Action Spectrum between 250 and 800 Nanometers for the Photoinduced Inhibition of Spore Germination in Pteris vittata

An action spectrum between 250 and 800 nm for the inhibitionof red-light-induced germination of spores in the fern Pterisvittata was determined on the Okazaki Large Spectrograph. Theresultant spectrum showed prominent peaks of effectiveness atabout 370, 440 and 730 nm and a minor peak in the neighborhoodof 260 nm. Next, a brief red light irradiation was given immediatelyafter the monochromatic irradiation to cancel the inhibitoryeffect caused by simultaneously formed P_R. This resulted ina complete disappearance of the peak at 730 nm and considerabledecrease of other peaks in the shorter wavelength region exceptat 260 nm. Further correction of the latter spectrum by consideringthe transmission spectrum of a spore coat revealed that 260nm light acted more effectively than lights of 370 and 440 nm.The inhibitory effect of UV light on spore germination was nullifiedby subsequent irradiation with red light for 24 h or darknessfor 48 h followed by a brief red irradiation, indicating thatthe inhibitory action of UV light was ascribable to a blue-ultraviolet light-absorbing pigment. ⁴Present address (KT) and permanent address (MF): Botany Department,Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo 113, Japan. (Received July 30, 1983; Accepted November 21, 1983)     

A frxC Homolog Exists in the Chloroplast DNAs from Various Pteridophytes and in Gymnosperms

Chloroplast DNAs (ctDNAs) from several pteridophytes were analysedby cross-hybridization with the liverwort frxC gene as probe.Hybridization signals were observed without exception, suggestingthe presence of the frxC gene in ctDNAs of non-flowering vascularplants as in liverwort. A frxC homolog was also identified intwo gymnosperms. (Received November 7, 1991; Accepted January 13, 1992)     

Mitogenic response of human and murine T lymphocytes to staphylococcal protein A: Not mediated by binding to cell surface immunoglobulins

Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) stimulates human lymphocytes more efficiently than murine lymphocytes. The subsets of lymphocytes responding to SpA were heterogeneous. In the subsets, cortisone resistant, low Thy 1,2, minor populations of murine thymocytes and mature peripheral T lymphocytes were predominantly stimulated by SpA. Though SpA stimulated cortisone-resistant thymocytes, further treatment of these cells with anti-mouse immunoglobulin sera and guinea pig complement failed to influence the mitogenic response to SpA. It seems likely that SpA contains a substance stimulating T lymphocytes, through binding to sites other than the surface immunoglobulins.     

Changes in Phytochrome Content during Imbibition in Spores of the Fern Lygodium japonicum

The phytochrome content was determined in intact fern sporesof Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. by difference spectrophotometry.The spectral characteristics thus estimated in spores whichhad been imbibed for 9 days in darkness were: far-red maximumat 730?2.5 nm, red maximum at 662?1.5 nm and isosbestic pointat 684.5?1.4 nm. A detectable amount of phytochrome first appearedafter 3 days of dark imbibition, and the level then increasedduring the rest of the imbibition period. On the 7th day, thephytochrome content leveled off. During the dark imbibitionperiod, the phytochrome was revealed to be in the P_R form. (Received February 22, 1982; Accepted July 9, 1982)     

Spore germination and phytochrome biosynthesis in the fern Lygodium japonicum as affected by gabaculine and cycloheximide

We investigated whether the gradual increase in phytochrome content in the fern Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. during dark imbibition results from hydration or from biosynthesis of phytochrome. Addition of gabaculine or cycloheximide to the culture medium caused inhibitions of both red light-induced spore germination and of the appearance of phytochrome in the spores. Fifty percent inhibition of both red light-induced germination and of the appearance of phytochrome in the spores occurred at ca 10⁻7 M cycloheximide. Red light-induced germination and phytochrome appearance were markedly inhibited by 10⁻4 M and completely by 10⁻3 M gabaculine, but germination induced by gibberellic acid was unaffected. Phytochrome was not detected in spores after forced hydration. These results suggest that the increase in phytochrome during imbibition was mainly due to de novo synthesis of the phytochrome apoprotein and to synthesis of the chromophore and/or proteins required for phytochrome formation, rather than to hydration of preexisting phytochrome molecules.