Investigation of histone proteins in plant nuclei possessing different ultrastructural organization

Summary According to Nagl and Fusenig (1979) the structure and ultrastructure of plant nuclei is species-specific and is determined by the DNA (2C) value and the amount of the repetitive DNA. Light and electron microscopic observations ofZea mays L.,Pisum sativum L., andPhaseolus vulgaris L. nuclei led us to define their organization as chromonematic, chronomeric and chromocentric, respectively. Nuclear proteins, soluble in 0.4N H₂SO₄ and 0.74M HC1O₄, were extracted from isolated nuclei and resolved according to their solubility and mobility in SDS and acetic acid-urea PAGE and 2D-Triton X 100 PAGE. Differences in the variants (and modifications) of the H 1 histone class and the nucleosomal H 2 A, H 2 B, and H 3 isoforms probably reflect that species-specific nuclear ultrastructure is based, not only on the heterogeneity and the quantity of DNA, but also on the diversity of the protein component of chromatin.Abbreviations MES Morpholinoethane sulfonic acid - PMSF phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride - DMSO dimethylsulfoxid - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - TEMED N, N, N N-tetramethylethylen-diamin - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

Fertility of male and female mice heterozygous for the reciprocal translocation T(7;17)3BKM.

The present paper describes the fertility of male and female mice heterozygous for the reciprocal translocation T(7;17)3BKM. This translocation was induced by gamma rays in the spermatozoa of an irradiated parent. It is characterized by "asymmetrical" localization of the breakpoints, distally in Chromosome 7 (7F5) and proximally in Chromosome 17 (17B1). The data presented here relate only those matings in which, for both partners, heterozygosity or normality could be confirmed cytogenetically. The results indicate that both male and female translocation heterozygotes are fertile, their mean litter size being reduced to about 50% of that of normal littermates. This leads to the conclusion that the multivalents mainly undergo either alternate or adjacent-1 2:2 segregation. No viable tertiary trisomics were observed among the progeny of the translocation carriers. Analysis of the frequency of the different types of multivalents in diakinesis-metaphase I spermatocytes showed a significant predominance of chain-type figures (CIV and CIII+I), with chains of four elements (CIV) being more frequent than other configurations. This demonstrates that the small marker chromosome remains attached by one of its segments to the tetravalent.     

2-(Phenylethyl)ammonium hydrogensquarate hemihydrate: crystal structure,solid-state IR-spectroscopic and theoretical characterization

The title compound, 2-(phenylethyl)ammonium hydrogensquarate hemihydrate, was synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state polarized IR spectroscopy of oriented colloids in a nematic host. The crystal structure consists of two crystallographically independent 2-(phenylethyl)ammonium cations, joined in a 2D hydrogen-bonded network with hydrogensquarate anions and solvent water molecules. Surprisingly, the crystallographically non-equivalent cations exhibit differing pseudo T and G trans configurations.     

Three Novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">NF1</Emphasis> Gene Mutations in a Cohort of Bulgarian Neurofibromatoses Patients

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a clinically heterogeneous autosomal dominant disorder. Three distinct forms have been identified: neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), type 2 (NF2) and schwannomatosis. In the present study, we report clinical and genetic findings in the NF1 and NF2 genes in a cohort of 27 Bulgarian patients, with 18 cases (67%) genetically verified. Both NF1 and NF2 genes were screened by Sanger sequencing on DNA samples. The Sanger negative samples were screened by Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) for deletions and duplications. The results from genetic testing revealed three novel mutations and fifteen previously reported ones (13 in the NF1 gene and 2 in the NF2 gene). The novel variants in the NF1 gene are a splice site mutation c.4725-1G>A, a small deletion of five bases c.823delATCTT, p.Leu275ValfsTer14, and a single base duplication c.6547dupC, p.Arg2183ProfsTer11. The novel splice site mutation is manifested by multiple “café au lait” macules and neurofibromas. Both novel out of frame mutations were found in patients with multiple “café au lait” spots and focal epilepsy. A segmental neurofibromatosis (SNF1) is restricted to one or more body segments. Here we present a case with SNF1 caused by a somatic deletion of exons 1 to 12 of the NF1 gene which is manifested by multiple neurofibromas in the right hand. Two nonsense mutations are found in the NF2 gene. Our study adds three novel mutations to the NF1 mutation spectra and contributes to the clinical-genetic NF1-characterization. Here we report strikingly different phenotypic spectra caused by the same mutation in a single family. Our findings contribute to the genotype- phenotype correlations which are difficult to establish, due to the extremely complex NF phenotype being a combination of clinical features.     

Oriented solids as a colloid suspension in nematic liquid crystal – New tool for IR-spectroscopic and structural elucidation of inorganic compounds and glasses

Possibilities of the linear-polarized infrared (IR-LD) spectroscopy of oriented colloid suspensions in nematic liquid crystals, for structural and local structural elucidation for first time are demonstrated of inorganic compounds and glasses. The advantages of the method for tellurite and borate glasses are shown. The IR-band assignment of the typical local structural units in the glasses are proposed by a comparison with the IR-characteristics of appropriate crystalline analogues as α-TeO₂, V₂O₅, MoO₃ · H₂O and its high temperature form. The IR-spectroscopic characteristics of BO₃, BO₄ and boroxol ring are elucidated, using crystalline β-BaB₂O₄, SrB₄O₇, H₃BO₃ and B₂O₃ as model systems, where the structural moieties have been refined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Chemically Defined Diet Alters the Protective Properties of Fructo-Oligosaccharides and Isomalto-Oligosaccharides in HLA-B27 Transgenic Rats

Non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) were shown to reduce inflammation in experimental colitis, but it remains unclear whether microbiota changes mediate their colitis-modulating effects. This study assessed intestinal microbiota and intestinal inflammation after feeding chemically defined AIN-76A or rat chow diets, with or without supplementation with 8 g/kg body weight of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) or isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO). The study used HLA-B27 transgenic rats, a validated model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in a factorial design with 6 treatment groups. Intestinal inflammation and intestinal microbiota were analysed after 12 weeks of treatment. FOS and IMO reduced colitis in animals fed rat chow, but exhibited no anti-inflammatory effect when added to AIN-76A diets. Both NDO induced specific but divergent microbiota changes. Bifidobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were stimulated by FOS, whereas copy numbers of Clostridium cluster IV were decreased. In addition, higher concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were observed in cecal contents of rats on rat chow compared to the chemically defined diet. AIN-76A increased the relative proportions of propionate, iso-butyrate, valerate and iso-valerate irrespective of the oligosaccharide treatment. The SCFA composition, particularly the relative concentration of iso-butyrate, valerate and iso-valerate, was associated (P≤0.004 and r≥0.4) with increased colitis and IL-1 β concentration of the cecal mucosa. This study demonstrated that the protective effects of fibres on colitis development depend on the diet. Although diets modified specific cecal microbiota, our study indicates that these changes were not associated with colitis reduction. Intestinal inflammation was positively correlated to protein fermentation and negatively correlated with carbohydrate fermentation in the large intestine.     

Interactions of ribosomal protein S1 with DsrA and rpoS mRNA

Ribosomal protein S1 is shown to interact with the non-coding RNA DsrA and with rpoS mRNA. DsrA is a non-coding RNA that is important in controlling expression of the rpoS gene product in Escherichia coli. Photochemical crosslinking, quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry, and peptide sequencing have identified an interaction between DsrA and S1 in the 30S ribosomal subunit. Purified S1 binds both DsrA (K(obs) approximately 6 x 10(6) M(-1)) and rpoS mRNA (K(obs) approximately 3 x 10(7) M(-1)). Ribonuclease probing experiments indicate that S1 binding has a weak but detectable effect on the secondary structure of DsrA or rpoS mRNA.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural elucidation of sympathomimetic amine,tyraminium dihydrogenphosphate

The synthesis, isolation, spectroscopic and structural elucidation of sympathomimetic amine, tyramine dihydrogenphosphate are of interest due to its biological activity and the establishing correlation between spectroscopic properties and structure. The complex approach for investigation included single crystal X-ray diffraction, new technique in linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy in solid state and quantum chemical calculations with a view to predict the electronic structure and vibrational data of interacting species in entitled compound, the correlation structure–spectroscopic properties as well as the influence of intermolecular interaction on IR-characteristic bands are carried out.