Regional assignment of the human uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS) gene to chromosome 10q25.2→q26.3

Summary Uroporphyrinogen III synthase [UROS; hydroxymethylbilane hydro-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.2.1.75] is the fourth enzyme in the human heme biosynthetic pathway. The recent isolation of the cDNA encoding human UROS facilitated its chromosomal localization. Human UROS sequences were specifically amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA of two independent panels of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids. There was 100% concordance for the presence of the human UROS PCR product and human chromosome 10. For each of the other chromosomes, there was 19%–53% discordance with human UROS. The chromosomal assignment was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis of DNA from somatic cell hybrids with the full-length UROS cDNA. Using human-rodent hybrids containing different portions of human chromosome 10, we assigned the UROS gene to the region 10q25.2 q26.3.     

On the Theory of Speciation Induced by Transposable Elements

A simple methematical model describes the invasion of panmictic, sexually reproducing populations by a newly introduced transposon. The model places important constraints on the properties that transposons must have to successfully invade a population and describes the kinetics with which such an invasion will occur. Invasibility conditions serve as a basis for new, detailed scenarios whereby transposon-mediated depression in fitness produces reproductive isolation of populations. These scenarios, in turn, lead to several speculations concerning the role of transposons in evolution.     

Adenylate cyclase in sea anemone implication for chemoreception

Adenylate cyclase of the sea anemoneAnthopleura elegantissima was found to be associated with the heavy particulate fraction of the cell and to be activated by NaF and 2-mercaptoethanol. Reduced glutathione, which elicits the ciliary swallowing response during feeding, also activated adenylate cyclase in particles from the oral disc and pharynx. The GSH effect was dependent on homogenization procedure, whereas the NaF and 2-mercaptoethanol activation was not. The activation of adenylate cyclase from the oral disc and pharynx by GSH was correlated with increased Ca²⁺ binding to the particulate fraction. When activation by GSH was abolished by mechanical homogenization, no increasea in Ca²⁺ binding was observed in the presence of GSH. It is suggested that chemoreception for the swallowing response of this organism is mediated by cyclic AMP control of Ca²⁺ distribution in the cell.     

The effect of rebamipide on gastric xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion in ethanol-treated rats

Rebamipide, a novel antipeptic ulcer drug, 2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinone-4-yl]-propionic acid, was studied for its inhibitory effect on gastric xanthine oxidase activity and type conversion of the enzyme that has a profound role in free radical generation. Intraperitoneal administration of rebamipide at 60 mg/kg body weight reduced gastric mucosal hemorrhagic lesions and lipid peroxidation, which was proportional to the inhibitory effect of rebamipide on alcohol-induced xanthine oxidase-type conversion and enzyme activity. It was also observed that the activity of xanthine oxidase was significantly inhibited by administration of rebamipide at 60 mg/kg body weight, leading to a significant reduction of lipid peroxide content in alcohol-treated rats. The results suggest that alcohol-induced gastric mucosal lesions might be, in part, due to the increased activity of xanthine oxidase and type conversion rate of the enzyme and the protective effect of rebamipide on gastric mucosal lesions would result from its ability to protect against oxidative stress on gastric mucosal lesions of alcohol-treated rats.     

Genetic transformation and plant regeneration of watermelon using Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Adventitious shoots formed on the proximal cut edges of different cotyledonary explants of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai; cvs. Sweet Gem and Gold Medal] cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium with 1 mgl^-1 6-benzyladenine (BA). Light (16-h photoperiod, about 7 Wm^-2 cool-white fluorescent lamps) was essential for shoot formation. To obtain transformed plants, cotyledonary explants of Sweet Gem were cocultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, a disarmed strain harboring a binary vector pBI121 carrying the CaMV 35S promoter--glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusion used as a reporter gene and NOS promoter-neomycin phosphotransferase gene as a positive selection marker, for 48 h on MS medium with 1 mgl^-1 BA and 200 M -hydroxyacetosyringone. After 48 h of culture, explants were transferred to medium with 1 mgl^-1 BA 250 mgl^-1 carbenicillin, and 100 mgl^-1 kanamycin and cultured in the light. Adventitious shoots formed on the explants after 4 weeks of culture. When subjected to GUS histochemical assay, young leaves obtained from the shoots showed a positive response at a frequency of up to 16%. Preculturing cotyledonary explants on MS medium with 1 mgl^-1 BA for 5 d enhanced the competence of the cells to be transformed by Agrobacterium. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the GUS gene was incorporated into the genomic DNA of the GUS-positive regenerants. The transformed plants were grown to maturity.     

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Extracts from Three Underutilized Food Plants of North East India

Three underutilized leafy vegetables Sarcochlamys pulcherrima (Roxb.) Gaudich (SP), Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (IA) and Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC (ZR) were extracted with different solvents viz. 95 % ethyl alcohol, methanol and hot water. The extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant potential via DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assay along with electroanalytical studies using cyclic voltammetry. The antidiabetic potential was determined by recording their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) based phytochemical profiles of the extracts were also determined. All three extracts of SP exhibited significant antioxidant capacity. The antidiabetic potential of the IA and ZR extracts was found to be higher than or at par with that of standard acarbose. LC/MS studies reveal the presence of hitherto reported antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds like gamma-aminobutyric acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, α-viniferin, piperlonguminine, niacin, kaempferol, etc., in the extracts.