Nuclease activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mre11 functions in targeted nucleotide alteration

Oligonucleotides can be used to direct site-specific changes in genomic DNA through a process in which mismatched base pairs in the oligonucleotide and the target DNA are created. The mechanism by which these complexes are developed and resolved is being studied by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. Genetic analyses have revealed that in all likelihood the reaction occurs in two phases: DNA pairing and DNA repair. While the former phase involves strand assimilation, the latter phase likely involves an endonucleolytic processing step that leads to joint resolution. In this study, we established the importance of a functioning MRE11 gene in the overall reaction, as yeast strains deficient in MRE11 exhibited severely reduced activity. The activity could be rescued by complementation with wild-type MRE11 genes but not with MRE11 alleles lacking the nuclease function. Taken together, the data suggest that Mre11 provides nuclease activity for targeted nucleotide exchange, a process that could be used to reengineer yeast genes.     

Management and diversity of arthropods inCalluna heathland

Heathlands, dominated byCalluna vulgaris, are located along the western seaboard of Europe. Most undergo a cyclical succession as the heather plants pass through four definable growth-phases over a period of about 30 years. Examples of upland heathlands are drawn from the North York Moors National Park, an area of Jurassic rocks in the north of England (approximately 54°25N, 0°55W). Botanical diversity is low. In a survey of 10 heathlands selected to encompass the botanical variation of the heathlands of the National Park, only 40 species of higher plants and 31 species of mosses were recorded (2.2% and 4.5% of the British flora, respectively).However, diversity of some invertebrate groups is high. Totals of 54 species of carabid beetles and 127 species of spiders were recorded (15.3% and 20.4% of the British fauna, respectively). At least two environmental gradients appear to influence the species composition of the invertebrate assemblages: a wet-dry gradient and the height of the vegetation (corresponding to the growth-phase of the heather). Experimental areas on three heathlands were burnt and cut, the traditional and more modern methods of heather management. Analysis of both the spider and beetle data indicated that the species assemblages were primarily influenced by the growth-phase of the heather. Some of the nationally rarer species are associated with the open conditions of recently-cut or burnt heathland. An altitudinal effect was also inferred since heathland at 410 m above sea level tended to be less species-rich than heathlands at ca 260 m above sea level.These results present a paradox. Although botanical diversity is extremely low, and although it is a non-natural ecosystem maintained by fire and grazing management to prevent a succession to woodland, arthropod diversity can be extremely high. The discussion focuses on the importance of upland heathlands in the conservation of insect and spider diversity, as well as on the value of these upland areas for conservation more generally.C. vulgaris is seen to be a key species on which many other species depend. One conclusion is that there is insufficient effort, nationally and especially internationally, to conserve the heathlands of Europe.     

Determination of the rate-limiting step(s) in the biosynthetic pathways leading to penicillin and cephalosporin

Summary This paper is a review of strategies that have been used, or that could be used, to determine the rate-limiting step(s) in the biosynthetic pathways leading to penicillin or cephalosporin. Information is summarized from published material that involves studies with low-producing strains ofPenicillium chrysogenum andCephalosporium acremonium. We also summarize information derived from some high-producing production strains. Identification of the rate-limiting step(s) was of great interest to us as the first step in a rational program to further improve antibiotic titers of these highly developed strains. A number of approaches that could be used to elucidate the rate-limiting step(s) are described herein.     

Studies on populations of Folsomia candida (Insecta: Collembola)

Summary Experiments are described that were designed to investigate the effects of food availability and rate of exploitation on the growth and production of populations of Folsomia candida (Willem). In an initial experiment in which there was excess food it was found that increasing the rate of exploitation resulted in increases in both the numerical and biomass productivity of the populations. In a second experiment it was shown that, when there is severe competition for food, the rate of exploitation does not affect either the biomass or the numerical production. It is concluded that the effect of overcrowding, in the form of competition for space, does contribute to the growth in numbers of populations, but that the supply of food plays a more important role in regulating the population. Anomalous results, showing that exploitation has a lesser effect when there is severe competition for food, are discussed.     

Synthesis of delta-(alpha-aminoadipyl)cysteinylvaline and its role in penicillin biosynthesis.

1. The stereoisomers of delta-(alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinylvaline (LLD, LLL and DLD) were synthesized from valine labelled with 3H in its methyl groups or in the alpha position. L-Cysteinyl-D-[4,4'-3H]valine was also synthesized. 2. 3H was incorporated into a compound that behaved like penicillin N when the LLD tripeptide containing either a methyl- or an alpha-labelled valine residue was incubated with a cell-free system prepared by lysis of protoplasts of Cephalosporium acremonium. 3. Incorporation was not observed under these conditions from the labelled all-L- or DLD-tripeptide, from L-cysteinyl-D-[4,4'-3H]valine, or of Penicillium chrysogenum appeared to be the LLD isomer, like that from C. acremonium. 5. These findings are discussed in relation to penicillin biosynthesis.     

Genetic essentialism,mana , and the meaning of DNA

Concerns about the commercialization of genetics have spawned a debate over the symbolic logic and meaning of DNA. The assumption is that different meanings for DNA have social and ethical consequences. Genetic essentialism as an interpretive meaning for DNA is argued to encapsulate values of materialism and autonomy that make it compatible with capital accumulation. Whether or not genetic commerce actually requires genetic essentialism is an empirical question and this study proposes that it is not difficult to find non-essentialist genetics. Two paths of inquiry are adopted. First, the history and origins of the distinction between genotype and phenotype is revisited. This history of gene theory, in particular the effort to purge vitalism, is linked to DNA and the central dogma of molecular biology. Secondly, a rather specialized debate within anthropology about the meaning of mana is introduced. An analysis of definitions for genotype and phenotype reveals a structure commensurate with the metaphysics of mana. Parallels are established between how the meaning of mana has been essentialized and the current efforts to fix the symbolic logic of DNA.     

APstI polymorphism detects the mutation of serine128 to arginine in CD 62E gene — a risk factor for coronary artery disease

The mutation of serine₁₂₈ to arginine in the CD 62E gene is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We designed a new method to detect this mutation based on the observation that it is due to a transversion of nucleotide A₅₆₁ to C, which abolishes aPstI recognition site. Two alleles, A and C, are easily typed when genomic DNA is amplified by PCR, digested withPstI, and separated on agarose gels. Among 153 people who underwent an elective, diagnostic arteriography in Johns Hopkins Hospital, we found that the C allele accounts for 19.5% in angiographically documented CAD patients (n=82). It is significantly higher than the 10.6% frequency observed in normal controls (n=71, p<0.05). It indicates that the C allele is associated with early-onset CAD. This new method should facilitate the screening of this mutant allele in large populations and contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the association of this mutation with CAD.