Normal superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) activity with deletion of chromosome band 21q21 supports localization of SOD-1 locus to 21q22

Summary The gene for superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) is clearly on chromosome 21, although there is disagreement on the precise band location of SOD-1 on the long (q) arm of number 21. We report a patient with normal superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) activity and an interstitial deletion of chromosome 21 resulting in monosomy for band q21. His phenotype is characterized by moderate mental retardation, a long narrow face, high and arched palate, cardiac murmur, undescended testes, and long hyperflexible extremities. The normal SOD-1 activity supports localization of this enzyme to 21q22.1.     

19F nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the coat protein of bacteriophage M13 in synthetic phospholipid vesicles and deoxycholate micelles.

The nonlytic, filamentous coliphage M13 offers an excellent model system for the study of membrane-protein interactions. We prepare derivatives of the protein containing fluorine-labeled amino acids and use 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to study the protein in both deoxycholate micelles and phospholipid vesicles. We have previously described the in vivo preparation of an m-fluorotyrosyl derivative of M13 coat protein and also a method for incorporation of high levels of this protein into small, uniformly sized phospholipid vesicles of defined composition. Herein we describe the in vivo preparation and the characterization of an m-fluorophenylalanine derivative. We simultaneously compare the environment and mobility of the tyrosine and phenylalanine residues (the former in the hydrophobic region of the protein and the latter in the hydrophilic regions) as influenced by bile salt detergent or lipid interactions.     

In situ enzymatic removal of orthophosphate by the nucleoside phosphorylase catalyzed phosphorolysis of nicotinamide riboside

An enzymatic orthophosphate removal system is described which can be effectively used to continuously remove orthophosphate from biochemical samples. The phosphorolysis of nicotinamide riboside is catalyzed by calf spleen nucleoside phosphorylase to give ribose-1-PO4 and nicotinamide along with a proton. At pH 8 the production of ribose-1-PO4 from orthophosphate is essentially quantitative. This reaction can be monitored optically or by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Equations are given for determining the time required to remove a given amount of phosphate from a typical NMR sample with a known amount of nucleoside phosphorylase. The effects of a competing orthophosphate-producing reaction are considered.     

A remnant New Zealand carr

Carr vegetation was once extensive in New Zealand. It can be divided into Cordyline australis I Carex secta carr, comprising an open wood with scattered large herbs and an abundance of Carex species, and podocarp carr, dominated by tall conifers. Both have been almost eliminated by agricultural development. We studied a remnant of Cordyline australis I Carex secta carr in South Island, which graded at one end into salt marsh. Eight communities were recognized, including one pure salt marsh and two more with saline influence. Near the stream that provided moisture and alluvium for the area were herbaceous communities. In the poorly-drained area away from the stream were communities dominated by shrubs and small trees. The soil environment is similar to that of many European carrs, though generally less organic. A number of the exotic species are also found in European carrs.     

Vegetation of a coastal sand dune system in southern New Zealand

The introduction of vigorous exotic species has destroyed much of the native sand dune vegetation along the coasts of South Island, New Zealand. However, some dunes built by the native cyperad Desmoschoenus spiralis still remain in the southwest. The dunes at Cole Creek, on the West coast of South Island, were chosen as a relatively pristine study area. 15 transects were laid through semi-fixed dunes into dwarf forest. Environmental measurements were taken at regular intervals through the dunes: pH, soil moisture, organic matter, conductivity, nutrient status and elevation. Classification and ordination of these data demonstrated that two major environmental areas were present - open dune and dwarf forest - with an abrupt ecotone between them. Vegetation analyses revealed a loosely-banded pattern, parallel to the sea. Vegetation types with few but constant species such as Desmoschoenus spiralis and Calystegia soldanella, predominated in the open dune. Forest species were rarely found seaward of the dune/forest boundary, though there was evidence the Spatial Mass Effect was operating. Multiple regression and canonical correlation of the vegetation and environmental factors showed that the main factors affecting vegetation patterns were the environmental complex related to distance from the sea, elevation above mean tide, soil alkalinity and moisture.     

The inheritance of salt exclusion in woody perennial fruit species

Citrus and grapevines are salt-sensitive perennial crops. Damage caused by salinity is due mostly to accumulation of excessive concentrations of salt (Na- and Cl ions) in shoot tissues. In both crops, however, some rootstock varieties can restrict the accumulation of salt in scion leaves and stems. Salt-excluding rootstocks, however, are often deficient with regard to other desirable characteristics and as such their use is limited. As a consequence, we have conducted a range of crosses within both crops to select new salt-excluding hybrids which may have potential as new rootstocks and also to investigate the inheritance of salt exclusion in these woody perennials.In citrus, both Cl-ion and Na-ion exclusion has been observed as a continuous character and progenies segregate widely for their ability to restrict the accumulation of these ions in shoot tissues. The ability to exclude Cl ions appears to be independent of the ability to exclude Na ions. Thus a good Cl-ion excluder is not necessarily a good Na-ion excluder and vice versa. It has been possible, however, to select new salt-excluding citrus hybrids which perform as well as and sometimes better than parent varieties when grafted with a common scion and grown in artificially salinised field plots.In grapevines, the research has concentrated on the ability for Cl-ion exclusion and depending on the Cl-ion-excluding parent chosen this is inherited as either a polygenic or monogenic trait. In crosses between Vitis champini (Cl-ion excluder) and Vitis vinifera (Cl-ion accumulator), the ability to restrict Cl-ion accumulation in shoot tissues segregates widely with some offspring transgressing the performance of either parent. In crosses and backcrosses involving V. berlandieri and V. vinifera, however, hybrids segregate as either Cl-ion excluders or accumulators suggesting the effect of a major dominant gene for Cl-ion exclusion from V. berlandieri. This was evident from both field and glasshouse experiments although possible modifying genes from V. vinifera may affect the expression of this gene under glasshouse conditions in some crosses.     

Tetracyano-2,2-bipyridineiron(iii), an improved electron acceptor for the spectrophotometric assay of beta-oxidation and of succinate dehydrogenase in intact mitochondria.

A recently described direct reading assay for beta-oxidation and for succinate oxidation in intact mitochondria using [Fe(CN)6]3- as final electron acceptor [Osmundsen & Bremer (1977) Biochem. J. 164. 621--633] has been improved by using instead tetracyano-2,2-bipyridineiron(III) [Fe(CN)4(bpy)]-, which gives a 2.6 times greater absorbance change on reduction. Some physical and kinetic properties of [Fe(CN)4(bpy)]- are described. The use of exogenous cytochrome c(III) as electron acceptor was also tested; this gives the largest absorbance change, although the absolute rate of reaction is only approx. one-third of that using [Fe(CN)6]3- or [Fe(CN)4(bpy)]-.     

Neutral complexes as oxidants for the reduced form of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) [2Fe--2S] ferredoxin. Evidence for partial blocking by redox-inactive Cr(III) complexes.

The 1 : 1 reactions of three neutral Co(III) oxidants, Co(acac)3, Co(NH3)3(NO2)3 and Co(acac)2(NH3)(NO2), with reduced parsley (Petroselinum crispum) [2Fe--2S] ferredoxin (which carries a substantial negative charge), have been studied at 25 degrees C, pH 8.0 (Tris/HCl), I0.10 (NaCl). Whereas it has previously been demonstrated that with Co(NH3)6+ as oxidant the reaction if completely blocked by redox-inactive Cr(NH3)63+, the neutral oxidants are only partially blocked by this same complex. The effects of three Cr(III) complexes, Cr(NH3)63+%, Cr(en)33+ and (en)2Cr . mu(OH,O2CCH3) . CR(en)24+ have been investigated. Kinetic data for the response of 3+, neutral, as well as 1--oxidants to the presence of 3+ (and 4+) Cr(III) complexes can now be rationalized in terms of a single functional site on the protein for electron transfer. Electrostatics have a significant influence on association at this site.     

Cerebral Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Activity and γ-Aminobutyric Acid Concentrations in Mice Susceptible or Resistant to Audiogenic Seizures

Abstract: DBA/2 mice between 21 and 28 days of age are highly susceptible to sound-induced seizures. Drug studies suggest a possible deficit of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission may be involved. We have measured the whole brain GABA concentration and glutamic acid decar-boxylase activity in DBA/2 mice at various ages before, during, and after the period of maximal susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. Corresponding determinations were carried out on age-matched TO mice, a strain much less susceptible to audiogenic seizures than DBA/2 mice at all ages. No significant differences in GABA concentration or glutamic acid decarboxylase activity were found between strains at any age. The susceptibility of DBA/2 mice to audiogenic seizures does not result from a gross inability to synthesise or store GABA.     

Meiosis in the aquatic fungusCatenaria allomycis

Summary Catenaria allomycis Couch (Blastocladiales) is an endobiotic fungal parasite primarily of species of the genusAllomyces. The life cycle ofC. allomycis contains both sexual and asexual phases. Synaptonemal complexes have been found in young developing resistant sporangia (RS) suggesting that meiosis occurs within the thick walled RS prior to syngamy. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that meiosis proceeds through pachytene in the developing RS and is arrested in diplotene of prophase I until the sporangia are induced to germinate at which time the meiotic process is completed. Quantitative nuclear counts in developing RS support the ultrastructural observations. Meiotic nuclei are characterized by polar fenestrae in the nuclear envelope and intranuclear plaque-like microtubule organizing centers (MTOC).Portion of a Ph.D. dissertation submitted by the senior author to the Graduate School, University of Georgia.