Met326Ile aminoacid polymorphism in the human p85 alpha gene has no major impact on early insulin signaling in type 2 diabetes.

Class I alpha phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase is an important enzyme in the early insulin signaling cascade, and plays a key role in insulin-mediated glucose transport. Despite extensive investigation, the genes responsible for the development of the common forms of type 2 diabetes remain unknown. This study was performed to identify variants in the coding region of p85 alpha, the regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase. Fibroblasts from skin biopsies from type 2 diabetics and controls were established to address this issue. P85 alpha cDNA was sequenced, and a single point mutation at codon 326 was found. This mutation resulted in a homozygous missense amino acid change Met --> Ile in one subject with type 2 diabetes and heterozygous variant in two other diabetic patients and one with severe insulin resistance. Interestingly, those patients revealed an impaired insulin-mediated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 binding to p85 alpha without any alteration in IRS-2/p85 alpha association. Furthermore, IRS-1, IRS-2, p85 alpha and MAPK protein contents were not significantly changed, and neither were MAPK or Akt phosphorylation. We conclude from our data that this variant may have only minor impact on signaling events; however, in combination with variants in other genes encoding signaling proteins, this may have a functional impact on early insulin signaling.     

No evidence for linkage of autosomal dominant proximal spinal muscular atrophies to chromosome 5q markers

Summary Two recent articles have reported the linkage of a gene for recessive spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) on the chromosome region 5q11.2–13.3. Our data show no linkage of the dominantly inherited forms of SMA to this chromosome region.     

Molecular characterization and genetic mapping of two clusters of genes encoding chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins in Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato)

We have constructed a tomato genomic library in the λ Charon 4 phage vector. The library was screened with a pea cDNA probe encoding a chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (CAB), and several recombinant phages containing tomato CAB genes were isolated and characterized by restriction mapping, heteroduplex analysis and nucleotide sequencing. Two phages with overlapping segments of the tomato genome contain a total of four CAB genes, all arranged in tandem. A third phage contains three CAB genes, two arranged in tandem and one in opposite orientation, and an additional, truncated CAB gene. Genetic mapping experiments showed that the four CAB genes on the first two phages belong to a locus, previously designated Cab-1, on chromosome 2. The CAB genes from the third phage belong to the Cab-3 locus on chromosome 3. Complete sequence determination of two CAB genes, one from each locus, and additional sequence determination of about 50% of each of the other five CAB genes showed that each gene within a CAB locus is more similar to other CAB genes in the same locus than it is to the CAB genes from the second locus. Furthermore, the polypeptides encoded by Cab-1 genes diverge significantly from those encoded by Cab-3 genes in the domains of transit peptide and the N terminus of the mature polypeptide but are essentially identical in the rest of the sequence.     

Chitinase activity in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua (L.)

The study was made to determine if enzymatic degradation of chitin occurs in the digestive tract of the cod, Gadus morhua . The method employed corresponds to the end product measurement of Jeuniaux (1966), using 'native' chitin as the substrate. The following results were obtained.

• (1) 

  Chitinolytic enzyme of high activity is present in enzyme solutions from the stomach contents, gastric mucosa and intestinal contents.
• (2) 

  Lower chitinase activities are found in samples of the intestinal mucosa and the pyloric caeca.
• (3) 

  The optimum pH ranges for the action of the enzymes in the stomach and the intestine differ: 4.5–5.1 and 5.1–6.5, respectively.
• (4) 

  The role of chitin-decomposing bacteria is discussed, based on bacterial numbers and pH conditions in the digestive tract. The existence of two different enzyme systems is indicated.

     

Die Primärwurzel von Zea mays L.

Zusammenfassung An Gewächshauskulturen kann gezeigt werden, daß die Primärwurzel von Zea mays L. während der ganzen Lebensperiode der Pflanze perenniert. Da auch bei Phoenix dactylifera L. eine solche Tendenz zu erkennen ist, ist es wahrscheinlich, daß weitere Monocotylen diese Art der Bewurzelung zeigen. Es ließe sich daraus ein Maiswurzeltyp der heterogenen Radication bei den Monocotylen ableiten, bei dem primäres und sproßbürtiges Wurzelsystem dauernd nebeneinander bestehen.

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The primary root of Zea mays L.

Summary Until now it has been presumed that the primary root of Zea mays L. dies very soon after the formation of the seedling. On the basis of this presumption maize root-system development has been used as an example for monocotyledons (z.B. Troll, 1937; Rauh, 1950).After passing the seedling stage, monocotyledons are said to have shoot-born roots only. There are a few hints in the literature of exceptions to this principle known in the case of some palms (Falkenberg, 1876; Fitting, 1954; Kausch, unpublished). In this paper it is shown that the primary root of maize does not die off soon, but remains living during the entire vegetation period. Investigations were made within the greenhouse, where in the stage of flowering of the plants the primary root reached downwards into the soil as far as 1.60 m (see also Fig. 2). There are also some observations in the open field showing that here too the primary root remains living until the plant dies in autumn.Nevertheless Zea mays has sekundäre Homorhizie and heterogene Radication (Troll, 1949). However, there is surely a large group within the monocotyledons which is capable of keeping the primary root system along with shoot-born roots. Of this group it may be said that it is of the Mais-Wurzel-Typ.

     

Evidence for linkage of the central core disease locus to the proximal long arm of human chromosome 19

Central core disease of muscle (CCD; MIM 117000) is a rare inheritable myopathy that is frequently found in association with susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MHS). This observation has prompted us to perform a linkage study in CCD families using various chromosome 19q probes that are linked to the MHS locus and map close to the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1), a strong MHS candidate gene. Our genetic linkage data support a location of the CCD gene on proximal 19q13.1 and thus suggest that CCD and MHS may be allelic.     

CHANGES IN STARCH DISTRIBUTION IN THE OVERWINTERING ORGANS OF TYPHA LATIFOLIA (TYPHACEAE)

Histochemical determinations for storage of carbohydrates in rhizomes, roots, and young shoots of Typha latifolia L. (Typhaceae) were conducted during the overwintering period from November to April. Early winter analysis showed that rhizomes and roots contained large amounts of starch (45.03% and 22.80% dry weight, respectively). The major storage tissue was parenchyma of the rhizome central core. From winter into spring a gradual decrease in storage starch in the rhizome and root occurred concurrently with starch accumulation near zones of rapid development in young shoots (buds), but the rhizome retained much starch (27.40% dry weight) into the start of its 2nd yr.