Conformational epitope on gp120 important in CD4 binding and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralization identified by a human monoclonal antibody.

A human monoclonal antibody designated 15e is reactive with the envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of multiple isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Antibody 15e also neutralizes HIV-1 with broad specificity and blocks gp120 binding to CD4. Characterization of the 15e epitope shows that it is conformation dependent and is distinct from previously recognized functional domains of gp120, suggesting that this epitope represents a novel site important for HIV-1 neutralization and CD4 binding. These findings have implications for the development of a vaccine for AIDS.     

Isolation and Characterization of a UDPGlucose: Flavonol O-Glucosyltransferase from Illuminated Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv Red Danish) Seedlings

A UDPGlc:flavonol O³-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.91) that catalyzes the formation of quercetin and kaempferol O³-glucosides has been purified about 1450-fold from illuminated red cabbage (Brassica oleracea cv Red Danish) seedlings with a 3.3% yield. Purification of the enzyme was achieved by (NH₄)₂SO₄-precipitation, gel-filtration, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Bio-Gel and Q-Sepharose, chromatofocusing, and electrophoresis in nondenaturing polyacrylamide (10%) gels. The enzyme preparation had a pH optimum between 5.8 and 6.2, isoelectric point in the pH range 4.25 to 4.55, a M_r of 59,000, and it was composed of two similar subunits of M_r 29,500. The glucosyltransferase reached half substrate saturation at 180 micromolar (UDPGlc) and 7 micromolar (quercetin) concentrations. Kaempferol, which was glucosylated at a relative rate of 87%, had a lesser affinity for the enzyme (K_m~12 micromolar). Flavanones, flavanols, flavones, dihydroflavonols, and anthocyanidins were not readily utilized as substrates, suggesting that the enzyme is specific for flavonol glucoside biosynthesis.     

Field uniformity of the Japonica rice region of Taiwan as estimated by relative genetic contribution

Summary Despite the concerns for genetic vulnerability that were raised in the 1970s, the field uniformity of the Japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) region in Taiwan has increased since 1980 with over 82% of the cultivated areas being covered by as few as three varieties and over half of this hectarage by a single variety. Japanese plant introductions are the major ancestral contributors of genetic constituents for varieties released in Taiwan. The main constitution of the genetic base present in the field has changed little since 1971. Six common ancestors comprised 60%, 55%, 78%, and 77% of the genetic constituents present in the field in 1971, 1976, 1981, and 1986, respectively. These estimates revealed that at least 55% of the genes utilized in the last 15 years came from the same sources. Recent efforts in introducing new germ plasm sources to variety development should continue to alleviate the possible crop loss due to continuous monoculture.Research supported by National Science Council (NSC 78-0211-B005-14)     

Identification of the posttranslational modifications of bovine lens alpha B-crystallins by mass spectrometry.

A combination of mass spectrometric techniques has been used to investigate the amino acid sequence and post-translational modifications of alpha B-crystallin isolated from bovine lenses by gel filtration chromatography and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic fractions were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to determine the homogeneity and molecular weights of proteins in the fractions. The alpha B-crystallin primary gene product, its mono- and diphosphorylated forms, its N- and C-terminal truncated forms, as well as other lens proteins unrelated to the alpha B-crystallins were identified by their molecular weights. Detailed information about the sites of phosphorylation, as well as evidence supporting reassignment of Asn to Asp at position 80, was obtained by analyzing proteolytic digests of these proteins by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Results of this investigation indicate that alpha B-crystallin is phosphorylated in vivo at Ser 45, Ser 59, and either Ser 19 or 21. From the specificity of phosphorylation of alpha-crystallins, it appears that there may be two different kinases responsible for their phosphorylation.     

努布拉鼠兔(Ochotona nubrica Thomas,1922)的分类订正

努布拉鼠兔(Ochotona nubrica)的分类地位迄今未能得到合理解决,曾被列为草原鼠兔(O.pusilla)、灰鼠兔(O.roylei)或藏鼠兔(O.thibetana)的同物异名。作者根据原始文献、地模标本及邻近地模产地的标本与有关的鼠兔种类进行对比研究,证实了努布拉鼠兔既不同于藏鼠兔,也不同于灰鼠兔,而是一个有效物种。     

室温下有取向紫膜薄层中菌紫质的光静态

在室温条件下有取向PM薄层中的RR分子受光照可以建立多种PSS,这些PSS的建立与湿度和光照所采用的波长等因素有关。不同的PSS有不同的VCD。它们可以在设计制作分子器件时考虑使用。     

中国海菜花属植物的性状分析

本文对中国海菜花属全部已知分类群的84个形态学、生物学和生态学性状,进行了R分析和主成分分析。R分析结果表明,被研究的性状可明显地划分为若干组高度相关的性状,它们或表明本属向次生性陆生和异花传粉方向演化,或具重要的分类价值。主成分分析结果表明,仅前16个主成分几乎可保留84个性状的全部信息量,这说明在中国海菜花属分类研究中所选性状很合理;前3个主成分可保留总信息量的76.56%,说明在三维空间内能较好地反映中国海菜花属所有已知分类群间的相对位置。     

单眼剥夺对金黄地鼠视觉中枢GABA神经元分布的影响

用免疫细胞化学技术观察了单眼剥夺后金黄地鼠视觉中枢GABA神经元分布的变化。结果表明:单眼剥夺后,金黄地鼠视皮层和上丘的GABA阳性神经元暂时性增多,但剥夺后六个月,其数目显著减少。在单眼剥夺前和剥夺后侧膝体中GABA阳性神经元数目没有明显差异。剥夺眼对侧视皮层GABA阳性神经元数比剥夺眼同侧视皮层GABA神经元数目少。单眼剥夺后视觉中枢GABA神经元类型及形态与剥夺前没有差别。晚期单眼剥夺也能引起视觉中枢GABA神经元数量和分布的变化。以上结果表明,单眼剥夺后视觉中枢抑制神经元的结构发生了变化。     

垂体后叶素和加压素对离体心肌的直接作用

本实验采用大鼠离体右心房和右心室肌条模型,观察了垂体后叶素和加压素对右心房和右心室肌的直接作用。结果表明:垂体后叶素对右心房的自主性收缩频率和幅度及右心室肌的收缩幅度均有剂量依赖性抑制作用;加压素对右心房和右心室肌收缩幅度也有剂量依赖性抑制作用,但对右心房自主节律无影响;催产素对右心房的收缩频率和幅度则均无影响。加压素V_1、V_2受体拮抗剂d(CH_2)_5Tyr(Me)AVP和d(CH_2)_5(D-Ile~2,Ile~4,Ala(NH_2)~9)AVP对垂体后叶素的负性变力作用具有不同程度的阻断作用,但对垂体后叶素的负性变时作用无阻断作用。以上结果提示,垂体后叶素的负性变力作用主要是由加压素产生的,加压素对心肌有直接的负性变力作用;垂体后叶素的负性变时作用可能是非加压素和催产素成分的作用结果。