Correlation between the compact regions predicted by the Average Distance Map (ADM) and the biologically active sites in atrial natriuretic peptide

The prediction of the short-range compact regions of human atrial natriuretic peptide (a-hANP), one of the biologically active peptides, has been made by means of the Average Distance Map(ADM). We found out that the location of the predicted short-range compact regions is consistent with the structural units determined by the NMR analysis (Kobayashiet al., 1988). Furthermore, the short-range compact regions correspond well to the biologically active areas of atriopeptin (103–125)-amide (which is homologous peptide toa-hANP), detected by the glycine substitution technique (Konishiet al., 1987). The results suggest that a predicted short-range compact region can be regarded as a possible active site in a biologically active peptide.     

The deoxygenations of tosylated adenosine derivatives with Grignard reagents

The reactions of 2'-O- or 3'-O-tosylated adenosines with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of various products, which were deoxy or branched-chain deoxy sugar nucleosides, 1',2'-unsaturated nucleosides, 3'-deoxy-2'-keto sugar nucleosides, and so on. The convenient method for the synthesis of the 3'-deoxy-2'-keto adenine nucleoside is described.     

Dystrophin in rod spherules; submembranous dense regions facing bipolar cell processes

 It is known that the retina contains the protein dystrophin in the ribbon synapse, but the ultrastructural analysis is not yet fully elucidated. Our previous study reported that dystrophin is localized under the rod cell membranes in rat retinas. In the present study, we have investigated the relationship between dystrophin-rich regions of rod cell membranes and other neuronal processes in mouse retinas with a monoclonal antibody raised against the human dystrophin C-terminus. Immunoblotting, immunofluorescence stainings, and immunoelectron microscopy were employed. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that mouse retinas possessed some of the dystrophin isoforms of approximately 260 kDa, 140 kDa, and 70 kDa molecular weight. Confocal images showed a punctate appearance in the outer plexiform layer, as previously described. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that dystrophin immunoreactive products were always observed at submembranous dense regions of the rod spherule abutting bipolar processes. These results suggest that retinal dystrophin may be closely involved in signal transmission from rods to bipolar cells. Accepted: 7 May 1997     

Studies on Flavor Components of Foodstuffs

Distribution of tetramethylpyrazine (T.M.P.) in Japanese fermented foodstuffs was investigated by more accurate analytical method.

Namely, the method was successful when trapping T.M.P. with picric acid after flash evaporation of the foodstuffs, followed by analysis with gas chromatography.

T.M.P. was detected in many Japanese fermented foodstuffs, especially in Miso, Soy sause and Natto, which suggests that alkylpyrazines may play an important role as flavor of those foodstuffs.     

The Incidence of R Factors in Bordetella bronchiseptica Isolated from Pigs

Bordetella bronchiseptica strains isolated from the nasal cavities of young pigs in Japan from 1969 to 1972 were surveyed for drug resistance and distribution of R factors. Of 304 strains examined, 71 (23%) were resistant to either one or more of following three drugs, streptomycin (SM), sulfadimethoxine (SA), and aminobenzyl penicillin (APC). Triple (SM.SA.APC)-resistance was most frequent among these resistant strains. Strains of double (SM. SA)- or single (SM)- and (SA)-resistance were also isolated, but were very few in numbers. Of the 71 drug-resistant strains, 61 (86%) were found to carry R factors which were capable of conjugal transfer. All of these R factors had the triple (SM.SA.APC)-resistant markers and were identified as fi^– (no fertility inhibition) type. The (SM.SA.APC)-resistant strains carrying R factors had been isolated from pigs reared on various farms in different districts, and consequently the prevalence of B. bronchiseptica strains carrying R factors was considered to be relatively wide-spread in young pigs.     

Gelation of Limulus Lysate by Synthetic Dextran Derivatives

The Limulus test has been considered specific for the presence of bacterial endotoxins. To synthesize a simple model of endotoxin, palmitoyldextran phosphate was prepared by modification of dextran by palmitoylation and phosphorylation. The present studies indicated that a variety of polysaccharide derivatives, such as palmitoyldextran phosphate, palmitoyldextran, and dextran phosphate, give a positive Limulus test and show pyrogenic activity, except for low molecular dextran derivatives. On the other hand, polysaccharides, such as dextran, starch (soluble), chitosan, xylan, and lentinan, were negative in these assays. The gelation reaction of Limulus lysate by modified dextran derivatives may depend on the molecular weight or modification of polysaccharides by palmitoylation and/or phosphorylation to a great extent.     

Enhancing coral larval supply and seedling production using a special bundle collection system “coral larval cradle” for large‐scale coral restoration

Larval recruitment is essential for sustaining coral communities and a fundamental tool in some interventions for reef restoration. To improve larval supply and post‐settlement survival in sexually assisted coral restoration efforts, an integrated in situ collector system, the larval cradle, was designed to collect spawned gametes then culture the resulting larvae until settled on artificial substrates. The final design of the larval cradle was cylindrical, a nylon mesh structure with a volume of 9 m³, suspended in the sea and extending vertically toward the seabed. We found three key design features that improved the efficiency of the apparatus: (1) an open area of sea surface and mesh size of less than 100 μm produced high fertilization and optimal survival (>90%), (2) a special skirt‐shaped net (3 m in diameter) with a connection hose for attaching the cradle to collect bundles from many adult colonies over a wide area and at various depths, and (3) adding short square tube pieces, called square hollow sections, as a substrate for enhancing larval settlement and survival, to a larval cradle at 4 days after spawning was optimal for uniform settlement. This system allowed not only the collection of several million eggs, but also subsequent production of several thousand settled juvenile corals, without land facilities. Our design achieved several hundred times higher survival for early life stages of Acropora tenuis compared to nature.