Atmungsdifferenzen nach Röntgenbestrahlung von Karyopsen bei unterschiedlich strahlensensiblen Weizensorten

An ruhenden und keimenden Karyopsen der Winterweizensorten “Bayro” und “Walthari” wurde die Wirkung einer Röntgenbestrahlung auf die Atmungsintensität untersucht. Bei Bestrahlung lufttrockener Karyopsen liegt die Atmungsintensität von “Bayro” unabhängig von der Höhe der applizierten Dosis wie bei unbestrahlten Karyopsen stets über dem entsprechenden Wert bei “Walthari”. Auch bei Bestrahlung der Karyopsen beider Sorten nach gleichlanger Einquellzeit weist “Bayro” die stärkere Atmung gegenüber “Walthari” auf. Bei Bestrahlung der gequollenen Karyopsen zum Zeitpunkt gleicher Atmungsintensität ergeben sich umgekehrte Verhältnisse. Schon eine Stunde nach der Bestrahlung liegt die Atmungsintensität von “Walthari” über der von “Bayro” und ist auch am Ende der dreistündigen Meßzeit noch mehr als 30% höher. Es werden Möglichkeiten für die Wirkungsweise von Röntgenstrahlen auf die Atmung und der Einfluß unterschiedlicher Strahlensensibilität diskutiert. Frau Marion Kielbasa danke ich für sorgfältige technische Assistenz.     

Expression, secretion and processing of hirudin in E. coli using the alkaline phosphatase signal sequence

A DNA fragment coding for the E. coli phoA signal peptide was synthesized and inserted into the expression vector pKK223-3. A single HindIII restriction site is located just at the end of the signal sequence. A gene coding for the proteinase inhibitor hirudin, which has previously been synthesized, was inserted into this HindIII site. The hybrid protein was expressed under control of the tac-promoter and secreted into the periplasm of E. coli. From the periplasmic fraction two processed proteins were isolated. One of these was identical with desulfatohirudin and also had similar biological properties.     

Phloem transport of sulfur in Ricinus

Mature leaves of Ricinus communis fed with ³⁵SO ₄ ^2- in the light export labeled sulfate and reduced sulfur compounds by phloem transport. Only 1–2% of the absorbed radiosulfur is exported to the stem within 2–3 h, roughly 12% of ³⁵S recovered was in reduced form. The composition of phloem translocate moving down the stem toward the root was determined from phloem exudate: 20–40% of the ³⁵S moved in the form of organic sulfur compounds, however, the bulk of sulfur was transported as inorganic sulfate. The most important organic sulfur compound translocated was glutathione, carrying about 70% of the label present in the organic fraction. In addition, methionine and cysteine were involved in phloem sulfur transport and accounted for roughly 10%. Primarily, the reduced forms of both, glutathione and cysteine are prsent in the siever tubes.Abbreviations CySH cysteine - GSH glutathione - GSSG glutathione disulfide - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - CyS-SCy cystine     

Identifying protein construct variants with increased crystallization propensity--a case study

This study describes an efficient multiparallel automated workflow of cloning, expression, purification, and crystallization of a large set of construct variants for isolated protein domains aimed at structure determination by X-ray crystallography. This methodology is applied to MAPKAP kinase 2, a key enzyme in the inflammation pathway and thus an attractive drug target. The study reveals a distinct subset of truncation variants with improved crystallization properties. These constructs distinguish themselves by increased solubility and stability during a parallel automated multistep purification process including removal of the recombinant tag. High-throughput protein melting point analysis characterizes this subset of constructs as particularly thermostable. Both parallel purification screening and melting point determination clearly identify residue 364 as the optimal C terminus for the kinase domain. Moreover, all three constructs that ultimately crystallized feature this C terminus. At the N terminus, only three amino acids differentiate a noncrystallizing from a crystallizing construct. This study addresses the very common issues associated with difficult to crystallize proteins, those of solubility and stability, and the crucial importance of particular residues in the formation of crystal contacts. A methodology is suggested that includes biophysical measurements to efficiently identify and produce construct variants of isolated protein domains which exhibit higher crystallization propensity.     

Applying population and community ecology theory to advance understanding of belowground biogeochemistry

Approaches to quantifying and predicting soil biogeochemical cycles mostly consider microbial biomass and community composition as products of the abiotic environment. Current numerical approaches then primarily emphasise the importance of microbe–environment interactions and physiology as controls on biogeochemical cycles. Decidedly less attention has been paid to understanding control exerted by community dynamics and biotic interactions. Yet a rich literature of theoretical and empirical contributions highlights the importance of considering how variation in microbial population ecology, especially biotic interactions, is related to variation in key biogeochemical processes like soil carbon formation. We demonstrate how a population and community ecology perspective can be used to (1) understand the impact of microbial communities on biogeochemical cycles and (2) reframe current theory and models to include more detailed microbial ecology. Through a series of simulations we illustrate how density dependence and key biotic interactions, such as competition and predation, can determine the degree to which microbes regulate soil biogeochemical cycles. The ecological perspective and model simulations we present lay the foundation for developing empirical research and complementary models that explore the diversity of ecological mechanisms that operate in microbial communities to regulate biogeochemical processes.     

Specific features of ex‐obese patients significantly influence the functional cell properties of adipose‐derived stromal cells

Adipose‐derived stromal cells (ADSC) are increasingly used in clinical applications due to their regenerative capabilities. However, ADSC therapies show variable results. This study analysed the effects of specific factors of ex‐obese patients on ADSC functions. ADSC were harvested from abdominal tissues (N = 20) after massive weight loss. Patients were grouped according to age, sex, current and maximum body mass index (BMI), BMI difference, weight loss method, smoking and infection at the surgical site. ADSC surface markers, viability, migration, transmigration, sprouting, differentiation potential, cytokine secretion, telomere length and mtDNA copy number were analysed. All ADSC expressed CD73, CD90, CD105, while functional properties differed significantly among patients. A high BMI difference due to massive weight loss was negatively correlated with ADSC proliferation, migration and transmigration, while age, sex or weight loss method had a smaller effect. ADSC from female and younger donors and individuals after weight loss by increase of exercise and diet change had a higher activity. Telomere length, mtDNA copy number, differentiation potential and the secretome did not correlate with patient factors or cell function. Therefore, we suggest that factors such as age, sex, increase of exercise and especially weight loss should be considered for patient selection and planning of regenerative therapies.     

Eine neue Endocyanose,Cyanoptyche dispersa n. sp., und Bemerkungen über ähnliche Syncyanosen

Zusammenfassung Die neu beschriebene Algen-SyncynoseCyanoptyche dispersa n. sp. unterscheidet sich vonCyanoptyche gloeocystis durch bestimmte, charakteristische Merkmale. Im zentralen Teil ihrer Cyanellen findet sich ein auffallender, eigentümlicher Körper, der bisher nur bei dem Flagellaten-EndocyanomCyanophora paradoxa beobachtet wurde.Über die Natur der Cyanellen läßt sich noch kein abschließendes Urteil fällen. Doch bestehen Bedenken, sie einfach freilebenden Cyanophyceen gleichzusetzen.     

Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Auxosporenbildung pennater Diatomeen

Zusammenfassung BeiFrustulia rhomboides var.saxonica erfolgt die Kopulation unter Ausbildung von Wander- und Ruhegameten, die mittels zweier Kopulationsschläuche kopulieren.Die Auxosporenbildung vonAnomoeoneis exilis ist durch exzessive Gallertbildung ausgezeichnet. Die Kopulation scheint isogam abzulaufen. Ähnlich verhält sichAnomoeoneis serians var.brachysira.Die Auxosporenbildung vonCymbella gracilis erfolgt wie bei den anderen Arten der Gattung.