Comparison of storage proteins ofPhaseolus caracalla L. with the proteins of some other representatives of the genusPhaseolus

Storage proteins of the seeds (cotyledons) of the South-American speciesPhaseolus caracalla were compared by means of immunoelectrophoretic methods with other representatives of the genusPhaseolus. These proteins most resemble the proteins of the co-called tropical group (i.e. Ph. atropurpureus, Ph. geophilus, Ph. bracteatus, Ph. semierectus) and least the so-called American endemites (Ph. vulgaris, Ph. coccineus, Ph. acutifolius, Ph. lunatus), the main globulin of which is of a completely different specificity. The proteins ofPh. caracalla are less similar to the group of the so-called Asiatic species (Ph. aureus, Ph. calcaratus, Ph. angularis, Ph. aconitifolius, Ph. trilobus) including the analyzed representatives ofVigna sinensis; their main globulin is only partly similar to that ofPh. caracalla. Some considerations on the relationship ofPh. caracalla with the so-called tropical species is presented.     

Presence of dynorphin-like immunoreactivity in rat pituitary gland and hypothalamus

Using a highly specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for dynorphin(1-13), dynorphin-like immunoreactivity (dynorphin-LI) was detected in rat pituitary and hypothalamus. Gel chromatographic studies on Sephadex G-50 revealed three components of dynorphin-LI with molecular weights of approximately 7500-9500 (big dynorphin), 3500-5500 (intermediate dynorphin) and 1600-1900 (small dynorphin), the latter of which eluted at the same position as authentic dynorphin contamination in porcine ACTH extracts (Sigma). Dynorphin-LI in rat anterior pituitary existed mainly as big dynorphin, whereas dynorphin-LI in rat intermediate-posterior pituitary and hypothalamus eluted mainly at the position of authentic small dynorphin.     

Isolation and characterization of wheat peroxidase isoenzyme B1

Two pure peroxidase isoenzymes B1 and D4 were isolated from the upper parts of 10-day-old wheat seedlings by means of gel and ion-exchange chromatography. Their MWs were 85000 and 24000 respectively. B1 was unstable and under various conditions it was converted to another isoenzyme, electrophoretically identical with D4. B1 contains about 40% of neutral sugars: 17.2% arabinose, 15.3% galactose, 5% glucose and traces of mannose. D4 is free of neutral sugars. None of the isoenzymes contained amino sugars. B1 oxidizes ferulic and p-coumaric acids. This oxidation has two pH optima of 4.4 and 5.4–5.6 and is inhibited by high concentrations of substrates, cyanide and azide. B1 oxidizes IAA in the presence of phenolic cofactor and Mn²⁺ ions. IAA oxidation has two pH optima of 4.5 and 5.6 and is inhibited by high substrate concentration, cyanide and azide, and by a number of indole derivatives. The main products of IAA oxidation are 3-methyleneoxindole and indole-3-methanol. o- and p- diphenols induce a lag period prior to IAA oxidation. Ferulic acid is oxidized during this lag period, probably to a dimer. B1 is able to produce H₂O₂ from oxygen. Mn²⁺ ions, a phenolic cofactor and an electron donor (IAA or NADH) are needed. B1 oxidizes α-keto-γ- methylmercaptobutyric acid to ethylene. D4 has a low peroxidatic activity and is inactive as an IAA oxidase. Thus B1 is probably an active cell wall-bound peroxidase isoenzyme, whereas D4 is its decomposition product.     

Normal superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) activity with deletion of chromosome band 21q21 supports localization of SOD-1 locus to 21q22

Summary The gene for superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) is clearly on chromosome 21, although there is disagreement on the precise band location of SOD-1 on the long (q) arm of number 21. We report a patient with normal superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) activity and an interstitial deletion of chromosome 21 resulting in monosomy for band q21. His phenotype is characterized by moderate mental retardation, a long narrow face, high and arched palate, cardiac murmur, undescended testes, and long hyperflexible extremities. The normal SOD-1 activity supports localization of this enzyme to 21q22.1.     

The effects of substance P and met5-enkephalin in dog ileum

Substance P initiated tonic contraction of dog ileum when administered in doses from 1 pg to 20 micrograms intraarterially (ED50 = 67 ng). Low doses acted to excite cholinergic postganglionic neurones since atropine or tetrodotoxin (TTX) increased the ED50 of substance P about 25-fold, while hexamethonium and local field stimulation had only a small effect to increase the ED50. Also atropine and tetrodotoxin effects were not additive. Higher doses apparently acted to stimulate smooth muscle directly, but no evidence was obtained that local field stimulation could release substance P to act on smooth muscle. Substance P tachyphylaxis prevented substance P actions on cholinergic nerves, but it did not affect responses to intraaterial acetylcholine or block distal inhibition from proximal distention or field stimulation. Met-enkephalin given intraarterially, was also excitatory in doses from 1 ng to 20 micrograms; the amplitude of tonic and phasic contractions produced was significantly decreased by TTX and atropine but was not diminished by hexamethonium or substance P tachyphylaxis. Partial tachyphylaxis to met-enkephalin was produced but was not diminished by hexamethonium or substance P tachyphylaxis. Partial tachyphylaxis to met-enkephalin was produced without affecting the ED50 for substance P. We conclude that substance P acts in small amounts on receptors in myenteric nerves to release acetylcholine by a mechanism, presumably involving postganglionic cholinergic nerves, while met-enkephalin also apparently may act at least in part through a similar TTX- and atropine-sensitive mechanism. These peptides also caused activation of other receptors, probably on smooth muscle by noncholinergic. TTX-insensitive mechanisms. Also the receptors for each peptide which are located on nerves were distinct and independent since tachyphylaxis could be produced to each without affecting the response to the other.     

Breeding and rearing of Japanese field voles (Microtus montebelli Milne-Edwards) and Hungarian voles (Microtus arvalis Pallas) as new herbivorous laboratory animal species

Microtus species are very useful as experimental small animals with herbivorous characteristics. In this report, to approach establishment of the use of Japanese field voles (M. montebelli) and Hungarian voles (M. arvalis) as experimental animals, the biological characteristics, breeding methods and reproductive performance of these animal species were comparatively investigated. The number of chromosomes of M. arvalis is 12n = 46, differing from those of M. montebelli, 2n = 30. The breeding and reproduction of the Microtus species were relatively easily accomplished in the laboratory, by giving high fiber-containing rations. These animals prove to be polyestrous and showed postpartum estrous on the day of parturition. In the breeding by the continuous mating of the same pair, there was little or no delay in implantation due to lactation, especially in M. arvalis resulting in continuous birth at intervals of 20 to 21 days. On examination of vaginal smears, Japanese field voles (M. montebelli) did not show any definite pattern whereas 23 out of 30 voles from Hungary (M. arvalis) examined showed 6- to 18-day cycles. There were remarkable differences between the Japanese voles and the Hungarian voles, both biologically and reproductively.     

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Organizers of the Sixth International Symposium on the Biology of the Turbellaria     

Karyology of four land-planarian species of the genus Bipalium from Japan

We have employed a new scale for characterizing chromosomal forms in the karyotypes of four species of Bipalium from five localities in Japan. Specimens of Bipalium nobile Kawakatsu et Makino, 1982, from Yokohama had a diploid chromosome number of 2x = 10 (2m + 2sm + 2sm + st & sm + 2sm); specimens of the same species from Toyonaka had this number as well but with slightly different chromosomal form (2m + 2sm + sm & st + 2st + m & sm). An undescribed species from Sanjô, Bipalium sp. 2, with two dorsal stripes and a yellow head crescent, had 2x = 10 (2m + 2sm + 2sm + 2sm + 2m); and another undescribed species from Chichijima Island, Bipalium sp. 3, with five dorsal stripes, had 2x = 10 (2m + 2sm + 2sm + 2sm + 2m). A non-sexual bipaliid tentatively identified as Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878, from Chichijima Island had 2x = 18 (2m + 2m + 2m + 2sm + 2st + 2sm + 2sm + 2sm + 2sm).     

Changes of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma in relation to the passage of atmospheric fronts and environmental contamination

Effects of atmospheric frontal passages on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma are statistically investigated to show the meteorotropism of this disease. Changes in IOP caused by frontal passages are evident; the response is not identical in all the patients near the day of the passage of a warm front, while on the third day following the passage of the front a well pronounced drop in IOP occurs. Anomalous increases of IOP over several months' duration occurred in the years 1986–7. This finding is explained in relation to the hypothesis of environmental contamination in Central Europe by radioactive cesium nuclides due to the Chernobyl accident.