The torpedo (DER) receptor tyrosine kinase is required at multiple times during Drosophila embryogenesis.

The torpedo (DER) gene of Drosophila, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase of the EGF receptor subfamily, is essential for oogenesis, embryogenesis and imaginal disc development. To gain insight into the nature of the signals transduced by the torpedo product, we have characterized the gene's loss-of-function phenotype in the embryo. Through the induction of germline clones, we provide a genetic demonstration that maternal torpedo product does not contribute to zygotic development. Thus, the embryonic lethal phenotypes examined accurately reflect the consequences of eliminating all gene activity from the zygote. Temperature-shift experiments with the conditional allele topIF26 show that torpedo is required at two distinct times during embryonic development: the gene is first needed for germband retraction and for the production of anterior, posterior and ventral cuticle, then later for the secretion of ventral denticles. Since denticle formation can be severely disrupted in topIF26 animals without affecting cuticle production, the early and late requirements for torpedo appear to be functionally unrelated. torpedo, therefore, is required at multiple times in the development of the ventral epidermis, and may transduce qualitatively different signals. Since the early requirement for torpedo correlates with the first visible defect in embryonic development, increased cell death in the amnioserosa, cephalic ectoderm and ventral epidermis, the abnormalities in cuticle production and germband shortening seen in the mutant may be secondary consequences of a primary defect in cell viability. Given that the onset of cell death in torpedo embryos is not preceded by any obvious defects in mitogenesis, the establishment of cell identities or the maintenance of gene expression, it is possible that torpedo transduces a signal necessary for cell survival per se during early embryogenesis. During late embryogenesis, torpedo may mediate the reception of a second signal which regulates ventral epidermal cell differentiation.     

Structure of equine corticotropin releasing factor

A 41 amino acid peptide, probably identical in structure to human corticotropin releasing factor, was isolated from 70 equine hypothalami by methanol extraction, immunoaffinity chromatography and single step of reverse phase HPLC. The amino acid sequence was determined by gas phase sequence analysis. Probable carboxyl terminal amidation was demonstrated by similar retention times for equine and human corticotropin releasing factor on reverse phase HPLC at pH 8. The likely structure of equine corticotropin releasing factor is: Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro- Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn- Arg-Lys-Leu-Met-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH₂. The purified peptide is equipotent with human corticotropin releasing factor in an in vitro bioassay and in a human plasma binding protein assay.     

Growth Regulators Have Rapid Effects on Photosynthate Unloading from Seed Coats of Phaseolus vulgaris L

Of nine plant growth regulators (indoleacetic acid, 1-naphthalene acetic acid, gibberellic acid, giberellin 4/7, 6-benzylaminopurine, 6-furfurylaminopurine, abscisic acid, and 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid) tested, only 6-benzylaminopurine and abscisic acid affected ¹⁴C-photosynthate unloading from excised seed coats of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Unloading, in the presence of KCl, was stimulated by 25 to 40%. Stimulation occurred immediately for 6-benzylaminopurine and for abscisic acid within 10 to 12 minutes of application.     

Life history,population dynamics and production of Pontoporeia hoyi (Crustacea,Amphipoda) in relation to the trophic gradient of Lake George,New York

The life history characteristics, population dynamics and production of Pontoporeia hoyi in Lake George, New York, were studied from May 1981 through October 1982. P. hoyi, in terms of both density and standing crop, is the most prevalent member of the deep water macrobenthos of Lake George. It reproduces in the winter, with young being released in the late winter-early spring. At the southernmost study site, young released in the spring grew to 6–7 mm in length and bred during their first winter. At the remaining sites, P. hoyi required two years to complete its life cycle. This difference in life history characteristics can be related to food availability and temperature differences. The open waters of the south end of Lake George are not only more productive but are also more closely associated with the littoral zone, providing a wealth of bacteria-rich detritus for benthic deposit feeders. The greater food availability in the south basin of Lake George is reflected in significantly larger brood sizes and smaller size at maturity for P. hoyi populations from the south end of the lake.The southernmost study site has significantly greater P. hoyi density and standing crop than all other sites. The cohort of the year dominated density and standing crop at the southern site while the cohort of the previous year dominated standing crop at the other sites. Peak abundance ranged from 600 · m^–2 at the north site to 2 900 · m^–2 at the south site. Cohort production ranged from 2g · m^–2 at the north site to 15g · m^–2 at the south site.     

Solution-phase disproportionation equilibria for monosubstituted Pentakis- (arylisocyanide)cobalt(I) complexes by proton-NMR studies

Equilibrium constants, K_dis, for the solvent- dependent, solution-phase disproportionation equilibria of monosubstituted pentakis(arlisocyanide)cobalt(I) complexes: 2[Co(CNR)₄L]⁺?[Co(CNR)₃L₂]⁺ + [Co(CNR)₅]⁺, K_dis = $\text{[Co(CNR)}{}_3\text{L}{}_2\text{][Co(CNR)}{}_5\text{]}\text{[Co(CNR)}{}_4\text{L]}{}^2$ are measured by planimeter-integration of proton- NMR spectra at ambient temperature. The complexes, [Co(CNR)₄L]ClO₄, R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, L = P(C₆H₅)₃, P(C₆H₄Cl-p)₃, P(OC₆H₅)₃, P(OC₆H₄Cl-p)₃; R = o-MeC₆H₄, L = P(C₆H₄Cl-p)₃, P(OC₆H₅)₃, P(OC₆H₄Cl-p)₃; R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, L = P(C₆H₅)₃; R = 2,6-Et₂C₆H₃, L = P(C₆H₅)₃; are investigated in the deuterated solvents, CDCl₃, CD₃CN, (CD₃)₂CO, C₅D₅N, CD₃NO₂, and (CD₃)₂SO. Disproportionation seems to occur in all [Co(CNR)₄L]⁺, but NMR study is facilitated by utilizing equivalent alkyl protons (i.e., Me-groups) on the RNC ligands.Correlation of K_dis values with steric-hindrance of the RNC in sets of complexes with the same P-ligand is evident in all solvents: K_dis decreases with increased steric-hindrance in RNC. The K_dis values for complexes with the same RNC and analogous triarylphosphine, triarylphosphite ligands (i.e., PR₃, P(OR)₃, same R) are approximately equal. The K_dis values for complexes of P-ligands with Cl-substituent are significantly larger than K_dis values for complexes with the corresponding unsubstituted P-ligands (e.g., [Co(CNR)₄P(C₆H₄Clp)₃]ClO₄vs. [Co(CNR)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]ClO₄) in (CD₃)₂CO and C₅D₅N solution, but are smaller in CDCl₃ and CD₃CN, and approximately equal in CD₃NO₂ and (CD₃)₂SO. Properties of the solvents are also considered.     

Distorted segregation and linkage of alcohol dehydrogenase genes in Camellia japonica L. (Theacease)

Alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in Camellia japonica are encoded by two genes, Adh-1 and Adh-2. Both loci are expressed in seeds, and their products randomly associate into intragenic and intergenic dimers. Electrophoresis of leaf extracts reveals only the products of Adh-2. Formal genetic analysis indicated that the two Adh loci are tightly linked (combined estimate of r=0.004). Most segregations fit expected Mendelian ratios, but in some families distorted segregation was observed at Adh-1, Adh-2, or both loci. The deficient progeny class varied across families, and in two apparent backcrosses three rather than two phenotypic classes were recovered. The mechanism underlying these distortions is not known, but evidence is presented that suggests that the phenomenon is genic or segmental in nature. Plausible hypotheses include linkage of the Adh structural genes with a gametophytic self-incompatibility locus, translocation heterozygosity involving the segment bearing Adh-1 and Adh-2, or a combination of these two mechanisms.     

Influence of body size on oxygen consumption during bicycling

Energy in bicycling is primarily expended to overcome air resistance, which is proportional to a cyclist's surface area (SA). Thus we hypothesized that large cyclists should have a lower O2 consumption normalized to body weight (VO2/BW) than small cyclists because of the former's lower SA/BW. We measured the VO2/BW of small (BW = 59.4 +/- 4.1 kg) and large (BW = 84.4 +/- 3.2 kg) cyclists while they bicycled on a flat road at 10, 15, and 20 mph. The large cyclists had a 22% lower VO2/BW than the small cyclists at all speeds. However, the SA/BW ratio of the large cyclists was only 11% lower than that of the small cyclists. We then photographically determined the frontal area (FA) of the cyclists in a racing posture, and found that the large cyclists had a 16% lower FA/BW ratio than the small cyclists. We conclude that large cyclists are at a distinct advantage, in terms of VO2/BW, while bicycling on level roads, and this advantage is principally due to their lower FA/BW ratio.     

Clostridium perfringens: I. Sporulation in a Biphasic Glucose-Ion-Exchange Resin Medium

A biphasic culture medium suitable for cultivation and sporulation of Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum, and C. sporogenes was devised. The medium designed for use in a disposable, compartmented, plastic film container contained peptones, yeast extract, minerals, an anion exchange resin, and glucose in 4% agar as the solid phase and (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and 0.1% agar as the liquid phase. With the biphasic system, it was not necessary to use active cultures as inocula. Growth was at least equal to that obtained in conventional media, and spore production of 9 out of 12 strains of C. perfringens equalled or usually exceeded that of conventional media.     

Quantitation of Residual Host Protein in Chicken Embryo-Derived Vaccines by Radial Immunodiffusion

Quantitation of soluble residual host protein in chicken embryo-derived vaccines was performed rapidly, economically, and accurately by radial immunodiffusion.