Comparative anatomic studies of the vomeronasal complex and the rostral palate of various mammals

The structures of the rostral palate in regard to the vomeronasal complex of different species of mammals were studied. In all cases, we find a very interesting system of furrows which preserves a connection between the nasopalatine ducts and the preoral surroundings. For rodents, lagomorphs, Solenodon, Setifer, and Echinops, we find a special situation in this part of the palate. Here the incisors are not separated by a diastema nor the oral openings of the nasopalatine ducts are overgrown by a bipartite caudal branch of the rhinarium. The results of the anatomic studies of the vomeronasal complex and the rostral palate of the mammals investigated are discussed: First of all, some elements of the vomeronasal complex needed to be analysed in regard to structure and nomenclature, specifically the cartilago paraseptalis with its outer bar, the cartilago ductus nasopalatini and the cartilago palatina. Because of 2 criterions, the vomeronasal complex could be classified as either primitive or progressive. We find a primitive one in Didelphis, Tupaia, Solenodon, Oryctolagus, and all rodents. In contrast, the other insectivores studied and all primates show progressive structures at their vomeronasal complex. Finally, conclusions in regard to the function of the organs of Jacobson are derived from these studies. The significance of the "flehmen" mechanism for the functioning of the organs is questioned.     

Peroxisomes in sebaceous glands. IV. Aggregates of tubular peroxisomes in the mouse Meibomian gland

The occurrence of peroxisomes, their morphogenesis during the process of sebaceous transformation and their spatial relationship to the endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets were investigated by light and electron microscopy after visualization of the peroxidatic activity of catalase using an alkaline diaminobenzidine medium. The morphological alterations of peroxisomes display a characteristic sequence: During cellular differentiation, a remarkable proliferation of exclusively tubular, diaminobenzidine-reactive peroxisomes occurs. As maturation proceeds, an extensive elongation of tubular peroxisomes is seen. Concomitantly, they are densely packed in a regular, hexagonal arrangement and both the diameter and the catalase content gradually decreases. The most conspicuous feature of mature glandular cells are numerous highly organized aggregates of tubular, almost unstained peroxisomes with a diameter of 50 nm, arranged in a hexagonal pattern. They resemble adjacent tubular profiles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. However, membrane continuities between these two compartments were never observed. During lethal disintegration peroxisomes subsequently decrease in number, probably by rapid sequestration within autophagolysosomes. The role of tubular peroxisomes in the biosynthesis of wax esters in the mouse Meibomian gland is discussed.     

Isolation of acid-resistant urinary trypsin inhibitors by high performance liquid chromatography and their characterization by N-terminal amino-acid sequence determination

Two crude fractions of acid-resistant trypsin inhibitors (apparent molecular masses 44 and 20 kDa, respectively) were prepared from human urine by gel permeation chromatography. From both preparations the pure inhibitors were isolated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their N-terminal amino-acid sequences were determined and compared with those of HI-30 and HI-14 as isolated by reversible binding to either immobilized trypsin or immobilized chymotrypsin. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the high-molecular mass inhibitor UI-I isolated by HPLC was identical with those of HI-30 and UI-C-I isolated via immobilized trypsin or chymotrypsin, respectively. The low-molecular mass inhibitors UI-II and UI-C-II differ from HI-14 by the N-terminal extension Glu-Val-Thr-Lys-when obtained by HPLC or by the extension Thr-Lys-when obtained via immobilized chymotrypsin, respectively. The comparison of these N-termini with the amino-acid sequence of HI-30 (Ala1-...-Val16-Thr-Glu-Val-Thr-Lys-HI-14) defines the low molecular urinary trypsin inhibitors as proteolytic degradation products of the high-molecular urinary inhibitor. Proteolysis may occur at different bonds. The existing discrepancies in molecular architecture and in molecular masses of the urinary trypsin inhibitors are discussed.     

Balanced hereditary polymorphism and the mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the populations of 17 countries of Europe. I. A correlation analysis

The correlation analysis of ratios between six polymorphic genetic systems (ABO, MNSs, Rh, Hp, Gm, HLA) and mortality from ishemic heart disease, brain vascular lesions, and hypertensive disease in 17 European populations has been made. A statistically significant correlation has been established between the populational frequency of most of the 50 phenotypes and genes under study, and mortality. The qualitative structure of correlations and their quantitative expression depend on the cause of death, age and sex. The possible mechanisms of relationship between the genetic populational differences and mortality from cardiovascular diseases are discussed.     

Alcaligenes eutrophus hydrogenase genes (Hox)

Mutants of Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 lacking catalytically active soluble hydrogenase (Hos-) grew very slowly lithoautotrophically with hydrogen. Mutants devoid of particulate hydrogenase activity (Hop-) were not affected in growth with hydrogen. The use of Hos- and Hop- mutants as donors of hydrogen-oxidizing ability in crosses with plasmid-free recipients impaired in both hydrogenases (Hox-) resulted in transconjugants which had inherited the plasmid and the phenotype of the donor. This indicates that the structural genes which code for the hydrogenases reside on plasmid pHG1. The Hox function of one class of Hox- mutants could not be restored by conjugation. These mutants exhibited a pleiotropic phenotype since they were unable to grow with hydrogen and also failed to grow heterotrophically with nitrate (Hox- Nit-). Nitrate was scarcely utilized as electron acceptor or as nitrogen source. Hox- Nit- mutants did not act as recipients but could act as donors of the Hox character. Transconjugants derived from those crosses were Hox+ Nit+, indicating that the mutation which leads to the Hox- Nit- phenotype maps on the chromosome. Apparently, the product of a chromosomal gene is involved in the expression of plasmid-encoded Hox genes. We observed that the elimination of plasmid pHG1 coincided with the occurrence of multiple resistances to various antibiotics. Since Hox+ transconjugate retained the antibiotic-resistant phenotype, we conclude that this property is not directly plasmid associated.     

Division of temperature-sensitive Streptococcus faecium mutants after return to the permissive temperature

The regrowth of 27 temperature-sensitive division mutants of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 was examined after various periods of incubation at the nonpermissive temperature. Several of the mutants blocked at various stages of septum formation or of daughter-cell separation divided in a partially or completely synchronous way after a short incubation at the nonpermissive temperature. All four lytic mutants blocked early in the cell division cycle divided at a normal rate after a brief lag.     

Characterization of the interchain and intrachain interactions between the binding sites of the free regulatory moiety of protein kinase I

The interaction between the four binding sites (two A sites and two B sites) of the regulatory subunit dimer of protein kinase I (RI2) was studied. The rate of association of c[3H]AMP to site B was slower when site A had already been occupied. Occupation of site A also retarded the rate of dissociation of c[3H]AMP from site B. This site A-B interaction was intrachain since it was observed also for a monomeric fragment of RI2. Thus, each monomer of RI2 must have one A site and one B site. Quantitative analysis of the rate constants for cAMP binding to variously liganded RI2 suggested little or no thermodynamic coupling between site A and B. This conclusion was supported by equilibrium binding data. Occupation of one A site retarded the dissociation of c[3H]AMP from the A site of the other subunit (interchain interaction). The rate kinetic constants as well as equilibrium binding data indicated a positively cooperative site A-A interaction. The interaction between cAMP and either site was enthalphy-driven (25 degrees C), the process being accompanied by a loss of entropy. The thermodynamic parameters did not support the occurrence of an abrupt conformational change at a certain level of ligandation of RI2. Half-maximal saturation of either site occurred at 1-2 nM cAMP (37 degrees C, pH 7.0, 0.15 M KCl). The concentration of RI2 did not detectably influence any binding parameters. Aging of RI2 produced a form with minimally, if at all, altered Mr, but which showed a more rapid release of c[3H]AMP bound to site B.     

Immunoglobulin light chains in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related diseases

The combination of two-dimensional mini gel electrophoresis with the 'western blot' technique proves to be a powerful tool in characterizing lymphoid cells. By testing for kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains we were able to differentiate between mono-, oligo-, and polyclonal B-cell diseases. The distribution of the lambda isotypes of 24 cases with chronic lymphocytic B-cell leukemia (B-CLL) tested was not random when compared to the distribution of the lambda light chains in B-lymphocytes of normal persons. This might implicate a genetic link between the lambda loci (chromosome 22) and the development of the lambda-CLL.     

Impaired natural killer cell function in hemophiliacs with or without continuous substitution

In the present study, 28 hemophiliacs substituted continuously and 5 hemophiliacs who had received almost no blood products were investigated. Cells of OKT 3+, OKT 4+, and OKT 8+ subsets were counted. Percoll separated fractions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined by morphological criteria and were tested for NK cell activity. We found that the NK cell activity of both groups of hemophiliacs was decreased on testing Ficoll separated cells or low density Percoll separated cells. Normal NK cell activity was found in medium density cells of hemophiliacs. Two possible explanations are discussed: first, the NK cell activity may be suppressed in hemophiliacs and secondly, there may be a block in maturation of NK cell activity. It is unlikely that chronic substitution by blood products counts for these alterations. The possible role of chronic infections is discussed.