Comparison of whole-cell protein electrophoretic profiles of Haemophilus influenzae: implementation of a microcomputer mainframe linked system and description of a new similarity coefficient

A microcomputer mainframe linked system is described which allows video camera data capture and storage of one-dimensional whole-cell protein electrophoresis gel images, processing of normalized traces to produce a similarity matrix, and analysis of the matrix using the commercial cluster analysis program CLUSTAN. A new similarity coefficient is introduced which takes into account both band position and intensity. Forty-five strains of Haemophilus influenzae, including the eight biotypes and six serotypes, were analyzed using this system. Results demonstrated groupings which are consistent with known genetic relationships.     

Neutral microprotein, a novel human plasma and urinary protein associated with a yellow-brown chromophore. Isolation from protein HC preparations and partial characterization

An apparently novel human plasma and urinary protein of low molecular weight was isolated from several highly purified preparations of protein HC by gel chromatography and high voltage electrophoresis with a yield of about 8 mg/g. The protein has a molecular weight of about 20,000, neutral electrophoretic mobility at pH 6.5 and a high content of half-cystine. It is associated with a yellow-brown chromophore like protein HC and could be demonstrated in all investigated preparations of isolated human, rabbit and guinea-pig protein HC and alpha 1-microglobulin.     

Purple pigmentation in leaves of some tropical weed species

The photoacoustic spectroscopic studies of purple pigmented leaves revealed the occurrence of anthocyanins and betalains in some local weed species growing on soils with low moisture levels. The pigmentation intensities were higher in C₄ plants than in C₃ plants. An inverse correlation was observed between pigmentation intensities and soil moisture levels. This work is a part of the UNEP Research Project granted to Prof. D. O. Hall, UNEP Coordinator, Department of Plant Sciences, King’s College; London.     

Antibiotic sensitivity of the erythromycin-resistant strain E of Rickettsia prowazekii cultured in the vector's body

Experiments on the laboratory cultures of lice infected by Weigl's method revealed that the spontaneous, erythromycin-resistant mutant of R. prowazekii strain E, adapted to the vector's organism, retained its resistance to erythromycin during 50 successive passages without the maintenance concentrations of this antibiotic. The above strain remained sensitive to tetracycline and levomycetin. Its level of sensitivity to the latter antibiotics was similar to that of R. prowazekii strains cultivated in the vector's organism for a long time.     

On the toroidal condensed state of closed circular DNA

The influence of double helix torsional elasticity on the compaction and structure of circular DNA compact form is studied theoretically in the case when the compact (globular) form has torus shape. For closed circular DNA the topological invariant, the linking number, yields a strict connection between conformation of the double helix considered as unifilar homopolymer and elastic energy of torsional twisting. The contribution of torsional elasticity to the free energy of the toruslike globule is calculated. This contribution is shown to be proportional to the square of superhelical density. Allowance of the torsional elasticity decreases the equilibrium radius of the toruslike globule formed by circular DNA. Closure of linear DNA into a ring widens the stability range of the relatively short DNA compact form and tightens it for long DNA.     

Effect of desglycine-arginine vasopressin on the excitability of the command neurons of the defensive reflex in the edible snail

Perfusion of the snail (Helix lucorum L.) CNS with DG-AVP (concentration 10(-6) M) in the course of low frequency intracellular stimulation (2-4-minute interval) of the defensive reflex command neurons led to an increase in the excitability. It was expressed both in the reduction of the spike generation latency, in the increased number of spikes in response to fixed stimuli, and in the activation of pacemaker potentials. If DG-AVP was added to the medium during endoneuronal habituation, there was no increase in the excitability. It is supposed that modification of the neuronal excitability may be caused by the DG-AVP effect on the pacemaker mechanism.     

Relation of mechanical noise in the rat papillary muscle to the level of its contraction

The existence of mechanical noise (MN) has been demonstrated in isolated papillary muscles of rats at rest. The mean amplitude of the MN was about 1 mg, the mean frequency 1.5 Hz (t 22 degrees C). A good agreement was found between the MN amplitude and the contracture level of the muscle. However, during long contractures, the correlation between the noise and contracture magnitude was disturbed. There was no relationship between the MN amplitude and contracture magnitude during exposures inducing metabolic alterations (hypoxia, NaCN) and upsetting the work of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (caffeine). It is believed that the MN amplitude is in a good agreement with the contracture magnitude and, therefore, with the concentration of intracellular Ca2+, if the sarcoplasmic reticulum and contractile elements of the cells are intact.     

Structural localization of the sequence alpha 235-242 of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb 254 and 255) were obtained against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence 235-242 of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo acetylcholine receptor. These mAbs could bind to receptor in native membrane vesicles only when these vesicles were permeabilized, suggesting that the sequence alpha 235-242 is exposed on the cytoplasmic surface of the receptor. Further evidence for the cytoplasmic localization of this sequence was partial competition for binding between these mAbs and mAbs previously demonstrated to bind to the cytoplasmic part of the receptor. A model is proposed which accounts for all the experimental data obtained thus far on the transmembrane orientation of the subunit polypeptide chains.