Analysis of a large nontranscribed spacer in the ribosomal DNA of the house cricket,Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera:Gryllidae)

An analysis of a 29-kilobase nontranscribed spacer fragment in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, revealed a highly repetitious structure. A total of eight EcoRI repeats of three different size classes measuring 259, 420, and 508 base pairs (bp) was mapped to a region 2 kilobases (kb) from the 18 S coding region. The repeats were oriented in a nonrandom manner and had sequences homologous to DNA located immediately adjacent to the repetitive array. DNA sequence analysis showed that the repetitive region was composed of smaller direct repeats 66, 67, and 383 bp in length. There was minor length heterogeneity of the chromosomal restriction fragments containing the entire array, indicating that a variable number of EcoRI repeats is a minor contributor to the total repeat-unit length heterogeneity. Immediately upstream from the EcoRI array there is a 17-kb region composed of 50 to 60 subrepeat elements recognized by a variety of restriction endonucleases. A subcloned SmaI repeat from the array was not homologous to any other part of the rDNA repeat unit or other chromosomal DNA. There was little length heterogeneity in restriction fragments containing the chromosomal 17-kb repetitions region. Immediately upstream from the 17-Kb region there is a 4.1-kb segment with sequences homologous to the EcoRI repeats.     

Lung T cells in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: phenotypic and functional analyses

Cells recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tissue sections from transbronchial lung biopsies were studied in 16 patients with symptomatic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and in six subjects with a similar history of exposure but without features of disease by using a series of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) detecting different lymphocyte subpopulations, including T and T subsets, B lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. Their functional activities in cytotoxic and suppressor assays and the microenvironment in the lung by using immunohistological techniques were also evaluated. It has been demonstrated that the majority of cells recovered from BAL of HP patients are represented by T8 lymphocytes, with a relevant imbalance of the T4/T8 ratio (p less than 0.001). HNK-1+ cells were markedly increased (p less than 0.001), whereas the frequency of cells bearing other NK-related markers (NK-15, VEP 13, Ab8.28, T10, M1, and Fc gamma R) were not significantly increased with respect to controls. Immunohistological study confirmed that the majority of cells infiltrating lung parenchyma are T8+ lymphocytes. The number of HNK-1+ cells detected on lung biopsies was very low in all cases, even in patients with the highest values on BAL suspensions. The evidence of cells bearing the proliferation-associated markers (Tac and T9 antigens) seems to support the hypothesis of a local proliferation in the lung. In terms of phenotypic analysis, the results observed in the group of asymptomatic individuals are qualitatively superimposable on those observed in the HP group, but the magnitude of the phenomenon is less prominent and therefore the data are not as statistically significant as that produced by the comparison between HP patients and the same controls. Functional analysis of BAL T cells from both HP patients and asymptomatic individuals showed suppressor activity in vitro, as determined by the ability to influence a pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-driven B cell differentiation assay. BAL cells from HP patients were also able to display a definite cytotoxic function in vitro, whereas BAL lymphocytes from asymptomatic subjects did not. Taken together, these data demonstrated that cells responsible for the alveolitis in patients with HP are characterized by the expansion of T cells with the phenotype and functions of both suppressor and/or cytotoxic lymphocytes. This expansion is likely to be related to a local immunologic response to the antigenic stimulus and may provide new insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms of this disease, its pathological pattern, and its management.     

Protein composition of the chromosomal scaffold and interphase nuclear matrix

Residual protein structures were prepared from isolated chromosomes and interphase nuclei of in vitro cultured bovine liver cells and the protein compositions were analysed. Chromosomes with minimal cytoplasmic contamination were obtained by a simple procedure using a pH 8 isolation medium containing Triton X-100 and polyamines, and residual protein-DNA complexes were prepared by extraction with 2 M NaCl. Residual protein structures were also obtained by digesting isolated chromosomes with staphylococcal nuclease. Protein compositions of both structures as obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were essentially the same. Residual protein structures were prepared from isolated nuclei by the same procedures. The major nuclear matrix proteins, i.e., the lamins A, B, and C, were not found in the chromosomes and chromosome scaffolds. On the other hand, the residual chromosome structures contained two major polypeptides of 37 and 83 kilodalton relative molecular weights that were absent from the nuclear matrix preparations. A few polypeptides with the same or very similar electrophoretic mobilities were found in the residual structures of both the nuclei and the chromosomes.     

Construction of a cosmid library of Spirulina platensis as an approach to DNA physical mapping

Abstract A Spirulina platensis gene library has been constructed using cosmid vector pMMB34. The cosmid bank was controlled for its random gene distribution by colony hybridization. Genes were identified using either homologous or heterologous probes of genes involved in photosynthesis (large and small subunit of d -ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, 32 kDa thylakoid protein, α, β subunits of C-phycocyanin) and protein synthesis (elongation factors EF-Tu, EF-G).     

Properties of action potentials carried by divalent cations in identified leech neurons

Properties of divalent cation potentials carried by either Sr2+ or Ca2+ ions in Na+-free, TEA-Ringer solution were characterized in identified neurons of two species of leeches (Macrobdella and Haementeria). In Macrobdella, the overshoot of the potentials varied logarithmically with [Sr2+]0 (28.5 mV per 10-fold change). The overshoot, Vmax, and duration of the potentials increased with increasing divalent cation concentration and saturated at about 20 to 30 mM [Sr2+]0. The Vmax, amplitude, and duration of the potentials were reversibly blocked by Co2+ and Mn2+. The block by Mn2+ could be well-fitted by a reverse Langmuir-curve with an apparent KI of 100 micromolar. The local anesthetic procaine also reversibly inhibited the Vmax and duration of the potentials. The inhibition was greater at alkaline pH suggesting that procaine blocks the calcium channel from inside the membrane. The identified leech neurons examined in Macrobdella varied considerably in their ability to sustain somatic divalent cation potentials. Stimulation of T cells and most motoneurons produced no or only weak potentials, whereas stimulation of Retzius, N, Nut, and AP cells evoked overshooting potentials of several seconds' duration. Stimulation of the ALG cell of Haementeria in normal Ringer solution evoked a slowly-rising, purely Ca2+-dependent potential of approximately 100 ms duration. This response was TTX-resistant, unaffected by complete removal of Na+ from the Ringer solution, and abolished by 1 mM Mn2+. The overshoot varied logarithmically with a slope of 28 mV/decade change in [Ca2+]0.     

The Electrical Conductivity of Bovine Milk in Mastitis Diagnosis

The electrical conductivity (EC) of milk is mainly a function of the electrolyte concentration in the milk and therefore raised in mastitis. The present investigation was aimed at elaborating, if possible, a diagnostic model for screening purposes based on EC determinations and consistent with the diagnostic procedures and interpretations commonly used in laboratory milk diagnosis in the Nordic countries (Klastrup 1975). According to this diagnosis (here called reference diagnosis) cell numbers above 300,000/ml (cell count or the corresponding CMT-score) in foremilk quarter samples during the main part of the lactation period and significantly above the lowest value on within-udder comparison during late lactation are considered indicative of mastitis and bacteriological examinations are made when called for.     

Autophosphorylation of type 2 casein kinase TS at both its α- and β-subunits: Influence of different effectors

Rat liver casein kinase TS (Ck-TS) having quarternary structure α₂β₂, autophosphorylates at its 25 kDa, β-subunits, incorporating up to 1.2 mol P/mol enzyme. According to their effects on the autophosphorylation pattern the effectors of Ck-TS activity can be grouped into 3 classes: (i) inhibitors, like heparin, which also prevent the autophosphorylation of the β-subunit; (ii) stimulators possessing several amino groups (like spermine) which increase the autophosphorylation at the β-subunit; (iii) stimulators possessing several guanido groups, like protamines and related peptides, which prevent the phosphorylation of the β-subunit, while promoting the autophosphorylation of the 38 kDa α-subunit. In the presence of such polyarginyl effectors the 130 kDa Ck-TS is converted into forms with higher sedimentation coefficient.     

Morphological variation of Keratella cochlearis (Gosse) in Lake Biwa,Japan

The length of the lorica (LL) of Keratella cochlearis cochlearis and of K. cochlearis tecta and the length of posterior spine (PSL) of the latter morphotype were measured in the strongly eutrophic basin and also in the mesotrophic basin of Lake Biwa, Japan, from September to December, 1980. In the population from the mesotrophic basin, the individuals with longer PSL prevail and the tecta forms are extremely rare. The LL values of both morphotypes from one sample do not differ. In December the LL increased to 95 µm in both morphotypes from 80 µm observed in September, while the PSL values decreased abrubtly in both basins in the middle of this period. It is suggested that the observed increase of LL could be related to the thermic factor, i.e. a steady decrease of water temperature, and the changes of PSL are correlated with the increase of nannoplankton and detritus aggregates noted in November. In this month an increase in fecundity and in the total numbers of rotifers took place as well (Hillbricht-Ilkowska, in press).     

Comparison of various atmospheric conditions for isolation and subcultivation of Mycoplasma hyorhinis from cell cultures

The efficiency of aerobic incubation was compared with incubation under various oxygen and carbon dioxide conditions for the isolation and subcultivation of three strains of Mycoplasma hyorhinis from VERO-cell cultures and subcultivation of three laboratory strains. Under anaerobic conditions with a low oxidation-reduction potential (at or below -115 mV) as obtained in jars, with catalysts, containing mixtures of 5%-10% CO2 in H2, very poor or no growth of any of the six M. hyorhinis strains was observed. When traces of oxygen were present (that is, under conditions with higher oxidation-reduction potentials, e.g. when omitting the catalyst in the above gas mixtures or in 5% CO2 + 95% N2) isolation from cell cultures was successful in most tests, but subcultivation of these primary isolates was seldom possible under these semi-anaerobic conditions. However, in most cases these primary isolates could be subcultivated aerobically, although aerobic conditions were unsatisfactory for isolation in about half of the experiments. Isolation of M. hyorhinis was optimal in 5% O2 + 95% N2, under which condition the isolates could also always be subcultivated. Isolation failed occasionally when 5% O2 + 5% CO2 + 90% N2 was used, thus indicating that 5% CO2 was slightly inhibitory. 5% CO2 in air and 10% CO2 either in air, H2 or N2 were also inadequate for isolation from cell cultures. In contrast to the findings with these cell culture-adapted M. hyorhinis strains, the laboratory strains could be subcultivated easily under all conditions tested except those with an oxidation-reduction potential at or below -115 mV; 100% CO2 was inhibitory for all 6 strains. Our findings may partly explain why M. hyorhinis is often considered "non-cultivable" on artificial media once adapted to cell cultures. The findings emphasize the need to employ also a micro-aerophilic condition (5% O2 in 95% N2) in the examination of cell cultures for mycoplasma.