende Arten und Unterarten:Pleconax ammophila (Boiss.)ourková mit subsp.ammophila und subsp.carpathae (Chowdhuri)ourková,P. amphorina (Pomel)ourková,P. conica (L.)ourková mit subsp.conica und subsp.conomaritima (D.Jord. et P.Pan.)ourková,P. coniflora (Nees)ourková,P. conoidea (L.)ourková,P. lydia (Boiss.)ourková,P. macrodonta (Boiss.)ourková,P. multinervia (Wats.)ourková,P. sartorii (Boiss. etHeldr.)ourková,P. subconica (Friv. emend. D.Jord. et P.Pan.)ourková mit subsp.subconica und subsp.grisebachii (David.)ourková sowieP. tempskyana (Freyn etSint.)ourková. Die angeführten nomenklatorischen Umkombinationen werden hier zum ersten Male veröffentlicht.     

α-Isopropylmalate synthase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H 16

The purified isopropylmalate synthase of Alcaligenes eutrophus H 16 reacted with the following -keto acids and acyl-coenzyme A derivatives (in the sequence of decreasing affinities): -ketoisovalerate, -keto-n-valerate, -ketobutyrate and pyruvate; acetyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, butyryl-CoA. malonyl-CoA, valeryl-CoA, and crotonyl-CoA. -Ketoisocaproate, however, is a strong inhibitor of the enzyme. All reactions catalyzed by isopropylmalate synthase were inhibited to the same extent by the endproduct l-leucine. the substrate saturation curves of -ketoisovalerate or other -keto acids and of acetyl-coenzyme A or other acyl-CoA derivatives had intermediary plateau regions; the Hill coefficient alternated between n _H -values higher and lower than 1.0, indicating changes from positive to negative and from negative to positive cooperativity for the substrates. The products, isopropylmalate and free coenzyme A, showed competitive inhibition patterns against both substrates (-ketoisovalerate and acetyl-CoA). Free coenzyme A (1 M) inactivated the enzyme irreversibly. The 3-phosphate of coenzyme A and the free carboxyl group of -ketoisovalerate were involved in optimal binding of these substrates, but 3-dephospho-acetyl-coenzyme A and the methylester of -ketoisovalerate were also converted by this enzyme. A CH₃–CH₂-grouping of the -keto acids seemed to be necessary for binding this substrate.Abbreviations Used CoA Coenzyme A - Tris Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride - DTNB 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) - IPM -Isopropylmalate - KIV -Ketoisovalerate Prepared from doctoral thesis of the University of Göttingen 1973     

Demonstration of ‘cardiac-specific’ myosin heavy chain in masticatory muscles of human and rabbit

Summary Human and rabbit masticatory muscles were analyzed immuno-and enzyme-histochemically using antibodies specific to cardiac , slow and fast myosin heavy chain isoforms. In human masseter, temporalis, and lateral pterygoid muscle cardiac myosin heavy chain is found in fibres that contain either fast, or fast and slow myosin heavy chain. In rabbit masseter, temporalis and digastric muscles, fibres are present that express cardiac myosin heavy chain either exclusively, or concomitantly with slow myosin heavy chain or fast myosin heavy chain. Our results demonstrate a much broader distribution of cardiac myosin heavy chain than hitherto recognized and these might explain in part the specific characteristics of masticatory muscles. The cardiac myosin heavy chain is only found in skeletal muscles originating from the cranial part of the embryo (including the heart muscle) suggesting that its expression might be determined by the developmental history of these muscles.     

Design of superactive and selective integrin receptor antagonists containing the RGD sequence

Summary Integrins play a major role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The majority of the different types of integrins recognize the tripeptide sequence arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD). To explore the spatial requirements of the pharmacophore for receptor selectivity and high activity, a new procedure, spatial screening, was used. The procedure is based on the experience that the conformation of small cyclic peptides is mainly determined by the chirality of the amino acids (and glycine or proline). For example, cyclic pentapeptides with one d and four l amino acids prefer a II'/ conformation. The sequence RGDFV was shifted around this spatial II'/ template by synthesis of five peptides in which one of the amino acids was used in d-configuration. It turned out that cyclo(-RGDfV-) is a selective inhibitor for the _v3 integrin, which is strongly expressed in cancer cells. Systematic variations with different turn mimetics, retro-inverso structures, modified peptide bonds and sugar amino acids are discussed.     

Ecological theories and Dutch nature conservation

This paper aims to achieve insight into various ecological theories in the Netherlands which have different, and sometimes opposing, views on the conservation of nature. Interviews, publications and archival research brought to light four separate theories: vitalistic/holistic, dynamic, cybernetic and chaos. Diversity is reached through stability according to vitalistic/holistic and cybernetic theories, but through change and instablility according to the dynamic and chaos theories. These two groups are working apart, and continue to have their own ideas. Prediction of the future is only possible with the vitalistic/holistic and cybernetic theories. Ecologists who adhere to these theories feel responsible and able in different ways to change ecological nature towards desirable end goals. The other two theories, dynamic and chaos, appear to be less activist.     

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.     

Prerequisite for His4 in deltorphin A for highδ opioid receptor selectivity

Summary Analysis of deltorphin A position 4 analogues included: backbone constrained N MeHis, spinacine (Spi), N MePhe and the tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic); spatially confined side-chain (Phg); and imidazole alkylation ofl- andd-His⁴ enantiomers. High selectivity was lost with the following replacements: N MeHis⁴, N MePhe⁴ and Phg⁴ reduced binding and the constrained residues also increasedµ binding; ring closure between the side-chain and amino group to yield Spi⁴ or Tic⁴ increasedµ affinity. Imidazole methylation of His⁴ marginally affected opioid binding and doubled selectivity; alkylatedd-His⁴-derivatives generally maintained selectivity in spite of decreased affinities. Thus, His⁴ imidazole preserves selectivity by facilitating high binding and by repulsion at theµ receptor. Several low energy conformers of deltorphin A indicated that the His⁴ imidazole preferred a spatial orientation parallel to the phenolic side-chain of Tyr¹ suggestive that this conformation might contribute to high affinity and selectivity.     

An explication of ‘wind illness’ in Northern Thailand

Wind illness is a very common complaint among the Northern Thai, yet is rarely recognized by Thai physicians trained in biomedicine. Persons most susceptible to wind illness are adult women who have ever borne a child. Consequently, data were obtained from 415 everparous women, 43% of whom reported ever having had wind illness and 57%, never having had it. In addition, 20 individuals who had ever had the syndrome were followed for case study, and 13 indigenous healers who traditionally treat clients suffering wind illness were interviewed. Their perceptions of the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of wind illness are reported in Part I. Part II is an attempt to define wind illness in terms of biomedicine and as a consequence of fertility. Part III synthesizes the emic and etic accounts with explanations for the perdurance of wind illness despite the advances of biomedicine and the recent fertility decline in Northern Thailand.     

Lectin histochemistry of complex carbohydrates in human cervix

Summary Complex carbohydrates in the human cervix were studied histochemically using lectins, conjugated to horseradish peroxidase and correlated procedures. Stratified squamous epithelium of the exocervix and columnar epithelium of the endocervix in some, but not all specimens showed staining for terminal -N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, -d-galactose, -d-galactose and -l-fucose. the staining for -N-acetylgalactosamine and -galactose, the terminal sugars in blood group A and B antigens respectively, corresponded to a large extent with ABO blood type. One exception was the lack of staining for terminal -N-acetylgalactosamine in endocervical secretions in three of nine blood type A patients. A second exception was the staining for terminal -galactose in endocervical secretions in about half of blood type O and A specimens. The type and amount of glycoprotein formed by endocervical columnar cells differed according to location in superficial compared with deep portions of the glands and according to location at the junction with exocervix compared with the more internal regions. Staining of endothelial cells for blood group A and B antigens was confined to subjects of blood type A and B respectively, although three of nine type A specimens showed no lectin reactivity for group, A antigen. Endothelial cells evidenced affinity forUlex europeus I agglutinin demonstrative of fucose in all specimens. Mast cells disclosed lectin affinity consistent with the presence of terminal or internal mannose orN-acetylglucosamine residues. Two blood type O specimens were examined with conjugated lectins at the ultrastructural level. Secretory granules stained for content of terminal -galactose, -galactose and fucose. These results support and concur with biochemical studies of complex carbohydrates in human cervical tissues. They reveal, in addition, the location of the blood group antigens in the human exocervix and endocervix and the marked heterogeneity among endocervical columnar cells in glycoprotein production.     

Optical quality changes of the ocular lens during induced parr-to-smolt metamorphosis in Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

The effect of an induced salmonid parr-to-smolt metamorphosis (smoltification) on the optical quality of the ocular lens was studied. In two separate experiments, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) parr were fed thyroxine in their diet to induce the metamorphosis. Lenses were excised at regular samplings during the treatment period and optically scanned using a custom scanning laser monitor. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum titers of thyroxine and 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine. It was found that lens optical quality was consistently negatively correlated with 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine levels, but not with thyroxine levels. To test if thyroid hormones are directly responsible for the change in optical quality, rainbow trout lenses were cultured for 72 h in a medium containing 3,5,3-triiodo-L-thyronine, but no effect was observed. The significance of these findings in the contexts of the fishes visual capabilities and smolting physiology is discussed.     

Erratum: Cloning and sequencing of the phycocyanin gene from Spirulina maxima and its evolutionary analysis

The genes were cloned for the two apoprotein subunits, and ,of phycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Spirulina maxima = Arthrospiramaxima) strain F3. The - and -subunit gene-coding regionscontain 489 bp and 519 bp, respectively. The -subunit gene is upstreamfrom the -subunit gene, with a 111-bp segment separating them.Similarities between the -subunits of S. maxima and nine othercyanobacteria were between 58% and 99%, as were those between the -subunits. The maximum similarity between the - and -subunits from S. maxima was 27%.     

Full 1H NMR assignment of a 24-nucleotide RNA hairpin: Application of the 1H 3D-NOE/2QC experiment

The subject RNA models the binding site for the coat protein of the R17 virus, as well as the ribosome recognition sequence for the R17 replicase gene. With an RNA of this size, overlaps among the sugar protons complicate assignments of the ¹H NMR spectrum. The cross peaks that overlap significantly in 2D-NOE spectra can frequently be resolved by introducing a third, in our approach the double-quantum, frequency axis. In particular the planes in a 3D-NOE/2QC spectrum perpendicular to the 2Q axis are extremely useful, showing a highly informative repeating NOE-2Q pattern. In this experiment substantial J-coupling confers special advantages. This always occurs for geminal pairs (H5/H5 for RNA plus H2/H2 for DNA), as well as for H5/H6, for H3/H4 in sugars with substantial populations of the N-pucker, for H1/H2 for S-puckered sugars, and usually for H2/H3. For the 24-mer RNA hairpin the additional information from the 3D-NOE/2QC spectrum allowed assignment of all of the non-exchangeable protons, eliminating the need for stable-isotope labeling.     

Hydrogen isotope discrimination in higher plants: Correlations with photosynthetic pathway and environment

Summary The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen (expressed as D) in hydrogen released as water during the combustion of dried plant material was examined. The D value (metabolic hydrogen) determined on plant materials grown under controlled conditions is correlated with pathways of photosynthetic carbon metabolism. C₃ plants show mean D values of-132 for shoots and -117 for roots; C₄ plants show mean D values of -91 for shoots and-77 for roots and CAM plants a D value of-75 for roots and shoots. The difference between the D value of shoot material from C₃ and C₄ plants was confirmed in species growing under a range of glasshouse conditions. This difference in D value between C₃ and C₄ species does not appear to be due to differences in the D value (tissue water) in the plants as a result of physical fractionation of hydrogen isotopes during transpiration. In C₃ and C₄ plants the hydrogen isotope discrimination is in the same direction as the carbon isotope discrimination and factors contributing to the difference in D values are discussed. In CAM plants grown in the laboratory or collected from the field D values range from-75 to +50 and are correlated with ¹³C values. When deprived of water, the D value (metabolic hydrogen) in both soluble and insoluble material in leaves of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Hamet et Perr., becomes less negative. These changes may reflect the deuterium enrichment of tissue water during transpiration, or in field conditions, may reflect the different D value of available water in areas of increasing aridity. Whatever the origin of the variable D value in CAM plants, this parameter may be a useful index of the water relations of these plants under natural conditions.