Calcium control of waveform in isolated flagellar axonemes of chlamydomonas

The effect of Ca(++) on the waveform of reactivated, isolated axonemes of chlamydomonas flagella was investigated. Flagella were detached and isolated by the dibucaine procedure and demembranated by treatment with the detergent Nonidet; the resulting axomenes lack the flagellar membrane and basal bodies. In Ca(++)-buffered reactivation solutions containing 10(-6) M or less free Ca(++), the axonemes beat with a highly asymmetrical, predominantly planar waveform that closely resembled that of in situ flagella of forward swimming cells. In solutions containing 10(-4) M Ca(++), the axonemes beat with a symmetrical waveform that was very similar to that of in situ flagella during backward swimming. In 10(-5) M Ca(++), the axonemes were predominantly quiescent, a state that appears to be closely associated with changes in axomenal waveform or direction of beat in many organisms. Experiments in which the concentrations of free Ca(++), not CaATP(--) complex were independently varied suggested that free Ca(++), not CaATP(--), was responsible for the observed changes. Analysis of the flagellar ATPases associated with the isolated axonemes and the nonidet- soluble membrane-matrix fraction obtained during preparation of the axonemes showed that the axonemes lacked the 3.0S Ca(++)-activated ATPase, almost all of which was recovered in the membrane-matrix fraction. These results indicate that free Ca(++) binds directly to an axonemal component to alter flagellar waveform, and that neither the 3.0S CaATPase nor the basal bodies are directly involved in this change.     

A Novel Geometry Mass Spectrometer, the Q-TOF, for Low-Femtomole/Attomole-Range Biopolymer Sequencing

Ultra-high-sensitivity, biopolymer sequencing is a goal in many fields of molecular biology, and collisionally activated decomposition electrospray mass spectrometry (CAD ES MS/MS) using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer has become a method of choice for work in the high- to mid-femtomole range. However, when the detection of ions becomes statistical, as it may in that range, the mass assignment of fragment ions is inaccurate and either sequencing becomes impossible or ambiguities result due, for example, to the closeness in amino acid residue masses (I/L, N or K/Q, E). Some ambiguities may be resolved by synthesizing possible sequences, but this is unsatisfactory. In considering the limitations of triple quadrupole MS/MS with respect to scanning ion detection, resolution, transmission, and mass accuracy, we reasoned that a novel geometry quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (Q-TOF) instrument would have special merit for ultra-high-sensitivity MS/MS sequencing, and suggested its construction for this purpose some three years ago. A prototype Q-TOF has now been built by Micromass [Morris et al. (1996), Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 10, 889–896], and in the first research on the instrument, including MHC antigen and filarial nematode glycoprotein studies, we demonstrate low-femtomole- and attomole-range sequencing with mass accuracy of better than 0.1 Da throughout the daughter-ion spectrum, thus removing sequencing ambiguities in some of the most challenging work demanding the highest sensitivity.     

A novel sialylated N-acetylgalactosamine-containing oligosaccharide is the major complex-type structure present in Bowes melanoma tissue plasminogen activator.

We have employed fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) to screen the N-linked oligosaccharides of Bowes melanoma tissue plasminogen activator (mt-PA), and recombinant t-PAs produced by Chinese hamster ovary cells (rt-PA) and by a gene-enriched melanoma cell line (rmt-PA). These studies have confirmed the published structures for rt-PA, but are not in agreement with some of the structures reported for mt-PA. In the latter glycoprotein we have identified a novel structure as the major oligosaccharide attached to Asn-184 and Asn-448. This is a biantennary oligosaccharide consisting of a fucosylated trimannosyl core to which are attached two GalNAc(1----4)GlcNAc antennae, one of which carries a sialic acid linked at the 6-position of the GalNAc. Minor constituents are sialylated on both or neither antennae. The sialylated GalNAc moiety is unique in N-linked glycoproteins. The majority of complex structures in rmt-PA contain N-acetyllactosamine moieties at both the Asn-184 and Asn-448 sites with the novel oligosaccharide occurring as a minor component at the Asn-184 site. This study demonstrates the power of mass spectrometric strategies based on high-field two-sector FAB-MS for structure elucidations of natural and recombinant glycoproteins.     

Effect of selective media on loss of congo red binding inShigella flexneri

Summary The effect of growth ofShigella flexneri on various selective media on retention of congo red (CR) binding ability was determined to evaluate the effectiveness of isolation techniques regarding maintenance of the virulence plasmid. WhenS. flexneri was surface-plated onto selective agars and the resulting colonies replica plated onto CR plates, no white colonies indicative of loss of virulence were found despite repeated trials. However, whenS. flexneri was grown in liquid media (agar was removed from agar-containing media by centrifugation), white colonies were found upon plating onto CR plates. Most common selective media for shigellae produced fewer than 5–10 white colonies/1000 red colonies. However, growth in broth prepared from violet red bile agar, desoxycholate citrate agar, and SS agar gave more than 100 white colonies/1000 red colonies. Loss of CR binding was demonstrated whenS. flexneri was grown in broth containing tergitol 7, sodium dodecyl sulfate, bile salts #3, crystal violet, eosin y or methylen blue. However, concentrations of selective agents that led to loss of CR binding were much higher than those used in selective media. Results indicate that under usual conditions of isolation ofS. flexneri from food and clinical specimens, CR binding appears to be a relatively stable character with most selective media; however, use of violet red bile agar, desoxycholate citrate agar, and SS agar may lead to substantial loss of congo red binding indicating that the isolates may not be virulent.     

Isolation and characterization of the major glycosphingolipids from the liver of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): identification of an abundant source of 9-O-acetyl GD3

The carbohydrate structures of the major glycosphingolipids from the liver of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss have been examined. We have isolated and identified four major neutral (glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide, lactosylceramide, and globoside) and five acidic (sulfatide, GM3, GM2, GD1a, and 9-O-Acetyl GD3) glycosphingolipids from trout liver. They have been characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, methylation analysis, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and specific monoclonal antibodies. Significantly, the relatively scarce ganglioside 9-O-acetyl GD3 was found to comprise approximately 23% of the total ganglioside content of normal rainbow trout liver. 9-O-Acetyl GD3 is, however, abundant in human melanoma and as such, trout liver may be a suitable source of this antigen.     

Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae), a mite attacking fish in Australia

Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae) is described from Victoria, Australia. It was found in the fins and gills of juvenile Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), where it appeared to inflict injuries thought to be responsible for the mortality of fish in a diet trial.     

The glycobiology of gametes and fertilization

In previous studies, RGD-CAP (collagen-associated protein containing the RGD sequence) isolated from a collagen fiber-rich fraction of pig cartilage was found to be orthologous to human (beta)ig-h3, which is synthesized by lung adenocarcinoma cells in response to transforming growth factor-beta. In the present study, we examined the effect of recombinant chick RGD-CAP on the spreading of chondrocytes and fibroblasts using RGD-CAP-coated dishes. When rabbit articular chondrocytes, chick embryonic sternal chondrocytes, rabbit peritoneal fibroblasts or human MRC5 fibroblasts were seeded on plastic dishes coated with RGD-CAP, cell spreading was enhanced compared with that on control dishes (bovine serum albumin- or beta-galactosidase-coated dishes). The effect of RGD-CAP on the cell spreading required divalent cations (Mg(2+) or Mn(2+)), and was reduced by EDTA. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the human integrin alpha(1) or beta(1) subunit, but not to the alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(5) or beta(2) subunits, suppressed the RGD-CAP-induced spreading of human MRC5 fibroblasts. In a parallel experiment, the mAb to the alpha(5) subunit, but not the mAb to the alpha(1) subunit, suppressed fibronectin-induced spreading of these cells. These findings suggest that RGD-CAP is a novel ligand for integrin alpha(1)beta(1) that dose not bind to the RGD motif. Accordingly, an RGD-CAP fragment, which carries a deletion in the C-terminal region containing the RGD motif, was still capable of stimulating cell spreading.     

The sulphated carbohydrate-protein linkage region isolated from chondroitin 4-sulphate chains of inter-{alpha}-trypsin inhibitor in human plasma

Inter-     

RADIATION: REGISTRATION OF SOURCES

Registration of sources of ionizing radiation, including x-ray machines and radioactive material used in the healing professions, is required by legislation recently enacted in California. Registration will provide information concerning the type and location of sources of radiation, and will provide a basis for the evaluation of a need for additional radiation control and protection measures in the future.As the medical uses of radiation procedures constitute a major portion of the total radiation exposure to the total population, it becomes increasingly important that physicians develop a reasonable and knowledgeable concept of not only the obvious benefits but also the actual and potential hazards of radiation as used in medicine. Practical and effective measures to minimize patient exposure, based on professional knowledge, competence and experience, with profession-wide participation and support, will insure the effective integration of the medical uses of radiation in the California Atomic Energy Development and Radiation Protection Program.