Stimulation by prostaglandin F2α of acidic glycosaminoglycan production in cultured fibroblasts

The effect of PGF2α on the synthesis of hexosamine-containing substances (acidic glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins) was studied in cultured fibroblasts derived from a rat carrageenin granuloma. Treatment with PGF2α ranging from 0.01 μg/ml to 20 μg/ml resulted in a significant increase of the production of these macromolecules by the cells. The stimulatory effect was found significant even at the low concentration of 10 ng/ml, and could be seen as early as 3h after exposure to PGF2α. The hexosamine-containing substances increased by PGF2α revealed that 80% of the increase was due to acidic glycosaminoglycans and the rest was due to glycoproteins.     

Brain 5-hydroxytryptamine level,metabolism, and binding in E1 mice

Inbred E1 mice are highly susceptible to convulsive seizures upon “throwing” stimulation. The strain is known to have an abnormal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism. In the study here 5-HT level, [¹⁴C]5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) metabolism, MAO activity and [³H]5-HT receptor binding were examined in the cortex, brainstem and cerebellum. In the interictal period cortical and brainstem 5-HT level and [³H]5-HT receptor binding were significantly lower. In the same period cortical biosynthesized [¹⁴C]5-HT from [¹⁴C]5-HTP taken up was higher, and MAO activity was not changed.L-DOPA with MK486 induced a low threshold of seizures and decreased cortical 5-HT level. Abnormally functioning 5-HT neurones may exist in the E1 mouse cortex.     

Comparative morphology and development of bony elements in the head region in three species of Japanese catfishes (Silurus: Siluridae; Siluriformes)

The shape and development of bony elements of the neurocranium and suspensorium were studied in three species of Japanese catfish (Silurus) from the viewpoint of comparative morphology. InS. asotus andS. biwaensis the order of appearance of the bony elements was similar, but the ossification of most elements was delayed inS. lithophilus. The neurocranium and Suspensorium of adultS. lithophilus retain juvenile features compared with the other two species. On the other hand, in the skull ofS. biwaensis the sagittal crest of the supraoccipital, the ridge of the pterotic, and the hyomandibular process are more developed than in the other two species.     

Nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for four subunits of cytochrome c oxidase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3

The gene coding for four subunits of cytochrome aa3-type oxidase was isolated from a genomic DNA library of the thermophilic bacterium PS3 and sequenced. The N-terminus of each subunit was also sequenced to verify the initiation site of the reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequences contained 615 amino acid residues for subunit I (CO1/caaB product), 333 residues for subunit II (CO2/caaA product), 207 residues for subunit III (CO3/caaC product), and 109 residues for subunit IV (CO4/caaD product) after processing. Re-examination of the sequencing of caa revealed a longer open reading frame for CO1, which contains 14 transmembrane segments instead of 12 [Sone et al. (1988) J. Biochem. 103, 606-610], although the main portions of the sequences constituting cytochrome a (FeA), cytochrome a3 (FeB), and CuB are correct. PS3 CO2 has an additional sequence for cytochrome c after the CuA binding protein portion with 2 transmembrane segments, which is homologous to the mitochondrial counterpart. PS3 CO3 has DCCD-binding glutamyl residues but contains only 5 transmembrane segments, unlike the mitochondrial counterpart, which has 7 segments. The subunits of PS3 cytochrome oxidase (aa3-type) show clear similarity in amino acid sequences with those of cytochrome bo-type oxidase from Escherichia coli as well, in spite of the difference of hemes. PS3 CO3 and CO4 are much more similar to E. coli CO3 and CO4 than to mitochondrial CO3 and CO4, respectively.     

Isolation and Characterization of a Filamentous Phage,Vf33, Specific for Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Phage Vf33, a filamentous phage about 1,400 nm long and 7 nm wide, specific for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, was isolated and characterized. The buoyant density of Vf33 in CsCl was 1.292 g/cm³. As with other filamentous phages, the lytic activity of Vf33 was resistant to heating below 80 C and to treatment with diethylether, acetone or methanol but sensitive to chloroform. The nucleic acid of this phage is single-stranded circular DNA 8.4 kb in size. The viral genome was converted to a double-stranded replicative form in the host cell. Among the strains tested, only V. parahaemolyticus strains possessing K38 antigen was sensitive to the phage.     

Taxonomic review of the lace bug genus Omoplax (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) endemic to “Oriental Galapagos” (the Ogasawara Islands,Japan) with the description of its new allied genus and species

In this study, we revise the lace bugs (family Tingidae) from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan (also known as the “Oriental Galapagos”). Three species belonging to two endemic genera are recognized: Acanthomoplax tomokunii gen. et sp. nov. , Omoplax desecta (Horváth, 1912), and O. majorcarinae Guilbert, 2001. A key to species is provided to facilitate the identification of Ogasawaran lace bugs.     

Host‐plant range expansion to Gymnocladus dioica by an introduced seed predatory beetle Megabruchidius dorsalis

A seed predatory beetle, Megabruchidius dorsalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) native to the Oriental region was first found to utilize a North American Gymnocladus dioica (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) in its introduced area in Central Europe. A maximum of three adult exit holes were found on a single seed. Host‐plants of the bruchine beetle have been reviewed from its native and introduced regions, including a host record of Gleditsia fera from Taiwan. Our review indicated the beetle's strict oligophagy on caesalpinioid Gleditsia species. On the contrary, our finding suggests that the beetle's host‐range extends to the caesalpinioid Umtiza clade. On the plant side, this study provides a counterexample to the enemy release hypothesis that predicts fewer predators/parasites in an organism's range of introduction than in their native range; Gy. dioica is attacked by the seed predator in its introduced region, whereas in its native range it is free from seed predators.     

TRIM37 prevents formation of condensate-organized ectopic spindle poles to ensure mitotic fidelity

Centrosomes are composed of a centriolar core surrounded by pericentriolar material that nucleates microtubules. The ubiquitin ligase TRIM37 localizes to centrosomes, but its centrosomal roles are not yet defined. We show that TRIM37 does not control centriole duplication, structure, or the ability of centrioles to form cilia but instead prevents assembly of an ectopic centrobin-scaffolded structured condensate that forms by budding off of centrosomes. In ∼25% of TRIM37-deficient cells, the condensate organizes an ectopic spindle pole, recruiting other centrosomal proteins and acquiring microtubule nucleation capacity during mitotic entry. Ectopic spindle pole–associated transient multipolarity and multipolar segregation in TRIM37-deficient cells are suppressed by removing centrobin, which interacts with and is ubiquitinated by TRIM37. Thus, TRIM37 ensures accurate chromosome segregation by preventing the formation of centrobin-scaffolded condensates that organize ectopic spindle poles. Mutations in TRIM37 cause the disorder mulibrey nanism, and patient-derived cells harbor centrobin condensate-organized ectopic poles, leading us to propose that chromosome missegregation is a pathological mechanism in this disorder.     

Impact of relative humidity and water availability on the life history of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is currently used as an efficient biological control agent of thrips, whiteflies and spider mites, which are economically damaging pests of ornamental plants and vegetable crops grown in greenhouses and fields worldwide. Currently, the effects of relative humidity (RH) and water availability on the optimal growth of A. swirskii are unknown. Here, we test the combined effects of different levels of RH (33%, 53%, 73% and 92%) and water availability on the development and reproduction of male and female A. swirskii feeding on the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus). While eggs failed to hatch at 33% RH, the survival rates of the immature stages at?≥?53% RH increased solely in response to water availability and not due to changes in RH. Regarding growth and development, low RH extended the egg–adult duration and pre-oviposition period. We also found that the negative effects of low RH on fecundity were partially or completely eliminated when drinking water was available. For the life table parameters, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R₀) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were achieved at the highest RH and when drinking water was available. Overall, water availability mitigated the negative effect of low RH on female reproduction, and female development was more sensitive to water availability than male development. Lastly, a comparison of similar research on A. swirskii suggested that water availability and RH are more influential on r than food source or temperature.

     

Production of Hydroxyl Radicals and α-dicarbonyl Compounds Associated with Amadori Compound-Cu 2+ Complex Degradation

The chemical properties of Amadori compounds in the presence of transition metal ions were studied, using the analogs 1-deoxy-1- n -butylamino- d -fructose (DBF) and N &#102 -formyl-fructoselysine (fFL). The following characteristics were revealed: (a) DBF combined easily with Cu 2+ (but no other transition metal ions) to form a DBF-Cu 2+ complex in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4; (b) the complex was unstable, and degraded with the release of Cu + during incubation at 37°C; (c) degradation of the complex was associated with the production of hydroxyl radicals by the Fenton reaction and &#102 -dicarbonyl compounds by non-autoxidative degradation; and (d) properties of DBF were similar to those of fFL. The above properties were additionally observed in glycated poly-Lys (GPL). Our findings indicate a novel mechanism for the generation of hydroxyl radicals and &#102 -dicarbonyl compounds from Amadori adducts in the presence of Cu 2+ .