Mechanism of transient inhibition of DNA synthesis in ultraviolet-irradiated E. coli: inhibition is independent of recA whilst recovery requires RecA protein itself and an additional, inducible SOS function

Summary The mechanism of the inhibition and of the recovery of DNA synthesis in E. coli following UV-irradiation was analysed in several mutants defective in repair or in the regulation of the RecA-LexA dependent SOS response. Several lines of evidence indicated that inhibition is not an inducible function and is probably due to the direct effect of lesions in the template blocking replisome movement.Recovery of DNA synthesis after UV was largely unaffected by mutations in the uvrA, recB or umuC genes. Resumption of DNA synthesis does however require protein synthesis and the regulatory action of recA. Experiments with a recA constitutive mutant and recA 200 (temperature sensitive RecA) demonstrated that RecA protein itself is directly required but is not sufficient for recovery of DNA synthesis. We therefore propose that recovery of DNA synthesis depends upon the concerted activity of RecA and the synthesis of an inducible Irr (induced replisome reactivation) factor under RecA control. We suggest that the mechanism of recovery involves the action of Irr and RecA to promote movement of replisomes past non-instructive lesions, uncoupled from polymerisation and/or that Irr and RecA are required to promote re-initiation of a stalled replication complex downstream of a UV-lesion subsequent to such an uncoupling step.     

Quadriacanthus aegypticus n. sp., a monogenean gill parasite from the Egyptian teleost Clarias lazera

Summary Quadriacanthus aegypticus n. sp., a monogenean from the gills of Clarias lazera inhabiting Nile delta waters in Egypt, is described. The genus Quadriacanthus Paperna, 1961 is reported for the first time in Egypt. Particular attention has been paid to the reproductive system, the digestive system, the anterior adhesive glands, the posterior body glands and haptoral sclerites. Possible functions of the different internal organs are discussed. The diagnosis of the genus Quadriacanthus is emended. ac]19840926     

Design and operation of a simple continuous-culture apparatus

A versatile and simple continuous-culture apparatus is described. With this apparatus, independent control of limiting growth factors and other nutrilites is possible and the conditions of each experiment are reproducible. In view of the synchronized speed of the feeder syringes, flow variation troubles are not encountered. The device allows the performance of growth experiments at different dilution rates simultaneously in a single run which makes the comparison of the results more reliable. The operation of the device has been tested successfully with a study of adenine deaminase induction in yeast.     

Increases in cytokinin levels in Scots pine in relation to chilling and bud burst

Levels of isopentenyladenosine and zeatin riboside were monitored in buds and needles of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings grown under controlled climatic conditions and in field-grown trees. Extracts were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Cytokinin levels were quantified with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cytokinin content was low in buds and needles of dormant seedlings but increased during dormancy release, reaching peak values in buds just before resumption of shoot growth. Samples collected in the field also showed a marked increase in the levels of cytokinins just prior to bud burst. Further, the biological activity of applied cytokinins in activating the dormant buds of Scots pine is shown. The results indicate a probable role of cytokinins in seedlings during dormancy release.     

The role of infectious agents in sudden infant death syndrome

Abstract Epidemiological factors associated with susceptibility to respiratory infections are similar to those associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Here we review the evidence that respiratory pathogens might be involved in some cases of Sudden Infact Death Syndrome in the context of factors identified in epidemiological studies of cot deaths: the age range affected; mother's smoking; respiratory viral infections; immunisation status. Both laboratory and epidimiological evidence suggests that vulnerability of infants to infectious agents depends on interactions between genetic, developmental and environmental factors that contribute to colonisation by microorganisms, the inflammatory and specific immune responses and the infants' physiological responses to inflammatory mediators. A model is proposed to explain how microorganisms might trigger a series of events resulting in some of these unexpected deaths and discusses how the present recommendations regarding child care practices might help reduce the numbers of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases associated with infectious agents.     

N NMR studies of the binding of CN with gold(I) drugs

¹⁵N NMR studies of the interaction of ¹⁵N cyanide ion with gold(I)-thiomalate (Autm) and gold(I)-thioglucose (Autg) have been carried out at pH* 7.40. The chemical shifts of the two ¹⁵N ions containing species Au(C¹⁵N)₂⁻ and RS-Au-C¹⁵N⁻ (where RS⁻ = tm⁻ or tg⁻) were identified at 265.94 and 260.30 ppm, respectively. From the broadened ¹⁵N NMR signals, approximate life times of the RS-Au-CN⁻ species were calculated.     

Xcp-mediated protein secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: identification of two additional genes and evidence for regulation of xcp gene expression

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, several exoproteins synthesized with a signal sequence (elastase, lipase, phospholipases, alkaline phosphatase and exotoxin A) are secreted by a two-step mechanism. They first cross the inner membrane in a signal sequence-dependent way, and are further translocated across the outer membrane in a second step requiring secretion functions encoded by several xcp genes. Ten xcp genes have already been characterized (Bally et al., 1992a). In this study, two additional xcp genes, xcpP and xcpQ, are described. They are located in the 40 min region of the chromosome where they probably define an operon, divergent from the xcpR–Z operon previously characterized in this region. These two genes encode two proteins, XcpP and XcpQ, similar to PulC and PulD of the pul system of Klebsiella oxytoca. Moreover, the two divergent operons share a common regulation which is growth-phase dependent.     

Composition and Chemical Variability of the Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Cladanthus scariosus,an Endemic Species to the Moroccan High Atlas

Cladanthus scariosus (Ball) Oberpr. & Vogt is endemic to Moroccan High Atlas. It is known under the vernacular names Irezghi or Irezgui. Three essential oil samples have been isolated from aerial parts and analyzed by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques [gas chromatography (GC) in combination with retention indices (RI), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy]. The compositions of oil samples were dominated by monoterpenes: α-pinene sabinene, and terpinen-4-ol. Chamazulene and dihydrochamazulene isomers as well as various hemiterpene esters and analogs have been identified. To evidence a chemical variability, statistical analysis performed on 13 oil sample compositions allowed partitioning into three groups, mainly differentiated by their contents of sabinene, camphor, borneol, terpinen-4-ol, and germacrene D.     

Examination through a principal component analysis of the phosphorus exchanges between sediments and water in trophically different reservoirs

Phosphorus exchange at the sediment-water interface coupled with several parameters were assessed in several reservoirs with geologically different catchment basins and different trophic status in Morocco and France.The results showed that these exchanges were regulated by a combination of factors: physical chemical variability of the environment, the geological composition of catchment basins and the trophic status of the lake.In the hypereutrophic Villerest, iron-bound phosphorus is the major form of phosphorus trapped by the sediment whereas, in Moroccan reservoirs, calcium-bound phosphorus prevailed.We suggest that a drastic control of phosphorus inputs into the waters must be done through a large program of dephosphatization of tributaries to avoid Microcystis aeruginosa bloom formation in Villerest (Aleya et al., 1993) and calcium-bound phosphorus dissociation in Moroccan reservoirs with upward release of bioavailable phosphorus.

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Résumé Les échanges de phosphore au niveau de l'interface eau-sédiment couplés á la distribution temporelle de divers éléments chimiques et biologiques ont été étudiés dans divers réservoirs de niveaux trophiques différents, au Maroc et en France.Nos résultats mettent clairement en évidence une influence directe de l'environnement physico-chimique, de la nature géologique des bassins versants et de l'état trophique du lac sur la dynamique du phosphore au sein de cette interface.De plus, il apparait que dans le lac hypereutrophe de Villerest (Roanne, France), le phosphore est majoritairement complexé au fer alors que dans les retenues marocaines, ce sont les complexes phosphore-calcium qui prédominent.Nous préconisons un contrôle drastique des apports en phosphore á travers l'installation et la multiplication d'unités de déphosphatation afin d'éviter d'une part, la prolifération massive de la Cyanobactérie Microcystis aeruginosa á Villetest (Aleya et al., 1994) et d'autre part la dissociation des complexes phhosphore-calcium au sein des retenues marocaines avec libération de phosphore biodisponible.