Long-term cytotoxicities of various pesticides evaluated by albumin secretion of primary cultured rat hepatocytes

Summary Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were used to estimate the cytotoxicities of various pesticides. The index was based on the inhibition of albumin secretion. Cytotoxicities closely correlated to the octanol/water distribution of pesticides. This estimation could be more reliable on the estimation of toxic effects on human health.     

Phenomenological theory of GC/AT pressure on DNA base composition

Summary We present a phenomenological theory expressing the constraints operating on the (G+C) contents of the three codon positions, i.e., first, second, and third bases of codons, by using the smallest number of constraint parameters having clear physical and genetic meaning. Theoretical curves displaying base composition at each of the three codon sites are given. The agreement between the theoretical curves and the data points of 1277 genes is quite good irrespective of the species from which the DNAs originated; the curves might be universal ones and the constraint parameters might have general biological meanings in relation to the DNA/RNA and protein functions.     

Ectomycorrhiza formation ofTricholoma matsutake onPinus densiflora

Mycorrhizal association ofTricholoma matsutake withPinus densiflora was studied. A naturally establishedP. densiflora stand (age: ca. 45 yr) where occurrences ofT. matsutake sporocarps had been confirmed was studied in lbaraki Prefecture, Japan. Pine root systems connected withT. matsutake sporocarps via the fungal white mycelia were sampled in October 1997. The sampled pine roots were covered overall with mycelia. Under a dissecting microscope, the mycelia were confirmed to form fungal sheaths on the lateral roots. Under a light microscope, transverse and longitudinal sections of these roots showed the presence of both fungal sheaths and Hartig nets, which are typical of ectomycorrhizas. The fungal sheath was ca. 1.5–20 μm. in thickness, and felt prosenchymatous in texture. Hartig nets developed continuously at the cortex and extended to the boundary between cortical cells and endodermal cells. The same ectomycorrhizal morphotype on the pine was also recovered from inside the same mycelial colony (i.e., “shiro”) ofT. matsutake from winter to summer. These results suggest thatT. matsutake has a perennial ectomycorrhizal association withP. densiflora.