The gene for dominant white color in the pig is closely linked to ALB and PDGRFRA on chromosome 8.

White is a widespread coat color among domestic pig breeds and is controlled by an autosomal dominant gene I. The segregation of this gene was analyzed in a reference pedigree for gene mapping developed by crossing the European wild pig and a Large White domestic breed. The gene for dominant white color was shown to be closely linked to the genes for albumin (ALB) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) on chromosome 8. An unexpected phenotype with patches of colored and white coat was observed among the F1 and F2 animals. The segregation data indicated that the phenotype was controlled by a third allele, denoted patch (Ip), most likely transmitted by one of the Large White founder animals. It is shown that the ALB, PDGFRA, I linkage group shares homologies with parts of mouse chromosome 5, human chromosome 4, and horse linkage group II, all of which contain dominant genes for white or white spotting. Candidate genes for the dominant white and patch mutations in the pig are proposed on the basis on these linkage homologies and the recent molecular definition of the dominant white spotting (W) and patch (Ph) mutations in the mouse.     

Purification and characterization of pea chloroplastic phosphoriboisomerase

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplastic phosphoriboisomerase (EC 5.3.1.6) can be purified to apparent homogeneity in less than 2 days time with a 53% yield. Important steps in the purification include heat treatment and pseudoaffinity chromatography on Red H-3BN Sepharose. The purified isomerase has a subunit molecular mass of 26.4 kD. The N-terminal sequence has been determined through 34 residues. pH optima are 7.8 (ribose-5-phosphate) and 7.7 (ribulose-5-phosphate); K_m values are 0.9 millimolar (ribose-5-phosphate) and 0.6 millimolar (ribulose-5-phosphate). The enzyme is inhibited by erythrose-4-phosphate, sedoheptulosebisphosphate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and 3-phosphoglycerate at concentrations close to those found in photosynthesizing chloroplasts. Countercurrent phase partitioning experiments indicate that the pea chloroplastic phosphoriboisomerase interacts physically with phosphoribulokinase.     

Immunohistochemical localization of porcine diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) to rat endocrine pancreas

Summary The occurrence of diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI), isolated and characterized from porcine upper intestine, was examined in the pancreas of Sprague-Dawley albino rats using indirect immunofluorescence. The polypeptide was found in the endocrine Langerhans islets and, utilizing double-labelling controls, it was shown to be present within the peripherally located glucagon-containing cells. Regulation of islet hormone production may therefore be under DBI control.     

Kinetic evidence for cytoplasmic calcium as an inhibitory messenger in parathyroid hormone release

A sudden change of extracellular Ca2+ from 0.5 to 3.0 mM resulted in a transient rise of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+i) followed by a sustained increase in parathyroid cells loaded with the Ca2+-indicator fura-2. The initial transient could be eliminated by increasing the Ca2+ buffering capacity of the cytoplasm. Under such conditions the rise of Ca2+i exhibited kinetics reminiscent of those for 45Ca uptake and cell depolarization. Addition of 0.5 mM Mn2+ mimicked the effect of raising the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, since there was an initial Ca2+i transient followed by a slower entry of Mn2+ into the cells. This reaction pattern was different from that of pancreatic alpha 2-cells in which there was no substantial influx of Mn2+ before depolarization with arginine. When measuring the kinetics of parathyroid hormone (PTH) release it was apparent that Ca2+ inhibition of secretion followed Ca2+i and thus became substantially delayed after eliminating the initial transient. The results support the concept of a depolarizing Ca2+ permeability in the parathyroid cell membrane which can be activated by external Ca2+, and indicate that Ca2+i is an inhibitory messenger of importance for the physiological regulation of PTH release.     

Hypothermic effects on action potential and force production of hedgehog and guinea pig papillary muscles

Action potentials and isometric force were recorded in papillary muscles from guinea pigs and summer hedgehogs at different temperatures between 37 and 0 degrees C. The action potential of the hedgehog was of a lower amplitude (mean 83 +/- 6 mV) than that of the guinea pig (mean 110 +/- 5 mV). The action potential duration at 50% repolarization was 22 +/- 2 msec in the hedgehog as compared to 105 +/- 11 msec in the guinea pig. Moreover, there was no distinct plateau phase of the hedgehog action potential. Lowering temperature prolonged the action potential duration in the two preparations by about the same percentage. However, the guinea pig preparation became progressively less excitable below 20 degrees C. Lowered temperature produced a positive inotropic effect in the guinea pig, whereas this effect was very slight in the hedgehog heart. Postextrasystolic potentiation was seen in the guinea pig but not in the hedgehog preparation. It is suggested that this difference between the preparations may be due to a greater relative amount of activator calcium in the hedgehog heart. The difference in cold tolerance between the preparations may reflect a difference in chemical composition of the sarcolemma.     

The bacterial flora of the intestine of Ascaris suum and 5-hydroxytryptamine production

Representative facultative anaerobes of the bacterial flora from the intestine of female Ascaris suum were isolated and identified. The number of bacteria in the intestine was approximately 4 X 10(9) per g wet weight of intestine. Seventeen of 19 of the isolated colonies were found to secrete 5-hydroxytryptamine in culture. Holding A. suum in an antibiotic-containing medium did not affect the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the worm, which were 231 +/- 14 ng/g in antibiotic-media as compared to 250 +/- 16 ng/g in control media. This implied that the bacteria may not be contributing to the level of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the tissues of A. suum.     

Temporal fluctuations of silver,copper and zinc in the bivalve Macoma balthica at five stations in South San Francisco Bay

Concentrations of Cu, Ag and Zn were measured in the soft tissues of the estuarine bivalve Macoma balthica in South San Francisco Bay at near-monthly intervals for periods of two to three years at four stations, and eight years at a metal-enriched station. The amplitude and frequency of fluctuations differed among stations and among metals. Fluctuations were greatest at stations with the greatest metal enrichment and with the least dilution and flushing of wastes. A consistent seasonal pattern of fluctuation in Cu and Ag concentrations was evident in M. balthica at the metal-enriched station. These seasonal changes in tissue metal concentrations appeared to be affected by metal inputs, hydrologic processes that may affect both metal concentrations and bioavailability, and seasonal changes in the weight of the bivalve. The contributions of each of these interacting factors could not be determined quantitatively. At the metal-enriched station significant variation in the amplitude of seasonal fluctuations was also evident from year to year. Interpretation of metal concentrations in bivalves from estuaries will require careful consideration of the processes which affect metal dynamics in these complex environments.     

Photosynthesis and nitrogen utilization in exponentially growing nitrogen-limited cultures of Lemna gibba

The photosynthetic performance and nitrogen utilization of Lemna gibba L. G3 adapted to limited nitrogen supply was studied. The plants were adapted to two levels of nitrogen limitation where the nitrogen addition rates were calculated to sustain relative growth rates (RGR) of 0.15 day^?1 and 0.25 day^?1, respectively. The photosynthetic performance of these cultures was compared to nitrogen-sufficient cultures with an average RGR of 0.32 day^?1. Plants transferred from nitrogen-sufficient conditions attained RGR values corresponding to the nitrogen addition rates after 6 to 10 days. Light-saturated net photosynthesis declined during adaptation according to the drop in growth rate, and a concomitant decrease in the respiration rate was recorded. The efficiency of net photosynthesis on a dry weight basis increased with increased nitrogen supply, whereas it was the same in all cultures when expressed on a chlorophyll basis. The light compensation point was unaffected by the nitrogen regime. Limited nitrogen supply resulted in an increased proportion of dry matter in the roots, which led to decreased leaf area ratios. The net assimilation rates also decreased, but not to the same extent as the leaf area ratios. Growth-limiting amounts of nitrogen were added to the cultures once daily, and the net influx of N was higher than the requirement for N, also in adapted cultures with a steady growth rate. This resulted in transient, periodic fluctuations in the NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ and amino acid pools. Also the rates of NO₃^? reduction and NH₄⁺ assimilation fluctuated as did the amino acid assimilation which paralleled NH₄⁺ assimilation. The role of flux rates over the plasmalemma and tonoplast for control of nitrogen assimilation rates are discussed.