Fulicin, a novel neuropeptide containing a D-amino acid residue isolated from the ganglia of Achatina fulica

A novel pentapeptide containing a D-amino acid residue was purified from the central ganglia of the African giant snail Achatina fulica Ferussac, and it was named fulicin. The primary structure of the peptide was determined to be Phe-D-Asn-Glu-Phe-Val-NH2. Fulicin potentiated tetanic contraction of the penis retractor muscle of this snail at very low concentrations, and also showed modulatory actions on the activity of the buccal and ventricular muscles and the central ganglionic neurons.     

Purification and Characterization of Mouse L Cell Interferon

Interferon was produced in high yields in mouse L cell cultures infected with Newcastle disease virus, with a specific activity of the order of 10⁶ units per mg protein. It was partially purified by zinc acetate precipitation, carboxymethyl Sephadex chromatography, Sephadex gel filtration and pressure dialysis. On electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, it consisted of a fast-moving sharp component and a slow, broadly distributed component(s). The highest specific activity of the former component so far obtained was 8 × 10⁷ units per mg protein, numerically the highest value ever reported for interferon. It was considered likely, however, that the protein components in the purified samples, revealed by staining of the electrophoresis gel, still represented mostly impurities. Gel filtration experiment indicated some heterogeneity of interferon in molecular weight but the major component was estimated to be 30 000 in molecular weight. Interferon activity could be maintained without added preservatives for prolonged periods, provided that the protein concentration of the sample itself was high. One interferon unit as defined in this paper was found to correspond to 0.3 international unit.     

Cranial morphology of Ateleopus japonicus (Ateleopodidae: Ateleopodiformes), with a discussion on metamorphic mouth migration and lampridiform affinities

The cranial osteology and myology in the ateleopodiform Ateleopus japonicus were studied. Many free bony ossicles constitute the cephalic lateral line canals and are separated from the neurocranial roof by thick gelatinous tissue. The preoperculomandibular canal is unique in having a direct connection with the infraorbital canal owing to strong reduction in the size of the preoperculum. The neurocranium is largely cartilaginous, with 6 chondrocranial and 1 dermal element being absent (or not undergoing ossification). The left and right frontals are separated by a deep groove into which a long, mobile rostral cartilage is deeply inserted. Five pairs of cartilages, including 2 pairs of menisci, are associated with the ethmoid region, allowing premaxillary protrusion without involving maxillary rotation. The levator operculi is well developed and likely generates the primary force for depressing the lower jaw. The large interhyal is tightly attached to the entire ventral margin of the operculum, and the two elements appear to function as a single unit in mouth opening. The oral cavity is large because of the posterior position of the branchial arches [the last (5th) arch is situated below the 3rd vertebra]. In pelagic individuals the head is flat with a terminal mouth and straight parasphenoid shaft, whereas in small, benthopelagic individuals the head is rounded with an inferior mouth and bent parasphenoid shaft. “Bending” of the parasphenoid with a dorsally elevated apex is considered the result of the posterior migration of the mouth during the habitat shift. Ateleopodiform characters are discussed phylogenetically and the deep insertion of the rostral cartilage into an open space in the ethmoid region is suggested as a synapomorphy of the order and Lampridiformes.     

Characterization of L1210 S Cells with Low Sensitivity to Mouse Interferon-γ

A mouse leukemic cell line L1210 Sg with a low sensitivity to interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was described. On the nature of the antiviral action and binding of IFN, L1210 Sg cells were compared with L1210m cell line which is sensitive to IFN-γ. For a half reduction of the vesicular stomatitis virus-RNA synthesis, L1210 Sg cells required 500–fold more IFN-γ than L1210m cells did. However, both cell lines were induced to the antiviral state to the same extent with IFN-α or -β. L1210 Sg and L1210m cells were sensitive to the anti-proliferative action of IFN-α and -β, but insensitive to IFN-γ. (2′-5′)Oligoadenylate synthetase was induced in these cell lines by IFN-β, but not by IFN-γ, which suggests that the induction of this synthetase may not be responsible for the antiviral action of IFN-γ. No substantial difference between L1210 Sg and L1210m cells was found in IFN receptors for IFN-γ and IFN-β either in number per cell or in their affinity to corresponding IFN type. However, differences were noted in time course profiles of cell-associated IFN-γ at 37 C: in L1210m cells, a rise-and-decay profile of IFN-γ bound to cells was observed at 37 C, but in L1210 Sg cells, rise and slight decay was observed. On the other hand, a similar rise-and-decay curve of IFN-β bound to these cells was observed. These results indicated that the low sensitivity of L1210 Sg cells to IFN-γ may be due to this slight decay of receptor-bound IFN-γ.     

Increased gene expression of lung marker proteins in the homeobox B3-overexpressed fetal lung cell line M3E3/C3.

Homeobox (Hox)-containing factors have been shown to play regulatory roles on lung development. Although HoxB3 gene expression is detected in the prenatal lung during development, its function has not been clarified precisely. We constructed an expression vector of a hamster HoxB3 coding region, which was cloned from hamster fetal lung cell line M3E3/C3. Sixteen-base deletion was found in the hamster HoxB3 coding sequence when compared with the mouse sequence. Under conditions of differentiation, cells transfected transiently with HoxB3 augmented the retinol-induced gene expression of Clara cell-specific secretory protein, whereas the cells showed reduced expression of surfactant-associated protein C. These alterations were attenuated by the transfection with HoxB3 antisense nucleotide. The results show that the cells with overexpressed HoxB3 were reinforced to have characteristics of Clara cells but did not have the characteristics of alveolar type II cells, and that HoxB3 played a stimulatory role on Clara cell differentiation in M3E3/C3 cells. In addition, the expression of Clara cell-specific secretory protein and surfactant-associated protein C genes was enhanced upon transfer of cells to collagen substrate, suggesting that collagen substrate has some regulatory functions on lung cell differentiation through cell adhesion.     

Comparative morphology of the gonadal structure related to reproductive strategies in six species of neotropical catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes)

We studied the relationship between the morphology of the reproductive system and the reproductive strategies of six neotropical catfishes using macroscopic and microscopic analyses. The reproductive system of the examined Siluriformes showed diversified characteristics, but permitted their being grouped according to three reproductive strategies: pelagic spawning, demersal spawning, and internally fertilizing. The pelagic spawners Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and Conorhynchos conirostris have testes that are characterized by filiform lobes, absence of testicular secretion, full‐grown oocytes of small diameter, thin zona radiata, and cuboidal follicular cells. Pimelodus maculatus is morphologically distinct from the other two pelagic spawners catfishes due to the presence of testicular secretion. The demersal spawners Lophiosilurus alexandri and Rhinelepis aspera possess homogeneous testicular secretion, large mature oocytes, and columnar follicular cells. The most specialized reproductive system was observed in the internally fertilizing Trachelyopterus galeatus, which possesses a seminal vesicle accessory to the testes, spermatozoa with elongated nuclei that form spermatozeugmata, and a secretory ovarian lamellar epithelium that is associated with sperm storage. The reproductive system observed in Neotropical catfishes showed a relationship associated with the type of fertilization and the reproductive strategies of the six species studied. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Biological control of aphids and coccids: a comparative analysis

A comparison of the biological control of aphids and coccids was carried out by analyzing success rates for the three major types of biological control, i.e., classical, augmentative, and conservational. Because of the higher intrinsic rates of increase for aphids versus coccids, the working hypothesis that biological control of aphids is less successful compared to coccids was adopted. However, this hypothesis was not supported by an analysis of classical biological control using the BIOCAT database. In this analysis, parasitoids were more successful than predators when used against either aphids or coccids, but the control of Icerya spp. with Rodolia spp. (predators) was highly successful. Some reasons for success of Rodolia spp. are adduced, but field studies on the long-term population dynamics of Icerya–Rodolia systems are needed for determining the mechanisms of regulation. Comparative analyses of augmentative and conservational biological control of aphids and coccids were inconclusive, due to lack of adequate databases; some possible factors involved in the success of these types of biological control are discussed. It is suggested that parasitoids could be better control agents than predators in augmentative biological control of aphids in production greenhouses. Conservational biological control of either aphids or coccids should be aimed at enhancing populations of indigenous natural enemies, especially mobile generalist predators that are capable of keeping pace with mobile pests.     

Relationships between suppressor macrophages and macrophage precursors in the spleens from tumor-bearing mice

Suppressor macrophages (Mφ) which can inhibit mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation appeared in the spleens of mice bearing transplanted MC-A fibrosarcoma cells. An analysis of the ontogeny of such Mφ revealed additional suppressor activity directed against macrophage stem cells. Treatment of spleen cell suspensions with carbonyl iron followed by centrifugation removed suppressor Mφ but did not deplete Mφ-colony forming cells (M-CFC) which could be demonstrated in soft agar culture in L-cell conditioned medium (LCM). Untreated spleen cells had normal numbers of M-CFC; phagocyte-depleted mononuclear cells showed a threefold increase in M-CFC 14 days after subcutaneous inoculation of 10⁶ MC-A cells per mouse. Further increases in M-CFC were also evident in similar preparations on Days 21 and 28 when the M-CFC concentration reached a maximum of eight times the normal level. The Mφ which developed from the M-CFC grown in the presence of LCM were later shown to have indomethacin-sensitive suppressor activity suggesting the mediation of this phenomenon by prostaglandins. These observations suggest that locally produced phagocytic suppressor Mφ from the spleens of tumorbearing mice play important roles not only as inhibitors of lymphocyte proliferation as reported earlier, but also as regulators of monocyte-Mφ production.