Feinstrukturanalyse der komplexen Geißeln von Rhizobium lupini H 13-3

Zusammenfassung Zellen von Rhizobium lupini H 13-3 besitzen 5–10 peritrich inserierte komplexe Geißeln, deren Feinstruktur durch Hochauflösungs-Elektronenmikroskopie und lichtoptische Diffraktion analysiert wurde. Das Geißelfilament hat einen Durchmesser von 160 Å und besteht aus einem zylindrischen Kern (Durchmesser ca. 110 Å), der fest von drei Bändern einer helikalen Scheide umgeben ist. Die Scheidenbänder sind 49 Å breit, durch 49 Å-Intervalle voneinander getrennt und haben eine Steigung von 31°. Die komplexen Geißelfilamente bestehen aus einem 43 000-Dalton-Protein, das den Kern und die helikale Scheide aufbaut. Beide gehen übergangslos aus dem proximalen Geißelhaken hervor, der einen Durchmesser von 150 Å und eine Länge von 600 bis 800 Å hat. Die Diffraktionsanalyse des Geißelhakens zeigte eine helikale Grundanordnung von globulären Untereinheiten, die ein Oberflächengitter von 5 parallelen Schrauben (Steigung 29° bzw. 33°) bilden, von denen jede fast 11 Untereinheiten pro Helixungang trägt. Die komplexen Geißeln von R. lupini H 13-3 und Pseudomonas rhodos [Schmitt et al.: J. Bact. 117, 844–857 (1974)] sind ein neuer Typ von Bakteriengeißeln. Sie zeigen deutliche Übereinstimmung in der Feinstruktur, der festen Verbindung von helikaler Scheide und Geißelhaken sowie in der Fragilität ihrer Filamente; sie unterscheiden sich deutlich im Molekulargewicht der Flagellinmonomeren (43 000 bzw. 55 000). Zellen von R. lupini H 13-3 führen schnelle, vibrierende Translationsbewegungen aus. Mögliche Mechanismen der Bewegung komplexer Geißeln werden diskutiert.

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Fine structure analysis of the complex flagella of Rhizobium lupini H 13-3

Cells of Rhizobium lupini H 13-3 possess 5 to 10 peritrichously inserted complex flagella, which were analyzed by high resolution electron microscopy and by optical diffraction. The flagellar filament has a diameter of 160 Å; it consists of a cylindrical core (diameter approximately 110 Å) surrounded by three close-fitting bands of a helical sheath. The helical bands are 49 Å wide, separated by axial intervals, 49 Å wide, and run at an angle of 31°. Complex filaments consist of a 43 000-dalton protein representing the core and the helical sheath. These originate from the proximal hook, which has a diameter of 150 Å and a length of 600 to 800 Å. The diffraction analysis of the hook showed a helical arrangement of globular subunits forming a surface of 5 parallel small-scale helices (pitch-angles 29° and 33°, respectively), each carrying almost 11 subunits per period. The complex flagella of R. lupini H 13-3 and Pseudomonas rhodos [Schmitt, et al.: J. Bact. 117, 844–857 (1974)] represent a novel type of bacterial flagella. There is agreement in their fine structures, in the intimate connection of the helical sheath and the core, and in the fragility of their filaments. Thery are clearly distinguished by the molecular weights of their flagellin monomers (43 000 and 55 000, respectively). Cells of R. lupini H 13-3 show fast, vibrating, translational motions. Possible mechanisms of complex flagellar motion are discussed.

Herrn Professor Wolfram Heumann zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Bau und optische Leistungen des Komplexauges der StielaugenfliegeCyrtodiopsis dalmanni Wiedemann

Zusammenfassung Die großen Sehfelder der Komplexaugen der malayischen StielaugenfliegeCyrtodiopsis dalmanni überschneiden sich 3–4 mm vor den Augen. Eine Entfernungswahrnehmung von Objekten, die sich in den Sehfeldern beider Facettenaugen befinden, ist deshalb sehr wahrscheinlich.Interferometrische Messungen amCyrtodiopsis-Auge führten zu gleichen Brechungsquotienten für die Ommatidienstrukturen wie beiCalliphora erythrocephala. Die geometrischoptischen Berechnungen ergaben für den dioptrischen Apparat des Ommatidiums imCyrtodiopsis-Auge eine objektseitige Brennweite von 29 m. Hieraus und aus den Durchmessern der Rhabdomeren-Kappen — sie liegen in der Brennebene — resultieren die Öffnungswinkel von2,5° für die Rhabdomere 1–6 und von1,6° für das 7. Rhabdomer. Diese Öffnungswinkel sind kleiner als die der Ommen, die bei8,8° liegen. Im einzelnen Ommatidium kann eine höhere Auflösung erzielt werden, da die Beugungsscheibe jeweils nur eine Kappe bedeckt.

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Morphology and physiology of the compound eye of the stalked-eye flyCyrtodiopsis dalmanni Wiedemann

Summary The large visual fields of the compound eyes of the Malayan flyCyrtodiopsis dalmanni overlap 3–4 mm in front of the eyes. Depth perception of objects placed within the visual fields of both eyes is therefore very probable. Interferometrical studies on theCyrtodiopsis eye indicated that refractive indices of the ommatidial structures are the same as in the blowfly. The focal length of the dioptric apparatus of the stalked-eye fly ommatidium was found to be 29 m on the object side. The angles of aperture calculated from this focal length and from the diameters of the corresponding rhabdomeric prolongations—located in the focal plane-are 2.5° for the rhabdomeres 1–6, and 1.6° for the rhabdomere 7. These opening angles are smaller than those of the ommatidia, which are about 8.8°. Calculations based on the diffraction theory lead to the conclusion that higher resolution is obtained in the single ommatidium because the airy disc covers only one rhabdomeric prolongation.

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of Growth Hormone and Prolactin in the Pituitary Gland of Acipenser güldenstaedti Brandt (Chondrostei)

Abstract Prolactin (LTH) and growth hormone (GH) containing cells in A. güldenstaedti have been localized by means of anti-ovine prolactin and anti-bovine growth hormone respectively, coupled indirectly to peroxidase, and localized histochemically with hydrogen peroxide as substrate and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine as capturing agent. The distribution of the anti-prolactin positive cells has been demonstrated and correlated histologically with the acidophilic cells both in the rostral and proximal pars distalis. This cell type is elongated and arranged in follicles in the rostral pars distalis; in the proximal pars distalis they are smaller and oval, without any special orientation. Neither of the other cell types which are scattered among these acidophils contain prolactin. The anti-bovine growth hormone positive cells are evenly distributed in the proximal pars distalis above the hypophysial cleft, and some are also found in the pars intermedia. The anti-GH positive cells have been correlated histologically with the amphiphilic cells in the proximal pars distalis. These cells are arranged in cell cords in close contact with the secondary capillary plexus, near its origin from the primary capillary plexus covering the median eminence.     

Comparative Pathogenicity of Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces israelii

Typical actinomycosis has been produced in mice following single intraperitoneal injections of saline suspensions of Actinomyces israelii and A. naeslundii. A. israelii produced infections in 95.8% of the animals inoculated. A. naeslundii, generally considered to be a saprophytic organism, produced lesions in 89.7% of the inoculated animals. The finding that A. naeslundii produced lesions in mice similar to those produced by A. israelii suggests that A. naeslundii has similar pathogenic potential for man. The isolation of A. naeslundii from suppurative lesions of man also supports this conclusion.     

Beitr?ge zum Verhalten des Krabbentauchers(Plautus alle alle)

Summary The behavior of the Little Auk(Plautus alle alle) has been studied in June/ July 1968 in West-Spitzbergen.In the shelf-area we counted 32–75 Little Auks per km² flying or swimming in the sea. Flight behavior is described. On small rocky ledges before the entrances of the breeding caves, singing, display, sleeping and preening take place. Mass singing (Massengesang), display flight and parade (Imponierflug und Imponiergehen) and billing (Schnäbeln) are described. The calls of the Little Auk consist of 5 variable elements.     

Interspecific hybridization betweenDaphnia hyalina,D. galeata,andD. cucullata and seasonal abundances of these species and their hybrids

The three cladoceran speciesDaphnia hyalina, D. galeata, andD. cucullata frequently coexist in the lakes of northern Germany. Although there are some problems in distinguishing them morphologically, they are easily determined by gelelectrophoresis: each species carries a different allele at the glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) locus. Animals morphologically intermediate between two species are heterozygous for the alleles carried by the species they resemble. This pattern is in agreement with the findings at other loci, where also diagnostic alleles exist. These findings are most easily explained by interspecific hybridization between the three species. No evidence is found for backcrosses involving hybrids ofD. cucullata, whereas some backcrosses betweenD. hyalina, D. galeata, and their hybrids are found in some lakes. In four lakes the seasonal abundances of the three species and their hybrids are determined.     

Mapping of the sor genes for l-sorbose degradation in the chromosome of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Summary A series of mutants was isolated in Klebsiella pneumoniae strain 1033, among them mutants unable to grown on l-sorbose. Different R' plasmids carrying the sor genes and other surrounding chromosomal genes were also isolated. Each plasmid contained the structural genes sorA for an Enzyme II of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent carbohydrate: phosphotransferase system, sorD for a d-glucitol 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, sorE for an l-sorbose 1-phosphate reductase, and the corresponding regulator gene sorR. These structural genes are coordinately expressed and inducible by l-sorbose. Cis-dominant and pleiotropic mutations rendering the expression of the sor genes constitutive or eliminating it were isolated. Complementation of a series of mutations in Escherichia coli K12 and K. pneumoniae by various R' and F' plasmids and by P1 transduction in K. pneumoniae located the sor genes within the following gene sequence: rbs rha pfkA metB ppc argH ilv btuB rpoB metA ace sor pgi malB uvrA. The rbs-ilv gene loci tightly linked in E. coli K12 at 84 min, are separated in the map of K. pneumoniae 1033 and located at 86 and 89 min, respectively.     

Within-lake dispersal of the prosobranch snails,Viviparus ater and Potamopyrgus jenkinsi

Summary The gastropod species Viviparus ater and Potamopyrgus jenkinsi have both colonized Lake Zürich relatively recently. If it is assumed that they have dispersed in the Lake starting from one location, a model of random diffusion is insufficient to explain their present distribution in Lake Zürich. It is suggested that both species were dispersed by humans. In P. jenkinsi, passive dispersal by birds, fish or on floating algae may also have occurred. To estimate the rate of within-lake dispersal, life tables were constructed and the diffusivity estimated for the two species. Per capita population growth rates were calculated to be 0.00337/d for V. ater and 0.0159/d for P. jenkinsi. Diffusivity was close to 1 m²/d in both species.     

Acetate oxidation to CO2 in anaerobic bacteria via a novel pathway not involving reactions of the citric acid cycle

In several sulfate-reducing bacteria capable of complete oxidation of acetate (or acetyl CoA), the citric acid cycle is not operative. No 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity was found in these organisms, and the labelling pattern of oxaloacetate excludes its synthesis via 2-oxo-glutarate. These sulfate-reducers contained, however, high activities of the enzymes carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase and catalyzed an isotope exchange between CO₂ and the carboxyl group of acetate (or acetyl CoA), showing a direct C-C-cleavage of activated acetic acid. These findings suggest that in the investigated sulfate-reducers acetate is oxidized to CO₂ via C₁ intermediates. The proposed pathway provides a possible explanation for the reported different fluoroacetate sensitivity of acetate oxidation by anaerobic bacteria, for mini-methane formation, as well as for the postulated anaerobic methane oxidation by special sulfate-reducers.