The repA2 gene of the plasmid R100.1 encodes a represser of plasmid replication

We have constructed two miniplasmids, derived from the resistance plasmid R100.1. In one of these plasmids 400 bp of R100.1 DNA have been replaced by DNA from the transposon Tn1000 (gamma-delta). This substitution removes the amino-terminal end of the repA2 coding sequence of R100.1 and results in an increased copy number of the plasmid carrying the substitution. The copy number of the substituted plasmid is reduced to normal levels in the presence of R100.1. The repA2 gene thus encodes a trans-acting repressor function involved in the control of plasmid replication.     

L-乳酸脱氢酶热变性的热力学研究

用差示扫描量热法对L-乳酸脱氢酶的热变性进行了研究(温度扫描范围为290—390K,酶蛋白溶液浓度为0.28—0.72mg蛋白/mg溶液)。实验观察到当酶溶液浓度在0.62—0.72mg蛋白/mg溶液范围内有一个吸热转变,酶溶液浓度小于0.62mg蛋白/mg溶液时有两个未完全分开的吸热转变。 这个酶的量热焓与范德霍夫焓的比远大于1,而接近于2,这表明乳酸脱氢酶的变性过程不是一个简单的两态转变,从热力学和吸热峰的形状、大小分析,可以推断乳酸脱氢酶分子是由两个以弱相互作用相连结的合作结构区组成,而每一个结构区是由两个相互作用很强的亚基组成。也就是说乳酸脱氨酶的变性过程包括两个半独立的合作结构区的转变,每一个结构区的转变都近似一个两态转变,ΔHeal与ΔHvh的比值是随着两个半独立部分相互作用的增强,即蛋白浓度的增加而减小。随着蛋白浓度的减小,蛋白质周围水分子增多,酶分子中两个半独立部分的相对独立性增强,这可由热谱图上一个吸热转变变成两个半独立的转变得到证实。     

Gravitational forces on the chest wall

The gravitational work of breathing was determined by measuring the vertical motion of body mass. The subject, seated or lying supine on a force platform, performed breathing maneuvers in which rib cage volume (Vrc) and abdominal volume (Vab) were changed in varying proportions. The increment in the vertical force exerted on the platform and Vrc and Vab were measured over the course of each maneuver. The force signal was integrated twice with respect to time to obtain the change in the product of mass and height of the subject. This was multiplied by the gravitational acceleration to obtain the change in the gravitational potential (Ug). Simultaneous values of Ug, Vrc, and Vab were taken from the data, and the values of the coefficients for which the following equation best fit these values were determined: Ug = a1 Vrc + a2 Vab + (1/2)a11 Vrc2 + a12 Vrc Vab + (1/2)a22 Vab2. The coefficients a1 and a2 can be interpreted as the values of the expiratory gravitational forces on the rib cage and abdomen, respectively. In the seated posture, the force on the rib cage is expiratory and the force on the abdomen is inspiratory; the magnitudes of both are approximately 8 cmH2O. In the supine posture, both are expiratory forces of approximately 9 cmH2O. The coefficients of the quadratic terms in Ug are all positive, and the gravitational work per unit volume of chest wall expansion increases with increasing volume in both postures. The coefficients of the quadratic terms can be interpreted as gravitational contributions to the elastances of the compartments.