mRNA polyadenylate-binding protein: gene isolation and sequencing and identification of a ribonucleoprotein consensus sequence.

We identified and produced antibodies to the major proteins that interact with poly(A)+ RNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The major proteins which were cross-linked by UV light to poly(A)+ RNA in intact yeast cells had apparent molecular weights of 72,000, 60,000, and 50,000. The poly(A) segment of the RNA was selectively cross-linked to the 72,000-molecular-weight protein (72K protein). Mice immunized with purified UV-cross-linked RNA-protein (RNP) complexes produced antibodies to the three major RNP proteins. A yeast genomic DNA library constructed in the lambda gt11 expression vector was screened with the anti-RNP serum, and recombinant bacteriophage clones were isolated. One recombinant phage, lambda YPA72.1, bearing a 2.5-kilobase insert, produced a large beta-galactosidase-RNP fusion protein. Affinity-selected antibodies from the anti-RNP serum on this fusion protein recognized a single 72K protein which was cross-linked to the poly(A) segment of RNA in the intact cell. Furthermore, the fusion protein of lambda YPA72.1 had specific poly(A)-binding activity. Therefore, lambda YPA72.1 encodes the 72K poly(A)-binding protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that this protein was localized in the cytoplasm. Hybrid-selected mRNA translated in vitro produced the 72K poly(A)-binding protein, and mRNA blot analysis detected a single 2.1-kilobase mRNA. DNA blot analysis suggested a single gene for the poly(A)-binding protein. DNA sequence analysis of genomic clones spanning the entire gene revealed a long open reading frame encoding a 64,272-molecular-weight protein with several distinct domains and repeating structural elements. A sequence of 11 to 13 amino acids is repeated three times in this protein. Strikingly, this repeated sequence (RNP consensus sequence) is highly homologous to a sequence that is repeated twice in a major mammalian heterogeneous nuclear RNP protein, A1. The conservation of the repetitive RNP consensus sequence suggests an important function and a common evolutionary origin for messenger RNP and heterogeneous nuclear RNP proteins.     

NMR, CD and IR spectroscopies of a tridecanucleotide containing a no-base residue: coexistence of B and Z conformations.

The synthesis of the tridecadeoxynucleotide d(CGm5CGCGxACATGT), where x is the 1-cyano-2-deoxy-beta-D-erythropentofuranose, is described. The NMR, IR, CD studies at various salt concentrations and temperatures of this oligomer show that the B and Z conformations are simultaneously present in the same short DNA fragment. A single apurinic residue is sufficient for the coexistence of the B and Z helices on this oligomer.     

Interaction of transition metal ions with Z form poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) and poly d(A-T) studied by I.R. spectroscopy.

Interactions between Ni2+, Co2+ and purine bases have been studied by I.R. spectroscopy in the case of double stranded regularly alternating purine-pyrimidine polynucleotides poly d(A-T), poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) and poly d(G-C). The spectra of polynucleotide films have been recorded in hydration and salt content conditions which correspond to the obtention of the classical right-handed (A,B) and left-handed (Z) helical conformations. Selective deuteration of the 8C site of purines has been obtained and is used to detect interactions between the transition metal ions and the adenine or guanine bases. The spectral region between 1500 and 1250 cm-1 corresponding to base in-plane vibrations and involving also the glycosidic linkage torsion is discussed in detail. The selective interaction between the transition metal ion and the 7N site of the purine base is considered to be partly responsible for the stabilization of the base in a syn conformation, which favours the adoption by the polynucleotide (poly d(G-C), poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) or poly d(A-T)) of a Z type conformation.     

Olfactory responses of aquatic and terrestrial tiger salamanders to airborne and waterborne stimuli

Summary Electro-olfactograms (EOGs) were used to assess olfactory responding by aquatic larval and terrestrial adult tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) to airborne volatile compounds, and volatile and non-volatile compounds in aqueous solution. Both forms of salamander showed saturation effects to presentations of airborne stimuli (Fig. 2). Saturation was not observed, however, to stimulus presentations in aqueous solution (Figs. 2, 3). When threshold values and concentration-response curve parameters were compared, non-volatile amino acids in solution were more potent stimuli for larvae while airborne volatiles were more potent stimuli for adults (Tables 1, 2). We infer that metamorphosis in the tiger salamander is accompanied by changes in olfactory response characteristics, due possibly to changes in receptor population, changes in perireceptor properties (e.g. mucus) or to changes in stimulus access.Abbreviations EOG electro-olfactogram - PPM (ppm) parts per million     

Isolation and Characterization of a Virus Inhibitor from Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

A virus inhibiting protein (VI) was isolated from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). The VI inhibited infections of test plants with plus- and minus-strand RNA viruses. Inoculation of both local lesion and systemic hosts with TMV in the presence of varying amounts of the VI resulted in typical dose response curves for the number of local lesions or the amount of virus respectively. The lowest concentration of VI leading to a significant reduction in the number of local lesions was 0.06 μg/ml. The VI was found to inhibit local lesion formation only when applied within 2–3 h p.i. but still reduced the number of local lesions when applied up to 9 h prior to virus inoculation. The antiviral activity could be attributed to a protein of molecular weight 29,000 dalton with an isoelectric point of 10.3. Its activity was destroyed by heating for 30 min to 70°C. These characteristics resemble those of other virus inhibiting proteins described for members of the order Caryophyllales such as the Phytolacca inhibitor against which a serological relationship was obtained.     

Respiratory depression produced by centrally administered taurine in the cat

The effects of taurine (0.8-64.8 mumol) were studied on respiratory activity following intracisternal (cisterna magna) and intracerebroventricular (lateral ventricle) injections in cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Respiratory activity was measured by using a Fleisch pneumotachograph and monitoring tracheal airflow. The flow signal was integrated to obtain tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate (f) was obtained by counting the number of VT excursions over one minute. Inspiratory (TI), expiratory (TE) and total (TTOT) cycle durations were also determined during this time period. In addition, end-tidal CO2 was continuously monitored. Associated changes in arterial pressure (femoral artery cannula) and heart rate were also determined. After injections into the cisterna magna, taurine caused dose-related decreases in minute ventilation (VE). The maximal decrease in VE was from 495 +/- 59 to 64 +/- 14 ml/min (p less than 0.05), and was due to both decreases in VT (from 27 +/- 3 to 5 +/- 1 ml; p less than 0.05) and f (from 18 +/- 1 to 12 +/- 2 breaths/min; p less than 0.05). TE and TTOT were increased from 2.4 +/- 0.4 to 4.5 +/- 0.6 sec (p less than 0.05) and from 3.7 +/- 0.4 to 6.4 +/- 0.8 sec (p less than 0.05), respectively. Mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), a measure of inspiratory drive, was decreased from 21 +/- 4 to 4 +/- 2 ml/sec (p less than 0.05). Apnea occurred in 5 of 6 animals after the 64.8 mumol dose. This respiratory depression occurred without any significant change in arterial pressure. After lateral ventricle injections, taurine also caused dose-related, but not as pronounced, decreases in respiratory activity. In addition, taurine caused significant decreases (p less than 0.05) in arterial pressure in doses that decreased VE. Taurine administered intravenously had no significant cardiorespiratory depressant effects. These data indicate that centrally administered taurine produces respiratory depression and, depending on the route of CNS administration, also produces hypotension.     

Correlative changes in sucrose uptake, ATPase activity and membrane fluidity in carnation petals during senescence

Apparent sucrose uptake. ATPase activity and membrane fluidity changes were studied during the development and senescence of carnation flowers ( Dianthus caryophyllus L., cv. Cerise Royallette). Typical changes associated with senescence of a cut flower, such as respiration, ethylene production and fresh weight, were measured. Concomitant with a rise in respiration and ethylene production and a decline in fresh weight, a sharp decrease in apparent sucrose uptake was observed. Sucrose uptake was pH dependent (pH optimum, 5.5) and influenced by membrane integrity. Apparently, the activity of ATPase is related to sucrose uptake, because similar changes occurred during flower development. In addition, the activity of ATPase was well correlated with membrane fluidity.
It is suggested that sucrose uptake is controlled by ATPase activity, which in turn is modulated by membrane lipid fluidity. The decline in membrane fluidity associated with senescence leads to a corresponding reduction in ATPase activity and sucrose uptake. Further evidence supporting this view comes from experiments in which senescence was enhanced by 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid. It shortened the time to decline in fresh weight, rise in respiration and ethylene production. In parallel, reduction in membrane fluidity, ATPase activity and sucrose uptake were observed.     

Effect of temperature on drought resistance and growth of cotton plants

In cotton plants ( Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. B.J.A.) the temperature of the roots affected both root and shoot growth, as did the temperature of the shoot. Drought resistance increased when the temperature imposed on roots (27°C) was lower than that imposed on shoots (17°C); the result was a decrease in both transpiration and flow of root sap. Stomatal characteristics as measured by density, index and resistance, depended only on shoot temperature. Differences in drought resistance, depended only on shoot temperature. Differences in drought resistance seem to be a result of changes in transpiration flow modulated by the amount of absorbed water.     

Development and differentiation of the brain ventricular system in tadpoles of Xenopus laeris (Daudin) (Amphibia, Anura)

The development and the differentiation of the ventricular system of the brain of tadpoles of the South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin), is studied by light microscopy (stages 45 to 66) and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (stages 50 to 66). Special interest is paid to the ependymal structures of the foramen of Monroe, the ventricles of the diencephalon, the mesencephalon, and the rhombencephalon, and to the ependymal of the central canal and the choroid plexus of the third and fourth ventricle. At early developmental stages the lower two thirds of the ventricles are dominated by blebs, cytoplasmatic protrusions of the ependymal cells. During the development they become reduced and replaced by cilia. The number of cilia and microvilli increases strongly towards the end of the metamorphosis. The surface structures demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy are discussed in respect to morphology and physiology.     

Sequence interrelationships of the subunits of vicilin from pea seeds

Serological studies and comparison of N-terminal amino acid sequences with the amino acid sequence deduced from a cDNA clone have been used to establish the sequence relationships between the subunits of the pea seed storage protein, vicilin. Subunits smaller than M_r～50 000 (i.e., M_r 34 000, 30 000, 25 000, 18 000, 14 000, 13 000 and 12 000) show extensive homology with molecules within M_r～50 000 group. Both the sequencing and serological data confirm earlier evidence from studies on vicilin synthesisin vivo andin vitro which indicated that the vicilin subunits smaller than M_r～50 000 arose by endoproteolytic cleavage of parent molecules within the M_r～50 000 group. Cleavage in different M_r 50 000 parent molecules containing either one or both of two susceptible processing sites accounts for the formation of all the vicilin subunits smaller than M_r～50 000, with the possible exception of the M_r34 000 polypeptide. The position of these sites in the putative parents were defined by reference to a complete amino acid sequence deduced from the sequence of DNA complementary to mRNA for one member of the M_r～50 000 group.