B2-like repetitive sequence from the X Chromosome of the American mink (Mustela vison)

In analysis of the repeats from the mink X Chromosome (Chr), we have identified a B2-like repetitive sequence of 195 base pairs (bp) flanked by short direct repeats of 14 bp. It contains regions homologous to the split intragenic RNA polymerase III promoter and a 3 A-rich region followed by an oligo(dA) sequence. A feature of the repeat is the presence of a perfect polypyrimidine tract 22 bp in length absent from the known Alu- and Alu-like sequences. Alignment of the mink B2-like sequence and mouse B2-consensus sequence allowed us to estimate their similarity as 55%. The repeat is present in 1–2×10⁵ copies per mink genome and 2–4×10³ copies per X Chr. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated a similar distribution pattern of the B2-like repeat along the length of all the mink chromosomes including the X. We also observed the presence of mink B2-like hybridizable sequence in the genomes of other Carnivora species.The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to EMBL Data Library and have been assigned the accession number X52381 (MVB2RPT).     

Introduction into the ecosystem of the North Sea: Hydrography,biota, and food web relationships

The North Sea, one of the most productive of the earth's seas and oceans, is also surrounded by some of earth's most densely populated and heavily industrialized regions. A growing number of signals are being received which indicate that this valuable ecosystem is increasingly under stress. This has generated a corresponding increase in concern over the steps to be taken to protect the North Sea. While there are divergent views on what constitutes an ‘ideal’ North Sea, there is a general recognition that any decisions that are made should be based on a good understanding of this ecosystem. The intention of this paper is to give an overview of what is presently known, and to identify areas where more studies are needed. A brief summary of the hydrography and the biota of the North Sea is given. Biotic and abiotic structure justify partitioning the North Sea into three ecologically different regions: southern, central, and northern. For the most part, neither the top predators,e.g. marine birds and mammals, nor the macroalgae and sea grasses are included in this overview.     

Flavin-photosensitized oxidation of reduced c-type cytochromes. Reaction mechanism and comparison with photoreduction of oxidized cytochromes by flavin semiquinones

In order to compare the oxidation and reduction reactions of c-type cytochromes (cytochrome c552 from the green alga Monoraphidium braunii and horse heart cytochrome c) by different flavins (lumiflavin, riboflavin and FMN), laser flash photolysis studies have been carried out using either reduced or oxidized protein in the presence of triplet or semiquinone flavin, respectively. The reaction kinetics clearly demonstrate that cytochrome oxidation is mediated by the flavin triplet state. The rate constants for reduction are 20-100 times smaller than those for oxidation, indicating that the triplet state is a more effective reactant than is the semiquinone. This is attributed to its excited state nature and correspondingly high free energy content. The rate constants for both the reduction and oxidation of cytochrome c552 by riboflavin are significantly smaller than those obtained with lumiflavin, suggesting a steric interference of the ribityl side chain in the flavin-cytochrome interaction. The comparison between oxidation and reduction indicates that the former process is less affected by steric hindrance than the latter. Both reduction and oxidation of cytochrome c552 by FMN show an ionic strength dependence with the same sign, consistent with a negatively charged reaction site on the cytochrome. The magnitude of the electrostatic effect is slightly smaller for reduction than it is for oxidation. A pattern quite similar to that observed with cytochrome c552 was obtained when parallel experiments were carried out with horse cytochrome c, although differences were observed in the steric and electrostatic properties of the electron transfer site(s) in these two cytochromes. These results suggest that the same or closely adjacent sites on the proteins are involved in the oxidation and reduction reactions. The biochemical implications of this are discussed.     

Positive residues involved in the voltage-gating of the mitochondrial porin-channel are localized in the external moiety of the pore.

The role of positive charges located on the hydrophilic surface of the mitochondrial outer membrane channel was investigated by studying the interaction between LDAO-solubilized porin and a cation-exchanger column. The binding of porin to the column material was inhibited when the elution buffer had a pH of 9 or when 2 mM dextran sulfate was added to the buffer at neutral pH. Interestingly, the addition of a synthetic copolymer of methacrylate, maleate and styrene known as a potent modulator of the voltage-dependence, did not influence the interaction between column material and porin. Incubation of porin with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) resulted in the isolation of a porin fraction in which on average two lysines located on the surface of the pore-forming complex per 35 kDa polypeptide were modified. The voltage-dependence of the fluorescein isothiocyanate modified porin was strongly decreased as compared with the unmodified porin. The experiments presented here give the first biochemical evidence that positively charged lysine residues located on the surface of the channel-forming complex are responsible for the gating of the mitochondrial porin-channel.     

On predatory tendencies in the feeding ecology of the fairy shrimp Streptocephalus proboscideus (Frauenfeld, 1873) (Crustacea: Anostraca)

The feeding habits of the filter-feeding fairy shrimp Streptocephalus proboscideus are documented experimentally by offering them ciliates, Volvox, rotifers, nematodes and small crustaceans as prey. Escape capabilities (e.g. swimming speed) rather than size or shape were found to determine these animals' vulnerability to predation by the fairy shrimp. Ingestion rates for Volvox increased hyperbolically with size and, at the high temperatures in which they live, fairy shrimps may daily remove the equivalent of their body weight from the environment.