Localization of glycoprotein glycosyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus of rat and mouse testis

Golgi fractions prepared from rat testis have been shown to be enriched in the following glycoprotein glycosyltransferases: N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, 47-fold, galactosyltransferase, 33-fold, and N-acetylglucosaminide fucosyltransferase, 15-fold. Appreciably lower transferase levels were obtained in other subcellular fractions. In the mouse, Golgi fractions were prepared from testis homogenates, testis cell suspensions and partially purified testis germinal cells; these fractions were also enriched in the above glycoprotein glycosyltransferases. Electron microscopic analysis indicated that a major portion of the total transferase activity was located in the Golgi apparatus of both rat and mouse testis although these experiments could not rule out the possible presence of some transferase activity in other organelles.     

Initiation of Germination and Inactivation of Bacillus pumilus Spores by Hydrostatic Pressure

The effect of hydrostatic pressures as high as 1,700 atm at 25 C on the heat and radiation resistance of Bacillus pumilus spores was studied. Phosphate-buffered spores were more sensitive to compression than spores suspended in distilled water. Measurements of the turbidity of suspensions, the viability, refractility, stainability, dry weight, and respiratory activity of spores, and calcium and dipicolinic acid release were made for different pressures and times. Initiation of germination occurred at pressures exceeding 500 atm and was the prerequisite for inactivation by compression. The rate of initiation increased with increasing pressure at constant temperature. This result is interpreted as a net decrease in the volume of the system during initiation as a result of increased solvation of the spore components.     

Observations and Comments Concerning the Isolation of Group B β-Hemolytic Streptococci from Human Sources

A marked increase in the isolation of Group B streptococci from patients in the University Hospital, Saskatoon, has been noted over the past four years, and no change in technical methods has been found to explain this increase. Group B streptococci have been isolated from 242 patients, in 53 of whom the streptococcus was considered the cause of the infection. Infections occurred predominantly in the urinary tract, female genital tract and upper respiratory tract. There was a low incidence of infections in newborn infants, and only four infections were in patients under 1 year old. Infections were more frequent in women than men and in patients over 40 years of age. No particular affinity of Group B streptococci for diabetics was demonstrated.     

Formation of an animal virus within a bacterium

Conclusions Incubation of competent cells ofB. subtilis with a DNA-like subviral entity from vaccinia virus leads to the formation of complete vaccinia virus in the bacteria. The significance of this finding in regard to the concept of a universal genetic code is discussed.With 2 Figures in the TextA preliminary report of these results was presented at the XI. International Congress of Genetics in The Hague, September, 1963.Habilitandenstipendiat 1962/63 of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Effects of Additives on the Survival of Lactic Streptococci in Frozen Storage

Three single-strain cultures, Streptococcus lactis C₂, S. cremoris R₁, and S. diacetilactis DRC₂, were frozen and stored in skim milk, in skim milk containing apple juice, and in skim milk containing one of the following additives: glycerol (10%, v/v), dimethyl sulfoxide (10%, v/v), l-malic acid (0.5 and 2.0%, w/v), acetamide (0.5 and 2.0%, w/v), or succinimide (0.5 and 2.0%, w/v). Cultures were frozen and stored at -23.3 C, frozen and stored at -196 C in liquid nitrogen, or frozen at -196 C and stored at -23.3 C. Cultures frozen and stored at -196 C in liquid nitrogen gave the greatest recovery of viable cells. The number of cells surviving after storage at -23.3 C was greater when the cells had been frozen in liquid N₂ than when they had been frozen at -23.3 C. All strains stored at -23.3 C showed a decrease in numbers of surviving cells; additives, particularly l-malic acid and apple juice, were advantageous in preserving the viability of the S. lactis C₂ and S. cremoris R₁ strains, but had little or no effect on the survival of S. diacetilactis DRC₂. l-Malic acid and apple juice stimulated acid production for all cultures in activity tests following incubation after thawing, whereas glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide retarded its development.     

The androgen-dependent rat prostate protein,probasin, is a heparin-binding protein that co-purifies with heparin-binding growth factor-1

Summary Rat prostate extracts contain an abundant 20–22 kilodalton heparin-binding protein with near identical chromatographic properties, but only 0.2–1% of the mitogenic activity, of bovine brain heparin-binding growth factor-1 (acidic fibroblast growth factor). Amino terminal amino acid sequence (met-met-thr-asp-lys-asn-leu-lys-lys-lys-ile-glu-gly-asn-trp-arg-thr-val-tyr-leu-ala-ala-ser-?-val-glu-lys-ile-asn-glu-gly-ser-pro) and immunochemical analysis revealed that the protein is identical to the androgen-dependent protein “probasin”. This work was supported in part by NCI grant CA37589 (W. L. M., J. W. C.) and the Medical Research Council of Canada (R. J. M.).     

Maternal morbidity associated with in utero transfer.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the extent of maternal morbidity associated with in utero transfer. DESIGN--Retrospective study of 190 consecutive cases over two years. SETTING--Liverpool Maternity Hospital. PATIENTS--190 Pregnant women were transferred to the hospital under the in utero transfer arrangements from district general hospitals both within and outside the Mersey region. The women admitted were divided into two categories: those in threatened or established uncomplicated preterm labour and those who may or may not have been in threatened or established preterm labour but who had coexisting complicating factors affecting the mother or fetus, or both. INTERVENTIONS--Planned delivery of the fetus if indicated and arrangements for appropriate postpartum care of the mother. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Assessment of the progress of labour and, if appropriate, resuscitation of the mother. RESULTS--Women who were transferred with no coexisting disease (124) had relatively uncomplicated deliveries whereas those transferred with coexisting diseases (66) exhibited considerable morbidity and 17 of these required prolonged intensive monitoring after delivery. CONCLUSIONS--In utero transfer in healthy mothers may have benefits for babies born very prematurely. If mothers have coexisting disease, however, the desirability of transfer should be reviewed urgently in the light of the considerable maternal morbidity associated with these problems. In these cases transfer may introduce an additional hazard.     

Regionally selective alterations in enzymatic activities and metabolic fluxes during thiamin deficiency

To further elucidate the molecular basis of the selective damage to various brain regions by thiamin deficiency, changes in enzymatic activities were compared to carbohydrate flux through various pathways from vulnerable (mammillary bodies and inferior colliculi) and nonvulnerable (cochlear nuclei) regions after 11 or 14 days of pyrithiamin-induced thiamin deficiency. After 11 days,large decreases (–43 to –59%) in transketolase (TK) occurred in all 3 regions; 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDHC) declined (–45%), but only in mammillary bodies; pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDHC) was unaffected. By day 14, TK remained reduced by 58%–66%; KGDHC was now reduced in all regions (–48 to –55%); PDHC was also reduced (–32%), but only in the mammillary bodies. Thus, the enzyme changes did not parallel the pathological vulnerability of these regions to thiamin deficiency.¹⁴CO₂ production from¹⁴C-glucose labeled in various positions was utilized to assess metabolic flux. After 14 days, CO₂ production in the vulnerable regions declined severely (–46 to 70%) and approximately twice as much as those in the cochlear nucleus. Also by day 14, the ratio of enzymatic activity to metabolic flux increased as much as 56% in the vulnerable regions, but decreased 18 to 30% in the cochlear nuclei. These differences reflect a greater decrease in flux than enzyme activities in the two vulnerable regions. Thus, selective cellular responses to thiamin deficiency can be demonstrated ex vivo, and these changes can be directly related to alterations in metabolic flux. Since they cannot be related to enzymatic alterations in the three regions, factors other than decreases in the activity of these TPP-dependent enzymes must underlie selective vulnerability in this model of thiamin deficiency.Abbreviations KGDHC 2-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex EC 1.2.4.2., EC 2.3.1.61, EC 1.6.4.3. - PDHC pyruvate dehydrogenase complex EC 1.2.4.2., EC 2.3.1.12, EC 1.6.4.3 - TK transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) - TPP thiamin pyrophosphate     

Plant-soil interactions in primary succession at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Summary Plant nutrient status and physiological processes were examined in relation to soil nutrient characteristics under individuals of five species colonizing a young cinder deposit in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Two exotic species, Buddeleja asiatica and Myrica faya, had high photosynthetic rates and high nitrogen concentrations and relatively easily decomposed leaves; soils under them had high concentrations of nitrogen, cations, and organic matter and high rates of net nitrogen mineralization. At the other extreme, the natives Metrosideros polymorpha and Vaccinium reticulatum had low plant concentrations and photosynthetic rates, and low concentrations and turnover rates of N in the soil. Thus, a strong correlation exists between soil processes and plant processes, suggesting a positive feedback cycle.