FAST (Flexible Analysis by Software Tool) and CHAMP (CHemico-physical AMinoacidic Parameter data bank): a new tool to investigate protein structure

A flexible package designed to study protein structure is described.The package is devoted to the analysis of protein sequencesby drawing structural profiles of specific structure-relatedamino acid parameters. An Aminoacidic Parameters Data Bank (CHAMP)containing 32 different series of physico-chemical parametersof amino acids is available. Sequences can be loaded from anyASCII format data bank or from keyboard. The program possessesa routine which enables easy updating of the protein data bankand CHAMP Data Bank. FAST reads statistical correlations betweentwo plots in order to identify structural similarities. Plotscan be printed, saved or used for correlation, comparison orgraph overlap by using common spreadsheets (e.g. Lotus 123).Plots can be smoothed by a running mean or a running median.The program also has a special feature—a global flexibilityanalysis of proteins. The package runs on IBM or compatiblesand requires DOS 3.0 or later. Received on June 20, 1989; accepted on August 2, 1989     

3-Hydroxypropyl amide formation from 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid by a cell-free ethylene-forming system from olive leaves

The low ethylene yield in a cell-free ethylene-forming system from olive tree leaves ( Olea europaea L. cv. Picual) was investigated. During the incubation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was extensively transformed into 3-hydroxypropyl amide (HPA). Enzyme extract, Mn²⁺ and oxygen are responsible for this reaction. Horseradish peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) can substitute for the enzyme extract in this reaction. HPA formation could be one reason for the poor in vitro conversion efficiency of ACC to ethylene.     

Zooplankton composition and distribution off the coast of Galicia, Spain

During June and September 1984, zooplankton samples were collectedwith other hydrographic and biological data along the Galiciancoast (NW of Spain). In June copepods contributed {small tilde}60%to the total zooplankton community, with larvaceans, siphonophoresand cladocerans also abundant. In September >90% of the zooplanktonsampled were copepods. The dominant species of copepods in bothJune and September were Acartia clausi, Paracalanus parvus andTemora longicornis. The meroplankton was dominated by echinoderms,bryozoans, barnacle larvae and bivalve larvae. In June the averagezooplankton biomass was 31.08 mg C m^–3; the Septemberaverage was 41.69 mg C m^–3. The relationship between theslopes of the regression equations (biomass versus abundance)suggests that the zooplankton assemblage in June was composedby larger animals than in September. The major concentrationof zooplankton was between 0 and 50 m, with both June and Septemberdaytime surface samples having 6–7 times the amount oforganisms than the lower water column (50–100 m). Therewere no distinct differences in total zooplankton abundancesat the inshore and offshore stations; however, the inshore stationsoften had a higher percentage of meroplankton than the offshorestations. In June zooplankton abundance at the northern transectsand the western transects was similar. In September there weregreater concentrations of zooplankton in the western Galicianshelf as compared with the northern shelf. These differencesin the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton were relatedto upwelling events.     

Somatostatin binding to dissociated cells from rat cerebral cortex

A method has been developed for the study of somatostatin (SS) binding to dissociated cells from rat cerebral cortex. Binding of [¹²⁵I][Tyr¹¹]SS to cells obtained by mechanical dissociation of rat cerebral cortex was dependent on time and temperature, saturable, reversible and highly specific. Under conditions of equilibrium, i.e., 60 min at 25°C, native SS inhibited tracer binding in a dose-dependent manner. The Scatchard analysis of binding data was linear and yielded a dissociation constant of 0.60±0.08 nM with a maximal binding capacity of 160±16 fmol/mg protein. The binding of [¹²⁵I][Tyr¹¹]SS was specific as shown in experiments on tracer displacement by the native peptide, SS analogues, and unrelated peptides.     

Modulation of microvascular growth and morphogenesis by reconstituted basement membrane gel in three-dimensional cultures of rat aorta: A comparative study of angiogenesis in Matrigel,collagen, fibrin,and plasma clot

Summary Rings of rat aorta cultured in Matrigel, a reconstituted gel composed of basement membrane molecules, gave rise to three-dimensional networks composed of solid cellular cords and occasional microvessels with slitlike lumina. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies showed that the solid cords were composed of endothelial sprouts surrounded by nonendothelial mesenchymal cells. The angiogenic response of the aortic rings in Matrigel was compared to that obtained in interstitial collagen, fibrin, or plasma clot. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the mean luminal area of the microvascular sprouts and channels was significantly smaller in Matrigel than in collagen, fibrin, or plasma clot. The percentage of patent microvessels in Matrigel was also markedly reduced. Autoradiographic studies of³H-thymidine-labeled cultures showed reduced DNA synthesis by developing microvessels in Matrigel. The overall number of solid endothelial cords and microvessels was lower in Matrigel than in fibrin or plasma clot. A mixed cell population isolated from Matrigel cultures formed a monolayer in collagen or fibrin-coated dishes but rapidly reorganized into a polygonal network when plated on Matrigel. The observation that gels composed of basement membrane molecules modulate the canalization, proliferation, and organization into networks of vasoformative endothelial cells in three-dimensional cultures supports the hypothesis that the basement membrane is a potent regulator of microvascular growth and morphogenesis. This work was supported by grants from the W. W. Smith Charitable Trust and grants CA14137 and HL43392 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

GROWTH PATTERN,REPRODUCTION, AND SELF-THINNING IN SEAWEEDS1

In unispecific plant stands, the logarithm of mean individual weight (w) depends on the logarithm of density (d) by the -3/4 power law (a slope of -1.5 and an intercept ranging from 2.3 to 5.0). The analysis of the w and d relationships in whole cohorts of two seaweed species from the Strait of Gibraltar shows deviations from the canonical equation. The kelp Phyllariopsis purpurascens (C. Agardh) Henry et South (Phaeophyta) growing at a 30-m depth has the lowest intercept value (0.6) recorded for any plant species and a slope not significantly different from -1.5. The slope value is in accordance with those found in species whose growth is not stopped by reproduction. Irradiance under a single layer of blades was lower than the photosynthetic light compensation point, and this could be due to overdispersion of the shoots and, in consequence, to the low intercept value of the self-thinning equation. The w to d relationships in Asparagopsis armata Harvey (Rhodophyta) show two different components: no dependence between these two variables (slope not significantly different from 0) at densities < 500 shoots·m^?2, and a slope more negative (-2.1) than proposed by the -3/2 power law at densities > 500 shoots·m^?2. The pattern at high densities could be due to intraspecific competition for light, whereas the slope ～0 at low densities could be related to inhibition of growth by reproduction (cystocarp and carpospore production). Therefore, rather than being considered exceptional, we suggest that a gradient of variability could be expected in the dependence of w on d when specific growth patterns and reproduction are considered.     

Xp-duplications with and without sex reversal

Duplications in Xp including the DSS (dosage sensitive sex reversal) region cause male to female sex reversal. We investigated two patients from families with Xp duplications. The first case was one of two sisters with karyotype 46,XY, der(22), t(X;22)(p11.3;p11)mat and unambiguous female genitalia. The living sister was developmentally retarded, and showed multiple dysmorphic features and an acrocallosal syndrome. The second case was a boy with a maternally inherited direct duplication of Xp21.3-pter with the breakpoint close to the DSS locus. He had multiple abnormalities and micropenis, but otherwise unambiguous male genitalia. We performed quantitative Southern blot analysis with probes from Xp22.13 to p21.2 to define the duplicated region. Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular data from both patients were compared with those of previously reported related cases. A comparison of the extragenital symptoms revealed no differences between patients with or without sex reversal. In both cases, the symptoms were non-specific. Among 22 patients with a duplication in Xp, nine had unambiguous female genitalia and a well-documented duplication of the DSS region. Two patients with duplication of DSS showed ambiguous external genitalia. From these data, we conclude that induction of testicular tissue may start in these patients, but that the type of genitalia depends on the degree of subsequent degeneration by a gene in DSS.     

Biflavonoid differentiation in sixBartramia species (Bartramiaceae,Musci)

The occurrence of eight biflavones belonging to the biluteolin series, the apigenin-luteolin series and the 2,3-dihydro-biluteolin series, and one monomeric flavone with an acid group, was investigated in six taxa ofBartramia with emphasis on sect.Ithyphyllae. The variation of biflavone profiles contributes to the characterization of theBartramia species studied; substitution patterns signalize relevance also on the sectional level. Based upon the flavonoid composition,Bartramia afro-ithyphylla is suggested to be transferred from sect.Ithyphyllae to sect.Bartramia of the genusBartramia.     

Minor pollinosis fromCryptomeria japonica in Varese,northern Italy. Aerobiological monitoring and main clinical features

In the last 2 years we have conducted an aerobiological monitoring program ofCryptomeria japonica, a plant belonging to the family of Taxodiaceae that sometimes causes pollinosis in the period from February to April. Throughout 1994, we checked the incidence of its sensitization and the clinical effects in 85 subjects with correlated seasonal symptoms, who gave a positive skin prick test (SPT) for Betulaceae and/or Corylaceae. Twenty-five patients (29.4%; 19 M; 6 F; mean age, 38.8 years) all with oculorhinitis, were SPT positive to an allergenic extract ofCryptomeria. RAST confirmed this positivity in 44% of the cases. No patients showed monosensitization forCryptomeria to either SPT or RAST. Two subjects gave a positive result on specific nasal provocation. RAST inhibition showed no cross-reaction betweenCryptomeria and birch pollen. During the pollen season each patient made a list, scoring symptoms and specifying any drugs used, so we could correlate these elements with aerobiological observations. The pollen concentration probably exceeded the allergizing threshold forCryptomeria on 8 days during 3 months of recording. The intensity and duration of symptoms seemed to be mainly influenced by sensitization to Betulaceae and Corylaceae. It is thus possible that a combination of minor pollinosis may produce seasonal symptoms in allergic patients.