The molecular organization of nerve membranes

Summary Plasma membranes were isolated from two types of squid nerves which have morphologically, different ratios of axolemma/Schwannlemma (A/S). These membranes were studied by means of differential and density gradient centrifugation.Thoroughly dissected giant axons were used as membrane source having low A/S ratio. Retinal fibers were used as membrane source with high A/S ratio. A similar procedure for the isolation of the plasma membranes was used for both types of squid axons.Differential centrifugation showed that at 1,500×g, the yield of membrane enzymes (Na, K-ATPase and NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase) from giant axon homogenates was 2 to 5 times greater than from retinal nerve homogenates, but at 105,000×g the opposite was the case, the yield from retinal axons being about two times greater. Thus, the major part of the membrane material from the retinal nerve seems to be less dense than the membrane material from giant axons.The behavior of the 105,000×g fraction from both types of fibers was studied by determining protein Na, K-ATPase, and NADH-oxidoreductase along a lineal sucrose gradient (10 to 40%; centrifuged at 40,600×g for 90 min). By any of the three measurements, retinal axons yielded a greater amount (2:1) of plasma membranes sedimenting at low sucrose concentration (16 to 25%) as compared to that observed at high sucrose concentration (35 to 38%). Giant axons, on the contrary, yielded a higher proportion of membranes (2.5:1) sedimenting at high sucrose concentrations (over 40%).The experimental data indicate that a different cellular origin can account for the behavior of nerve membranes along lineal gradient centrifugation. The membranes floating at low sucrose concentration (light membranes) can be tentatively ascribed to the axolemma; the membranes found at high sucrose concentration (heavy membranes) to the Schwannlemma and basement membranes.In accord with their high A/S morphological ratio, squid retinal axons yielded 5 times more light membranes (axolemma) than dissected giant axons.     

Molecular sieving of red cell membranes during gradual osmotic hemolysis

Summary Rat red blood corpuscles were held stationary with respect to a continuously flowing solution in either a specially constructed centrifuge or in glass filters. The concentration of the solution was gradually decreased to cause the swelling and subsequent gradual osmotic hemolysis of the cells. The passage of the intracellular molecules —potassium, adenylate kinase, and hemoglobin—across the cell membranes and into the flowing solution was determined as a function of time. Ions and molecules begin passage across the membranes in the order of increasing molecular size. The initial flow of potassium is followed by the initial flows of hemoglobin and adenylate kinase. The flow of hemoglobin has been interpreted as the flows of hemoglobin monomers, dimers, and tetramers such that the time sequence is: potassium; hemoglobin monomer; adenylate kinase/hemoglobin dimer; and finally, hemoglobin tetramer. It is concluded that the stressed cell membrane has molecular sieving properties and that the exclusion limit (effective hole size) increases as a function of time during the initial stages of gradual osmotic hemolysis. The process of gradual osmotic hemolysis is discussed in terms of molecular sieving through stress-induced effective membrane holes. It is suggested that a portion of the membrane protein might form an elastic network which would account for the gradual increase in size and apparent homogeneity of the effective holes.This work was prepared under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.     

Methodik und Ergebnisse der Erforschung des Schwarmverhaltens von Fischen mit der Tauchmethode

Zusammenfassung 1. Die marinen Schwarmfische kommen ausschließlich als echter Schwarmverband vor, solange sie sich im pelagischen Raum aufhalten. Bei der Nahrungsaufnahme und in der Nacht wird der Schwarmverband aufgelöst.2. Die Reaktionen innerhalb eines Schwarmes breiten sich nach bestimmten Gesetzmäßigkeiten aus und sind zeitlich meßbar.3. Eine Reaktion innerhalb eines Schwarmes kann von verschiedenen Stellen aus ausgelöst werden.4. Leitfische im Schwarm existieren nicht.5. Die echten Schwarmfische des Süßwassers entsprechen in ihren Reaktionen den Schwarmfischen des Meerwassers. Im Süßwasser treten außerdem noch andere Sozietätsformen auf.6. Die SüßwasserartAlburnus alburnus eignet sich als Modellfisch für Untersuchungen der Reaktionen von Schwärmen auf Fanggeräte und für die weitere Erforschung der Schwarmgesetzmäßigkeiten.

---

Methods and results of studies on the schooling behaviour of fishes using the diving method

Knowledge of schooling behaviour is becoming increasingly important in deep-sea fishery. Observations and experiments were conducted to elucidate standard responses of some schooling fishes in situ and in net aquaria using diving apparatus, cine and photocameras. The 5 species of sea-water schooling fishes studied show mainly uniform behaviour. Using 4 measurable criteria it was possible to examine and time the pattern of behaviour within the school. The way a response spreads within a school differs, and 3 basic types can be differentiated. Of 6 freshwater fish species studied,Alburnus alburnus is the only obligatory school fish; it is the only one which shows values within the range recorded for the sea-water school fishes studied. The other freshwater fishes examined are obligatory school fishes only in their juvenile phases. With increasing age they conform with the other 4 types of social behaviour differentiated in the study. The recorded reaction times of schools and the responses to nets of varying mesh size (meshes up to 1 m length were avoided by schools) are important for fishery. Qualitative intensification gains in importance by the frequently observed unification of different schools. The freshwater-livingAlburnus alburnus is a suitable model fish for studies on the conformity of school behaviour, as well as for experiments with new fishing gear and methods.

     

Cytotoxicity of allogeneic lymphocytes sensitized against H-2 antigens in vitro

A system is described in which C57/Bl lymphocytes can be sensitized in vitro against H-2 alloantigens of DBA/2 fibroblasts. Cytotoxicity of sensitized lymphocytes was measured by ⁵¹Crrelease from DBA/2 mastocytoma cells which were used as sensitive target cells. During the sensitization period one can observe lymphoid blast transformation and proliferation to start from the third day. Optimal cytotoxic effect of sensitized lymphocytes is reached on the fifth day. C57/Bl lymphocytes sensitized on C₃H fibroblasts were found not to be cytotoxic to DBA/ 2 mastocytoma cells.     

Zwei gezogeneDoryctes-Arten aus Kärnten [Hymenoptera,Braconidae]

Zusammenfassung Doryctes molorchi wird neu beschrieben,Doryctes petrovskii Kokujew wird redeskribiert. Ersterer ist ausMolorchus umbellatarum Schreber, letzterer ausPogonochaerus hispidus L. (Col., Cerambycidae) gezogen. Beide Arten sind neu für ?sterreich. Der Bestimmungsschlüssel für die pal?arktischenDoryctes-Arten nachTelenga wird erweitert.

---

Summary Doryctes molorchi is described as new andD. petrovskii Kokujew is redrescribed. The former is reared fromMolorchus umbellatarum Schreber, the latter fromPogonochaerus hispidus L. (Col., Cerambycidae). The species are new to the fauna of Austria. A key for identification of the palearcticDoryctes species afterTelenga (1941) is given.

---

---

Die Untersuchungen wurden mit Unterstützung des Fonds zur F?rderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung durchgeführt.     

Die Wirkung von SO2 und Bisulfitverbindungen auf Photosynthese,Ionentransport und Spaltöffnungsregulation bei Blättern von höheren Pflanzen

Das als Verbrennungsprodukt entstehende Schwefeldioxid belastet unsere Atmosphäre als Schadgas in zunehmendem Maße. Begasung von Blättern höherer Pflanzen mit SO₂ führt zu akuten (Wasseraustritt aus den Zellen in die Interzellularräume) und chronischen (Chlorophyllabbau, Nekrosen) Schädigungen. SO₂ hemmt die Photosynthese und beeinträchtigt den Mechanismus der Spaltöffnungsregulation: die Rate der Wasserdampfabgabe, CO₂-Aufnahme und SO₂-Aufnahme verläuft nach SO₂-Beimischung zur Atmosphäre in Form einer gedämpften Schwingung Bisulfitverbindungen (Bildung bei Lösung von SO₂ in Waser) wirken schon in geringen Konzentrationen (ab 0,5 mM) auf 0,5 mm dicke Blattstreifen, bevor äußerlich sichtbare Schädigungen auftreten: Die Wirkung der Bisulfitverbindungen wird als unspezifischer Membraneffekt diskutiert, dem bei höheren Konzentrationen spezifischere Enzymeffekte überlagert sein können

• a ) Hemmung der ¹⁴CO₂-Fixierung bei C₃- und C₄-Pflanzen;
• b ) Hemmung des ¹⁴C-Einbaus in die CO₂-Kurzzeit-Fixierungsprodukte, d. h. Hemmung der Synthese von 3-Phosphoglycerinsäure (3-PGS) bei C₃-Pflanzen und von Malat und Aspartat bei C₄-Pflanzen;
• c ) Steigerung der Synthese von 3-PGS bei Amaranthus durch 5 mM Glyoxal-Na-bisulfit, da CO₂ wohl direkt — nach Hemmung der Phosphoenolpyruvat-Carboxylase im Mesophyll — in den Leitbündelscheiden fixiert wird;
• d ) Verminderung des ATP-Spiegels im Licht und im Dunkeln;
• e ) Hemmung der lichtinduzierten pH-Änderungen von Blattgewebe in ungepuffertem Medium;
• f ) Hemmung der Chloridaufnahme bei C₃- und C₄-Pflanzen im Licht wie im Dunkeln

Die Wirkung der Bisulfitverbindungen wird als unspzifischer Membraneffket diskutiert, dem bei höheren Konzentrationen spzifischere Enzymeffekte überlagert sein können.