Alkaline phosphatase secretion-negative mutant of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C.

An alkaline phosphatase secretion-blocked mutant of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C was isolated. This mutant had defects in the phoP and phoR regions of the chromosome. The selection procedure was based on the rationale that N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine can induce mutations of closely linked multiple genes. The malate gene and the phoP and phoR genes are located at the 260-min position in the Bacillus subtilis chromosome; hence, the malate gene could be used as a marker for the mutation of the phoP and phoR regions of the chromosome. In a two-step selection procedure, strains defective in malate utilization were first selected with the cephalosporin C procedure. Second, these malate-defective strains were further screened in a dye medium to select strains with defects in alkaline phosphatase secretion. One stable mutant (B. licheniformis 749/cNM 105) had a total secretion block for alkaline phosphatase and had the following additional characteristics: (i) the amount of alkaline phosphatase synthesized was comparable to that in the wild type; (ii) the alkaline phosphatase was membrane bound; (iii) the mutant strain alkaline phosphatase, in contrast to that of the wild type, could not be extracted with MgCl2, although the amounts of protein extracted from each strain were comparable; (iv) the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel pattern of MgCl2-extracted proteins from the mutant strain was different from that of the wild-type proteins; (v) the mutant, unlike the wild type, could not use malate as a sole source of carbon; and (vi) the outside surface of the wall of the mutant cells contained an additional electron-dense layer that was not present on the wild-type cell wall surface.     

Effect of temperature on embryonic development and reproduction of the freshwater snailLymnaea luteola Troshel (Gastropoda), a vector of schistosomiasis

The effect of temperature on embryonic development and reproduction ofLymnaea luteola was studied. This snail did not develop completely and failed to reproduce at 15 °C and 40 °C. The temperature range of 25 °C–35 °C was observed to be optimum for development and reproduction of this snail. The utility of this study in predicting seasonal fluctuations of snail population in nature is discussed.     

Cyclic AMP and its receptor protein are required for expression of transfer genes of conjugative plasmid F in Escherichia coli

A number of cya and crp mutants of Escherichia coli HfrH were analyzed for several Tra functions of the F plasmid. The mutants were observed to be deficient in conjugal donor ability, absorption of phages MS2 and Q beta and surface exclusion. These defects were suppressed in cya mutants grown with cAMP supplementation. A cAMP concentration of 3 X 10(-4) M produced maximal suppression of donor ability defect in a cya strain. cAMP did not suppress the Tra- phenotype of crp mutants. Latent periods of MS2 were shorter in cya and crp bacteria. Phage T7 development appeared similar in wild type, cya, and crp cells. It is concluded that tra genes of F plasmid are expressed only to a small extent in cya and crp mutants and that cAMP and its receptor protein are required for the normal expression of tra genes.     

Inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli by pyran copolymer

Pyran copolymer, a potent inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli, prevented polyribonucleotide synthesis by blocking both the initiation and elongation steps. The inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to template and nucleotide triphosphate substrates. Template binding and the stability of the nascent RNA chain were not affected by the inhibitor.     

Guanine deaminase inhibitor from rat liver. Isolation and characterization

1. An inhibitor of cytoplasmic guanine deaminase of rat liver was isolated from liver ;heavy mitochondrial' fraction after freezing and thawing and treatment with Triton X-100. 2. Submitochondrial fractionation revealed that the inhibitor was localized in the outer-membrane fraction. 3. The method of purification of inhibitor, involving precipitation with (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, its precipitability by trichloroacetic acid and the pattern of absorption in the u.v. indicated that the inhibitor was a protein. In confirmation, tryptic digestion of the isolated material resulted in destruction of the inhibitor activity. The inhibitor was stable to acid, but labile to heat. 4. The isolated inhibitor required phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) for activity. Phosphatidylcholine also partially protected the inhibitor against heat inactivation. 5. When detergent treatment was omitted, the inhibitor activity of frozen mitochondria was precipitated by (NH(4))(2)SO(4) in a fully active form without supplementation with phosphatidylcholine, indicating that Triton X-100 ruptured the linkage between inhibitor and lipid. 6. A reconstituted sample of inhibitor-phosphatidylcholine complex was precipitated in a fully active form by dialysis against 2-mercaptoethanol, but treatment of the precipitate with NaCl yielded an extract which was inactive unless supplemented with fresh phosphatidylcholine. 7. We interpret the results as evidence that the inhibitor was present in vivo as a lipoprotein and that once the complex was dissociated by the action of detergent and the protein precipitated, there was an absolute need for exogenous phosphatidylcholine for its activity. The manner in which inhibitor associated with the outer membrane of rat liver mitochondria might regulate the activity of the enzyme in the supernatant has been suggested.     

Proportions and variability in the Indian lorises: Bone weight observations onLoris tardigradus lydekkerianus andNycticebus coucang

Thirty uniformly prepared, disarticulated complete skeletons of adultLoris tardigradus lydekkerianus andNycticebus coucang have been weighed for preliminary study of the weight relations between different major skeletal parts. In these forms, combined relative weight of the precaudal vertebrae, ribs and sternum surpasses the averages for the rest of the skeletal parts. The weight of the skull equals one-fifth of the total skeletal weight inLoris andNycticebus. The weight of the skeletons of the limbs (including the shoulder girdle and the hip bones) contributes less than half of the total skeletal weight in lorises. The bones of the upper limbs are lighter than those of the lower limbs in the 2 series examined.Loris andNycticebus are distinguished by having the proportionately heaviest axial skeleton and skull and the lowest relative weights of the bones of the 4 limbs. The combined relative skeletal weight of the upper and lower limbs ranges between 45.34 and 50.01 inLoris andNycticebus. The relative weight of the skeletons of the hands and feet are almost similar to the corresponding weights in the 2 series.As far as the weights of the different skeletal parts are concerned, there is no relative asymmetry in the 2 series ofLoris andNycticebus examined.     

Renal Failure After Radiological Contrast Media

Over a 12-month period four patients developed acute renal failure after undergoing radiological investigations using contrast media. Though the incidence of serious complications is low, the possibility of adverse side effects must be weighed against the usefulness of the information provided by these techniques.