Sri Lankan passion fruit mottle virus, a potyvirus infecting golden passion fruit in Sri Lanka

A sap-transmissible virus, provisionally named Sri Lankan passion fruit mottle virus (SLPFMV), was isolated from Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and shown to induce leaf mottling and distortion in that host. The virus infected 23 species in five plant families with systemic infection being common in the Passifloraceae. Chenopodium amaranticolor was a good local lesion host and Passiflora foetida was a useful systemic host for purification. In P. foetida extracts, SLPFMV lost infectivity after 10 min between 70–75°C, 6–7 days at 20–23°C and at dilutions of 10^--⁵ -W^-6. The virus had flexuous, filamentous particles with a normal length of c. 841 nm. Two polypeptides of mol. wt c. 33 200 and 28 700 were detected in purified virus preparations, and a major species of double-stranded RNA (mol. wt 7.0 × 10⁶), was detected in infected plants. Pinwheels, tubular and laminated inclusions were found in ultrathin sections of infected P. edulis f. plavicurpa and cylindrical inclusions were observed in epidermal strips. SLPFMV was transmitted by the aphids Myzus persicae, Aphis spiraecola, A. gossypü and A. cruccivora after brief acquisition feeds. SLPFMV reacted with antisera to several potyviruses including passion fruit woodiness virus, passion fruit ringspot virus, potato virus Y and watermelon mosaic virus 2 and thus, apparently, is a member of the potyvirus group.     

Localization of mitochondria in plant cells by vital staining with rhodamine 123

The positively-charged fluorescent dye rhodamine 123 (r-123) specifically stains mitochondria in living plant protoplasts, suspensionculture cells, and root hairs. This dye functions as a vital stain and permits visualization of the localization, distribution and movement of the mitochondria. Dehydration of root hairs caused mitochondria to aggregate into clumps. Mitochondria were either homogenous or heterogeneous and were frequently seen to accumulate in the perinuclear regions of suspension-culture cells but not in those of protoplasts or root-hair cells. Dinitrophenol and high concentrations of ethyleneglycol-bis(-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid and KCl immediately eliminated fluorescence in r-123-stained mitochondria whereas ionomycin enhanced it. Treatment of seedlings with r-123 resulted in differential brightness of fluorescence in different tissues. Meristematic tissues, such as root and shoot tips, exhibited the brightest fluorescence. The cytotoxicity of r-123 in both germinating seedlings and suspension-culture cells was low. The specificity, sensitivity and low toxicity of r-123 should make it a useful tool in experiments designed to examine agents and conditions which affect the location, the physiological status or the viability of mitochondria.Abbreviations EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis-(-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - DAPI 46-diamidino-2-phenylindole - r-123 rhodamine 123     

Electroantennogram responses of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis, to a spectrum of alcohol and aldehyde plant volatiles

Electroantennograms (EAGs) were recorded from unmated, laboratory-reared, male and female oriental fruit flies, Dacus dorsalis, in response to a range of between C₁ and C₁₂ carbon chain-length saturated and unaturated aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes, most all of which are known host-plant volatiles. Only two of the 35 compounds tested elicited significantly larger EAGs from female than male antennae. For the two functional-group series tested, aldehydes elicited responses greater than or equal to the responses to the alcohols. In general, the unsaturated alcohols did not elicit responses significantly different from the saturated alcohols. However, the unsaturated aldehydes, (E)-2-hexenal and 10-undecenal, elicited larger amplitude EAGs than their saturated analogs. EAGs were significantly greater for a particular carbon chain-length, with responsiveness to primary alcohols peaking at C₆ and aldehydes peaking at C₇. The (E)-2- monoenic alcohols peaked at C₆, while the (E)-3-alcohols plateaued between C₅ and C₈. The greatest EAG responses of all compounds tested were elicited by the saturated and unsaturated C₆ alcohols and aldehydes which are constitutents of the general green-leaf volatile complex that emanates from most plants. The potential adapative benefit of selective sensitivity to green-leaf volatiles is discussed in regards to foraging behaviors of oriental fruit flies.

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Résumé Des électroantennogrammes (EAG) ont enregistré les réponses, en élevages de femelles et mâles vierges de Dacus dorsalis, à une gamme de chaînes de carbones de C₁ à C₁₂ saturés et non-saturés d'alcools aliphatiques et d'aldéhydes, dont beaucoup sont connus comme substances volatiles des végétaux. Seulement 2 des 35 composés examinés ont provoqué des EAG significativement plus importants chez les femelles que chez les mâles. Pour les séries des deux groupes fonctionnels examinés, les aldéhydes ont provoqué des réponses supérieures ou égales aux alcools. En général, les réponses aux alcools nonsaturés n'étaient pas significativement différentes des réponses aux alcools saturés. Cependant, les aldéhydes non-saturés, (E)-2-hexénal et 10-undécénal, ont induit des EAG de plus grande ampleur que leurs analogues saturés. Les EAG étaient significativement les plus importants pour une chaîne de longueur particulière, la réponse aux alcools primaires culminant en C₆ et les aldéhydes en C₇. Les alcools monoéniques (E)-2- culminaient en C₆, tandis que les alcools (E)-3- étaient étales entre C₅ et C₈. Les EAG les plus importants ont été obtenus pour tous les composés examinés avec les alcools et aldéhydes en C₆ qui appartiennent à l'odeur verte complexe émise par beaucoup de plantes. Le bénéfice adaptatif potentiel de la sensibilité sélective à l'odeur verte des feuilles est examinée en fonction du comportement de prospection de D. dorsalis.

     

Effect of pupation environment on the quality of pupae and adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly

When mature larvae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) pupated in bran rather than naked there was an increase in adult eclosion, but no difference in 9 day pupal weight, 9 day lipid content, or flight ability. There was no difference when pupation occurred at 20 or 25°C. Pupation in sand at 20°C caused severe mortality, while pupation in sand at 25°C did not. Data are presented which favour naked pupation over pupation in any medium, and evidence is presented which indicates that collection of mature larvae in a rotary tumbler rather than by the conventional popping method is economically preferable and is without significant biologically adverse effects.

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Résumé Si des larves mûres de Ceratitis capitata se nymphosent dans du son ou à l'air libre, dans le premier cas le taux d'éclosions est plus élevé, mais le poids et la teneur en lipides au neuvième jour de nymphose ainsi que l'aptitude au vol sont identiques dans les deux. Il n'y a pas de différences pour les pupaisons à 20°C et 25°C, mais la pupaison dans le sable à 20°C provoque une forte mortalité, tandis qu'à 25°C le sable n'a aucun effet. Les résultats obtenus sont favorable à une pupaison à nu plutôt que dans un substrat, et des arguments sont apportés montrant que la collecte des larves mûres dans un culbuteur rotatif ne provoque significativement pas plus d'effets nocifs que la méthode classique du saut.

     

Freeze-fracture study of the lateral-line canal organ of the Japanese sea eel,Lincozymba nystromi

Summary Specializations of apical surfaces of hair cells, supporting cells and marginal cells in the lateral-line canal organ of Japanese sea eel, Lincozymba nystromi, were examined with a freeze-fracture technique. Apical surfaces of hair cells have a lower density of intramembrane particles (IMP) than those of the surrounding supporting cells. Density of IMP on the streocilia is almost the same as that on the apical surface of hair cells. Junctions between hair and supporting cells were tighter than those between two supporting cells; those between supporting and marginal cells were tighter than those between hair and supporting cells, and those between two marginal cells were the tightest in the lateral-line canal organ.     

Immunocytochemical markers revealing retinal and pineal but not hypothalamic photoreceptor systems in the Japanese quail

Summary The retinal proteins opsin,-transducin, S-antigen and interstitial retinol-binding protein (IRBP) are essential for the processes of vision. By use of immunocyto-chemistry we have employed antibodies directed against these photoreceptor proteins in an attempt to identify the photoreceptor systems (retina, pineal and deep brain) of the Japanese quail. Opsin immunostaining was identified within many outer (basal portion) and inner segments of retinal photoreceptor cells and limited numbers of photoreceptor perikarya. Opsin immunostaining was also demonstrated in limited numbers of pinealocytes with all parts of these cells being immunoreactive. These results differ from previous observations. In contrast to the results obtained with the antibody against opsin, S-antigen and-transducin immunostaining was seen throughout the entire outer segments and many photoreceptor perikarya of the retina. In the pineal organ immunostaining was seen in numerous pinealocytes in all follicles. These results conform to previous findings in birds. In addition, IRBP has been demonstrated for the first time in the avian retina and pineal organ. These findings underline the structural and functional similarities between the retina and pineal organ and provide additional support for a photoreceptive role of the avian pineal. No specific staining was detected in any other region of the brain in the Japanese quail; the hypothalamic photoreceptors of birds remain unidentified.     

Polygalacturonase activity and variation in ripening of papaya fruit with tissue depth and heat treatment

Effects of tissue position (viz. outer vs inner mesocarp) and heat treatment (48°C, 20 min) on variations in polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15 and EC 3.2.1.67) activity and ripening of fruits of Carica papaya L. cv. Backcross Solo were investigated. Polygalacturonase activity increased during ripening concomitantly with an increase in tissue softness and soluble polyuronide level. Throughout ripening, inner mesocarp tissue was softer and contained higher polygalacturonase activity than outer mesocarp tissue. Titratable acidity as well as ß-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) activity also increased during ripening; however, unlike polygalacturonase, their level or activity was lower in inner than in outer mesocarp. Ascorbic acid could partially account for the increase in titratable acidity during ripening but contributed very little to the differences in titratable acid levels between outer and inner mesocarp. Heat treatment had no effect on either fruit softness or titratable acidity, but it markedly reduced the increase in ascorbic acid and polygalacturonase activity during ripening. Ripening, as reflected by changes in tissue softness and polygalacturonase activity, progressed outwardly from the interior towards the exterior of the fruit. The effect of heat treatment in suppressing polygalacturonase activity was relatively greater in inner than in outer mesocarp, suggesting that sensitivity of the enzyme to heat treatment may vary with stage of ripeness of the tissue.     

Identification of cDNA clones for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) mRNAs that accumulate during fruit ripening and leaf senescence in response to ethylene

Changes in gene expression during foliar senescence and fruit ripening in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were examined using in-vitro translation of isolated RNA and hybridization against cDNA clones.During the period of chlorophyll loss in leaves, changes occurred in mRNA in-vitro translation products, with some being reduced in prevalence, whilst others increased. Some of the translation products which changed in abundance had similar molecular weights to those known to increase during tomato fruit ripening. By testing RNA from senescing leaves against a tomato fruit ripening-related cDNA library, seven cDNA clones were identified for mRNAs whose prevalence increased during both ripening and leaf senescence. Using dot hybridization, the pattern of expression of the mRNAs corresponding to the seven clones was examined. Maximal expression of the majority of the mRNAs coincided with the time of greatest ethylene production, in both leaves and fruit. Treatment of mature green leaves or unripe fruit with the ethylene antagonist silver thiosulphate prevented the onset of senescence or ripening, and the expression of five of the seven ripening- and senescence-related genes.The results indicate that senescence and ripening in tomato involve the expression of related genes, and that ethylene may be an important factor in controlling their expression.Abbreviations cDNA copy-DNA - MW molecular weight - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Rise in age of sexual maturation in male Japanese monkeys at Takasakiyama in relation to nutritional conditions

A few reports have suggested the possibility that feeding conditions might affect the sexual maturation of free-ranging Japanese monkeys in provisionized troops. In the present study, the sexual maturation of male monkeys at Takasakiyama in 1984, nine years after the start of restriction of artificial feeding, was examined externally and histologically and the results were compared with data obtained in 1971, when artificial foods were abundantly given. Spermatogenesis was not observed in any of the males under 4.5 years old in the present study, whereas it was noted in some premature 3.5-year-old males and in all males over 4.5 years old in the 1971 study. The age of sexual maturation thus rose by one or more years over the 13-year period from 1971 to 1984. The lag in sexual maturation of the males at Takasakiyama in 1984 could have been induced by the restriction of artificial feeding.     

Development of a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing leukocyte differentiation antigens of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata)

Six monoclonal antibodies to Japanese monkey leukocytes were developed. These monoclonal antibodies, designated the U series, cover most kinds of leukocytes (pan T cells, CD8+ cells, CD8+ subset and granulocytes, CD16+ cells, monocytes/macrophages), and should be useful in the immunological analysis of primate models, such as tissue transplants and virus-related diseases, in particular, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).