Chemical synthesis of 2''-deoxyoligonucleotides containing 5-fluoro-2''-deoxycytidine.

2'-Deoxyoligonucleotides with 5-fluorocytosine residues incorporated at specific positions of the nucleotide sequence are tools of great potential in the study of the catalytic mechanism by which DNA cytosine methyltransferases methylate the 5-position of DNA cytosine residues in specific sequence contexts. Chemical synthesis of such oligonucleotides is described. Two alternative approaches have been developed, one of which proceeds via a fully protected phosphoramidite of 5-fluoro-4-methylmercapto-2'-deoxyuridine 2, the other via a fully protected phosphoramidite of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxycytidine 3. Either building block can be used in automated oligonucleotide synthesis applying standard elongation cycles and deprotection procedures exclusively. The methylmercapto function of 2 is replaced by an amino group in the final ammonia treatment used for cleavage from support and base deprotection.     

Isolation and characterization of the Δ12-fatty acid desaturase in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and search for polymorphisms for the high oleate trait in Spanish market-type lines

An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for increased oleic acid accumulation would open avenues to alter peanut fatty acid composition and allow detection of polymorphic regions which can be used for marker assisted selection (MAS). Δ¹²-Fatty acid desaturase (FAD) was isolated and characterized from genotypes having a low or high oleic to linoleic acid O/L ratio – genotypes, Tamspan 90 (T-90) and F435–2-2 (F435), respectively. Southern blots showed three to four copies per haploid genome, and no major differences in organization between the two parental lines. Approximately 3525 bp was isolated from both genotypes, including a genomic walk toward the promoter region. The Δ¹²-Fad contains a putative intron, the coding region at the 3′ end, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1140 bp encoding 379 amino acids. Comparisons of the coding sequences from the high and low oleic acid genotypes revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Two polymorphisms appear to be associated with the high O/L trait. The first is an ”A” insertion 442 bp after the start codon. The ”A” insertion shifts the amino acid reading frame, probably resulting in a truncated, inactive protein and the loss of one of three histidine boxes believed to be involved in metal ion complexation required for the reduction of oxygen. Another polymorphism at 448 bp from the start codon results in an amino acid change. The region containing the polymorphisms was amplified from leaf tissue of several independently derived backcross lines (IDBLs). Most high O/L lines had either the ”A” insertion or the amino acid substitution. Received: 1 February 2000 / Accepted: 20 March 2000     

A new forest cover map of continental southeast Asia derived from SPOT‐VEGETATION satellite imagery

Question: Can recent satellite imagery of coarse spatial resolution support forest cover assessment and mapping at the regional level? Location: Continental southeast Asia. Methods: Forest cover mapping was based on digital classification of SPOT4‐VEGETATION satellite images of 1 km spatial resolution from the dry seasons 1998/1999 and 1999/2000. Following a geographical stratification, the spectral clusters were visually assigned to land cover classes. The forest classes were validated by an independent set of maps, derived from interpretation of satellite imagery of high spatial resolution (Landsat TM, 30 m). Forest area estimates from the regional forest cover map were compared to the forest figures of the FAO database. Results: The regional forest cover map displays 12 forest and land cover classes. The mapping of the region's deciduous and fragmented forest cover remained challenging. A high correlation was found between forest area estimates obtained from this map and from the Landsat TM derived maps. The regional and sub‐regional forest area estimates were close to those reported by FAO. Conclusion: SPOT4‐VEGETATION satellite imagery can be used for mapping consistently and uniformly the extent and distribution of the broad forest cover types at the regional scale. The new map can be considered as an update and improvement on existing regional forest cover maps.     

Purification and characterization of perlucin and perlustrin, two new proteins from the shell of the mollusc Haliotis laevigata

Two new proteins, named perlucin and perlustrin, with M(r) 17,000 and 13,000, respectively, were isolated from the shell of the mollusc Halotis laevigata (abalone) by ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC after demineralization of the shell in 10% acetic acid. The sequence of the first 32 amino acids of perlucin indicated that this protein belonged to a heterogeneous group of proteins consisting of a single C-type lectin domain. Perlucin increased the precipitation of CaCO(3) from a saturated solution, indicating that it may promote the nucleation and/or the growth of CaCO(3) crystals. With pancreatic stone protein (lithostathine) and the eggshell protein ovocleidin 17, this is the third C-type lectin domain protein isolated from CaCO(3) biominerals. This indicates that this type of protein performs an important but at present unrecognized function in biomineralization. Perlustrin was a minor component of the protein mixture and the sequence of the first 33 amino acids indicated a certain similarity to part of the much larger nacre protein lustrin A.     

Blütenbiologische Beobachtungen in Istrien (Jugoslawien)

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Zur entwicklung von leydigschen hautdrüsen bei der honigbiene (Apis mellifica L.)

Zusammenfassung Bei eingesenkten Hautdrüsen der Honigbiene wind aus dem Zahlenverhältnis der Einzeldrüsen, dem zeithchen Ablauf der unterschiedlichen Zellteilungsfiguren und dem Ausgang von Hormondrüsen-Implantations-Versuchen auf die Bildung aus Drüsen-Epithel-Stammzellen geschlossen.Es besteht volle Entwicklungsverwandtschaft mit der Bildung von Schuppen und Borsten.