Isolation and Characterization of a Filamentous Phage,Vf33, Specific for Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Phage Vf33, a filamentous phage about 1,400 nm long and 7 nm wide, specific for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, was isolated and characterized. The buoyant density of Vf33 in CsCl was 1.292 g/cm³. As with other filamentous phages, the lytic activity of Vf33 was resistant to heating below 80 C and to treatment with diethylether, acetone or methanol but sensitive to chloroform. The nucleic acid of this phage is single-stranded circular DNA 8.4 kb in size. The viral genome was converted to a double-stranded replicative form in the host cell. Among the strains tested, only V. parahaemolyticus strains possessing K38 antigen was sensitive to the phage.     

Plasma normetanephrine: A biochemical marker of sympathetic nerve function in man

The concentration of the catecholamines in plasma are regarded by many investigators as biochemical markers of sympathoadrenal activity in man. This study was designed to: 1) assess the relationship of normetanephrine (NMN), the metabolite of norepinephrine (NE) most likely to represent degration of newly synthesized and released “active” norepinephrine, to that of norepinephrine in plasma of normal volunteers and 2) to determine regional variations in plasma normetanephrine concentrations at venous and arterial sites of patients undergoing cardiac catherization. The findings suggest that 1) plasma normetanephrine reflects sympathoadrenal activity and neurotransmitter production at both peripheral neuronal and adrenal medullary sites and 2) there is net removal of normetanephrine by liver and kidney. Plasma normetanephrine should provide assistance in the biochemical assessment of sympathoadrenal tone in man and in patients with various autonomic disorders.     

Some observations on the fine structure of the mantis shrimp heart

Summary The electron microscopic structure of the myocardium of the mantis shrimp is descriped. Particular attention is paid to the organization of the nerve terminal and the sarcotubular system. The general appearance of this myocardium is characterized by deep invagination of the plasma membrane at the level of Z-band and large irregular shaped mitochondria. It possesses a very well developed sarcotubular system, consisting of the longitudinal system and two transverse elements making two sets of contact to each other. One forms dyad and the other forms triad at the level of M- and Z-band, respectively. The organization of the myoneural junction in this muscle is very simple and undifferentiated. In general, a special structural differentiation is invariably observed at both sides of the contact area. In spite of the fact that synaptic vesicles and a differentiated membrane are found at the naked process of this cardiac nerve, specialization such as subsynaptic fold formation has not been observed at the muscle side which is in contact with the nerve process. Observations made on the sarcotubular system and the nerve termination have been discussed with reference to their physiological significance. This investigation was supported by the Public Health Service Research Grants HE 06968-04 and NB 03348-04 of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, and the U. S. Department of the Army through its Far East Research Office.     

The injurious effect of pisatin on the plasma membrane of pea

The main cause of wilting which occurs in pea leaves heavilyinfected with powdery mildew was suggested to be due to theinjurious effect of pisatin, a defensive antifungal substanceproduced by the host leaves, which affects the plasma membraneof the same host cells. (Received May 29, 1975; )     

Genes encoding ribosomal proteins S16 and L19 form a gene cluster at 56.4 min in Escherichia coli.

Summary A mutant of Escherichia coli which was isolated for temperature-sensitive growth was found to harbour a structural alteration in protein S16 (Isono et al., 1978). The mutation was localized by matings with various Hfr strains and by Plkc-mediated transduction. The results showed that it mapped very close to the gene coding for L19 protein which has been placed at 56.4 min (Kitakawa and Isono, 1977), indicating that it most likely forms a new ribosomal protein-gene cluster.     

Redescription of Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 and description of Lepadichthys trishula sp. nov. from southern Japan (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae)

Ichthyological Research - Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) is redescribed on the basis of 60 specimens, including the holotype, and a new species of...     

Integrative genomic phylogeography reveals signs of mitonuclear incompatibility in a natural hybrid goby population

Hybridization between divergent lineages generates new allelic combinations. One mechanism that can hinder the formation of hybrid populations is mitonuclear incompatibility, that is, dysfunctional interactions between proteins encoded in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of diverged lineages. Theoretically, selective pressure due to mitonuclear incompatibility can affect genotypes in a hybrid population in which nuclear genomes and mitogenomes from divergent lineages admix. To directly and thoroughly observe this key process, we de novo sequenced the 747‐Mb genome of the coastal goby, Chaenogobius annularis, and investigated its integrative genomic phylogeographics using RNA‐sequencing, RAD‐sequencing, genome resequencing, whole mitogenome sequencing, amplicon sequencing, and small RNA‐sequencing. Chaenogobius annularis populations have been geographically separated into Pacific Ocean (PO) and Sea of Japan (SJ) lineages by past isolation events around the Japanese archipelago. Despite the divergence history and potential mitonuclear incompatibility between these lineages, the mitogenomes of the PO and SJ lineages have coexisted for generations in a hybrid population on the Sanriku Coast. Our analyses revealed accumulation of nonsynonymous substitutions in the PO‐lineage mitogenomes, including two convergent substitutions, as well as signals of mitochondrial lineage‐specific selection on mitochondria‐related nuclear genes. Finally, our data implied that a microRNA gene was involved in resolving mitonuclear incompatibility. Our integrative genomic phylogeographic approach revealed that mitonuclear incompatibility can affect genome evolution in a natural hybrid population.     

Composition of uterine milk and its changes with gestational period in red stingrays (Hemitrygon akajei)

Uterine milk is secreted in the uterus for embryo nutrition in several elasmobranch species and may contribute to rapid embryonic growth, but the details of its composition and its functions are poorly understood. In this study, to explore the roles of uterine milk for embryos, its components throughout the gestational period were analysed in detail. Uterine milk was collected from pregnant red stingrays (Hemitrygon akajei) in the early, middle and late gestational periods, respectively (n= 3 for each period). The crude composition, constituent proteins and fatty acids in the milk were analysed. The uterine milk was rich in proteins throughout the gestational period, whereas lipids dramatically increased in the middle period and reduced slightly towards the late period. Some proteins potentially associated with nutrition, cartilage growth and embryonic immunity were found. Several enzymes related to central metabolism were also detected. The constituent fatty acids in the middle and late periods were similar to those in the egg yolks of elasmobranchs, except for C18:2, which was rich only in the uterine milk. The most abundant fatty acid in the milk was C16:1, which could function as a lipokine to promote lipid metabolism in the embryo. This study's data suggest that uterine milk may be secreted in addition to the egg yolk in elasmobranchs to support rapid and healthy embryonic growth.     

The Deubiquitinating Enzyme AMSH1 and the ESCRT-III Subunit VPS2.1 Are Required for Autophagic Degradation in Arabidopsis

In eukaryotes, posttranslational modification by ubiquitin regulates the activity and stability of many proteins and thus influences a variety of developmental processes as well as environmental responses. Ubiquitination also plays a critical role in intracellular trafficking by serving as a signal for endocytosis. We have previously shown that the Arabidopsis thaliana ASSOCIATED MOLECULE WITH THE SH3 DOMAIN OF STAM3 (AMSH3) is a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that interacts with ENDOSOMAL COMPLEX REQUIRED FOR TRANSPORT-III (ESCRT-III) and is essential for intracellular transport and vacuole biogenesis. However, physiological functions of AMSH3 in the context of its ESCRT-III interaction are not well understood due to the severe seedling lethal phenotype of its null mutant. In this article, we show that Arabidopsis AMSH1, an AMSH3-related DUB, interacts with the ESCRT-III subunit VACUOLAR PROTEIN SORTING2.1 (VPS2.1) and that impairment of both AMSH1 and VPS2.1 causes early senescence and hypersensitivity to artificial carbon starvation in the dark similar to previously reported autophagy mutants. Consistent with this, both mutants accumulate autophagosome markers and accumulate less autophagic bodies in the vacuole. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AMSH1 and the ESCRT-III-subunit VPS2.1 are important for autophagic degradation and autophagy-mediated physiological processes.     

New Neplanocin Analogues. V. A Potent Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase Inhibitor Lacking Antiviral Activity. Synthesis And Antiviral Activity Of 6″-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Of Neplanocin A 1

Abstract

The 6′-carboxylic acid derivative of neplanocin A 3 was synthesized from NPA, and was converted to the corresponding methyl ester 4 and amides 5 and 6. These were evaluated for their anti-RNA-virus activities. Of the derivatives synthesized, only 5 was active against RNA viruses within the concentration range of 0.14-4.88 μg/mL. Compounds 3 and 5 showed a potent inhibitory effect on S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase from rabbit erythrocytes. Although a close correlation between the inhibitory effect of adenosine analogues on AdoHcy hydrolase and their antiviral potency has been demonstrated, 3 did not show any anti-RNA-virus activities.