Subtelomeric regions in mammalian cells are deficient in DNA double-strand break repair

We have previously demonstrated that double-strand breaks (DSBs) in regions near telomeres are much more likely to result in large deletions, gross chromosome rearrangements, and chromosome instability than DSBs at interstitial sites within chromosomes. In the present study, we investigated whether this response of subtelomeric regions to DSBs is a result of a deficiency in DSB repair by comparing the frequency of homologous recombination repair (HRR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) at interstitial and telomeric sites following the introduction of DSBs by I-SceI endonuclease. We also monitored the frequency of small deletions, which have been shown to be the most common mutation at I-SceI-induced DSBs at interstitial sites. We observed no difference in the frequency of small deletions or HRR at interstitial and subtelomeric DSBs. However, the frequency of NHEJ was significantly lower at DSBs near telomeres compared to interstitial sites. The frequency of NHEJ was also lower at DSBs occurring at interstitial sites containing telomeric repeat sequences. We propose that regions near telomeres are deficient in classical NHEJ as a result of the presence of cis-acting telomere-binding proteins that cause DSBs to be processed as though they were telomeres, resulting in excessive resection, telomere loss, and eventual chromosome rearrangements by alternative NHEJ.     

The regulation of cytochrome c oxidase of Rhodobacter capsulatus by light and oxygen

In order to distinguish between the regulatory effects of oxygen tension and light intensity on cytochrome c oxidase protein and enzymatic activity cells of Rhodobacter capsulatus were shifted from phototrophic (anaerobic, light) growth to aerobic-light, aerobic-dark and to anaerobic-dark conditions, respectively. During shift-experiments the formation of oxidase protein and regulation of oxidase activity was followed by immunological and enzymatic means. The results support the idea, that the formation of oxidase protein is regulated by oxygen tension and light intensity changes, whereas the regulation of oxidase activity seems only to be correlated to the oxygen tension. A DNA sequence involved in the oxygen-dependent regulation of cytochrome oxidase could be identified in the regulation-deficient oxidase mutant H41 of R. capsulatus. Immunological investigations of cytochrome c ₂ from mutant H41 demonstrated at the same time the participation of the c ₂-polypeptide in the regulation of cytochrome c oxidase.Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - CIE crossed immuno-electrophoresis - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide     

New Method for Oxygen Therapy in the Home using an Oxygen Concentrator

Patients with pulmonary hypertension due to chronic bronchitis may improve during long-term treatment with oxygen. The methods of administration which are currently available are expensive and present practical difficulties. The Rimer-Birlec domiciliary oxygen concentrator produces an oxygen concentration of 92% at a flow of 21./min. It has been used successfully in a patient''s home but further use will require an increase in mechanical reliability and a decrease in noise. In view of its convenience and the economic advantages the oxygen concentrator is an important advance in treatment with oxygen and could prove to be the method of choice in the home.     

Dietary induction of hepatic malic enzyme activity: differentiation of the induction process

The activity of rat liver malic enzyme shows a marked increase when the animals are maintained on a restricted protein diet. Of the NADP-linked dehydrogenases tested (malic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase), the response is confined only to malic enzyme. Dietary sucrose is not required for the increase in activity, but elevated dietary levels of this disaccharide increase hepatic malic enzyme regardless of dietary protein. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity is increased by dietary sucrose provided adequate dietary protein is supplied. The specificity of the response to lowered dietary protein shown by malic enzyme suggests that the control of the hepatic enzyme is mediated by processes different from those controlling the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.