Interaction of reduced glutathione with bovine brain tubulin

Incubation of phosphocellulose-purified tubulin with GSH at 30 degrees C results in an inhibition of colchicine binding activity. GSSG has a protective effect against the GSH-induced loss of colchicine-binding. Incubation of tubulin with GSH at 30 degrees C results in the formation of abnormal tubulin polymers which are insensitive to cold. Such aggregation is insensitive to antimicrotubular drugs. Aggregation is inhibited by GSSG but not by DTT or mercaptoethanol. GSH-induced aggregation is very sensitive to the ionic strength of the assembly medium; both the aggregation and colchicine binding inhibition induced by GSH are inhibited at higher ionic strength. These results indicate a very complex interaction of GSH with tubulin.     

Evolution of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene in anurans: regions of variability and their phylogenetic implications

Fifteen restriction sites were mapped to the 28S ribosomal RNA gene of individuals representing 54 species of frogs, two species of salamanders, a caecilian, and a lungfish. Eight of these sites were present in all species examined, and two were found in all but one species. Alignment of these conserved restriction sites revealed, among anuran 28S rRNA genes, five regions of major length variation that correspond to four of 12 previously identified divergent domains of this gene. One of the divergent domains (DD8) consists of two regions of length variation separated by a short segment that is conserved at least throughout tetrapods. Most of the insertions, deletions, and restriction-site variations identified in the 28S gene will require sequence-level analysis for a detailed reconstruction of their history. However, an insertion in DD9 that is coextensive with frogs in the suborder Neobatrachia, a BstEII site that is limited to representatives of two leptodactylid subfamilies, and a deletion in DD10 that is found only in three ranoid genera are probably synapomorphies.