Partial sequence analysis of 130 randomly selected maize cDNA clones.

As part of a project to identify novel maize (Zea mays L. cv B73) genes functionally, we have partially sequenced 130 randomly selected clones from a maize leaf cDNA library. Data base comparisons revealed seven previously sequenced maize cDNAs and 18 cDNAs with sequence similarity to related maize genes or to genes from other organisms. One hundred five cDNAs show little or no similarity to previously sequenced genes. Our results also establish the suitability of this library for large-scale sequencing in terms of its large insert size, proper insert orientation, and low duplication rate.     

Chaetomella acutiseta produces chaetomellic acids A and B which are reversible inhibitors of farnesyl-protien transferase

Chaetomellic acids A and B, isolated from Chaetomella acutiseta, are specific inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase that do not inhibit geranylgeranyl transferase type 1 or squalene synthase. Chaetomellic acids A and B are reversible inhibitors, resemble farnesyl diphosphate and probably inhibit FPTase by substituting for farnesyl diphosphate. Chaetomellic acid production appears to be widespread within the genus Chaetomella. Correspondence to: R. B. Lingham     

Effect of oxygen abstraction on the peroxidase–luminol–perborate system: Relevance to the HRP enhanced chemiluminescence mechanism

Abstraction of oxygen from the HRP enhanced chemiluminescence system has no significant effect on the chemiluminescence generated. It is, therefore, proposed that in the peroxidase-luminol-perborate system at pH 7.3, chemiluminescence is generated by a direct reaction of diazaquinones with hydrogen peroxide and not, as generally assumed, from the reaction of luminol radicals with the molecular oxygen.     

Fire and competition in Australian heath: a conceptual model and field investigations

Abstract. We describe a model of heath vegetation, in which species were classified into five functional groups based on characteristics of their propagule pools, post-fire growth, timing and mode of reproduction and competitive status. The model assumes no recruitment without fire and a simple competitive hierarchy based on vertical stature. A critical feature of the model is an initial post-fire window of 5–6 yr in which competition from overstorey species on understorey species is reduced. Understorey functional groups differ in their ability to exploit this window. In the field, we tested five predictions derived from the model: (a) overall species richness of understorey varies inversely with overstorey density as a result of a trend in richness of woody species, but not in herbaceous species; (b) where an overstorey was present in the previous fire interval, post-fire population density is reduced in a functional group of understorey serotinous resprouting shrubs, but not in a group of understorey obligate-seeding shrubs with soil seed banks; (c) in understorey serotinous resprouting shrubs, post-fire regrowth in resprouting individuals is adversely affected by the presence of an overstorey in the preceding fire interval; (d) in understorey serotinous resprouting shrubs, levels of pre-fire propagules are lower in the presence of an overstorey, reducing the density of post-fire recruits; and (e) in understorey serotinous resprouting shrubs, recruitment relative to the pre-fire population is unaffected by overstorey species within the window of reduced competition. Of these, three tests (a,b,d) supported the model, one (e) may support the model, but the results were inconclusive and one (c) did not support the model. Limitations and further applications of the model are discussed. Our results suggest that maintenance of high densities of overstorey populations is in conflict with conservation of some understorey species. Models of the type we propose will help identify and resolve such conflicts and promote the judicious use of fire to maintain full species diversity of plant communities.     

Cell Cycle Arrest of Proliferating Neuronal Cells by Serum Deprivation Can Result in Either Apoptosis or Differentiation

Abstract: Apoptotic cell death plays a critical role in the development of the nervous system. The death of mature nondividing neurons that fail to receive appropriate input from the target field has been extensively studied. However, the mechanisms mediating the extensive cell death occurring in areas of the developing brain where proliferating neuroblasts differentiate into mature nondividing neurons have not been analyzed. We show here that the cell cycle arrest of a proliferating cell of neuronal origin by removal of serum results in either apoptotic cell death or differentiation to a mature nondividing neuronal cell. The proportion of cells undergoing death or differentiation is influenced in opposite directions by treatment of the cells with cyclic AMP and retinoic acid. This suggests that following the withdrawal of signals stimulating neuroblast cell division, neuronal cells either can cease to suppress a constitutive suicide pathway and hence die by apoptosis or, alternatively, can differentiate into a mature neuronal cell. Regulation of the balance between apoptosis and neuronal differentiation could therefore play a critical role in controlling the numbers of mature neurons that form.     

Pre- and Posttranslational Regulation of β-Endorphin Biosynthesis in the CNS: Effects of Chronic Naltrexone Treatment

Abstract: There appear to be two anatomically distinct β-endorphin (βE) pathways in the brain, the major one originating in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and a smaller one in the area of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the caudal medulla. Previous studies have shown that these two proopiomelanocortin (POMC) systems may be differentially regulated by chronic morphine treatment, with arcuate cells down-regulated and NTS cells unaffected. In the present experiments, we examined the effects of chronic opiate antagonist treatment on βE biosynthesis across different CNS regions to assess whether the arcuate POMC system would be regulated in the opposite direction to that seen after opiate agonist treatment and to determine whether different βE-containing areas might be differentially regulated. Male adult rats were administered naltrexone (NTX) by various routes for 8 days (subcutaneous pellets, osmotic minipumps, or repeated intraperitoneal injections). Brain and spinal cord regions were assayed for total βE-ir, different molecular weight immunoreactive β-endorphin (βE-ir) peptides, and POMC mRNA. Chronic NTX treatment, regardless of the route of administration, reduced total βE-ir concentrations by 30–40% in diencephalic areas (the arcuate nucleus, the remaining hypothalamus, and the thalamus) and the midbrain, but had no effect on βE-ir in the NTS or any region of the spinal cord. At the same time, NTX pelleting increased POMC mRNA levels in the arcuate to ～ 140% of control values. These data suggest that arcuate POMC neurons are up-regulated after chronic NTX treatment (whereas NTS and spinal cord systems remain unaffected) and that they appear to be under tonic inhibition by endogenous opioids. Chromatographic analyses demonstrated that, after chronic NTX pelleting, the ratio of full length βE_1–31 to more processed βE-ir peptides (i.e., βE_1–27 and βE_1–26) tended to increase in a dose-dependent manner in diencephalic areas. Because βE_1–31 is the only POMC product that possesses opioid agonist properties, and βE_1–27 has been posited to function as an endogenous anatgonist of βE_1–31, the NTX-induced changes in the relative concentrations of βE_1–31 and βE_1–27/βE_1–26 may represent a novel regulatory mechanism of POMC cells to alter the opioid signal in the synapse.     

Modelling C3 photosynthesis: A sensitivity analysis of the photosynthetic carbon-reduction cycle

A model of the C ₃ photosynthetic system is developed which describes the sensitivity of the steadystate rate of carbon dioxide assimilation to changes in the activity of several enzymes of the system. The model requires measurements of the steady-state rate of carbon dioxide assimilation, the concentrations of several intermediates in the photosynthetic system, and the concentration of the active site of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxyalse/oxygenase (Rubisco). It is shown that in sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) at photon flux densities that are largely saturating for the rate of photosynthesis, the steady-stete rate of carbon dioxide assimilation is most sensitive to Rubisco activity and, to a lesser degree, to the activities of the stromal fructose, 6-bisphosphatase and the enzymes catalysing sucrose synthesis. The activities of sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase, ribulose 5-phosphate kinase, ATP synthase and the ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase are calculated to have a negligible effect on the flux under the high-light conditions. The utility of this analysis in developing simpler models of photosynthesis is also discussed.Abbreviations c _i intercellular CO₂ concentration - C _infP ^supJ control coefficient for enzyme P with respect to flux J - DHAP dihydroxyacetonephosphate - E4P erythrose 4-phosphate - F6P fructose 6-phosphate - FBP fructose 1,6-bisphosphate - FBPase fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase - G3P glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate - G1P glucose 1-phosphate - G6P glucose 6-phosphate - Pi inorganic phosphate - PCR photosynthetic carbon reduction - PGA 3-phosphoglyceric acid - PPFD photosynthetically active photon flux density - R _n ^J response coefficient for effector n with respect to flux J - R5P ribose 5-phosphate - Rubisco ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase - Ru5P ribulose 5-phosphate - RuBP ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate - S7P sedoheptulose 7-phosphate - SBP sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate - SBPase sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase - SPS sucrose-phosphate synthase - Xu5P xylulose 5-phosphate - _n ^P elasticity coefficient for effector n with respect to the catalytic velocity of enzyme P This research was funded by an Australian Research Council grant to I.E.W. and was undertaken during a visity by K.A.M. to the James Cook University of North Queensland. The expert help of Glenys Hanley and Mick Kelly is greatly appreciated.     

Expression of the Acc1 Gene-Encoded Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase in Developing Maize (Zea mays L.) Kernels

A mutation (Acc1-S2) in the structural gene for maize (Zea mays L.) acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) that significantly reduces sethoxydim inhibition of leaf ACCase activity was used to investigate the gene-enzyme relationship regulating ACCase activity during oil deposition in developing kernels. Mutant embryo and endosperm ACCase activities were more than 600-fold less sensitive to sethoxydim inhibition than ACCase in wild-type kernel tissues. Moreover, in vitro cultured mutant kernels developed normally in the presence of sethoxydim concentrations that inhibited wild-type kernel development. The results indicate that the Acc1-encoded ACCase accounts for the majority of ACCase activity in developing maize kernels, suggesting that Acc1-encoded ACCase functions not only during membrane biogenesis in leaves but is also the predominant form of ACCase involved in storage lipid biosynthesis in maize embryos.