Characterization of a novel cellobiase fromBacillus subtilis and expression of its structural gene inEscherichia coli

Summary A strain ofBacillus subtilis was found to produce a cellobiase resistant to catabolic repression by glucose. When the structural gene encoding cellobiase was cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli, the enzyme produced was resistant to repression by glucose.     

Rice straw fermentation by Schizophyllum commune ARC-11 to produce high level of xylanase for its application in pre-bleaching

Rice straw is valuable resource that has been used as substrate for cost effective production of xylanase under solid-state fermentation by a newly isolated white rot fungi, S. commune ARC-11. Out of eleven carbon sources tested, rice straw was found most effective for the induction of xylanase that produced 4288.3?IU/gds of xylanase by S. commune ARC-11. Maximum xylanase production (6721.9?IU/gds) was observed on 8^th day of incubation at temperature (30?°C), initial pH (7.0) and initial moisture content (70.0%). The supplementation of ammonium sulphate (0.08% N, as available nitrogen) enhanced the xylanase production up to 8591.4?IU/gds. The xylanase production by S. commune ARC-11 was further improved by the addition of 0.10%, (w/v) of Tween-20 as surfactant. The maximum xylanase activities were found at pH 5.0 and temperature 55?°C with a longer stability (180?min) at temperature 45, 50 and 55?°C. This xylanase preparation was also evaluated for the pre-bleaching of ethanol-soda pulp from Eulaliopsis binata. An enzyme dosage of 10?IU/g of xylanase resulted maximum decrease in kappa number (14.51%) with a maximum improvement 2.9% in ISO brightness compared to control.     

Rubrioxytricha guamensis nov. spec. (Ciliophora,Spirotricha), a Novel Hypotrich Ciliate from Guam (United States), Micronesia

The oxytrichid ciliate Rubrioxytricha guamensis nov. spec. isolated from water samples collected from a small freshwater pond near the Hagåtña River in Hagåtña, Guam (United States territory), Micronesia, was investigated, using live observation and protargol impregnation. The morphology, ontogenesis, and molecular phylogeny inferred from the small‐subunit rRNA gene sequences were studied. The new species is mainly characterized by a cell size of about 100 × 35 μm in vivo, two elongate ellipsoidal macronuclear nodules and two micronuclei, a single contractile vacuole, a colorless cytoplasm, yellowish cortical granules, arranged in short rows and in small groups, an adoral zone occupying about 34% of body length and comprising 27 membranelles on average, about 27 cirri each in the right and left marginal rows, 18 frontoventral transverse cirri, four dorsal kineties including one dorsomarginal row, and one or two caudal cirri at the posterior end of dorsal kinety 3. The ontogenesis of the new species is similar to that of Rubrioxytricha indica Naqvi et al., 2006. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequences consistently place the new species within the family Oxytrichidae Ehrenberg, 1838, where it clustered with other Rubrioxytricha species, viz., R. tsinlingensis, R. ferruginea, and R. haematoplasma.     

A histological and immunohistochemical study of the effects of N-acetyl cysteine on retinopathy of prematurity by modifying insulin-like growth factor-1

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disorder that occurs in premature infants and may lead to permanent visual impairment. We investigated both the possible protective role of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for preventing ROP and the role of IGF-1 in the disorder. Forty-five newborn rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was raised in room air as controls. Group 2 was exposed to 60% oxygen for 14 days after birth, then transferred to room air. Group 3 was exposed to the same conditions as group 2, but received intraperitoneal injections of NAC on postnatal days 7–17. After 35 days, both eyes of all rats were processed for histology. Some sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess structural changes and other sections were immunostained to determine the location of IGF-1. Frozen sections also were prepared and stained for adenosine triphosphatase to detect retinal blood vessels. Compared to the controls, more blood vessels, many of which were abnormal, and increased IGF-1 expression were observed in group 2. In group 3, abnormal blood vessels and IGF-1 expression were less evident. NAC appeared to be an effective vascular-protective agent for ROP by decreasing IGF-1 expression.     

Assimilate partitioning in pigeonpea under two levels of drought and during recovery

The partitioning of¹⁴C-assimilates was studied in pigeonpea(Cajanus cajan L.) at vegetative and flowering stages (40 and 70 d after sowing, respectively) exposed to moderate and severe drought induced by withholding the irrigation. At vegetative stage, the ethanol soluble fraction in shoot decreased from 99 to 43.16 % between 0 and 120 h, whereas in underground part it increased from 1% to 56.84 % with maximum amount in nodules (35.51 %). Similar trend was observed in ethanol insoluble fraction. At moderate drought, a significant increase in soluble fraction (11.31 %) in nodules was observed. Stem showed significant reduction of assimilates (13.09 %). After flowering, the assimilates produced in leaves were exported to reproductive parts, especially under drought. In plants recovering from severe drought, 14C in soluble and insoluble fractions in reproductive parts was reduced to 85 % and 43 %, respectively, whereas leaf and nodules showed a significant increase. Thus the assimilate partitioning to different plant parts was dependent on growth stage and affected by drought.     

Effect of cycocel and furfuryl amino purine on protein metabolism of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) under simulated drought conditions

Water stress drastically decreased relative water content and total soluble protein whereas it increased free amino acids, proline and protease enzyme in P. americanum. Treatments with 6-furfuryl amino purine (0.50 mM) and cycocel (60 mM) maintained the levels of soluble protein contents but the applications of furfuryl amino purine decreased free amino acids and free proline under stress conditions.     

Effect of altered sterol levels on the transport of amino acids and membrane structure ofMicrosporum gypseum

Ergosterol and cholesterol supplementation resulted in a significant increase (1·5-fold) in the sterol content while phospholipid remained unaffected inMicrosporum gypseum. The levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine increased in ergosterol supplemented cells. However, a decrease in phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine was observed in cholesterol grown cells. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on ergosterol/cholesterol supplementation. The uptake of amino acids (lysine, glycine and aspartic acid) decreased in sterol supplemented cells. Studies with fluorescent probe l-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate showed structural changes in membrane organisation as evident by increased number of binding sites in such cells.     

Inhibition of polyamine metabolism

Book Review

Inhibition of polyamine metabolismP.P. McCann, A.E. Pegg and A. Sjoerdsma (Eds), San Diego: Academic Press Inc. 1987. xvi + 371 pages. $75. ISBN 0-12-481835-8