Incompatibility in Podospora anserina: Comparative Properties of the Antagonistic Cytoplasmic Factors of a Nonallelic System

In the fungus Podospora anserina, the interaction between the nonallelic incompatible R and V genes has two consequences: a lytic reaction due to the synthesis of specific proteolytic enzymes, and a quenching in protein and ribonucleic acid synthesis. The incompatibility reaction when vegetative or sexual R and V cells fuse is asymmetric: it is induced only in the R protoplasm. The cessation in ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis was investigated in heterokaryotic strains carrying the antagonistic R and V genes and their "neutral" r and v alleles. Asymmetry between R and V genes lies in the fact that the strains homozygous for the R genes are the only strains that cannot grow. From these results it is postulated that the V-gene product is a diffusible cytoplasmic factor and that the R-gene product, which is nonautonomous, is a ribosomal component.     

Isolation and Characterization of Rifampin-Resistant and Streptolydigin-Resistant Mutants of Bacillus subtilis with Altered Sporulation Properties

Mutants of Bacillus subtilis with altered deoxyribonucleic-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase activity have been isolated and characterized. These mutants, selected as strains resistant to rifampin or streptolydigin, demonstrate drug-resistant in vitro ribonucleic acid synthesis. Sporeforming ability and support of phage infection are altered in many of the mutants. Mutations to rifampin and streptolydigin resistance have been located on the B. subtilis chromosome and ordered relative to the markers cysA14 and str.     

The Distribution of Crossovers along Unreplicated Lambda Bacteriophage Chromosomes

The distribution of crossovers along unreplicated chromosomes of bacteriophage lambda has been examined by determining the density distributions and genotypes of particles in the progenies of crosses of density-labeled by ordinary parents in the presence of genetic blocks to replication. The Red and Rec systems combined produce crossovers primarily near the ends (especially the right end) of the chromosome. Removal of the generalized lambda recombination functions by red and gam mutations results in loss of these terminal crossovers; coupled with this loss is a disappearance of the differential dependence of recombination frequencies in terminal and central intervals on DNA synthesis. Removal of the bacterial system by a recA mutation results in severe depression of crossing over among unreplicated phage, with the few recombinants produced by the lambda system occurring near the right end.     

Evidence for the Involvement of Serine Transhydroxymethylase in Serine and Glycine Interconversions in SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM

Salmonella typhimurium can normally use glycine as a serine source to support the growth of serine auxotrophs. This reaction was presumed to occur by the reversible activity of the enzyme, serine transhydroxymethylase (E. C. 2. 1. 2. 1; L-serine: tetrahydrofolic-5, 10 transhydroxymethylase), which is responsible for glycine biosynthesis. However, this enzyme had not been demonstrated to be solely capable of synthesizing serine from glycine in vivo. The isolation and characterization of a mutant able to convert serine to glycine but unable to convert glycine to serine supports the conclusion that a single enzyme is involved in this reversible interconversion of serine and glycine. The mutation conferring this phenotype was mapped with other mutations affecting serine transhydroxymethylase (glyA) and assays demonstrated reduced activities of this enzyme in the mutant.     

INCREASE OF GLUCOSE AND HIGH ENERGY PHOSPHATE RESERVE IN THE BRAIN AFTER HYDROCORTISONE1

Abstract— Young mice treated with hydrocortisone (50 mg/kg) subcutaneously for 10 days showed a doubling of brain glucose. Brain phospho-creatine, glucose-6-phosphate, and ATP increased slightly. Brain glycogen and lactate were unchanged. Total energy reserve of the brain was 23 per cent higher than the control value. Liver glycogen was increased 47 per cent; liver and blood glucose levels were 11 per cent lower than in control animals. Since the animals showed no evidence of sedation, these findings suggest a facilitated transport of glucose from blood into the brain under the influence of hydrocortisone. Other possible explanations include an inhibition of the hexose monophosphate shunt and a proportionate decrease in both the oxidative and glycolytic pathways of the brain, but it was concluded that these explanations are less likely.     

Excrétion de phosphatase acide par les cellules mucipares de la branchie de Mytilus edulis L.

Résumé Dans toutes les cellules mucipares de la branchie de Mytilus edulis L., quelques grains de secretion montrent une activité phosphatasique acide, décelée par la méthode cytochimique de Gomori appliquée au microscope électronique. A la proximité de ces grains se trouvent des dictyosomes golgiens où une activité phosphatasique se décèle dans les parties latérales des cisternes et dans les vésicules qui en émanent. Au moment de l'excrétion, tous les grains de sécrétion confluent et la phosphatase acide active est incluse dans l'amas de mucus expulsé dans la cavité palléale. Le rôle digestif de ces amas — et non purement mécanique — peut ainsi être considéré comme hautement probable. De telles manifestations enzymatiques sont totalement absentes dans le tapis muqueux ainsi que dans les cellules qui le constituent.

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Excretion of acidic phosphatase by the goblet-cells of the gill of Mytilus edulis L.An electron microscopic study

Summary Acidic phosphatase activity detected by the Gomori method applied to E.M., has been found in a few secretion granules of each goblet cell of the gill of Mytilus edulis L. In the close proximity of those granules golgian dictyosomes always occur, with acidic phosphatase activity in the lateral parts of the cisternae and in the vesicles arising from the latter. When the mucus is extruded, active and non active secretion granules are mixed and thus, acidic phosphatase activity is regularly found in the mucous tufts extruded into the palleal cavity. Therefore the digestive role — and not merely mechanic — of the mucous tufts may be considered as highly probable. Conversely, the secretion granules from which arises the continuous mucous cover of the epithelium and this cover also, are entirely devoid of any acidic phosphatase activity.

     

Coumarin Therapy and Platelet Aggregation

Platelet aggregation has been related to blood coagulation studies in patients on nicoumalone, a coumarin anticoagulant. Aggregation studies were performed by means of Chandler''s tube and the adenosine diphosphate (A.D.P.)-induced optical density method. Platelet aggregation in Chandler''s tube has been shown to be quite different from A.D.P. aggregation and to be dependent on the “intrinsic” (blood) clotting system. When the intrinsic system was depressed by coumarin anticoagulant, aggregation was delayed in Chandler''s tube, but patients with a predominantly “extrinsic” (tissue) system defect gave normal results even when their prothrombin time was excessively prolonged. In contrast there was an increased response to A.D.P. in the anticoagulated patients.The study emphasizes the different mechanisms of platelet aggregation, which we have referred to as coagulation-induced and A.D.P.-induced aggregation. It also shows the limitations of routine control of oral anticoagulants by prothrombin time alone, as the coagulation-induced platelet aggregation appears to be quantitatively related to the overall level of clotting factors in the intrinsic system and independent of the extrinsic system.     

Reductive Pentose Cycle and Formate Assimilation in Rhodopseudomonas palustris

Rhodopseudomonas palustris assimilated formate autotrophically as carbon dioxide and hydrogen arising from the activity of the formic hydrogenlyase system. Kinetic analyses of cell suspensions pulse-labeled with (14)C-formate or (14)C-bicarbonate showed similar distributions of incorporated radioactivity. In both cases phosphate esters were the first assimilation products. Ribulose diphosphate carboxylase, phosphoribose isomerase, and phosphoribulokinase, characteristic enzymes of the reductive pentose cycle, were present in extracts of cells grown on formate.     

Ultrastructure des cellules germinales au cours du développement embryonnaire du Lézard vivipare (Lacerta vivipara Jacquin)

Résumé Les gonocytes primaires sont relativement pauvres en polysomes et l'ergastoplasme granulaire est très réduit. Le reticulum endoplasmique de type lisse se développe au cours du développement embryonnaire. L'appareil de Golgi est bien représenté et localisé au niveau de la calotte juxtanucléaire mitochondriale. Les liposomes cytoplasmiques sont très nombreux.Cette étude précise la structure du nucléole «annulaire» et de la «masse paranucléolaire» observés en microscopic photonique. Des modifications nucléolaires sont constatées au cours du développement embryonnaire. Certains aspects ultrastructuraux sont vraisemblablement en rapport avec le déplacement autonome des gonocytes. La signification physiologique du nucléole «annulaire» et de la «masse paranucléolaire» est envisagée.

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Ultrastructural study on the primordial germ cells during embryonic development of Lacerta vivipara Jacquin

Summary The primordial germ cells of Lacerta vivipara have relatively few free polysomes and little ergastoplasm. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum increases during embryonic development. The Golgi apparatus is well developed and lies close to the mitochondrial juxtanuclear cap. This study shows the ultrastructure of the ring-shaped nucleoli and the masse paranucléolaire. Modifications in nucleolar structure are observed during embryonic development. Some ultrastructural features are probably related to the ameboid movement of the primordial germ cells. The physiological meaning of the ring-shaped nucleoli and the masse paranucléolaire is considered.

Avec la collaboration technique de Mme. M. Hubert.