Polymorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase encoding gene (NAT2) from homozygous rapid and slow acetylator congenic Syrian hamsters

The nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were determined for polymorphic arylamine N-acetyl-transferase (NAT2) and its gene, NAT2, from homozygous rapid and slow acetylator congenic Syrian hamsters. The slow acetylator (NAT2^s) allele contained three point mutations which differed from the rapid acetylator allele (NAT2^r); two mutations were silent, and the third mutation resulted in a premature stop codon. The NAT2^r allele contained a truncated open reading frame of 726 nt encoding a 242-aa protein, which is 48-aa shorter than NAT2^r.     

Foliar flavonoids of eastern North AmericanVitis (Vitaceae) north of Mexico

Twenty-one flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the leaves of 22 North AmericanVitis L. taxa, representing two subgenera and five series. Three chemical groups were evident: one producing flavonols, flavones, and C-glycosylflavones, a second producing flavonols and flavones, and a third producing only flavonols. These three chemical groups did not correspond to any of the subgeneric groupings based on morphology. However, flavonoid distributions within series in each subgenus correlate well with morphological data. Parallel flavonoid evolution within each series is thought to account for this lack of subgeneric and interserial flavonoid distinction. The flavonoid data indicate that seriesCordifoliae of subgenusVitis, particularlyV. vulpina L., is the most closely related group to subgenusMuscadinia (Planch.)Rehder, and represents an evolutionary link between the two subgenera.     

Self-fertility and associated flower head traits in the Iberian taxa ofLactuca and related genera (Asteraceae: Lactuceae)

Sexual reproduction is the main reproduction mechanism among the 14 wild Iberian taxa ofLactuca, Prenanthes, Cicerbita, andMycelis. High levels of self-fertilization occur inLactuca, as well as facultative and obligate xenogamy. Xenogamy is strongly correlated with large capitula having blue or bright yellow colouration, high P/O ratios, and long anthesis, whereas self-fertilization is correlated with smaller capitula having pale yellow colouration, small P/O ratios, and short anthesis. Large variations occur in P/O index among taxa showing similar fertilization mechanism, probably in relation to the number of florets included in flower heads. Interesting differences in reproductive systems have been detected between subspecies ofLactuca viminea.     

A method for α-helical integral membrane protein fold prediction

Integral membrane proteins (of the α-helical class) are of central importance in a wide variety of vital cellular functions. Despite considerable effort on methods to predict the location of the helices, little attention has been directed toward developing an automatic method to pack the helices together. In principle, the prediction of membrane proteins should be easier than the prediction of globular proteins: there is only one type of secondary structure and all helices pack with a common alignment across the membrane. This allows all possible structures to be represented on a simple lattice and exhaustively enumerated. Prediction success lies not in generating many possible folds but in recognizing which corresponds to the native. Our evaluation of each fold is based on how well the exposed surface predicted from a multiple sequence alignment fits its allocated position. Just as exposure to solvent in globular proteins can be predicted from sequence variation, so exposure to lipid can be recognized by variable-hydrophobic (variphobic) positions. Application to both bacteriorhodopsin and the eukaryotic rhodopsin/opsin families revealed that the angular size of the lipid-exposed faces must be predicted accurately to allow selection of the correct fold. With the inherent uncertainties in helix prediction and parameter choice, this accuracy could not be guaranteed but the correct fold was typically found in the top six candidates. Our method provides the first completely automatic method that can proceed from a scan of the protein sequence databanks to a predicted three-dimensional structure with no intervention required from the investigator. Within the limited domain of the seven helix bundle proteins, a good chance can be given of selecting the correct structure. However, the limited number of sequences available with a corresponding known structure makes further characterization of the method difficult. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mapping of Murine Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors Refines Regions of Homology between Mouse and Human Chromosomes

The genes for the fibroblast growth factor receptors Fgfr2, Fgfr3, and Fgfr4 have been mapped in the mouse using an interspecific backcross mapping panel. The Fgfr loci map to previously defined regions of homology between human and mouse chromosomes and provide additional information regarding human/mouse comparative mapping.     

Isolation and Refined Regional Mapping of Expressed Sequences from Human Chromosome 21

To increase candidate genes from human chromosome 21 for the analysis of Down syndrome and other genetic diseases localized on this chromosome, we have isolated and studied 9 cDNA clones encoded by chromosome 21. For isolating cDNAs, single-copy microclones from a chromosome 21 microdissection library were used in direct screening of various cDNA libraries. Seven of the cDNA clones have been regionally mapped on chromosome 21 using a comprehensive hybrid mapping panel comprising 24 cell hybrids that divide the chromosome into 33 subregions. These cDNA clones with refined mapping positions should be useful for identification and cloning of genes responsible for the specific component phenotypes of Down syndrome and other diseases on chromosome 21, including progressive myoclonus epilepsy in 21q22.3.     

Chiral pharmacokinetics of rac-flurbiprofen and pharmacodynamics of anabolic bone response in the normal rat

The route of administration of the NSAID, flurbiprofen (sq vs. po) resulted in positive and negative results respectively with regard to enhanced cancellous and cortical bone accumulation in the immature rat. This pharmacokinetic study was an effort to understand the pharmacodynamic difference between the two routes of administration observed when the same dose range of drug, given as single daily doses, had been employed in both studies. Conventional chiral pharmacokinetics were evaluated in young rats. A significant difference was observed in the T_max of the active (S)-enantiomer by both administration routes (sq 4 h and po 1 h). The bioavailability, as evaluated by AUCs favored the sq route as expected. The plasma concentrations over 18 h, at steady state, for one po dose group (0.5 mg/kg/day) fell well within the therapeutic window described by the 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg sq doses which had demonstrated anabolic bone activity. Oral dosing had exhibited no significant bone activity. We conclude that the pharmacodynamic difference between routes of administration cannot be simply explained on a pahrmacokinetic basis. Consequently, experiments detailing the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple dose administration of aryl-propionic acids in normal and osteopenic states need further pharmacologic study. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A gene cluster for amylovoran synthesis in Erwinia amylovora: characterization and relationship to cps genes in Erwinia stewartii

A large ams gene cluster required for production of the acidic extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) amylovoran by the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora was cloned. Tn5 mutagenesis and gene replacement were used to construct chromosomal ams mutants. Five complementation groups, essential for amylovoran synthesis and virulence in E. amylovora, were identified and designated amsA-E. The ams gene cluster is about 7 kb in size and functionally equivalent to the cps gene cluster involved in EPS synthesis by the related pathogen Erwinia stewartii. Mucoidy and virulence were restored to E. stewartii mutants in four cps complementation groups by the cloned E. amylovora ams genes. Conversely, the E. stewartii cps gene cluster was able to complement mutations in E. amylovora ams genes. Correspondence was found between the amsA-E complementation groups and the cpsB-D region, but the arrangement of the genes appears to be different. EPS production and virulence were also restored to E. amylovora amsE and E. stewartii cpsD mutants by clones containing the Rhizobium meliloti exoA gene.     

Effects of fire on water and salinity relations of riparian woody taxa

Water and salinity relations were evaluated in recovering burned individuals of the dominant woody taxa from low-elevation riparian plant communities of the southwestern U.S. Soil elemental analyses indicated that concentrations of most nutrients increased following fire, contributing to a potential nutrient abundance but also elevated alluvium salinity. Boron, to which naturalized Tamarix ramosissima is tolerant, was also elevated in soils following fire. Lower moisture in the upper 30 cm of burned site soil profiles was attributed to shifts in evapotranspiration following fire. Higher leaf stomatal conductance occurred in all taxa on burned sites. This is apparently due to higher photosynthetic photon flux density at the midcanopy level and may be partially mitigated by reduced unit growth in resprouting burned individuals. Predawn water potentials varied little among sites, as was expected for plants exhibiting largely phreatophytic water uptake. Midday water potentials in recovering Salix gooddingii growing in the Colorado River floodplain reached levels which are considered stressful. Decreased hydraulic efficiency was also indicated for this species by examining transpiration-water potential regressions. Recovering, burned Tamarix and Tessaria sericea had enriched leaf tissue ¹³C relative to unburned controls. Higher water use efficiency following fire in these taxa may be attributed to halophytic adaptations, and to elevated foliar nitrogen in Tessaria. Consequently, mechanisms are proposed which would facilitate increased community dominance of Tamarix and Tessaria in association with fire. The theory that whole ecosystem processes are altered by invading species may thus be extended to include those processes related to disturbance.     

Pollen,mould mites and fungi: improvements to mass rearing ofTyphlodromus doreenae andAmblyseius victoriensis

Populations ofTyphlodromus doreenae Schicha on 18×14 cm arenas using pollen ofTypha orientalis Presl. as food, increased from an estimated 50–150 to 1,000–1,600 motiles per arena in the presence of mould mites,Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and the fungusRhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenberg ex. Fr.) Lind.T. putrescentiae in association withR. stolonifer, developed pigmentation and were preyed on byT. doreenae which also became pigmented. UnpigmentedT. putrescentiae were not attacked byT. doreenae which remained pale coloured.T. doreenae died when supplied with the fungus alone. Bean plants dusted with pollen ofT. orientalis from a talcum powder dispenser supported a large population (7–12 stages/leaf) ofAmblyseius victoriensis (Womersley). These improvements to mass rearing ofT. doreenae andA. victoriensis are discussed with respect to their potential for commercialisation.