Wide genome comparisons reveal the origins of the human X chromosome

The eutherian X chromosome has one of the most conserved gene arrangements in mammals. Although earlier comparisons with distantly related mammalian groups pointed towards separate origins for the short and long arms, much deeper comparisons are now possible using draft sequences of the chicken genome, in combination with genome sequences from pufferfish and zebrafish. This enables surprising new insights into the origins of the mammalian X chromosome.     

Further root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in already mycorrhizal plants is suppressed after a critical level of root colonization

An established arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis suppresses further mycorrhization. It is not clear whether the observed suppressional effect is linked with the level of root colonization or not. In the present work we studied the effect of the degree of root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on further root colonization by G. mosseae. At different time points barley plants grown in split-root compartments were pre-inoculated on one half of the split-root system with G. mosseae. Sequential inoculation resulted in different colonization levels. Thereafter, the second half of the split root system was inoculated. The results indicate an enhanced suppression of root colonization on the second side of the split-root system when colonization levels increased on the first side.     

Die Carotinoide von Mutinus caninus Huds.

Zusammenfassung Der rötliche Farbstoff der Fruchtkörper von Mutinus caninus besteht in der Hauptsache aus 2 Carotinoiden: -Carotin und vor allem Lycopin. In geringer Menge kommen daneben noch andere Carotinoide vor, die aber einstweilen nicht untersucht wurden.Herrn Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. August Rippel zum 70. Geburtstag.     

Combinatory effects of phytoestrogens and 17beta-estradiol on proliferation and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Phytoestrogens have been described to be weak estrogens, SERMs or exhibit antiestrogenic properties. However, information about their activity in presence of estrogens is limited. Therefore, we have analysed the dose dependent combinatory activity of the phytoestrogens genistein (Gen), daidzein (Dai) and coumestrol (Cou), and 17ß-estradiol (E2) on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Neither additive nor antagonistic effects on proliferation could be observed, but in contrast all phytoestrogens possessed the ability to inhibit apoptosis in the presence of 17ß-estradiol.

In summary, our in vitro results demonstrate that Gen does not exhibit any antiestrogenic properties. The additive growth stimulatory effects of Gen, Dai and Cou in the presence of E2 are not the result of a stimulation of proliferation; these phytoestrogens, at least in MCF-7 cells, could be characterised as inhibitors of apoptosis.     

Spatial memory and orientation strategies in the elasmobranch<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Potamotrygon motoro</Emphasis>

We investigated whether juvenile freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygon motoro) can solve spatial tasks by constructing a cognitive map of their environment. Two experimental conditions were run: allocentric and ego-allocentric. Rays were trained to locate food within a four-arm maze placed in a room with visual spatial cues. The feeding location (goal) within the maze (room) remained constant while the starting position varied for the allocentrically but not for the ego-allocentrically trained group. After training, all rays solved the experimental tasks; however, different orientation strategies were used within and between groups. Allocentrically trained rays reached the goal via novel routes starting from unfamiliar locations, while ego-allocentrically trained rays primarily solved the task on the basis of an egocentric turn response. Our data suggest that P. motoro orients by constructing a visual cognitive map of its environment, but also uses egocentric and/or other orientation strategies alone or in combination for spatial orientation, a choice which may be governed by the complexity of the problem. We conclude that spatial memory functions are a general feature of the vertebrate brain.     

The solution structure of a transient photoreceptor intermediate: Delta25 photoactive yellow protein

The N-terminally truncated variant of photoactive yellow protein (Delta25-PYP) undergoes a very similar photocycle as the corresponding wild-type protein (WT-PYP), although the lifetime of its light-illuminated (pB) state is much longer. This has allowed determination of the structure of both its dark- (pG) as well as its pB-state in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The pG structure shows a well-defined fold, similar to WT-PYP and the X-ray structure of the pG state of Delta25-PYP. In the long-lived photocycle intermediate pB, the central beta sheet is still intact, as well as a small part of one alpha helix. The remainder of pB is unfolded and highly flexible, as evidenced by results from proton-deuterium exchange and NMR relaxation studies. Thus, the partially unfolded nature of the presumed signaling state of PYP in solution, as suggested previously, has now been structurally demonstrated.     

Abhängigkeit der Kompetenz des Amphibien-Ektoderms von der Proteinsynthese

Zusammenfassung Isoliertes Gastrula-Ektoderm des Amphibienkeimes wurde nach unterschiedlicher vorhergehender Behandlung mit einer mesodermal/neural induzierenden Rohfraktion (Versuchsreihe I) und einer mesodermal/entodermal induzierenden Fraktion (Versuchsreihe II) behandelt (Sandwich-Methode).In der Kontrollserie (K₀) wurde frühes Gastrula-Ektoderm sofort mit dem Induktor versehen.Die Explantate der Serie K₁ wurden 20 Std (Versuchsreihe I) bzw. 24 Std (Versuchsreihe II) in vitro kultiviert und dann erst mit dem Induktor versehen.In einer dritten Serie wurden die Explantate über 20 bzw. 24 Std mit einem Hemmer der Proteinsynthese (2g/ml Aktidion = Cycloheximid) behandelt und anschließend mit Induktor in normaler Holtfreter-Lösung aufgezogen.Während gealtertes Ektoderm (Serie K₁) seine Reaktionsfähigkeit (Kompetenz) nach 24stündiger in vitro-Kultivierung verliert, weisen die ebensolange mit Aktidion behandelten Explantate keinen Kompetenzverlust auf.

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Relationship between competence and protein synthesis in amphibian ectoderm

Summary Isolated Amphibian gastrula ectoderm was pretreated in different ways and induced with a mesodermal/neural (Series I) or a mesodermal/endodermal (Series II) fraction (sandwich method).In the controls (K₀) the inducer was implanted directly into early gastrula ectoderm. The explants of series K₁ were cultured in vitro for 20 (Series I) or 24 hours, respectively (Series II), and then combinated with the inducer. In series Ak the explants were treated with an inhibitor of protein synthesis (2g/ml Actidion = Cycloheximid) for 20 or 24 hours and then cultured with inducer for 12 days.Ectoderm, cultured for 24 hours in vitro (Series K₁) lost its ability to respond to inducing factor. There is no loss of competence when ectoderm is treated with actidion for the same time and then treated with inducer.

     

UV-Spektren und Elektronenstrukturen von Monoamino-Acridinium-Kationen

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die UV-Spektren und die Fluoreszenzanisotropie der 1-, 2-, 3- und 4-Amino-Acridinium-Kationen gemessen und mit Hilfe nach PPP berechneter Anregungsenergien, Übergangsmomente und Polarisationen gedeutet. Die Rechnungen liefern die Elektronenstrukturen der Grund- und Anregungszustände (-Bindungsordnungen und -Elektronendichten). Die Elektronenanregungen der Kationen sind über diejenigen der nicht ionisierten Basen mit denen des Kohlenwasserstoffs Anthracen als Grundkörper zu korrelieren. Der Einfluß von Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen auf die Spektren wird diskutiert. Wir danken der D. F. G. und den Rechenzentren in Darmstadt und Freiburg.

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UV-spectra and -electronic structures of monoamino-acridinium cations

Summary The electronic-excitation and polarisation-spectra of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-amino-acridinium cations were measured. Transition energies, -electronic densities and -bond orders have been calculated by a -variable SCF-method within the general PPP-framework; the effect of H-bond formation upon their electronic spectra is examined and attempts are being made to correlate the computed transitions of the monoamino-acridinium cations with those of the corresponding non-ionized bases and with anthracene.

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Wir danken der D. F. G. und den Rechenzentren in Darmstadt und Freiburg.