Decrease of calcium turnover during the onset of mineralocorticoid hypertension in the rat.

Administration of choline chloride i.p. to rats causes a dose-dependent increase in the brain concentration of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh). This increase is maximal (22% after a 60-mg/kg dose) 40 minutes after injection. These observations suggest that precursor availability may influence brain ACh synthesis, just as brain tryptophan and tyrosine levels have previously been shown to control the synthesis of brain serotonin and catecholamines.     

Genome structure and virion polypeptides of the primate herpesviruses Herpesvirus aotus types 1 and 3: comparison with human cytomegalovirus.

Two serologically distinguishable primate herpesviruses, Herpesvirus aotus type 1 and type 3, were examined with regard to their genomes and structural polypeptides. The duplex DNA genomes of these two viruses were found to be essentially identical in molecular weight (Mr approximately equal to 145 X 10(6)) and guanine plus cytosine composition (55%). Both contained unique and inverted repeat nucleotide sequences of the same size and arrangement, which, as judged by DNA-DNA hybridization and restriction enzyme analyses, were at least 95% homologous. In addition, no differences were observed in electrophoretic profiles of virion polypeptides. Because of their great similarity with respect to these criteria, the two viruses ought to be considered independent isolates (or strains) of a single virus, which should be designated H. aotus type 1. The elevated molecular weight and presence of two sets of inverted repeat sequences closely resemble the structure of the human cytomegalovirus genome. However, no sequence homology (less than 5%) nor similarity in virion polypeptides was detected between H. aotus type 1 and human cytomegalovirus.     

Genetic and environmental variability of adult size in some stocks of the edible snail, Helix aspersa

This paper aims at providing a better knowledge of factors determining body size (especially the importance of heredity) in Helix aspersa Müller.
A preliminary investigation of snails from Maghreb allowed us to show the importance of heredity in the variability of body size and to produce an efficient design for a subsequent reliable estimation of heritabilities. All traits measured (diameter, height and weight) were highly correlated and weight appeared to be the most convenient measure of size.
The second experiment provided 4150 snails born from known individuals among 500 wild snails. Pedigrees were recorded. Weight and diameter revealed high heritabilities (>0.4), which is relevant for commercial selection since variability of both traits was important. The design also revealed a significant non-genetic maternal effect and also that offspring from pairs where only one animal laid were bigger than offspring from pairs where both animals laid. This surprising observation has to be confirmed and its mechanisms studied.     

Arterial blood pressure and high calcium diet in normal and mineralcorticoid (DOCA and sodium chloride hypertensive rats]

High calcium diet induces an hypertension lasting one week in normal rats. In mineralocorticoid treated rats (DOCA + NaCl), the same diet prevents for 10 weeks the increase of arterial blood pressure. Parathyroid activity (estimated by urinary cAMP) is decreased after the high calcium diet. These results confirm the role of the parathyroid glands in mineralocorticoid hypertension in the rat.     

Wahrnehmungspsychologische Untersuchungen am EichelhÄher. II

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rab35: GEFs,GAPs and Effectors

Rabs are the largest family of small GTPases and are master regulators of membrane trafficking. Following activation by guanine‐nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), each Rab binds a specific set of effector proteins that mediate the various downstream functions of that Rab. Then, with the help of GTPase‐activating proteins, the Rab converts GTP to GDP, terminating its function. There are over 60 Rabs in humans and only a subset has been analyzed in any detail. Recently, Rab35 has emerged as a key regulator of cargo recycling at endosomes, with an additional role in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we will focus on the regulation of Rab35 activity by the connecdenn/DENND1 family of GEFs and the TBC1D10/EPI64 family of GTPase‐activating proteins. We will describe how analysis of these proteins, as well as a plethora of Rab35 effectors has provided insights into Rab35 function. Finally, we will describe how Rab35 provides a novel link between the Rab and Arf family of GTPases with implications for tumor formation and invasiveness .