Feulgen-DNA absorption curves of polytene chromosome regions ofRhynchosciara americana

Summary Feulgen absorption spectra of polytene chromosome regions, differing in types of DNA composition and of chromatin compactness, were determined microspectrophotometrically in squashed salivary glands ofRhynchosciara americana. The absorption curves exhibited a secondary maximum at their ascending branch after the chromatins were maximally depurinated. The degree of shoulder prominence could not be specifically correlated with the packing state or even with richness in satellite repetitive DNA of the chromatins. It is assumed that other factors may exist which play a part in the phenomenon that gives rise to the Feulgen absorption shoulder characteristics. Differences in the extraction rate of the apurinic acid fragments due to their binding to specific non-histone proteins are suggested as contributing to the above-mentioned absorption patterns when comparing the various chromatin types.     

Kinetics of synthesis of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with ribosomes in HeLa cells

The turn-over of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with polyribosomes as well as that of polyribosomal mRNA was investigated by labelling with [3H]uridine in conditions of arrested ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial RNA synthesis. The synthesis of ribosomal RNA was inhibited with toyokamycin and that of mitochondrial RNA with ethidium bromide. In both accumulation kinetics and actinomycin-D-chase experiments, cytoplasmic messenger-like ribonucleoprotein particles and polyribosomes were fractionated by buoyant density centrifugation in CsCl gradients. The half-life of free m1RNA was found to be of 1--2 h whereas the bulk of polyribosomal mRNA was stable over the time period considered (up to 8 h) but with a minor short-lived component. Purification of RNA from polyribosomes labelled under the same conditions and fractionation of it into polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated fractions showed that this short-lived minor component of half-life less than 1 h is non-polyadenylated.     

A mucous secretion in the malpighian tubes of a neotropical bumblebee,Bombus atratus Franklin

Summary A filamentous secretion composed of carboxylated and sulfated acid glycosaminoglycans (AGAG), neutral polysaccharides, and protein(s) appears in the lumen of the Malpighian tubes of the fully grown larvae of the bumblebee,Bombus atratus Franklin. A well-ordered macromolecular array was demonstrated specially for the carboxylated AGAG components of this secretion, based on their linear dichroism and birefringence properties. It is suggested that the carboxylated AGAG macromolecules can acquire a helical conformation when present at the lumen of the organ. The mucous secretion elaborated by the Malpighian tubes ofB. atratus is excreted from the larvae in the form of condensed filaments. Its function remains unclear. Globules with concentric lamination containing protein and neutral polysaccharides were seen detaching from the apical border of the epithelial cells of the Malpighian tubes of the fully grown larvae. It could not be established whether they contribute for the elaboration of the filamentous secretion. Morphologically similar globules have been assumed in some other insect groups to originate from cytolysomes. Urate crystals surrounded by a halo of calcium granules were also found in the lumen of the Malpighian tubes ofB. atratus.     

Change with age of feulgen-DNA values in the blood-sucking insect,Triatoma infestans klug

Summary Feulgen-DNA values were evaluated cytophotometrically in the Malpighian tubes of T. infestans at the nymphal, adult and ageing life periods. In all cases the total nuclear Feulgen-DNA contents were found to be distributed within the 32C and 64C classes. However, part of the Feulgen-DNA values is shifted to lower intervals in ageing insects, as compared with nymphal and adult individuals, promoted by decrease in Feulgen-DNA values of the euchromatins. Changed response to Feulgen reaction due to some aging-induced alteration in DNP complexes, and/or breaks and loss of DNA in the euchromatins, as part of the senescence process, are ascribed to be responsible for such phenomenon.