16S rRNA gene-based oligonucleotide microarray for environmental monitoring of the betaproteobacterial order "Rhodocyclales"

For simultaneous identification of members of the betaproteobacterial order "Rhodocyclales" in environmental samples, a 16S rRNA gene-targeted oligonucleotide microarray (RHC-PhyloChip) consisting of 79 probes was developed. Probe design was based on phylogenetic analysis of available 16S rRNA sequences from all cultured and as yet uncultured members of the "Rhodocyclales." The multiple nested probe set was evaluated for microarray hybridization with 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons from 29 reference organisms. Subsequently, the RHC-PhyloChip was successfully used for cultivation-independent "Rhodocyclales" diversity analysis in activated sludge from an industrial wastewater treatment plant. The implementation of a newly designed "Rhodocyclales"-selective PCR amplification system prior to microarray hybridization greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the RHC-PhyloChip and thus enabled the detection of "Rhodocyclales" populations with relative abundances of less than 1% of all bacteria (as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization) in the activated sludge. The presence of as yet uncultured Zoogloea-, Ferribacterium/Dechloromonas-, and Sterolibacterium-related bacteria in the industrial activated sludge, as indicated by the RHC-PhyloChip analysis, was confirmed by retrieval of their 16S rRNA gene sequences and subsequent phylogenetic analysis, demonstrating the suitability of the RHC-PhyloChip as a novel monitoring tool for environmental microbiology.     

High resolution clear native electrophoresis for in-gel functional assays and fluorescence studies of membrane protein complexes

Clear native electrophoresis and blue native electrophoresis are microscale techniques for the isolation of membrane protein complexes. The Coomassie Blue G-250 dye, used in blue native electrophoresis, interferes with in-gel fluorescence detection and in-gel catalytic activity assays. This problem can be overcome by omitting the dye in clear native electrophoresis. However, clear native electrophoresis suffers from enhanced protein aggregation and broadening of protein bands during electrophoresis and therefore has been used rarely. To preserve the advantages of both electrophoresis techniques we substituted Coomassie dye in the cathode buffer of blue native electrophoresis by non-colored mixtures of anionic and neutral detergents. Like Coomassie dye, these mixed micelles imposed a charge shift on the membrane proteins to enhance their anodic migration and improved membrane protein solubility during electrophoresis. This improved clear native electrophoresis offers a high resolution of membrane protein complexes comparable to that of blue native electrophoresis. We demonstrate the superiority of high resolution clear native electrophoresis for in-gel catalytic activity assays of mitochondrial complexes I-V. We present the first in-gel histochemical staining protocol for respiratory complex III. Moreover we demonstrate the special advantages of high resolution clear native electrophoresis for in-gel detection of fluorescent labeled proteins labeled by reactive fluorescent dyes and tagged by fluorescent proteins. The advantages of high resolution clear native electrophoresis make this technique superior for functional proteomics analyses.     

Bethylids attacking stored‐product pests: an overview

Bethylidae is a family belonging to the insect order Hymenoptera and contains about 2 200 described species. Bethylids typically parasitize larvae of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, including species that are serious pests of stored products. Here, we review the main characteristics of each of the bethylids reported as biological control agent of these pests. The biological characteristics and peculiarities are reported for each species, and the potential for their practical application is discussed.     

Untersuchungen über die Chloroplastenentwicklung beiOenothera

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 9 Textabbildungen     

Zur Kontinuität der Plastiden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Beobachtungen zur Vererbung gewisser Testaeigenschaften beiCucurbita pepo L.

Zusammenfassung Beobachtungen an unreifen Samen zeigten, daß die Modifikation des Nebenverholzungsgenes in zwei Richtungen erfolgen kann: erstens kann der zeitliche und zweitens der räumliche Einsatz der Verholzung beeinflußt werden.Die vollreif geernteten Versuche des folgenden Jahres bestätigten das Vorhandensein dieser beiden Faktorengruppen.Zusätzliche Verstärkungen und Verholzungen der hhNN-Testen werden beschrieben.Abschließend wird auf die Art der Modifikatoren näher eingegangen.Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, mit deren Unterstützung die Arbeiten in den Jahren 1951 bis 1953 durchgeführt wurden, möchte ich meinen verbindlichsten Dank aussprechen. Weiterhin bin ich Herrn Prof. Dr.Burgeff, der in eben diesen Jahren die Versuche stets mit Interesse verfolgte, zu Dank verpflichtet.Mit 1 Textabbildung.