Characterization and genetic mapping of a short, highly repeated, interspersed DNA sequence from rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Summary A short, highly repeated, interspersed DNA sequence from rice was characterized using a combination of techniques and genetically mapped to rice chromosomes by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. A consensus sequence (GGC)_n, where n varies from 13–16, for the repeated sequence family was deduced from sequence analysis. Southern blot analysis, restriction mapping of repeat element-containing genomic clones, and DNA sequence analysis indicated that the repeated sequence is interspersed in the rice genome, and is heterogeneous and divergent. About 200000 copies are present in the rice genome. Single copy sequences flanking the repeat element were used as RFLP markers to map individual repeat elements. Eleven such repeat elements were mapped to seven different chromosomes. The strategy for characterization of highly dispersed repeated DNA and its uses in genetic mapping, DNA fingerprinting, and evolutionary studies are discussed.     

Thrombomodulin as a marker of radiation-induced endothelial cell injury.

Cultured confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells were irradiated in vitro with 60Co gamma rays at doses from 0 to 50 Gy. After irradiation thrombomodulin was measured at different times over 6 days in the supernatants of endothelial cell culture medium, on the surface of the cells, and within the cells. At 24 h after irradiation, an increase in the release of thrombomodulin from irradiated endothelial cells and an increase in the number of molecules and the activity of thrombomodulin on the surface of the cells were observed; these reactions were dependent on radiation dose. The capacity of the cells to produce and release thrombomodulin was decreased from 2 to 6 days after exposure to 60Co gamma rays. Our data indicate that radiation can injure endothelial cells, and that thrombomodulin may be used as a marker of radiation-induced injury in endothelial cells. The interrelationship between the dysfunction of irradiated endothelial cells and the pathological mechanisms of acute radiation disease is also discussed.     

β-carboxyl catalytic effect of N-phosphoryl aspartic acid

The β-carboxylic group in N-dialkylphosphorylated aspartic acid has an activating effect that gives rise to peptides, esters, and ester exchange at the phosphoryl group. In contrast, the γ-carboxylic group of N-alkylphosphorylated glutamic acid has a much smaller effect. Some of the self-activating products were isolated and many model compounds were synthesized to study the novel activating effect of the β-carboxylic group. Mixed anhydride intermediates derived from α-carboxylphosphoryl and β-carboxylphosphoryl groups are proposed for the self-activation mechanism.     

Characterization of a new substrate for protein kinase C: assay by continuous fluorometric monitoring and high performance liquid chromatography

A synthetic peptide derived from the phosphorylation site in the beta-subunit of phosphorylase kinase (RTKRSGSVYEPLKI) is an efficient substrate for rat brain protein kinase C: Km = 18 +/- 2 microM and Vmax = 2.1 +/- 0.1 mumol/min/mg. The phosphorylation of the peptide, which occurs at Ser7, can be followed by four independent procedures. 1. Standard measurement of 32P incorporation. 2. Reverse phase HPLC in a gradient system containing 0.1 M ammonium sulfate in the stationary phase. 3. Continuous fluorometric monitoring of the changes in intrinsic peptide fluorescence. 4. Continuous fluorometric determination of NADH oxidation in a coupled enzyme assay.     

Flavin-containing monooxygenase: a major detoxifying enzyme for the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine in guinea pig tissues

Evidence based on optimal pH, thermal stability, and enzyme inhibition data suggests that the NADPH-dependent microsomal N-oxidation of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine is carried out largely by flavin-containing monooxygenase in guinea pig liver, lung, and kidney. In contrast, the hepatic microsomal conversion of senecionine to the pyrrole metabolite (+/-)-6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP) is catalyzed largely by cytochrome P450. However, the rate of senecionine N-oxide formation (detoxication) far exceeded the rate of DHP formation (activation) in guinea pig liver microsomes over a range of pHs (pH 6.8 to 9.8). In guinea pig lung and kidney microsomes, N-oxide was the major metabolite formed from senecionine with little or no production of DHP. The high rate of detoxication coupled with the low level of activation of senecionine in liver, lung, and kidney may help explain the apparent resistance of the guinea pig to intoxication by senecionine and other pyrrolizidine alkaloids.     

Estimating equations for parameters in means and covariances of multivariate discrete and continuous responses.

Generalized estimating equations are introduced in an ad hoc fashion for the covariance matrix of a multivariate response. These equations are to be solved jointly with score equations from a generalized linear model for mean parameters. A class of quadratic exponential models is used to develop joint estimating equations for mean and covariance parameters in a more systematic fashion, and proposals for the use of such equations are developed. Comments on the relative merits of the ad hoc and model-based approaches to estimation are given and a regression illustration with a bivariate response is provided.     

漆树乳汁道分泌细胞的超微结构及其与生漆产生和分泌关系的研究

漆树(Rhus verniciflua)乳汁道分泌细胞含有丰富的质体、内质网和嗜锇物质。电子显微镜的现察结果表明,嗜锇的生漆成分合成的可能场所是质体和内质网,并且通过内质网分子和小泡群与质膜相互接触并融合以及质膜内褶包被等三种形式释放到质膜和细胞壁之间的间隙中;再经过细胞壁中乳汁道腔形成时断裂了的胞间连丝通道和扩散渗透两条途径,越过细胞壁分泌到乳汁道腔中。细胞核、线粒体、高尔基体以及细胞质基质或多或少也参与了上述过程。     

Promotive effect of chrysanthemic acids on adventitious root formation in some plants

Adventitious root formation in excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons was significantly promoted by (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid at 0.006–1.8 mM. The effect of (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced rooting was additive. Rooting in excised cucumber cotyledons was significantly promoted by several isomers of chrysanthemic acid and sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18 mM. Rooting in mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) hypocotyls was also stimulated by the sodium salt at 0.06–0.6 mM. Rooting of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hypocotyls was also clearly enhanced by sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18–6 mM.     

Comparison of amide proton exchange in reduced and oxidizedRhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c2: A1H−15N NMR study

Summary The hydrogen-deuterium exchange rates of the reduced and oxidized forms ofRhodobacter' capsulatus cytochrome c₂ were studied by¹H–¹⁵N homonuclear multiple quantum correlation spectroscopy. Minimal differences were observed for the N- and C-terminal helices on changing redox state suggesting that although these helices are structurally important they do not affect the relative stability of the two redox states and hence may not be important in determining the redox potential differences observed amongst the class I c-type cytochromes. However, significant differences were observed for other regions of the protein. For example, all slow exchanging protons of the helix spanning Phe⁸² to Asp⁸⁷ are similarly affected on reduction indicating that the unfolding equilibrium of this helix is altered between the two redox states. Other regions are not as simple to interpret; however, the difference in NH exchange rates between the redox states for a number of residues including His¹⁷, Leu³⁷, Arg⁴³, Ala⁴⁵, Gly⁴⁶, Ile⁵⁷, Val⁵⁸, Leu⁶⁰, Gly⁶¹ and Leu¹⁰⁰ suggest that interactions affecting the causes of these differences may be important factors in determining redox potential.Abbreviations NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - HMQC homonuclear multiple quantum correlation - NOESY nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy     

中国野生牡丹研究（一）芍药属牡丹组新分类群

牡丹为我国特产珍贵花树和药用树种,已有1500余年栽培历史,建国以来,各地栽培品种已达500余个。 有关牡丹分类的主要研究成果多为西方科学家根据18—19世纪从我国引种到英、美、法等国的栽培牡丹和腊叶标本加以描述和定名。 作者近几年来在安徽、河南、湖南、山西、陕西、甘肃、四川、云南等地对我国野生牡丹进行了较广泛的调查和研究。 本文发表3个新种和1个新等级,这对研究我国栽培牡丹的起源和栽培品种的自然分类,发掘、保护、利用我国珍稀野生牡丹基因资源,培育新品种,扩大牡丹栽培地区等方面提供了科学理论依据。