Sex pheromone components of the leafroller moth Pandemis cerasana

Female-tip washings of the leafroller moth, Pandemis cerasana, were found to contain (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-11-tetradecenol, (Z)-11-tetradecenol and tetradecyl acetate, based on chemical analysis and electroantennogram tests. The relative amounts of these compounds in the gland were ca. 64:21:10:3:2 in the order named. Only (E)-11 and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate were required for attraction of males to trap dispensed in the ratio 3:1, respectively.     

Quantification and analysis of reverse mutations at the hgprt locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells

We describe an assay for the quantification of reverse mutations at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hgprt) locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells utilizing the selective agent L-azaserine (AS). Conditions are defined in terms of optimal AS concentration, cell density, and phenotypic expression time. After treatment, replicate cultures of 10⁶ cells are allowed a 48-h phenotypic expression time in 100-mm plates. AS (10 μM) is then added directly to the growing culture and AS-resistant (AS^r) cells form visible colonies. This assay is used to quantify ICR-191-, ICR-170-, and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced reversion of independently isolated HGPRT^? clones. The AS^r phenotype is characterized both physiologically and biochemically. All AS^r clones isolated are stably resistant to AS and aminopterin but sensitive to 6-thioguanine. They also have re-expressed HGPRT enzyme. In addition, several revertants are shown to contain altered HGPRT. The data provide further evidence that ICR-191 and ICR-170 cause structural gene mutations in mammalian cells and also suggest that ICR-191, ICR-170, and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea induce similar types of mutations in Chinese hamster ovary cells.     

The intracellular distribution of adenylate kinase in the leaves of spinach,wheat and barley

Of the total adenylate-kinase activity in 10-d-old barley and wheat leaves, 40–50% is localised in the chloroplasts, while in mature spinach leaves 50–70% of the enzyme is chloroplastic. The extra-chloroplastic adenylate-kinase activity is associated with the mitochondria, very little, if any, is freely soluble in the cytoplasm. The adenylate pool of the cytoplasm could have access to adenylate-kinase activity in the intermitochondrial space because of the free permeation of adenylates across the outer mitochondrial membrane. Thus the adenylate pool of the cytoplasm could be subject to adenylate-kinase equilibrium. The mitochondrial adenylate kinase appeared to the localised exclusively in the intermembrane space.     

Auxin controls Golgi-localized glucan synthetase activity in the maize mesocotyl

Decapitation or red light irradiation (R) inhibited growth and Golgi-localized glucan synthetase (GS I) activity in the mesocotyl of intact maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Applied auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) prevented the effects of R and of decapitation on both growth and GS I. Auxin applied several hours after irradiation prevented any further decline in GS I but did not restore it. Mesocotyl segments incubated in solution elongated in response to auxin but lost GS I with time regardless of the presence of exogenous auxin. An attached seed was necessary for maintenance of GS I in the dark-grown mesocotyl.Abbreviations GS glucan synthetase - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - R red light     

The induction of sensitivity to gibberellin in aleurone tissue of developing wheat grains

Aleurone tissue from undried immature developing wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sappo), normally insensitive to gibberellic acid, can be made to respond to the hormone by a series of temperature treatments. Incubation of the de-embryoed grains at temperatures above 27° C for at least 8 h causes the tissue to become sensitive. Prolonged incubation at temperatures below 27° C does not effect a change in sensitivity. In addition to the requirement for exposure to an elevated temperature for a period of several hours the tissue must also subsequently be subjected to a period at a lower temperature for just a few seconds for the response to be observed. Once sensitized, the tissue remains responsive to gibberellic acid for substantial periods of time. Exposure of the tissue to temperatures which induce sensitivity to gibberellic acid also results in an increased leakage of amino acids. It is suggested that the increase in sensitivity to gibberellin requires two separate processes to take place. One could be a homeoviscous adaptation of the cell membranes in response to elevated temperature, the other a subsequent, permanent change in conformation of membrane components.     

Translocation pathways in the petioles and stem between source and sink leaves of Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.

Microautoradiography was used to follow the translocation pathways of ¹⁴C-labeled photosynthate from mature source leaves, through the stem, to immature sink leaves three nodes above. Translocation occurred in specific bundles of the midveins and petioles of both the source and sink leaves and in the interjacent internodes. When each of six major veins in the lamina of an exporting leaf was independently spot-fed ¹⁴CO₂, label was exported through specific bundles in the petiole associated with that vein. When the whole lamina of a mature source leaf was fed ¹⁴CO₂, export occurred through all bundles of the lamina, but acropetal export in the stem was confined to bundles serving certain immature sink leaves. Cross-transfer occurred within the stem via phloem bridges. Leaves approaching maturity translocated photosynthate bidirectionally in adjacent subsidiary bundles of the petiole. That is, petiolar bundles serving the lamina apex were exporting unlabeled photosynthate while those serving the lamina base were simultaneously importing labeled photosynthate. The petioles and midveins of maturing leaves were strong sinks for photosynthate, which was diverted from the export front to differentiating structural tissues. The data support the idea of bidirectional transport in adjacent bundles of the petiole and possibly in adjacent sieve tubes within an individual bundle.Abbreviations C central leaf trace - L left leaf trace - LPI leaf plastochron index - R right leaf trace     

Detection of Autographa californica and Heliothis zea baculovirus proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

The structural proteins of Autographa californica (AcMNPV) and Heliothis zea (HzSNPV) nuclear polyhedrosis viruses were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The immunoassay detected less than 1 ng of AcMNPV protein. The extent of immunological relatedness between AcMNPV-occluded virus and AcMNPV polyhedral protein, AcMNPV-nonoccluded virus, Estigmene acrea granulosis virus, Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus Heliothis zea NPV, and Lymantria dispar NPV was determined. No immunological relatedless was detected between HzSNPV, AcMNPV, and a persistent rod-shaped virus isolated from the Heliothis zea cell line (IMC-Hz-1). The polyhedral proteins of HzSNPV and AcMNPV were found to be immunologically identical.     

Thyroid hormone modulation of agonist - beta-adrenergic receptor interactions in the rat heart

We have investigated alterations in beta-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardial membranes derived from hypothyroid and hyperthyroid animals. (-)Isoproterenol competition curves with (-)[³H]dihydroalprenolol revealed that isoproterenol binds to the beta-adrenergic receptor with two distinct affinity states having high (K_H) and low (K_L) dissociation constants. In the presence of guanine nucleotides the isoproterenol competition curve steepened and had a higher EC₅₀ (50% displacement). This was due to a transition of the high affinity state to a uniformly low affinity state. Using computer modeling of these competition curves, we have demonstrated that in hyperthyroidism, the isoproterenol curve in the absence of guanine nucleotides is shifted to the left with the EC₅₀ changing from 180 ± 40 to 80 ± 20 nM (p < .02). The fold shift (4 fold) in K_H (nM) 30 ± 9 to 7 ± 2 (p < .001) is greater than that (1.6 fold) in K_L (nM) 595 ± 56 to 376 ± 34 (p < .001) such that the K_L/K_H ratio shifted from 20 ± 3 to 54 ± 9 (p < .001). The ratio, K_L/K_H, for a particular agonist appears to be related to its efficacy in activating adenylate cyclase.There was no significant alteration in any of these parameters in hypothyroid animals. Receptor number was decreased in hypothyroidism, 16 ± 3 fmol/mg protein (p < .03) and increased in hyperthyroidism 44 ± 4 (p < .03) compared to control 26 ± 2.In the rat heart agonist affinity and receptor number are modulated in hyperthyroidism, but only receptor number in hypothryoidism. Thus thyroid hormone can modify not only receptor number but agonist affinity as well.