The early stages of Ptenopsila Enderlein (Psocoptera,Caeciliidae)

All early stages of Ptenopsila, a characteristic psocid genus of southern South America, are described and features of taxonomic value are illustrated. Examination of early stages confirms the placement of this genus in the Caeciliidae.     

Routing of thylakoid lumen proteins by the chloroplast twin arginine transport pathway

Thylakoids are complex sub-organellar membrane systems whose role in photosynthesis makes them critical to life. Thylakoids require the coordinated expression of both nuclear- and plastid-encoded proteins to allow rapid response to changing environmental conditions. Transport of cytoplasmically synthesized proteins to thylakoids or the thylakoid lumen is complex; the process involves transport across up to three membrane systems with routing through three aqueous compartments. Protein transport in thylakoids is accomplished by conserved ancestral prokaryotic plasma membrane translocases containing novel adaptations for the sub-organellar location. This review focuses on the evolutionarily conserved chloroplast twin arginine transport (cpTat) pathway. An overview is provided of known aspects of the cpTat components, energy requirements, and mechanisms with a focus on recent discoveries. Some of the most exciting new studies have been in determining the structural architecture of the membrane complex involved in forming the point of passage for the precursor and binding features of the translocase components. The cpTat system is of particular interest because it transports folded protein domains using only the proton motive force for energy. The implications for mechanism of translocation by recent studies focusing on interactions between membrane Tat components and with the translocating precursor will be discussed.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone in three intersex conditions.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by embryonic testicular Sertoli cells, inhibits the development of Müllerian ducts in the male. An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for AMH was used to investigate three intersex infants. The AMH level was correlated with each patient's degree of Müllerian duct development. Complete inhibition of Müllerian structures correlated with the normal levels of AMH in the infant with testicular feminization. Detectable levels of AMH were found in the hermaphroditic infant; however, these low levels reflected Sertoli cell inadequacy of the ovotestis, which was documented by a right rudimentary Fallopian tube and a normal uterus. In the infant with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome, (PMDS), the normal Müllerian derivatives are compatible with 1) an AMH receptor defect; 2) a biologically and immunologically abnormal AMH molecule, or 3) a functional AMH deletion. The lack of detectable AMH in this infant excluded the AMH receptor abnormality and thus directed authors' search for the specific defect to the AMH gene. Thus, this ELISA for AMH is as valuable a tool to the molecular biologist studying a precise genetic error as it is to the physician making a precise clinical diagnosis.