A nuclear yeast gene (GCY) encodes a polypeptide with high homology to a vertebrate eye lens protein

We describe here the nuclear gene for a yeast protein showing unexpectedly high homology with mammalian aldo/keto reductases as well as with p-crystallin, one of the prominent proteins of the frog eye lens. Although it could be proven that the gene occurs as a single copy in the haploid yeast genome, replacement of the intact by a disrupted, nonfunctional allele led to no obvious phenotype, indicating that the gene is dispensable. The gene was assigned to chromosome XV. It is transcribed in vivo into an mRNA of about 1300 bases with a coding capacity for a protein of 312 amino acids (estimated Mr 35,000).     

Intermittent illumination increases biophotolytic hydrogen yield by Anabaena cylindrica.

Intermittent illumination increased H2 and C2H4 yields per unit of light from growing cells and from nitrogren-starved cells by 1.7- and 1.35-fold, respectively, as compared with continuous illumination.     

Carbon cycling in a loblolly pine plantation

Summary The carbon cycle of a loblolly pine plantation in North Carolina was examined during its 12th through 16th years from planting. Net primary production during the study period averaged 2056 g C m^-2 year^-1. With autotrophic respiration equal to 2068 g C, the calculated gross production was 4124 g C m^-2 year^-1. Heterotrophic respiration of 694 g C m^-2 year^-1 resulted in net ecosystem production of 1362 g C m^-2 year^-1. In carbon cycle comparisons between forest ecosystems, autotrophic respiration rates were found to be closely coupled to regional temperature.