Occurrence of alginate gene sequences among members of the pseudomonad rRNA homology groups I-IV.

Total genomic DNA of 13 pseudomonads representing rRNA homology groups I-IV were screened for sequences homologous to four Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate (alg) genes by Southern hybridization. Biotinylated probes for three structural genes (algA, algC and algD) and one regulatory gene (algR1) were prepared. Genomic DNA of strains representing group I (P. syringae pv. glycinea, P. viridiflava and P. corrugata) hybridized with all four gene probes. Hybridizing fragments were of differing sizes, indicating that evolutionary divergence among group I members has occurred. P. corrugata has not been reported to synthesize alginate. Genomic DNA from representatives of groups II-IV gave no or very weak hybridization with the probes except for algC. This study indicates that the ability to produce alginic acid as an exopolysaccharide among the pseudomonads is restricted to members of rRNA homology group I in agreement with earlier physiological studies.     

The influence of neuropeptide Y and norepinephrine on ovulation in the rat ovary.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was measured in tissue extracts from ovaries of rats treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). The extracted NPY-immunoreactive material was identical to synthetic human NPY with regard to size and hydrophobicity as evaluated by gel filtration and high performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of NPY was related to the estrous cycle and a maximum was observed in relation to the endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) peak. NPY immunoreactivity was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry to be localized within nerve fibers supplying blood vessels and follicles. The increase in the NPY content could not be related to accumulation around specific ovarian structures. Employing an in vitro set-up, NPY (10(-7) M) was unable to induce ovulation and did not increase the ovulation rate in LH-stimulated ovaries. The combination of NPY (10(-7) M) and NE (10(-7) M) did not significantly increase the number of ovulations compared to that induced by NE (10(-7) M) alone. In conclusion, NPY content in the ovary is related to the estrous cycle, but NPY does not seem to have any direct effect on the ovulatory process.     

Alpha 1 chain of chick type VI collagen. The complete cDNA sequence reveals a hybrid molecule made of one short collagen and three von Willebrand factor type A-like domains

A cDNA library constructed from chick aorta poly(A+) RNA in the expression vector pEX1 was screened with rabbit polyclonal antisera. Additional clones were obtained by DNA-DNA hybridization with subclones from the most 5'- and 3'-ends. The overlapping clones span 4.6 kilobases and code for the entire alpha 1 (VI) chain. The nucleotide sequence reveals a 3057-base pair open reading frame that codes for 1019 amino acids. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence predicts that alpha 1 (VI) has one collagenous domain (COL) of 336 residues flanked by three repeated domains of about 200 residues each, one at the amino (A'3) and two at the carboxyl ends (A'2 and A'1), respectively, that are similar to the type A repeats of von Willebrand Factor. The COL domain presents two short interruptions near the carboxyl end of the triple helix and three of the six potential N-asparaginyl-linked carbohydrate attachment sites (Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr). Furthermore, it contains 1 cysteine at position 89 that could participate in the formation of dimers and 3 Arg-Gly-Asp sequences that might be potential sites for cell adhesion. The COL domain shows an extended region, starting from position 40, within the triple helix, made of 14 Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets that lack proline in the Y position, suggesting that it might be more flexible than the rest of the domain. At the junction of the COL with the N- and C-terminal domains, there are several cysteines that could confer the well known resistance of type VI collagen to pepsin and collagenase digestion under nonreducing conditions. The present sequence data allow a structural model for type VI collagen assembly to be proposed that is consistent with the structure implied from previous electron microscopic observation by Furthmayr et al. (Furthmayr, H., Wiedemann, H., Timpl, R., Odermatt, R., and Engel, J. (1983) Biochem. J. 221, 303-311).     

Stabilization of ornithine decarboxylase in erythroleukemia cells depleted of ATP

Ornithine decarboxylase activity in Friend erythroleukemia cells decayed with a half-life of 50 minutes after addition of cycloheximide and at a faster rate after addition of spermidine. Incubation with a medium containing dinitrophenol and 2-deoxy-glucose in place of glucose caused ATP depletion and blocked the turnover of ornithine decarboxylase, even after addition of spermidine. Dinitrophenol in the presence of glucose was able to provoke only a slight increase of the half-life of the enzyme. These results suggest that degradation of ornithine decarboxylase in erythroleukemia cells is ATP-dependent.     

Alkaptonuria in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

Alkaptonuria has been diagnosed in a laboratory born, five year old, female orangutan. In man, this relatively rare amino acid metabolic disorder is characterized by arthritis, pigmentation of cartilage, and darkening of the urine upon standing. The color change is due to oxidation of homogentisic acid not normally found in the urine. The condition in man is a simple Mendelian recessive trait characterized by the absence of homogentisic acid oxidase activity. At two years of age, the affected orangutan was noted to void urine of normal color, which upon standing turned a very dark maroon color. Clinically the animal appeared normal; and the results of a urinalysis, hemogram, and survey radiographs confirmed this evaluation. Nonspecific laboratory determinations used to diagnose alkaptonuria in man were positive. Homogentisic acid in the urine was confirmed by paper chromatography, and a quantitative evaluation was made by a commercial laboratory. The orangutan has shown no clinical change or evidence of ochronosis during the past three years, and quarterly survey radiographs show no evidence of osteoarthropathy. The affected orangutan has half brothers and sisters in the colony but no full sibling. Both parents are young, however, and are being paired in an attempt to produce siblings. It is hoped that additional animals with this metabolic defect will become available for use as potential models for studying this inborn error of metabolism.