Tissue specificity of mitochondrial monooxygenase system for aflatoxin B1 activation

Rat liver mitoplasts free of detectable microsomal contamination can activate significant amounts of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) into electrophilic reactive forms. The activated carcinogen binds to mitochondrial macromolecules and inhibits mitochondrial RNA and protein biosynthesis. The mitochondrial monooxygenase oxygenase system for AFB₁ activation is restricted to liver and kidney as tested by enzyme assays and effects on mitochondrial RNA and protein synthesis.     

Some atypical and rare sickle cell gene haplotypes in populations of Andhra Pradesh, India.

We have investigated the clinical, hematological, and molecular genetic characteristics of sickle cell anemia patients from 6 populations of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Of 72 sickle cell chromosomes (HBB*S) 60 belong to characteristic Arab-Indian haplotypes, 6 to variant Arab-Indian haplotypes, 1 to a Bantu haplotype, 2 to a Cameroon haplotype, and 3 to rare haplotypes. This is the first report of a Bantu haplotype in an Indian population. Some information on haplotype characteristics of normal chromosomes (HBB*A) is also presented. The average hemoglobin level was 7.3 g% and mean fetal hemoglobin (HbF) level was 12.6%. The higher HbF levels corroborate earlier observations in sickle cell homozygotes from India. Clinical investigations have revealed splenomegaly and painful crises as the most common features in these patients.     

Reaction kinetics of -glucose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Data obtained on the conversion of -glucose to alcohol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in batch culture has been analysed kinetically. The effects of different kinetic parameters, e.g. rates of ethanol and biomass formation, rate of -glucose utilization and variation of pH have been studied. Analysis of data was made on the basis of Michaelis-Menten, Leudeking-Piret and simple kinetics. Unsteady rate behaviour in the lag phase was observed and explained.     

Reaction kinetics of d-glucose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Data obtained on the conversion of d-glucose to alcohol using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in batch culture has been analysed kinetically. The effects of different kinetic parameters, e.g. rates of ethanol and biomass formation, rate of d-glucose utilization and variation of pH have been studied. Analysis of data was made on the basis of Michaelis-Menten, Leudeking-Piret and simple kinetics. Unsteady rate behaviour in the lag phase was observed and explained.     

Effect of Polyamines on Photosynthesis of Source and Sink Organs in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The levels of total and individual polyamine and arginine decarboxylase,the key enzyme of its biosynthesis, varied not only betweensource (flag leaf) and sink (spikelet) organs but also in stagesof panicle development in rice. The polyamine(s) titers increasedby 1.2 and 3-fold (approx.) in source and sink organs, respectively,at the milky stage of panicle development. However, the activityof arginine decarboxylase did not follow the same patttern,decreasing gradually in the source organ. The effects of polyamineon the Hill reaction in isolated chloroplasts and in vivo ¹⁴CO₂fixation were inhibitory. The degree of inhibition in the variousdevelopmental stages depended on the concentration of the polyamines. (Received May 19, 1988; Accepted August 9, 1988)     

Novel and Efficient Protocol for DNA Coating-Based Identification of DNA-Protein Interaction by Antibody-Mediated Immunodetection

Background:Studying protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions are prerequisites for the identification of function and mechanistic role of various proteins in the cell. Protocols for analyzing DNA-based Protein-Protein and Protein-DNA interactions are complicated and need to be simplified for efficient tracking of binding capabilities of various proteins to specific DNA molecules. Here, we demonstrated a simple yet efficient protocol for the identification of DNA coating-based Protein-DNA interaction using antibodymediated immunodetection.Methods:Briefly, we have coated specific DNA in the microtiter plate followed by incubating with protein lysate. Specific protein-DNA and/or protein-protein bind with DNA interactions are identified using specific fluorophore-conjugated antibodies. Antibodies are used to detect a protein that is bound to the DNA.Results:Fluorescent-based detection identifies the specific interaction between Protein-DNA with respect to coated DNA fragments. The protocol uses indirect conjugated antibodies and hence the technique is sensitive for effective identification of Protein-DNA interactions.Conclusion:Based on the results we conclude that the demonstrated protocol is simple, efficient and sensitive for identification of Protein-DNA interactions.Key Words: DNA coating, Lamin A, Protein-DNA interaction.