Isolation of cDNA clones for fourteen nuclear-encoded thylakoid membrane proteins

Summary Spinach cDNA libraries, made from polyadenylated seedling RNA, have been constructed in pBR322 and the expression vector gt11. Recombinant plasmids or phage for 14 intrinsic and peripheral thylakoid membrane proteins and one stromal protein have been identified. They encode components containing antigenic determinants against the lysine-rich 34 kd, the 23 kd and 16 kd proteins all associated with the water-splitting apparatus of the photosystem II reaction center, the ATP synthase subunits gamma, delta and CF_o-II, the Rieske Fe/S protein of the cytochrome b/f complex, subunits 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the photosystem I reaction center, plastocyanin, ferredoxin oxidoreductase, chlorophyll a/b-binding apoproteins of the lightharvesting complex associated with photosystem II, and the small subunit of the stromal enzyme ribulose bisphosphate corboxylase/oxygenase. The cDNA inserts lack complementarity to plastid DNA but hybridize to restricted nuclear DNA as well as to discrete poly A⁺-mRNA species. The precursor products obtained after translation of hybrid selected RNA fractions in a wheat germ assay are imported and processed by isolated unbroken spinach chloroplasts. The imported components comigrate with the respective authentic proteins.     

Effect of translocation-hindering procedures on source leaf photosynthesis in cucumber

Three treatments which altered translocation rate were applied to cucumber plants: Girdling of source leaf petiole; removal of all aerial sinks; removal of all source leaves except one. Two different effects were observed, one short-term (during the initial 6 hours), and one long-term (detected after several days).

The short-term effect was observed exclusively in girdled leaves and involved a reduction in ¹⁴CO₂ fixation rate paralleled by an increase in stomatal resistance. The effects were maximal after 3 hours with subsequent recovery. Stomatal closure apparently resulted from the 5 to 10% water deficit temporarily detected in girdled leaves which probably induced the observed temporary increases in abscisic acid content. Kinetin counteracted the effects of girdling.

The long-term effect was detected 3 days after girdling and 3 to 5 days after sink manipulation. An increase or decrease in ¹⁴CO₂ fixation rate was observed when the sink-source ratio was increased or decreased respectively, accompanied by a respective decrease or increase in starch content. Changes in the relative amount of ¹⁴CO₂ incorporated into various photosynthetic products were also observed. Stomatal closure was not involved, and the decrease in CO₂ fixation was not counteracted by kinetin.

     

Cloning and physical mapping of enteric adenoviruses (candidate types 40 and 41)

We have studied the DNAs of fastidious enteric adenoviruses recovered from the stools of infants with gastroenteritis. By endonuclease analysis, the strains examined represent candidate adenovirus types 40 and 41, which are thought to comprise new adenovirus subgroups F and G. Cloning of DNA from representative enteric adenovirus isolates, together with hybridization and subcleavage analysis, permitted the mapping of restriction enzyme cleavage sites. Although the restriction profiles are different for the two strains, they appear to have several cleavage sites in common. Cross hybridization studies show considerable homology between the subgroup F and G strains but much less homology to adenovirus 2. In addition, regions on both ends of enteric adenovirus genomes (map units, 2.9 to 11.3 and 75 to 100) possess little or no homology to adenovirus 2. Restriction enzyme digests reveal submolar fragments that map to the terminal regions of the genome. Electron micrographic studies of denatured and renatured DNA strands suggest that the submolar fragments may derive from cleavage of defective molecules. Inverted terminal repeat sequences were shown to comprise 0 to 3.2% of the length of complete (greater than or equal to 22 megadaltons) enteric adenovirus DNA molecules but 4 to 69% of incomplete-length (less than 22-megadalton) molecules.     

Location and major postembryonic changes of identified 5-HT-immunoreactive neurones in the terminal ganglion of a cricket (Acheta domesticus)

Summary In the terminal ganglion of the cricket, Acheta domesticus, the somata of certain interneurones and efferent neurones consistently react to 5-HT immunohistochemistry. There are serially homologous pairs of bilateral interneurones seen in the neuromeres of the 7th to the 10th segment and hindgut neurones with their somata located at the posterior median end of the ganglion. In adult crickets, pairs of large efferent neurones with lateral somata supply specific genital muscles in the 8th and the 9th segment of females. In males, only one pair of these efferent neurones supplies genital muscles of the 9th segment only. These identified 5-HT-immunoreactive neurones are not detected in larval crickets before development of the genital apparatus.     

Rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Purification and properties

Alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) from the rat liver supernatant fraction has been purified 200-fold and partially characterized. The isolation procedure involved ammonium sulphate fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and gel filtration. The purified enzyme behaved as a homogeneous preparation as evaluated by cellulose acetate and polyacrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis. Sulphoethyl-Sephadex chromatography and immunoelectrophoresis with rabbit antiserum indicated the presence of a minor component. Rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase appears to contain 4mol of zinc/mol, has an estimated molecular weight of 65000 and consists of two subunits of similar molecular weight. Heavy-metal ions, thiol-blocking reagents, urea at concentrations below 8m, low pH (5.5) and chelating agents deactivate the enzyme but do not dissociate it into subunits. Deactivated enzyme could not be reactivated. The enzyme is strictly specific for NAD(+) and has a broad specificity for alcohols, which are bound at a hydrophobic site. Inhibition occurred with the enzyme equilibrated with Zn(2+) at concentrations above 0.1mm.     

The Influence of Syringomycin on Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis

Syringomycin, a wide-spectrum antibiotic produced by strains of Pseudomonas syringae which cause bacterial canker of peach, was able to bind to salmon sperm and calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid but not to calf thymus histone; it also inhibited ribonucleic acid polymerase activity. These abilities to bind to deoxyribonucleic acid and to inhibit ribonucleic acid polymerase were inactivated when the phytotoxic and antibiotic properties of syringomycin were inactivated.     

Pflanzensoziologische Beobachtungen an isländischen Dünengesellschaften

Zusammenfassung Nachdem die Therophyten- und Hemikryptophyten-Spülsaum-Gesellschaften des Strandes geschildert worden sind, wird die Honckenya diffusa-Elymus arenarius-Ass. der isländischen Küste und der Flugsandflächen im Binnenlande beschrieben. Die weitere Entwicklung der Vegetation auf den Flugsand-Feldern führt zur Silene maritima-Festuca cryophila-Ass., die in verschiedenen Subassoziationen vorkommt.Die Wünschbarkeit einer Nachprüfung der örtlich gewonnenen Ergebnisse wird dargelegt und die pflanzensoziologische Kartierung eines ausgedehnten Flugsandgebietes beiderseits der Ölfusá-Mündung in SW-Island empfohlen.Die Festlegung des Flugsandes, die zur Sicherung der benachbarten Siedlungen notwendig ist, wird am sichersten, schnellsten und billigsten durch die Kenntnis und Beachtung der syndynamischen Gesetze der hier wachsenden Pflanzengesellschaften erreicht. Dabei sind Vegetation und Standort, d.h. die Flugsand-Dünen als eine lebendige Einheit im Sinne vonvan Dieren (1934) zu betrachten und die praktischen Erfahrungen an der deutschen und dänischen Nordsee-Küste von Wert, auf die verwiesen wird.Auf die Bedeutung der Kenntnisse von Soziologie, Syndynamik und Synökologie der s-isländischen Küsten-Vegetation für das Verständnis der Besiedlung der nahen jungen Vulkan-Insel Surtsey wird hingewiesen.     

Hormonal control of proteinase activity in squash cotyledons

A crude proteolytic enzyme preparation which hydrolyzes casein was isolated from the cotyledons of squash seedlings. The presence of ethylene diamine tetraacetate or cysteine did not appreciably affect the activity of the preparation. During the course of germination, the level of proteolytic activity increased in the cotyledons of intact embryos through the third day and then decreased. The presence of the embryonic axis during the first 32 hours of germination was a prerequisite for the development of maximum proteolytic activity.     

Canine reproduction: I. Reaction of animals to collection of semen and insemination procedures

Two methods of semen collection were attempted on ten untrained dogs of several breeds. Manual manipulation as described proved most reliable for untrained dogs. Electro-ejaculation was attempted unsucessfully with twelve additional dogs.Two methods of insemination were compared. Equipment found most satisfactory is described and a modification suggested.