An inquiry into the selective protection of glycine during the radiolysis of glycine-alanine mixtures in aqueous solutions and its implications to the preservation of optically active amino acids in the early earth

Akaboshi et al. (1990) has found an unexpected protection of the achiral amino acid, glycine, towards ionizing radiation at the expense of the selective destruction of the chiral amino acids, alanine and aspartic acid. The present work examines the mechanism of this protection for the case of alanine. We have developed a computer model for the radiolysis of glycine, alanine and glycine-alanine mixtures in aqueous solution. It is established that this protection is due in part to the reaction of the α-radical of glycine with alanine to regenerate a more stable α-radical, according to the following reaction, $$ \cdot CH(NH_3^ + )CO_2^ - + CH_3 CH(NH_3^ + )CO_2^ - \to CH_2 (NH_3^ + )CO_2^ - + CH_3 \dot C(NH_3^ + )CO_2^ -$$ The rate constant of this reaction was estimated to be ≤10⁴M^-1s^-1. The implications for this selective protection of glycine are considered for a hypothetical case in which there would be an enrichment of about 10% ofL-alanine in the primitive ocean and taking the glycine/alanine ratios obtained in CH₄-and CO₂- dominated atmospheres using electric discharge experiments. It is predicted that alanine would be rapidly destroyed and radioracemized in spite of the fact that the concentration of alanine is equal or significantly lower than that of glycine. Assuming that chiral amino acids were a prerequisite for the origin of life, it can be deduced that life could have appeared in a relatively short period of time unless there was a constant supply of optical amino acids from extraterrestrial sources.     

Immunochemical and immunohistological expression of Lewis histo-blood group antigens in small intestine including individuals of the Le(a+b+) and Le(a−b−) nonsecretor phenotypes

Histological samples and total non-acid glycosphingolipids were prepared from small intestine of human cadavers with the Le(a+b+) and Le(a–b–) nonsecretor phenotypes and contrasted with the more common Lewis phenotypes. Glycolipid fractions were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and tested for Lewis activity with monoclonal antibodies reactive to Lewis epitopes. Paraffin-embedded small intestine sections were also fluorescently immunostained with anti-Lewis antibodies. Unlike the common Lewis positive phenotypes, we were immunochemically able to demonstrate the copresence of large amounts of Le^a and Le^b glycolipids in the Le(a+b+) sample. In addition we demonstrated increased formation of extended Lewis structures in this phenotype. By immunohistochemistry Le^a, Le^b and type 1 precursor chain epitopes could be demonstrated in the brush border. These results show that the expression of the Le(a+b+) phenotype at the erythrocyte phenotyping level parallels the small intestinal expression of this phenotype, and the patterns of Lewis antigen expressions are unique to this phenotype. By immunohistochemistry and immunochemistry we also demonstrated the presence of trace amounts of Lewis active glycoconjugates in the small intestine of the Le(a–b–) nonsecretor and Le(a+b–) samples. In the Le(a–b–) nonsecretor Le^a and Le^b activity was absent and type 1 precursor was present in brush border, while Le^b activity was immunohistologically demonstrated in the Golgi apparatus of the deep glands. Trace amounts of both Le^a and Le^b glycolipids were identified in this sample. In parallel trace Le^b activity could also be detected in the glycolipids of the Le(a+b–) sample and could be immunohistologically demonstrated to be fully expressed in occasional cells in the deep glands of the small intestine, a pattern quite dissimilar to that of the Le(a–b–) nonsecretor. The results in this paper show that the expression of Lewis glycoconjugates in the small intestine parallel the expression of Lewis erythrocyte phenotypes. However, inappropriate Lewis activity is also seen in individuals of other phenotypes and the mechanisms by which these Lewis antigens are made appears to be different for different phenotypes.Abbreviations FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - NeuAc N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid - RBC red blood cell - TLC thin-layer chromatography - TRITC tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate     

Expression of Lewis histo-blood group glycolipids in the plasma of individuals of Le(a+b+) and partial secretor phenotypes

Red cell Lewis antigens are carried by glycosphingolipids passively absorbed from plasma. Plasma was collected from a spectrum of individuals with normal and unusual Lewis/secretor phenotypes in order to investigate the glycolipid basis for the unusual phenotypes. Samples were obtained from: a Le(a+b–) ABH nonsecretor who secreted Lewis substances; a Le(a+b–) partial secretor; Le(a+b+) partial secretors; Le(a+b+) secretors; and a full range of normal Lewis/secretor phenotypes as controls. The Le(a+b+) samples represented Polynesian, Asian and Réunion Island ethnic backgrounds. Nonacid glycolipids were prepared, separated by thin-layer chromatography, and then immunostained with potent monoclonal antibodies of known specificity. Despite different serological profiles of the Le(a+b–) and Le(a+b+) Polynesian samples, their plasma glycolipid expressions were very similar, with both Le^a and Le^b co-expressed. The copresence of Le^a and Le^b in Le(a+b+) samples is in marked contrast to Caucasians with normal Lewis phenotypes, who have predominantly either Le^a or Le^b. These results suggest that there is a range of the secretor transferases in different individuals, possibly due to different penetrance or to several weak variants. We also show that Lewis epitopes on longer and/or more complex core chains appear to be predominant in the Polynesian Le(a+b+) samples. The formation of these extended glycolipids is compatible with the concept that in the presence of reduced secretor fucosyltransferase activity, increased elongation of the precursor chain occurs, which supports the postulate that fucosylation of the precursor prevents or at least markedly reduces chain elongation.Abbreviations CBA chromatogram binding assay - TLC thin-layer chromatography     

Pollen-ovule ratio,pollen size,and breeding system in Astragalus (Fabaceae) subgenus Epiglottis: a pollen and seed allocation approach

The correlation between pollen/ovule (P/O) ratio and breeding system has generally been accounted for either on the basis that P/O reflects pollination efficiency, or in terms of the sex allocation theory. The following were assessed for taxa belonging to genus Astragalus subgenus Epiglottis: 1) Degree of correlation between P/O and the breeding system, measured by means of autofertility; 2) The absence or existence of correlation between P/O and pollen grain size; and 3) The ability of various theories to account for the results obtained. Results showed a minimal correlation between P/O and autofertility, and between P/O and pollen grain size in the taxa studied. Analysis of these results in terms of the sex allocation theory enabled this correlation to be explained as a function of the variation existing between taxa with respect to the resources invested in each pollen grain and in each ovule. The predictive capacity of this theory, which has moreover proven valuable in explaining the structural peculiarities of the androecium in these taxa, was also highlighted. The type of self-pollination applicable was also discussed, as was the phenotypic model of selection of self-fertilization considered most plausible for these taxa.     

Chromosome 4 controls potential water use efficiency ({delta}13C) in barley

By combining the approaches of whole-shoot carbon discriminationand genetic analysis, we found that chromosome 4 controls potentialwater use efficiency (     

Crop/Weed gene flow:Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber andC. fraterna L. H. Bailey (Cucurbitaceae)

A mixed population of Cucurbita at Vado El Mow in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico showed an anomalous pattern of fruit bitterness. Some domesticated plants (C. argyrosperma andC. moschata) expressed cucurbitacin bitterness whereas some sympatric free-living plants produced non-bitter fruits. This reversal of typical cucurbitacin expression suggested gene flow between crop and weed at the site. Isozyme analysis provided little insight as to taxa involved in gene exchange, although progeny from a single free-living plant carried IDH allozymes that are associated with Mexican landraces ofC. pepo. Synthetic hybridization revealed that fertile F, hybrids are produced from crosses involvingC. fraterna as the pistillate parent andC. argyrosperma as the staminate parent. Interspecific crop/weed hybrids can produce viable progeny upon self-pollination or backcrossingto either parent, andF₂ families display normal allozyme segregation. Hybrid fertility, as indicated by pollen stainability, increases in progeny produced by backcrossingfrom theC. argyrosperma parent. Interspecific hybridfertility represents a potential for crop/weed gene flow that would be realized under natural conditions if pollen flow occurs betweenC. fraterna andC. argyrosperma in the fields of Tamaulipas. Oligolectic “squash bees” (Teponapis), efficientCucurbita pollen vectors, are present at the site. Thus, it is likely that natural interspecific crop/weed hybridization has occurred at Vado El Moro and this might at least partially explain the anomalous distribution of fruit bitterness among extant populations at the site.     

Experimental and theoretical definition of geminivirus origin of replication

Geminiviruses are plant pathogens that replicate by a rolling-circle mechanism, analogous to that used by several prokaryotic ssDNA replicons. Recent reports provide important progress in understanding the structure and functioning of replication origin from these viruses. We have used these data to propose models for the initiation of replication in dicot- and monocot-infecting geminiviruses.     

Speciation in the Artemia genus: Mitochondrial DNA analysis of bisexual and parthenogenetic brine shrimps

From the cloned mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) isolated from two bisexual species, one Mediterranean, Artemia salina, and one American, Artemia franciscana, and two parthenogenetic (diploid and tetraploid) strains of Artemia parthenogenetica collected in Spain, physical maps have been constructed and compared. They are extremely different among themselves, much more than the differences between Drosophila melanogaster and D. yakuba and in the same range of different mammalian species such as mouse/rat or man/cow. The nucleotide sequences of two regions of mtDNA encoding parts of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) genes have been determined in the two bisexual species and the two parthenogenetic strains. Comparisons of these sequences have revealed a high degree of divergence at the nucleotide level, averaging more than 15%, in agreement with the differences found in the physical maps. The majority of the nucleotide changes are silent and there is a strong bias toward transitions, with the CT substitutions being highly predominant. The evolutionary distance between the two Artemia parthenogenetica is high and there is no clear relationship with any of the bisexual species, including the one present nowadays in Spain. Using a combination of molecular (mtDNA) and morphological markers it is possible to conclude that all of these Artemia isolates should be actually considered as belonging to different species, even the two Artemia parthenogenetica diploidica and tetraploidica.On sabbatical leave from Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madridearly Italian artemiologists to designate the Medi-Beatriz Batuecas died in an accident during the Christmas holy days of 1988 after she had initiated this workCorrespondence to: R. Garesse     

Trinucleotide (CAG) repeat expansion in chromosomes of Spanish patients with Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative and hereditary disease characterized by progressive movement disorders and mental and behavioral abnormalities. The HD gene is an expanding and unstable trinucleotide repeat (CAG repeat sequences). We studied 77 individuals from 38 families with HD in an attempt to obtain information for genetic counselling and differential diagnosis. Our results indicate that individuals with more than 40 repeats will be affected by the disease, whereas those with fewer than 30 will be healthy. There can be some overlap between 30 and 40 repeats, and one should be careful when interpreting these results.     

Glial cells in adult and developing prothoracic ganglion of the hawk moth Manduca sexta

The glial cells of the prothoracic ganglion of the hawk moth Manduca sexta were studied in histological sections of several postembryonic stages and classified according to cell morphology, size, staining properties, and topographical relationships. In general, each glial cell type was found to be confined to one of the major ganglionic domains and each of these domains (i.e., perineurium, cell body rind, glial cover of the neuropil, and neuropil) was found to comprise specific cell types. Some types of glia were recognized in both larval and later stages, but other types were found exclusively from late pupal stages. It is proposed that the higher morphological diversity expressed by the glia of the pharate adult is attained by differentiation of new cell types during metamorphosis. Before the differentiation of new cell types, extensive cell death and cell proliferation seem to occur within some glial subpopulations.