Sulphydryl and Disulphide Levels in Protein Fractions from Hydrated and Dry Leaves of Resurrection Plants

Significant changes in sulphydryl (‘SH’) and disulphide(‘SS’) levels during air-drying in leaves of ‘resurrection’plants (whose protoplasm survives dehydration) stemmed mainlyfrom protein turnover effects. No significant changes were foundin the SH, SS levels in leaves of the desiccation sensitivespecies Sporobolus pyramidalis following air-drying. The three tolerant species studied differed in the directionof change. Some data were consistent with Levitt's SH, SS hypothesis:increases in protein-SS levels in Sporobolus stapfianus (desiccationtolerant) were consistent with a stabilization of new proteinby SS bonds; lower reactivity of protein-SH in the tolerantspecies Talbotia elegans (which on the other hand has decreasedprotein-SS) is consistent with a second mechanism of decreasingprotein denaturation proposed in Levitt's hypothesis. Evidence of some conversion of SH to SS in the soluble proteinsof Xerophyta viscosa (a tolerant species) would on Levitt'shypothesis indicate an injurious process. Some degree of proteindenaturation might be indicated by partial inactivation of thesoluble enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase in this species,and loss of some soluble isoenzymes (peroxidase and alkalinephosphatase). An apparent lack of SH conversion to SS in thesensitive species Sporobolus pyramidalis was not consistentwith the SH, SS hypothesis. Resurrection plants, Sporobolus pyramidalis, Sporobolus stapfianus, Talbotia elegans, Xerophyta viscosa, drought resistance, desiccation tolerance, protein turnover, sulphydryl groups     

Genetic mapping of the G101 bacteriophage (Pseudomonas aeuruginosa by temperature-sensitive mutations

Temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations of the G101 phage were isolated after mutagenesis with hydroxylamine. A complementation analysis of 61ts mutants showed that these mutants may be divided into at least 12 complementation groups. Twots mutants probably originated in genes which control lytic functions of the G101 phage. It was shown by three factor crosses that all of the 12ts mutations tested are localized on that side of the “c” region where the probablecI repressor gene is positioned. Sevents mutations is closely linked to thecI ₂₆ clear marker, three exhibit a closer linkage and two do not exhibit any linkage withcI. All mutations isolated until now can be arrange linearly. According to the present knowledge the preliminary genetic map of the G101 phage is linear.     

An inexpensive photosynthetic irradiance sensor for ecological field studies

The design and characteristics of inexpensive and simply constructed equal-energy response photosynthetic irradiance sensors is described for use particularly where several cells are required in comparative ecological studies either above or below water. The dimensions of the sensors can be changed proportionally to suit different applications or components. The response of the sensor to irradiance at varying angles corresponds very closely to that required by the cosine law. The sensor is comparatively insensitive to other environmental variables in field use and gave a stable output; the long term drift was proportional to electrical output but in continuous use, drift is regular and could reach -0.08 year^-1 of the total. The spectral range and cosine response is discussed in comparison to other more expensive (x 5–10) commercially available, sensors and to local standards.     

Polyphyly of Asian Tree Toads,Genus Pedostibes Günther, 1876 (Anura: Bufonidae), and the Description of a New Genus from Southeast Asia

The Asian Tree Toad genus Pedostibes, as currently understood, exhibits a conspicuously disjunct distribution, posing several immediate questions relating to the biogeography and taxonomy of this poorly known group. The type species, P. tuberculosus and P. kempi, are known only from India, whereas P. hosii, P. rugosus, and P. everetti are restricted to Southeast Asia. Several studies have shown that these allopatric groups are polyphyletic, with the Indian Pedostibes embedded within a primarily South Asian clade of toads, containing the genera Adenomus, Xanthophryne, and Duttaphrynus. Southeast Asian Pedostibes on the other hand, are nested within a Southeast Asian clade, which is the sister lineage to the Southeast Asian river toad genus Phrynoidis. We demonstrate that Indian and Southeast Asian Pedostibes are not only allopatric and polyphyletic, but also exhibit significant differences in morphology and reproductive mode, indicating that the Southeast Asian species’ are not congeneric with the true Pedostibes of India. As a taxonomic solution, we describe a new genus, Rentapia gen. nov. to accommodate the Southeast Asian species.     

Suppression of A-type potassium current in pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus, induced by pinacidil and its fluorine derivatives

With the use of a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration, we studied the effects of pinacidil and its fluorine derivatives on A-type potassium current (I _A) through the membrane of pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus. Hydrogen peroxide (10 mM) exerted no influence on the rate of inactivation ofI _A; therefore, this current is probably mediated by Shal Kv4.2 potassium channels. Pinacidil demonstrated the properties of a weakI _A blocker: in the 500 μM concentration it blocked about 45% of the current, while 50 μM of pinacidil fluorine derivatives were capable of blocking up to 30% ofI _A. The effects of pinacidil and its derivatives showed no dependence on the stimulating potential. A similar pattern of the effects of pinacidil fluorine derivatives, which are an order of magnitude stronger than those of pinacidil itself, allows us to suppose that the imine nitrogen of the tested compounds is significantly more involved in the molecular interaction with the site of an A-type potassium channel than the pyridine nitrogen.     

Inhibition of Membrane-Active Peptides by Fatty Acid–Peptide Hybrids

Nine fatty acid–peptide hybrid molecules were constructed using the general formula CH₃(CH₂) _n CO-Phe Asp Cys-amide and tested for their ability to inhibit cell lysis induced by the membrane-active peptide melittin. All of these molecules, where n = 4–14, inhibited the action of melittin to some extent, but the longer carbon chains were most effective. Several potential inhibitors were also constructed with conservative substitutions in the peptide portion of the molecule. All were effective to varying degrees. We concluded that in the hexapeptide inhibitor published by Blondelle et al. (1993), the role of the first three residues is only to provide hydrophobic interaction with the melittin and has no particular amino acid sequence specificity. Some of these inhibitors were found to inhibit the lytic activity of a melittin analogue which had only superficial sequence similarity to melittin and also a truncated form of melittin, indicating the generality of the action of the inhibitors.Deceased 5/4/98     

Alpine SteinadlerAquila chrysaetos durch Bleivergiftung gef?hrdet?

In 1990 and 1994, two males of Golden Eagles were found with small lead particles in their stomachs. Both individuals died soon after they had been taken sitting on the soil in bad condition. There are some findings of dead eagles in the same area which showed no sign of having been injured. The two cases of presumed lead poisoning coincide with intense efforts to reduce the number of ChamoixRupicapra rupicapra by hunting. The bullets used contain a nucleus of lead and eagles were seen taking the entrails of the shot chamoix.