Cloning and sequence analysis of the cyclomaltodextrinase gene from Bacillus sphaericus and expression in Escherichia coli cells

The gene for cyclomaltodextrinase (CDase; EC 3.2.1.54) from Bacillus sphaericus E-244 was cloned in the recombinant plasmid pCD629. Sequencing a portion of pCD629 revealed a unique open reading frame of 1,773 nucleotides coding for a 591-amino-acid polypeptide. The deduced polypeptide sequence showed about 50% homology with that of a neopullulanase, and was slightly homologous to those of the cyclodextrin glucanotransferases and the -amylases. The optimum pH, specific activity and K _m value for -cyclodextrin of the CDase that has been produced in Escherichia coli cells were 8.0, 16.4 units/mg protein, and 0.41 mm, respectively. These values were almost identical to those from B. sphaericus E-244. Correspondence to: T. Oguma     

The osmoregulatory tissue around the afferent blood vessels of the coxal gills in the estuarine amphipods, Grandidierella japonica and Melita setiflagella

By electron microscopy of the coxal gills in two species of estuarine amphipod crustaceans, Grandidierella japonica and Melita satifragella, we found a patch-like, specialized tissue area which consisted of unique cells closely resembling the salt-excreting cells in the gill of the brine shrimp and so-called chloride cells in teleost gills. These cells were characterized by an abundance of mitochondria, two kinds of extensive networks of cytoplasmic tubules, well-developed lamellar infoldings of the basal cell membrane, sparse microvillous projections of the apical border, and numerous large vacuoles with several incomplete partitions. The large (60 nm in diameter) and the small (30 nm) cytoplasmic tubular networks were found in the basal and the apical portions of the cell, respectively. The large networks, which were both directly and indirectly (through the lamellar system) continuous with the basal cell membrane, were regarded as extensions of the cell membrane. Both the outer walls and the partition walls of the vacuoles were reinforced with a parallel array of microtubules. The results suggest that this unique tissue plays an important role in the active transport of electrolytes to maintain a constant osmotic pressure of the hemolymph under widely fluctuating salinities of the estuarine environments.     

Discrimination of folding types of globular proteins based on average distance maps constructed from their sequences

It has been shown that probable portions which form contacts in a protein can be predicted by means of an average distance map (ADM) as well as regular structures (-helices and -turns) defined as short-range compact regions (Kikuchiet al., 1988a,c). In this paper, we analyze the occurrence of those portions and short-range compact regions on ADMs for various proteins regarding their folding types. We have found out that each folding type of proteins shows characteristic distribution of such parts on ADMS. We also discuss the possibility of the prediction of folding types of proteins by ADMs.     

Amplifiedbcl-2/JH rearrangements in reactive lymphadenopathy

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine the occurrence ofbcl-2/JH joining produced by t(14;18) chromosomal translocation, amplified DNA was detected in 2 of 18 lymph nodes showing reactive lymphadenopathy. The PCR was repeated in these two lymphs nodes using the same DNA samples, but no amplification was detected at the second attempt. Thus the amplified DNA was considered to be derived from one copy of joinedbcl-2/JH in one cell, or from a few copies in a few clonal cells with the same joinedbcl-2/JH. These results suggest that false joining ofbcl-2/JH at the t(14;l8) junction may occur in reactive lymph nodes.     

The evolution and ecology of multiple antipredator defences

Prey seldom rely on a single type of antipredator defence, often using multiple defences to avoid predation. In many cases, selection in different contexts may favour the evolution of multiple defences in a prey. However, a prey may use multiple defences to protect itself during a single predator encounter. Such “defence portfolios” that defend prey against a single instance of predation are distributed across and within successive stages of the predation sequence (encounter, detection, identification, approach (attack), subjugation and consumption). We contend that at present, our understanding of defence portfolio evolution is incomplete, and seen from the fragmentary perspective of specific sensory systems (e.g., visual) or specific types of defences (especially aposematism). In this review, we aim to build a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing the evolution of multiple prey defences, beginning with hypotheses for the evolution of multiple defences in general, and defence portfolios in particular. We then examine idealized models of resource trade-offs and functional interactions between traits, along with evidence supporting them. We find that defence portfolios are constrained by resource allocation to other aspects of life history, as well as functional incompatibilities between different defences. We also find that selection is likely to favour combinations of defences that have synergistic effects on predator behaviour and prey survival. Next, we examine specific aspects of prey ecology, genetics and development, and predator cognition that modify the predictions of current hypotheses or introduce competing hypotheses. We outline schema for gathering data on the distribution of prey defences across species and geography, determining how multiple defences are produced, and testing the proximate mechanisms by which multiple prey defences impact predator behaviour. Adopting these approaches will strengthen our understanding of multiple defensive strategies.     

Vegetation patterns in relation to micro-scale landforms in hilly land regions

Spatial structures of landforms as constants affecting vegetation patterns are discussed based on analyses of hilly land regions, mostly in the vicinity of Sendai, northeast Japan. The lower part of a hillslope is characterized by relatively active processes of soil erosion, landslides and slope failure. It supports a plant community different from that on the upper part of the hillslope. These two parts are termed the lower hillslope and the upper hillslope, respectively. The upper hillslope consists of valley heads with no stream water nor stream channels. Since a valley head is comprised of several micro-scale landform units, an upper hillslope can be subdivided into these landform units. Plant communities vary in their species compositions and structures as well as in some other ecological characteristics paralleling changes in their respective micro-scale landform units. However, the variations in species composition within upper hillslopes are not as extreme as those between the upper and lower hillslopes. xx]Papers presented at the Vth INTECOL Congress at YOKO-hama 1990.     

Analyses of beta-1 syntrophin, syndecan 2 and gem GTPase as candidates for chicken muscular dystrophy.

Despite intensive studies of muscular dystrophy of chicken, the responsible gene has not yet been identified. Our recent studies mapped the genetic locus for abnormal muscle (AM) of chicken with muscular dystrophy to chromosome 2q using the Kobe University (KU) resource family, and revealed the chromosome region where the AM gene is located has conserved synteny to human chromosome 8q11-24.3, where the beta-1 syntrophin (SNTB1), syndecan 2 (SDC2) and Gem GTPase (GEM) genes are located. It is reasonable to assume those genes might be candidates for the AM gene. In this study, we cloned and sequenced the chicken SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM genes, and identified sequence polymorphisms between parents of the resource family. The polymorphisms were genotyped to place these genes on the chicken linkage map. The AM gene of chromosome 2q was mapped 130 cM from the distal end, and closely linked to calbindin 1 (CALB1). SNTB1 and SDC2 genes were mapped 88.5 cM distal and 27.6 cM distal from the AM gene, while the GEM gene was mapped 18.5 cM distal from the AM gene and 9.1 cM proximal from SDC2. Orthologues of SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM were syntenic to human chromosome 8q. SNTB1, SDC2 and GEM did not correspond to the AM gene locus, suggesting it is unlikely they are related to chicken muscular dystrophy. However, this result also suggests that the genes located in the proximal region of the CALB1 gene on human chromosome 8q are possible candidates for this disease.