Epidermal growth factor stimulates DNA-synthesis of astrocytes in primary cerebellar cultures

Summary The capability of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to stimulate DNA synthesis in neural cells was investigated in primary cultures of early postnatal mouse cerebellum. At concentrations of 10^-8M, EGF stimulates DNA synthesis in astrocytes, which were identified immunocytologically by the cell type-specific marker, glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein. Astrocytes express cell-surface receptors for EGF as can be shown by binding of [¹²⁵I]-labeled EGF to live monolayer cultures. In the presence of 10% horse serum, EGF stimulates DNA-synthesis by a factor of about two-fold. Stimulation by EGF over control values is approximately 4-fold in the presence of 1% serum and 6 to 10-fold in the absence of serum. Absolute numbers of astrocytes are increased after more prolonged action of EGF. DNA-synthesis in neurons or oligodendroglia is not significantly stimulated by EGF. EGF enhances cell survival of serum-deprived cerebellar cultures. Fibroblast growth factor does not increase DNA-synthesis in astrocytes under the conditions used in this study.Abbreviations BME basal medium, Eagle's - BME-BSA basal medium, Eagle's containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin - EDTA ethylene-diamino-N, N-tetraacetic acid - EGF epidermal growth factor - FGF fibroblast growth factor - GFA glial fibrillary acidic - HS horse serum - [³ H] TdR tritium-labeled thymidine - PAP peroxidase-anti-peroxidase - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TCA trichloroacetic acid     

Tissue channel morphology in Octopus

Summary The morphology of tissue channels in muscle and neural tissues of Octopus was investigated, at the ultrastructural level, with a technique involving the precipitation of ferrocyanide ions. The numbers, sizes and conductivities of the channels were estimated from quantitative data. No evidence was gained to indicate that the low microvascular density in Octopus is coupled to an especially extensive network of extravascular channels. The tissue channel system in Octopus appears to be broadly comparable with the mammalian system; a lack of information prevents more appropriate comparisons with marine fishes. Probable functions of tissue channels in Octopus and mammals, and reasons for apparent similarities and differences in the channel organization of these divergent groups, are discussed.     

In-ovulo embryo culture and seedling development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A convenient and reliable method for culturing cotton embryos is needed to obtain interspecific hybrids of this genus. C.A. Beasley and I.P. Ting (Amer. J. Bot. 60, 130, 1973) developed a phytohormone-supplemented medium (BTP) upon which the growth of ovules was similar that of in situ ovules. This medium was examined for in-ovulo embryo culture. Although good ovule growth occurred on BTP no embryos developed to maturity. However, when the medium was supplemented with NH ₄ ⁺ , more than 50% of the ovules produced mature embryos, and many of these germinated precociously after 8–10 weeks of culture. After germination seedlings were established on a separate medium designed to give balanced root and shoot growth. Subsequently young plants could be transferred to pots for greenhouse culture.     

The differential effects of TCA-cycle acids on the growth of plant cells cultured in liquid media containing various nitrogen sources

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Canadian No. 1), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. var. humilis) and wheat (triticum monococcum L.) cells were grown in a defined, liquid medium containing either ammonium sulfate, L-glutamine or potassium nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, and the effects of the tricarboxylic-acid (TCA) intermediates, citrate and -ketoglutarate (5, 10, 15 mM), on the growth (dry-weight increase) of these cells was observed. The three cell suspension cultures exhibited a different growth response to the TCA-cycle intermediate supplied, depending upon the concentration of the additive and the nitrogen source. Citrate (5 mM) greatly enhanced growth of alfalfa and wheat cells in an ammonium-based medium but was less effective at higher concentrations, and in the case of alfalfa cells markedly inhibited growth. Tobacco cell growth was inhibited by all citrate concentrations tested. In contrast, all concentrations of -ketoglutarate used stimulated the growth of all three cell cultures in an ammonium-based medium. Alfalfa and wheat cells grown in an L-glutamine-based medium were influenced by citrate in a manner similar to that in ammonium-based medium. The growth of tobacco cells was slightly enhanced by 5 mM citrate but inhibited by higher concentrations. -Ketoglutarate, at all concentrations tested, was stimulatory to the growth of the cells of all three species in a glutamine-based medium, except for alfalfa cells which were inhibited at 15 mM. Both TCA-cycle acids inhibited the growth of alfalfa and tobacco cells grown on a nitrate-based medium whereas the growth of wheat cells was almost unaffected.     

应用组织培养方法选育耐盐碱水稻新品种

本文报道了应用组织培养方法,选育耐盐碱水稻.作法是将去壳的水稻种子经常规消毒接种在脱分化培养基诱导形成愈伤组织,继代一次,转移到加压培养基(MS+2.4-D2mg/L+NaCl1%+NaHCO_30.5%),处理20天,再转移到分化培养基,分化并培育出组培水稻119份,简称为D水稻.D水稻又经过盐碱地的实际种植,大批D水稻被田间粗筛而淘汰掉,保存下20份从形态表现和耐盐碱性较好的材料.然后对20份D水稻的脯氨酸含量和叶绿素含量进行测定分析并与其耐盐碱性进行比较,把各项指标综合起来鉴定其耐盐碱性,最终筛选出7价为耐盐碱性较强的水稻新品系.其中647—4表现为最耐盐碱、抗病、高产的水稻.     

组织型纤溶酶原激活剂的发光分析法及其应用

 本文建立了组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(t-PA)活力的发光固相测定方法。用氨基乙基丁基异鲁米诺(ABEI)标记纤维蛋白原(Fg),在一定条件下,t-PA作用于固相(包被ABEI-Fg),产生纤维蛋白的降解产物。测定可溶性降解产物的发光强度,即能计算t-PA活性。该方法的标准曲线范围对t-PA为0.156IU/mL～40IU/mL。灵敏度可达0.156IU/mL。回收率为98.6％(n=27)。批内批间变异系数分别为6.6％及10.3％。该方法曾用于检测细胞培养液中提取t-PA样品及t-PA基因表达时培养液中t-PA的活性。也曾用于检测从组织中纯化t-PA样品及血浆中t-PA活性的测定。文中讨论了该方法与其它方法优缺点的比较。     

Two Forms of GO Type G Proteins: Identification and Distribution in Various Rat Tissues and Cloned Cells

A G(o) type G protein distinct from the major species of G(o) was recently isolated from bovine brain and designated G(o)*. The cDNAs encoding two forms of mammalian G(o) alpha were also isolated and designated GoA alpha and GoB alpha. To recognize two forms of G(o) type G proteins, we raised antibodies in rabbits against two peptides with sequences found only in the respective proteins of murine GoA alpha (SNTYEDAAAYIQTQF) and GoB alpha (TEAVAHIQGQYWSK). Purified anti-GoA alpha antibodies reacted with the major species of G(o) alpha purified from bovine and rat brain, whereas anti-GoB alpha antibodies reacted only with rat G(o)*alpha, but not with the major species of G(o) alpha or bovine G(o)*alpha. These results indicate that the major species of G(o) alpha is encoded by GoA alpha cDNA and G(o)*alpha is encoded by GoB alpha cDNA. Using these antibodies, the distribution of GoA and GoB was studied in various rat tissues and cloned cells. Both GoA and GoB were present in many tissues, but their distribution in peripheral tissues was distinct. GoA alpha seemed to associate mainly with neural tissues. On the other hand, relatively high concentrations of GoB alpha were present in the brain, pituitary gland, adipose tissue, lung, and testis. The concentrations of both GoA and GoB in the brain increased during ontogenic development, but the increase in GoB was observed at a later age. Both GoA and GoB were found in such cloned cells as PC12, NG108-15, C6, GA-1, G8, and 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor caused the extension of neuron-like processes and the increase in the level of GoA, but not in the level of GoB.     

Retinoic acid-induced cartilage degradation is caused by cartilage cells

Summary Cartilage cubes, prepared from the proximal epiphyses of neonatal rat humeri and consisting of cartilage tissue only, were cultured in the presence of retinoic acid. The retinoid induced the loss of metachromatic staining with toluidine blue, which correlates with the loss of proteoglycan, followed by tissue degradation processes resulting in a distinct reduction of the cartilage mass. Histologically, fibroblast-like cells appeared within chondrones, indicating a transformation of chondroblasts. Focal tissue degradation was observed after only 2 days. Electron microscopically, the clustered cells within the zone of tissue degradation were rich in various lysosomal structures indicating their lytic activity. Cycloheximide and EDTA completely blocked the retinoic acid effects suggesting that protein synthesis was required and that metalloproteinases may be involved in the degradation processes. In conclusion, with the new test system described here we demonstrated that cartilage cells themselves performed the tissue degradation induced by retinoic acid.     

Formation of Hassall's corpuscles in vitro by the thymic epithelial cell line IT-26 R 21 of the rat

Summary In the monolayer of an established epithelial cell line from the rat thymus, IT-26R21, characteristic cell aggregates quite similar to Hassall's corpuscles were formed. These aggregates were examined by light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemically. Their interpretation as Hassall's corpuscles is based on the following observations: (1) The aggregates are formed in the monolayer of cells that greatly resemble medullary epithelial cells of the thymus. (2) They consist of flattened epithelial cells in a concentric pattern with one or more degenerating cells in the center. (3) Loss of microvilli suggests that these cells are keratinizing. (4) The aggregates show strongly positive reactions in immunofluorescent staining with antikeratin and antiprekeratin.When Hassall's corpuscles increase in size, cellular proliferation is somewhat suppressed. Both in vivo and in vitro, they may be interpreted as an expression of a changing growth pattern in confined spaces and thus seem to have little immunological function.