Translation of poly(U) on ribosomes from Streptomyces aureofaciens

Slowly cooled cells of Streptomyces aureofaciens contained mainly tight-couple ribosomes. Maximum rate of polyphenylalanine synthesis on ribosomes of S. aureofaciens was observed at 40°C, while cultures grew optimally at 28°C. Ribosomes of S. aureofaciens differed from those of E. coli in the amount of poly(U) required for maximum synthetic activity. The polyphenylalanine-synthesizing activity of E. coli ribosomes was about 3-times higher than that of S. aureofaciens ribosomes. The addition of protein S1 of E. coli or the homologous protein from S. aureofaciens had no stimulatory effect on the translation of poly(U). In order to localize alteration(s) of S. aureofaciens ribosomes in the elongation step of polypeptide synthesis we developed an in vitro system derived from purified elongation factors and ribosomal subunits. The enzymatic binding of Phe-tRNA to ribosomes of S. aureofaciens was significantly lower than the binding to ribosomes of E. coli. This alteration was mainly connected with the function of S. aureofaciens 50 S subunits. These subunits were not deficient in their ability to associate with 30 S subunits or with protein SL5 which is homologous to L7/L12 of E. coli.     

Properties of Hamster Embryo Fibroblasts Transformed In Vitro After Exposure to Ultraviolet-Irradiated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

An in vitro method which led to the transformation of hamster embryo fibroblasts after exposure to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) inactivated with ultraviolet irradiation is described. The transformed cells (333-8-9) produced tumors when inoculated into newborn Syrian hamsters but not when injected into weanling Syrian hamsters of the same LSH inbred strain. However, after one in vivo passage, the 333-8-9 cells became highly oncogenic in weanling hamsters. No infectious virus was recovered from these cells. Herpes simplex virus antigens were detected in the transformed cells by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Sera from tumor-bearing hamsters contained antibody with highly specific neutralizing activity against HSV-2. These studies indicate the continued involvement of the HSV-2 genome in an oncogenic cell line.     

Studies on the subunit structure and amino acid sequence of triose phosphate isomerase from chicken breast muscle

1. Triose phosphate isomerase was prepared by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose of an (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fraction of an extract of homogenized chicken breast muscle. The product is homogeneous on gel electrophoresis and is suitable for growing crystals for X-ray work. The specific activity is 10000 units/mg and the value for E(0.1%) (280) is 1.20. 2. Comparison between the sum of the amino acid compositions of the tryptic peptides of the protein and the amino acid composition obtained on total hydrolysis of the protein indicates that the relative subunit mass is about 27000. 3. These data, together with the results of the examination of the amino acid compositions of a number of minor peptides, the number of peptides in the tryptic digest and the complete amino acid sequences of the tryptic peptides (the determination of which is described here), give no indication that the subunits are dissimilar. 4. A tentative amino acid sequence is presented for the protein, in which the ordering of the tryptic peptides is derived by homology with the sequence of the rabbit muscle enzyme (Corran & Waley, 1973). 5. An appendix describes the use that was made of mass spectrometry in the determination of some of the sequences. Mass-spectrometric data have been obtained for 35 residues, that is about 15% of the total sequence of the protein. 6. An extended version of the present paper has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50025 at the British Library, Lending Division (formerly the National Lending Library for Science and Technology), Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem. J. (1973) 131, 5.     

The problem of carotenoid biosynthesis in the taxonomy of genera Rhodotorula and Rhodosporidium

This report presents results in the composition of major carotenoids of various coloured mutants of the genusRhodotorula and of mating types of the genusRhodosporidium. The separation of carotenoid intermediates was carried out by thin layer chromatography using Silufol 254 Kavalier and the determination of eluated spots by spectrophotometry. There was found no difference in carotenoid composition of both mating typesa and α of individual species of the genusRhodosporidium. The vegetative and sexual reproduction ofRhodotorula andRhodosporidium can be separated from the carotenogenesis using 10^?4 mol diphenylamine. It was concluded that lycopene could be the intermediate to mono- and dicyclic carotenoids; in the case of partial inhibition of the dehydrogenation step the direct cyclization of neurosporene to β-zeacarotene can be expected. An unknown compound, probably lycopersene was found and was considered to be the precursor of phytoene. Phytoene and phytofluene were proved in all studied samples. Nutritional conditions (vitamins, sulfur amino acids, etc.) are able to shift the ratios between major carotenoids. Rhodotorula aurantiaca strains were observed to be auxotrophic mutants of various characters and the existence of this species as independent one, was denied.     

Bemerkungen zur Taxonomie vonVicia sepium L.

In der ArtVicia sepium L. kann man in Mitteleuropa und in südlichen Teilen von Nordeuropa drei Varietäten unterscheiden: 1. var.sepium mit breiten Blättchen und einem kahlen bis angedrückt behaarten Kelch, 2. var.montana Koch mit schmalen Blättchen und einem kahlen oder zerstreut angedrückt behaarten Kelch, und 3. var.eriocalyx ?elak. mit breiten bis mittelbreiten Blättchen und einem abstehend langbehaarten Kelch, noch mit einer niedrigen und einer hohen Wuchsform. Bei allen Proben wurde die Chromosomezahl 2n=14 festgestellt.     

Bemerkungen zur Taxonomie und Nomenklatur vonLotus krylovii Schischk. etSerg. undL. corniculatus L. subsp.frondosus Freyn

Lotus krylovii Schischk. etSerg. undL. corniculatus L. subsp.frondosus Freyn sind zwei unterschiedliche Taxa, gekennzeichnet durch einige morphologische Merkmale.L. krylovii ist am nächsten mitL. tenuis Waldst. etKit. verwandt;L. corniculatus subsp.frondosus gehört in den Umkreis der Unterart vonL. corniculatus L., die im östlichen Teil des Areals der Art verbreitet ist. Nach ihrer Haupt-Verbreitung gehören die beiden Taxa zu den westasiatischen Arten.