Transfer RNA genes from Dictyostelium discoideum are frequently associated with repetitive elements and contain consensus boxes in their 5' and 3'-flanking regions.

A total of 68 different tRNA genes from the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum have been isolated and characterized. Although these tRNA genes show features common to typical nuclear tRNA genes from other organisms, several unique characteristics are apparent: (1) the 5'-proximal flanking region is very similar for most of the tRNA genes; (2) more than 80% of the tRNA genes contain an "ex-B motif" within their 3'-flanking region, which strongly resembles characteristics of the consensus sequence of a T-stem/T-loop region (B-box) of a tRNA gene; (3) probably more than 50% of the tRNA genes in certain D. discoideum strains are associated with a retrotransposon, termed DRE (Dictyostelium repetitive element), or with a transposon, termed Tdd-3 (Transposon Dictyostelium discoideum). DRE always occurs 50 (+/- 3) nucleotides upstream and Tdd-3 always occurs 100 (+/- 20) nucleotides downstream from the tRNA gene. D. discoideum tRNA genes are organized in multicopy gene families consisting of 5 to 20 individual genes. Members of a particular gene family are identical within the mature tRNA coding region while flanking sequences are idiosyncratic.     

Incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine into ergosine by cell-free extracts of Clavicepspurpurea (FR.) tul

A cell-free system of $\text{Claviceps}\text{purpurea}$ has been described which incorporates [¹⁴C] leucine into the peptide-type ergot alkaloid ergosine. Cell-free extracts may be prepared either from protoplasts or lyophilized mycelium. Production was markedly stimulated by addition of agroclavine compared with d-lysergic acid and by agitation of the incubation mixture. The synthesis of ergosine is strongly dependent on the presence of ATP in the reaction mixture.     

Primary cytodiagnosis of synchronous small-cell cancer and squamous-cell carcinoma of the respiratory tract

Report is made of the first primary cytodiagnosis of a synchronous small-cell cancer of the lung and squamous-cell carcinoma of the larynx, which were histologically confirmed. Sputum cytology should be used in the detection and surveillance of multiple primary malignancies of the respiratory tract, which have been observed with increasing frequency.     

Streptomonospora litoralis sp. nov., a halophilic thiopeptides producer isolated from sand collected at Cuxhaven beach

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek - Strain M2T was isolated from the beach of Cuxhaven, Wadden Sea, Germany, in course of a program to attain new producers of bioactive natural products. Strain M2T produces...     

Methode und Gerät zur Untersuchung des Wanderungsvermögens von Fritfliegenlarven

Schwantes, H.O.: Biologie der Pilze. Eine Einführung in die angewandte Mykologie. 478 S., 60 Abb., 29 Tab. Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1996, UNI‐Taschenbücher 1871, 42,80 DM. ISBN 3–8252–1871–6

Westhoff, P.; Jeske, H.; Jürgens, G.; Kloppstock, K.; Link, G.: Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie. Vom Gen zur Pflanze. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York; 1996; 112 Abb., 19 Tab. ISBN 3–13–102021–0

McNamara, K.J. (Herausgeber): Evolutionary Change and Heterochrony. John Wiley &; Sons; Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapur (1995), ISBN 0–471–95837–9

Sobral, B.W.S. (Herausgeber): The Impact of Plant Molecular Genetics. Birkhäuser Verlag AG Basel (1996), ISBN 3–7643–3802–4

McIntosh, R.A.; Wellings, C.R.; Park, R.F.: Wheat rusts ‐ An atlas of resistance genes. 200 S., 119 Bildseiten, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, London, 1995, 125,00 Dfl., ISBN 0–7923–3430–2

Friedrich, G.; Rode, H. (Hsg.): Pflanzenschutz im integrierten Obstbau. Verlag Eugen Ulmer Stuttgart. 1996. 494 S., 128 Farbfotos, 94 Zeichnungen, 41 Tab., 3. völlig neubearbeitete Auflage. Preis 88,‐DM; ISBN 3–8001–5541–9

Nultsch, W.: Allgemeine Botanik. 10. neubearbeitete erweiterte Auflage. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart New York. 1996, 602 Seiten, 234 Abb. in 525 Einzeldarstellungen, 19 Boxen. Glossarium mit 752 Stichworten. Preis 44,‐DM; ISBN 3–13–383310–3

Berndt, J.: Umweltbiochemie. Uni‐Taschenbücher 1838. Gustav Fischer Verlag Stuttgart Jena. 1995; 278 S., 101 Abb., 33 Tab., Preis 34.80 DM. UTB‐ISBN 3–8252–1838–4

Kalusche, D.: Ökologie in Zahlen. Eine Datensammlung in Tabellen mit über 10.000 Einzelwerten. Gustav Fischer Verlag. Stuttgart, Jena, New York. 1996. 415 S. Preis 54, ‐DM; ISBN 3–437–20521–8     

Association of a common TLR-6 polymorphism with coronary artery disease – implications for healthy ageing?

Background

The pro-inflammatory status of the elderly triggers most of the age-related diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, the leading cause world wide of morbidity and death, is an inflammatory disease influenced by life-style and genetic host factors. Stimuli such as oxLDL or microbial ligands have been proposed to trigger inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. It has recently been shown that oxLDL activates immune cells via the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/6 complex. Several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TLR system have been associated with atherosclerosis. To investigate the role of TLR-6 we analyzed the association of the TLR-6 SNP Pro249Ser with atherogenesis.

Results

Genotyping of two independent groups with CAD, as well as of healthy controls revealed a significant association of the homozygous genotype with a reduced risk for atherosclerosis (odds ratio: 0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.95, P?=?0.02). In addition, we found a trend towards an association with the risk of restenosis after transluminal coronary angioplasty (odds ratio: 0.53, 95% CI 0.24-1.16, P?=?0.12). In addition, first evidence is presented that the frequency of this protective genotype increases in a healthy population with age. Taken together, our results define a role for TLR-6 and its genetic variations in modulating the inflammatory response leading to atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

These results may lead to a better risk stratification, and potentially to an improved prophylactic treatment of high-risk populations. Furthermore, the protective effect of this polymorphism may lead to an increase of this genotype in the healthy elderly and may therefore be a novel genetic marker for the well-being during aging.