STUDIES ON LYMPHOCYTES

Some of the time parameters of the cell cycle in bovine thoracic duct lymphocytes have been estimated by analysing labeled mitoses curves, and by double labeling. The two methods gave similar estimates of T_s. Thus, T_s measured directly from labeled mitoses curves varied from 4 to 6 hr, while the estimates from double labeling were 4.8 and 4.5 hr. T _G measured directly from labeled mitoses curves was 5 hr, and estimates of T_G from the values of T_s ranged from 6.3 to 7.7 hr. The present data confirm the short generative cycle of large thoracic duct lymphocytes. Extracorporeal irradiation of the lymph (ECIL) had no detectable effect on the cell cycle or the fractional production rate of the lymphocytes. However, the calculated absolute production was reduced following ECIL, due to a decrease in the absolute number of cells present. The grain count over mitoses after ECIL was approximately one-half that found before ECIL.     

Active Ion Transport Across Canine Blood Vessel Walls

Experiments giving evidence of active Na and Cl ion fluxes across large canine blood vessel walls (aorta, vena cava) in vitro have been presented. The information has been obtained using ion tracer techniques after Ussing and with diffusion cells of the Hogben type. The available data suggest that the membranes are satisfactorily oxygenated by the bathing solutions saturated with oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Evidence is offered which indicates that active ion transport does occur across the aorta and vena cava in in vitro experiments. Under the conditions of the experiment net Na and Cl flux takes place from intima to adventitia across the aorta, and from adventitia to intima across the vena cava at low measured potential differences. The possible relationships of derangement of active ion transport mechanisms, produced by electric currents and tissue injury potential differences, to intravascular thrombosis are alluded to. It would appear that sodium and chloride fluxes across large blood vessel walls in vitro occur at least in part as the result of metabolic processes and cannot be explained simply on the basis of diffusion across a semipermeable membrane.     

A single cDNA encodes two isoforms of stathmin, a developmentally regulated neuron-enriched phosphoprotein

Stathmin, a 19-kDa neuron-enriched soluble phosphoprotein, has been recently proposed as an ubiquitous intracellular relay for the diverse extracellular signals regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and functions through various second messenger pathways (Sobel, A., Boutterin, M.C., Beretta, L., Chneiweiss, H., Doye, V., and peyro-Saint-Paul, H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3765-3772). Internal sequences of the protein from rat brain were determined after purification by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electrotransfer onto Immobilon, and in situ proteolysis. Oligonucleotide mixtures based on these sequences were used to clone a cDNA for stathmin from a rat PC12 cell lambda gt 10 library. The deduced amino acid sequence reveals partial homologies with the coiled coil structural regions of several intracellular matrix phosphoproteins. Using this cDNA as a probe, we show that the expression of stathmin mRNA parallels that of the protein during brain ontogenesis, reaching a maximum at the neonatal stage. In vitro translation of the derived cRNA yielded all the known molecular forms of stathmin, namely its alpha and beta isoforms in their unphosphorylated and phosphorylated states. Thus, a single cDNA codes for both biologically relevant isoforms of the protein, indicating that they differ by co- or post-translational modifications.     

The actin binding site of thymosin beta 4 mapped by mutational analysis.

We characterized in detail the actin binding site of the small actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta 4 (T beta 4) using chemically synthesized full-length T beta 4 variants. The N-terminal part (residues 1-16) and a hexapeptide motif (residues 17-22) form separate structural entities. In both, we identified charged and hydrophobic residues that participate in the actin interaction using chemical cross-linking, complex formation in native gels and actin-sequestering experiments. Quantitative data on the activity of the variants and circular dichroism experiments allow to present a model in which the N-terminal part needs to adopt an alpha-helix for actin binding and interacts through a patch of hydrophobic residues (6M-I-F12) on one side of this helix. Also, electrostatic contacts between actin and lysine residues 18, in the motif, and 14, in the N-terminal alpha-helix, appear important for binding. The residues critical for contacting actin are conserved throughout the beta-thymosin family and in addition to this we identify a similar pattern in the C-terminal headpiece of villin and dematin.     

Competition during colonization vs competition after colonization in disturbed environments: A metapopulation approach

How two species interact during and after colonization influences which of them will be present in each stage of succession. In the tolerance model of ecological succession in a patchy environment, empty patches can be colonized by any species, but the ability to tolerate reduced resource levels determines which species will exclude the other. Here, we analyze a meta-population model of the possible roles of competition in colonization and succession, using non-linear Markov chains as a mathematical framework. Different kinds of competition affect the final equilibrial, abundances of the species involved in qualitatively different ways. An explicit criterion is given to determine which interactions have stronger effects on the final equilibrial levels of the weaker, species. Precise conditions are stated for the co-existence of both species. Both species are more likely to co-exist in the presence of an intermediate disturbance frequency.     

In vivo assay for protein-protein interactions using Drosophila chromosomes

The ability of a chimeric HP1-Polycomb (Pc) protein to bind both to heterochromatin and to euchromatic sites of Pc protein binding was exploited to detect stable protein-protein interactions in vivo. Previously, we showed that endogenous Pc protein was recruited to ectopic heterochromatic binding sites by the chimeric protein. Here, we examine the association of other Pc group (Pc-G) proteins. We show that Posterior sex combs (Psc) protein also is recruited to heterochromatin by the chimeric protein, demonstrating that Psc protein participates in direct protein-protein interaction with Pc protein or Pc-associated protein. In flies carrying temperature-sensitive alleles of Enhancer of zeste[E(z)] the general decondensation of polytene chromosomes that occurs at the restrictive temperature is associated with loss of binding of endogenous Pc and chimeric HP1-Polycomb protein to euchromatin, but binding of HP1 and chimeric HP1-Polycomb protein to the heterochromatin is maintained. The E(z) mutation also results in the loss of chimera-dependent binding to heterochromatin by endogenous Pc and Psc proteins at the restrictive temperature, suggesting that interaction of these proteins is mediated by E(z) protein. A myc-tagged full-length Suppressor 2 of zeste [Su(z)2] protein interacts poorly or not at all with ectopic Pc-G complexes, but a truncated Su(z)2 protein is strongly recruited to all sites of chimeric protein binding. Trithorax protein is not recruited to the heterochromatin by the chimeric HP1-Polycomb protein, suggesting either that this protein does not interact directly with Pc-G complexes or that such interactions are regulated. Ectopic binding of chimeric chromosomal proteins provides a useful tool for distinguishing specific protein-protein interactions from specific protein-DNA interactions important for complex assembly in vivo.     

Identification of single tiny seeds ofOrobanche using RAPD analysis

The tiny seeds of parasitic weeds of the genusOrobanche can be identified by using RAPD markers. A simple procedure for DNA extraction from single seeds, 10 μg each, followed by RAPD-PCR and using specific DNA markers, leads to species identification. Seeds of five different species could be identified using this method.     

Vegetative incompatibility in filamentous fungi: het genes begin to talk

Somatic or vegetative incompatibility is widespread in filamentous fungi. It prevents the coexistence of genetically different nuclei within a common cytoplasm. Cloning the het genes that control this process has been achieved in several species. This has provided essential information on the function of the genes in the biology of fungi and has also led to the formulation of models that may explain similar phenomena in other organisms.