The location of structural difference between ovotransferrin types A and B in hens

A comparison of ovotransferrin types A and B showed that in starch gel electrophoresis both types consisted of one major and one minor component. Both types have a similar amino acid composition as do the fragments from each type. Starch gel electrophoresis shows that the cause of the difference in the elec-trophoretic mobilities between ovotransferrin types A and B lies in the C-termi-nal half of the molecule. No physiological difference was found between types A and B, both types donate iron to chicken embryo red cells at equal rate.     

Pollen dimorphism in relation to pollen plant formation

Induction of haploid plants from pollen grains on culture of anthers has been possible in a number of angiosperms but it is not yet understood why only a fraction of pollen responds to form haploids. Noteworthy in this connection are the recent experiments on anther culture of barley, tobacco and wheat, where it has been pointed out that pollen populations are basically dimorphic. Pollen capable of forming haploids occur in a low frequency, arc smaller, and different from the majority of pollen destined to form gametes. Particularly in tobacco it has been possible to increase the frequency of pollen capable of forming embryos by subjecting plants to low temperature prior to flowering, and to achieve differentiation of embryogenic pollen by subjecting young buds from such plants to a prolonged cold treatment. On selective isolation, from the rest of the pollen, the embryogenic pollen from such buds readily form embryos at high frequency on a simple mineral-sucrose medium. The embryogenic pollen are repressed for gametophytic differentiation and in culture they differentiate to produce embryos. These experiments provide evidence that only certain pollen are capable of forming haploids.     

flaD (sinR) mutations affect SigD-dependent functions at multiple points in Bacillus subtilis.

A flaD (sinR) null mutation depressed sigD-lacZ expression only two- to fourfold, whereas a flaD1 point mutation depressed it almost completely. Introduction of pHYSigD, a sigmaD-overproducing plasmid, corrected the filamentous phenotype common to both sinR mutants; autolysin synthesis was restored partially and completely in the flaD1 and flaD (sinR) null strains, respectively. Flagellin synthesis and motility were not restored at all in either strain.     

Characterization of plant phenotypes associated with loss-of-function of AtCNGC1, a plant cyclic nucleotide gated cation channel.

Of the 57 cation channel genes in the Arabidopsis genome, over a third encode cyclic nucleotide gated cation channels (CNGCs). CNGCs are ion channels regulated by cytosolic signaling molecules (cyclic nucleotides, calmodulin, and Ca(2+)), and which conduct Ca(2+) as well as K(+) and in some cases Na(+). Little is currently known about the role CNGCs may play in plant growth and development. Here, we examined the hypothesis that an Arabidopsis thaliana genotype containing a null mutation in one of the CGNC genes (AtCNGC1) would display cation uptake-related growth phenotype differences from wild type (WT) plants. We determined that AtCNGC1 protein is primarily expressed in the roots of Arabidopsis seedlings. Seedlings lacking this protein had slightly (6-22%) lower shoot Ca(2+) than WT plants. Primary roots of Atcngc1 mutant seedlings grew faster than roots of WT plants, and had larger angles of gravicurvature and less nitric oxide generation upon gravistimulation. We conclude that channels formed (at least in part) by AtCNGC1 contribute (along with other channels) to Ca(2+) uptake into plants, and that Ca(2+) uptake into roots through AtCNGC1 affects some aspects of growth in the primary root of Arabidopsis seedlings.     

Recalcitrant Grain Legume Vigna radiata, Mung Bean, Made to Regenerate on Change of Hormonal and Cultural Conditions

Induction of shoots is possible from cotyledonary node of Vigna radiata seedlings by culturing them on a low concentration of thidiazuron (TDZ 1.0 μM). Interestingly, flooding the seedlings with the same concentration of TDZ considerably enhanced this effect and also led to the induction of shoots from the epicotyl – an unexpected and significant finding. Even plain mineral medium evoked this response on flooding. But seedlings raised on TDZ and flooding with mineral medium was not so effective. Instead seedlings raised on TDZ (1.0 μM) medium as well as flooding with it had synergistic effect. In a comparative study TDZ (1.0 μM) was found to be more effective than BAP (10 μM). Marked repression of root formation and expansion of shoot–apex were noted in seedlings raised on TDZ or BAP, particularly in cultures that were flooded.     

Promotive effect of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone on pollen embryogenesis in Datura innoxia

Pollen embryos of Datura innoxia Mill are produced in larger numbers from anthers on agar-gelled medium containing polyvinylpolypyrrolidone than on control. The best response is observed with 0.5% polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. The effect is possibly due to adsorption of substances (phenolics) emanating from cultured anthers and inhibiting the development of pollen grains into embryos.     

Interaction of molecular probes with living cells and tissues. Part 2

Summary Cultured rat fibroblasts were exposed to 41 cationic fluorescent probes of very varied hydrophilicity/lipophilicity. Outcome of probe-cell interaction fell into one of the following categories: probe failed to enter the cells; probe accumulated on cell surfaces; probe accumulated in mitochondria, and/or in other intracellular regions. The observations were analysed using a Simplistic Chinese Box (SCB) approach, and the following conclusions were reached. It was the hydrophilic probes which failed to enter cells, whilst extremely lipophilic probes were retained on the cell surfaces. Only the slightly lipophilic cationic probes were permeant, and accumulated in mitochondria. Using the probes log P values to model hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, effective cationic mitochondrial stains can be specified numerically so: 0P _probe<+5. This SCB model was used to rationalise a variety of earlier observations on the action of mitochondrial probes. The applicability of the SCB approach to integrate image-based and biochemical investigations was demonstrated by using the action of chlorpromazine on mitochondrial action as a case example.