Is the Turbellaria polyphyletic?

Within the last two decades, syntheses of both light-microscopic and ultrastructural characters have shown that there are three well-defined monophyletic groups within the Platyhelminthes: 1) the Catenulidale, 2) the Nemertodermatida-Acoela, and 3) the Haplopharyngida-Macrostomida-Polycladida-Neoophora (+ parasitic platyhelminth classes). However, the relationships among these three groups are problematic. The possible apomorphies that would unite them are either not true homologues (i.e. frontal organ), are mutually conflicting (i.e. 9+1 axoneme in spermatozoa vs. biflagellate spermatozoa, epidermal ciliary rootlet structure, and protonephridia), or are unrooted with any outgroup and hence untestable or uncertain as apomorphies (protonephridia, mode of epidermal replacement, absence of accessory centrioles on cilia). The chief obstacle to deciphering the relationships of these groups is the lack of information on them; presently available information is insufficient to test potential synapomorphies and insufficient also to allow agreement upon a narrowly defined outgroup for the Turbellaria.A view consistent with the present evidence (and admittedly an unsatisfactory view) is to regard the Turbellaria (and hence the Platyhelminthes) as polyphyletic, consisting of three separate and unrelatable groups.     

A preliminary study of aquatic insect communities and leaf decomposition in acid streams near Dorset,Ontario

Some streams near Dorset in south-central Ontario suffer from acid precipitation via run-off and seepage from thin soils with little buffering capacity. A spring-summer survey of eight headwater streams revealed some characteristics of their insect communities which could be correlated with pH. The streams could be divided into three groups according to pH and community structure. In the most acid group (annual pH range 4.3–4.8), Ephemeroptera were absent from two streams although mature Leptophlebia were collected just after spring thaw from the most acid one (pH 4.3–4.5). One of these three streams also lacked Plecoptera but the others had two or three genera, all shredders. The second group of three streams (pH 5.0–6.3), with one exception, did support Ephemeroptera (3–4 genera) and Plecoptera (1–4 genera), most of the latter being shredders. In all six of these acid streams, Trichoptera were more diverse and more dense than Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera; again, shredders were clearly dominant, especially the limnephilid caddisfly, Frenesia difficilis (Walker). These six streams also had similar chironomid communities (densities were an order of magnitude higher than other insects). Dominance by Chironomini and abundant Tanypodinae typified the most acid streams. In contrast, the two streams in the third group (pH 5.3–6.7) had richer and more balanced communities in general with relatively fewer shredders (no Frenesia), more collectors, and fewer Chironomini and Tanypodinae. As a field experiment showed that autumn-shed leaves decomposed more slowly in acid than in non-acid streams, summer-growing shredders may benefit from the pulse of acidity at snowmelt.     

Functional groups and quaternary structure of chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase

Xanthine dehydrogenase from chicken liver is a dimeric enzyme, each hemimolecule containing one FAD and two Fe/S groups. Determination of sulfhydryl groups with 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) andp-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (PMB) showed a variable number of sulfhydryl groups depending onpH, ionic strength, and nature of the reaction medium and buffer. The number of disulfide bonds was determined with DTNB and reducing conditions. Amino groups were determined with 2,4,6,-trinitrobencensulfonic acid (TNBS). At constant temperature andpH the reaction of DTNB and TNBS with native xanthine dehydrogenase showed an exponential dependence on time. From the obtained parameters the number of available sulfhydryl and amino groups at infinite concentration of enzyme and the rate constant of the equation were determined. The absorption spectrum of the enzyme changed with time when a chaotropic agent (1 M sodium nitrate) was added to the medium. This difference was detected by measuring the absorbance in the range 450–550 nm. The absorption spectrum (between 350 and 600 nm) also changed when a denaturating agent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) was added. This modification increased with time and depended on the medium.     

Floristic groups and plant communities of southeastern Santa Fe,Argentina

This paper is a survey of the vegetation of the southeastern departments in the Province of Santa Fe (Argentina). The vegetation was analyzed following Braun-Blanquet's approach modified by Mueller-Dombois & Ellenberg (1974). The most relevant species of the region were placed in 25 groups according to their requirements or general behaviour. Most of the communities are herbaceous, and apart from the woody and some other miscellaneous ones they were grouped into three ecologically and floristically defined sets. The first set, the Stipa grasslands and related communities, which are characterized by the more or less abundant presence of Stipa hyalina, Stipa neesiana and Stipa papposa, comprises five different communities. The second, the halophilous communities, comprises five communities, the two Spartina ssp. grasslands, the halophilous prairies of Distichlis spicata, the short sedge Scirpus americanus communities and the ‘pela-dales’. The third, the hygrophilous communities, comprises nine communities which are not so well defined as the ones in the other sets. Besides, two further communities have been included, the Paspalum quadrifarium and the Melica macra tall grasslands.     

The distribution of aquatic oligochaetes in the fenland area of N.W. Overijssel (The Netherlands)

A synoptic study of the aquatic ecosystems in the Dutch province of Overijssel revealed the presence of 33 oligochaete taxa in the fendland area of N.W. Overijssel. The material was collected at 101 sampling sites in 1981. Oligochaetes were grouped by means of a normal and inverse cluster analysis. Although most oligochaetes are quite biquitous, differences in occurrence and abundance were observed and related to minor differences in environmental parameters.     

Purification and properties of indole 2,3-dioxygenase from maize leaves

An indole 2,3-dioxygenase was purified ca 38-fold from maize leaves. The enzyme had an MW of about 98000, an optimum pH of 5.0 and the energy of activation was 9.1 kcal/mol. The K_max for indole was 1.4 × 10^?4 M. The enzyme was inhibited by diethyldithiocarbamate, salicylaldoxime and sodium dithionite. The inhibition by diethyldithiocarbamate was specifically reversed by Cu²⁺. The dialysed enzyme was stimulated by Cu²⁺. Four atoms of oxygen were utilized in the disappearance of 1 mole of indole. Inhibition of the enzyme by -SH compounds and -SH group inhibitors, and their partial removal by Cu²⁺ only, suggested the involvement of -SH groups in binding of Cu²⁺ at the catalytic site.     

Effects of chemical modification of carboxyl groups on the voltage-clamped nerve fiber of the frog

Summary Voltage-clamped single nerve fibers of the frogRana esculenta were treated with the carboxyl group activating reagent N-ethoxy-carbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) in the presence of different primary amines and without added amine. Carboxyl groups form stable amide bonds with primary amines in the presence of EEDQ. EEDQ treatment reduced the sodium current considerably and irreversibly, regardless of the presence of a primary amine in the Ringer's solution. The potassium current was also reduced. After modification the reduced sodium currents inactivated slowly and incompletely. The descending branch of the sodium current-voltage relation,I _Na(E), was shifted along the voltage axis in the depolarizing direction. The size of the shift was strongly dependent on the amine present during modification with EEDQ. The voltage-dependence of sodium inactivation,h _x (E), was shifted to more positive values of membrane potential by EEDQ in the presence of ethylenediamine (11 mV) and glucosamine (3 mV). In contrast, a small shift to more negative potentials occurred in the presence of taurine (–3 mV) or without the addition of an amine (–2 mV). A tenfold increase of the calcium concentration still shifted theI _Na(E) andh _x (E) curves of the chemically modified fibers. However, these shifts were smaller than those observed on untreated fibers. The currents remaining after the modification were completely blocked by tetrodotoxin; no change of the reversal potential occurred.     

Sulfhydryl Groups in Receptor Binding of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone to Rat Amygdala

Abstract: Binding of [³H]-[3-Me-His²]thyrotropin-releasing hormone ([³H]MeTRH) to TRH receptors in rat amygdala was decreased by sulfhydryl reagents in a time-, temperature-, and concentration-dependent manner. A pronounced reduction in receptor density, with little or no change in binding affinity, was apparent following disulfide bond reduction by dithiothreitol (DTT), alkylation of thiol groups by N -ethylmaleimide (NEM), and their oxidation by 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). Heavy metals (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺), which complex with reactive -SH residues, also potently inhibited binding. The pharmacological specificity of residual [³H]MeTRH binding in chemically modified amygdala membranes was the same as that in control preparations. Sequential exposure to thiol reagents, in the presence or absence of cations, revealed possible additive effects. Pretreatment of membranes with TRH (10^--⁸-^-10^--⁶ M ), and its continued presence during modification, afforded protection against DTT and NEM. These results indicate the possible importance of thiol groups in the maintenance of TRH receptor conformation.     

pH Selectivity of N-Ethylmaleimide Reactions with Opiate Receptor Complexes in Rat Brain Membranes

N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) decreases opiate agonist binding presumably by blocking crucial sulfhydryl (SH) groups at receptor binding sites. At physiological pH, NEM decreased GTP and manganese regulation but increased sodium effects on [3H]D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide (D-Ala enk) binding to rat brain membranes. To determine the apparent pK values of putative SH groups in opiate receptors that react with NEM, rat brain membranes were incubated with 100-250 microM NEM in buffers ranging from pH 4.5 to 8.0. Results showed that lowering pH below 6.5 reduced the NEM effect on opiate receptor functions and that the apparent pK values of NEM-reacting SH groups in binding and regulatory sites ranged between 5.4 to 6.0. Most of the total SH groups in brain membranes continued to react with NEM at low pH, so that when nonspecific SH groups were blocked by incubating membranes at pH 4.5 with NEM, opiate receptors became sensitive to very low concentrations (1 microM) of NEM.     

腺苷酸激酶在我国九个民族中的多态分布

用淀粉胶电泳及特异染色的方法,对我国9个民族的腺苷酸激酶(AK)多态分布进行了测定。9个民族中维吾尔族AK表型分布具有多态性。维吾尔族中AK_1~1基因频率为0.965,AK_1~2基因频率为0.035,而侗、回、白、土家、苗、彝、藏、满等8个民族的AK_1~2均未达到多态水平。在9个民族中AK_1表型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡,并且未发现其它罕见表型。