E. coli membranes become permeable to ions following T7-virus-infection

Summary Infection of E. coli with the viruses T7 or T3 leads to a dramatic efflux of potassium ions. This ion efflux is caused by the virus particle since no concomitant protein synthesis is required. T7 mutants carrying deletions in the M-gene (Schweiger et al., 1975), however, yield virus particles disturbed in the ion release.     

The estimation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL)-activity in intact cells of higher plant tissue

From cell cultures of Haplopappus gracilis, an enzyme, catalyzing the glucosylation of cyanidin at the 3 position using uridine diphosphate-D-glucose (UDPG) as glucosyl-donor, has been isolated and purified 50-fold. The enzyme was not specific for cyanidin alone, but also glucosylated other anthocyanidins and flavonols in position 3. However, apigenin, luteolin, naringenin and dihydroquercetin were not glucosylated. The reaction has an optimum pH of approximately 8, and the apparent K _m values for UDPG and cyanidin were 0.5 and 0.33 mM respectively. The enzyme reaction is strongly inhibited by cyanidin (above 0.25 mM).     

Assignment of a gene for human mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD-M,EC 1. 1. 1. 41) to chromosome 15

Summary Segregation analysis of human biochemical markers and chromosomes in human-mouse somatic cell hybrids allowed to demonstrate synteny of ICD _M with the genes for phosphomannose isomerase and pyruvate kinase and to assign the linkage group to human chromosome 15.     

Ermittlung der Alters- und Geschlechtszusammensetzung einer Winterpopulation der Kohlmeise(Parus major) anhand von Nistkastenkontrollen

Zusammenfassung In 1039 Nistkästen, die sich über 8 Kontrollgebiete verteilen, wurden über 4 Jahre während der Wintermonate (November bis März) einmal pro Monat die übernachtenden Kohlmeisen gefangen und ihr Alter und Geschlecht bestimmt.In Laubwaldgebieten mit flächiger Nistkastenanordnung (Gebiete 1 bis 5) überwogen die , während in Nadelwaldgebieten und dem Laubwaldgebiet mit linearer Kastenaufhängung so häufig wie angetroffen wurden. Der Anteil der Jungvögel lag im allgemeinen im Mittel bei etwa 30%, stieg aber in den Laubwaldgebieten mit flächiger Kastenaufhängung gelegentlich auf ca. 60% an.Von den angetroffenen Jungvögeln wurden 16% im Untersuchungsgebiet erbrütet; 84% waren Zuwanderer, die möglicherweise aus größeren Entfernungen kamen. Von den eingewanderten jungen Kohlmeisen- wurden in der nächsten Brutsaison 30% als Brutvögel registriert.

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Age and sex ratio of the great tit in winter according to checks of nesting boxes

Summary From 1971/72 to 1974/75 roosting great tits were registered, aged, and sexed in 1039 nesting boxes of 8 study plots in Hessen.In deciduous forests with nesting boxes distributed equally over the area outnumbered , whereas in coniferous forests and in a deciduous forest with nesting boxes fixed in a line and were found in about equal numbers. Normally, about 30% of the birds were juveniles. Their amount occasionally increased to about 60% in the deciduous forests with nesting boxes distributed equally over the area. Only 16% of the juveniles were bred in the study area, 84% were immigrants, probably from distant regions. 30% of the young females immigrated could be found breeding in the following spring.

     

Phagocytosis of algal chloroplasts by digestive gland cells in the photosynthesis-capable slug Elysia timida (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Sacoglossa)

Parapodia of the sacoglossan slug Elysia timida were preserved by high-pressure cryofixation during feeding experiments and investigated with transmission electron microscopy. This slug has been known for its long-term retention of active chloroplasts and photosynthesis. We observed different stages of phagocytosis of chloroplast components from ingested algal food by slug digestive gland cells. Thylakoid stacks and stroma of chloroplasts were engulfed by the slug cells. In the slug cells thylakoids were surrounded by one membrane only. This membrane is interpreted as having been generated by the mollusk during phagocytosis. It is inferred to be eukaryotic in origin and unlikely, therefore, to be endowed with the translocons system ordinarily regulating import of algal gene-encoded plastid preproteins. Our structural findings suggest that chloroplast components in the slug cells are thylakoid stacks with chloroplast stroma only.     

Conformational stability of triazolyl functionalized collagen triple helices

Functionalized collagen is attractive for the development of synthetic biomaterials. Herein we present the functionalization of azidoproline containing collagen model peptides with various alkynes using click chemistry. The influence on the stability of the collagen triple helix of the stereochemistry of the introduced triazolyl prolines (4R or 4S), the position of their incorporation (Xaa or Yaa) and the substituents attached to them are shown. The results provide a useful guide for the optimal functionalization of collagen using click chemistry.     

A whole-cell biosensor as in vitro alternative to skin irritation tests

This study presents the time-resolved detection of chemically induced stress upon intracellular signaling cascades by using genetically modified sensor cells based on the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. The cells were stably transfected with a HSP72-GFP reporter gene construct to create an optical sensor cell line expressing a stress-inducible reporter protein. The time- and dose-dependent performance of the sensor cells is demonstrated and discussed in comparison to a label-free impedimetric monitoring approach (electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, ECIS). Moreover, a microfluidic platform was established based on μSlidesI(0,4)Luer to allow for a convenient, sterile and incubator-independent time-lapse microscopic observation of the sensor cells. Cell growth was successfully achieved in this microfluidic setup and the cellular response to a cytotoxic substance could be followed in real-time and in a non-invasive, sensitive manner. This study paves the way for the development of micro-total analysis systems that combine optical and impedimetric readouts to enable an overall quantitative characterization of changes in cell metabolism and morphology as a response to toxin exposure. By recording multiple parameters, a detailed discrimination between competing stress- or growth-related mechanisms is possible, thereby presenting an entirely new in vitro alternative to skin irritation tests.