Primary structure of a precursor for the delta-subunit of sweet potato mitochondrial F1-ATPase deduced from full length cDNA.

A cDNA library constructed from poly(A)-rich RNA of the sweet potato tuberous root using a newly developed plasmid vector carrying tac-SP6 promoters was used to identify full length cDNAs for the nuclear-encoded delta-subunit of mitochondrial F1-ATPase by oligonucleotide-hybridization selection. Selected clones contained cDNA insert which carry the entire coding capacity for the pre-delta-subunit, since the RNA transcribed in vitro from SP6 promoter on the vector directed the synthesis of pre-delta-subunit polypeptide in a wheat germ in vitro translation assay. The nucleotide sequence of one of these cDNAs indicates that it can code for the pre-delta-subunit of 244 amino acids of which 199 amino acids encode the mature subunit. The amino acid sequence of the mature delta-subunit shows similarities of about 18-25% amino acid positional identity with the delta-subunits of bacterial F1-ATPases, about 26% with the delta-subunit of chloroplast CF1-ATPase, and about 32-37% with oligomycin sensitivity conferring proteins of animal and fungal mitochondria. The N-terminal presequence of the precursor composed of maximum of 45 amino acids does not show any obvious sequence homology with either the transit peptide of the nuclear-encoded pre-delta-subunit of chloroplast CF1 or the presequence of the nuclear-encoded pre-oligomycin sensitivity conferring proteins. At least two types of the delta-subunit cDNAs with very similar structures were identified from the library, and the presence of multiple copies of the delta-subunit gene in the hexaploid genome of the sweet potato is also suggested by genomic Southern blot hybridization.     

Angiotensin II generation in mesenteric arteries in rats: effects of nephrectomy, deoxycorticosterone and dexamethasone

Angiotensin II (ANG II) generation in the mesenteric arteries was studied in four groups of rats: deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)/salt treated, glucocorticoid treated, nephrectomized and control rats. Basal plasma renin activity (PRA) was undetectable in the nephrectomized group and suppressed in the DOCA/salt treated rats, but was increased in the rats treated with glucocorticoid. The Basal plasma ANG II concentration changed comparably with PRA in all four groups of rats. In the control rats, ANG II was released from the mesenteric arteries at a rate of 43.0 +/- 12.0 pg/h, and it was not decreased by nephrectomy. In DOCA/salt rats and glucocorticoid rats, ANG II release significantly decreased to 12.8 +/- 7.1 and 6.9 +/- 1.5 pg/h, respectively. Captopril treatment significantly reduced ANG II release from the mesenteric arteries in both controls and nephrectomized rats, but did not influence ANG II output in DOCA/salt rats or in glucocorticoid treated rats. In nephrectomized rats, captopril lowered blood pressure in association with a significant reduction in the mesenteric ANG II formation. These results indicate that the renal and vascular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may be independently regulated, and in nephrectomized animals the vascular RAS contributes in part to the maintenance of blood pressure. The present results also suggest that volume expansion per se and/or pharmacological intervention by DOCA and glucocorticoid could modulate vascular ANG II generation.     

Sesquiterpenoids of Riccardia and Pallavicinia species

Riccardia species (Metzgeriales) contain various types of sesquiterpenes. R. jackii produces ent-selinane-, ent-aromadendrane-and ent-bicyclogermacrane-type sesquiterpenes together with (R)-cuparene and α-barbatene. Aneura pinguis (= Riccardia pinguis) is chemically quite different from R. multifida and R. jackii. The former produces a large amount of pinguisone. R. multifida contains 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-indole and (+)-β-elemene as the major components. Pallavicinia longispina (Dilaenaceae; Metzgeriales) produces mainly spathulenol. The chiral properties of the sesquiterpenes isolated from R. jackii are quite similar to those of red algae, Laurencia species.     

Bibenzyls from Radula tokiensis and R. Japonica

A new bibenzyl having a dihydrooxepin ring was isolated from the acetone extract of the liverwort Radula tokiensis, together with the previously known 5 bibenzyls and 3 sesquiterpenes, trans-β-farnesene, cuparene and (Jcuparenol. Two known bibenzyls were isolated from R. japonica. The bibenzyl derivatives are significant chemosystematic markers of the Radulaceae.     

Effects of gibberellin and colchicine on microfibril arrangement in epidermal cell walls of Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi epicotyls

Gibberellic-acid (GA₃) treatment of azukibean epicotyls resulted in alterations of the direction of newly deposited microfibrils, on the cell walls. Cells having transverse microfibrils on the inner surface of the wall were observed more frequently in GA₃-treated epicotyls than in untreated or water-treated ones. This effect of GA₃ was negated by simultaneously supplied colchicine. A crossed polylamellate structure was observed in the inner portion of the walls of GA₃-treated cells, but not in the inner portion of the walls of colchicine-treated cells. The wall formed under the influence of colchicine consisted of microfibrils running in the same direction.Abbreviations GA gibberellin - GA₃ gibberellic acid (gibberellin A₃)     

Photoreaction of tyrosin-iodinated bacteriorhodopsin at low temperature

To elucidate the role of tyrosine residues in the shift of max and the light-driven proton pump of bacteriorhodopsin~ the photochemical reaction of tyrosine-iodinated bacteriorhodopsin (tyr-mod-bR) was investigated by low-temperature spectrophotometry. After 4–5 of 11 tyrosine residues of bacteriorhodopsin were iodinated, the meta-intermediate of tyr-mod-bR in 75% glycerol solution became so stable that its decay could be observed even at room temperature and i t was stable in the dark for several hours at –65°C.Four batho-intermediates were formed by irradiation with green light (500 nm) at –170°C. Like native bacteriorhodopsin, these batho-intermediates were photoreversible at –170°C. Four corresponding meta-intermediates were also formed by irradiation at –60°C. Using the difference spectra between meta-intermediates and tyr-mod-bR, the absorption spectra of four kinds of tyr-mod-bRs, batho-intermediates, and meta-intermediates were estimated. Each was at shorter wavelengths than that of its corresponding type in native bacteriorhodopsin. The results indicate that two or more tyrosine residues have some role in determining color in native bacteriorhodopsin.     

The control of phosphoprotein phosphatase by the second-site phosphorylation of a substrate. Studies with H2B histone as model substrate.

The phosphorylation of Ser-32, in addition to Ser-36 of H2B histone, stimulated the rate of Pi release from Ser-36 by the small form (Mr 31 000) of pig heart phosphoprotein phosphatase both in the absence and presence of 50 mM magnesium acetate. By phosphorylation at Ser-32, the Km value for Ser-36 phosphate in H2B histone was increased from 0.38 microM to 1.16 microM in the absence of magnesium acetate, but not significantly changed (from 37.4 microM to 26.2 microM) in the presence of magnesium acetate. With the large form (Mr 224000) of the phosphoprotein phosphatase, however, the phosphorylation at Ser-32 suppressed the rate of Pi release from Ser-36 both in the absence and presence of magnesium acetate. The Km value of the large form for Ser-36 phosphatase in H2B histone was nevertheless increased by phosphorylation at Ser-32, from 1.2 microM to 5.3 microM in the presence of magnesium acetate, but not changed (from 0.26 microM to 0.23 microM) in the absence of magnesium acetate.     

Ecological studies of collembolan populations in a pine forest soil IV. Comparison of distribution patterns

The distribution pattern of ten species of Collembola was studied during the four years period from July 1971 to May 1975 in a pine forest soil. The distribution patterns were analysed for two scales of distribution, i. e., the distribution over the plot of 10×10 m² and the micro-distribution within a block sample consisting of 36 contigious units each 2×2 cm² in area, by applying the -m regression method. The fundamental pattern which appeared was quite similar for the species examined and individuals were aggregated in response to the heterogeneity of habitat conditions. The causes of aggregations were discussed with regard to some environmental factors. The relative abundances of 10 species within the collembolan community was examined in relation to the habitat utilization and the relative abundance was not related to the degree of aggregation but rather to the area occupied by individuals. This suggests that the more numerically abundant species tend to occupy broader micro-habitat. Biological meaning of aggregation was discussed in connection with the population biology and community organization of collembola.     

Comparison of two forms of pig heart phosphoprotein phosphatase.

A phosphoprotein phosphatase (phosphoprotein phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.16) was partially purified from pig heart using as substrate H2B histone which had been phosphorylated at Ser-32 and Ser-36 by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (EC 2.7.1.37). The enzyme had a molecular weight of approx. 250 000 and was converted to a smaller form with a molecular weight of approx. 30 000 upon treatment with ethanol. Phosphorylase alpha (EC 2.4.1.1) and phosphorylated H1 histone also served as substrates for both forms of the enzyme. The conversion of the large form of the enzyme to the small form decreased the phosphohistone phosphatase activity to 25-50% with a concomitant 7-fold increase in the phosphorylase alpha phosphatase activity. Ser-36 phosphate was removed 6- and 15-fold more rapidly than was Ser-32 phosphate by the large and small forms of the enzyme, respectively. Among Ser-36-containing tryptic phosphopeptides derived from phosphorylated H2B histone, Lys-Glu-Ser(P)-Tyr-Ser-Val-Tyr was the shortest phosphopeptide which was dephosphorylated at a significant reaction rate with the phosphoprotein phosphatase. The Km values for phosphorylated H2B histone and the tryptic phosphopeptide were 23.7 micron and 187.1 micron, respectively, with the large form, and 81.4 micron and 90.0 micron, respectively, with the small form of the enzyme.