Induction of germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus laevis oocytes: response of denuded oocytes to progesterone and insulin

Denuded oocytes freed of their vitelline envelope have been prepared by two methods, enzymatically with pronase and manually by microdissection. The response of denuded oocytes to progesterone, in terms of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), was similar to that obtained with defolliculated oocytes (separated with collagenase from follicle cells, but still keeping their vitelline membrane). The same conclusion was drawn with respect to morphological features of the oocyte surface observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, before and after progesterone-induced GVBD. The synergistic effect of insulin and progesterone in denuded oocytes was comparable to that observed in defolliculated oocytes. Multiplication stimulating activity (MSA) had the same effect as insulin. These observations indicate that hormones act directly upon oocytes, without interference of the surrounding vitelline envelope and follicle cells.     

Bidirectional transport of glutamine across the cell membrane in rat liver.

Hepatocytes isolated from fed rats were used to investigate glutamine transport. Glutamine transport appears as a composite process involving at least two saturable components. The Na+-dependent component probably represents the entry through the N system. The Na+-independent component was also inhibited by histidine and exhibited trans-stimulation, suggestive of a facilitated diffusion process. Kinetic parameters for both systems suggest that facilitated diffusion only plays a minor role in glutamine influx. In contrast, the Km for glutamine efflux was consistent with a physiological role of the facilitated-diffusion component in glutamine release. In Na+ medium, relatively constant distribution ratios (about 8) between intra- and extra-cellular concentrations were observed, with external glutamine ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM. The present observations suggest that glutamine influx might largely be mediated by the N system, whereas facilitated diffusion allows hepatocytes to release glutamine when intracellular concentrations are elevated. The physiological consequences of this bidirectional transfer of glutamine across the liver cell membrane is discussed.     

Chromosome studies in some members of the family Caviidae (Mammalia: Rodentia)

A study of the chromosomes of Cavia aperea and Galea musteloides has been made following the introduction into captivity of these two cavies from Argentina. The evolutionary relationships of the two genera have been considered, and the possible ancestry of C. porcellus from C. aperea was investigated in hybrids of the two species.     

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.     

Some properties of pea enation mosaic virus isolated from field pea and broad bean plants in Bohemia

Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) was isolated from disea sed field pea (Pisum sativum L.ssp. arvense A.Gr.) and broad bean (Faba vulgaris Moench) plants grown as filed crops at Bohumilice in Bohemia. The virus proved to be pathogenic for the following plant species:Pisum sativum L. cv. Raman,Faba vulgaris Moench,Lens culinaris Med.,Vicia sativa L.,Lathyrus odoratus L.,Glycine soja L.,Phaseolus vulgaris L.,Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste andReyn,Nicotiana clevelandi Gray,Trifolium incarnatum L. The dilution end point of the isolate was higher in pea plants (10^?4) than in broad bean plants (10^?2). The thermal inactivation point was 65–68° and the longevityin vitro between 10 and 14 days. According to the host range, symptoms on pea plants and physical properties the virus isolate studied resembles some isolates described in the U.S.A. and represents a PEMV strain different from those reported so far in Czechoslovakia.     

An unusual ultrastructural association of smooth membranes and glycogen particles: The glycogen body

Summary An electron microscope study of the epithelium of rabbit fallopian tube demonstrated a rarely described intracytoplasmic structure consisting of an array of smooth membranes associated with glycogen particles. This organelle is seen exclusively in the ciliated cells. A three-dimensional reconstruction of these glycogen bodies has been made from serial sections. The peripheral localization of the rough-surfaced membranes in continuity with intra-corpuscular smooth membranes, which have lost their granules, suggests a possible role for the rough membranes in the genesis of the smooth membranes of these glycogen bodies. The role of both the smooth and the rough membranes in glycogenesis and glycogenolysis is discussed.This investigation was made in part in the Laboratoire d'Hormonologie et de Cytologie Expérimentale, Hôpital Broca, Paris.     

Quelques remarques sur la Classification des Algues bleues

Sans résuméA M. le Professeur L.Geitler à l'occasion de son 70e anniversaire.