The cyanobacterial genome contains a single copy of the ffh gene encoding a homologue of the 54 kDa subunit of signal recognition particle

Cyanobacteria possess thylakoid membranes that differ in their protein composition from the cytoplasmic membrane. To study possible pathways of protein targeting to these membranes, we have investigated whether or not cyanobacteria have a homologue or homologues of the signal recognition particle-like chaperone Ffh. We have amplified a fragment of ffh by polymerase chain reaction and established that ffh is present as a single copy in the genomes of three cyanobacterial species. We have cloned and sequenced ffh from Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 and predict that Ffh functions as a ribonucleoprotein in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts.     

Tn5 insertion mutants of Pseudomonas sp. 267 defective in siderophore production and their effect on clover (Trifolium pratense) nodulated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii

Pseudomonas sp. strain 267 isolated from soil promoted growth of different plants under field conditions and enhanced symbiotic nitrogen fixation in clover under gnotobiotic conditions. This strain produced pyoverdine-like compound under low-iron conditions and secreted vitamins of the B group. The role of fluorescent siderophore production in the beneficial effect of strain 267 on nodulated clover plants was investigated. Several non-fluorescent (Pvd^-) Tn5 insertion mutants of Pseudomonas sp. strain 267 were isolated and characterized. The presence of Tn5 insertions was confirmed by Southern analysis of EcoRI digested genomic DNA of each derivative strain. The siderophore-negative mutants were compared to the parental strain with respect to their growth promotion of nodulated clover infected with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii 24.1. We found that all isolated Pvd^- mutants stimulated growth of nodulated clover plants in a similar manner to the parental strain. No consistent differences were observed between strain 267 and Pvd^- derivatives strains with respect to their plant growth promotion activity under gnotobiotic conditions.Dr Deryto died in august 1994     

The effect of reduced phytoalexin production on the resistance of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to verticillium and fusarium wilts

The effect on disease development of inhibiting the production of the sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin hemigossypol (HG) in cotton resistant to both verticillium and fusarium wilts was investigated. Inhibition was achieved by treating the plants with the sodium salt of compactin, a competitive inhibitor of hydroxy-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase. Compactin treatment (150 μg litre^-1) reduced HG production by a mean of 48%. The enzyme inhibitor did not mimic symptoms in uninfected plants or significantly reduce the ability of the conidia of either Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum or Verticillium dahliae to germinate. Treatment of infected plants with compactin resulted in a breakdown of resistance to verticillium wilt but not to fusarium wilt. These results support the view that HG production is the primary mechanism of resistance to verticillium wilt, but not to fusarium wilt.     

有机硅橡胶固定化细胞进行的生物转化

有机硅橡胶固定化细胞进行的生物转化潘冰峰,戴学倩,冯青,李祖义（中国科学院上海有机化学研究所,２０００３２）关键词硅橡胶;白地霉;固定化细胞;生物转化近年来,有机化学领域的一个重要进展是用酶或微生物进行生物转化反应。其中研究和应用较多的是碳基还原,特...     

In Vitro Culture of Phytomonas Sp. Isolated from Euphorbia characias. Metabolic Studies by 1H NMR

ABSTRACT. We describe the in vitro culture of Phytomonas species isolated from Euphorbia characias . The best choice between tested media was SDM-79, in which promastigotes, after 6 days of culture, reached cell densities as high as 4 × 10⁷ cells/ml. Cells growing in LIT or MTL medium showed longer division times and lower cell densities. We succeeded in obtaining Phytomonas sp. amastigote and spheromastigote forms in modified GRACE's medium, yielding transformation rates of up to 70%. Electron microscopy studies were performed in order to characterize the ultrastructural features of these forms obtained in vitro. On the other hand, metabolic studies based on qualitative (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and quantitative metabolic methods (enzymatic assays) showed that promastigote forms secreted mainly ethanol, acetate, glycine, glycerol, piruvate and succinate in SDM-79 medium, whereas the major metabolites found after transformation in modified Grace's medium were ethanol, acetate, glycine, piruvate and smaller amounts of glycerol.     

Isolation and identification of (2S)-2-amino-5-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-hexenoic acid from anAmanita of the sectionRoanokenses (Amanitaceae)

A chlorine-containing non-protein amino acid which was recently discovered from the fruit bodies ofAmanita gymnopus (2S)-2-amino-5-chloro-4-hydroxy-5-hexenoic acid, was isolated and crystallized for the first time from the fruit bodies of an unknown member ofAmanita belonging to the sectionRoanokenses, subsectionSolitariae. The results of elementary analyses, determination of optical rotations,¹H- and¹³C-NMR-spectra, and some chemical reactions supported an earlier proposed structure.Part 24 in the series Biochemical studies of nitrogen compounds in fungi. for Part 23, see Hatanaka, S. I. et al. 1994. this journal35: 391–394.     

Discrepancies between MIC and MLC values of amphotericin B against isolates ofAspergillus species

There is little information addressing the phenomena of discrepancy between minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal lethal concentrations (MLC) values of amphotericin B (AMB) to clinical isolates of fungi. This study assessed in vitro activity of AMB against 70 clinical isolates of aspergilli: 30 strains ofAspergillus fumigatus, 20 strains ofAspergillus flavus and 20 strains ofAspergillus niger. Susceptibility tests were accomplished using a macro broth dilution procedure, with special emphasis on ascertainment of MLCs. AMB exhibited low MIC values against all clinical isolates. While we did not identify any AMB resistant isolates among 70Aspergillus spp. studied as judged by MIC levels, analysis of the data demonstrated a clear discrepancy between the MIC and MLC levels of AMB obtained against clinical isolates ofAspergillus spp. The MLC values of AMB were significantly higher than the MIC values with MIC 50 and MIC 90 of 0.29 and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively, at the second reading time, and MLC 50 and MLC 90 of 2.31 and 9.24 µg/ml, respectively (p<0.001). Additionally, minimal lethal concentrations in 36/70 (51%) of aspergillal isolates studied produced drug concentrations above those which can usually be sustained in patient plasma or tissue.     

诺卡氏菌属GS-17耐热茁霉多糖酶的提纯和性质

诺卡氏菌属GS-17(Nocardia sp.GS-17)的耐热茁霉多糖酶(Pullulanase EC.3.2.1.41)的粗酶液经中空纤维柱超滤浓缩、羟基磷灰石柱层析和Pullulan-Sepharose 6B亲和层析,得到凝胶电泳均一的纯酶,比活提高264倍.酶作用最适温度为55℃,最适PH6.2,分子量140000,等电点pI为6.0.该酶水解茁霉多糖、支链淀粉和可溶性淀粉,但不水解糖原.酶在50℃作用于茁霉多糖的米氏常数K_m为0.90mg/ml,最大反应速度V_(max)为57μmol·min~(-1)·mg~(-1).Zn~(2 )、Fe~(3 )、Hg~(2 )、Cu~(2 )、Pb~(2 )和环状糊精对酶有抑制作用,Ca~(2 )对酶有激活作用.经蛋白质侧链化学修饰研究表明,色氨酸残基位于酶的活性位区.该酶是由1129个氨基酸残基组成的单肽链,酶的N末端序列经测定为:Ala-Gly-His-Gly-Pro-Asp-Val-Gln-Asp-Gly-     

Keraladiaptomus rangareddyi a new genus and new species of Diaptominae (Copepoda,Calanoida, Diaptomidae) from a temporary pond in Mattam,Kerala State,India

Calanoid copepods, belonging to the new genus and species Keraladiaptomus rangareddyi, were collected from temporary ponds in Kerala State, India. The new genus belongs to the family Diaptomidae, subfamily Diaptominae. It is described in detail and its affinity to the related genera, Arctodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932 and Eodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932, discussed.     

Descriptions of Two New Species of Chronogaster Cobb, 1913 from India

Two new species of Chronogaster in India were described and illustrated, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Chronogaster neotypica n. sp. collected from a sewage slurry was characterized by a medium-sized body, a ventral tail mucro without additional spines, absence of longitudinal incisures in lateral fields, and by the presence of crystalloids in the body. Diagnostic for C. spinicauda n. sp. collected from soil around roots of mango were a medium-sized body, a tail mucro with 10 spines, and absence of lateral lines and crystalloids. Males were not found.