Natural relationship between bacteroides and flavobacteria.

Comparisons among 16S rRNA sequences from various eubacteria reveal a natural relationship between the bacteroides (represented by the Bacteroides fragilis sequence) and a phylogenetic unit that comprises the flavobacteria, cytophagae, flexibacteria, and others (represented by the Flavobacterium heparinum sequence). Although the relationship is not a close one, it is, nevertheless, specific. rRNAs from these two organisms are not only closer to one another in overall sequence than they are to outgroup species (such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens), but they show common idiosyncrasies (i.e., derived characteristics) in both rRNA sequences and higher-order structures.     

Recognition of influenza virus hemagglutinin by subtype-specific and cross-reactive proliferative T cells: contribution of HA1 and HA2 polypeptide chains

The recognition of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) by T lymphocytes was examined by assaying the T cell proliferative response of influenza virus-primed T cells to purified HA of different influenza A subtypes or to isolated heavy (HA1) or light (HA2) polypeptide chains of the HA molecule. The proliferative response to HA was dependent on the activation of an Ly-1+2- subset of T cells and required the presence of nylon wool-adherent, radiation-resistant accessory cells. T cells from mice primed by infection with one strain of type A influenza virus cross-reacted with other purified HA not only of the same subtype as the priming virus but also of serologically distinct subtypes of influenza A (but not B) virus. The response of virus-primed T cells to the homologous HA or to HA of the same subtype was shown to involve recognition of determinants on both the HA1 and the HA2 chains. The recognition of HA of different subtype by cross-reactive T cells appeared to be directed predominantly to determinants on HA2. Because the antibody response to influenza virus HA is not cross-reactive between subtypes and is directed predominantly to determinants on HA1, the present results indicate that at least some of the determinants on HA recognized by T cells are different from those recognized by B cells and that the HA2 chain may be involved primarily in stimulation of T cell rather than B cell immunity.     

Chemical modification of the Na+/H+ exchanger of thymic lymphocytes. Inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide

A Na+/H+ exchanger is involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic pH and cellular volume in a variety of cells. Little is known about the molecular nature of this exchanger. The purpose of this study was to survey a variety of group-specific covalent reagents as potential inhibitors of the exchanger. Na+/H+ countertransport activity was assayed as the amiloride-sensitive rate of Na+-induced alkalinization in acid-loaded lymphocytes, or as the rate of swelling in cells suspended in sodium propionate medium. Activity was not affected by proteinases or by carboxyl-group and amino-group specific reagents. A significant inhibition was produced by diethylpyrocarbonate, a histidine-specific reagent and by N-ethylmaleimide, a sulfhydryl group reagent. A similarly reactive but nonpermeating sulfhydryl agent, glutathione-maleimide, failed to inhibit Na+-H+ exchange. Moreover, the reaction with N-ethylmaleimide was sensitive to changes in the cytoplasmic pH. The data suggest that the chemically reactive groups of the Na+/H+ exchanger of lymphocytes have limited exposure to the extracellular medium but that an internally located sulfhydryl group is critical for the cation-exchange activity.     

Cultivation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B and C in a synthetic nutrient broth

The processes of the cultivation of N. meningitidis, serogroups A, B and C, in a liquid synthetic culture medium have been studied. Strictly group-specific biomass has been obtained. The maximum productivity at all stages of the batch cultivation of N. meningitidis strains 125 and 133 in this medium does not differ from that at similar stages of cultivation in modified Cohen-Wheller semisynthetic medium. In the serotype antigen preparations obtained from N. meningitidis strain 125 grown in the above-mentioned liquid synthetic culture medium basic polypeptides with a molecular weight of 33000, 36000 and 41000 D have been detected. Their presence in N. meningitidis cells is linked with the growth phase of the population.     

Effect of cortisol, its polymeric derivative and adenylate cyclase activators on the content of cyclic AMP in rat thymocytes

In has been shown that cortisol immobilized on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-GC) affects cyclic AMP production stimulated by adenosine and isoproterenol in rat thymocytes. This effect of PVP-GC is specific for cortisol: antiglucocorticoid progesterone (at a concentration of 10(-5) M) inhibited completely the action of PVP-GC on the intracellular cAMP level. It is suggested that cortisol effect on cAMP production is one of the mechanisms of glucocorticoid hormone action in target cells.     

Superoxide perturbation of the organization of vascular endothelial cell membranes

Cultured porcine thoracic aorta endothelial cells were covalently labeled with 4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxyl. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry revealed two major binding environments representing strongly and weakly immobilized species. The disorder parameter of weak/strong, determined from the respective peak amplitudes, was irreversibly elevated following incubation of endothelial cells with a superoxide-generating system, indicating increased membrane fluidity. The rate of increase in membrane disorder was dependent upon superoxide generation rates. Incorporation of the spin-label at concentrations less than 250 microM had no effect on cell viability. The cellular proteins reacting with the spin-label were predominantly membrane proteins, characterized by immunoblotting using a rabbit anti-4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxyl IgG, following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophorectic transfer to nitrocellulose.     

Induced maternal behavior in the domestic hen. Influence of partial or total separation on the maintenance of maternal responsiveness

The influence of direct physical contact on maintaining maternal responsiveness in induced adult hens was investigated using a separation procedure. Partial separation from chicks causes a significant decline of the clucking rate in hens, this response however does not disappear as in the case of total separation. The possibility for physical contact between hen and chicks contributes largely, but not uniquely, to maintain maternal responsiveness in the domestic hen.