Mutagenic activity of copper(II) chromate and dichromate complexes with polypyridines

Copper(II) chromate and dichromate complexes with 2,2'-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenathroline were tested for their mutagenic activity in the standard Ames test. All of six tested complexes exhibited markedly lower mutagenic activity than the reference compounds--potassium dichromate and sodium chromate. The blockage of Cr(VI) reduction capability in the presence of the complex Cu2+ ion and the competition between copper and chromium ions in the interaction with cellular components are discussed in the light of the results of our previous chemical study.     

Effect of picloram and methyl jasmonate on growth and taxane accumulation in callus culture of Taxus × media var. Hatfieldii

We have analysed the effect of some culture conditions and media components on callus growth rate and production of taxanes in callus of Taxus × media var. Hatfieldii. For callus induction and maintenance a Gamborg B5 medium and a White - Rangaswamy medium (WR) with different modifications were used. On an improved WR medium (containing 10 μM picloram) the callus growth factor increased up to 5.8 fold (fresh weight). Picloram only enhanced the growth of callus, but not taxane production. On WR medium with (100 μM) methyl jasmonate the paclitaxel content increased from 2.37 μg g-1 to 90 μg g-1 and cephalomannine from 5.14 μg g-1 to 29.14 μg g-1 (dry weight), whereas growth of the cultures ceased. The presence of paclitaxel and cephalomannine was established by high performance liquid chromatography. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cellular subsets of the milky spots in the human greater omentum

Summary The cellular composition of the human milky spots was investigated on surgically removed specimens of the greater omentum of three 8-month-old infants operated on for neuroblastoma. Monoclonal antibodies and immunohistochemical methods for recognition of macrophages, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes and toluidine-blue staining for mast cells were used. The mean number of cells in one milky spot amounted to 570±33. This cell population was composed of 47.5% macrophages, 29.1% B-lymphocytes, 11.7% T-lymphocytes and 6.1% mast cells. Since inflammation was absent in the material investigated, the numerical data found in the present paper could be regarded as representative cell levels of normal milky spots.     

Pistacia lentiscus cv. Chia (Anacardiaceae) on Chios island

The author discusses the history of an unusual form ofPistacia lentiscus L. (referred to as var.chia (Desf. exPoiret) DC. on the basis of literature data and personal field observations on Chios island. As a result of incisions made on the trunk and stems the tree exudes a specific resinous gum called mastic. The production of mastic currently amounts to 160–170 tons per annum and plays an important role in the economy of the island constituting the main source of income for approx. 20 villages in the south of Chios. The history of mastic dates back 2500 years to the time ofHerodotus. The author points out that on the plantation only male individuals are cultivated; these have been selected over a long period based on mastic yield. As they represent a group of cultivated clones it would be preferable to consider them as a collective cultivar Chia.     

Use of an isolated guinea-pig ileum assay to detect bioactive compounds in microalgal cultures

An isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation was used to screen for bioactive compounds from algae. 212 culture supernatants and methanolic extracts of randomly chosen marine and freshwater algae were tested for their effect on electrically evoked muscle contractions (recorded as a change in tension) and on the resting muscle tone. 15 out of 42 (35%) of the marine algae tested and 5 out of 64 (8%) of freshwater algae gave positive results. Of the 20 algae giving positive results, 6 had previously been shown to produce bioactive compounds (mainly toxins) but we can find no reports in the literature of bioactive compounds from the remaining 14. Of these 14 cultures, 9 were axenic and therefore production of the biological activity can be assigned unambiguously to the alga. These results confirm the usefulness of the guinea-pig ileum preparation as a screen for bioactive compounds from microbial cultures.     

The labelled inhibitor method in cytoenzymology

Synopsis The principles of a histoenzymological method based on the use of labelled inhibitors are reviewed. The detection of inhibitor-labelled enzyme complexes by histoautoradiography allows enzymes to be localized quantitatively in cells and tissue structures. The present state and future possibilities of the method are discussed.This review was presented in a shorter form at the International Symposium on Autoradiography organized by the Royal Microscopical Society at Nottingham in July 1971.     

Photobehavioral classes of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

A shift in photobehavior and geotaxis in the summer adult female spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, results from water stress. The slow reversal of sign from the green minus to the green plus photobehavioral class is the result of this stress. It is postulated that decrease of internal pressure, as a result of water loss, is perceived by a stretch receptor. A rapid decrease in the response to green illumination by the green⁺ class is caused by high ambient relative humidity. It is postulated that a humidity receptor is involved in this rapid change in behavior.

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Zusammenfassung Wassermangel ergibt bei erwachsenen Sommerweibohen der Spinnmilbe Tetranychus urticae Koch eine Verschiebung im Verhalten zum Licht sowie der Geotaxis. Eine langsame Verschiebung von der grün-negativen zur grün-positiven Klasse ist das Ergebnis einer solchen Belastung. Es wird angenommen, daß als Folge von Wasserverlusten eine Abnahme des Binnendruckes durch Streckrezeptoren wahrgenommen wird. Eine rasche Abnahme der Reaktion auf grüne Beleuchtung wird in der grün-positiven Klasse durch hohe relative Luftfeuchtigkeit der Umgebung hervorgerufen. Es wird angenommen, daß an diesem raschen Verhaltenswechsel ein Feuchtigkeitsrezeptor beteiligt ist.

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Contribution from the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Phytohormone Conjugates: Nature and Function

Reversible hormone conjugations in plants may represent physiologically and biochemically essential pathways in the regulation of endogenous levels of biologically active pools of phytohormones. Conjugates of auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins are now widely recognized as serving a storage function for rapid (im)mobilization of these phytohormones, depending on a variety of environmental, developmental, and physiological factors. The significance of conjugates of other phytohormones (abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid) is less well understood. Recent developments in studies on phytohormone conjugation, involving both biochemical and molecular biology approaches, are presented here. The nature and possible functions of the conjugates are discussed. Conjugates of other compounds (e.g., anthranilate-glucosides) are also known (for review, see Hösel, 1981). However, it is not known whether these compounds have a signaling function.     

Involvement of copper in female reproduction

Copper (Cu) is one of the essential trace metals which are necessary in maintaining the functioning of living organisms. The current knowledge on the role of copper in animal reproduction is presented in the article. Our studies have shown that complexes of copper (Cu(2+)) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are even more effective in the release of LH than native GnRH. Moreover, Cu-GnRH is more potent in inducing in vivo release of FSH than LH. Copper complexes with GnRH interact with GnRH receptors (GnRHR) and modulate intracellular signaling in the gonadotrope cells of the anterior pituitary. Copper plays also a significant role in maintaining normal fetus development in mammals.     

Phosphatidylglycerol Depletion Induces an Increase in Myxoxanthophyll Biosynthetic Activity in Synechocystis PCC6803 Cells

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) depletion suppressed the oxygen-evolvingactivity of Synechocystis PCC6803 pgsA mutant cells. Shortageof PG led to decreased photosynthetic activity, which, similarto the effect of high light exposure, is likely to generatethe production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals.Protection of the PG-depleted cells against light-induced damageincreased the echinenone and myxoxanthophyll content of thecells. The increased carotenoid content was localized in a solublefraction of the cells as well as in isolated thylakoid and cytoplasmicmembranes. The soluble carotenoid fraction contained carotenederivatives, which may bind to proteins. These carotene–proteincomplexes are similar to orange carotenoid protein that is involvedin yielding protection against free radicals and ROS. An increasein the content of myxoxanthophyll and echinenone upon PG depletionsuggests that PG depletion regulates the biosynthetic pathwayof specific carotenoids.