Induction of the 47 kDa platelet substrate of protein kinase C during differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Immunoblot analysis showed that the 47 kDa platelet substrate of protein kinase C (P47) was expressed at low levels in undifferentiated HL-60 leukaemia cells. Treatment of these cells with dimethyl sulphoxide, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or retinoic acid caused progressive increases in P47 content. Retinoic acid (1 microM) elicited the largest response, a 4-fold increase in P47 protein after 7 days that was accompanied by an increase in translatable P47 mRNA. The induction of P47 by retinoic acid preceded cessation of cell proliferation and development of the capacity to reduce Nitro Blue Tetrazolium, indicating that its expression is an early event in the myeloid differentiation of HL-60 cells.     

The permeability of mitochondria to oxaloacetate and malate

1. A spectrophotometric assay of the rates of penetration of oxaloacetate and l-malate into mitochondria is described. The assay is based on the measurement of the oxidation of intramitochondrial NADH by oxaloacetate and of the reduction of intramitochondrial NAD⁺ by malate. 2. The rate of entry of both oxaloacetate and l-malate into mitochondria is restricted, as shown by the fact that disruption of the mitochondrial structure can increase the rate of interaction between the dicarboxylic acids and intramitochondrial NAD⁺ and NADH by between 100- and 1000-fold. 3. The rates of entry of oxaloacetate and malate into liver, kidney and heart mitochondria increased by up to 50-fold on addition of a source of energy, either ascorbate plus NNN′N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine aerobically, or ATP anaerobically. 4. In the absence of a source of energy the changes in the concentrations of intramitochondrial NAD⁺ and NADH brought about by the addition of l-malate or oxaloacetate were followed by parallel changes in the concentrations of NADP⁺ and NADPH, indicating the presence in the mitochondria of an energy-independent transhydrogenase system. 5. The results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that malate acts as a carrier of reducing equivalents between mitochondria and cytoplasm.     

The significance of morphometric and fecundity differences between the ‘biotypes' of the Brown Planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens

A morphometric analysis of biotypes 1, 2 and 3 from the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, reared respectively on rice cultivars TN1, Mudgo and ASD7, showed significant differences, but some overlap between them. When the three biotypes were each reared for a single generation on TN1, morphometric differences were very greatly reduced and the distributions widely overlapped.Biotypes 2 and 3 were significantly less fecund than biotype 1 when reared on their normal host varieties. When all were reared on TN1, biotype 3 showed a somewhat lower fecundity than did 1 and 2, but the difference was less than previously reported.It is concluded that the evidence for the association of morphometric differences with virulence characteristics inN. lugens is not proved. Equally there is no evidence that morphometric data may be used to identify field populations with distinct patterns of virulence.

---

La signification des différences morphométriques et de fécondité entre des biotypes deNilaparvata lugens

Résumé Ce que l'on a appelé des biotypes deN. lugens sont des populations caractérisées par différents types de virulence à l'égard de différents cultivars résistants de riz, mis en évidence par des essais variétaux systématiques. Différents chercheurs ont tenté de trouver des caractères morphologiques pour identifier ces biotypes.Nous avons fait une analyse morphométrique des biotypes 1, 2 et 3 de l'International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Philippines. Quand ils sont élevés sur leur propre varieté — biotype 1 sur TN1, 2 sur Mudgo, 3 sur ASD7 — des différences significatives sont observées, bien qu'il y ait un chevauchement considérable. Quand les 3 populations biotypes sont élevées sur la variété sensible TN1, les différences morphométriques sont réduites et le chevauchement fortement augmenté. Nous pourrions alors conclure qu'une part importante de la différenciation morphométrique est due à des facteurs écologiques et non à des différences génétiques entre les populations. Des chercheurs avaient indiqué des différences de fécondité entre les biotypes de l'IRRI, le biotype 3 étant significativement moins fécond; les résultats publiés son contradictoires. Nos observations suggèrent une certaine diminution de la fécondité pour le biotype 3 élevé sur TN1, mais plus limitée que les autres auteurs ne l'avaient envisagée.Nous en concluons qu'il n'y a pas de véritable preuve pour étayer l'hypothèse que les biotypes deN. lugens sont caractérisés par des paramètres morphométriques génétiquement déterminés. Il est alors fallacieux de suggérer que de tels caractères pourraient être utilisés pour identifier des populations avec différents types de virulence. Nous repoussons aussi l'hypothèse que les biotypes représentent une étape dans le processus de spéciation.

     

Potentiation by thrombin of the secretion of serotonin from permeabilized platelets equilibrated with Ca2+ buffers. Relationship to protein phosphorylation and diacylglycerol formation.

After human platelets have been rendered permeable to small molecules by high voltage electric discharges, addition of buffered micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ causes an ATP-dependent secretion of dense granule serotonin [Knight & Scrutton (1980) Thromb. Res. 20, 437-446]. In the present study, platelets permeabilized by this technique were found to show an up to 10-fold increase in their sensitivity to Ca2+ after exposure to thrombin. In permeabilized platelets, as in the intact cells, release of serotonin was associated with the Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of 47 000 and 20 000 Da polypeptides (P47 and P20). Thrombin markedly increased the phosphorylation of P47 in the presence of 0.1-1.0 microM-Ca2+ free but had a much smaller effect on phosphorylation of P20. Thrombin also stimulated the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol in the presence of 0.1 microM-Ca2+ free and was even more effective with 1.0 microM-Ca2+ free, suggesting that receptor-activated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides to 1,2-diacylglycerol was preserved in permeabilized platelets and was potentiated by low intracellular concentrations of Ca2+. The increase in phosphorylation of P47 on addition of thrombin may therefore be accounted for by the stimulatory action of 1,2-diacylglycerol on Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. However, in both the presence and absence of thrombin, higher Ca2+ concentrations were required for optimal secretion than for maximal phosphorylation of both P47 and P20, indicating that additional actions of Ca2+ and thrombin, perhaps also mediated by 1,2-diacylglycerol formation, may be involved in the release of serotonin.     

Prenatal identification of a deleted Y chromosome by cytogenetics and a Y-specific repetitive DNA probe

Summary A very small sex chromosome was identified prenatally as a Y chromosome by using molecular hybridization in conjunction with conventional cytogenetics techniques. The combination of R-banding, Q-banding, distamycin-DAPI staining suggested that the chromosome might be a de novo deletion of the Y chromosome as the father's Y chromosome was normal. Restriction enzyme analysis of amniotic fluid cell DNA using a Y chromosome repetitive probe confirmed the origin of this chromosome.     

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by adenosine analogues in preparations of broken and intact human platelets. Evidence for the unidirectional control of platelet function by cyclic AMP.

Whereas adenosine itself exerted independent stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the adenylate cyclase activity of a platelet particulate fraction at low and high concentrations respectively, 2-substituted and N6-monosubstituted adenosines had stimulatory but greatly decreased inhibitory effects. Deoxyadenosines, on the other hand, had enhanced inhibitory but no stimulatory effects. The most potent inhibitors found were, in order of increasing activity, 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ 22536), 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine 3'-monophosphate. Kinetic studies on prostaglandin E1-activated adenylate cyclase showed that the inhibition caused by either 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or compound SQ 22536 was non-competitive with MgATP and that the former compound, at least, showed negative co-operativity; 50% inhibition was observed with 4 micron-2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or 13 micron-SQ 22536. These two compounds also inhibited both the basal and prostaglandin E1-activated adenylate cyclase activities of intact platelets, when these were measured as the increases in cyclic [3H]AMP in platelets that had been labelled with [3H]adenine and were then incubated briefly with papaverine or papaverine and prostaglandin E1. Both compounds, but particularly 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, markedly decreased the inhibition by prostaglandin E1 of platelet aggregation induced by ADP or [arginine]vasopressin as well as the associated increases in platelet cyclic AMP, so providing further evidence that the effects of prostaglandin E1 on platelet aggregation are mediated by cyclic AMP. 2'-Deoxyadenosine 3'-monophosphate did not affect the inhibition of aggregation by prostaglandin E1, suggesting that the site of action of deoxyadenosine derivatives on adenylate cyclase is intracellular. Neither 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine nor compound SQ 22536 alone induced platelet aggregation. Moreover, neither compound potentiated platelet aggregation or the platelet release reaction when suboptimal concentrations of ADP, [arginine]vasopressin, collagen or arachidonate were added to heparinized or citrated platelet-rich plasma in the absence of prostaglandin E1. These results show that cyclic AMP plays no significant role in the responses of platelets to aggregating agents in the absence of compounds that increase the platelet cyclic AMP concentration above the resting value.     

Subcellular distribution of the different platelet proteins phosphorylated on exposure of intact platelets to ionophore A23187 or to prostaglandin E1. Possible role of a membrane phosphopolypeptide in the regulation of calcium-ion transport.

Exposure of 32P-labelled human platelets to ionophore A23187 results in an increased incorporation of 32P into polypeptides with apparent mol.wts. of 47 000 (P47) and 20 000 (P20), whereas exposure to prostaglandin E1 results in increased labelling of polypeptides with apparent mol.wts. of 24 000 (P24) and 22 000 (P22) [Haslam, Lynham & Fox (1979) Biochem. J. 178, 397-406]. Labelled platelets that had been incubated with ionophore A23187 or prostaglandin E1 were sonicated and rapidly separated into three fractions by differential centrifugation. Electron microscopy and measurement of marker enzymes indicated that the 1300-19 000 gav. particulate fraction was enriched in granules, mitochondria and plasma membranes, that the 19 000-90 000 gav. particulate fraction was enriched in both intracellular and plasma membranes and that the 90 000 gav. supernatant contained only soluble proteins. 32P-labelled phosphopolypeptide P47 was present almost exclusively in the 90 000 gav. supernatant, whereas phosphopolypeptide P20 was largely dephosphorylated under fractionation conditions that protected other phosphopolypeptides. 32P-labelled phosphopolypeptide P24 was enriched in both particulate fractions, but particularly in the 19 000-90 000 gav. fraction, and may therefore be present in both the intracellular and plasma membranes. Phosphopolypeptide P22 appeared to be similarly distributed. Both particulate fractions were capable of the ATP-dependent oxalate-stimulated uptake of Ca2+. When the 19 000-90 000 gav. membrane fraction was prepared from platelets that had been incubated with ionophore A23187, active uptake of Ca2+ did not occur, but when this fraction was isolated from platelets that had been exposed to prostaglandin E1, uptake of Ca2+ was significantly greater than observed with the corresponding membranes from control platelets. It is suggested that phosphorylation of polypeptide P24 (or P22) by a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase may promote the active transport of Ca2+ out of the platelet cytosol.     

An assessment of the breeding range,colony sizes and population of the Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica)

Abstract

The Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) is an endemic New Zealand species and one of the very few burrowing seabird species still breeding on mainland New Zealand. It nests only on a series of coastal ridgelines near to Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island. Between 2002 and 2005, surveys were undertaken at 28 of the 29 known colonies. The area occupied by the colonies was 73 ha; most colonies had fewer than 50 burrows, but six colonies had 201–500 burrows and four colonies had more than 1000 burrows. We find that the current breeding range of Westland petrel and the location of individual colonies are similar to those reported in both the 1950s and 1970s. Based on total burrow counts at 28 colonies and burrow occupancy rates determined by annual monitoring, the annual breeding population is estimated to be between 2954 and 5137 breeding pairs.