Similarities in the heavy and light chains of tetanus toxin suggested by their amino acid compositions

Quantitative comparison of the amino acid compositions of the heavy and light chains of tetanus toxin by the method of Cornish-Bowden [(1983) Methods Enzymol. 91, 60-75)] suggests strongly that there is sequence homology between the two chains and that the heavy chain has two similar halves. Examination (by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate) of peptides produced from the chains by proteolytic cleavage supports this idea.     

Salt injury to plants with special reference to cations versus anions and ion activities

Summary In contrast with the toxicities of sulfate and chloride salts added to substrates, the anions SO₄ and C1 were not injurious when accumulated without leaf burning by cotton and tomato plants from atmospheres enriched with SO₂ or HC1 gases. The foregoing results are discussed in terms of cationenzyme interactions which appear to represent at least a major cause of salt toxicity. Although anions are largely unreactive with enzymes it has long been observed that chloride salts in soil solutions are far more toxic than sulfate salts. Five of seven species have shown nearly equal growth repressions on substrates with 100 me/1 of C1 salts versus 200 me of SO₄ salts, each added as 50 per cent Na. The ion activities of the two solutions were equal and the sum of cations in the plant saps were similar. The osmotic differentials (average about 10 atm) between the expressed tissue fluids and these substrate solutions were remarkably uniform within species. It is projected that the downward transport of salts via the phloem provides for root concentrations which supply ions to the xylem and thereby control the uptake of substrate salts.     

In vitro phytochrome dark reversion process

Thermal reversion of the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome to the red absorbing form in darkness has been investigated in crude and partially purified isolates from a number of etiolated and light grown higher plants. The influence of temperature, aging and urea on the rate of reversion was also determined.

Phytochrome isolated from all higher plants underwent reversion. The reversion proceeded in at least 2 distinct stages; a short rapid initial phase being followed a slow phase which continued for many hours. Reversion rate was highest in phytochrome isolated from green leaves of parsnip (Pastinacea sativa) and lowest in that isolated from etiolated oats (Avena sativa). Although the rate of reversion could be changed by modifying the tertiary structure of the protein component, the large differences in rate appeared to be characteristic of the plant source. Observed in vitro rates of reversion are slower than those occurring in vivo. Removal of other buffer solubilized material during purification had little effect on the rate of reversion of phytochrome isolated from etiolated material.