Stereochemistry of the hydrolysis of α,α-trehalose by trehalase,determined by using a labelled substrate

(1,1′-¹³C)α,α-Trehalose was obtained in 37% yield from the Pavia condensation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-(1-¹³C)glucopyranose, in dichloromethane in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, followed by the usual deprotection techniques. The hydrolysis of this substrate by cockchafer trehalase was monitored at 37° by using ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy with short recording times. Equimolecular amounts of α- and β-d-glucopyranose are released simultaneously by the action of the enzyme. This result is consistent with a bimolecular substitution mechanism, taking into account previous results involving C-2 asymmetric participation in the catalytic step of hydrolysis of α,α-trehalose. For comparative evaluation of its accuracy, the usual polarimetric technique was also used for the determination of the anomeric configuration of the d-glucose released by the action of the enzyme on α,α-trehalose.     

Incompatibility in Podospora anserina: Comparative Properties of the Antagonistic Cytoplasmic Factors of a Nonallelic System

In the fungus Podospora anserina, the interaction between the nonallelic incompatible R and V genes has two consequences: a lytic reaction due to the synthesis of specific proteolytic enzymes, and a quenching in protein and ribonucleic acid synthesis. The incompatibility reaction when vegetative or sexual R and V cells fuse is asymmetric: it is induced only in the R protoplasm. The cessation in ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis was investigated in heterokaryotic strains carrying the antagonistic R and V genes and their "neutral" r and v alleles. Asymmetry between R and V genes lies in the fact that the strains homozygous for the R genes are the only strains that cannot grow. From these results it is postulated that the V-gene product is a diffusible cytoplasmic factor and that the R-gene product, which is nonautonomous, is a ribosomal component.     

On the relationship of ultrastructural and cytochemical features to color in mammalian skeletal muscle

Summary The semitendinosus muscle of the albino rat is divided grossly into two clearly distinguishable parallel longitudinal bands, one red (anterior) and the other white (posterior). By using mitochondrial content as a criterion for distinguishing fiber types, it is demonstrated that the red portion of the muscle is composed predominantly of red (52%) and intermediate (40%) fibers, while the white portion consists primarily of white fibers (82%). Red fibers have the smallest and white fibers have the largest average diameter. Ultrastructural characteristics of the three fiber types resemble closely those previously described for the rat diaphragm. Red fibers are rich in large mitochondria with abundant cristae, and possess the widest Z lines. In red fibers, the H-band region of the sarcoplasmic reticulum consists of an elaborate network of narrow tubules. In white fibers, mitochondria are smaller, less numerous, and have fewer cristae; Z lines are about half as wide as in red fibers. In the H-band region of the sarcoplasmic reticulum there is a more compact arrangement of broad more or less parallel tubules. Intermediate fibers are similar to red fibers except that their diameters are larger; mitochondria are somewhat smaller and cristae are less abundant; the width of the Z lines is close to that of white fibers. The consistent difference in Z line width establishes this dimension as an important criterion for distinguishing fiber types and facilitates ultrastructural identification, especially of the intermediate fiber.The clear relationship between color of the semitendinosus and cytological features of its component fibers supports the use of the terms red, white, and intermediate as simple and valid designations for fiber types in mammalian skeletal muscle. Measurement of the cross-sectional area contributed by each fiber type to the total area indicates that both red and intermediate fibers may contribute to redness in mammalian skeletal muscle.An early portion of this work was carried out with MissSharon Whelan (Mrs.Bernard Weiss). The author acknowledges the important contribution of Mr.Richard Stearns through his skillful work on the photographic illustrations and the technical assistance of MissAnn Campbell and Mrs.Joan Normington. — This study was supported by Grant No. HD 01026-04 from the United States Public Health Service.     

Considérations sur la nature,l'origine,et le comportement des elaioplastes chez les Monocotylédones

Résumé L'étude en microscopie photonique et électronique, chez quatre espèces de Monocotylédones, a permis de mettre en évidence en plus de certains caractères concernant leur morphologie et leur répartition, le comportement des élaïoplastes au cours de la mitose et l'origine intracytoplasmique de ces organites sous forme d'amas de vésicules en relation probable avec reticulum endoplasmique. Enfin des rapprochements ont été faits avec les corps centraux des quelques bryophytes et certaines formations particulières aux Desmidiées.

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Summary The study in photonic and electronic microscopy of four species of monocotyledons allowed us to make obvious, in addition to several characteristcs concerning their morphology and repartition, the behaviour of the elaïoplasts during mitosis, and the intracytoplasmic origin of these organelles in the shape of vesicle gatherings probably related to the endoplasmic reticulum. Besides some comparisons have been made with the central bodies of Bryophyts and several formations peculiar to Desmids.

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Zusammenfassung Die licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung von vier Monokotyledonenarten ermöglichte uns, zusammen mit bestimmten Kennzeichen ihrer Morphologie und ihrer Verteilung, das Verhalten der Elaioplasten im Laufe der Mitose und die Bildung der Bläschenhaufen, die mit dem endoplasmatischen Reticulum wahrscheinlich in Verbindung stehen, klarzustellen. Schließlich sind Vergleiche mit den Zentralkörpern der Bryophyten und mit gewissen Bildungen, die den Desmidiaceen eigentümlich sind, angestellt worden.