Effect of precursors on biosynthesis of monensins A and B

Precursors of monensins (acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate) affect the total production and the relative proportion of monensins A and B. Addition of propionate into the fermentation medium causes a prevalence of monensin B whereas butyrate and isobutyrate stimulate the production of monensin A and suppress the production of monensin B.     

Selection of HLA compatible donors for patients with HLA antibodies

A strain of 1,507 typised donors enables 15.97 average donors to be selected for a thrombocyte transfusion in one of 75 patients selected at random with HLA antibodies being previously determined (1 to 66 donors per patient). HLA compatible donors were found for 72 patients (97.33 per cent). More than 5 HLA compatible donors could be found for 58 patients. The high number of compatible donors is based on the fact that among 1,507 donors there were 156 HLA homozygotes and 556 donors with 3 HLA-A or B-antigens respectively. Compatibility in the ABO-system was not taken into account.     

Ribonuclease P: the diversity of a ubiquitous RNA processing enzyme

Ribonuclease P is the endonuclease required for generating the mature tRNA 5'-end. The ribonucleoprotein character of this enzyme has now been proven in most organisms and organelles. Exceptions, however, are still the chloroplasts, plant nuclei and animal mitochondria where no associated RNAs have been detected to date. In contrast to the known RNA subunits, which are fairly well-conserved in size and structure among diverse phylogenetic groups, the protein contribution to the holoenzyme is highly variable in size and number of the individual components. The structure of the bacterial protein component has recently been solved. In contrast, the spatial arrangement of the multiple subunits in eukaryotic enzymes is still enigmatic. Substrate requirements of the enzymes or their catalytic RNA subunits are equally diverse, ranging from simple single domain mimics to an almost intact three-dimensional structure of the pre-tRNA substrate. As an example for an intermediate in the enzyme evolution, ribonuclease P from the Cyanophora paradoxa cyanelle will be discussed in more detail. This enzyme is unique, as it combines cyanobacterial and eukaryotic features in its function, subunit composition and holoenzyme topology.     

Additions to the lichen family Pannariaceae in Ecuador

Collections from high altitudes (3840–5100 m a.s.l.) have added several species to the Pannariaceae of Ecuador: Fuscopannaria praetermissa, Pannaria hookeri, Psoroma paleaceum and Psoroma tenue are new to the Andes, and phytogeographic consequences of these are discussed. The following new taxa are described: Parmeliella corallina P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Parmeliella psoromoides P. M. Jørg. & Palice, Psoroma cinnamomeum ssp. andinum P. M. Jørg. & Palice and Santessoniella macrospora P. M. Jørg. & Palice. They are part of a high‐andean element which is not well known and is indicative of a migration route between the polar regions. In addition, two species with associated cyanobacteria, as the primary or secondary symbiont, are reported for the first time from South America: Thelignya lignyota (Wahlenb.) P. M. Jørg. & Henssen and Pilophorus cereolus (Ach.) Th. Fr, both originating from the Northern Hemisphere.     

Loci controlling lymphocyte production of interferon γ after alloantigen stimulation in vitro and their co-localization with genes controlling lymphocyte infiltration of tumors and tumor susceptibility

Low infiltration of lymphocytes into cancers is associated with poor prognosis, but the reasons why some patients exhibit a low and others a high infiltration of tumors are unknown. Previously we mapped four loci (Lynf1–Lynf4) controlling lymphocyte infiltration of mouse lung tumors. These loci do not encode any of the molecules that are involved in traffic of lymphocytes. Here we report a genetic relationship between these loci and the control of production of IFNγ in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). We found that IFNγ production by lymphocytes of O20/A mice is lower than by lymphocytes of OcB-9/Dem mice (both H2 ^pz ) stimulated in MLC by irradiated splenocytes of C57BL/10SnPh (H2 ^b ) or BALB/cHeA (H2 ^d ) mice, or by ConA. IFNγ production in MLCs of individual (O20 × OcB-9)F₂ mice stimulated by irradiated C57BL/10 splenocytes and genotyped for microsatellite markers revealed four IFNγ-controlling loci (Cypr4-Cypr7), each of which is closely linked with one of the four Lynf loci and with a cluster of susceptibility genes for different tumors. This suggests that inherited differences in certain lymphocyte responses may modify their propensity to infiltrate tumors and their capacity to affect tumor growth.     

Fusarium sporotrichioides Sherb. and trichothecenes associated with Fusarium-ear rot of corn before harvest

Fusarium sporotrichioides was found to be the predominant fungus in approximately 2 % of corn ears damaged byFusarium species, before harvest during 1984 and 1985 in Poland. Concentrations of up to 1,714.9 mg/kg of total type-A trichothecenes (T-2 Toxin, HT-2 Toxin, Neosolaniol, T-2 Triol, and T-2 Tetraol) were found in hand-selected, heavily damaged kernels obtained fromF. sporotrichioides-molded ears.     

Physiological activity of immobilized cells of Claviceps fusiformis during long-term semicontinuous cultivation

Summary The 550-day semicontinuous cultivation of Claviceps fusiformis immobilized in calcium alginate is documented. The vegetative mycelium from seed or from early-production submerged culture is the best choice for immobilization. No extracellular glucans are produced by immobilized cells. Immobilized spores give low yields of clavine alkaloids. Alginate concentrations in a range of 2%–4% do not influence yield and spectrum of alkaloids. The cytoplasm of the immobilized cells becomes condensed (after 3 days), polysaccharides disappear, and centres of lipid synthesis are formed in the cytoplasm. After 60 days the cells harbour a great number of lipid particles, mitochondria are diminishing and their cristae partly disappear, indicating a decreased respiration capacity. After 350–500 days the volume of most cells is increased many times and the cells are filled with large oval bodies of electrondense material. Chloramphenicol protects immobilized cultures against bacterial contamination.     

Biotransformation of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-l-cyclohexanone by cell cultures ofSolatium aviculare

During the search for compounds with insect juvenile hormone activity, the biotransformation of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-l-cyclohexanone, of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-l-cyclohexanone ethylene acetal and of both isomers of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-l-cyclohexanol by plant cells was examined. The compounds were metabolized by cell suspension culture of Solatium aviculare Forst. The reaction conditions were optimized and the metabolic products isolated and identified. A scheme of biotransformation pathway has been proposed.     

Expression of HLA-DR antigens on tumour cells does not contribute to skin reactivity to autologous cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS)-treated tumour cells in patients with metastatic melanoma

Summary Skin tests with autologous cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS)-treated and untreated cells were performed in ten metastatic melanoma patients. In the majority of cases evident reaction was noted with CHS-treated cells (9/10) while the reaction with untreated cells was mostly negative (7/10). Tumour cell suspensions used for skin tests were characterized for reactivity with monoclonal antibody TAL 1B5 detecting the HLA-DR alpha chain. There were no differences between CHS-treated and untreated cells with respect to HLA-DR expression and no correlation was found between grade of skin reaction to CHS-treated cells and the proportion of HLA-DR positive cells in the injected cell sample.