The Streptomyces plasmid SCP2*: its functional analysis and development into useful cloning vectors

Detailed restriction maps of the plasmid SCP2* and its deletion derivative pSCP103 were constructed. DNA fragments carrying hygromycin (Hyg), thiostrepton (Thio) or viomycin-resistance (VioR) determinants were inserted into pSCP103, and various segments were deleted from the resulting plasmids. Changes in plasmid phenotypes associated with these insertions and deletions allowed the localisation and characterisation of plasmid replication, stability, transfer and fertility functions. Several useful cloning vectors were constructed. They are able to maintain large (greater than 30 kb) DNA inserts, with stable inheritance at a low copy number (1-2 per chromosome) and without structural rearrangements, in Streptomyces hosts. The vectors have a broad host range in the genus Streptomyces. One of them (pIJ903) is a shuttle vector for Streptomyces and Escherichia coli.     

Effects of monovalent cations on red cell shape and size

Human erythrocytes were incubated in isotonic solutions of different monovalent cations. The apparent size of the red cells measured on scanning electron microscopic pictures decreases in the order Li⁺>Na⁺=K⁺>Rb⁺. These differences in size are abolished after pretreatment with trypsin, which removes a large part of the charges associated with membrane glycoproteins. Shape alterations are also observed. Normal biconcave shapes are visible after Na⁺ or K⁺ incubation, whereas Li⁺ leads to flabby, flattened cells with a certain tendency to crenation, and Rb⁺ causes more pronounced biconcavity with a certain tendency to cupping. The overall effects of pretreatment with trypsin are similar to those of Li⁺. Our results provide evidence that the electrostatic repulsion of glycoproteins and other charged membrane components may play an essential role in maintaining red cell shape.     

“同时蒸馏-萃取”分析茉莉花香成分

用一种经过改进的“同时蒸馏-萃取”仪提取了茉莉花的香成分,以 GC/MS 和 Kovats保留指数法鉴定了提取物中的28个化学成分。主要成分为:芳樟醇、乙酸苯甲酯、顺-石竹萜烯、榧烯醇、苯甲酸顺-3-己烯酯、邻氨基苯甲酸甲酯、二十三烯-11及吲哚。讨论了鲜花香成分和植物精油的采集与分析方法。     

武汉东湖浮游植物各种成份分析与沉淀物中浮游植物活体碳、氮、磷的测定

本实验调查了武汉东湖浮游植物水华的各种成份以及水柱沉淀物内叶绿素α含量,根据碳与叶绿素α关系,给定了一回归方程,并计算出沉淀物中藻类活体相应的碳、氮、磷含量。从平均数值看,武汉东湖浮游植物水华的C,N,P含量分别为39.30,7.98及0.94(％);其干湿比为0.20,碳、氮比为5.10,碳、磷比为46.54,碳与叶绿素α之比则为133.32。 1983年东湖水柱沉淀物中浮游植物活体叶绿素α下沉量平均每天每平方米为43.8675微克(Ⅰ站)及35.5881微克(Ⅱ站)。利用东湖浮游植物水华各种成份含量及其各种比率计算出的东湖水柱沉淀物中浮游植物活体碳、氮、磷量,按顺序每天每平方米分别为2.53,0.50,0.05毫克(Ⅰ站)及2.09,0.41,0.04毫克(Ⅱ站)。     

Leucine biosynthesis in Alcaligenes eutrophus H16: Influence of amino acid additions on the formation of active α-isopropylmalate synthase and α-acetohydroxy acid synthase

The -isopropylmalate synthase of the chemolithoautotrophic Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 is apparently a soluble enzyme but is strongly adsorbed to cell particles in ruptured cell suspensions. This was not observed with -acetohydroxy acid synthase or threonine deaminase. The formation of these regulatory enzymes of the branched chain amino acid biosynthesis pathway generally decreased with decreased growth rates. The addition of 5 mM valine plus isoleucine with and without 5 mM threonine caused a 6.6- and a 4-fold increase, respectively, in the formation of active -isopropylmalate synthase, but caused a strong decrease in the -actohydroxy acid synthase. The level of active -isopropylmalate synthase is apparently regulated by the level of leucine; whereas, the level of the -acetohydroxy acid synthase and threonine deaminase is influenced by the presence of several amino acids. A catabolic threonine deaminase was not encountered.Abbreviations IRS -Isopropylamalate - AHA -acetohydroxy acid - TDA throninedeaminase This paper is dedicated to Professor H. G. Schlegel, University Göttingen, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. I am grateful to a great teacher and scientist, who in his unique way stimulated enthusiasm and fascination in microbiology in his students throughout the years     

Lobula plate and ocellar interneurons converge onto a cluster of descending neurons leading to neck and leg motor neuropil in Calliphora erythrocephala

Summary In the fly, Calliphora erythrocephala, a cluster of three Y-shaped descending neurons (DNOVS 1–3) receives ocellar interneuron and vertical cell (VS4–9) terminals. Synaptic connections to one of them (DNOVS 1) are described. In addition, three types of small lobula plate vertical cell (sVS) and one type of contralateral horizontal neuron (Hc) terminate at DNOVS 1, as do two forms of ascending neurons derived from thoracic ganglia. A contralateral neuron, with terminals in the opposite lobula plate, arises at the DNOVS cluster and is thought to provide heterolateral interaction between the VS4–9 output of one side to the VS4–9 dendrites of the other. DNOVS 2 and 3 extend through pro-, meso-, and metathoracic ganglia, branching ipsilaterally within their tract and into the inner margin of leg motor neuropil of each ganglion. DNOVS 1 terminates as a stubby ending in the dorsal prothoracic ganglion onto the main dendritic trunks of neck muscle motor neurons. Convergence of VS and ocellar interneurons to DNOVS 1 comprises a second pathway from the visual system to the neck motor, the other being carried by motor neurons arising in the brain. Their significance for saccadic head movement and the stabilization of the retinal image is discussed.     

A new cell wall structure in a symbiotic and a free-living strain of the blue-green alga genus Chroococcidiopsis (Pleurocapsales)

Freeze etching studies in a symbiotic and a freeliving strain of Chroococcidiopsis revealed a specific layer in the outer cell wall not described so far from Cyanophyta. The layer showed a complex organisation: The main unit are ribbons, 2–3 nm thick, striated at right angle to the longitudinal axis. They are interwoven to a patchwork-like leaflet. The ribbons are virtually composed of globular particles associated in parallel rows. The cytoplasmic membrane and the cell walls of the symbiotic and the free-living strain were compared.Abbreviations cm cytoplasmic membrane - CW 1,2,3 cell wall layer 1,2,3 - EF exoplasmic fracture face - PF protoplasmic fracture face