Cytogenetics of ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea)

Chromosomes and sex determination of 9 species of Haemaphysalis assigned to 4 subgenera are described. H. (tAlloceraea) kitaokai possesses an XX∶XO sex chromosome system with 18 autosomes plus XX in females; 18 plus X in males. H. (Kaiseriana) hystricis has 18 +XX and 18 + XY in females and males, respectively, in most specimens, but a supernumerary chromosome is present in some individuals. A supernumerary chromosome was also observed in 1 male H. (Aborphysalis) formosensis. These two species are the second and third species of ticks reported to have supernumerary chromosomes. H. formosensis, H. (Kaiseriana) bispinosa, H. (Haemaphysalis) campanulata, H. (H.) flava, H. (H.) megaspinosa, H. (H.) japonica, and H. (H.) pentalagi possess 20 autosomes plus 2 sex chromosomes in females and 20+1 sex chromosomes in males. Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Haemaphysalis are briefly discussed.     

The protein patterns of intracytoplasmic membranes and reaction center particles isolated fromRhodopseudomonas capsulata

Intracytoplasmic membranes of wild type strain 37 b 4 and mutant strains A1a car^-bchl^-, A1a car^-bchl⁺ ofRhodopseudomonas capsulata were isolated. The membrane proteins were solubilized and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (methods of Takayamaet al., 1964; Weber and Osborn, 1969). The band patterns were compared with each other. From the strain A1a car^-bchl⁺ reaction center particles were isolated by treatment of membrane with Triton X-100 followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The reaction center particles were found to be enriched in reaction center bacteriochlorophyll. This pigment shows a reversible bleaching at 855 nm and a blue shift at 798 nm. The light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll portion of this fraction was 14–22% of the total bacteriochlorophyll content. The three main proteins of the reaction center particles amount to about 80% of the total protein of the particles. The molecular weights of the main proteins were estimated to be 32000, 27500 and 22500 daltons.     

Histology and fine structure of spermatozoa and egg passage in the female tract of Dermacentro andersoni stiles (acari-Ixodidae)

The final phase of spermiogenesis in the hard tick Dermacentor andersoni occurs in the seminal receptacle of engorged females. This phase is characterized mainly by rupture of the outer sheath of advanced spermatids at their pointed tips, and subsequent elongation as the internal column of these cells evaginates. The sheath invaginates at the opposite end to form the narrow posterior half of the sperm cell. Rupture of the endospermatophoric wall releases the large mass of contained spermatozoa, which begin migration up one or both oviducts. During the migration to the ovarian lumen, spermatozoa exhibit a propensity for active penetration of epithelial cells lining the oviducts. This phenomenon is also observed with spermatozoa in the ovarian lumen. Penetration of epithelial cells by spermatozoa is interpreted to be a response by the latter in seeking eggs for penetration and fertilization.     

Activity of phenol oxidases at the puparium formation stage in development of nineteen lozenge mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

Phenol oxidase activity of activated A₁ and A₂ (A₃) electrophoretic components from 19 lozenge mutant and three lozenge double mutant strains was compared to that of wild type flies. Melanin production by the activated A components with tyrosine as substrate was compared to activity in the same acrylamide gels with dopa as substrate. Melanin production decreased, first in the A₁ band and then in the A₂ (A₃) band, with increased morphological expression of the mutant genes. No melanin bands were obtained with either substrate in five of the more severely affected mutants. A possible correlation between phenol oxidase activity and quinone production necessary for normal development of eyes, female accessory sex organs, and claws is discussed.Supported by PHS grant AM-08331-05.     

Juvenile Pernicious Anaemia and Hypothyroidism. A Family Study

A man presented with the sudden onset of pernicious anaemia at the age of 21. He had been treated for hypothyroidism since the age of 6. His father and only paternal aunt were also found to have pernicious anaemia. Gastric and thyroid antibody studies showed one or more antibodies to be present in all three subjects, as well as in the patient''s mother.     

Bacteriochlorophyllgehalt und Proteinmuster der Thylakoide von Rhodospirillum rubrum während der Morphogenese des Photosynthese-Apparates

Zusammenfassung Der Zusammenhang zwischen dem spezifischen Bacteriochlorophyllgehalt der Zellen und der Thylakoidmorphogenese wird an Rhodospirillum rubrum untersucht. Bei der Induktion des Photosynthese-Apparates wird zunächst Bacteriochlorophyll synthetisiert, obgleich noch keine Thylakoide gebildet werden (1. Phase). Werden Thylakoide ausgebildet, so steigt der spezifische Bacteriochlorophyllgehalt der Thylakoide in Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Bacteriochlorophyllgehalt der Zellen an, bis ein Wert von 12–13 g Bacteriochlorophyll je mg Zellprotein erreicht ist (2. Phase). Während der Wert für die Zellen darüber hinaus weiter erhöht werden kann, bleibt der Wert der Thylakoide konstant bei 100 g Bacteriochlorophyll je mg Thylakoid-Protein (3. Phase). Isolierte Thylakoide aus Zellen mit niedrigem Bacteriochlorophyllgehalt besitzen geringere Durchmesser als Thylakoide aus Zellen mit höheren Werten. Auch hinsichtlich der Zusammensetzung der Thylakoide in Abhängigkeit von den steigenden Bacteriochlorophyllgehalten bei induzierten Zellen konnten Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Ähnlich wie die spezifischen Bacteriochlorophyllgehalte der Thylakoide, nähern sich die verschiedenen Proteinbausteine der Thylakoide einem festen Verhältnis zueinander, das sich oberhalb von 10–14 g Bacteriochlorophyll je mg Zellprotein nicht mehr ändert. Mit Zunahme des Bacteriochlorophyllgehaltes der Zellen steigt der Gehalt an thylakoidspezifischen Proteinen in den Membranen an und der Anteil der für die Cytoplasmamembran spezifischen Komponenten nimmt ab.

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The bacteriochlorophyll content and protein composition of chromatophores (=thylakoids) of Rhodospirillum rubrum during morphogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus

Summary The correlation between the specific bacteriochlorophyll content of whole cells and the morphogenesis of chromatophores was investigated in Rhodospirillum rubrum. During the first phase after induction of the photosynthetic apparatus bacteriochlorophyll is synthesized without formation of chromatophores. In a second phase chromatophores increases in a linear correlation to the specific bacterichlorophyll content of the cells. In a third phase, when the specific bacteriochlorophyll content of the cells has reached 12–13 g/mg protein, the specific bacteriochlorophyll content of the chromatophores remains constant (100 g/mg protein). Isolated chromatophores from the second phase have smaller diameters, than chromatophores from the third phase. The composition of the protein compounds of isolated chromatophores changes during the development of the chromatophores in a similar fashion as the specific bacteriochlorophyll content of chromatophores does change. With increasing bacteriochlorophyll content of the cells the chromatophore specific proteins in the membranes increase whereas proteins specific for the cytoplasmic membrane decrease until both reach a constant level.

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Verwendete Abkürzungen BChl. Bacteriochlorophyll     

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus: Stability of Neutralizing Antibody After Freeze-drying and Air-drying

It is possible to stabilize foot-and-mouth disease antiserum by either freeze-drying in bottles or air-drying on paper for periods of 7 months.