Molecular organisation of the genes involved in the production of F7(2) fimbriae, causing mannose-resistant haemagglutination, of a uropathogenic Escherichia coli 06:K2:H1:F7 strain

Summary The genes responsible for the formation of the F7₂ fimbriae of the uropathogenic E. coli strain AD110 (O6:K2:H1:F7) have been cloned on the recombinant plasmid pPIL110-35 (Van Die et al. 1983). The F7₂ fimbriae, like the F7₁ fimbriae of AD110, are responsible for mannose resistant haemagglutination (MRHA).The molecular organisation of the genes of pPIL110-35 involved in the expression of MRHA was studied by: (a) analysis of transposon and Tn5 insertion mutants. Mutations that cause an MRHA-deficient phenotype were located in discrete groups within an 11.5 kb restriction fragment of pPIL110-35, separated by insertion mutations that do not inactivate MRHA. (b) complementation experiments. Restriction fragments of pPIL110-35 subcloned in the vector pBR322 were tested for their ability to complement transposon insertion mutations in the corresponding regions of pPIL110-35. Five complementation groups were distinguished.Five genes (designated A-E) involved in the expression of MRHA can be distinguished by these results. The products of these genes were analysed in minicells. The results indicate that gene B codes for a 75 K dalton protein, gene C for a 23 K dalton protein and gene E for a 36 K dalton protein. No product of gene D was observed. Gene A probably codes for the 17 K dalton subunit polypeptide of the F7₂ fimbriae, as will be discussed.     

Investigation of cellobiohydrolase from trichoderma reesei by small angle X-ray scattering

Summary Trichoderma reesei was grown on sulfite pulp and the major cellobiohydrolase of the culture filtrate was purified to homogeneity. The distance distribution function p(r) measured by the small angle X-ray scattering technique indicates that the enzyme molecule has a rather unusual tadpole like shape with an isotropic head and a long tail. The maximum length is 18 nm and the largest diameter is 4.4 nm.     

ACTH secretion in mouse pituitary tumor cells in culture: Inhibition of CRF-stimulated hormone release by somatostatin

Synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulates ACTH secretion in the clonal mouse pituitary cell strain AtT20/D16v (D16) in a dose-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 2×10^?9M. A single dose of 5×10^?9M CRF maximally stimulates the rate of ACTH secretion during the initial two hrs of treatment. During the period of maximal CRF stimulation intracellular hormone concentration declines progressively to a nadir at 4 hrs. During the ensuing 24 hrs of incubation intracellular hormone levels in CRF-stimulated cells increase gradually toward control values. Somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits the secretory response to CRF. This action of SRIF is dose-dependent with a half-maximal effect at 1×10^?9M and results in decreased maximal ACTH secretion with little effect on the ED₅₀ for CRF.     

The copolymeric structure of pig skin dermatan sulphate. Isolation and characterization of l-idurono-sulphate-containing oligosaccharides from copolymeric chains

Dermatan sulphate was degraded by testicular hyaluronidase and an oversulphated fraction was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. This preparation, which contained fairly long segments derived from the non-reducing terminal portion of the molecule, was subjected to periodate oxidation under acidic conditions. The oxidized iduronic acid residues were cleaved by reduction-hydrolysis (Smith-degradation) (Fransson & Carlstedt, 1974) or by alkaline elimination. The oligosaccharides so obtained contained both GlcUA (glucuronic acid) and IdUA-SO(4) (sulphated iduronic acid) residues. Copolymeric oligosaccharides obtained after alkaline elimination were cleaved by chondroitinase-AC into disaccharide and higher oligosaccharides. Since the corresponding oligosaccharides obtained by Smith-degradation were unaffected by this enzyme, it was concluded that the carbohydrate sequences were GalNAc-(IdUA-GalNAc)(n)-GlcUA-GalNAc. The iduronic acid-containing sequences were resistant to digestion with chondroitinase-ABC. It was demonstrated that the presence of unsulphated N-acetylgalactosamine residues in these sequences could be responsible for the observed effect. This information was obtained in an indirect way. Chemically desulphated dermatan sulphate was found to be a poor substrate for the chondroitinase-ABC enzyme. Moreover, digestion with chondroitinase-ABC of chondroitinase-AC-degraded dermatan sulphate released periodate-resistant iduronic acid-containing oligosaccharides. It is concluded that copolymeric sequences of the following structure are present in pig skin dermatan sulphate: [Formula: see text] N-acetylgalactosamine moieties surrounding IdUA-SO(4) residues are unsulphated to a large extent.     

Die Wirkung von Dinactin auf die cyclische Photophosphorylierung,die lichtinduzierte ATP-Pa-Austauschreaktion und den lichtinduzierten Protonentransport in Chloroplasten

Summary Dinactin, an antibiotic forming complexes with K⁺ ions, uncouples phosphorylation in chloroplasts without requiring the presence of a substance increasing the permeability of the membrane for protons. To inhibit photophosphorylation, less Dinactin is necessary in the absence than in the presence of K⁺.When added before the light phase, Dinactin affects the light-triggered ATP-P_i exchange reaction in the same way as it does the complete photophosphorylation. Addition of the antibiotic after the activation by light inhibits the exchange reaction independently of the presence of K⁺, possibly by blocking the energy transfer to ATP.The inhibition of the light-induced proton transport by Dinactin is more pronounced in the presence of K⁺ than of Na⁺ ions. The manner in which changes in the permeability of the chloroplast membrane for K⁺ ions caused by Dinactin may influence photophosphorylation and reactions coupled with it is discussed.

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Verwendete Abkürzungen ATP Adenosintriphosphat - ADP Adenosindiphosphat - P_a anorganisches Phosphat - PMS Phenazinmethosulfat - DCPIP Dichlorphenolindophenol - FeCy Ferricyanid - DNP Dinitrophenol - FCCP Carbonylcyanid-p-trifluormethoxyphenylhydrazon - SQ 15859 Squibb Compound 15859     

Das Wachstum infiltrierter Keimlinge

Zusammenfassung Werden Keimlinge vonHelianthus annuus undVicia faba mittels einer Wasserstrahlpumpe mit Wasser infiltriert, so führt dies sofort in allen Organen der Pflanze zu einer sehr starken und mitunter völligen Hemmung des Wachstums. Wirkt der Unterdruck in Luft ein, so daß es hernach zu keiner Wasserfüllung der Interzellularen kommt, so unterbleibt jede Wachstumshemmung.Die Frage nach der Kausalbeziehung zwischen Infiltration und Wachstumshemmung konnte nicht geklärt werden, da die nächstiliegende Annahme, Infiltration führe zu einer Atmungshemmung, durch das Experiment nicht bestätigt werden konnte.Es wird darauf hingewiesen, daß die Zufuhr von Wirk- oder Nährstoffen durch Infiltration eine Methode ist, die in wachsenden Organen nur mit großem Vorbehalt angewendet werden darf, da eine im Wachstum weitgehend gehemmte Pflanze sich in einem anomalen Zustand befindet.Mit 8 Textabbildungen.     

Topographic control of vegetation in a mountain big sagebrush steppe

Mountain big sagebrush steppes in Wyoming have strong spatial patterning associated with topography. We describe the spatial variability of vegetation in a sagebrush steppe, and test the relationship between topography and vegetation using canonical correlation. Results of the analysis suggest that the main control over vegetation distribution in this system is wind exposure. Exposed sites are characterized by cushion plant communities and Artemisia nova, and less exposed sites by the taller sagebrush species Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana. Topographic depressions and leeward slopes are characterized by aspen stands and nivation hollows. Measurements of soil microclimate suggest that a major influence of topographic position on vegetation is snow redistribution and its effect on soil moisture and temperature.Abbreviations ARNO Artemisia nova - ARTRW Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis - ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana - PUTR Purshia tridentata - RIP riparian community - POTR Populus tremuloides - NIV nivation hollow community