Structural investigation of the capsular polysaccharide of klebsiella serotype K26

The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella K26 has been determined by using the techniques of methylation, periodate oxidation, partial hydrolysis, and β-elimination. N.m.r. spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C) was used to establish the nature of the anomeric linkages and to identify oligosaccharides obtained by the different degradative techniques employed.The polysaccharide is comprised of repeating units of the heptasaccharide shown.

     

Clustering of genes for 20 kd zein subunits in the short arm of maize chromosome 7

Zein is the major storage protein of the endosperm of maize kernels. When this alcohol-soluble protein is subjected to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it is resolved into four fractions of different molecular weight: 10, 14, 20 and 22 kilodaltons (kd). Each fraction is heterogeneous with respect to isoelectric pH. For example, the 20 kd fraction contains at least seven subfractions as revealed by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels. In this report, we present evidence that the structural genes coding for the 20 kd proteins are clustered on the short arm of chromosome 7, a region that also bears loci regulating endosperm zein biosynthesis [opaque-2 (02) and defective endosperm-B30 (De^*-B30)]. The organization of these zein genes suggests that the evolution of at least some of the maize genome has occurred as the result of repeated duplication and divergence of chromosome segments.     

NADH-coupled spectrophotometric assay of tyrosine aminotransferase

A rapid spectrophotometric method for estimation of tyrosine aminotransferase activity (TAT) is described, based on a coupled reaction with NADH-dependent aromatic ketoacid reductase. 3-iodo-L-tyrosine, upon TAT action, is transformed into 3-iodo-4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate which quickly reacts with NADH in the presence of aromatic ketoacid reductase; oxidation rates at 340 nm are linear with protein concentration over the whole range of purification steps of TAT. This new method, for its sensitivity, easy performance and possibility of a continuous monitoring of TAT reaction, may be considered comparable to the more diffuse spectrophotometric standard method, and also as an alternative, advantageous procedure in some instances. The method for purification of the coupled aromatic ketoacid reductase is also described.     

Thiaisoleucine and protein synthesis.

Thiaisoleucine is an isoleucine analogue having the gamma-methylene group of the valerianic carbon chain substituted by a sulphur atom. It has been demonstrated that thiaisoleucine is activated and transferred to tRNAIle by rat liver aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and inhibits isoleucine incorporation into polypeptides in protein synthesizing systems from rat liver or rabbit reticulocytes, whereas it does not affect either leucine incorporation or ribosome run-off or polypeptide chain elongation rate. All tests were performed in comparison with O-methyl-threonine, an isoleucine analogue with the gamma-methylene group substituted by an oxygen atom. In all the reactions studied, both thiaisoleucine and O-methyl-threonine act as competitive inhibitors of isoleucine. With respect to O-methyl-threonine, thiaisoleucine shows higher activity as an isoleucine inhibitor.     

Molecular structural effects involved in the interaction of anthracyclines with DNA.

Changes in DNA binding ability of daunomycin following structural modifications in the aglycone moiety have been studied by the fluorescence quenching method and by thermal denaturation of the complex. Removal of the methoxyl group at position 4 leads to a slightly stronger binding. Changes in the position of the glycosidic linkage result in a markedly weaker binding. Removal of the hydroxyl group at position 9, with the concomitant formation of a 9,10-anhydro derivative, decreases the binding ability. Methylation of hydroxyl groups at C-6 and C-11 leads to an inactive derivative and makes the binding affinity disappear almost completely. Structure-activity correlations for the DNA binding reaction deduced from these studies are in agreement with earlier findings that relate to the biological activity and confirm the general picture of the binding mechanism.     

Effects of DAPI on human leukocytes in vitro.

DAPI (4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), a fluorochrome specific for AT-rich DNA, was supplied for 24 h at various concentrations to human leukocytes in culture. This treatment caused the appearance on the chromosomes of specific areas lacking spiralization. In particular, the centromeric regions of chromosomes 1,9, and 16, a short region on the long arm of chromosomes 1 and 2, and the distal heterochromatic part of the long arm of the Y chromosome were despiralized. The despiralization pattern of DAPI is compared with those previously obtained with Hoechst 33258 and Distamycin A.     

Net Accumulation of Minerals and Water and the Carbon Budget in an Expanding Leaf of Tomato

The changes in f. wt, d. wt, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus,magnesium and carbon of the seventh leaf of a tomato plant weremeasured at seven occasions from 10 days to 30 days after leafemergence. Measurements of CO₂ exchange by the leaf during bothlight (70 W m^–2, 7 h) and dark (17 h) periods and thechange in carbon content over these two periods enabled a carbonbalance to be constructed on these seven occasions. Changesin the sugars and starch contents of the leaf over these twoperiods at each occasion were measured. With the exception of calcium the rates of accumulation of allsubstances increased to their maxima when the leaf was 22–24-days-old.Carbon fixation per unit f. wt. increased to a maximum whenthe leaf was 16-days-old. In a 10-day-old leaf the rate of carbonfixation was already four-fifths of maximum and one-quartermore than that at 30 days. The rate of night respiratory lossof carbon per unit fresh weight decreased as the leaf expanded.In a 10-day-old leaf, the amount of carbon lost by night respirationaccounted for one-quarter of that fixed in the same day. Thisfraction fell to one-tenth when the leaf was 22-days-old andremained constant thereafter. The amount of carbon being importedto the leaflets of a 10-day-old leaf was less than one-quarterof that accumulated in 1 day. Thus, the contribution of theimported carbon to the leaf growth up to this stage is relativelysmall. The transition of the seventh leaf from being a net importerto being a net exporter occurred when the leaf was 13-days-old. The sucrose content per unit f. wt was higher in the youngerthan in the older leaves and was not correlated to the transitionfrom net import to net export. The accumulation and breakdownof starch in a leaf were related not only to the growth of theleaf but also to the development of the whole plant. Lycopersicon esculentum, tomato, leaf, accumulation of minerals, water content, carbon budget     

Familial XX true hermaphroditism and the H-Y antigen

Summary Two 46,XX sibs, one of female, one of male gender, and both with ambiguous external genitalia and ovotestis, were H-Y positive. The mother was H-Y negative. It is assumed that the underlying mutation was transmitted by the father, resulting in an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The common origin and the nature of the mutation leading to XX sex reversal are discussed.     

夜蛾趋光特性的研究:复眼转化过程中的行为变异

影响蛾类趋光性和灯光诱蛾效果的因素很多。过去,国内外许多观察和实验都侧重在研究光源的辐射光谱和辐射强度以及气候条件的影响。至于蛾类的主要感光器官的适应状态怎样影响趋光性,却极少引起注意。 陈元光等(1963)曾经用电生理学的方法,测出粘虫蛾复眼的暗适应过程大约为30—45分钟。Agee(1972)用电生理方法研究复眼,发现美国棉铃虫复眼在暗适应中,达到最高灵敏度的时间为30分至285分,雌、雄的平均时间分别为88分和115分;美国烟青虫雌、雄蛾的平均时间分别为119分和121分。最近,李典谟等(1977)以复眼反射光的增强作为暗适应的指标,测出烟青虫蛾在暗室内暗适应时,复眼的转化速率很不一致。快的个体约经过1小时就达到最大反射值;慢的个体则需经过3小时,而绝大多数个体(79％)则在1—2(1/2)小时内。因此,他们推测在入夜后的一段时间里,田间昆虫的眼由昼眼转化为夜眼的情况是各不相同的,并且认为这种差异会影响成虫对于灯光发生不同的行为反应。棉铃虫(Heliothis armigera)蛾是灯光防治的主要对象之一,为了进一步探索这个问题,我们认为有必要检查一下在日夜交替的自然暗适应条件下其复眼状态究竟是否一致,复眼状态怎样影响着趋光性,以便深入地了解夜蛾类趋光性的控制因素。