A new procedure to study the perceptual world of animals with sensory reinforcement: Recognition of humans by a chimpanzee

A female chimpanzee touched a button to produce colored slides of pictures. Slides were present as long as she kept touching the button. Repeated touch within 10 sec after the previous release produced the same slides again. The slide was changed when 10 sec passed after she released the button. The duration of a touching response and the interval between the responses were calculated for each of 100 slides. The data for each slide were plotted on the two-dimensional space constructed with response duration and response interval. A clear differentiation of distribution on this space was found between slides with humans and those without humans. The result demonstrated that the chimpanzee recognized humans as a category, as well as that this procedure is effective for the study of the perceptual world of animals based on the reinforcing function of stimuli.     

Regulation of human interleukin-2 gene: functional DNA sequences in the 5' flanking region for the gene expression in activated T lymphocytes

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine that plays a crucial role in the immune system, especially in the growth control of T lymphocytes. Expression of this lymphokine is restricted to activated T lymphocytes. Here we demonstrate the presence of unique DNA sequences in the 5' flanking region of the human IL-2 gene that control induced T-cell-specific gene expression. We also show that the DNA sequences function in an orientation-independent manner and activate a heterologous promoter which is otherwise inert in induced T cells. The DNA, which spans about 200 bp, contains regions with sequence homology to LTR sequences of HTLV-III (or LAV) and the 5' upstream region of the IL-2 receptor and interferon-gamma genes.     

Expression of a molecularly cloned human c-src oncogene by using a replication-competent retroviral vector.

We studied the expression of a molecularly cloned human c-src gene, c-src-1, localized on chromosome 20, whose coding region consists of 11 exons and spans a 19.5-kilobase (kb) distance. Using a replication-competent retroviral vector derived from molecularly cloned Rous sarcoma virus DNA (pSRA-2), we obtained two constructs: one (pSR-CS) carrying the unmodified human c-src coding sequence and another (pSR-CVS) with a chimeric gene formed between the human c-src gene and the carboxy-terminal 12-amino acid v-src-specific coding sequence. From chicken embryo fibroblasts transfected with these DNA constructs, infectious viruses designated as WO CS and WO CVS, respectively, were recovered. WO CS virus did not cause cell transformation, whereas WO CVS induced cell transformation. Analyses of the proviral DNAs indicated that all introns were spliced out such that the 19-kb inserts were converted to 1.7-kb cDNA forms. Analyses of src proteins in infected cells, using monoclonal antibody MAb327 against v-src protein, showed the following results. The CVS and CS src proteins were about 60 and 61 kilodaltons in size, respectively; the specific protein kinase activity assayed in vitro of the CVS src protein was about 20-fold higher than that of the CS src protein and comparable to that of the v-src protein; the transforming CVS src protein reacted to an antibody against a v-src-specific peptide, whereas the CS src protein did not. These results indicate that the human c-src gene has a potential transforming ability and suggest that the v-src-specific sequence played an important role in the generation of Rous sarcoma virus.     

Three-dimensional aspects of blood vessels in thyroids from normal,low iodine diet-treated,TSH-treated,and PTU-treated rats

Summary Three-dimensional images of blood vessels in thyroid glands from normal, low iodine diet-treated, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-treated and propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated rats were investigated by use of the corrosion-cast method. The vascular casts made by the injection of methacrylate resin were observed with the scanning electron microscope. In normal animals, each follicle is surrounded by a clearly defined basket-like capillary network, which is generally independent of adjacent networks, though a few anastomoses or common capillaries are sometimes seen. In low iodine diet-treated or TSH-treated animals, the capillaries in the basket-like network become markedly dilated and fuse with one another. Though the vascular casts of PTU-treated animals are similar to those of low iodine diet-treated or TSH-treated ones in some aspects, most basket-like networks become distorted and irregular in shape, and the capillaries are heterogeneously dilated and show many buds, branches and anastomoses. We consider that these peculiar changes in the thyroid of the PTU-treated animals are due not only to the elevation of serum TSH but also to other unknown factors. It is clear that the distribution and morphology of the thyroid capillaries are extremely affected and changed by functional states of the gland.This study was supported in part by grant from the Research Fund of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, Japan     

Membrane differentiation in the cytoplasmic-tubule system of the intestinal absorptive cells of the lamprey,Lampetra japonica

Summary Specific membrane differentiation occurs in the cytoplasmic-tubule system of the absorptive cells lining the mucosa of the lamprey anterior intestine. The absorptive cells are characterized by the presence of abundant mitochondria and a system of well-developed cytoplasmic tubules (120 nm in diameter). The cytoplasmic tubules open on to the basolateral cell surface and contain numerous lipoprotein particles (50–100 nm diam.) in their lumina. Lipoprotein particles are also observed in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, and they are transfered to the lateral intercellular space and lamina propria by way of the cytoplasmic tubules. Spirally-wound parallel rows of particles are found in the luminal surface of the cytoplasmic tubules. The rows are 17 nm apart and are wound spirally at a pitch of 210 nm. Freeze-fracture images of the tubule membranes also show spiral arrays of particles (9 nm in diameter) on the P-face, and complementary shallow grooves on the E-face. From these observations, it is suggested that the cytoplasmic-tubule system of the intestinal absorptive cells serves as a channel for the transport of synthesized lipoprotein into the interstitium, and is also the site of the ion and water exchange essential for the maintenance of ionic homeostasis.     

Physical and functional association of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor with particulate guanylate cyclase as demonstrated using detergent extracts of bovine lung membranes

Coupling of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor to particulate guanylate cyclase has been demonstrated kinetically and chromatographically using bovine lung plasma membranes and their detergent extracts. Addition of ANP to the membrane suspension stimulated guanylate cyclase activity 2-5-fold indicating the presence of ANP-sensitive particulate guanylate cyclase. The enzyme retained the ability to respond to ANP even after solubilization with digitonin. Characterization of the solubilized enzyme by gel filtration and affinity chromatography revealed that the ANP receptor and particulate guanylate cyclase exist as a functionally but not covalently linked stable complex.     

A Maternal-Effect Sex-Transformation Mutant of the Housefly, MUSCA DOMESTICA L

A maternal-effect sex-transformation mutant, transformer (tra), of the housefly is described. It is located on autosome 4 in close linkage with the Ba locus. Normally, the sex of Musca domestica is determined by the presence or absence of an epistatic factor, M. When produced by tra/tra mothers, a large fraction of the tra/tra genotypic female progeny carrying no M factors are transformed to develop into intersexes or fertile phenotypic males. The tra/+ progeny are also transformed, but less frequently. Aging of the mothers increases the frequency of sex-transformed flies. When produced by tra/+ mothers, tra/tra progeny (but not +/tra) occasionally undergo sex transformation. Thus, tra⁺ is active both maternally and zygotically. Genotypic males carrying the M factor are not affected by the tra mutant. It is concluded that the tra⁺ gene product is required for female determination and/or differentiation. A model is proposed to explain actions of all the known sex-determination genes in M. domestica , and it is discussed in relation to sex-determination mechanisms in several other insect species.     

Effect of aldosterone on dome formation by MDCK mono-layer

Effect of aldosterone on the dome formation in the reconstructed MDCK cell epithelia was studied. MDCK cells derived from dog kidney are assumed to be originated from distal tubules or collecting ducts. When cultured to a confluency, these cells formed a epithelial layer with many domes which contained fluid transported from the apical to the basolateral surface through this layer. Aldosterone at a concentration of 10(-8) to 10(-6) M increased the number of domes dose-dependently, probably through a receptor mediated process, since the dome formation induced by this hormone was completely abolished in the presence of spironolactone. This study primarily disclosed that the dome formation in MDCK cells was stimulated by aldosterone, probably through a receptor mediated mechanism.     

Effect of intracerebroventricular administration of rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), human calcitonin and [Asu1,7]-eel calcitonin on gastric acid secretion in rats

The effect of intracerebroventricular injection of rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), human calcitonin (CT) and [Asu1,7]-eel CT on the volume and acidity of gastric juice was examined in the pylorus-ligated male rats. These 3 peptides were effective in suppressing both the volume and acidity of secreted gastric juice. Their potency on a molar basis, however, was markedly different; [Asu1,7]-eel CT was most potent, followed by human CT and finally by rat CGRP. These finding suggest that CGRP could not substitute for [Asu1,7]-eel or human CT in exerting the suppressive effect of gastric acid secretion.