Immune phagocytosis inhibition by commercial immunoglobulins

Sixteen commercially available immunoglobulins (Ig) and 5 anti-Rho (D) hyperimmune globulins were investigated for immune phagocytosis inhibition (IPI) factors as well as for T, B lymphocytotoxic and monocytotoxic antibodies. All Ig contained IPI factors with lowest inhibitory IgG concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 50 mg/ml. Pepsin-digested Ig was noninhibitory. IPI factors in anti-D preparations were uniformly high (inhibitory IgG concentrations 0.6-2.5 mg/ml). Cytotoxic antibodies against T, B lymphocytes and monocytes were found in 2,2 and 7 products, respectively. Since we have recently shown that IPI is caused by antibodies against major histocompatibility complex antigens, most likely HLA, the hypothesis is put forward that IPI factors in Ig are HLA-related, cytotoxic as well as noncytotoxic antibodies which act via Fc receptor blockade of human monocytes.     

Model studies of low-temperature optical transitions of photosynthetic reaction centers A-, LD-, CD-, ADMR- and LD-ADMR-spectra for Rhodopseudomonas viridis

The optical spectra of the reaction center (RC) of Rhodopseudomonas viridis including absorption (A), linear dichrosism (LD), circular dichroism (CD), absorption-detected magnetic resonance (ADMR) and its linear dichroism (LD-ADMR) are simulated by an exciton model. It involves the Q_y transitions of six prosthetic groups: four (bacteriochlorophyll-b molecules, two bacteriopheophytin-b molecules and the Soret bands B_y of the special-pair pigments, which couple most strongly with the corresponding Q_y transitions. For the ADMR-spectra additional excitations of the special-pair triplet are introduced. While interactions between the Q_y transitions and the B_y transitions are in principle determined from the structural arrangement of the pigments, the interactions to the other states are adjusted to fit the spectral features for the various transitions. The interaction of the newly introduced states are interpreted in terms of a simple model.     

Recovery of adenine-nucleotide pools in terrestrial blue-green algae after prolonged drought periods

Summary The response of Nostoc commune and Nostoc flagelliforme (terrestrial blue-green algae), grown in their natural habitat, towards rewetting after prolonged drought periods (2 weeds up to five years) has been investigated. In Nostoc flagelliforme, the energy charge (EC) about 0.18 in dry condition increases rapidly (EC=0.7 after 1 h) and more slowly in a second phase (EC=0.8 after 6 h). The total content of AXP (=ATP+ADP+AMP) apparently increases due to de novo synthesis of adenine nucleotides. ATP-build-up after a drought period is probably provided by oxidative phosphorylation. It has been found to be about the same, regardless of whether the foregoing drought period had been extended over 6 months or 5 years.Dry samples of colony mats of N. commune exhibit very low ATP-, but high ADP-contents. Within 6 h after rewetting, the final level of extractable ATP (60–100 nmol/mg chlorophyll) is recovered.     

Effect of Monochromatic Light on Proton Efflux of the Blue-Green Alga Anabaena variabilis

Light-induced proton efflux of Anabaena variabilis was found to be biphasic, the second phase being inhibited by the ATPase inhibitor nitrofen (2,4-dichloro-1-[4-nitrophenoxy]benzene). The first, fast phase was triggered by monochromatic light of 707 nanometers, whereas the second, slower phase was not. With 707 nanometers, light, respiratory O₂ uptake was inhibited. Using light composed of two wavelengths (616 and 707 nanometers) a marked enhancement of both O₂ evolution as well as the second phase of proton efflux was observed. The first phase was not enhanced. Thus, phase II is driven by both photosystems. As concluded from the action spectrum phase I is markedly determined by photosystem-I activity. Altogether the data show that two different mechanisms of light-induced proton efflux exist on the cytoplasmic membrane of Anabaena, the slower one being dependent on ATP and linear photosynthetic electron flow.     

Isolation, characterization and chromosomal mapping of the mouse tyrosine aminotransferase gene

The tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene is expressed in a tissue and developmental-specific manner. In addition, this gene is regulated by glucocorticoid and polypeptide hormones and its expression is affected when a regulatory region near the albino locus of the mouse is deleted. In order to allow studies of the molecular effects of these deletion mutations we have isolated and characterized the mouse TAT gene. The gene is 9.2 x 10(3) bases in length and consists of 12 exons which give rise to a 2.3 x 10(3) base long messenger RNA. The DNA sequence at the 5' end of the gene was determined and compared with the corresponding sequence of the rat tyrosine aminotransferase gene. The sequence comparison showed extensive homology over the entire region sequenced. In addition, DNA: DNA heteroduplex studies between the mouse and rat tyrosine aminotransferase genes revealed that this homology extends over the entire gene and its flanking sequences. The mouse tyrosine aminotransferase gene has been mapped distal to the serum esterase-1 locus on mouse chromosome 8, using a restriction fragment length polymorphism between two mouse species. Since the albino deletions are located on mouse chromosome 7, the assignment of the TAT gene to chromosome 8 suggests that a regulatory factor(s) affecting TAT gene expression acts in trans.     

Could life have arisen in the primitive atmosphere?

Summary A recently proposed model for the origin of prebiotic progenitors of life in particles suspended in a primitive, specially organized atmosphere is considered critically. It is concluded that the physical and chemical framework of the new hypothesis conflicts with the conditions necessary for the evolution of the progenitors of life in the atmosphere of the early Earth. Therefore this model seems not to be a reasonable alternative to the Oparin thesis.     

Quantitative field investigations of feeding and territorial behaviour of young-of-the-year brook charr,Salvelinus fontinalis

Synopsis Direct observations of young-of-the-year brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis, in a second-order woodland stream indicated that most of their feeding effort was directed toward sub-surface, drifting prey (83% of feeding time). Feeding from the substrate and water surface was much less frequent (17% of feeding time). Comparisons of gut contents to drift net and substrate fauna samples corroborated that the most commonly consumed prey (chironomid and trichopteran larvae, ostracods, and ephemeropteran nymphs) were captured primarily from sub-surface, invertebrate drift. The disproportionate numbers of some prey species in the guts of several fish indicate that some prey selection occurred. Territories appeared to be cardioid-shaped, and were often contiguous, with dominance hierarchies evident among the residents. Agonistic interactions were frequent. Charges and chases predominated (91% of interactions) while lateral displays were infrequent (9% of interactions). Overall, these fish spent most of the daylight hours station-holding (77%) and feeding (18%). While only 3% of total time was spent in aggression, this amounted to 14% of the time a fish spent away from its station. There was some indication that territories were defended at a cost of feeding time.     

Inhibition of cell proliferation by interferons. Relative contributions of changes in protein synthesis and breakdown to growth control of human lymphoblastoid cells.

Treatment of the Daudi line of human lymphoblastoid cells with concentrations of human interferons within the physiological range progressively inhibits cell proliferation over 1-4 days. Rigorous measurement of the overall rate of protein synthesis during this period, using a concentration of [3H]phenylalanine sufficient to equalize the specific radioactivity of intracellular and extracellular precursor pools, shows that protein synthesis becomes progressively inhibited as the growth inhibition develops. There is a strong correlation between inhibition of amino acid incorporation and inhibition of cell proliferation. In contrast, we find no evidence for any increase in protein degradation rate under these conditions. These results suggest that interferon treatment of susceptible cells can inhibit protein synthesis even in the absence of virus infection and that this inhibition is of a sufficient magnitude to account for the anti-proliferative effect.     

Distribution of polyamines in methanogenic bacteria

Members of all four families of methanogenic bacteria were analyzed for polyamine concentrations. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of dansylated cell extracts revealed typical polyamine patterns for each family. Members of Methanobacteriaceae (family I) were characterized by very low polyamine concentrations; members of Methanococcaceae (family II) were characterized by putrescine and high spermidine concentrations; members of Methanomicrobiaceae (family III) were characterized by the presence of putrescine, spermidine, and sym-homospermidine; and members of Methanosarcinaceae (family IV) contained only high concentrations of sym-homospermidine in addition to putrescine. The highest polyamine concentration was found in Methanosarcina barkeri Jülich, with 0.35% putrescine in the dry cell material. The polyamine distribution found coincides with the dendrogram based on comparative cataloguing of 16S rRNA and offers a new, rapid chemotaxonomic method for characterizing methanogenic bacteria. Variation of the growth substrates (H2-CO2, methanol, acetate, and trimethylamine) for M. barkeri resulted in quantitative but not qualitative differences in polyamine composition.     

Inhibition of estrogen-activated sexual behavior by androgens

Experiments to determine the potential of androgen to inhibit estrogen-activated female sexual behavior in rats were conducted. Treatment with either testosterone propionate (0.8 or 1.6 mg/day) or dihydrotestosterone propionate (0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg/day) significantly reduced the incidence of lordosis in ovariectomized females receiving estradiol benzoate (1 microgram/day). A similar suppression of estrogen-activated lordosis by testosterone was observed in castrated male rats. Flutamide, an androgen-receptor blocker, prevented the inhibition of lordosis by testosterone in females, indicating that the interaction of testosterone or a metabolite with an androgen receptor may be an important feature of this inhibition. Furthermore, the ability of dihydrotestosterone to inhibit lordosis at lower doses than testosterone suggests that the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone may also be necessary. These experiments demonstrate the potential of testosterone to inhibit the occurrence of female sexual behavior in rats, in contrast to its established facilitative effect on this behavior.