Production and initial characterisation of the xylan-degrading system of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

We report the optimum conditions for the degradation of oat spelt arabinoxylan and a preliminary characterisation of the inducible xylan-degrading system of the lignin-degrading white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Xylanase activity was optimal at pH 5.0 and 50°C; see attached sheet the maximum reaction velocity (V_max) of the system was 3.86 units (U) mg^–1 protein with arabinoxylan as substrate and the substrate concentration giving half V_max (S_0.5) was 0.52 mg ml^–1. At concentrations of arabinoxylan greater than 15 mg ml^–1 excess substrate inhibition was observed. Xylose at 0.9 mm inhibited activity to the extent of 50%. Xylanase activity increased as a function of the dilution of the enzyme preparation prior to assay. It was resolved into four peaks by using a DEAE-Biogel column; the material in these peaks differed with respect to xylan solubilisation and the formation of reducing sugars. Electrofocusing gels allowed visualisation of several bands of activity corresponding to each peak. The arabinoxylan degradation system of P. chrysosporium is therefore composed of multiple components. Correspondence to: P. Broda     

Increased shikonin production by hairy roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon in two phase bubble column reactor

Summary Plant hairy root cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon were carried out to produce shikonin derivatives by employing in situ extraction with n-hexadecane in a shake flask and a bubble column bioreactor. Over 95 % shikonin produced was recovered in the n-hexadecane layer. In flask cultures the maximum concentration of shikonin with n-hexadecane extraction was 3 times higher than that obtained without extraction. In the two phase bubble column reactor, 572.6 mg/L of shikonin and 15.6 g/L of dry cell mass were obtained after 54 days. Shikonin was produced at a constant level of 10.6 mg/L day during this period.     

钙／钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶对17．7kD和6kD胰腺蛋白的磷酸化

本文报导了胰腺提取物中两种可被钙／钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶磷酸化的热稳定蛋白。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ测定其表观分子量分别为１７．７ｋＤ和６ｋＤ。经钙／钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶磷酸化后,其最大磷酸参入量为８．８μｍｏｌ／ｇ蛋白。同时磷酸化作用导致１７．７ｋＤ蛋白在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ中迁移率发生变化。本文还进一步分析了各种阳离子对磷酸化的影响,并对此两种蛋白可能具有的生理功能进行了初步探讨。     

Z → B transition in poly[d(G-m5C)2] induced by interaction with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

The Z form of poly[d(G-m⁵C)₂], in presence of Mg²⁺ ion, is found to be transformed into B form upon interaction with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). The Z → B transformation is complete at a mixing ratio of about 0.07 DAPI per DNA base pairs, i.e., each DAPI molecule may be related to the conversion of 6–7 base pairs. An interaction between DAPI and poly[d(G-m⁵C)₂] in its Z form at low drug: DNA ratios is suggested from optical dichroism and time-resolved luminescence anisotropy results. The spectroscopic behaviour of DAPI indicates that the Z conformation of DNA does not provide normal binding sites for DAPI, such as groove or intercalation sites, but that the initial association may be of external nature. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cytological and molecular characterization of a chromosome interchange and addition lines in Cadet involving chromosome 5B of wheat and 6Ag of Lophopyrum ponticum

Efforts to transfer wheat curl mite (Eriophyes tulipae Keifer) resistance from Lophopyrum ponticum 10X (Podb.) Love to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have resulted in the production of a number of cytogenetic stocks, including an addition line of 6Ag, a ditelo addition line, and a wheat-Lophopyrum translocation line. Characterization of these lines with C-banding, in situ hybridization with a Lophopyrum species-specific repetitive DNA probe (pLeUCD2), and Southern blotting with pLeUCD2 and a 5S ribosomal DNA probe (pScT7) confirmed that the distal portion of the short arm of 6Ag was translocated onto the distal portion of 5BS (5BL. 5BS-6AgS). It was also determined that the ditelo addition was an acrocentric chromosome of 6AgS.     

Mechancial properties of bat wing membrane skin

The skin of the bat wing in functionally unique among mammals: it serves as a major locomotor organ in addition to its protective and regulatory functions. We used tensile testing to investigate the mechanical capabilities of wing membrane skin, and compared stiffness, strength, load at failure, and energy absorption among specific wing regions and among a variety of bat taxa. We related these characteristics to the highly architectural fibrous supporting network of the wing membrane. We found that all material properties showed a strong anisotropy. In particular, wing membrane skin shows maximum stiffness and stregth parallel to the wing skeleton, and greatest extensibility parallel to the wing's trailing edge. We also found significant variation among wing regions. The uropatagium (tail membrane) supported the greatest load at failure, and the plagiopatagium (proximal wing membrane between laterl body wall and hand skeleton) is the weakest and most extensible part of the wing. We believe that the increased load bearing ability of the uropatagium relats to its key role in capture of insect prey, and that the great extensibility of the plagiopatagium promotes development of camber near the wing's centre of lift. In interspecific comparisons, energy absorpion and load to failure were greatest in Artibeus jamaicensis , the largest bat in our sample and the species with the highest wing loading, suggesting that wing loading may play a role in dictating the fuctional design of wing membranes.     

Dextran production by Leuconostoc mesenteroides in the presence of a dextranase producing yeast, Lipomyces starkeyi

Summary A new process for the production of small size dextran is developed in which dextran is produced by cultures of Leuconostoc mesenteroides in the presence of a partially constitutive mutant of Lipomyces starkeyi producing dextranase. Mixed cultures were examined by scanning electron microscopy with ruthenium to show the effects of the mixed culture on low molecular weight dextran (M.W. of 5,000 – 100,000) formation. The presence of the size variation in dextran was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography.     

A NEW SPECIES OF GENUS HABROPHLEBIODES ULMER (EPHEMEROPTERA: LEPTOPHLEBIIDAE)

Abstract  The present paper deals with a new species Habrophlebiodes zijinensis sp. nov. collected in Nanjing, Jiangsu Povince, China.