Morphological changes and induced sporulation in HmBR transformants ofCochliobolus lunatus

The phenomena following the transformation of the fungusCochliobolus lunatus by plasmid-encoded HmB resistance were investigated. All of the 16 tested transformants had markedly altered morphology. Unlike the untransformed fungus, the transformants produced both conidia and arthrospores, did not excrete slime, lost their purple color, and had an altered progesterone-bioconverting pathway.     

Metabolism of semisynthetic single-chain GM1 derivatives in cerebellar granule cells in culture

Semisynthetic single-chain GM1 derivatives containing N-acetyl-sphingosine (LIGA4) or N-dichloroacetyl-sphingosine (LIGA20) were recently reported to exert strong protection against glutamate-induced neuronal death in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying the evoked effect requires knowledge of the metabolic fate of such molecules in the same cultured cells. For this, LIGA4 and LIGA20 were made radioactive on the long chain base moiety and added to cerebellar granule cells in culture in parallel with GM1 ganglioside. The metabolic fate was then investigated. It was found that both these molecules were easily taken up by the cells and promptly metabolized in a fashion qualitatively similar to that of control GM1. The highest amount processed was attributed to the different aggregation properties of LIGAs in solution. Among metabolites, higher accumulation of the single-chain ceramide residues was found after LIGA administration. Interestingly, sphingomyelin was generated, regardless the added compound, suggesting a recycling of the free long chain base.     

A new synaptic anomaly: irregular synaptonemal complexes

Summary In this paper we describe a new synaptic anomaly characterized by the presence of irregular synaptonemal complexes (SCs) in two sterile patients.     

Activation of human ribosomal genes by 5-azacytidine

Cultured human fibroblasts were exposed to 5-azacytidine which inhibits methylation of newly synthesized DNA. A significant increase in the mean number of Ag-stained active nucleolus organizers has been observed in treated cells. This suggests that DNA methylation is involved in modulation of human rRNA synthesis.     

High resolution studies on the pattern of induced exchanges in the human karyotype

The pattern of breakage and exchange induced by X-irradiation of human lymphocytes at G₁ has been analysed in PHA transformed cultures at X₁ metaphase in cells treated with trypsin. All the events observed occurred in interband segments. Moreover, as far as the autosomes were concerned, these events appear to be at random in relation to trypsin interband length but give some indication of non-randomness when total chromosome length is considered. The X and Y chromosomes, on the other hand, show far fewer breaks than would be expected whichever criterion is adopted, and in particular appear to be isolated from the autosomes with respect to the occurrence of exchange events. — The analysis of specific break points in relation to trypsin banding sequences, makes it clear that conclusions regarding chromosome rearrangements based solely on conventional preparations may be misleading.     

First human isolate of Leptospira interrogans as serovar bratislava in Italy

Abstract A strain of Leptospira interrogans was isolated from a patient suffering from leptospirosis and was typed by the Gross Agglutination Absorption test using monoclonal antibodies prepared against different serovars of the Australis serogroup. This newly isolated strain belonged to serovar bratislava . It is the first reported isolation from man, in Italy, of Leptospira bratislava , thus supporting the emerging role of this serovar in human leptospirosis.     

Neurofibromatosis type 2 appears to be a genetically homogeneous disease

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by the development of vestibular schwannomas and other tumors of the nervous system, including cranial and spinal meningiomas, schwannomas, and ependymomas. The presence of bilateral vestibular schwannomas is sufficient for the diagnosis. Skin manifestations are less common than in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; von Recklinghausen disease). The apparent clinical distinction between NF1 and NF2 has been confirmed at the level of the gene locus by linkage studies; the gene for NF1 maps to chromosome 17, whereas the gene for NF2 has been assigned (in a single family) to chromosome 22. To increase the precision of the genetic mapping of NF2 and to determine whether additional susceptibility loci exist, we have performed linkage analysis on 12 families with NF2 by using four polymorphic markers from chromosome 22 and a marker at the NF1 locus on chromosome 17. Our results confirm the assignment of the gene for NF2 to chromosome 22 and do not support the hypothesis of genetic heterogeneity. We believe that chromosome 22 markers can now be used for presymptomatic diagnosis in selected families. The NF2 gene is tightly linked to the D22S32 locus (maximum lod score 4.12; recombination fraction 0). A CA-repeat polymorphism at the CRYB2 locus was the most informative marker in our families (lod score 5.99), but because the observed recombination fraction between NF2 and CRYB2 was 10 cM, predictions using this marker will need to be interpreted with caution.