Endocytosis of a small dermatan sulphate proteoglycan. Identification of binding proteins.

Endosomal preparations from human osteosarcoma cells and from fibroblasts contain 51,000- and 26,000-Mr proteins which bind a small dermatan sulphate proteoglycan after SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Binding can be inhibited by unlabelled proteoglycan core protein. The proteins co-precipitate with a proteoglycan core protein-antibody complex. Scatchard analysis of immobilized endosomal proteins yielded a KD of about 37 nM for the proteoglycan. In intact cells proteins of the same size can be found. They are sensitive to trypsinization. A 51,000-Mr protein is the predominant membrane protein with strong binding to immobilized dermatan sulphate proteoglycan. There are additional proteoglycan-binding proteins with Mr values of around 30,000 and 14,000 which are insensitive to trypsin treatment. In contrast with the 51,000- and 26,000-Mr proteins, they resist deoxycholate/Triton X-100 extraction several days after subcultivation.     

CAM Photosynthesis under Drought Conditions in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Grown with Nitrate or Ammonium as the Sole Nitrogen Source

K. blossfeldiana Poelln. cv. Hikan was grown in vermiculite,supplied daily with nutrient solution containing 1 mM (or 10mM) nitrate or ammonium as the sole nitrogen source. The nitrate-grownplants had more activity of CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism)photosynthesis (nocturnal CO₂ uptake in the shoot and nocturnalincreases of titratable acidity and malate content in the leaves)than the ammonium-grown plants. Interruption of the solutionsupply for 5 or more days (drought conditions) increased theactivity of CAM photosynthesis in nitrate- or ammonium-grownplants, and the diurnal CO₂ uptake pattern in the nitrate-grownplants shifted from ‘weak-CAM’ to ‘full-CAM’.The difference in the activity of CAM photosynthesis betweennitrate- and ammonium-grown plants increased under the droughtconditions. When the solution was resupplied, the activity ofCAM photosynthesis rapidly decreased to the levels before theinterruption. The physiological mechanism and ecological significanceof the effect of the nitrogen source on CAM photosynthesis arediscussed (Received January 5, 1988; Accepted April 13, 1988)     

Radiometric assays for mammalian epoxide hydrolases and glutathione S-transferase

A number of epoxides, including cis- and trans-stilbene oxides, were assayed as substrates for epoxide hydrolases (EHs) by gas-liquid chromatography. Radiolabeled stilbene oxides were prepared by sodium borotritide reduction of desyl chloride followed by ring closure with base treatment. Rapid radiometric assays for EHs were performed by differential partitioning of the epoxide into dodecane, while the product diol remained in the aqueous phase. Glutathione (GSH) transferase was similarly assayed by partitioning the epoxide and diol, if formed metabolically, into 1-hexanol, while the GSH conjugate was retained in the aqueous phase. The cytosolic EH rapidly hydrates the trans isomer while the cis is very poorly hydrated. In contrast, the cis is a better substrate for the microsomal EH than the trans. GSH transferase utilized both epoxides as substrates, but conjugation is faster with the cis isomer. Cytosolic EH activity is high in mouse but very low in rat and guinea pig. Microsomal EH activity, in contrast, is highest in guinea pig, intermediate in rat, and the lowest in mouse. GSH transferase activity, which is high in all three species, can be inhibited by chalcone, with an I₅₀ of 3.1 × 10^?5m. These assays facilitate the rapid evaluation and direct comparison of epoxide-metabolizing systems in cell homogenates used in short-term mutagenicity assays, cell or organ culture, and possibly in vivo.     

Identification of Cytokinins in Root Exudate of the Rice Plant

Cytokinins, cis-zeatin and cis- and (trans-ribosylzeatin, wereidentified in the root exudate of the rice plant (Oryza sativa,indica cultivar IR-24) after several chromatographic separationsand combined gas-liquid chromatography-selected ion monitoring(GC-SIM) analysis. The presence of trans-zeatin ribotide wassuggested by enzyme hydrolysis, subsequent chromatographic separationand GC-SIM. The comparatively high content of the ribotide inthe root exudate suggests the form of cytokinins to be transportedfrom roots to other parts in the rice plant. (Received July 22, 1982; Accepted November 25, 1982)     

Biological basis for the management of ‘lugs negra’ (Sarcothalia crispata Gigartinales,Rhodophyta) in southern Chile

The present paper describes growth dynamics in a natural bed of the resource luga negra (Sarcothalia crispata) in Guapilinao, southern Chile (41°57 S, 73°31 W). This resource is currently harvested and exported as raw material for the production of carrageenan. Seasonal variation in biomass, frond size, density and phenology was determined by periodic sampling. Natural recruitment was evaluated on different substrata added to the field; at the same time, substrata were inoculated under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that luga negra has seasonal growth: biomass increased from a minimum in spring to a maximum in mid to late summer. On the other hand, density was minimal in winter (200 ind. m^–2) and increased to 2000 ind. m^–2 in late spring. Peak abundance of mature tetrasporic fronds occurred in late summer, whereas that of cystocarpic fronds occurred in winter. Recruitment began in summer and extended into winter. Survival on different substrata were compared. Gametophytes had better survival rates on clam shells and 5 mm rope while tetrasporophytes had the best survival rate on clam shells and secondarily on boulders.