The alkene monooxygenase from Xanthobacter Py2 is a binuclear non-haem iron protein closely related to toluene 4-monooxygenase

The genes encoding the six polypeptide components of the alkene monooxygenase from Xanthobacter Py2 have been sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence of the first ORF shows homology with the iron binding subunits of binuclear non-haem iron containing monooxygenases including benzene monooxygenase, toluene 4-monooxygenase (>60% sequence similarity) and methane monooxygenase (>40% sequence similarity) and that the necessary sequence motifs associated with iron co-ordination are also present. Secondary structure prediction based on the amino acid sequence showed that the predominantly α-helical structure that surrounds the binuclear iron binding site was conserved allowing the sequence to be modelled on the co-ordinates of the methane monooxygenase α-subunit. Significant differences in the residues forming the hydrophobic cavity which forms the substrate binding site are discussed with reference to the differences in reaction specificity and stereospecificity of binuclear non-haem iron monooxygenases.     

Response of lentil to VA Mycorrhizal inoculation and plant available P levels of unsterile soils

Summary Responses of lentil in unsterile soils at low, medium and high levels of plant available soil P toGlomus fasciculatum inoculation were evaluated. It was observed that growth, dry matter accumulation, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation were considerably improved in VAM inoculated plants over uninoculated control at low and medium levels of plant available soil P.     

Objective test for food sensitivity in asthmatic children: increased bronchial reactivity after cola drinks.

Ten asthmatic children with a history of cough and wheeze after drinking a cola drink performed histamine inhalation tests before and 30 minutes after a drink of Pepsi-Cola, soda water, and water on three separate study days. There was no significant change in baseline peak expiratory flow after any of the three drinks. Sensitivity to histamine was increased after the cola drink (p less than 0.005) but was not significantly different after soda water or water. The detection of change in sensitivity to histamine appears to be a simple and effective method of testing for food sensitivity in asthma.     

Analysis of the antigenic and immunogenic properties of protein M of the influenza virus by an immunoenzyme method

A test system permitting the detection of influenza virus protein M at a concentration of 0.1-0.5 ng/ml in ELISA has been developed. The use of this system made it possible to detect influenza viruses A and B directly in crude virus-containing material and clinical samples obtained from influenza patients. During the outbreak of influenza in the spring of 1983 ELISA was successfully used for the rapid diagnosis of influenza, and some of its advantages in comparison with the conventional immunofluorescence test were thus demonstrated. To overcome difficulties arising from the low immunogenic potency of protein M, in the process of obtaining diagnostic sera and ascitic fluids the animals were immunized with the conjugate of protein M and polyelectrolite, which ensured considerable activation of humoral immune response.     

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of horse class II MHC genes observed using various human alpha-and beta-chain cDNA probes

Genomic DNA isolated from 20 horses was digested with up to six restriction endonucleases and subjected to southern blot hybridization analysis using various human class II alpha- and beta-chain cDNA probes. A high degree of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was found for the DQ alpha, DP beta, DQ beta and DR beta probes, about 20 polymorphic bands being detected for each. DR alpha showed 2-4 polymorphic bands, whereas no evidence for DP alpha-like genes was found. A number of correlations of RFLPs with individual alloantisera were apparent.     

Effect of adrenaline on kidney lysosome function in rats during prolonged soft tissue crushing

The total and unsedimentable activity of acid DNase, RNase, phosphatase and arylsulfatases A and B was examined in the rat kidneys during long-term compression of soft tissues in the presence of high excitability of the sympathoadrenal system. Injection of adrenalin to rats with trauma reduced the total activity of DNase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatases A and B, particularly at the late periods of soft tissue compression, whereas the total activity of acid RNase slightly increased as compared with control. Compression of soft tissues after adrenalin preinjection was accompanied by a substantial rise of unsedimentable activity of the lysosomal enzymes under study in the kidneys. The activity of the enzymes in cytosol progressively ascended as the time of soft tissue injury increased.     

A radioimmunoassay for epinephrine and norepinephrine in tissues and plasma

An I¹²⁵ radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed for the measurement of plasma and tissue epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE). The assay utilizes an antibody which specifically binds metanephrine. E and NE are detected by conversion to metanephrine with the enzymes catechol-0-methyltransferase and phenylethanol-amine-N-methyltransferase. The assay is very specific and will allow the measurement of E and NE in less than 500 μl of normal human plasma. E and NE concentrations were determined by both the RIA and a radioenzymatic assay in canine, human and rat biologic samples. The correlation coefficients between the two assays were .962 for E and .956 for NE. The RIA is sensitive, specific, precise and significantly less costly and time consuming than present radioenzymatic methods.