A structured model of dual-limitation kinetics

A structured model of substrate-utilization kinetics that encompasses dual-limitation conditions, caused by simultaneously low concentrations of the electron donor and the electron acceptor, is developed by incorporating the internal cofactor responses into the kinetic variables. The structured model is based on an assumption that the maximum specific electron-donor-oxidation rate (q(md)) is not a constant, but is linearly controlled by the intracellular chemical potentials, log(NAD/NADH) and log(ATP/ADP . P(i)). Determination of the kinetic parameters for the dual-limitation model, using experimental data from the companion article, verifies that q(md) varies and demonstrates that the NAD/NADH ratio affects q(md) in a positive direction; thus, an increase of the ratio increases the rate of electron-donor utilization. Because the internal NAD/NADH ratio rises with an increase in S(ar) the specific electron-donor-utilization rate is accelerated by high S(a). Since the ratio also increases as the specific electron-donor-utilization rate falls, the specific rate is intrinsically accelerated by the cofactor response when it becomes low due to a depletion of electron donor. Because the cofactor responses upon changes of the external substrate concentrations are systematic, the dual-limitation model can be expressed as a function of only external concentrations of electron donor and electron acceptor, which results in a multiplicative (double-Monod) form. Thus, dual limitation by both substrates reduces the overall reaction rate below the rate expected from single limitation by only one, the most severely limiting, substrate. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Immunocytochemical localization of casein kinase II during interphase and mitosis

We have developed specific antibodies to synthetic peptide antigens that react with the individual subunits of casein kinase II (CKII). Using these antibodies, we studied the localization of CKII in asynchronous HeLa cells by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Further studies were done on HeLa cells arrested at the G1/S transition by hydroxyurea treatment. Our results indicate that the CKII alpha and beta subunits are localized in the cytoplasm during interphase and are distributed throughout the cell during mitosis. Further electron microscopic investigation revealed that CKII alpha subunit is associated with spindle fibers during metaphase and anaphase. In contrast, the CKII alpha' subunit is localized in the nucleus during G1 and in the cytoplasm during S. Taken together, our results suggest that CKII may play significant roles in cell division control by shifting its localization between the cytoplasm and nucleus.     

Oviducal Contribution to Alteration of the Vitelline Coat in the Frog, Rana japonica. An Electron Microscopic Study

The vitelline coat (VC) surrounding coelomic eggs of the frog, Rana japonica , comprises bundles of filaments running both parallel and perpendicular to the egg surface. The coat gives little or no staining reaction with PA-CrA-Silver methenamine. In contrast, in the VC of uterine eggs the filament bundles are less conspicuous. and the interstices between the filament bundles stain strongly for carbohydrate. This alteration occurs during passage of the eggs down the first 1/20 th of the oviduct, the pars recta. The epithelium of the p. recta contains secretory cells, which contain electron-dense granules distinct from those in the jelly-secreting cells in more caudal portions of the oviduct. Treatment of coelomic eggs with an extract of p. recta followed by exposure to a sperm suspension resulted in marked swelling and softening of the VC. These results indicate that the contents of the granules secreted from the epithelial cells in the p. recta are deposited in the VC to increase its susceptibility to a fertilizing sperm.     

Hormonal Regulation of Pedicel Abscission in Begonia Flower Buds

In order to analyse the hormonal regulation of flower bud shedding in Begonia, levels of indoleacetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene were determined in buds and pedicels. The translocation and metabolism of ¹⁴C-labeled IAA in pedicel segments were also studied. In a monoecious Begonia fuchsioides hybrid, abscising male flower buds contain about 1% of the IAA present in non-abscising female flowers. In a male Begonia davisii hybrid, the seasonal variation in bud drop coincides with changes in the IAA content of the buds, while also the release of IAA from the bud to the pedicel is hampered. Abscission zones of these pedicels always contain abscission promoting ethylene concentrations. The tissue is prevented from responding with abscission by IAA from the flower buds. The buds also contain ABA but without influencing abscission considerably. Pretreatment with ethylene or ABA does not affect IAA transport in pedicel segments. The rate of this transport is 4–6 mm × h^–1:; the capacity increases with the transverse area. In young segments, IAA is decarboxylated and also otherwise metabolized.     

Genetic and biochemical analyses of Pfh1 DNA helicase function in fission yeast

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe pfh1⁺ gene (PIF1 homolog) encodes an essential enzyme that has both DNA helicase and ATPase activities and is implicated in lagging strand DNA processing. Mutations in the pfh1⁺ gene suppress a temperature-sensitive allele of cdc24⁺, which encodes a protein that functions with Schizosaccharomyces pombe Dna2 in Okazaki fragment processing. In this study, we describe the enzymatic properties of the Pfh1 helicase and the genetic interactions between pfh1 and cdc24, dna2, cdc27 or pol 3, all of which are involved in the Okazaki fragment metabolism. We show that a full-length Pfh1 fusion protein is active as a monomer. The helicase activity of Pfh1 displaced only short (<30 bp) duplex DNA regions efficiently in a highly distributive manner and was markedly stimulated by the presence of a replication-fork-like structure in the substrate. The temperature-sensitive phenotype of a dna2-C2 or a cdc24-M38 mutant was suppressed by pfh1-R20 (a cold-sensitive mutant allele of pfh1) and overexpression of wild-type pfh1⁺ abolished the ability of the pfh1 mutant alleles to suppress dna2-C2 and cdc24-M38. Purified Pfh1-R20 mutant protein displayed significantly reduced ATPase and helicase activities. These results indicate that the simultaneous loss-of-function mutations of pfh1⁺ and dna2⁺ (or cdc24⁺) are essential to restore the growth defect. Our genetic data indicate that the Pfh1 DNA helicase acts in concert with Cdc24 and Dna2 to process single-stranded DNA flaps generated in vivo by pol δ-mediated lagging strand displacement DNA synthesis.     

Casein kinase II phosphorylates p34cdc2 kinase in G1 phase of the HeLa cell division cycle.

The activity of p34cdc2 kinase is regulated in the phases of vertebrate cell cycle by mechanisms of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. In this paper, we demonstrate that casein kinase II (CKII) phosphorylates p34cdc2 in vivo and in vitro at Ser39 during the G1 phase of HeLa cell division cycle. Human p34cdc2 shows a typical phosphorylation sequence motif site for CKII at Ser39 (ES39EEE). In our experiments, either p34cdc2 expressed and purified from bacteria or p34cdc2 immunoprecipitated from HeLa cells enriched in G1 by elutriation were substrates for in vitro phosphorylation by CKII. Phosphoamino acid analysis, N-chlorosuccinimide mapping, and two-dimensional tryptic mapping of p34cdc2 phosphorylated in vitro were performed to determine the phosphorylation site. A synthetic peptide spanning residues 33-50 of human p34cdc2, including the CKII site, was used to map the site. In addition, phosphorylation at Ser39 also occurs in vivo, since p34cdc2 is phosphorylated during G1 on serine, and its two-dimensional tryptic map shows two phosphopeptides that comigrate exactly with the synthetic peptides used as standard.     

Strain-dependent expression of metabolic proteins in the mouse hippocampus

Individual mouse strains differ significantly in terms of behavior and cognitive function. Strain-specific variation of metabolic protein levels in the hippocampus among various commonly used mouse strains, however, has not been investigated yet. A proteomic approach based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with mass spectrometry [high capacity ion trap (HCT)] has been chosen to address this question by determining strain-dependent levels of metabolic proteins in hippocampal tissue of four inbred and one outbred mouse strain. Statistical analysis of protein spots on 2-DE gels of the individual strains (n = 10) revealed significant strain-dependent differences in densities of 39 spots. Subsequent HCT analysis led to the identification of 22 different metabolic proteins presenting with differential protein levels among the five mouse strains investigated. Among those are proteins concerned with the metabolism of amino acid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate and energy. Moreover, proteins known to play a pivotal role in the processes of learning and memory, such as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II alpha chain, were found to present with significant inter-strain variability, which is also in agreement with our previous reports. Strain-specific protein levels of metabolic proteins in the mouse hippocampus may provide some insight into the molecular underpinnings and genetic determination of strain-dependent neuronal function. Furthermore, data presented herein emphasize the significance of the genetic background for the analysis of metabolic pathways in the hippocampus in wild-type mice as well as in gene-targeting experiments.     

Optimization of free ammonia concentration for nitrite accumulation in shortcut biological nitrogen removal process

A shortcut biological nitrogen removal (SBNR) utilizes the concept of a direct conversion of ammonium to nitrite and then to nitrogen gas. A successful SBNR requires accumulation of nitrite in the system and inhibition of the activity of nitrite oxidizers. A high concentration of free ammonia (FA) inhibits nitrite oxidizers, but unfortunately decreases the ammonium removal rate as well. Therefore, the optimal range of FA concentration is necessary not only to stabilize nitrite accumulation but also to achieve maximum ammonium removal. In order to derive such optimal FA concentrations, the specific substrate utilization rates of ammonium and nitrite oxidizers were measured. The optimal FA concentration range appeared to be 5–10 mg/L for the adapted sludge. The simulated results from the modified inhibition model expressed by FA and ammonium/nitrite concentrations were shown very similar to the experimental results.