Enhancement of mucus accumulation in a human gastric scirrhous carcinoma cell line (KATO-III) by fibroblasttumor cell interaction

Human fibroblasts (WI-38 cells) were found to enhance mucus accumulation by human scirrhous carcinoma cells (KATO-III cells). Coculture of KATO-III with WI-38 cells resulted in enlargement of the KATO-III cells and increases in the proportions of PAS- and colloidal iron-positive KATO-III cells. These morphological alterations were reversed when the KATO-III cells were again cultured without WI-38 cells. Conditioned media from cultures of WI-38 cells or cocultures of KATO-III and WI-38 cells induced the same morphological alterations in KATO-III cells, suggesting that WI-38 cells produce a factor or factors that enhance mucus accumulation in KATO-III cells. This factor seemed to be a protein with a molecular weight of more than 10,000 daltons.     

Changes in dominance rank and division of a wild Japanese monkey troop in Arashiyama

This article forms the second report on the Arashiyama troop of Japanese monkeys and concerns a troop division which took place in June, 1966, and various problems of rank and consanguinity which accelerated the division. (1) The hypothesis advanced in the first report has been verified; (2) at the time of troop division, several consanguineal groups formed one unit; (3) among 16 consanguineal groups, those from 1st to 7th in rank joined the A troop, while those from 8th to 16th joined the B troop; (4) dominance relation between the two division troops was B troop>A troop, reflecting the former ranking between the leader males of the two troops; (5) shifting of monkeys from one troop to the other after division occurred frequently, but males began to make their own movements when they attained 4 or 5 years of age and rarely moved together with their mothers or other consanguineous-relatives; (6) monkeys which were continuously in the same troop after division almost always obtained higher ranks than did monkeys who frequently shifted from one troop to the other; (7) after division, some males joined neither of the two division troops but formed a group, a so-called all-male group or male party, and moved about independently.     

Stimulation of cucumber hypocotyl elongation by dihydroconiferyl alcohol. Interactions between dihydroconiferyl alcohol and auxin or gibberellin

The effect of dihydroconiferyl alcohol (DCA) on elongation ofcucumber hypocotyl segments was studied. DCA did not influenceelongation when given alone, but synergistically enhanced IAA-inducedelongation. The stimulating effect of DCA was conspicuous particularlywhen it was given together with suboptimal concentrations ofIAA. DCA hardly influenced GA-induced elongation in the presenceof 2% sucrose. (Received May 22, 1974; )     

Polysome formation induced by light in Pinus thunbergii seed embryos

Ribosome patterns in embryos of light-requiring pine seeds duringprolonged dark imbibition and after red light irradiation werestudied. Ribosomes isolated from dry embryos were essentiallyhomogeneous monomer particles. During a dark imbibition periodas long as 42 days, no appreciable changes in ribosomal patternswere observed. However, a decrease in monomer ribosomes anddistinct polysome formation were detected within 24 hr aftera brief red light had been given at any point in the dark imbibitionperiod. (Received May 11, 1974; )     

Two cases of pseudoaldosteronism (Liddle's syndrome) in siblings.

Two cases of Liddle's syndrome were found in a brother and sister. Both showed typical hypokalemic hypertension without hyperaldosteronism. These cases showed similar responses in various pharmacological tests and their symptoms of hypokalemic and hypertension were relieved by triamterene. And in a family survey, the father appeared to be affected. This seems to be the first report on this syndrome in Japan.     

Changes in Wall Polysaccharides of Squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) Hypocotyls under Water Stress Condition: II. Composition of Pectic and Hemicellulosic Polysaccharides

Hypocotyl growth of dark-grown squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.)seedlings was greatly reduced by the addition of polyethyleneglycol (60 mM) to the hydroponic solution through inhibitionof cell elongation. Measurement of the mechanical propertiesof the cell walls revealed that the cell wall of stressed hypocotylswas loosened as much as that of the unstressed hypocotyls, suggestingthat the stressed hypocotyl could not elongate even though thecell wall loosened. Galactose and arabinose in the pectic fraction,which are probably attached to high mol wt rhamnogalacturonans,increased under stressed as well as under unstressed condition.Other polysaccharides including pectic low mol wt galacturonans,hemicellulosic xyloglucans, galactoglucomannans, arabinans,and glucuronoarabinoxylans increased more under unstressed condition.The mol wt of xyloglucans in the hemicellulosic fraction increasedunder unstressed but not under stressed condition. These results suggest that changes in wall structure, such asincreases in high mol wt rhamnogaracturonans rich in arabinoseand galactose residues, and the suppression of polymerizationof xyloglucans are involved in the process of cell wall loosening. (Received December 15, 1986; Accepted June 8, 1987)     

Effect of pH on Absorption Spectra of Pea 114 and 121 Kilodalton Phytochromes during and after Red-Light Irradiation

Absorption spectra of pea 114 and 121 kDa phytochromes weremeasured at pH 6.8, 7.8 and 8.8 using a custom-made transientmultichannel spectrum analyzer. The absorption spectra of 114kDa phytochrome as P_R and P_FR were least affected by mediumpH. The absorption spectra at photostationary state under redlight, however, were different under the three different pHconditions, and were different from those obtained 55 s afterred-light irradiation, owing to rapid pH-dependent absorbanceincrease in both red and far-red regions in the dark. In contrast,the absorption spectra of 121 kDa phytochrome were significantlyless affected by medium pH. The absorption spectra measuredat the photostationary state showed a lower P_FR peak at higherpH. The absorption spectra obtained 55 s after the irradiationwere similar under the three pH conditions since the rapid absorbanceincrease in the far-red region in the dark was small. Possibleaccumulation of 114 kDa phytochrome population(s) with low absorbanceat red-light-induced photostationary state at pH 8.8, and theprotective role of the 7 kDa polypeptide at the amino terminusagainst the pH effect in 121 kDa phytochrome are discussed. (Received February 1, 1986; Accepted April 1, 1986)