An efficient micropropagation system for Tylophora indica: an endangered, medicinally important plant

An efficient protocol is described for the rapid in vitro multiplication of an endangered medicinal plant, Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill, via enhanced axillary bud proliferation from nodal explants collected from young shoots of a two-year-old plant. The physiological effects of growth regulators [6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin) thidiazuron (TDZ), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)], ascorbic acid (AA), different strengths of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and various pH levels on in vitro morphogenesis were investigated. The highest number (8.6 ± 0.71) of shoots and the maximum average shoot length (5.2 ± 0.31 cm) were recorded on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 μM BA, 0.5 μM NAA and 100 mg/l AA at pH 5.8. Rooting was best achieved on half-strength MS medium augmented with 0.5 μM IBA. The plantlets regenerated in vitro with well-developed shoot and roots were successfully established in pots containing garden soil and grown in a greenhouse with a 90% survival rate. The regenerated plants did not show any immediate detectable phenotypic variation. The described method can be successfully employed for large-scale multiplication and long-term in vitro conservation of T. indica.     

Effect of organophosphates on dopamine and muscarinic receptor binding in rat brain

The effect of Soman, Sarin and Vx, known potent cholinesterase inhibitors, on the binding of several neurotransmitter receptors in various regions of brain was studied. Vx, exhibited considerable inhibition of binding of 3H-N-methylscopolamine (3H-NMS) to muscarinic receptors and of 3H-spiperone to dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum. 3H-NMS binding was 50% inhibited at 10(-6)M and 90% at 10(-3)M Vx. Inhibition of 3H-spiperone binding by Vx in striatum had an ID50 of 10(-5)M. KD of the treatment was affected more than Bmax. Binding inhibition of both 3H-NMS and 3H-spiperone in post-mortem brain of rats pre-treated with Vx confirmed the specificity of the organophosphates effect, since other organophosphates and ligands failed to show any activity.     

Chromosomal mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae affecting the cell wall binding site for killer factor.

Fifty-two killer, factor-resistant, nuclear mutants were isolated from sensitive strains of yeast and assorted into three functional groups. All but one mutant owed their resistance to an alteration in the cell wall binding site for killer. In several mutant strains, an alteration at the site of killer binding was associated with a change in the susceptibility of the cell wall to degradation by glusulase. The killer-binding site could be inactivated by periodate but not by pronase treatment. The nature of the site is discussed.