Die Grabbewegung der Soleniden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Proofreading exonuclease on a tether: the complex between the E. coli DNA polymerase III subunits α, ε, θ and β reveals a highly flexible arrangement of the proofreading domain

A complex of the three (αεθ) core subunits and the β₂ sliding clamp is responsible for DNA synthesis by Pol III, the Escherichia coli chromosomal DNA replicase. The 1.7 Å crystal structure of a complex between the PHP domain of α (polymerase) and the C-terminal segment of ε (proofreading exonuclease) subunits shows that ε is attached to α at a site far from the polymerase active site. Both α and ε contain clamp-binding motifs (CBMs) that interact simultaneously with β₂ in the polymerization mode of DNA replication by Pol III. Strengthening of both CBMs enables isolation of stable αεθ:β₂ complexes. Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments with reconstituted αεθ:β₂ demonstrate retention of high mobility of a segment of 22 residues in the linker that connects the exonuclease domain of ε with its α-binding segment. In spite of this, small-angle X-ray scattering data show that the isolated complex with strengthened CBMs has a compact, but still flexible, structure. Photo-crosslinking with p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine incorporated at different sites in the α-PHP domain confirm the conformational variability of the tether. Structural models of the αεθ:β₂ replicase complex with primer-template DNA combine all available structural data.     

Structural characteristics of marsupial brood pouches of the antarctic sea urchins Abatus nimrodi and Abatus shackletoni (Echinoidea: Spatangoida)

Marsupial spines, tubercles, and pedicellariae of the antarctic brooding spatangoids Abatus nimrodi and Abatus shackletoni have been examined by scanning electron microscopy. Individual brood pouches of A. nimrodi may hold up to 28 embryos and juveniles and those of A. shackletoni may hold up to 38 lecithotrophic embryos and juveniles. Juveniles can be divided into (a) those with early development of external elements and a mean size of 2.0 and 1.6 mm, respectively, and (b) those equipped with fully developed external elements and a mean length of 4.3 and 2.8 mm, respectively. Mean diameters of aboral brood pouch openings of A. nimrodi and A. shackletoni were 6.5 and 4.1 mm, respectively. Brood pouches contain tall, distally enlarged spines, and smaller, layered cover-spines, which form a protective arch over the marsupia. There are also slender brood-pouch-bottom spines, which have an extremely thickened spinal epidermis. A. nimrodi has mainly bidentate, but also triand quadrodentate pedicellariae. A. shackletoni has two forms of tridentate, rostrate, and globiferous pedicellariae. In A. shackletoni, marsupial spine density is significantly lower than in A. nimrodi. These differences may be related to distinct sediment characteristics in their respective habitats. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Association and social interactions between strangers and residents in bonobos (Pan paniscus)

This study reports on close spatial association and repeated behavioural interactions between two strange adult male bonobos with residents of another community. Over a period of 12 months one of the two males developed friendly social relations to some of the females and other residents, which were indistinguishable from those existing between co-residents. Aggression by resident males against the strangers decreased but the former remained intolerant. The strange males appeared at a time when the number of adult resident males was lower as in the years before and when the adult sex ratio (number of adult females per male) was higher as in the years before. Using definitions from studies on dispersal patterns of male gorillas (Harcourt, 1978) and female bonobos (Furuichi, 1989) the spatial association between the two strange males and residents could be described as male transfer.     

Racemization and hydrolysis of tropic acid alkaloids in the presence of cyclodextrins

Because of the constantly increasing demand for optically pure drugs it is of great importance to elucidate factors affecting stereochemistry, in order to provide a stable formulation with a high chiral quality of the desired isomer. Therefore, the effects of cyclodextrins (CyDs) and their alkylated and hydroxyalkylated derivatives on racemization and hydrolysis of (?)-(S)-hyoscyamine and (?)-(S)-scopolamine were examined kinetically and spectroscopically (NMR). Direct methods, based on a chiral and achiral chromatographic phase system, were used to determine their degradation products and enantiomer composition during stability tests. All different CyDs, except α-CyD, retarded racemization and hydrolysis. The inclusion of the drug substances in CyDs inhibits the attack of hydroxyl ions and/or water molecules and thus retards the racemization and hydrolysis. The racemization of the tropic acid alkaloids is dependent on the pH and temperature. NMR studies were used to evidence the formation of a soluble 1:1 complex in aqueous solution. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.