Intercellular communication between follicular angiotensin receptors and Xenopus laevis oocytes: medication by an inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate-dependent mechanism

In Xenopus laevis oocytes, activation of angiotensin II (AII) receptors on the surrounding follicular cells sends a signal through gap junctions to elevate cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) within the oocyte. The two major candidates for signal transfer through gap junctions into the oocyte during AII receptor stimulation are Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ca2+. In [3H]inositol-injected follicular oocytes, AII stimulated two- to fourfold increases in phosphoinositide hydrolysis and production of inositol phosphates. Injection of the glycosaminoglycan, heparin, which selectively blocks Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors, prevented both AII-stimulated and Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ mobilization in Xenopus follicular oocytes but did not affect mobilization of Ca2+ by ionomycin or GTP. These results indicate that the AII-regulated process of gap junction communication between follicular cells and the oocyte operates through an Ins(1,4,5)P3-dependent mechanism rather than through transfer of Ca2+ into the ooplasm and subsequent Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release.     

β-carboxyl catalytic effect of N-phosphoryl aspartic acid

The β-carboxylic group in N-dialkylphosphorylated aspartic acid has an activating effect that gives rise to peptides, esters, and ester exchange at the phosphoryl group. In contrast, the γ-carboxylic group of N-alkylphosphorylated glutamic acid has a much smaller effect. Some of the self-activating products were isolated and many model compounds were synthesized to study the novel activating effect of the β-carboxylic group. Mixed anhydride intermediates derived from α-carboxylphosphoryl and β-carboxylphosphoryl groups are proposed for the self-activation mechanism.     

Notes on some African hepatic genera 1–5

The present study deals with five genera of hepatics in Africa, Isotachis Mitt., Anastrophyllum (Spruce) Steph., Tritomaria Schiffn. ex Loeske, Gymnocoleopsis (Schust.) Schust. and Lophozia (Dum.) Dum. All African populations of the genus Isotachis Mitt. are considered to be one species, I. aubertii (Schwaegr.) Mitt. Four species of Anastrophyllum (Spruce) Steph. (s.l.), A. auritum (Lehm.) Steph., A. piligerum (Nees) Spruce, A. subcomplicatum (Lehm. et Lindenb.) Steph. and A. minutum (Schreb.) Schust., and two species of Tritomaria Schiffn. et Loeske, T. camerunensis S. Arnell and T. exsecta (Schrad.) Schiffn. ex Loeske occur in Africa. Gymmocoleopsis multiflora (Steph.) Schust. represents a genus and species hitherto unreported for the African flora. Finally, five Lophozia (Dum.) Dum. species, L. argentina (Steph.) Schust., L. capensis S. Arnell, L. decolorans (Limpr.) Steph., L. hedbergii S. Arnell and L. tristaniana (S. Arnell) Váňa, are reported from central and southern Africa; two of these (L. argentina (Steph.) Schust. and L. decolorans (Limpr.) Steph.) represent the first reports from Africa.     

Pyrus spinosa und ihre Hybriden in Südwestbulgarien

Pyrus spinosa Forsk. (=P. amygdaliformis Will.) kreuzt sich in beträchtlichem Masse mitP. pyraster Burgsd. und mitP. communis L. Es wurden drei Hybriden beschrieben, die zwar weniger, aber gut keimende Samen haben. Potentiell sind in der bulgarischen Population vonP. spinosa Merkmale aller infraspezifischen Taxa vertreten, doch nur zwei von ihnen kommen in grösserem Masse vor, das Vorkommen der weiteren drei ist nur gering. Merkmale des übrigen infraspezifischen Taxon kommen nur in Kombination mit Merkmalen anderer Taxa bei Übergangsformen vor. Vorläufig ist auch die Verbreitung vonP. spinosa und ihrer Hybriden in Bulgarien angegeben.     

The capability of the algaeChlorella vulgaris andScenedesmus obliquus of utilizing amino acids as the sole nitrogen source

The capability of utilizing 20 amino acids and 2 amides as the sole nitrogen source for growth was studied in two green algae (Chlorophyceae). A comparison was made of the growth rate of algae in a mineral nutrient solution containing nitrate as the nitrogen source, with that in the same solution in which nitrogen in the form of nitrate was substituted by an equivalent nitrogen amount in the form of various amino acids. In addition to this, another series of experiments was carried out in whioh both culture media were supplied with glucose. The results show that both algae utilize a series of amino acids in dependence of their structure (mostly 3-carbon amino acids). The growth rate ofChlorella in the presence of these sources is the same as in nitrate, that ofScenedesmus even much higher. In the cultures containing glucose both algal species exhibit a higher growth rate in the media with the nitrate nitrogen source than in those with amino acids (with the exception of glycine inScenedesmus).     

Recovery from ethyl methanesulphonate-induced genetical damage in barley. Independence of sodium azide treatment

Barley seeds were treated for 3 h at 25°C with 240 mM ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS), washed for 18 h, treated with various concentrations of unbuffered sodium azide (pH 6.7–7.3) for 3 h at 25°C, re-dried to 30% water content and either sown immediately or stored at 25°C for 12 days and then sown. The synergistic action of sodium azide post-treatment has been demonstrated only for the EMS-induced M₁ germination reduction, while the EMS-induced M₁ sterility and the yield of M₂ chlorophyll mutants were unaffected. The ?storage” recovery from EMS-induced mutagenic effects was insensitive to sodium azide post-treatment. The 12 day-seed storage at 25°C brought about an improvement of M₁ germination, M₁ survival, M₁ fertility and a decrease in the amount of M₂ mutants, regardless of whether sodium azide post-treatment was applied or not.