Binding of nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotides to diphtheria toxin

1. Changes in protein fluorescence have been utilized in determining the stoicheiometry and dissociation constants of the complexes of diphtheria toxin with NADH(2), NAD, NADPH(2) and NADP. 2. The binding stoicheiometry is 2moles of NADH(2) and 1mole of NADPH(2)/mole of diphtheria toxin. The binding sites for NADH(2) appear to be equivalent and independent. 3. The toxin shows a higher affinity for the reduced than for the oxidized forms of the nucleotides. 4. Dissociation constants at 0.01I, pH7 and 25 degrees are 0.7x10(-6)m for NADH(2) and 0.45x10(-6)m for NADPH(2). Dissociation constants increase with increasing ionic strength, indicating that the binding is mainly electrostatic. 5. Bound NADH(2) and NADPH(2) may be activated to fluoresce by the transfer of energy from the excited aromatic amino acids of the toxin. Activation and emission spectra of bound and free nucleotides are compared. 6. Since NAD and NADH(2) are cofactors specifically required for the inhibition of protein synthesis by diphtheria toxin, the possible role of toxin-nucleotide complexes is discussed in this regard.     

Uraninschwellen des Protoplasmas der BraunalgeStypocaulon scoparium

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Close karyological kinship between the reptilian suborder serpentes and the class aves

Summary In contrast to the situation found in two classes of warm-blooded vertebrates, mammals and birds, the class Reptilia is not uniform with regard to total genetic content; rather, it contains two distinct categories. The close cytological kinship between snakes and birds was revealed. Both are almost identical in total genetic content, which is about 50 per cent that of placental mammals. Both have microchromosomes, as well as Z-chromosomes very similar in absolute size, comprising nearly 10 per cent of the homogametic haploid (AZ) set. This leads to the implication that snakes and birds originated from the same lineage, and that their Z-chromosomes have not changed substantially since the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era, about 180 million years ago.Within the reptilian suborder Serpentes, the step-by-step differentiation from the primitive ZW pair to the grossly heteromorphic ZW pair could be observed. In the ancient family Boidae, the sex chromosomes were still homomorphic to each other. In the family Colubridae, the beginning of heteromorphism was manifested in two ways. In some species, a pericentric inversion on the W caused it to differ from the Z; in others, duplication of the W occurred. In the family Crotalidae, the W had apparently achieved its very specialized status; it was a distinctly smaller element.In Säo Paulo, this work was supported by Fundacão de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo e Fundo de Pesquisas do Instituto Butantan. In Duarte, this work was supported in part by grant CA-05138-05, National Cancer Institute, U. S. Public Health Service. Contribution No. 36-64, Department of Biology, City of Hope Medical Center.     

Die Wirkungsweise von Cercosporella herpotricboides Fron, dem Erreger der Halmbruchkrankheit des Getreides

In halt: 1. Einleitung und Aufgabenstellung.—2. Art und Ausmaß der Scnäden im Feld-versuch.—3. Wirkungen des Krankheitserregers auf Sommergetreide.—4. Bekämpfungsmöglichkeiten.—5. Besprechung der Ergebnisse.—Zusammenfassung.—Summary. —Literaturverzeichnis.     

The Metabolism of Serum Proteins in Neonatal Rabbits

1. Incorporation of S³⁵-labeled amino acids into serum proteins has been studied in neonatal and developing rabbits. It was found that, per unit weight, neonatal rabbits synthesized only about 1/36 of the gamma globulin, 1/7 of the beta globulin, ½ of the alpha globulin, and ⅛ of the albumin that an adult synthesized. The growing rabbit developed the ability to synthesize various serum proteins at different times. 2. Plasma volumes and serum protein concentrations were determined at different times during the growth period of the rabbit. Plasma volumes were found to be 1 and ½ times larger in newborn animals than in adults, with a gradual decline to the adult level. The total serum protein concentration at birth was about 60 to 65 per cent of the adult value and gradually increased with growth as the plasma volume decreased. 3. Half-lives of homologous albumin and gamma globulin were studied. The half-life of albumin in neonates was nearly twice as long as the half-life in adults, the latter value being reached at 1 month of age. The half-life of gamma globulin in neonates was more than twice as long as the half-life in adults and reached adult values at 2 to 3 months. 4. Attempts were made to alter serum protein metabolism. Gamma globulin synthesis early in life was augmented with antigen injections.     

Effect of Drying on Unexposed Autoradiographic Emulsion in Relation to Background

Unexposed blanks prepared from Kodak AR 10 stripping film were dried by 3 methods: (1) fast, open drying with a fan for 25 min, (2) slow drying in a desiccator for 6 hr, and (3) very slow drying in a desiccator for 24 hr. The number of background grains depended on the mode of drying. Fast drying (method 1) gave 0.7 grain per 100 μ², slow drying (method 2) gave 0.33 grain; very slow drying (method 3), only 0.17 grain. The increase of background after fast drying is assumed to be caused by the rapid shrinkage of wet emulsion. This causes an increase in the intraemulsion pressure which, in turn, sensitizes the silver bromide crystals to cause an increase in the number of developable grains.     

The pectinolytic enzyme of Selenomonas ruminantium

A cell-bound pectinolytic enzyme was isolated from cells of Selenomonas ruminantium and purified about 360-fold. The optimum pH and temperature for enzyme activity was 7.0 and 40°. The enzyme degraded polymeric substrates by hydrolysis of digalacturonic acid units from the non-reducing end; the best substrate was nona-galacturonic acid. Unsaturated trigalacturonate was also degraded, but 30% slower than the saturated analogue. The enzyme was classified as a poly (1,4-aP-D-galactosiduronate) digalacturono-hydrolase; EC 3.2.1.82. Another enzyme, hydrolysing digalacturonic acid to monomers, was also produced in a very small amount by this organism.     

Effects of Solar Radiation on Photoorientation,Motility and Pigmentation in a Freshwater Cryptomonas

The effects of solar radiation on motility, photoorientation and pigmentation have been studied in a freshwater Cryptomonas species. The diaphototactic orientation performed by the cells is impaired within about 90 min of solar radiation. Likewise, the percentage of motile cells within the population and the average velocity of the swimming cells decreases within about the same exposure time. This effect is not due to a thermal stress but rather seems to be caused by the solar UV-B component, since decreasing short wavelength UV radiation by means of an artificial ozone filter or UV cut-off filters increased the tolerated exposure time. Solar radiation also bleached the photosynthetic pigments of the cells as shown by absorption difference spectra.