Structure of barogenin from Solanum tuberosum

The budding tuber of Solanum tuberosum accumulated barogenin. Its structure was determined by chemical and spectroscopic studies as (25S)-3β, 26-dihydroxy-cholest-5-ene-16,22-dione, the (25S)-epimer of kryptogenin. The biogenetic relationship between barogenin and spirostanols is discussed.     

Short- and long-term effects of ammonium chloride on RNA, DNA and protein concentrations in muscle and serum in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

1. Effects of ammonium-induced acidosis on white muscle RNA, DNA and protein concentrations were examined in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Serum protein concentrations were also determined. 2. A single administration of ammonium chloride at a dose of sublethal level caused no changes in these parameters after 3 and 6 hr. 3. Multiple administrations at a lesser dose caused significant decreases in RNA and serum protein concentrations 48 and 72 hr after the first administration. 4. DNA and muscle protein concentrations remained unchanged throughout the experimental period. 5. Significant decreases in RNA-DNA ratios and RNA-muscle protein ratios were primarily attributed to decreases in RNA concentrations.     

Purification and Characterization of Vibrio vulnificus Protease

A protease was purified from a strain of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from the blood of a septicemic human. The vibrio was cultured in bacto peptone-yeast extract medium, and the protease was purified by a purification procedure including ultrafiltration of the culture supernatant with an Amicon YM 5 membrane, diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel column chromatography, Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono Q column. The protease preparation revealed homogeneity on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and about 30,000-fold purification was achieved, with a yield of about 30%. The isoelectric point of the purified V. vulnificus protease was about 5.80 and its molecular weight was ca. 45,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH of the protease activity was 8.0. The V. vulnificus protease was inhibited by a metalloprotease inhibitor and zinc ion and/or ferrous ion were essential for its enzyme activity. No cysteine residue was detected in the V. vulnificus protease. The protease had caseinolytic, elastolytic and collagenolytic activities.     

Production of Nicotiana tabacum x Nicotiana acuminata hybrid by ovule culture

Using a conventional sexual crossing technique, Nicotiana tabacum x N. acuminata was not produced. After the fertilized ovules were cultured for 20 days in a liquid Nitsch H medium, germination was observed. The roots grew rapidly but leaves did not. However, plantlets were produced in an H medium containing Benzyladenine or Kinetin (0.01–0.1 mg/l). The plantlets grew and flowered in a greenhouse. The chromosome number of the hybrid was 36 and its morphological characteristics were intermediate between those of parental species.Abbreviations BA Benzyl adenine - K Kinetin