Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a cDNA for the {alpha} Subunit of a G Protein from Rice

We report the isolation of a cDNA for the     

Membranes carrying acid hydrolases in pea seedling roots

Subcellular localization of acid hydrolases in pea seedlingroots was studied by differential and sucrose density gradientcentrifugations. Significant parts of hydrolase activities inthe tissue were recovered in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions.Sedimentable phosphatase was separated into two subtractions:denser and lighter membrane fractions. The distribution of phosphataseactivity after sucrose density gradient centrifugation of thedenser fraction coincided with that of antimycin AinsensitiveNADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Electron microscopic observationssuggested that the fraction contained only microsomes. RNasein the denser fraction seemed to associate with ribosomes. Phosphataseand RNase were solubilized by sonic treatment in the presenceof high concentrations of salt. On the other hand, a-amylasewas tightly bound to a membrane. The results are discussed withspecial regard to the relationship between the membranes andlysosomes. (Received May 4, 1973; )     

Nucleotide Sequence of cDNA for Concanavalin A from Canavalia gladiata Seeds

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of Con A cDNA forconcanavalin A (Con A) from Canavalia gladiata using a plasmid(pCONAl) that was isolated previously [Eur. J. Bio-chem. (1988)170: 515-520]. This sequence contains a 870-bp open readingframe, a 63-bp 5'-un-translated region and a 99-bp 3'-untranslatedregion. DNA blot analysis suggested that Con A is encoded bya small gene family. In contrast to the case of canavalin, thenucleotide sequence and the genomic organization of Con A geneare highly conserved between C. gladiata and C. ensifor-mis. (Received August 4, 1988; Accepted November 21, 1988)     

IAA-induced opening of excisedMimosa pulvinules

Movement ofMimosa pudica L. pulvinules was investigated by using excised ones which were placed on a moist filter paper. The pulvinules excised in the morning opened at the addition of IAA (10⁻⁷ M to 10⁻⁴M) in the dark. The lag period for the onset of the opening was about 15 min. Na-acetate buffer (pH 4) also induced the opening of pulvinules in the dark, and the buffer-induced opening was inhibited by the uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. Na-MES and Na-citrate buffers (pH 4) did not induce the opening. Pulvinules taken from closed leaves in the evening were less responsive to IAA than those taken from open leaves in the morning. The pulvinules taken in the evening slightly opened with incandescent light (4000 lux), but those preincubated with IAA (10⁻⁷M and 10⁻⁶M) opened distinctly upon the illumination.     

Increase in permeability of human endothelial cell monolayer by recombinant human lymphotoxin

The effect of lymphotoxin (LT) on transendothelial permeability was examined using in vitro human endothelial cell (EC) culture system. To assess permeability, we measured the movement of human IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP-huIgG) across an EC monolayer cultured on a fibronectin and collagen-coated membrane. LT increases the permeability dose dependently within 16 hours. Similar results were obtained with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The results suggest that increase in vascular permeability by LT and TNF-alpha plays an important role in initiating hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors in vivo.