Ultrastructure of trypan blue induced ocular defects: I. Retina and lens

The histological and cytological basis of trypan blue-induced ocular defects were studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Microphthalmic and anophthalmic eyes of 16-day rat fetuses were utilized from dams exposed to a teratogenic dose of trypan blue. Retinal and lenticular anlagen were specifically examined for architectural and cellular changes. Nearly all severely abnormal eyes showed no evidence of retina development: Of 41 such eyes, only two retinal rudiments were observed. Those eyes with mild microphthalmia always demonstrated retinae although architectural changes were present. In every abnormal eye, some degree of lenticular morphogenesis was always present. Lenses were small, displaced in the eye field, and arrested at the lens vesicle stage. Lens cells were markedly undifferentiated and thus lacked most of the cytological features normally present at this developmental stage. Neither retinal nor lenticular rudiments were necrotic despite major architectural and cytological disturbances. The data offer three conclusions: First, the absence of necrosis suggests that trypan blue causes developmental arrest in this eye model; second, absence of retinae is most likely due to primary failure of optic vesicle development; third, lack of lens differentiation is attributed to absence of the retina, the primary lens inducer.     

A Novel abscisic acid metabolite from cell suspension cultures of Nigella damascena

The structure of a novel abscisic acid metabolite isolated from cell suspension cultures of Nigella damascena fed [2-¹⁴C]abscisic acid was iden     

Light- and cytidine-dependent phosphatidylinositol synthesis in photoreceptor cells of the rat

Incorporation of [3H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol (Pl) in isolated rat retinas is enhanced by light and by the addition of cytidine to the incubation media. In retinas preincubated with [3H]inositol in dark, [3H]inositol was chased into Pl in light by addition of unlabeled cytidine and was chased out of Pl in light by addition of unlabeled cytidine plus inositol. Autoradiograms of retinas show a heavy density of silver grains over photoreceptor cell inner segments (with chase-in) and a loss of labeling (with chase-out). Exogenous cytidine and inositol were shown to enhance not only the turnover of Pl within photoreceptor cells but the synthesis of Pl as well; in media supplemented with these precursors, approximately 50% of [14C]glycerol and 25% of [32Pi]incorporated into lipid in light were associated with Pl. These results suggest that availability of both cytidine and inositol may play a role in the light-dependent changes in Pl metabolism within photoreceptor cells.     

Identification of Tn2401, a transposon encoding multiresistance to aminoglycosides

A transposable element, Tn2401, was found in a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Tn2401 had a size of 7190 nucleotides and encoded aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase and aminoglycoside 6'-N-acetyltransferase. The sequence encoding the former enzyme was homologous with that of Tn903. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains harbouring this transposon were resistant to kanamycin, neomycin, lividomycin, ribostamycin, paromomycin, netilmycin, tobramycin, dibekacin, gentamicin, sisomicin, and butirosin.     

Identification and purification of calcium ion dependent modulators of actin polymerization from bovine thyroid

We describe the purification of Ca2+-dependent actin modulator proteins from bovine thyroid using DNase I affinity chromatography and diethylaminoethylcellulose chromatography. The 40K actin modulator has been purified to 98% homogeneity. It is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of approximately 40 000 and an isoelectric point of 8.1. Its amino acid composition is different from previously described actin-associated proteins and thyroid actin. On the basis of the centrifugation assay and the DNase I inhibition assay, the actin complexed with the 40K protein is G-actin in its conformation rather than F-actin oligomers. Substoichiometric concentrations of the 40K protein rapidly inhibit actin polymerization in the presence of physiological concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+. An 80K actin modulator also has been purified to 98% homogeneity. It is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of approximately 80 000 and an isoelectric point of 6.35-7.0. Its amino acid composition is different from those of villin, gelsolin, and leukocyte actin polymerization inhibitor. On the basis of the DNase inhibition assay and the centrifugation assay, the nonprecipitable actin associated with the 80K protein was F-actin in its conformation. The 80K protein acts very efficiently as a Ca2+-dependent nucleator for actin assembly and reduces its viscosity. In addition to the 40K and 80K actin modulators, 91K and 95K actin-associated proteins were partially purified. The 91K-95K fraction has similar activity to the 80K protein regarding precipitation of F-actin. The 125I-G-actin polyacrylamide gel overlay technique [Snabes, M. C., Boyd, A.E., & Bryan, J. (1981) J. Cell Biol. 90, 809-812] revealed that both the 91K and 95K proteins bind 125I-actin after sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDodSO4) electrophoresis while the 80K and 40K proteins do not. Thyroid 91K protein comigrated with a human platelet 91K actin binding protein on NaDodSO4 gels and may be similar to macrophage gelsolin. The 95K protein may be similar to villin, the intestinal cytoskeletal protein.     

Alkylsulfonic acids and some S-containing detergents as sulfur sources for growth of Chlorella fusca

Chlorella fusca can utilize the following substances as sole sulfur sources for growth: C₁ to C₈ n-alkane-1-sulfonates, linear alkylbenzenes sulfonates (LAS), -sulfonated fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol sulfate and alkylsulfates. Good sulfur sources are alkylsulfonic acids, which are comparable to sulfate. Ethanesulfonic acid was used for comparison of the growth on sulfate and on a sulfonic acid, because best growth was achieved on this C₂-sulfonic acid.Growth data of Chlorella on the enviromental important detergents linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids, -sulfonated fatty acid methylester, Texapon and Sulfopon are presented. So far only microorganisms have been discussed as a source for degradation of sulfonic acids and detergents. It is suggested that green algae could be of similar importance for the biodegradation of these compounds.Abbreviations LAS Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate - ES -sulfonated fatty acid methylester - DTE dithiocrythritol     

The genes coding for 4 snRNAs of Drosophila melanogaster: localization and determination of gene numbers.

Four small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) have been isolated from Drosophila melanogaster flies. They have been characterized by base analysis, fingerprinting, and injection into Axolotl oocytes. The size of the molecules and the modified base composition suggest that the following correlations can be made: snRNA1 approximately U2-snRNA; snRNA2 approximately U3-snRNA; snRNA3 approximately U4-snRNA; snRNA4 approximately U6-snRNA. The snRNAs injected into Axolotl oocytes move into the nuclei, where they are protected from degradation. The genes coding for these snRNAs have been localized by "in situ" hybridization of 125-I-snRNAs to salivary gland chromosomes. Most of the snRNAs hybridize to different regions of the genome: snRNA1 to the cytological regions 39B and 40AB; snRNA2 to 22A, 82E, and 95C; snRNA3 to 14B, 23D, 34A, 35EF, 39B, and 63A; snRNA4 to 96A. The estimated gene numbers (Southern-blot analysis) are: snRNA1:3; snRNA2:7; snRNA3:7; snRNA4:1-3. The gene numbers correspond to the number of sites labeled on the polytene salivary gland chromosomes.     

Heat Resistance of Spores of Marine and Terrestrial Strains of Clostridium botulinum Type C

Resistance to heat of spores of marine and terrestrial strains of Clostridium botulinum type C in 0.067 m phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was determined. The marine strains were 6812, 6813, 6814, and 6816; the terrestrial strains were 468 and 571. The inoculum level equaled 10(6) spores/tube with 10 replicate tubes for each time-temperature variable. Heating times were run at three or more temperatures to permit survival of some fraction of the inoculum. Survivors were recovered at 85 F (30 C) in beef infusion broth containing 1% glucose, 0.10% l-cysteine hydrochloride, and 0.14% sodium bicarbonate. D values were calculated for each fractional survivor end point after 6 months of incubation. Thermal resistance curves were constructed from the D value data. D(220) (104 C) values for spores of 468 and 571 equaled 0.90 and 0.40 min, respectively. The corresponding values for spores of 6812, 6813, 6814, and 6816 were 0.12, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.08 min. The z values for the thermal resistance curves ranged from 9.0 to 11.5 F (5.0 to 6.2 C).     

Beobachtungen zur Lebensweise von Pycnogonum litorale (Ström) (Pantopoda)

Zusammenfassung Am Leitdamm des Jadebusens lebt Pycnogonum litorale im Lückensystem des Miesmuschelbesatzes. Dieser bietet mit hartem Untergrund, hoher Feuchtigkeit bei Niedrigwasser, genügend Actinien als Nahrung und guter Durchströmung bei gleichzeitigem Schutz vor Vertragung—offensichtlich günstige Lebensbedingungen für Pycnogonum litorale.Der Eiablage im Februar geht eine Reiterstellung des Männchens auf dem Weibchen von durchschnittlich 24 Tagen voraus. Unter künstlichen Kurztagbedingungen kann diese Reiterstellung auch außerhalb der Fortpflanzungsperiode eingenommen werden. Die Eier werden durch Rumpfbewegungen beider Partner zu den Ovigeren des Männchens bewegt. Bei 12°C schlüpfen die Larven etwa 41 bis 46 Tage nach der Eiablage aus, bei 19°C, im Sommer, schlüpften keine Larven.Im Jadebusen leben die Larven etwa 1/2 Jahn endoparasitisch in Hydrozoen. Die an die Metamorphose anschließende juvenile Phase, in der die Tiere frei leben, dauert ein knappes Jahr, die Reifehäutung erfolgt normalerweise im Sommer des zweiten Jahres, die Fortpflanzungsperiode etwa 6 Monate später, im Winter.

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Observations on the life biology of Pycnogonum litorale (Ström) (Pantopoda)

Summary Pycnogonum litorale lives in an interstitial system, of the mussel zone on the embankment of the Jadebusen. Hard substrate, high humidity at low tide, sufficient Metridium senile as food, and active currents together with protection from drifting, constitute favourable conditions for this pycnogonid.Prior to laying egg in February, the male remains in a riding position upon the female for approximately 24 days. Under artificial short-day conditions the riding position may also be assumed outside of the reproductive period. The eggs are transported to the ovigers of the male by trunk movements of both partners. At 12°C the larvae hatch about 41–46 days after egg-laying. No larvae hatched from eggs laid during summer at 19°C.The larvae live endoparasitically in Hydrozoa for about 1/2 year. Following metamorphosis, the freeliving juvenile phase lasts barely a year. The maturation moult normally takes place in the summer of the second year, the reproductive period beginning about 6 months later, in winter.

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Analyse der Spinnbewegungen der Larve von Formica pratensis Retz. (Form. Hym. Ins.)

Die während des Einspinnvorganges ablaufenden Verhaltensweisen werden bei Formica pratensis Retz. genau untersucht und mit anderen Ameisenarten verglichen.

• 1 Die Larve führt vor der Sekretabgabe Suchbewegungen aus, wodurch die Pflegerinnen veranlaßt werden, sie in vorher zusammengetragenes, feines Nestmaterial zu legen. Hier läßt sie eine Mulde entstehen, die ihr die Orientierung beim Kokonbau erleichtert.
• 2 Zum Kokonbau ist Nestmaterial unbedingt erforderlich; Licht als nestfremder Faktor verhindert die Gespinstanfertigung nicht.
• 3 Beim Kokonbau lassen sich drei Phasen unterscheiden: a) Anlage des Gerüstes durch Verbindung einzelner Nestpartikel zu einem strumpfförmigen Gebilde; b) Anfertigung des Außenkokons durch Abdichten der im Gerüst vorhandenen Poren; c) Bau des Innenkokons durch Spinnen von Achtertouren, wobei zunächst ein Kokonpol mit der dazugehörigen Kokonhälfte angefertigt wird und erst nach Drehung urn die Querachse der andere Pol.
• 4 Drehbewegungen um Quer- und Längsachse kommen in alien Phasen des Kokonbaues vor.
• 5 Die Achtertour wird regelmäßig durch eine Absteifbewegung, die der Formung des Kokons dient, unterbrochen.
• 6 Das plastische Verhalten der Larven beim Kokonbau wird aufgezeigt. Die Verhaltensweisen werden anhand eines Reiz-Wirkungsschemas diskutiert.