Covalent structure of three phase-1 flagellar filament proteins of Salmonella

Using recombinant DNA techniques, the covalent structure was determined for three flagellar filament proteins produced by Salmonella serotypes with phase-1 antigens a, c and d. Comparison of the results obtained, together with previous results for antigen i, indicated an overall structure in which conservation of amino acid sequence was absolute at both ends of the molecule and proceeded inwards with progressively greater variation. Very few differences in nucleotide sequence were detected in regions of amino acid conservation, which suggested that these areas of the gene may be involved in regulatory functions.     

Rhizobium meliloti nodulation genes: identification of nodDABC gene products, purification of nodA protein, and expression of nodA in Rhizobium meliloti.

A set of conserved, or common, bacterial nodulation (nod) loci is required for host plant infection by Rhizobium meliloti and other Rhizobium species. Four such genes, nodDABC, have been indicated in R. meliloti 1021 by genetic analysis and DNA sequencing. An essential step toward understanding the function of these genes is to characterize their protein products. We used in vitro and maxicell Escherichia coli expression systems, together with gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, to detect proteins encoded by nodDABC. We facilitated expression of genes on these DNA fragments by inserting them downstream of the Salmonella typhimurium trp promoter, both in colE1 and incP plasmid-based vectors. Use of the incP trp promoter plasmid allowed overexpression of a nodABC gene fragment in R. meliloti. We found that nodA encodes a protein of 21 kilodaltons (kDa), and nodB encodes one of 28 kDa; the nodC product appears as two polypeptide bands at 44 and 45 kDa. Expression of the divergently read nodD yields a single polypeptide of 33 kDa. Whether these represent true Rhizobium gene products must be demonstrated by correlating these proteins with genetically defined Rhizobium loci. We purified the 21-kDa putative nodA protein product by gel electrophoresis, selective precipitation, and ion-exchange chromatography and generated antiserum to the purified gene product. This permitted the immunological demonstration that the 21-kDa protein is present in wild-type cells and in nodB- or nodC-defective strains, but is absent from nodA::Tn5 mutants, which confirms that the product expressed in E. coli is identical to that produced by R. meliloti nodA. Using antisera detection, we found that the level of nodA protein is increased by exposure of R. meliloti cells to plant exudate, indicating regulation of the bacterial nod genes by the plant host.     

Relationship between bacteriophage T4 and T6 DNA topoisomerases. T6 39-protein subunit is equivalent to the combined T4 39- and 60-protein subunits

T6 DNA topoisomerase has been purified from bacteriophage T6 infected Escherichia coli. Unlike the T4 DNA topoisomerase which has three subunits, it consists of two subunits of molecular weights 75,000 and 51,000. They are the products of T6 genes 39 and 52, respectively. The purified T6 enzyme can stimulate in vitro T6 DNA replication. It has an ATP-dependent DNA relaxation activity similar to the T4 enzyme. Either ATP or dATP can be used in both reactions. Using a "Western blotting" and radioimmuno-detection methods, we show that T6 39 subunit contains protein sequences specified by both the T4 39 and 60 genes. The 52-proteins of both phages appear to be identical. The T4 and T6 topoisomerase genes represent a naturally occurring example of gene separation or fusion.     

向日葵未受精胚珠培养时胚状体发生的显微观察

由开花前1—4天的向日葵子房中取出胚珠,在液体培养基上进行漂浮培养,诱导了未受精的卵细胞发育为单倍体的胚状体.亦诱导了珠被绒毡层产生胚状体。对两种胚状体的发生和发育过程及其形态发生特点作了显微观察与描述。     

Effects of histamine on bronchial artery blood flow and bronchomotor tone

The effects of aerosolized 5% histamine (10 breaths) on bronchial artery blood flow (Qbr), airflow resistance (RL), and pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics were studied in mechanically ventilated sheep anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Histamine increased mean Qbr and RL to 252 +/- 45 and 337 +/- 53% of base line, respectively. This effect was significantly different from base line for 30 min after challenge. The histamine-induced increase in RL was blocked by pretreatment with the histamine H1 receptor antagonist, chlorpheniramine, whereas the histamine-induced elevation in Qbr was prevented by the H2 antagonist, metiamide. Both responses were blocked only when both antagonists were present. Changes in Qbr were not directly associated with alterations in systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics or arterial blood gas composition. In vitro histamine caused a dose-dependent contraction of ovine bronchial artery strips that was prevented by H1 antagonist. The H2 agonist, impromidine, caused relaxation of precontracted arterial strips and was more potent and efficacious than histamine, whereas H1 agonists failed to elicit a relaxant response. Thus these findings indicate that histamine aerosol induces a vasodilation in the bronchial vascular bed; histamine has a direct effect on Qbr that is independent of alterations in RL, systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, or arterial blood gas composition; and, histamine-induced bronchoconstriction is mediated predominantly by H1-receptors, whereas increased Qbr is controlled predominantly by H2-receptors, probably located in resistance vessels. This local effect of histamine on Qbr may have important implications in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma and pulmonary edema.     

泥河湾层中新发现一处旧石器地点

半个多世纪以来,在泥河湾层中寻找早更新世时期的人类遗迹,已成为中、外许多科学家非常关心的一个问题。近几年来,在泥河湾村附近,大量古文化遗物从属于下更新统的泥河湾层中发现了。新的发现为旧石器时代考古学和第四纪地质学又增添了新的内容。     

甲型流感病毒自然温度敏感株的宿主依赖性

用鸡胚细胞(CEC)和Madin-Darby Canine Kidney(MDCK)两个宿主细胞系统,检查甲型流感病毒各亚型不同时期流行株的温度敏感性状(ts),发现自然界存在许多宿主依赖的温度敏感性突变株(hd-ts)。它们在CEC上是ts,在MDCK上却是ts~ 。检出的hd-ts株中有些曾经过人体接种观察证明为减毒株。这表明在CEC中鉴定的ts表型与对人减毒性状密切相关。     

土壤中含EB病毒诱导物的检测

从广西壮族自治区梧州市、苍梧县、罗城县和北京市收集的土壤标本中发现有EB病毒诱导物。梧州市和苍梧县沿公路和江河两旁桐油树下的土壤标本,对EB病毒早期抗原诱导的阳性率为40～58％。在其他大戟科植物下的土壤标本中,也发现有EB病毒诱导物。对桐油树下土壤中EB病毒诱导物与鼻咽癌发生的可能关系进行了讨论。     

抗胃癌细胞系单克隆抗体PD4的初步研究

以胃癌细胞系MGC803免疫Balb/c小鼠,取其脾细胞与小鼠骨髓瘤细胞NS-1融合。经选择培养、筛选及克隆化,获得恒定地分泌抗胃癌细胞系单克隆抗体(MoAb)的杂交瘤细胞系PD4。MoAb PD4与3/4胃癌细胞系有强结合反应,与4/4肺癌细胞系有弱结合反应,但与淋巴细胞、ABO红细胞、骨髓细胞、二倍体成纤维细胞及经检测的其他肿瘤细胞均无反应。PD4抗原主要表达于靶细胞的膜上,不耐热,为分子量40kD的蛋白性抗原。该抗原与HLA抗原系统,血型抗原系统无关,亦不同于其他作者所报告的其他胃癌相关抗原。