油菜素内酯促进绿豆上胚轴伸长与蛋白质和核酸合成的关系

用饲喂蛋白质和核酸合成的放射性前体［３ Ｈ］－Ｐｈｅ、［３ Ｈ］－尿嘧啶和［３ Ｈ］－胸腺嘧啶证实了油菜素内酯（ＢＲ）能促进绿豆上胚轴的生长和蛋白质、ＲＮＡ 及ＤＮＡ 的合成。用蛋白质和核酸合成抑制剂（ＣＨ、Ａｃｔ．Ｄ、５－Ｆｕ）进一步探讨它们对上胚轴伸长的抑制作用与蛋白质、ＲＮＡ、ＤＮＡ 和ｍ ＲＮＡ 合成之间的关系。证明了上胚轴的伸长依赖于蛋白质和核酸的合成,尤其是依赖于ｍ ＲＮＡ 的合成。说明ＢＲ是在转录水平上调节基因的表达,进而促进上胚轴的伸长     

Hydrocarbon biosynthesis in Triatoma infestans eggs

Triatoma infestans eggs are shown to synthesize hydrocarbons. Radio-gas chromatography was used to demonstrate metabolism of [1-¹⁴C]propionate into precursor methyl-branched fatty acids and into methyl-branched hydrocarbons in T. infestans eggs. These reactions have not been demonstrated previously in insect eggs. An in vivo study showed that hydrocarbons are also transported to eggs by the hemolymph. Inhibition of hydrocarbon synthesis by sodium trichloroacetate (NaTCA) was correlated with reduced oviposition, reduced hatchability, and reduced insect survival. Scanning electron microscopy showed impoverishment of the eggs' epicuticular waxes following NaTCA treatment. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Identification of type-2 phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAPH-2) in neutrophil plasma membranes

Plasma membrane phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAPH) plays an important role in signal transduction by converting phosphatidic acid to diacylglycerol. PAPH-2, a Mg²⁺-independent, detergent-dependent enzyme involved in cellular signal transduction, is reportedly absent from the plasma membranes of neutrophilic leukocytes, a cell that responds to metabolic stimulation with abundant phospholipase -dependent diacylglycerol generation. The present study was designed to resolve this discrepancy, focusing on the influence of cellular disruption techniques, detergenta availability and cation sensitivity on the apparent distribution of PAPH in neutrophil sub-cellular fractions. The results clearly indicate the presence of two distinct types of PAPH within the particulate and cytosolic fractions of disrupted cells. Unlike the cytosolic enzyme, the particulate enzyme was not potentiated by magnesium and was strongly detergent-dependent. The soluble and particulate enzymes displayed dissimilar pH profiles. Separation of neutrophil particulate material into fractions rich in plasma membranes, specific granules and azurophilic granules by high speed discontinuous density gradient centrifugation revealed that the majority of the particulate activity was confined to plasma membranes. This activity was not inhibited by pretreatment with n-ethyl-maleimide in concentrations as high as 25 mM. PAPH activity recovered in the cytosolic fraction of disrupted neutrophils was almost completely inhibited by 5.0 mM n-ethylmaleimide. We conclude that resting neutrophils possess n-ethylmaleimide-resistant PAPH (type 2) within their plasma membranes. This enzyme may markedly influence the kinetics of cell activation by metabolizing second messengers generated as a result of activation of plasma membrane phospholipase D.     

Isolation of humic acid from the brown algaPilayella littoralis

A standard humic acid extraction procedure has been used to isolate dark brown organic residues from samples of the macroscopic marine brown algaPilayella littoralis. The residues are insoluble in water, but soluble at high pH, and are similar in elemental composition, ash content, UV-visible, IR, PMR and X-Ray fluorescence spectra, X-Ray diffractograms and scanning electron micrographs to residues of a humic acid isolated from municipal compost. These results indicate thatPilayella produces humic acids.Author for correspondence     

Reduction in omega-3 fatty acids by UV-B irradiation in microalgae

UV-B irradiation reduced the levels of omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:53) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:63), in microalgae; the degree of reduction varied with species.Chaetoceros calcitrans andSkeletonema costatum were high UV-B tolerant species, followed byPhaeodactylum tricornutum, Chroomonas salina, Pavlova lutheri, andThalassiosira pseudonana.Isochrysis galbana (T.ISO) andProrocentrum micans were UV- B sensitive. Cells in logarithmic phase were most sensitive to UV- B irradiation. Nitrate-, phosphate-, or sulphate-starved cells were more UV-B sensitive than non-starved cells grown in a complete basal medium. A relatively short exposure to high UV-B was more damaging than a longer exposure to lower irradiance. Visible light intensity levels had a profound impact on the sensitivity of microalgal cultures to UV-B, with high levels decreasing UV-B dependent damage. Addition of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine or spermine) or an amino acid (cysteine) to the culture medium minimized the reduction of omega-3 fatty acid content in microalgae caused by UV-B irradiation.Author for correspondence     

Latency of cathepsin B secreted by human colon carcinoma cells is not linked to secretion of cystacin C and is relieved by neutrophil elastase

The lysosomal cystein proteinase cathepsin B is shown to be secreted by ten human colon carcinoma cell lines and to accumulate in culture media as a latent enzyme. The cell lines also secrete a physiological inhibitor of cathepsin B, cystatin C. A significant correlation was found between secretion of the latent enzyme and the inhibitor (r = 0.755, P < 0.01). The aim of the present study was to modulate the respective secretion of the two antagonists to test whether or not latency of cathepsin B was due to the concomitant secretion of the inhibitor. SW480 colon carcinoma cells were treated with the acidotropic agent ammonium chloride, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and the inflammatory cytokines TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Ammonium chloride significantly increased latent cathepsin B levels without affecting the constitutive secretion of cystatin C. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced a 4- to 5-fold increase in secreted latent cathepsin B, but did not alter significantly the accumulation of cystatin C in media. The cytokines, TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1β, had no major effect on the expression of these two antagonists. Latent cathepsin B released from human carcinoma cells could be efficiently activated by neutrophil elastate at neutral pH. It is concluded that latent cathepsin B is a true proenzyme rather than an enzyme-inhibitor comples. In addition, our data from neutrophil elastate activation experiments indicate that a proteolytic system for activation of the tumor cell-secreted latent enzyme may exist in vivo.     

Effect of endotoxin on lipid order and motion in erythrocyte membranes

Electron paramagnetic resonance employing a lipid-specific spin label has been used to investigate the molecular effects of endotoxin on the physical state of bilayer lipids in rat erythrocyte membranes. When added at a concentration as low as 40 μg/ml to whole blood (plasma plus leukocytes present), decreased membrane lipid motion was found in subsequently washed and spin-labeled intact erythrocytes (P < 0.02). However, if endotoxin were added to washed, plasma plus leukocyte-free intact erythrocytes, no change in the motion of the spin label was found, suggesting that plasma-soluble substances and/or leukocytes are required to produce the change in the physical state of lipids. The decreased lipid motion found in these studies is discussed with reference to the known decreased deformability of endotoxin-treated red cells and to the pathogenesis of sepsis.     

Zn2＋参与遗传调控的研究进展

Zn^2＋在遗传调控中的作用十分广泛而显著.结合新近的研究资料,着重从染色质结构与功能、核酸的生物合成、DNA的结构及构象、基因表达的调控等四个主要方面来反映Zn^2＋与遗传调控的相关性,并阐述Zn^2＋在其中发挥作用的机理.     

植物激素与营养液配施对平菇产量和品质的影响

不同配比的ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ与营养液配施,对平菇菌丝生长影响不同。ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ的适当配比,能促进菌丝分枝生长,也能显著提高平菇子实体的产量和品质,但维生素Ｃ的含量有所下降。ＧＡ＿３和ＫＴ若与营养液配合施用,比单独施用更能发挥其促进作用。