The effects of tiamulin, a semisynthetic pleuromutilin derivative, on bacterial polypeptide chain initiation.

Tiamulin, a water-soluble and highly effective semisynthetic derivative of pleuromutilin leads to the formation of physiologically inactive polypeptide chain initiation complexes which readily decompose and do not enter the phase of peptide chain elongation. Once elongation has begun it continues even in the presence of tiamulin as has been shown by measuring the formation of N-acetylphenylalanine-poly(phenylalanine). The formation of abortive initiation complexes was observed regardless of whether AcPhe-tRNA of fMet-tRNA was used as an initiator or whether artificial messengers or a natural messenger, like R17 bacteriophage RNA, was used. When this drug was acting on whole cells, it led to the disappearance of polysomes. The only structures which could be detected were of the monosome size. Therefore, polysomes seem to elongate the polypeptide chains in whole cells in the presence of this antibiotic, but since effective reinitiation is blocked, the polysome pool of the cell soon becomes depleted.     

Superoxide-independent platelet response to xanthine oxidase.

Xanthine oxidase (1--5 microgram/ml) from cow's milk induces shape change, aggregation, and the release reaction of human washed platelets. Xanthine oxidase plus xanthine produce superoxide radicals, which reduce nitro blue tetrazolium. Superoxide dismutase, allopurinol, or ommission of xanthine inhibits the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium but has no influence on the platelet response to xanthine oxidase. In contrast, small amounts of plasma or apyrase from potatoes abolish the effect on platelets, but not the enzyme activity of xanthine oxidase. Comparison of two xanthine oxidase preparations shows that higher specific enzyme activity corresponds to a lesser effect on platelets. The results suggest that platelet and enzyme activities reside in different components of xanthine oxidase preparations.     

Effect of the "RNA control" locus in Escherichia coli on RNA bacteriophage R23 replication.

The effect of the rel gene of Escherichia coli on the RNA synthesis induced by phage R23 was studied. This RNA phage has the property of inhibiting ribosomal RNA formation and completely dominating the RNA synthesis of the host. Phage-specific RNA formation was found to be dependent on the allelic state of the rel gene. Determinations of RNA synthesis were made by both cumulative and short-term incorporations of uracil and adenine. Variations in labeling of nucleotide pools were compensated for by determining specific activities of ATP and UTP and using these values to obtain true, relative rates of RNA synthesis.     

Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system XIX

Summary Two F^- mutants deficient in conjugation with F-type donors are isolated and characterized. Phenotypically, these mutants are similar; they have heptose-less lipopolysaccharide and lack some outer membrane protein. Genotypically, they are different. One mutant harbours a point mutation in the 70 to 74 min region, while the other is deleted for the chromosomal region 6.5 to 8.5 min. Comparison of the properties of the conjugation-deficient mutants described in this paper with other such mutants suggests than an outer membrane protein is the receptor for the F-pilus.     

Characteristics of acquired resistance of lambs to mature ticks Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (experimental studies)]

A new method was employed for studies of parasite-host relationships between ixodid ticks and their hosts. It has been established that ixodid ticks are able to desensibilize the reactive sensibility of the host and to satiate themselves without unhibiting the latter. Every day and long parasitism of the ticks on cattle (in nature) and increasing doses of secretion of the ticks' saliva (sensibilizer) lead apparently to the weakening of the host's organism (desensitization). However, under laboratory conditions in hosts a resistence to bites of ixodid ticks can appear.     

Incorporation of H3-thymidine into the oocytes of a sterlet in the early meiotic prophase]

DNA synthesis in meiotic oocytes of the sterlet (A. ruthenus) has been studied during early prophase stages using H3-thymidine. The pattern of H3-thymidine incorporation is similar to that in oocytes of Amphibia and Osteichthyes. In the oogonia as well as in the leptotene and zygotene oocytes, the label is predominantly localized over chromosomes. An intensive incorporation of H3-thymidine into the material of the heterochromatic "cap" has been observed during pachytene. Thus, the main synthesis of extra DNA in the sterlet oocytes occurs during pachytene. No DNA in synthesized by the diplotene oocytes.     

Effect of fasting and insulin on the glucagon-induced orthophosphate incorporation to the isolated perfused rat liver.

Isolated perfused fed rat livers spontaneously liberated glucose and orthophosphate to the medium; 24-hr fasted rat livers did not exhibit these phenomena. In perfused fed rat livers, glucagon (2 mug) increased glucose output and promoted orthophosphate incorporation. In perfused fed rat livers, insulin (250 or 500 mU) inhibited the spontaneous liberation of glucose and orthophosphate. Comparable doses of insulin significantly reduced the glucagon (2 mug)-induced increase in glucose output from perfused fed rat liver, but did not affect orthophosphate uptake by the organ.     

Ferritin intestinal absorption.

Ferritin as a source of iron was consiered. A good iron absorption rate appears in normal rats with an in vivo absorption technique. The same absorption appears in iron-deficient animals. The iron stored in intestinal wall is lower in anemic rats than in normal ones, suggesting a higher draw of iron from lumen to blood.