A new approach for rhizosphere research by X-ray microanalysis of microliter soil solutions

Lolium perenne growing with high root density on a fine nylon mesh (Kuchenbuch and Jungk, 1982) caused the development of element gradients in the rhizosphere below the mesh. Micro-liter soil solutions from 2-mg soil samples were sprayed onto Formvar-coated grids and analyzed by X-ray microanalysis in a transmission electron microscope. The results were comparable to those obtained by flame photometry and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) of conventional soil solutions from 1 g soil. X-ray microanalysis of micro-soil solutions allows the application of different extraction procedures to even small amounts of soil usually available from rhizosphere experiments. Information about soil buffering characteristics in the rhizosphere can thus be obtained. Aluminum accumulation in the rhizosphere of small segments of single Picea abies fine roots grown in undisturbed natural forest soil could be detected with this technique.     

The unfolded-protein-response pathway in yeast

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers the increased production of several ER-resident proteins. This signalling pathway exists in organisms as divergent as mammals and yeast, and is the only known example of an intracellular signalling system that links the ER and the nucleus. Recently, a transmembrane kinase similar in structure to growth-factor receptor kinases has been identified as a key component of the unfolded-protein-response pathway in yeast.     

Characterization of serological properties of polyclonal antibodies produced against enzymes involved in the L-selective cleavage of hydantoin derivatives

Summary Polyclonal antibodies were produced against the highly purified enzymes L-hydantoinase, hydantoin-racemase and L-N-carbamoylamino acid amidohydrolase of Arthrobacter aurescens DSM 3747. In order to exploit these antibodies for basic research (molecular biology) or bioengineering (process development), the serological properties had to be characterized. Both, the hydantoinase- and carbamoylase-antibodies were observed to be monofunctional, whereas the hydantoin-racemase-antibody was found to be additionally specific against the L-hydantoinase. Monospecificity was realized after affinity chromatography. Investigations on serological crossreactions with several linear- and cyclic amidases (e.g. hydantoinases) as well as hydantoin-racemases are demonstrated in this paper.Deticated to Prof. Dr. Klaus Mosbach on the occation of his 60th birthday.     

A potent specific inhibitor of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase ofCryptococcus neoformans and of certain other fungal enzymes

A particular lot of the zwitterionic buffer, 2(N-morpholino) ethane sulfonic acid (MES), contained a contaminant that inhibited a number of fungal NADP-dependent dehydrogenases. Enzymes that were particularly sensitive include 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases fromCryptococcus neoformans andSchizophyllum commune and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase fromSchizophyllum commune. A number of NADP-dependent dehydrogenases of animal origin were tested and all were completely insensitive to inhibition except for rat liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, which was 10-fold less sensitive than theCryptococcal enzyme. The pattern of inhibition in all cases was linear competitive versus NADP. The inhibitor has been purified and identified as an ethylenesulfonic acid oligomer. This inhibitor holds promise as a model compound for the development of a specific antifungal agent.     

Medianstipulierte Staubblätter

Zusammenfassung Es werden die sog. Ligulen an der Basis der Staubblätter vonReinwardtia, Simaruba, Zygophyllum und einigen Cruciferen-Gattungen (Alyssum, Aubrietia, Draba) beschrieben und auf ihren Stipularcharakter wird neuerlich hingewiesen. Der morphologische Vergleich mit einem diplophyllen und mit einer Medianstipel versehenen Stengelblatt vonBergenia zeigt deutlich, daß diese fraglichen Bildungen Medianstipeln darstellen. An verbildeten Kronblättern vonReinwardtia trigyna konnte überdies aufgezeigt werden, daß diese Bildung tatsächlich Ausgliederungen des echten Blattrandes darstellen.Es lassen sich demnach an günstig gebauten Staubblättern alle Teile eines typischen Blattes nachweisen: das Qberblatt, Anthere und Filament umfassend, und das Unter blatt, das gewöhnlich als Filamentbasis bezeichnet wird und deutlich in Blattgrund und Nebenblätter gegliedert ist. Diese Nebenblätter treten nun normalerweise in Gestalt einer Medianstipel auf, welche ihrerseits einen weiteren Beweis für den unifazialen Bau des darüber befindlichen Filamentabschnittes darstellt. Durch Hemmung des Querzonenwachstums kann die Medianstipel in laterale Stipeln zerteilt werden, die uns beiZygophyllum als freie Blättchen und bei den in Frage kommenden Cruciferen vielfach als Flügelungen des Filamentes entgegentreten. Das Vorhandensein und die Ausbildung dieser Nebenblätter läßt darüber hinaus erkennen, daß unter Umständen wesentliche Teile des Filamentes dem Unterblatt angehören.