Endogenous gibberellin levels influence in-vitro shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.

The regeneration of shoot buds from callus cells in vitro is an important technique in modern plant genetic manipulation. Whilst it is clear that genetic factors play a major role in determining the ability of callus cells to become organized into regenerating shoot buds, the precise nature of these factors remains unknown. Here we show that callus derived from mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana which have reduced levels of endogenous bioactive gibberellins (GAs), or reduced responsivity to GAs, regenerates shoot buds more readily than does callus derived from wild-type controls. In addition, exogenous GA reduces, and exogenous paclobutrazol (a GA-biosynthesis inhibitor) increases, the frequency of shoot bud regeneration from wild-type callus. These results show that GA levels play a role in regulating shoot bud regeneration from callus, and suggest that variation in endogenous GA levels or responsivity may account for a major component of the genetic variation in shoot bud regeneration frequency described in other species.     

Cloning and expression of a porcine UDP-GalNAc: polypeptideN-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase

By employing a bovine UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: polypeptideN-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase (O-GalNAc transferase) cDNA as a probe, we isolated four overlapping cDNAs from a porcine lung cDNA library. Both the nucleotide sequence of the porcine cDNA and the predicted primary structure of the protein (559 amino acids) proved to be very similar to those of the bovine enzyme (95% and 99% identity, respectively). Transient expression of the clone in COS-7 cells, followed by enzymatic activity assays, demonstrated that this cDNA sequence encodes a porcine O-GalNAc transferase. The intracellular O-GalNAc transferase activity was increased approximately 100-fold by transfecting cells with the porcine cDNA.Abbreviations O-GalNAc transferase UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: polypeptideN-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase - PCR polymerase chain reaction - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - GnT-III UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: -mannoside -1,4N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III     

Unique tissue distribution of a mouse macrophage C-type lectin

We examined mouse tissue for the expression of macrophage galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specificC-type lectin using a rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) specificfor this lectin (mAb LOM-14). The binding of mAb LOM-14 wasdetected in detergent extracts from tissue by means of immunoblottinganalysis. It was shown that this mAb did not cross-react withmouse hepatic lectins, a structural homologue. The macrophagelectin was widely distributed among various mouse tissues asjudged by the affinity isolation followed by the immunochemicaldetection. The exceptions were brain, liver, kidney, small intestine,and peripheral blood. Extracts from these organs exhibited,at best, very weak signals upon mAb LOM-14 binding, despitethe presence of cells expressing macrophage markers. The mostintense signal was observed in the extract from skin, suggestingthat cells expressing this lectin are abundant in skin. Thetissues shown to contain this lectin were further investigatedby immunohistochemical staining of the sections. Cells weredistributed in the connective tissue and in the interstice,particularly the dermis and subcutaneous layer of skin. Cellslocalized in the epithelium of skin (epidermis) or other epitheliathat we examined were not stained. Perivascular localizationof cells stained with mAb LOM-14 was also demonstrated in cardiacand skeletal muscle tissues. Immunoelectron microscopy revealedthe presence of this lectin along the rough endoplasmic reticulum.In conclusion, the distribution of C-type lectin specific forgalactose/N-acetylgalactosamine in mice was unique. The connectivetissue-specific distribution should provide important informationon the biological role of this lectin. lectin macrophage calcium-type lectin connective tissue     

Formation of bioorganic compounds in aqueous solution induced by flames

Flames of flammable gases, when blown against a surface of an aqueous solution of organic compounds, were found to induce oxidation as well as other reactions in the solution. This reaction would be regarded as a new model for formation of bioorganic molecules in the primitive hydrosphere exposed to some radical-containing atmosphere.     

Population changes and ranging behaviour of wild Japanese monkeys at Mt. Kawaradake in Kyushu,Japan

Population changes and home range utilization of the wild Japanese monkey at Mt. Kawaradake have been studied since 1972. Age compositions of this troop were obtained over a seven-year period. Troop size decreased from over 100 to 40 individuals as a result of a capture in 1974. The capture affected directly and indirectly the troop's range and population dynamics. The troop reduced its range size from 4.7 km² to 2.67 km² and changed its utilization pattern in relation to the decrease in size. After the capture, the troop used one particular area intensively, whereas the rhythmic nomadic pattern had been observed as before. This may have been caused by the decrease in the overall food requirement of the troop. The birth rate increased significantly after the capture. However, troop size did not increase because of the low recruitment rate for adult females and the high mortality of juveniles.     

Enhancement of tryptophan production by Escherichia coli as an application of genetic engineering

Summary A feedback resistant trp operon plasmid that transformed a multiple mutant (trpR tnaA) of Escherichia coli was found to enhance remarkably the production of tryptophan in a bench-scale fermentor. 5.5 g of tryptophan was accumulated per litre of culture medium at 24th hr in batch. The productivity was 0.229 g/l/hr. This productivity is the highest among those ever reported by other workers. The recombinant plasmid (Tc^r Trp⁺ I^-) used was completely stable in each run when tetracycline was added by 10 g/l into the medium.     

Studies on the damage to Escherichia coli cell membrane caused by different rates of freeze-thawing

Freeze-thawing of Escherichia coli cells caused a release of cell membrane components such as protein, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides. A greater amount of release and a lesser extent of cell survival were seen in slow freeze-thawing than in rapid freeze-thawing. Several dehydrogenases in the cells were also freed. The mode of release was also dependent on the rate of freeze-thawing.The materials released by slow freeze-thawing were found to be mostly composed of outer membrane components, whereas the materials released by rapid freeze-thawing contained cytoplasmic as well as outer membrane components. The chemical composition of these fragments differed significantly from that of the original membranes. The relative content of cytoplasmic membrane-bound enzymes in these fragments also differed from that of the cytoplasmic membrane.The fragmentation was assumed to have resulted mainly from the crystallization of external water. In slow freeze-thawing, it was considered that the phase separation of the membrane phospholipid bilayer increased the possibility of outer membrane fragmentation. Rapid freeze-thawing caused cytoplasmic membrane damage to the cells as well as to the outer membrane. In rapid freeze-thawing, the effect of phase separation appeared to be small because of rapid passage through the transition temperatures.The presence of 10% glycerol completely inhibited the release of cellular materials and enzymes. Cell survival was maintained at a high level in the glycerol-treated samples whether freeze-thawed slowly or rapidly.     

IDENTIFICATION OF SEROTONIN WITHIN VITAL-STAINED NEURONS FROM LEECH GANGLIA

Abstract— We have measured serotonin (5-HT) within large and small neurosomata which are vitally stained by Neutral Red dye. A micro-radioenzymatic technique which is sensitive to 50fmol of 5-HT was employed on intact ganglia, 75 μm Retzius Cells (RZ) and a 10 μm ventro-lateral cell (VL) taken from the leech Macrobdella decora. The stain does not affect the levels of 5-HT in either ganglia or RZ. The VL cell body contains 5-HT at concentrations of at least 100 m m . Microspectrofluorometry of all the ganglionic neurosomata which fluoresce following the Falck-Hillarp formaldehyde condensation reaction detected rapidly-fading emission peaks of 509–523 nanometers. We conclude that all seven fluorescent neurons in the leech ganglion very probably contain serotonin.     

Two isoaccepting seryl tRNAs coded by separate mitochondrial genes in yeast

Summary In S. cerevisiae four isoacceptor mitochondrial tRNAs for serine have been separated by reversed phase chromatography. At least two of these species are products of different genes. In this work the deletion mapping technique has been used to locate two genes for tRNA^ser. The gene for tRNA^ser previously localized in the oli I region of the mitochondrial genome has been found to code for tRNA _ser ² , and another gene coding for tRNA _ser ¹ has been detected in the region where most of other tRNA genes are found. Results of fine mapping experiments allowed to localize this gene in the proximity of the gene for tRNA^arg.