EGF receptors on TEA3A1 endocrine thymic epithelial cells

Thymic endocrine epithelial cell line TEA3A1 can be maintained and passaged in a serum-free WAJC404A medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, dexamethasone and EGF. EGF not only promotes the growth of these cells but also regulates the activation of phospholipase A2 enzyme activity. The binding of [125I]EGF to the TEA3A1 cells is temperature and time dependent, saturable and can be blocked by excess unlabelled EGF. Two classes of EGF receptors are found on these cells. One with Kd of 5 X 10(-11)M (approximately 3000 sites/cell) and the other with Kd of 5 X 10(-9)M (approximately 30,000 sites/cell). The resynthesis of EGF receptor in TEA3A1 cells after down-regulation requires about 24 hrs and can be blocked by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide.     

The induction of a specific form of cytochrome P-450 (P-450j) by fasting

In previous work we have demonstrated that liver microsomal N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMAd) activity is increased in rats by fasting, and we have postulated that this is due to the induction of a specific form of cytochrome P-450. This communication provides evidence for such a hypothesis. Fasting for 24 and 48 h caused 59 and 116% increases, respectively, in NDMAd activity in male rats, and fasting for 48 h caused a 63% increase in female rats. These increases were accompanied by corresponding increases of cytochrome P-450j (P-450ac) determined by immunoblotting. Fasting for 24 and 48 h also increased the mRNA for P-450j by 153 to 250%, as determined by hybridization with a cDNA probe of this cytochrome. The results suggest that fasting affects the gene expression of P-450j.     

Tagging of a maize gene involved in kernel development by an activated Uq transposable element

Summary A quiescent Uq transposable element has been activated in a maize plant treated with 5-aza-2-deoxycyti-dine. This activated Uq cosegregates with a heritable dominant miniature (Mn) kernel phenotype, indicating its physical association with a maize miniature locus (Mn:: Uq). The Mn:: Uq mutant is dominant in producing a miniature seed phenotype of variable size and in reducing seedling vigor in the early growth stage. Genetic experiments indicate that the Mn:: Uq mutant also affects the activity of the male gametophyte, whereby pollen germination is inhibited, thus lacking pollen tube growth resulting in the male nontransmissibility of this mutant. Proof for the Uq element in this mutant is derived by its ability to transactivate the standard a-ruq reporter allele to yield spotted aleurone tissue. However, the Mn:: Uq mutant does not transactivate a normally Uq-responsive c-ruq allele, suggesting a structural difference between the two ruq receptors at the A1 and C1 loci. It is anticipated that cloning of the Uq transposable element would facilitate the molecular cloning and characterization of the maize miniature gene.Journal Paper No. J-13425 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA, Project No. 2850     

普通小麦栽培品种丰抗13的4B—1D染色体易位的鉴定

通过细胞学观察,在普通小麦栽培品种“丰抗13”和“京红1号”的杂交后代中,发现有多价体出现,这就表明有染色体易位发生。为进一步弄清究竟是哪条染色体发生了易位,我们采用单体测交方法,观察鉴定所有各单体系F_1的花粉母细胞第一次减数分裂中期Ⅰ(以下简称PMCs中Ⅰ)染色体构型。从鉴定结果发现,凡2n=42的F_1 PMCs中Ⅰ出现19~Ⅱ 1~Ⅳ,而2n=41的F_1PMCs中Ⅰ的染色体构型不同,单体与易位有关的两个单体系4B和1D F_1 PMCs中的Ⅰ构型中有部分呈现为19个二价体加1个三价体,即19~Ⅱ 1~Ⅲ,没有单价体,而其余各单体系F_1 PMCs中Ⅰ构型则表现为18个二价体,1个四价体和1个单价体,即18~Ⅱ 1~Ⅰ 1~Ⅳ。因此,可以肯定“丰抗13”存在1个染色体易位,其有关染色体就是4B和1D。     

Sequence analysis of alpha 1(VI) and alpha 2(VI) chains of human type VI collagen reveals internal triplication of globular domains similar to the A domains of von Willebrand factor and two alpha 2(VI) chain variants that differ in the carboxy terminus.

Amino acid sequences of human collagen alpha 1(VI) and alpha 2(VI) chains were completed by cDNA sequencing and Edman degradation demonstrating that the mature polypeptides contain 1009 and 998 amino acid residues respectively. In addition, they contain small signal peptide sequences. Both chains show 31% identity in the N-terminal (approximately 235 residues) and C-terminal (approximately 430 residues) globular domains which are connected by a triple helical segment (335-336 residues). Internal alignment of the globular sequences indicates a repetitive 200-residue structure (15-23% identity) occurring three times (N1, C1, C2) in each chain. These repeating subdomains are connected to each other and to the triple helix by short (15-30 residues) cysteine-rich segments. The globular domains possess several N-glycosylation sites but no cell-binding RGD sequences, which are exclusively found in the triple helical segment. Sequencing of alpha 2(VI) cDNA clones revealed two variant chains with a distinct C2 subdomain and 3' non-coding region. The repetitive segments C1, C2 and, to a lesser extent, N1 show significant identity (15-18%) to the collagen-binding A domains of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and they are also similar to some integrin receptors, complement components and a cartilage matrix protein. Since the globular domains of collagen VI come into close contact with triple helical segments during the formation of tissue microfibrils it suggests that the globular domains bind to collagenous structures in a manner similar to the binding of vWF to collagen I.     

Diffusivity of oxygen into carriers entrapping whole cells

The effective diffusivity of oxygen, D(e), in Ca-alginate and PVA-SbQ gels was measured using a two-chamber vessel with a membrane between the two chambers. The effect of cell density, C(c), on D(e) in Ca-alginate gels was studied. The effective diffusivity of oxygen decreased with increasing cell density, to C(c) = 170 kg dry cells/m(3) gel. The dependency of D(e) on cell density was discussed in terms of a random-pore model. The model correlated well with experimental data, i.e., kD(e)/D(0) = 0.86(1 - 1.47 x 10(-3) C(c))(2). Here, k is the partition coefficient, and D(0) is diffusivity in water.     

Genetic Analysis of Olfactory Behavior in Drosophila: A New Screen Yields the Ota Mutants

A simple means of measuring Drosophila olfactory response is described, and the behavior which it measures is characterized. The assay was used to screen for X-linked mutants defective in olfactory function. Six ota mutants were isolated and characterized (ota = olfactory trap abnormal). Four of the mutants were found to be abnormal in another chemosensory behavior as well. Two of the mutant phenotypes extend to include another sensory system: they are defective in visual system physiology. All were normal, however, in a test of giant fiber system physiology. Two of the mutations are dominant, and the recessive mutations define two complementation groups. Mutations representing each complementation group, as well as one of the dominant mutations, were mapped. For the mutants with defective visual system physiology, the visual defects were shown to cosegregate with olfactory phenotypes.