Larval development of Diploptera punctata reared alone and in groups

Larvae of the cockroach Diploptera punctata were reared in isolation, in pairs, or in groups of 8–10. Duration of larval development, age at each ecdysis, weights at birth and ecdyses, and adult head-capsule width were measured. Duration of larval development was longer and adult size was larger in isolated animals than in animals reared in pairs and groups. The effect of isolation on development was more pronounced in males. All females had 4 larval instars, whereas males had 3 or 4 instars. The proportion of males with 4 larval instars was higher among animals reared in isolation. There was no difference in the duration of larval development or adult size between pair- and group-reared animals. The sex of animals in the group did not affect adult size or the duration of larval development. Males which underwent 3 or 4 larval instars had different schedules of moulting. Rates of growth of males of both instar types reared in isolation and pairs were similar. Greater adult weight of isolated animals and 4-instar-type males was a result of their longer duration of larval development. Both a higher rate of growth and longer duration of larval development contribute to the larger adult size of females than males.     

A further study on the dietary-regulated biosynthesis of high-sulphur wool proteins

When the diet of sheep is supplemented by the infusion of sulphur-containing amino acids or casein into the abomasum, the newly synthesized wool shows characteristic changes in its amino acid composition, with significant increases in cystine, proline and serine and decreases in aspartic acid and phenylalanine. This modification seems to be due entirely to an alteration in the overall composition of the high-sulphur proteins and to an increase in their proportion in the fibre. These variations are not the result of a change in the composition of individual proteins, but are due to alterations in their relative proportions and to the initiation of the synthesis of `new' proteins, many of which are extremely rich in cystine. It is suggested that the heterogeneity of the high-sulphur proteins may be due, in part, to similar changes in composition caused by natural variations in the nutrition of sheep.     

Herring bodies; an electron microscopic study of local degeneration and regeneration of neurosecretory axons

Summary The Herring bodies in the posterior lobe of the bovine hypophysis are very large (2–600 ) and can be classified into three types. The type I Herring body contains an accumulation of neurosecretory granules. These Herring bodies are very scarce and should not be confused with the numerous, but small, axonal swellings which also contain neurosecretory granules.The type II Herring body is characterized by the presence of a varying number of normal, moderately electron dense and empty vesicles, autophagic vacuoles, multilamellate bodies and occasional mitochondria. These Herring bodies are frequently observed.The type III Herring body is typified by the presence of dense vesicles connected to tubular formations which contain material of variable electron density, of filaments, and of long slender and very numerous mitochondria.The presence of multilamellate bodies and autophagic vacuoles suggests that the type II Herring body is in a degenerating phase. This concept is further substantiated by the similarity between this type of Herring body and transected neurosecretory axons in which degeneration is occurring.A similar comparison suggests that the type III Herring body is undergoing a regenerative process. Our current concept of the structure and function of Herring bodies is revised in the discussion.This work was supported by grants 5 RO1 NB 06641 NEUA and 5 R0107492 NEUA from the National Institutes of Health and the Space Sciences Research Center of the University of Missouri. The technical assistance of Mrs. G. Clark and Mr. R. Faup, and the clerical assistance of Mrs. S. Schmidt are gratefully acknowledged.Fellow of the Conséjo National de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnicas de la República Argentína.     

Ultrastructure of the neurohaemal region of the toad median eminence

Summary According to the internal structure and size of the granules, six types of nerve endings can be distinguished in the toad median eminence: 1. Endings containing mostly dense granules of 600 Å in diameter; 2. Endings containing dense granules of about 800 Å in diameter; 3. Endings which contain dense granules 1,000–2,000 Å in diameter, with the peak at 1,200–1,400 Å; 4. Endings containing granules with a characteristic structure, which differentiate them from the other three types; 5. Scarce endings containing granules 2,000 to 3,800 Å in diameter; and 6. Endings containing only vesicles 400–500 Å in diameter. Types 3 and 4 endings are mainly found in the outer pericapillary zone, and are probably responsible for the strong Gomori-positive reaction observed in this zone. The other four types of endings occur mainly in the inner pericapillary zone, and appear to be Gomori-negative.The probable origins of the different types of endings, and their possible relations with the different releasing factors is discussed.The subendothelial basement membrane has numerous long processes which form a complicated network in contact with all the nerve endings, some nerve fibres and glial cells.Two types of glial cells are described. Pinocytotic vesicles are frequently seen at the points where these cells contact the basement membrane. All the ultrastructural features suggest that these cells are carrying out transport functions.Fellow of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina.The author is very grateful to Professor H. Heller for his continued encouragement and criticism and to Mr. J. Lane and Mr. P. Heap for their valuable help.     

Pulsed-field gel analysis of human immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant region gene deletions reveals the extent of unmapped regions within the locus

The human immunoglobulin heavy-chain constant region gene locus is organized in three main gene groups, the physical distances of which are unknown. Different types of gene deletions, originated by unequal crossingover, have been found to encompass one or more genes in the locus. We have analyzed some of these deletions by means of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, which allows resolution of large DNA fragments. By identifying a fragment containing two of the main gene groups and by observing the size reduction of this fragment in subjects with deletions, we were able to estimate the distance between the two groups and better locate the pseudogene in-between.     

Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of a Neural Proteoglycan Expressing the L5 Carbohydrate Epitope

The monoclonal L5 antibody reacts with an N-glycosidically linked carbohydrate structure which is present on the neural cell adhesion molecule L1, neural chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and other not yet identified glycosylated proteins. Using this antibody, we isolated and characterized proteoglycans from adult mouse brain and cultured astrocytes biosynthetically labeled with Na2 35SO4 and a 3H-amino acid mixture. Our data suggest that the L5 proteoglycans of both sources are identical in their biochemical properties. The apparent molecular mass of the L5 proteoglycan is approximately 500 kDa. Digestion of the iodinated L5 proteoglycan from mouse brain and of the [35S]methionine-labeled L5 proteoglycan from cultured astrocytes with proteinase-free chondroitinases ABC and AC revealed three major core proteins with apparent molecular masses of approximately 380, 360, and 260 kDa. These represent molecularly distinct protein cores.     

[3H]Tyramine binding: A comparison with neuronal [3H]-dopamine uptake and [3H]mazindol binding processes

[³H]Spiperone ([³H]SPI) binding sites in rat or bovine striata have been solubilized using CHAPS or digitonin detergents. Solubilized sites retained the binding characteristics of those in native membrane preparations. The same solubilized material, however, did not bind [³H]tyramine ([³H]PTA), thus indicating that [³H]PTA binding sites and DA receptors are different chemico-physical entities. In membrane preparations or crude synaptosomes obtained from the c.striatum of neonatally-rendered hypothyroid rats, when central DA-pathways are impaired, both [³H]PTA binding and [³H]DA uptake processes were markedly decreased, with no effect on [³H]mazindol ([³H]MAZ) binding, compared to euthyroids. Reserpine, a well-known inhibitor of DA-uptake into a variety of secretory vesicles, and a potent in vivo andin vitro inhibitor of [³H]PTA binding, did not affect the [³H]MAZ binding process. This further supported the suggestion that while [³H]PTA binding sites are almost totally associated with the vesicular transporter for DA, [³H]MAZ does label a site involved in the DA-translocation across the neuronal membrane. The latter process seems to be rather insensitive to thyroid hypofunction, when however the intracellular storage of DA might be consistently impaired. In conclusion, PTA might be well exploited as a marker of the DA vesicular transporter through its molecular characterization, whenever possible.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Paola S. Timiras     

Ca requirement for aerobic nitrogen fixation by heterocystous blue-green algae

The requirement of Ca²⁺ for growth and nitrogen fixation has been investigated in two strains of heterocystous blue-green algae (Anabaena sp. and Anabaena ATCC 33047). With combined nitrogen (nitrate or ammonium) or with N₂ under microaerobic conditions, Ca²⁺ was not required for growth, at least in concentrations greater than traces. In contrast, Ca²⁺ was required as a macronutrient for growth and nitrogen fixation with air as the nitrogen source. Addition of Ca²⁺ to an aerobic culture without Ca²⁺ promoted, after a lag of several hours, development of nitrogenase activity and cell growth. Provision of air to a microaerobic culture in the absence of Ca²⁺ promoted a drastic drop in nitrogenase activity, which rapidly recovered its initial level upon restoration of microaerobic conditions. Development of nitrogenase activity in response to either Ca²⁺ or low oxygen tension was dependent on de novo protein synthesis. The role of Ca²⁺ seems to be related to protection of nitrogenase from inactivation, by conferring heterocysts resistance to oxygen.