Carotenoid pigments of Sorangium compositum (Myxobacterales) including two new carotenoid glucoside esters and two new carotenoid rhamnosides

Summary The carotenoid pigments of the myxobacterium Sorangium compositum were analyzed by chromatographical and chemical techniques and by visible, infra red, and mass spectroscopy. Besides -carotene, neurosporene, torulene, lycopene, and 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy--carotene, four new carotenoid glycosides were found. These pigments were identified as 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-torulene glucoside ester (I), 1,2-dihydro-3,1-dihydroxy-torulene glucoside ester (III), 1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-torulene rhamnoside (II), and 1,2-dihydro-3,1-dihydroxytorulene rhamnoside (IV).Fifth communication on the carotenoids of myxobacteria. Fourth communication see Arch. Mikrobiol. 76, 364–380 (1971).     

Screening of turfgrass species and cultivars for NaCl tolerance

Summary Information regarding the relative levels of salt tolerance between cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is lacking. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop a simple, quick and sensitive method of screening turfgrass species for NaCl tolerance and 2) to compare the relative salt tolerance of five cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (Ram I, Adelphi, Baron, Bensun, and Nassau) to other known salt tolerant turfgrass species such as alkalaigrass (Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl. cv. Fults) and two cultivars of red fescue (Festuca rubra L. Dawson, and Checker).Alkalaigrass and both cultivars of red fescue retained a high level of salt tolerance compared to the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. Significant variability in salt tolerance was apparent among the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars with Adelphi and Ram I exhibiting the best overall tolerance.     

Cytological characterization,powdery mildew resistance and storage protein composition of tetraploid and hexaploid 1BL/1RS wheat-rye translocation lines

Summary Progenies of a tetraploid 1BL/1RS wheat-rye translocation line, CV 256, selected from the cross Cando x Veery, were analyzed by means of Giemsa C-banding. CV 256 is cytologically stable for the presence of the 1BL/1RS translocation but still segregating for A- and B-genome chromosomes of Cando and Veery. In CV 256, nucleolar activity of the 1RS NOR locus is suppressed, as judged by the absence of a secondary constriction in that rye segment and the capability of organizing nucleoli. PAGE analysis of prolamins confirmed the presence of two 1RS secalins in all single seeds analyzed. SDS-PAGE analysis of reduced glutenins of single seeds indicated that some seeds contained the Cando Glu-B1 locus (subunits 6+8), some contained the Veery Glu-B1 locus (subunits 7+9) while others contained all four subunits, indicating that the material was heterozygous. Pm8 resistance is expressed in the tetraploid 1BL/1RS translocation line based on the reactions of six well-defined powdery mildew isolates. However, Pm8 resistance is not expressed in the hexaploid wheat cultivars Olymp, Heinrich and Florida, which also contain the 1BL/1RS translocation. Obviously, the existence of the 1BL/1RS translocation is not a proof for the expression of the associated genes. PAGE results did not show a clear linkage between powdery mildew resistance and the presence of 1RS secalins.     

Analysis of 1H chemical shifts in DNA: Assessment of the reliability of 1H chemical shift calculations for use in structure refinement

The reliability of ¹H chemical shift calculations for DNA is assessed by comparing the experimentally and calculated chemical shifts of a reasonably large number of independently determined DNA structures. The calculated chemical shifts are based on semiempirical relations derived by Giessner-Prettre and Pullman [(1987) Q. Rev. Biophys., 20, 113–172]. The standard deviation between calculated and observed chemical shifts is found to be quite small, i.e. 0.17 ppm. This high accuracy, which is achieved without parameter adjustment, makes it possible to analyze the structural dependencies of chemical shifts in a reliable fashion. The conformation-dependent ¹H chemical shift is mainly determined by the ring current effect and the local magnetic anisotropy, while the third possible effect, that of the electric field, is surprisingly small. It was further found that for a double helical environment, the chemical shift of the sugar protons, H2 to H5, is mainly affected by the ring current and magnetic anisotropy of their own base. Consequently, the chemical shift of these sugar protons is determined by two factors, namely the type of base to which the sugar ring is attached, C, T, A, or G, and secondly by the -angle. In particular, the H2 shift varies strongly with the -angle, and strong upfield H2 shifts directly indicate that the -angle is in the syn domain. The H1 shift is not only strongly affected by its own base, but also by its 3-neighboring base. On the other hand, base protons, in particular H5 of cytosine and methyl protons of thymine, are affected mainly by the 5-neighboring bases, although some effect (0.2 ppm) stems from the 3-neighboring base. The H2 protons are mainly affected by the 3-neighboring base. As a result of these findings a simple scheme is proposed for sequential assignment of resonances from B-helices based on chemical shifts.     

Factors that effect leaf regeneration efficiency in apple,and effect of antibiotics in morphogenesis

Several factors that affect the frequency of organogenesis in apple leaf explants were examined for the scion cultivars Empire, Freedom, Golden Delicious, Liberty, McIntosh, and Mutsu and for the rootstocks Malling 7A and Malling 26. The main factors affecting morphogenesis were BA concentration, basal medium, leaf explant origin and maturity, explant orientation, and photosynthetic photon flux. Depending on the genotype, optimal regeneration was obtained using either 22.2 or 31.1 M BA and the N6 basal medium, with the exception of Golden Delicious which regenerated better on MS medium. After 6 weeks, the average number of shoots per segment varied from 5 to 16, and the percentage of regeneration between 70 and 100%, depending on the genotype tested and the maturity of the explant. Regeneration capacity increased dramatically from the tip towards the base of the leaf, and was higher from the middle to the proximal end.Cefotaxime and carbenicillin, two antibiotics commonly used during transformation studies to eliminate Agrobacterium tumefaciens from plant tissue, were tested to determine their effect on morphogenesis. Cefotaxime at a dose of 250 mg 1^-1 enhanced regeneration and shoot development, whereas carbenicillin at a dose of 500 mg l^-1 induced abundant callus formation and inhibited regeneration. Kanamycin, a widely used selection agent for plant transformation, strongly inhibited regeneration even at very low doses. Schemes for selection and recovery of transgenic apple plants when kanamycin is used as the selection agent are discussed.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - Cef cefotaxime - Crb carbenicillin - IBA indolebutyric acid - Kan kanamycin - LS Linsmaier and Skoog (1965) medium - M Malling - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - N6 medium (Chu et al. 1975) as modified by Welander (1988) - PPF photosynthetic photon flux     

Komparative Aussagemuster in Bezug zu komplementären und enkaptischen Modellen der Morphologie

The unity of organisms can be viewed in terms of the concepts of enkapsis and complementarity. A model (or a type) represents those properties (of elements, structure, and system) which renders cases - the organisms under consideration — comparable. Comparability is established by operations (or metamorphoses) which relate a case to a model. Therefore, the model and the operations must be enumerated together, if a certain morphology is to be established and applied. Two models, which in some way are related, are conjunct, otherwise they are disjunct. If one model is deducible from the other, they are enkaptic conjunct. If the models are essentially different, that is to say that they cannot be transduced into each other, although they condition each other, they are complementary conjunct: although not comparable themselves, only both together describe a case (or a set of cases) completely. Now, the comparability of a case with two models is considered. The two basic patterns of general comparability are homology and analogy. If the two models are complementary conjunct, nine patterns of special comparability can be distinguished. Each is named in accordance with the general meaning of homology and analogy and, as far as possible, with conventional scientific usage. With minor modifications the terminology also applies to more complicated patterns of comparability including distinct or different conjunct models.     

Predominance and tissue specificity of adenine methylation in rice

Summary Using A and C methylation-specific restriction enzymes, namely, MboI, Sau3AI, DpnI, MspI, and HpaII, total rice cv Basmati 370 DNA, repetitive DNAs, and a specific repeat sequence indicated an abundance of adenine methylation. Although cytosine methylation in 5-CCGG-3 sequences suggested more CpC methylation than CpG, the C methylation in sequence 5-GATC-3 was comparatively less than A methylation. Furthermore, the presence of adenine methylation was tissue specific; it was predominant in rice shoot DNA as compared to embryo DNA. This pattern was also observed in two other cultivars of rice, i.e., R-24 and Sona, and was again confirmed using a cloned probe of a specific repeat sequence. Besides the changes in adenine methylation, there was also a qualitative change in 5mC from CpG to CpC dinucleotides in these two tissue systems.     

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.     

TNF alpha is required for hypoxia-mediated right ventricular hypertrophy

Hypoxia has been shown to activate the pleiotropic cytokine TNF in the lung. TNF in turn, is known to induce pulmonary vasoconstriction. Additional effects of this cytokine in hypoxia mediated cardiopulmonary remodeling are poorly understood. To further evaluate the role of TNF in chronic hypoxia we exposed TNF null (TNF–/–) and wild-type mice to three weeks of hypobaric hypoxia (10% O₂). Equivalent erythocytosis (Hematocrit increased by 40%) developed in both genetic backgrounds. In contrast, right ventricular systolic pressure increased in response to three weeks of hypoxia in the wild-type mice ( 75%), yet was unaltered in the TNF–/– mice. Concomitantly right ventricular hypertrophy was attenuated in the TNF–/– mice (35 ± 5% increase) when compared to wild-type mice (124 ± 6% increase p < 0.001, n 20). Interestingly in both strains the lung wet weights increased to a similar degree in response to hypoxia. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that TNF is an integral autocoid in chronic hypoxia mediated right ventricular hypertrophy. Moreover, additional components of cardiopulmonary remodeling may be regulated by TNF signaling as suggested by the negligible right ventricular systolic pressure response to hypoxia in the absence of TNF.     

Reconstruction of sedimentary environments in Holocene coastal deposits of the southwest Netherlands; the Poortvliet boring,a case study of palaeoenvironmental diatom research

Diatoms are valuable indicators of palaeosedimentary environments in coastal wetlands. In this paper, the utilization of diatoms in coastal reconstructions will be demonstrated in a case study, the Poortvliet boring (southwest Netherlands). Diatoms supply valuable information about palaeosalinity gradients and palaeotide levels in addition to the existing geological data set, obtained from sediment cores.The ecological data of taxa are usually gathered from diatom studies in recent coastal environments. The study of the Poortvliet boring shows that information can also be obtained from the past (the past as key to the past) by comparing the trends of the relative abundances of species of which the ecology is well-known to those of which the ecology is unknown. It is argued both on recent and fossil data that Cymatosira belgica and Rhaphoneis minutissima have a tychoplanktonic life form.     

Donor tissue and culture condition effects on mesophyll protoplasts of Medicago sativa

Mesophyll protoplasts were produced from clones of two cultivars of Medicago sativa, Rangelander and Regen S. Protoplasts from the Regen S clone generally gave rise to calli while those from the Rangelander clone would undergo direct embryogenesis. Effects of plant growth conditions, donor tissue pretreatment and protoplast culture conditions on mesophyll protoplast production and subsequent development patterns were investigated. The major factor determining whether or not mesophyll protoplasts would be produced from either of the clones was the pretreatment in water of shoots excised from the donor plants. Pretreatment in water containing growth regulators did not alter protoplast production or development in the Regen S clone. Pretreatment of the Rangelander clone shoots with abscisic acid or naphthaleneacetic acid was slightly beneficial to embryo production while pretreatment with benzylaminopurine was detrimental. Altered leaf morphology induced by growth condition changes did not affect mesophyll protoplast production or subsequent development patterns when shoots were pretreated in water. Culture of protoplasts in liquid droplets or solid agar medium increased low density protoplast survival and subsequent embryo production in the Rangelander clone.     

Oxidation of 17α,20β- and 17α,20α-Dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-ones,Side Products of Progesterone Biotransformation with Recombinant Microorganisms Expressing Cytochrome P-45017α

Progesterone biotransformation with recombinant yeasts Yarrowia lipolytica E129A15 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRF18/YEp5117 expressing bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P-45017 yielded 17-hydroxyprogesterone and two diols, 17,20- and 17,20-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-ones. The oxidation of mixtures of the three steroids with chromic acid resulted in the cleavage of 17–20 bonds in the diols with the formation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. The biotransformation of pregn-4-ene-20-ol-3-one by means of Y. lipolytica E129A15 was accompanied by the following reactions: the primary oxidation of these compounds to progesterone and the subsequent successive reactions of 17-hydroxylation and 20- and 20-reduction. The results widen the possibilities of enzymatic and chemical modifications of steroids.     

Ionic relations of aeroponically-grown olive genotypes,during salt stress

Two olive (Olea europaea L.) genotypes, Frantoio and Leccino, were exposed to increasing concentrations of NaCl (0-30-60-120 mM) in an aeroponic cultivation system for 60 days. Dry weights and sodium and potassium contents of apical and basal leaves, new and old wood, and roots were measured to determine Na uptake rate, Na translocation rate and K-Na selectivity ratio (S_K,Na). Frantoio showed a higher salt resistance than Leccino. Frantoio and Leccino had a similar Na uptake rate, but largely differed for Na translocation to the shoot. Furthermore Frantoio exhibited a higher K-Na selectivity than Leccino at both whole plant level and above all at the level of shoot system. Resistance mechanism of Frantoio is probably related to Na esclusion by roots and to the ability to maintain an appropriate K/Na ratio in actively growing tissues.Research supported by National Research Council of Italy, Special project RAISA.     

A highly regioselective synthesis of mannobiose and mannotriose by reverse hydrolysis using specific 1,2-α-mannosidase from Aspergillus phoenicis

Summary A specific 1,2--mannosidase was isolated from A. phoenicis and used in the equilibrium-controlled synthesis of 12-linked mannobiose and mannotriose. Yields of 22.33 % disaccharide, 8.21 % trisaccharide and 2.74 % tetrasaccharide were obtained. Regioselectivity was absolute for the 12 linkage.     

Beyond Our Original Horizons: the Tropicalization of Beverton and Holt

The extension into tropical areas of Beverton and Holt's yield per recruit approach for stock assessment represents a straightforward case of normal science, the common Kuhnian counterpart to his much rarer paradigm shifts. It is shown that the normal science which, in recent decades, has led to new methods for estimating growth, mortality and other statistics required for yield per recruit analyses in data-sparse environments, has not only enriched fisheries science and aquatic biology as a whole, but has also contributed to identify the limitations of the single-species research programme originally defined by Beverton and Holt. The most likely prospect for that programme, in the tropics and elsewhere, is to become a component of the multispecies, or rather ecosystem approach that is emerging, and to which Beverton and Holt will have contributed many of the concepts, and much of the rigour.     

Role of Opiate Receptors and ATP-Dependent Potassium Channels of Mitochondria in the Formation of Myocardial Adaptive Resistance to the Arrhythmogenic Effect of Ischemia and Reperfusion

Preliminary stimulation of opiate receptors (ORs) by intravenous administration of agonist DALDA (0.5 mg/kg), ₁ agonist DPDPE (0.5 mg/kg), and agonist (-)-U-50.488 (1 mg/kg) increases rat myocardial resistance to arrhythmogenic effect of coronary occlusion (10 min) and reperfusion (10 min). Activation of ₂ ORs (DSLET, 0.5 mg/kg) has no effect on the incidence rate of ischemic and reperfusion arrhythmias. Preliminary administration of glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg), an inhibitor of K_ATP channels, blocks the antiarrhythmic effect of DALDA and DPDPE. Repeated short-term exposures of rats to immobilization within two weeks increases the heart tolerance to the arrhythmogenic effect of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. This effect disappears after administration of CTAP (0.5 mg/kg), a antagonist, or injection of 5-hydroxydecanoate (5 mg/kg), an inhibitor of mitochondrial K_ATP channels. The selective antagonists of and ORs have no effect on cardiac adaptation-induced resistance to the arrhythmogenic effect of ischemia and reperfusion. We believe that stimulation of , , and ORs increases myocardial tolerance to the arrhythmogenic effect of ischemia and reperfusion through activation of K_ATP channels. The antiarrhythmic effect of the adaptation is mediated by stimulation of ORs and mitochondrial K_ATP channels.     

Mutationsvorgänge bei der Entstehung von Hämoglobinvarianten

Using recent information on the DNA code, the exact base replacements were ascertained for 46 amino acid substitutions in haemoglobine polypeptide chains. Transitions (replacements purine purine and pyrimidine pyrimidine) turned out to be significantly more frequent than expected under the assumption of random substitution, whereas transversions (replacements purine pyrimidine and pyrimidine purine) were less frequent. In 12 codons, 7 of the -chain, 3 of the -chain, and 2 of the -chain, two triplets each were excluded.

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Direktor: Prof. Dr. F. Vogel

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Die Untersuchungen der Verfasser zum Mutationsproblem werden von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft unterstützt.     

Lectin histochemical identification of the carbohydrate moieties on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in the duct cells of the testis of an amphibian urodele, the spanish newt (Pleurodeles waltl)

The aim of the present work was to study the carbohydrate moieties present on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides of duct cells of a urodele amphibian testis, by means of lectin histochemistry. It was found that duct cells have a carbohydrate composition that includes ensuremath (1,3)-, (1,4)- or (1,6)-linked Fuc and Man on N-linked oligosaccharides, Gal and GlcNAc on O-linked oligosaccharides, and DBA-positive GalNAc, (1,2)-linked Fuc and Neu5Ac(2,3)Gal (1,4)GlcNAc on both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. All the duct cells showed the same lectin labelling pattern, the only exception being some sparse duct cells that showed the sequence Neu5Ac(2,6)Gal/GalNAc. The possible roles of duct cells in sperm maturation and the hypothesis for a common origin of duct and follicle (Sertoli) cells in the urodele testis are discussed.     

Role of local germplasm and induced mutations in the improvement of the protein content in rice

Summary Ninety local cultivars and 124 induced grain shape mutants were screened for their protein content and the distribution of protein in their endosperm. The protein content varied widely from 4.2 to 12.1% in the local varieties and from 5.5 to 13.7% in the mutants. Some high protein lines like Chinnavadlu, Budumavadlu, etc. with more than 10.0% protein were identified. Protein distribution studies have shown that several mutants, such as IR-8-FG-28, IR-8-FG-33, etc., have a deeper distribution of protein bodies and some local cultivars, like Kakathya and Muchulu, have a relatively more uniform distribution of protein in the endosperm. The protein content at different milling levels revealed that at 12% milling the percentage retention of protein varied from about 79 to 96% irrespective of the percentage of protein, suggesting that the distribution of protein, in addition to the protein content, plays an important role in nutritive value of rice.