Translation efficiency of adenovirus early region 1A mRNAs deleted in the 5'' untranslated region

Adenovirus deletion mutants were studied to examine the influence of the 5' untranslated sequence on the translation of early region 1A mRNAs. Alterations of the 5' untranslated sequence, including complete deletion of the wild-type 5' untranslated sequence, did not significantly affect the rate of translation.     

Increase in activity of acetylcholinesterase by 20-OH-ecdysone in a Chironomus tentans cell line

Summary An epithelial cell line from Chironomus tentans exhibits acetylcholinesterase activity (specific activity 0.05–0.2 nkat/mg protein), which rises 30– to 40-fold after addition of 10^–6 M 20-OH-ecdysone. The first visible increase occurs after 4 days of incubation with hormone. The enzyme has an apparent K _m of 2.3±0.2×10^–4 M for acetylthiocholine iodide as substrate and is inhibited by eserine and BW284 C51 (50% inhibition at 5×10^–7 M for both inhibitiors) as well as by high concentrations of substrate, but not by tetraisopropylpyrophosphamide. The sensitivity against inhibitors is the same in extracts from hormone-treated cells and from controls. The cholinesterase activity correlates with morphological changes (shape and cell arrangement) and is indepenent of neuronal differentiation. We therefore propose a function for this activity during morphogenesis.     

Gradients in dry grassland and heath vegetation on rock outcrops in eastern Germany — An analysis of a large phytosociological data set

The following study presents a statistical analysis of 595 relevés gathered during a survey of isolated grasslands and dwarf shrub heaths in the region of Halle, eastern Germany. Relevés were classified with UPGMA clustering based on a Bray-Curtis distance matrix; the resulting classification was compared with a previously published phytosociological classification. Most of the 14 target communities were supported by both approaches, but in the case of communities on heavily disturbed sites cluster analysis corresponded to units on higher phytosociological levels (alliances). DCA ordinations clearly revealed that nutrient and moisture availability controlled the community differentiation. Both factors were, however, highly correlated with the distance to the outcrop edge. Thus the outcrop size also influenced differentiation of communities, making larger outcrops richer in xerophytic and endangered species. This appears to be largely due to edge effects since the relationships diminished sharply when we controlled for progressively increasing distances from the edge in partial ordinations. Thus, microtopography of outcrops was the most important factor for community differentiation. It is therefore suggested that future research and conservation management should concentrate on the consequences of nutrient influx and changing land use on larger outcrops.     

Ecdysteroid resistant subclones of the epithelial cell line from Chironomus Tentans (insecta, diptera). I. Selection and characterization of resistant clones

Summary Chironomus tentans cells were cultured in the presence of gradually increasing concentrations of 20-OH-ecdysone or a nonsteroidal molting hormone agonist, the benzoylhydrazine RH 5992, for a period of about 2 yr. From these cultures, subclones were selected, which are resistant to up to 25 μM 20-OH-ecdysone according to morphological (changes in cell shape and cell arrangement) and physiological criteria (acetylcholinesterase induction, secretion of chitinolytic enzymes, thymidine incorporation). Some subclones, selected in the presence of 20-OH-ecdysone, are resistant only to molting hormone, but still respond to RH 5992 morphologically and biochemically, whereas subclones selected in the presence of the benzoylhydrazine showed no reaction neither to 20-OH-ecdysone nor to the hormone agonist. Hormone resistance is stable; 3 mo. after hormone withdrawal, resistant clones still do not respond to renewed exposure to 20-OH-ecdysone or RH 5992, respectively. Because in all resistant subclones tested so far all hormonally regulated responses known from sensitive cells were no longer detectable, it is assumed that the hormone signaling pathway itself is interrupted. Possible mechanisms of hormone resistance were discussed.