Influence of phosphate ion on the fluorescence of 3-fluorotyrosine

Summary 3-Fluorotyrosine fluorescence is quenched effectively by phosphate ions not only by a dynamic but also by a static mechanism owing to H-bond complex formation in ground state. 3-Fluorotyrosine pK_a values both in the ground and first excited state (8.3 and 4, respectively) are appreciably lower than those of tyrosine, thus promoting 3-fluorotyrosinate ion formation in the excited state. Additional emission owing to 3-fluorotyrosinate ion (near 350 nm) may be taken erroneously for tryptophan fluorescence.     

Phototropism in hypocotyls of radish. VI. No exchange of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid between peripheral and central cell layers during first and second positive phototropic curvatures

Using a physicochemical method, the distribution of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was measured in the peripheral and central cell layers, as well as in the illuminated and shaded sides of phototropically stimulated radish hypocotyls (Raphanus sativus var. hortensis f. gigantissimus Makino). The IAA was evenly distributed over the illuminated and shaded sides in the first and second positive phototropic curvatures induced by a pulse or a continuous unilateral illumination with blue light. Also, no net exchange of the IAA between the peripheral and central cell layers was observed during these curvatures. These results suggest that phototropism of radish hypocotyls cannot be described by the Cholodny-Went theory.     

Genetic variation at storage protein-coding loci of common wheat (cv ‘Chinese Spring’) induced by nitrosoethylurea and by the cultivation of immature embryos in vitro

Electrophoretic patterns of seed storage proteins, the high-molecular-weight glutenins and gliadins, were studied in 468 plants of the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring regenerated from callus culture of immature embryos, in 115 plants grown from seeds treated with nitrosoethylurea and in 260 control plants. From 5 to 21 single grains were analysed from each plant. In these three groups, the frequency of inherited mutations causing the loss of all proteins controlled by a locus (null-mutations, probably caused by a chromosomal deficiency) was 0.69%, 2.07%, and 0.05% per locus (the differences were statistically significant), respectively, while that of mutations causing the loss of a single protein band was 0.11%, 0.33%, and 0.05%, respectively. The loss of all of the gliadins controlled by Gli-B1 or GH-B2 (mutations were probably caused by a deletion of satellites of the corresponding chromosomes), was significantly higher than the loss of gliadins controlled by genomes A and D. Gene mutations altering the electrophoretic mobility of a single protein band in the pattern were found only in the second group of plants (0.44%). Therefore, chemical mutagenesis which produced not only more mutations than cultivation of immature wheat embryos in vitro, but also a higher ratio of mutations that altered DNA sequences, can be considered as an easier and comparatively more promising way for obtaining new improved variants of loci controlling biochemical characteristics in wheat. Somaclonal variation, on the other hand, was probably mainly caused by chromosomal abnormalities and could therefore hardly be considered as a useful tool in wheat breeding.     

The zygote and proembryo of alfalfa: quantitative,three-dimensional analysis and implications for biparental plastid inheritance

Summary Genetic studies have demonstrated biparental inheritance of plastids in alfalfa. The ratio of paternal to maternal plastids in the progeny varies according to the genotypes of the parents, which can be classified as strong or weak transmitters of plastids. Previous cytological investigations of generative cells and male gametes have provided no consistent explanation for plastid inheritance patterns among genotypes. However, plastids in the mature egg cells of a strong female genotype (6–4) were found to be more numerous and larger than in mature eggs of a weak female genotype (CUF-B), and the plastids in 6–4 eggs are positioned equally around the nucleus. In CUF-B, the majority of plastids are positioned below (toward the micropyle) the mid level of the nucleus, which is the future division plane of the zygote. Since only the apical portion of the zygote produces the embryo proper, plastids in the basal portion were predicted to become included in the suspensor cells and not be inherited. In the present study, we examined zygotes and a two-celled proembryo from a cross between CUF-B and a strong male genotype (301), a cross that results in over 90% of the progeny possessing paternal plastids only. Our results indicate that the distribution of plastids observed in the CUF-B egg cell is maintained through the first division of the zygote. Further, paternal plastids are similarly distributed; however, within the apical portion of the zygote and in the apical cell of the two-celled proembryo, the number of paternal plastids is typically much greater than the number of maternal plastids. These findings suggest that maternal and paternal plastid distribution within the zygote is a significant factor determining the inheritance of maternal and paternal plastids in alfalfa.     

Skin ultrastructure in relation to prolactin and MSH function in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to environmental acidification

The present study describes the effects of 14 days exposure to acidified (pH 4.0) soft water in the absence of aluminium, on the ultrastructure of the skin in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Compared to control fish, there was a moderate increase in the incidence of necrosis in the filament cells of the fish exposed to pH 4.0, but since the integrity of the tissue appeared to be maintained, most of the ultrastructural changes observed may be considered to be adaptive. There was an increase in epidermal thickness, a higher frequency of electrondense vesicles in filament cells, an increase in the undulation of the basal lamina, and the penetration of the epidermis by cytoplasmatic processes of melanocytes in acid-exposed specimens. An infiltration of leucocytes into the epidermis, and the appearance of serous mucous cells, was also evident. Whether these events were under the control of prolactin and/or -MSH, was also investigated, but no indication for activation or inhibition of either prolactin or -MSH producing cells was obtained. Since a previous study (Balm and Pottinger 1993) had demonstrated that plasma cortisol levels were also identical in control and low pH treated trout throughout a 14 day experimental period, it is concluded that under conditions of environmental acidification, the integument autonomically maintains the adjustments necessary for successful acclimation, presumably via paracrine regulatory circuits.     

Interaction of force transmission and sarcomere assembly at the muscle-tendon junctions of carp (Cyprinus carpio): ultrastructure and distribution of titin (connectin) and α-actinin

At muscle-tendon junctions of red and of white axial muscle fibres of carp, new sarcomeres are found adjacent to existing sarcomeres along the bundles of actin filaments that connect the myofibrils with the junctional sarcolemma. As the filament bundles that transmit force to the junction originate proximal to new sarcomeres, they probably relieve these new sarcomeres from premature loading. In red fibres, these filament bundles are long (up to 20 m) and dense, permitting light-microscopical immunohistochemistry (double reactions: anti-titin or anti--actinin and phalloidin). New sarcomeres have clear I bands; their A band lengths are similar to those of older sarcomeres and the thick filaments lie in register. T tubules are found at the distal side of new sarcomeres but terminal Z lines are absent. The late addition of -actinin suggests that -actinin mainly has a stabilizing role in sarcomere formation. The presence of titin in the terminal fibre protrusions is in agreement with its supposed role in sarcomere formation, viz. the integration of thin and thick filaments. The absence of a terminal Z line from sarcomeres with well-registered A bands suggests that this structure is not essential for the anchorage of connective (titin) filaments.     

Identification of new products of S-aminoethylcysteine ketimine autoxidation

Summary In continuation of a previous work (Pecci et al., 1993), dedicated to the detection of the autoxidation products of S-aminoethylcysteine ketimine (AECK), we give here data for the identification of 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-[1,4]thiazino[2,3-b]thiazine, thiomorpholine-3-one and 5,5, 6,6-tetrahydro-2,2-dihydroxy-3,3-bi-2H-thiazine among the products of AECK autoxidation. Identification has been done on the basis of mass spectrometry and NMR spectral analyses of the isolated products.Abbreviations TLC thin layer chromatography - HPLC High performance liquid chromatography - AECK S-aminoethylcysteine ketimine