Oxidation of Lignin-Related Aromatic Alcohols by Cell Suspensions of Methylosinus trichosporium

Cell suspensions of Methylosinus trichosporium oxidized the aromatic alcohols benzyl alcohol, vanillyl alcohol, and veratryl alcohol to the corresponding aldehydes, and with the exception of vanillyl alcohol, the aldehydes were further oxidized to the corresponding aromatic acids. No other transformation was observed, and the methoxyl moieties attached to the aromatic nucleus remained intact. More than 70% of the alcohol oxidized could be accounted for by aldehyde and/or acid. Investigation of the inhibitor kinetics of EDTA or p-nitrophenylhydrazine (specific for NAD⁺-independent methanol dehydrogenase in methylotrophs) on aromatic alcohol oxidation revealed noncompetitive inhibition in which the V_max was decreased but the K_m remained unchanged. The pattern of inhibition of aromatic alcohol oxidation matched that of methanol oxidation, and the K_m values for all of the substrates were similar (12 to 16 mM). The results indicate that the initial step in the oxidation of aromatic alcohols was similar to that for methanol, and because oxidation was incomplete (i.e., only the corresponding aldehyde or acid was produced), there may be some biotechnological advantages in using whole cells of methylotrophs to facilitate aromatic biotransformations.     

Versatile Method for Evaluating a Cell Culture by Various Morphological Techniques

Cellulose acetate is a versatile material for evaluating cells grown under identical conditions by various morphological techniques. This inexpensive material is transparent, easily cut to size and shape, nontoxic to cell cultures, and resistant to most chemicals used in histochemistry and in scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Samples may be obtained during and after the culture process. Cellulose acetate slides can be mounted directly over glass slides for direct observation and are easily peeled off plastic blocks for electron microscopy, leaving the cells behind. Relative disadvantages include its autofluorescence and a tendency to soften in strong acids or pure solutions of organic solvents such as xylene and propylene oxide.     

The use of inorganic substances to stimulate gut evacuation in Daphnia magna

Observations were done on the effect of inorganic substances on the gut evacuation process in Daphnia magna. Procedures which accelerate this process are described.     

The influx of carbon into Lake Kinneret in 1971/1972 by Jordan zooplankton

The carbon influx by Jordan zooplankton into Lake Kinneret was found to be negligible, compared to the total amount of organic carbon. The majority of zooplankton biomass (61%) is due to short pulses of Cladocera whilst 30% and 9% are due to Rotifera and Copepoda respectively.     

Behavioural displays to gustatory stimuli in newborn rabbit pups

Motor displays in the face and head regions of 33 neonate rabbits(less than 24 hrs post partum) in response to taste stimulationwere examined. A droplet of taste solution was placed mediallyon the pup's lips and the ensuing behavioral repertoire wastallied over a 60 sec period in a double blind situation. Tastantsincluded 2 concentrations each of sucrose, saccharin, citricacid and quinine. Distilled water was used as a stimulant andfor intertrial rinses. Response characteristics to the varioustaste stimuli were differentiable, specific and reproduciblewithin and across animals. Certain response features were moreoften associated with one stimulus than with another. Quinineoften produced mouth opening (gaping) and head movements, whereassucrose was associated with a quiet animal licking and makingcharacteristic mouth movements. Sour reactions often resembledthose to sweet, but other features helped distinguish thoseresponses. Reactions proved to be concentration-dependent anddifferent from those to water. Quality and hedonic value wereusually accurately judged and corresponded to adult preferencebehaviors. It was inferred that rabbits at this early age arealready equipped with a functioning taste system up to the brainstemlevel. Cross-species comparisons of stereotyped reactions werediscussed.     

Hyphal walls of isolated lichen fungi

The hyphal walls of three mycobionts, isolated from the lichens Xanthoria parietina, Tornabenia intricata and Sarcogyne sp. were investigated by two techniques: microautoradiography of fungal colonies exposed to radioactive carbohydrate precursors; and binding, in vivo, of fluorescein conjugated lectins to hyphal walls of such colonies.N-[³H] acetylglucosamine was readily incorporated into tips, young hyphal walls and septa of the three mycobionts and the free-living fungus Trichoderma viride, but not into Phytophthora citrophthora, indicating that chitin is a major component of the mycobionts' hyphal walls. All three mycobionts, but neither of the free-living fungi, incorporated [³H] mannose and [³H] mannitol into their hyphal walls.Fluorescein-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin was bound to the hyphal walls of the three mycobionts and T. viride, but not to the walls of P. citrophthora; the binding pattern was similar to the grain pattern obtained in autoradiographs after short N-[³H] acetylglucosamine labelling. As wheat germ agglutinin binds specifically to chitin oligomers, the lectin binding tests further confirmed that chitin is a mycobiont hyphal wall component.Binding characteristics of several fluorescein-conjugated lectins to the three mycobionts indicated that this technique can yield useful information concerning the chemical composition of hyphal wall surfaces.List of abbreviations FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - WGA wheat germ agglutinin - TCA trichloroacetic acid - PNA peanut agglutinin - LA lotus agglutinin - Glc NAc N-acetylglucosamine - ConA concanavalin A - SBA soybean agglutinin - WBA waxbean agglutinin Part of an M.Sc. thesis submitted by A. Braun to the Department of Botany, Tel Aviv University.     

Effect of inorganic sulfide on the growth and metabolism of Methanosarcina barkeri strain DM

Minimal growth of Methanosarcina barkeri strain DM occurred when sulfide was omitted fromthe growth medium, and addition of either sodium sulfate or coenzyme M to sulfide-depleted media failed to restore growth. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 1.25 mM added sulfide, giving a molar growth yield (YCH4) of 4.4 mg (dry weight) of cells per mmol of CH4 produced. Increasing sulfide to 12.5 mM led to decrease in YCH4 (1.9 mg [dry weight]/mmol of CH4), in the specific growth rate and in be intracellular levels of adenosine triphosphate. However, the specific rate of methane production increased. The data suggested that at elevated sulfide levels (12.5 mM) the decrease in YCH4 might be a result of an increase in the relative energy needed for maintnenace and of uncoupling of growth from energy production.