Localized membrane depolarizations and localized calcium influx during electric field-guided neurite growth.

Our study explores the mechanisms behind neurite galvanotropism. Using phase, differential interference contrast and ratiometric fluorescence microscopy, we reveal four responses of N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells to 0.1-1.0 mV/microns uniform DC electric fields: cathode-directed neurite initiation and elongation, cathode-biased growth cone filopodial protrusions, transient cathode-localized calcium increases, and persistent cathode-localized membrane depolarizations. These newly demonstrated events are temporally and spatially correlated, suggesting that they are causally related. The calcium increases are prevented by calcium channel blockers and by the removal of extracellular calcium. We therefore propose that the observed field-induced membrane depolarizations activate voltage-dependent calcium channels, resulting in cathode-localized calcium influx. This, in turn, may initiate the observed cathode-biased growth cone filopodial protrusions, followed by the cathode-directed neurite elongation.     

Production of cellulolytic enzymes from theXylaria andHypoxylon species of xylariaceae

Eighteen strains of xylariaceous fungi have been screened for higher activities of cellulolytic enzymes,Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 was also examined for comparison. Strains ofXylaria anisopleura andX. regalis had higher endocellulase (CMCase) and exocellulase (Avicelase) activities after 2 weeks' incubation.Hypoxylon stygium produced the highest activity of -glucosidase 3 days after inoculation. The optimum pH for these cellulolytic enzymes was approx. 5.0 and the optimum temperatures ranged from 37 to 50°C. A mixed culture process usingT. reesei QM 9414 andH. stygium was developed to obtain enhanced synthesis of cellulase. -Glucosidase activities in the mixed culture increased within 48h whenH. stygium was introduced after 24h.     

染色体辐射效应的微机检测 Ⅱ断片率 微核率与细胞畸变率间的相关性检测

本文继前文后,按照设计的线性回归程序在“IBM—PC/XT”微型计算机上,进一步检测了断片率、微核率与细胞畸变率之间的相关性,肯定了微核测定法,断片测定法可以替代染色体畸变分析法。     

Kinetics of adsorption of proteins at interfaces: role of protein conformation in diffusional adsorption

To elucidate the role of protein conformation in the kinetics of adsorption at interfaces, seven structural intermediates of bovine serum albumin were prepared and their adsorption at the air/water interface was studied. Molecular area calculations indicated two distinct molecular processes, the first being the creation of an area, delta A1, for anchoring the molecule during the initial phase of adsorption and the second being the delta A2 cleared during subsequent reorientation and rearrangement of adsorbed molecules at the interface. The delta A1 values for all the albumin intermediates were the same, indicating that the initial work pi delta A1 needed to anchor the molecule at the interface was independent of solution conformation of the protein. Unlike delta A1, delta A2 exhibited a bell-shaped relationship with the extent of refolded state of the intermediates. Calculation of diffusion coefficients indicated that greater the unfolded state of the albumin intermediate, the greater was the diffusion coefficient. It is shown that the simple diffusion theory is inadequate to explain quantitatively the kinetics of protein adsorption. Specific, conformation-dependent, solute-solvent and solute-interface interactions also seem to influence the kinetics of adsorption of proteins.     

Degradation of Dehydrodivanillin by Anaerobic Bacteria from Cow Rumen Fluid

Dehydrodivanillin (DDV; 0.15 g/liter) was biodegradable at 37°C under strictly anaerobic conditions by microflora from cow rumen fluid to the extent of 25% within 2 days in a yeast extract medium. The anaerobes were acclimated on DDV for 2 weeks, leading to DDV-degrading microflora with rates of degradation eight times higher than those initially. Dehydrodivanillic acid and vanillic acid were detected in an ethylacetate extract of a DDV-enriched culture broth by thin-layer, gas, and high-performance liquid chromatographies and by mass spectrometry.     

Chemical transformation of eremofortin C into PR toxin.

The natural products of both eremofortin C (EC) and PR toxin are secondary metabolites of Penicillium roqueforti. Because the chemical structures of EC and PR toxin are closely related to each other and differ only by a hydroxyl functional group in EC and an aldehyde functional group in PR toxin at the C-12 position, the chemical transformation of EC into PR toxin was investigated. Oxidation with a chromic anhydride-pyridine complex was found to be the most satisfactory method.     

Relationship between bacteriophage T4 and T6 DNA topoisomerases. T6 39-protein subunit is equivalent to the combined T4 39- and 60-protein subunits

T6 DNA topoisomerase has been purified from bacteriophage T6 infected Escherichia coli. Unlike the T4 DNA topoisomerase which has three subunits, it consists of two subunits of molecular weights 75,000 and 51,000. They are the products of T6 genes 39 and 52, respectively. The purified T6 enzyme can stimulate in vitro T6 DNA replication. It has an ATP-dependent DNA relaxation activity similar to the T4 enzyme. Either ATP or dATP can be used in both reactions. Using a "Western blotting" and radioimmuno-detection methods, we show that T6 39 subunit contains protein sequences specified by both the T4 39 and 60 genes. The 52-proteins of both phages appear to be identical. The T4 and T6 topoisomerase genes represent a naturally occurring example of gene separation or fusion.     

泥河湾层中新发现一处旧石器地点

半个多世纪以来,在泥河湾层中寻找早更新世时期的人类遗迹,已成为中、外许多科学家非常关心的一个问题。近几年来,在泥河湾村附近,大量古文化遗物从属于下更新统的泥河湾层中发现了。新的发现为旧石器时代考古学和第四纪地质学又增添了新的内容。