Regional assignment of the human uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS) gene to chromosome 10q25.2→q26.3

Summary Uroporphyrinogen III synthase [UROS; hydroxymethylbilane hydro-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.2.1.75] is the fourth enzyme in the human heme biosynthetic pathway. The recent isolation of the cDNA encoding human UROS facilitated its chromosomal localization. Human UROS sequences were specifically amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA of two independent panels of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. There was 100% concordance for the presence of the human UROS PCR product and human chromosome 10. For each of the other chromosomes, there was 19%–53% discordance with human UROS. The chromosomal assignment was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis of DNA from somatic cell hybrids with the full-length UROS cDNA. Using human-rodent hybrids containing different portions of human chromosome 10, we assigned the UROS gene to the region 10q25.2 q26.3.     

No evidence for linkage of autosomal dominant proximal spinal muscular atrophies to chromosome 5q markers

Summary Two recent articles have reported the linkage of a gene for recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) on the chromosome region 5q11.2–13.3. Our data show no linkage of the dominantly inherited forms of SMA to this chromosome region.     

The genetics and expression of an esterase locus inAnopheles gambiae

The main polymorphic system of esterase isoenzymes in adults of the G3 laboratory strain ofAnopheles gambiae consists of two to five major bands of activity per individual. The bands are designated 5S, 5F, 13, 14, and 15. In genetic crosses, the genes which coded for the bands assorted as three codominant alleles, Est A, Est B, and Est C, at a single autosomal locus. Homozygotes for the Est C allele were significantly underrepresented among backcross progeny. The developmental pattern of esterase expression was examined. Esterase gene expression in embryos was first detectable between 2 and 12 hr after oviposition. The initiation or termination of expression of some of the bands corresponded to boundaries between developmental stages. Most of the esterase fractions were not specifically localized within the tissues tested, with the exception of a series of bands which were restricted largely to adult male testes.     

Vernonia galamensis,Potential new crop source of epoxy acid

Vernonia galamensis is a good source of seed oil rich in epoxy acid, which can be used to manufacture plastic formulations, protective coatings, and other products. Seed from a natural stand in Ethiopia contained 31% epoxy acid. Under cultivation in Kenya, this unimproved germplasm produced a substantial yield of seed with 32% epoxy acid. This African species has good natural seed retention and is a promising new crop for semiarid tropical areas.     

Calcium at the surface of cardiac plasma membrane vesicles: Cation binding,surface charge screening,and Na−Ca exchange

Summary Calcium binding and Na–Ca exchange activity were measured in isolated cardiac plasma membrane vesicles under various ionic conditions. A model was developed to describe the Ca binding characteristics of cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles using the Gouy-Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer with specific cation binding to phospholipid carboxyl and phosphate groups. The surface association constants used for Ca, Na, K and H binding to both of these groups were 7, 0.63, 0.3 and 3800m ^–1, respectively. This model allows the estimation of surface [Ca] under any specific ionic conditions. The effects of the divalent screening cation, dimethonium, on Ca binding and Na–Ca exchange were compared. Dimethonium had no significant effect on Ca binding at high ionic strength (150mm KCl), but strongly depressed Ca binding at low ionic strength. Dimethonium had no significant effect on Na–Ca exchange (Na-inside dependent Ca influx) at either high or low ionic strength. These results suggest that the Ca sites of the Na–Ca exchanger are in a physical environment where they are either not exposed to or not sensitive to surface [Ca].     

Ethephon and auxin induce mycorrhiza-like changes in the morphology of root organ cultures of Mugo pine

The effects of ethylene and auxin on the morphology and anatomy of root organ cultures of Pinus mugo Turra var. mugo were investigated to test the hypothesis that changes in root morphology associated with formation of ectomycorrhizae may be related to ethylene produced by ectomycorrhizal fungi or by host plant roots in response to fungus-produced auxin. Morphological changes characteristic of mycorrhizal infection include dichotomous branching of lateral roots, inhibition of root hair formation and enlargement of cortical cells. Lateral roots on non-mycorrhizal root organ cultures, grown in a defined medium, underwent dichtotomous branching while root hair formation was inhibited in response to the ethylene released by 50 and 100 μ M ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), but no effect on cortical cell dimensions was observed. The auxin, naphthaleneacetic acid (1 and 10 μ M ) also stimulated dichotomous branching and inhibited root hair formation, but to a lesser extent and with a greater lag time than ethephon. Auxin-stimulated ethylene production by root organ cultures was demonstrated. This appeared to be responsible, at least in part, for the auxin-induced dichotomous branching since the ethylene action inhibitor, silver thiosulfate (0.1 m M ) inhibited the response to auxin by 35%.     

Differences in species richness and site preference of the vascular plant flora of river shores in northern Sweden in relation to the degree of natural habitat disturbance

Samples from sixty-two geolittoral sites along two rivers in northern Sweden were analysed in order to quantify possible differences in the vascular plant flora related to differences in the type of natural disturbance of the habitat (more disturbed: rapids (water flow) and lakes (wave action); less disturbed: slow-flowing stretches). We found that the mean species richness was lower along the slow-flowing stretches, than along the rapids and lakes, which were quite similar. When the geolittoral was subdivided into the three vertical belts, the floras of both the upper and middle belts exhibited this same pattern, whereas the species richness of the lower geolittoral belt was also low along the stretches of rapids. Along both rivers, the steepest gradient in mean species richness was recorded on the shores bordering rapids. The highest numbers of 'constant' species (frequency (F) > 60%); and of those which showed a statistically significant (probability (p) > 0.05) preference for a certain type of stretch in at least one of the three geolittoral belts, or in the entire geolittoral, were found along the rapids, in comparison to the flora of the slow-flowing stretches. The flora of the lake shores also comprised a large number of specific species compared to that along the slow-flowing stretches. The predominant species along the above-mentioned stretches reflect both phytogeographical and habitat differences.