Genetic specificity of nitrogen nutrition in leguminous plants

Summary Mineral nitrogen did not increase grain yield and seed protein levels ofVicia faba L. andLupinus luteus L. in field trials and pot experiments. Fixed N₂ was substituted by mineral nitrogen in these cases because of inhibition of N₂ fixation by mineral nitrogen. Contrary to these results mineral nitrogen increased grain yields and seed protein amounts ofLupinus albus L.,Pisum sativum L., andGlycine max. (L.) Merr. The nitrogen effect was caused at an early stage by saving energy due to inhibition of N₂ fixation (measurement of gas exchange by means of IRGA). In case of the N application after flowering grain, yields and seed protein levels increased because the mineral N was an additional nitrogen source for plants. At this stage the plants had ceased fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The high sink activity of growing fruits induced a lack of assimilates in nodules (determined by means of¹⁴CO₂ application). The N effect was therefore the consequence of the lower assimilate pool for supplying root nodules in these plants in comparison withVicia faba L. andLupinus luteus L. Hence it follows that response to mineral nitrogen can be a criterion for discovering more effective Rhizobium-host combinations.     

Acceptor activity, isoacceptor profiles and function in protein synthesis of transfer RNAs from regenerating skeletal muscle

Transfer RNAs have been prepared from control and regenerating rat skeletal muscle. The yield of tRNA is highest during the early stages of the regeneration process (5 and 8 days following the induction of regeneration) and decreases to near control values thereafter. The amino acid acceptor activity (extent of aminoacylation) of tRNA from regenerating muscle was also found to be higher for some amino acids than the activity of control tRNA, and the maximum increase in activity was observed between 5 and 8 days following the initiation of regeneration with a decrease to control levels through 15 and 30 days. The isoacceptor pattern, determined by RPC-5 chromatography, for methionyl-tRNAs from control muscle and 5-day regenerating muscle were essentially indistinguishable, while a minor peak of prolyl-tRNA was observed in the population from 5-, 8- and 15-day regenerates which was apparently absent from the control tRNA. Lysyl-tRNAs from control muscle contain two major isoacceptors while a third isoacceptor is observed in the tRNA preparations from 5-, 8- and 15-day regenerating muscle. The relative amount of this third isoacceptor is highest in the 8-day population and decreases in amount in tRNAs from 15- and 30-day regenerates. Control muscle also contains two major glutamyl-tRNA species while a third isoacceptor can be detected in regenerates. The relative amount of this species increases during the early course of the regeneration process but is present at near control levels by 30 days following Marcaine injection. Cell-free protein synthesis using muscle polyribosomes showed that tRNAs from regenerating muscle were more effective in stimulating [³⁵S]methionine incorporation than tRNAs from control muscle.     

Requirements for antiribosomal activity of pokeweed antiviral protein

It has been known for some time that pokeweed antiviral protein acts by enzymatically inhibiting protein synthesis on eucaryotic ribosome systems. The site of this action is known to be the ribosome itself. In this paper we show that the pokeweed antiviral protein reaction against ribosomes is a strong function of salt concentrations, where 160 mM K⁺ and 3 mM Mg²⁺ retards the reaction, while 20 mM K⁺ and 2 mM Mg²⁺ allows maximum reaction rate. It is also shown, however, that an unidentified protein in the postribosomal supernatant solution, together with ATP, allows the ribosome to be attacked even in the presence of high salt. Kinetic analysis of the antiviral protein reaction has been carried out under both sets of conditions, and reveals that the turnover number for the enzyme is about 300–400 mol/mol per min. in each case. The K_m for ribosomes is 1 μM in the presence of low salt and 0.2 μM at higher salt in the presence of postribosomal supernatant factors plus ATP. The antiviral protein reaction is also shown to be pH dependent and is controlled by a residue with pK_a value of approx. 7.0, apparently a histidine. Stoichiometric reaction of the enzyme with iodoacetamide results in a significant loss of antiribosomal activity.     

Translation of poly(U) on ribosomes from Streptomyces aureofaciens

Slowly cooled cells of Streptomyces aureofaciens contained mainly tight-couple ribosomes. Maximum rate of polyphenylalanine synthesis on ribosomes of S. aureofaciens was observed at 40°C, while cultures grew optimally at 28°C. Ribosomes of S. aureofaciens differed from those of E. coli in the amount of poly(U) required for maximum synthetic activity. The polyphenylalanine-synthesizing activity of E. coli ribosomes was about 3-times higher than that of S. aureofaciens ribosomes. The addition of protein S1 of E. coli or the homologous protein from S. aureofaciens had no stimulatory effect on the translation of poly(U). In order to localize alteration(s) of S. aureofaciens ribosomes in the elongation step of polypeptide synthesis we developed an in vitro system derived from purified elongation factors and ribosomal subunits. The enzymatic binding of Phe-tRNA to ribosomes of S. aureofaciens was significantly lower than the binding to ribosomes of E. coli. This alteration was mainly connected with the function of S. aureofaciens 50 S subunits. These subunits were not deficient in their ability to associate with 30 S subunits or with protein SL5 which is homologous to L7/L12 of E. coli.     

Interactions of lens proteins. Self-association and mixed-association studies of bovine alpha-crystallin and gamma-crystallin

Concentrated solutions of calf alpha-crystallin (up to 45 g/l) and gamma-crystallin (up to 67 g/l) were subjected to frontal exclusion chromatography at pH 7.3, ionic strength 0.17 and 20 degrees C. The experimental concentration dependence of the weight-average partition coefficient was compared with theoretical expressions, which include considerations of thermodynamic non-ideality effects, for the concentration dependence of a single solute and of a solute undergoing reversible self-association. Two types of association pattern were examined, discrete dimerization and indefinite self-association. The partition chromatography results are consistent with an indefinite self-association of gamma-crystallin, governed by an isodesmic association constant of 6.7 X 10(-3) l/g. alpha-Crystallin appears to self-associate either very weakly, with a maximal association constant of 0.9 X 10(-3) l/g, or not at all; the distinction depends on the assessment of the non-ideality coefficients. The consequences of excluded volume effects on these self-association equilibria at high total protein concentration are discussed. Mixtures of alpha-crystallin and gamma-crystallin were analyzed by frontal exclusion chromatography (up to 14 g/l) and sedimentation velocity (up to 115 g/l): no interaction was observed.     

Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen über die Beeinflussung der Dynamik neurosekretorischer Zellen von Enchytraeus (Oligochaeta) durch Aktinomycin D

Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung von Aktinomycin auf die neurosekretorischen Q-und P-Zellen im Cerebralganglion von Enchytraeus wurde untersucht. Die Cytophotometrie lichtmikroskopischer Präparate von Q-Zellen ergab, daß in den ersten Stunden nach Aktinomycin-Behandlung eine deutliche Verminderung PAF-positiven Materials auftritt. Die ersten Veränderungen wurden elektronenmikroskopisch zwischen 1 und 4 Std nach Aktinomycin-Injektion beobachtet. Sie waren in beiden Zelltypen am eindeutigsten am Nucleolus. Es kommt zu einer Sonderung und räumlichen Trennung von granulärem und fibrillärem Material. Letzteres wird sehr stark vermehrt.In bezug auf Veränderungen der Strukturen des Cytoplasmas unterscheiden sich die Q-und P-Zellen besonders im Verhalten des Golgi-Apparates und der Ribosomen. Der Golgi-Apparat wird in den Q-Zellen kurze Zeit nach Applikation von Aktinomycin reduziert. In den P-Zellen persistiert er dagegen über alle beobachteten Zeitstufen hinweg. Die Ribosomen lösen sich von den Membranen in den Q-Zellen 4–8 Std nach Injektion, was in den P-Zellen nicht festzustellen ist. Diese Tatsachen führen zu der Annahme, daß das System der Proteinsynthese der P-Zellen relativ stabiler als das der Q-Zellen ist.Die in den späteren Zeitstufen beobachtete Normalisierung der Zellstrukturen läßt darauf schließen, daß die Wirkung des einmalig injizierten Aktinomycins 24 Std danach nachzulassen beginnt.

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Light and electron microscopic studies on the influence of actinomycin D on the dynamics of neurosecretory cells of Enchytraeus (Oligochaeta)

Summary The influence of actinomycin on the neurosecretory Q and P cells of the brain of Enchytraeus was studied. Cytophotometrical measurements of Q cells in light mirocscopic preparations showed a significant decrease of PAF-positive material in the first hours after actinomycin application. At the ultrastructural level primary changes were established one to four hours after injection of actinomycin: In the nucleolus granular and fibrillar material became separated; there was a substantial increase of the fibrillar component.Concerning structural changes of the cytoplasm, Q and P cells differed especially with respect to the Golgi apparatus and the ribosomes. In the Q cells the Golgi apparatus had become greatly reduced shortly after actinomycin treatment. However, it persisted in P cells during all stages examined. Ribosomes became detached from membranes only in Q cells between 4 and 8 hours after injection.These data indicate that protein synthesis in P cells shows greater stability than in Q cells. The restitution of normal ultrastruoture during subsequent stages indicates that effects begin to subside 24 hours after a single injection.

Für technische Unterstützung danken wir Frl. B. Reymann, Frl. A. Zinßer, Frau B. Cosack und Frau E. Wolschner.     

溴氰菊酯对鼠脑蛋白质磷酸化作用的影响

以小鼠大脑碎片与[γ-~(32)P]ATP一起保温,观察到溴氰菊酯对蛋白1—3磷酸化的刺激作用和对4、5磷酸化的抑制作用,表明溴氰菊酯对大脑蛋白质磷酸化产生了影响。从鼠脑分离了C、D、S三个组分,分别进行的蛋白质磷酸化试验结果表明,C、D组分可能是重要的磷酸化部位。 蛋白1、2、3的磷酸化明显地受到溴氰菊酯的刺激,这三个蛋白质可能是“蛋白Ⅲb”的几种形式。溴氰菊酯对“蛋白Ⅲb”磷酸化的刺激,可能会影响神经末梢的神经激素释放,从而影响到与其相关的某些神经功能。     

Coated Vesicles from the Protozoan Parasite Trypanosoma brucei: Purification and Characterization

ABSTRACT. A procedure was developed to purify a coated vesicle fraction from the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Electron microscopy revealed a difference between T. brucei coated vesicles and clathrin-coated vesicles from other eukaryotes: trypanosome vesicles were larger (100 to ISO nm in diameter) and contained an inner coat of electron-dense material in addition to the external coat. Evidence suggests that the internal coat is the parasite's variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. The SDS-PAGE analysis shows the major protein of T. brucei coated vesicles has a molecular mass of 61 kD, similar to VSG; this protein was recognized in an immunoblot by anti-VSG serum. Trypanosome coated vesicles also contain a protein which comigrates with the major protein (clathrin) of coated vesicles purified from rat brains. However, this protein is a minor component and it is not serologically cross-reactive with mammalian clathrin. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the parasite vesicles contained host IgG, IgM, and serum albumin.     

视网膜神经节细胞的纯化和体外存活

我们用特异性抗体Thy1.1结合尼龙筛方法分离和纯化新生大鼠视网膜神经节细胞,比较顶盖提取液对这些纯化细胞的作用。预先以快蓝(fast blue,FB)逆行标记的视网膜细胞悬液,接种在包被了Thy1.1抗体的培养皿上30分钟,冲洗未粘附的细胞,显微镜下计数粘附细胞中FB标记的视网膜神经节细胞纯度的百分比,最高为95%。用孔径15μm尼龙筛方法分离的纯度仅为60±5%。上述两种方法纯化的视网膜神经节细胞,仅在有顶盖提取液存在时,细胞存活并生长活跃,胞体大且有突起伸出。MTT微量比色法测定培养24小时纯化细胞存活的光密度(OD)值,显示以Thy1.1特异性抗体纯化的细胞,其OD值比值(+Te/-Te)是12.3(0.111/0.009);以尼龙筛纯化的OD值比值(+Te/-Te)是6.4(0.102/0.016);未经纯化的OD值比值(+Te/-Te)是3.8(0.095/0.025)。在上述三组中,加Te与无Te细胞生存的OD值比较,相差均非常显著(P<0.01)。结论:在纯化的视网膜神经节细胞的培养中,由于排除了其他细胞所引起的非特异性反应,神经节细胞能够更直接地反映顶盖提取液的生物效应;视网膜神经节细胞纯度越高,其作用越显著。