Cytogenetic study of a cell line of human penile cancer

A cell line of penile cancer from a 60-year-old Ugandan black patient has been studied by the authors. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed a large number of blebs and microvilli at cell surface; desmosomes were evident at TEM. Cytogenetic investigation (R-, C-, Nor-banding) showed the frequent presence of some markers: del(1p),del(1q),iso(3q),der(4),del(8p),11q+, t rob(13;14), 14p+, t rob(21;21). The epidemiology, geographical distribution, and aetiological role of human papilloma virus type 16 and herpes simplex type 2 are discussed.     

An Ustilago maydis Mutant Partially Blocked in P45014DM Activity Is Hypersensitive to Azole Fungicides

An Ustilago maydis ergosterol biosynthesis mutant (A14) which is partially blocked in sterol 14alpha-demethylase (P45014DM) activity is described. This mutant accumulated the abnormal 14alpha-methyl sterols, eburicol, 14alpha-methylfecosterol, and obtusifoliol, along with significant amounts of ergosterol. Although the A14 mutant grew nearly as well as the wild type, it was impaired in cell extension growth, which indicated a dysfunction in apical cell wall synthesis. The mutant was also found to be hypersensitive to the azole fungicides penconazole and tebuconazole.     

Regulation of autoimmune response to mouse thyroglobulin: influence of H-2D-end genes.

Studies were initiated to define the H-2-linked genetic control of response to self-determinants of MTg. In addition to the Ir gene control of H-2K end, a modifying effect of D end was seen. The extent of regulation depended upon the derivation of the K-end Ir-Tg gene(s) as well as the D-end genes. When the Ir-Tg gene was from good responder H-2k and H-Ss strains, and the H-2D-end gene from the d allele, antibody levels were moderate to high but cellular infiltration was significantly reduced. These findings demonstrate genetic interaction between I-region and D-end gene products in the response to a self-antigen, MTg.     

A family with a satellited Yq chromosome

Summary A large pedigree with a satellited Yq chromosome is described, Q, C, and NOR banding were performed. Family C proband suffers from a Klinefelter syndrome.     

Genetic and functional analysis of the basic replicon of pPS10, a plasmid specific for Pseudomonas isolated from Pseudomonas syringae patovar savastanoi.

The sequence of a 1823 base-pair region containing the replication functions of pPS10, a narrow host-range plasmid isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas savastanoi, is reported. The origin of replication, oriV, or pPS10 is contained in a 535 base-pair fragment of this sequence that can replicate in the presence of trans-acting function(s) of the plasmid. oriV contains four iterons of 22 base-pairs that are preceded by G+C-rich and A+T-rich regions. A dnaA box located adjacent to the repeats of the origin is dispensable but required for efficient replication of pPS10; A and T are equivalent bases at the 5' end of the box. repA, the gene of a trans-acting replication protein of 26,700 Mr has been identified by genetic and functional analysis. repA is adjacent to the origin of replication and is preceded by the consensus sequences of a typical sigma 70 promoter of Escherichia coli. The RepA protein has been identified, using the minicell system of E. coli, as a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 26,000. A minimal pPS10 replicon has been defined to a continuous 1267 base-pair region of pPS10 that includes the oriV and repA sequences.     

The orphan receptor cDNA RDC4 encodes a 5-HT1D serotonin receptor.

The cDNA of RDC4, a putative receptor of the G protein-coupled receptor family, has been cloned by PCR methodology. The primary structure of this receptor showed homology with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. In this work, RDC4 mRNA has been injected in Y1 adrenal cells and Xenopus oocytes and RDC4 cDNA has been transfected transiently in cos-7 cells. In all these systems serotonin elicited a rise in cyclic AMP levels. Binding studies on membranes of the transfected cos-7 cells using [3H]-LSD showed a pattern of drug affinities consistent with the known properties of a 5-HT1D receptor. RDC4 therefore codes for a 5-HT1D receptor which in the studied systems is positively coupled to adenylate cyclase.     

Trisomy iop.

A stillborn male fetus having a trisomy of the short arm of chromosome No 10 is described. The father is a carrier of the reciprocal translocation 46XY,t(10;21) (10pter leads to 10p11::21p11 leads to 21qter). The clinical picture included growth retardation, bilateral cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, short neck, microphalus and bilateral clubbed feet. The long bones were markedly thinned with spontaneous fractures. Autopsy findings included pulmonary hypoplasia and renal dysplasia. Previous reports of trisomy 10 and trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 10 are discussed.     

Sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization signal detection in maize using directly labeled probes produced by high concentration DNA polymerase nick translation

The signal produced by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) often is inconsistent among cells and sensitivity is low. Small DNA targets on the chromatin are difficult to detect. We report here an improved nick translation procedure for Texas red and Alexa Fluor 488 direct labeling of FISH probes. Brighter probes can be obtained by adding excess DNA polymerase I. Using such probes, a 30 kb yeast transgene, and the rp1, rp3 and zein multigene clusters were clearly detected.