Some effects of the induction of gametogenesis in the populations of the homothallic algaChlamydomonas geitleri Ettl

The induction of gametogenesis in the studied homothallic alga by the transfer to a nitrogen-Less medium leads to an adaptation of the cell population until a dynamic equilibrium is attained. Throughout the adaptation, the homeostatic forces regulating the number of the cells in the population assert themselves on the basis of internal nitrogen circulation. Part of the induced cells which perform no conjugation is probably destroyed by lysing, whereas the cells being just in the pre-Induction phase as well as those having passed the phase without being induced to gametes, continue their cycles by means of the released nitrogenous substances. The conditions which in some cells cause the induction of gametogenesis, produce a partial spontaneous synchronisation in other cells. The course of the cell cycles in parts of the culture may be determined according to the pulses of the increasing number of the zygotes within the whole cell population, if the cell cycles have run at a certain degree of synchrony. The culture conditions which induce gametogenesis cause a quick decrease of the biosyntheses of the RNAs while the biosyntheses of the DNAs are almost maintained at the original level. During the dynamic equilibrium of the population, the average content of the RNAs per cell remains very low, whereas the average content of the DNAs per cell virtually does not change (compared with the original state).     

Transport properties of two extremely thermophilic species ofThermus

Thermus flavus and T. ruber grew optimally at 75 and 60 °C, respectively, but transport of monosaccharides (D-quinovose) and ammo acids (2-aminoisobutyric acid) had optima about 20 °C lower. Both transports were active, inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol but hardly at all by uranyl(2+) ions. Several transport systems are apparently involved with each class of compounds. Preincubation with glucose curtailed subsequent transport severely. Practical cessation of transport below 35 °C may be associated with the rather uniform composition of membrane lipids where iso- and anteiso-C₁₅ and C₁₇ acids are practically the only components.     

The effect of quaternary ammonium compounds and amine oxides on spores of bacillus cereus

The effect of 1-dodecylpiperidine 1-oxide and N,N’-bis(dodecyldimethyl)-1,2-ethane diammonium dibromide on the spores ofBacillus cereus. particularly their binding to intact spores and spores with reduced cystine bonds, was investigated. The Langmuir type of binding is involved in both cases. Both compounds decreased the thermoresistance of spores. DPNO decreased the fraction of non-germinating spores, the effect of the drug increasing with increasing concentration. This phenomenon was associated with a faster release of dipicolinic acid to the medium. Only microgermination proceeded in the presence of BDED and dipicolinic acid was released only in substantially lower amounts. Both compounds also influenced respiration.     

The decreasedin vitro chemotactic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of newborns and infants

Using Boyden's technique, a statistically significant decrease in the chemotactic activity of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes was found during the early postnatal period, i.e. in the cord blood and in blood of newborns within the first 10-15 d of life after stimulation of cells with both zymosan-activated adult serum (ZAS) and with an abacterial filtrate of Escherichia coli broth culture (ECF). After this period, the responsiveness of leukocytes to both chemotactic agents increased and remained at the same level during the whole observation period, i.e. up to the age of 6 months. Nevertheless even then it did not reach fully the responsiveness of the leukocytes of mothers and pregnant women. Zymosan-activated serum was shown to be a more potent chemotactic stimulus to leukocytes of infants as compared to the E. coli filtrate.     

Effect of soil microstructure on the relationship between the intensity of nitrification and soil moisture

The relationship between the logarithm of nitrification intensity and moisture (expressed as pF) did not have an ideal linear course in structural soils in which pores of a certain size predominated. When increasing the incubation moisture it could be observed that the intensity of nitrification decreases at pF 3.5-4.4 and increases again on further increasing the incubation moisture. The detected anomaly was observed when applying moistures corresponding to peaks of derivation pF-curves. It can be assumed that the relationship between the intensity of nitrification and moisture is modified by soil microstructure; therefore, this relationship was studied in more detail in the present communication.     

Sensitization of three strains of chlorococcal algae for UV- effects by 5- bromodeoxyuridine

The sensitization of chlorococcal algae by 5-BdU for the purpose of UV-light mutagenesis was studied. The results obtained were compared with our earlier findings on the sensitization of the same algal strains by 5-BU. No shielding effect of the 5-BdU molecules against UV-light was observed. Probably, the uptake of them from the liquid medium did not result in such excess as compared with the treatment by 5-BU, even if the cells were long enough (24 h) exposed to the concentration of 5-BdU. Likewise, neither stimulating nor inhibiting growth effects on the growing cell colonies were observed after treatment with 5-BdU. The sensitization of the algal cells for UV-light effects was effective in all the experiments. An increased damage of the algal cells by UV-light after sensitization was proved in all the parameters recorded. The frequencies of permanent changes of the cells or their colonies were also increased, but their spectrum did not change significantly. A suitable combination of the 5-BdU sensitization of the cells before their influencing by UV-light and the induction of their repair mechanisms by visible light may decrease the frequencies of the lethal or sublethal damage and increase the frequencies of the useful permanent changes in the characteristics of the chlorococcal algae. The results obtained are discussed from the viewpoint of the regulated mutation process in the breeding of algae.     

Origin of sclerotia-like cells in submerged Claviceps purpurea producing clavine alkaloids

Ultrathin sectioning of submerged mycelium of Claviceps purpurea Tul. producing clavine alkaloids revealed yeast-like budding resulting in asexual sporesblastospores. These deciduous spores were born by extended hyphal cells and retained the same ultrastructure of cell organelles. Both the extended hyphae and the blastospores resembled the cells of ergot sclerotial tissue. A surface culture of C. purpurea Tul. producing no alkaloids was used as a reference.     

Biochemical dehydrogenations of saccharides

Fermentation of a medium containing 5% 2-deoxy-D-glucose and barium carbonate by a strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosa yielded barium 2-deoxy-d-gluconate. The yield was 77% theoretical. The strain in question makes it possible to prepare directly calcium, magnesium, manganese and ferrous salts of 2-deoxy-d-glueonic acid. A treatment of 6% solution of 2-deoxy-d-glucose with commercial glucose oxidase preparation caused also a complete dehydrogenation.