Comparative reproductive patterns in culture of differentGigartina subgenusMastocarpus andPetrocelis populations from northern Japan

Samples of theGigartina pacifica-ochotensis complex were collected at 21 localities around Hokkaido and northern Honshu. The carpospore and blade tip cultures showed 3 reproductive patterns. (1) 237 (86.8%) of the 273 cultured isolates derived from single plants have a direct type of life history. (2) 29 (10.6%) isolates exhibited a heteromorphic type with the alternation of foliose gametophytes and crustose tetrasporophytes. (3) 7 (2.6%) isolates showed a mixed pattern in which carposporelings developed intoPetrocelis-like crusts, basal discs with uprightGigartina blades, or chimera-like discs with compositePetrocelis-Gigartina anatomy. CulturedGigartina blades derived from bothG. pacifica andG. ochotensis were similar in morphology. In 18 cultures from 5 localitiesPetrocelis tetraspores developed into dioeciousGigartina gametophytes. A single tetrasporeling grew into aGigartina plant that reproduced directly. In hybridization experiments with 8 male and 14 female isolates from 4 localities on Hokkaido 85 (78.0%) of 109 were positive. On the basis of these and earlier studies it is concluded that a single species is present in northern Japan:G. pacifica Kjellm. has priority overG. ochotensis (Rupr.) Rupr. ex Yendo.     

Ultrastructural localization of glycogen in the granulocytes of normal rabbit bone marrow.

The glycogen of rabbit granulocytes has been studied in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixed bone marrow by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate procedure (PA-TCH-SP). The PA-TCH-SP procedure involved the staining of intracytoplasmic glycogen more densely than the routine lead citrate staining. The PA-TCH-SP procedure demonstrated the intracytoplasmic glycogen in all three kinds of granulocytes. Though a sequence of intensity was observed in each stage of cell maturation, intracytoplasmic glycogen increased generally in accordance with cell maturation in the granulocytes. Functional significance of the glycogen in the granulocytes was discussed in relation to its staining. A very weak reaction in the granules of the granulocytes was described in relation to their contents.     

Ultrastructural localization of glycogen in the granulocytes of normal rabbit bone marrow

Summary The glycogen of rabbit granulocytes has been studied in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixed bone marrow by the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate procedure (PA-TCH-SP). The PA-TCH-SP procedure involved the staining of intracytoplasmic glycogen more densely than the routine lead citrate staining. The PA-TCH-SP procedure demonstrated the intracytoplasmic glycogen in all three kinds of granulocytes. Though a sequence of intensity was observed in each stage of cell maturation, intracytoplasmic glycogen increased generally in accordance with cell maturation in the granulocytes. Functional significance of the glycogen in the granulocytes was discussed in relation to its staining. A very weak reaction in the granules of the granulocytes was described in relation to their contents.     

Conformational transitions of the hydrophobic polyacids

The conformational transitions of the alternating maleic acid copolymers with styrene (MA-St)n, and alpha-methyl styrene (MA-MSt)(n) in aqueous solutions were studied by means of various methods. The following results were obtained: 1) The conformational transitions of (MA-St)n from the compact to extended coil form are observed in various salt solutions, as in aqueous NaCl, and the compact form is stabilized by Rb+ and Cs+, but destabilized by Li+. The coions, Br-, I-, ClO4- and SCN- affect scarcely the stability of the compact form. 2) The temperature coefficient of viscosity d In [eta]/dT of (MA-St)n in 0.09 M NaCl was positive for the compact form, but negative for the coil form, and it reflects the transition. 3) The difference between specific heats for the compact and coil forms of (MA-St)n in 0.03 M NaCl is determined to be about 15% of the corresponding heat of transfer of benzene to aqueous medium. 4) A remarkable dilution of the bound monomeric acridine orange to the compact form (MA-St)n is observed and the dimerization free energy of the dye in the compact form is about -2.1 kcal mole at 25 degrees C. 5) Potentiometric, dilatometric and viscometric titrations of (MA-MSt)n in aqueous NaCl at 25 degrees C show a similar conformational transition to that of (MA-St)n. Also, the difference in the molar extinction coefficient at 261 nm indicates the transition. The compact form of (MA-MSt)n is more unstable than that of (MA-St)n. From the results, the compact conformations and the transition mechanism of both the polyacids were discussed in comparison with the results for the maleic acid copolymers with n-alkyl vinyl ethers.     

(AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG) as the primordial sequence of intergenic spacers: the role in immunoglobulin class switch

The means employed for immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch appears to be no different from that by which meiotic intergenic crossing-overs at accomplished. As with other intergenic spacers, the 5' noncoding sequence of each Ig CH (immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region) gene apparently undergoes unconstrained sequence changes due to randomly sustained base substitutions, deletions, and duplications. Yet, there remains sufficient regional sequence homology between the Ig Cmu 5' noncoding sequence and those of its somatic recombination partners, e.g., Ig C gamma 1, Ig C gamma 2b, Ig C alpha, because each of these 5' noncoding sequences is made of multiple copies in various stages of degeneracy of one primordial 20 base pair-long sequence: (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (AGCTG) (GGGTG).     

Reduction by a model of NAD(P)H: XI. Stereochemistry of a lactate dehydrogenase-model reaction

Stereochemistry of the biomimetic reduction of α-keto esters with NAD(P)H-model compounds has been investigated. The model compound with the R-configuration reduces the α-keto esters to the (R)-α-hydroxy esters, whereas (S)-α-hydroxy esters are afforded by the reduction with the S-configurational model compounds. It has been concluded that pro-R and -S hydrogens of the model compounds with R- and S-configuration, respectively, contribute predominantly to the reduction.     

Trichoclin,a new furocoumarin from trichocline incana

The structure for trichoclin, (E)-8-(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyloxy)-psoralen, a new furocoumarin isolated from Trichocline incana, has been established. Phellopterin and isopimpinellin were also obtained. The new side chain of trichoclin was confirmed by synthesis.     

On the selective elimination of Y-bearing sperm

The potential use of antibodies that selectively recognize either X-bearing or Y-bearing sperm is self-evident. Thus our attention was directed to the fact that under optimal conditions, H-Y antibody lyses 50% of mouse spermatozoa. Accordingly, we asked whether expression of H-Y antigen is haploid in spermatozoa from XY male mice heterozygous for the autosomal dominantSxr gene, for if H-Y expression were haploid, H-Y antibody would be expected to kill 75% of spermatozoa derived from these XY,Sxr/- males. However, maximal lysis remained at the 50% level, which indicates that haploid expression of H-Y antigen and the potential immunoselection of Y-(or X-) bearing spermatozoa are unlikely.     

Effect of the removal of the COOH-terminal region of bacteriorhodopsin on its light-induced H+ changes.

Removal of the COOH-terminal region of bacteriorhodopsin by digestion with trypsin or papain reduces the yield of light-induced H+ release by 50-70%. The rate of H+ release is not affected significantly, but the half time of H+ uptake increases almost twofold. However, there is no effect on the photocycle of bacteriorhodopsin as judged by the yield and decay kinetics of the M412 photointermediate. The H+:M ratio in enzyme-digested membranes is approximately 0.4-0.8, whereas untreated membranes have a H+:M ratio of approximately 2. Purple membrane sheets stored in distilled water at 4 degrees C for prolonged periods also have a low H+:M ratio, probably due to protease activity associated with bacterial contamination. Electrophoresis on sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gels showed that both the enzyme-treated and the stored purple membrane samples have a higher electrophoretic mobility compared to the fresh preparation. The reduction in molecular weight can be accounted for by the loss of several residues from the COOH-terminal portion of the bacteriorhodopsin. We propose that the COOH-terminal region is partially responsible for the high yield of H+ release by the purple membrane.