Properties of a major α-globulin of rice endosperm

Globulin was isolated from milled rice (Oryza sativa, line IR480-5-9) by 5% NACl extraction and was precipitated by (NH₄)₂SO₂ or by dialysis against water. The extract was purified by repeated isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.5. The major globulin fraction (40%) exhibited one band by electrophoresis at pH 4.5 but two bands at pH 8.3. Similarly, one sharp peak was shown by sedimentation corresponding to 1.41S (α-globulin) in acetic acid (pH 2) and NaOH (pH 11.7) but a broad asymmetric peak was obtained at pH 6.7, 8.3 and 8.9. Gel filtration of the α-globulin at pH 6.5 exhibited 2 proteins with MW 20 000 and 98 000. The results suggest a pH dependent aggregation phenomenon. The two proteins could not be separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis of α-globulin revealed one subunit with MW 18 000. This α-globulin is poorer in lysine and histidine but richer in cystine, methionine, arginine, tyrosine and glutamic acid than whole milled rice proteinfa]Taken part from the M.S. thesis of AAP from the University of the Philippine at Los Baños (1977).     

Grain size,sucrose level and starch accumulation in developing rice grain

Five rices (Oryza sativa L.) differing in final grain size were studied at the midmilky stage to determine if any factor could be identified which might limit rate of starch accumulation. Only UDP glucose pyrophosphorylase activity increased with increasing grain size. Detached rice panicles incubated in liquid medium containing 1% sucrose and 0.1% glutamine, in addition to minerals and vitamins, produced grains similar to those on intact plants. Sucrose level (0–1.5%) in the medium determined the extent of dry matter and starch accumulation and influenced physiological development of the ripening grains. Chemical and enzymic composition of the grain were similar to previously reported levels in grains of intact panicles analysed at regular intervals after anthesis. Addition of 3-P glycerate or K⁺ to the medium did not improve dry matter accumulation in the developing grain.     

Physicochemical Properties of Niigata Waxy Rices

The crude lipase powder has been purified 216-fold in specific activity by means of pH adjustment, DEAE-Cellu1ose, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, CM-Sephadex C-50 and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography and the recovery of the activity was 30%. The purified lipase was confirmed to be homogeneous with disc electrophoresis and ultracentrifugal analyses. The purified lipase was stable in the pH range from 7.0 to 10.0. Optimal pH for the lipolysis of polyvinyl alcohol-emulsified olive oil at 45°C was 8.0 and optimal temperature was 60°C. The purified lipase was stable up to 60°C and retained 55% of full activity after heating at 70°C for 20 min.     

HCV core protein localizes in the nuclei of nonparenchymal liver cells from chronically HCV-infected patients

Understanding the mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis is an important part of HCV research. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the HCV core protein (HCcAg) has numerous functional activities. These properties suggest that HCcAg, in concert with cellular factors, may contribute to pathogenesis during persistent HCV infection. HCV is capable of infecting cells other than hepatocytes. Although the extrahepatic cellular tropism of HCV may play a role in the pathophysiology of this infection, the precise biological significance of the presence of HCV components in different liver cell types presently remains to be established. In this study, HCcAg was detected in nonparenchymal liver cells of six patients out of eight positive for serum HCV RNA. Immunostaining with anti-HCcAg mAbs revealed the presence of this protein in different liver cell types such as lymphocytes, Kupffer, polymorphonuclear, pit, endothelial, stellate, and fibroblast-like cells. Interestingly, HCcAg was immunolabeled not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleus of these cells. Remarkably, HCcAg co-localized with large lipid droplets present in stellate cells and with collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix. Moreover, HCcAg was immunolabeled in bile canaliculus suggesting the involvement of the biliary system in the pathobiology of HCV. Data suggest that nonparenchymal liver cells may constitute a reservoir for HCV replication. Besides, HCcAg may contribute to modulate immune function and fibrosis in the liver as well as steatosis.     

Effect of amylose content on the lipids of mature rice grain

Most of the nonstarch lipids in brown rice (Oryza sativa) of three rices differing in amylose content were contributed by bran, germ, polish and subaleurone layer. Nonstarch lipids consisted of 82–91% neutral lipids (of which 73–82% were triglycerides), 7–10% phospholipids and 2–8% glycolipids. Linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids. Nonwaxy (24 and 29% amylose) milled rice had proportionally more starch lipids and less nonstarch lipids than waxy (2% amylose) milled rice. Starch lipids were mainly lysophosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine and free fatty acids. The major fatty acids were palmitic and linoleic acids, followed by oleic acid.     

Lipids in developing and mature rice grain

The neutral fraction of nonstarch lipids in developing brown rice (Oryza sativa L., cv IR42) was accumulated up to 16 days after flowering (DAF), but phospholipids and glycolipids increased only up to 8 DAF. Fatty acids accumulated in nonstarch lipids until 12 DAF. However, the proportion of linolenic acid in the lipid fraction decreased and that of oleic acid increased during this period. Accumulation of fat-by-hydrolysis in the brown rice occurred until 20 DAF and followed closely that of starch. The proportion of linolenic acid decreased and that of linoleic acid increased until 16 DAF. The fatty acid composition of fat-by-hydrolysis and starch lipids were identical and fat-by-hydrolysis accounted for 48% by weight of starch lipids. Nonstarch lipids were mainly composed of triglycerides and were located in the bran and embryo of mature brown rice. Starch lipids were mainly composed of lysophosphatidyl choline, free fatty acids and lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, and were located in the endosperm.     

Molecular weight of starch synthetase from Oryza sativa leaves

Soluble ADP-glucose: α-1,4-glucan-4-glucosyltransferase with primed activity was extracted from rice leaves and purified by (NH₄)₂SO₄ fractionation, gradient elution on DEAE-cellulose and finally by Sephadex G200 gel filtration or amylopectin-cellulose chromatography. The purified enzyme was essentially homogeneous electrophoretically, but exhibited two peaks corresponding to MW of 22 000 and 67 000 on Sephadex G200 chromatography and five distinct bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis with MW of 11·5, 20, 35, 50 and 68 × 10³.     

The large carnivores from ‘Ubeidiya (early Pleistocene, Israel): biochronological and biogeographical implications

The archaeological site of ‘Ubeidiya provides a unique, rich faunal assemblage, as well as evidence for the presence of early hominins in the Levant. Paleontological analysis of the faunal community is pertinent to understanding the biochronology and the timing of hominin dispersal events from Africa to Eurasia. This study presents the large carnivores from the recent seasons of excavations (1989-1999) and previously published material. Based on biochronological correlations of the carnivore guild and paloemagnetism, the age of the site is 1.5-1.2 Ma. This date is 100-200,000 years earlier than previous estimates. Of specific importance is the presence of the African origin saber tooth Megantereon cf. M. whitei and the Eurasian origin canids Canis moschbachensis and Lycaon lycoanoides.     

Ultrastructural evidences of HCV infection in hepatocytes of chronically HCV-infected patients

In this study, 13 samples of liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied by transmission electron microscopy (EM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). The 13 biopsies showed ultrastructural cell damage typical of acute viral hepatitis. In four of the 13 liver biopsies enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) inside cytoplasmic vesicles and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes were observed. We also detected the presence of unenveloped VLPs mainly in the cytoplasm and in the endoplasmic reticulum. IEM using anti-core, E1 and E2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) confirmed the specific localization of these proteins, in vivo, inside cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, this work provided evidence for hepatocellular injury related to HCV infection. It also suggested the presence of HCV-related replicating structures in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and raised the possibility of hepatitis C virion morphogenesis in intracellular vesicles.     

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characteristics of hepatocytes from hepatitis B virus infected chimpanzees

Liver tissue samples from four chimpanzees submitted to viral challenge in order to test a recombinant anti-hepatitis B virus vaccine, were studied by electron microscopy.The vaccinated monkeys showed no evidences of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), demonstrating the protection against an infective viral dose; on the contrary, the non-vaccinated chimps developed signs of AVH in hepatocytes such as: different size and shape, slight dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. disappearance of the mitochondrial crests, broadening of the normal space between the membranes of the nuclear coating and presence of laminar bodies and cytoplasmic vacuoles.Furthermore, the presence of the hepatitis B virus surface (HBV) antigen was confirmed in non-vaccinated monkeys using immunocytochcmical techniques.Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochcmical analysis corroborated the protective effect of the recombinanl vaccine against the HBV in the vaccinated animals.