Molecular mapping of wheat. Homoeologous group 2.

A molecular-marker map of bread wheat having many markers in common with other grasses in the Gramineae family is a prerequisite for molecular level genetic studies and breeding in this crop species. We have constructed restriction fragment length polymorphism maps of the A-, B-, and D-genome chromosomes of homoeologous group 2 of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) using 114 F7 lines from a synthetic x bread wheat cross and clones from 11 libraries. Chromosomes 2A, 2B, and 2D comprise 57, 60, and 56 markers and each spans about 200 cM. Comparisons between chromosomes are facilitated by 26 sets of homoeoloci. Genes mapped include a heterologous abscisic acid responsive locus cloned as pBS128, the epidermal waxiness inhibitor W21, and two presumed leaf rust and stem rust resistance genes. Anomalies suggesting ancestral rearrangements in chromosome 2B are pointed out and features of wheat group 2 chromosomes that are common to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), rice (Oryza spp.), and T. tauschii are discussed.     

Effects of cycloheximide on the uterine refractory state induced by 'nidatory' oestrogen in rats.

After priming with oestradiol, ovariectomized rats were given 6 days of progesterone treatment in which two doses of 50 ng oestradiol were given on Days 3 and 6. This basic treatment allows the oestradiol-induced (1st injection) disappearance of uterine sensitivity to decidual stimuli to occur. Cycloheximide could not mimic oestrogen action in the production of the uterine refractory state. However, a high dose (500 micrograms per animal) of this inhibitor given with the first injection of oestradiol allowed the uterus to remain in a neutral state and to respond to decidual induction after the second dose of oestradiol. By delaying the injection of cycloheximide after the first oestrogen treatment, protein synthesis requisite to the occurrence of uterine refractoriness would not take place within 12 h after the 'nidatory' oestrogen injection.     

Cyst hatching in Anostraca accelerated by retinoic acid,amplified by Calcium Ionophore A23187, and inhibited by Calcium-channel blockers

Cyst hatching, under standardized conditions, of the Anostracan species Thamnocephalus platyurus and Streptocephalus dichotomus was significantly accelerated but not increased by applying the morphogen retinoic acid (RA). Cyst hatching was enhanced but not accelerated by artificially increasing the inflow of Ca²⁺ to the embryonic cells, using Calcium Ionophore A 23 187. Cyst hatching was accelerated and amplified, to a level in excess of the summed effects of each treatment, by a combined application of RA and ionophore. It was inhibited almost quantitatively by the Calcium-channel blockers Nifedipin and Verapamil. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Protection against acute paraquat toxicity by ambroxol

An expression vector for G-CSF, pASLB3-3, was constructed and introduced into Namalwa KJM-1 cells (Hosoi et al., 1988), and cells resistant to 100 nM of methotrexate (MTX) were obtained. Among them, the highest producer, clone SC57, was selected and the productivity of this clone was further characterized. The maximal production of G-CSF was at the most 1.8 g/ml/day using a 25 cm² tissue culture flask, even though the cell number was above 7×10⁵ cells/ml. The limiting factors at high density were analyzed as the deficiency of nutrients, such as glucose, cysteine and serine, and pH control. The depression of specific G-CSF productivity per cell under the batch culture conditions was overcome by using a perfusion culture system, Biofermenter^TM (Sato, 1983) with modifications of nutrients supplementation by a dialysis membrane and/or dissolved oxygen (DO) supplementation by microsilicone fibers. ITPSGF medium was modified to elevate concentrations of amino acids and glucose by 2.0- and 2.5-times, respectively. Under the control of pH at 7.4 and DO at 3 ppm, the specific G-CSF productivity was not depressed even at high cell density (above 1×10⁷ cells/ml), and the amount of G-CSF reached 41 g/ml. These results indicated the possibility of finding the optimum culture conditions for the production of recombinant proteins by Namalwa KJM-1 cells.Abbreviations ABTS 2,2-Azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid - BSA Bovine Serum Albumin - BSA-PBS Phosphate-buffered Saline without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ containing Bovine Serum Albumin - dhfr Dihydrofolate Reductase - DO Dissolved Oxygen - G-CSF Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor - HEPES 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethansulfonic Acid - IFN Interferon - MTX Methotrexate - PBS(-) Phosphate-buffered saline without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ - Tween-PBS Phosphate-buffered saline without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ containing 0.05% of Tween 20     

Properties of alkaline phosphatase in crude homogenates of human diploid fibroblasts

The kinetic properties of the "constitutive" and the "induced" alkaline phosphatase in diploid fibroblasts are compared with those of the enzymes in crude tissue homogenates. Both the constitutive as the induced enzyme have properties comparable with those of the liver-bone-kidney group. The induced alkaline phosphatase clearly differs from the "constitutive" alkaline phosphatase concerning the effect of high concentrations of L-phenylalanine and the effect of Mg2+ ions. The induced alkaline phosphatase seems to be identical with the enzyme in liver, but the constitutive alkaline phosphatase could not be identified.     

Quantitation of submandibular proteins resolved from normal individuals and children with cystic fibrosis

Submandibular secretions collected from children with cystic fibrosis (CF) showed increased protein concentration (milligrams/milliliter) and increased amylase specific activity (units/milligram of protein) relative to normal secretions. These differences between normal (N) and CF secretions were as follows: protein, 1.25 ± 0.51 (N), 1.75 ± 0.35 (CF) (P < 0.02); and amylase, 58 ± 18 (N), 80 ± 19 (CF) (P < 0.001). To determine the basis for elevated protein in CF saliva, several major proteins resolved by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis were quantitated by densitometry. These included four phosphoproteins (PP), serum albumin, an acid phosphatase-containing fraction, amylase, and an unidentified protein referred to as PI-7.1. Together, these proteins comprise greater than 75% of the total protein in the secretion. Differences in individual protein concentrations (milligrams/milliliter) resolved from normal and CF secretions, respectively, were as follows: PP₂, 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.03 ± 0.02 (NS, not significant); PP₃, 0.06 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.03 (NS); acid phosphatase fraction, 0.06 ± 0.04, 0.12 ± 0.07 (P < 0.05); amylase, 0.09 ± 0.04, 0.27 ± 0.16 (P < 0.01); and pI-7.1, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.08 (P < 0.02). Amylase, the most significant contributor to the elevated protein, comprised 26% of the total protein of normal secretions and 38% of the total protein of CF secretions. Thus, our results do not support the concept of a generalized increase in all organic components in CF submandibular secretions but, rather, increases in specific proteins, namely amylase, component pI-7.1, and an acid phosphatase-containing fraction.     

Influence of clay minerals on sorption of bacteriolytic enzymes

Myxobacteria presumably produce extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes when they are growing in soil. In order to study their ecological significance, adsorption experiments were performed with lytic enzymes produced byMyxococcus virescens in casitone media. Different soils as well as montmorillonite and kaolinite can rapidly adsorb the bacteriolytic but not the proteolytic enzymes. About 1 gm of montmorillonite per liter of cell-free culture solution is enough for the adsorption of 97% of the bacteriolytic enzymes. The adsorption per unit weight is about 100 times greater on montmorillonite than on kaolinite. About 40% of the adsorbed enzymes can be eluted with solutions of high pH or high ionic strength. The only desorbed bacteriolytic enzyme is the alanyl-∈-N-lysine endopeptidase.     

Staining of Some Specific Regions of Human Chromosomes,particularly the Secondary Constriction of No. 9

SEVERAL procedures have been described recently which produce specific patterns of differential staining in human chromosomes^1–9. Techniques which involve DNA denaturation and reannealing reveal deeply stained areas on centromere and secondary constriction regions which have been equated with constitutive heterochromatin⁹.     

The mode of action of thidiazuron: auxins,indoleamines, and ion channels in the regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinacea purpurea</Emphasis> L.

The biochemical mechanisms underlying thidiazuron (TDZ)-induced regeneration in plant cells have not been clearly elucidated. Exposure of leaf explants of Echinacea purpurea to a medium containing TDZ results in undifferentiated cell proliferation and differentiated growth as mixed shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. The current studies were undertaken to determine the potential roles of auxin, indoleamines, and ion signaling in the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of plant cells. E. purpurea leaf explants were found to contain auxin and the related indoleamine neurotransmitters, melatonin, and serotonin. The levels of these endogenous indoleamines were increased by exposure to TDZ associated with the induction of regeneration. The auxin-transport inhibitor 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and auxin action inhibitor, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid decreased the TDZ-induced regeneration but increased concentrations of endogenous serotonin and melatonin. As well, inhibitors of calcium and sodium transport significantly reduced TDZ-induced morphogenesis while increasing endogenous indoleamine content. These data indicate that TDZ-induced regeneration is the manifestation of a metabolic cascade that includes an initial signaling event, accumulation, and transport of endogenous plant signals such as auxin and melatonin, a system of secondary messengers, and a concurrent stress response.