Purification, crystallization, and X-ray diffraction studies of lactotransferrin from buffalo colostrum.

Lactotransferrin is an iron-binding protein. It has been purified from buffalo colostrum. The purified lactotransferrin has been crystallized in 10% ethanol solution. The crystals are orthorhombic and the space group is P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions a = 161.70 A, b = 155.75 A, c = 113.48 A. The asymmetric unit contains three molecules of the protein with a solvent content of about 59%. The crystals were stable in the X-ray beam and diffract beyond 3.5 A resolution. The native data have been collected and the structure determination is in progress.     

Functional properties of the anaerobic responsive element of the maize Adh1 gene

The functional properties of the anaerobic responsive element (ARE) of the maize Adh1 gene have been analysed using a transient expression assay in electroporated maize protoplasts. The ARE functions in both orientations although inversion of the ARE sequence relative to the TATA box element produces slightly weaker promoter activity under anaerobic conditions and elevated expression under aerobic conditions. Promoter activity under anaerobic conditions is proportional to the number of complete ARE sequences in the Adh1 promotor. The ARE contains two sub-regions and dimers of sub-region II are as efficient as the wild-type sequence in activating gene expression under anaerobic conditions. However, sub-region I dimers do not appear capable of inducing gene expression in response to anaerobic stress. We conclude that sub-region II is essential for anaerobic induction of gene expression. Reporter gene expression remains constant when the spacing between sub-regions of the ARE is increased up to at least 64 bp, but increased spacing of 136 bp or greater abolishes expression in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, indicating that a close association of the two sub-regions is required both for anaerobic responsiveness and for maximal levels of aerobic gene expression. When the ARE is placed upstream of position –90 of the CaMV 35S promoter, the ARE produces a high level of expression in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The general enhancement of gene expression driven by the hybrid ARE/35S promoter in aerobic conditions requires an intact sub-region II motif since mutation or deletion of sub-region II from the hybrid promoter reduces the level of expression to that observed for the truncated 35S promoter alone. In addition, mutation of the sub-region I sequences in the ARE/35S hybrid promoter does not significantly reduce expression in aerobic conditions, relative to pARE/35S(-90), suggesting that sub-region I does not contribute to this general enhancer function.     

Uptake of volatilen-alkanes byPseudomonas PG-I

Using a bacterial speciesPseudomonas PG-1, evidence has been obtained which indicates that uptake ofn-pentane ton-octane by microbial cells takes place primarily from the gas phase either directly orvia the aqueous phase. Specific growth rate increased along with the increase in substrate concentration but above the alkane concentration of 0.3% by volume, specific growth rate decreased indicating substrate inhibition of growth. In the case of less volatile alkanes,n-nonane andn-decane, substrate transfer is predominantly through substrate solubilization system elaborated by the cells. EDTA, a strong inhibitor of hydrocarbon solubilization by the cells, inhibited growth on these two alkanes but had negligible effect on growth onn-pentane ton-octane.     

Secondary Trisomics and Telotrisomics of Rice: Origin, Characterization, and Use in Determining the Orientation of Chromosome Map

Secondary trisomics and telotrisomics representing the 12 chromosomes of rice were isolated from the progenies of primary trisomics. A large population of each primary trisomic was grown. Plants showing variation in gross morphology compared to the primary trisomics and disomic sibs were selected and analyzed cytologically at diakinesis and pachytene. Secondary trisomics for both arms of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 7 and 11 and for one arm of chromosomes 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12 were identified. Telotrisomics for short arm of chromosomes 1, 8, 9 and 10 and for long arms of chromosomes 2, 3 and 5 were isolated. These secondary and telotrisomics were characterized morphologically and for breeding behavior. Secondary trisomics 2n + 1S.1S, 2n + 1L.1L, 2n + 2S.2S, 2n + 2L.2L, 2n + 6S.6S, 2n + 6L.6L and 2n + 7L.7L are highly sterile, and 2n + 1L.1L, 2n + 2L.2L and 2n + 7L.7L do not set any seed even upon backcrossing. Telotrisomics are fertile and vigorous. Genetic segregation of 43 marker genes was studied in the F(2) or backcross progenies. On the basis of segregation data, these genes were delimited to specific chromosome arms. Correct orientation of 10 linkage groups was determined and centromere positions on nine linkage groups were approximated. A revised linkage map of rice is presented.     

The nature of inhibition of DNA gyrase by the coumarins and the cyclothialidines revealed by X-ray crystallography.

This study describes the first crystal structures of a complex between a DNA topoisomerase and a drug. We present the structures of a 24 kDa N-terminal fragment of the Escherichia coli DNA gyrase B protein in complexes with two different inhibitors of the ATPase activity of DNA gyrase, namely the coumarin antibiotic, novobiocin, and GR122222X, a member of the cyclothialidine family. These structures are compared with the crystal structure of the complex with an ATP analogue, adenylyl-beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate (ADPNP). The likely mechanism, by which mutant gyrase B proteins become resistant to inhibition by novobiocin are discussed in light of these comparisons. The three ligands are quite dissimilar in chemical structure and bind to the protein in very different ways, but their binding is competitive because of a small degree of overlap of their binding sites. These crystal structures consequently describe a chemically well characterized ligand binding surface and provide useful information to assist in the design of novel ligands.     

Analysis of woody vegetation of Corbett National Park,India

The heterogeneous vegetation mosaic of the South Turkana region of north Kenya is associated with diversity in the region's physical environment. The abundance and distribution of the dominant species are related to gradients in those abiotic factors that influence water availability, including precipitation, soil texture, and topographic relief. Research focused on three Acacia species that are a major component of the Turkana vegetation; A. tortilis, A. senegal, and A. reficiens. These species each exhibit a different response to variations in abiotic factors. Consequently, species abundance varies independently across the landscape, creating a continuum of intergrading populations. Community types can be identified within the mosaic of intergrading populations. Although community borders are not discrete due to continual change in species abundance, types are identifiable and are repeated in areas with similar environmental conditions. The landscape patterns are representative of Whittaker's (1953) climaxas-pattern, with communities created by individual patterns of populations responding to environmental gradients, creating a continuum of community change across the landscape.     

Purification of lectins from the stems of peanut plants

The stem of the peanut plant contains two lectins, a methyl -mannoside specific lectin (SL-I) and a lactose/cellobiose specific lectin (SL-II). These lectins are found to be developmentally regulated and maximum activites are observed in 3–4-weeks-old plants. The two lectins SL-I and SL-II have been purified from 3-week-old stem by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and guar gum matrices respectively. Both are glycosylated lectins and have the identical subunit molecular weight of 31 kDa.