Synthesis and biological activity of brassinolide and its 22β,23β-isomer: Novel plant growth-promoting steroids

Brassinolide (2α,3α,22α, 23α-tetrahydroxy-24α-methyl-B-homo-7-oxa-5α-cholestan-6-one), a novel plant growth-promoting steroid isolated from rape pollen, and its hitherto unknown 22β, 23β-isomer were synthesized from a C-24 epimeric 60:40 mixture of 22-dehydrocampesterol (24α-methyl) and brassicasterol (24β-methyl) from oysters. The method of synthesis favored the formation of the 22β, 23β-isomer by better than 4:1. Comparative plant growth-promoting capabilities of brassinolide, both natural and synthetic, and its three side chain $\text{cis}$-glycolic isomers in the bean second internode bioassay showed that the natural and synthetic brassinolides were equally active and caused splitting of the internode at the 0.1 μg level. The least active was the 22β,23β-isomer of brassinolide. The isomers with the 22α, 23α and 24β, and the 22β, 23β and 24β configurations were highly active and were required at about 10 times the concentration of brassinolide to cause the same physiological response. In the bean first internode bioassay, an auxin-induced growth test system which employs isolated bean plant segments, the isomer with 22β, 23β and 24β configuration caused a greater response than brassinolide. Two of the four tetrahydroxy ketones obtained in the synthesis of the isomers were also active in both assays.     

Methylmercury: Effects on electrical properties of squid axon membranes

At low concentrations (25–100 μM) methylmercury chloride caused a steady increase in the threshold for excitation and on eventual block of action potentials without changing the resting membrane potential in squid giant axons. In the axons exposed to 25 μM methylmercury chloride, peak transient and steady-state conductances were decreased by 58.8 ± 5.1% and 35.9 ± 4.3% (mean ± SEM, 4 axons), respectively and leakage conductance increased to about five times of the control value. Higher concentrations of methylmercury chloride decreased the resting membrane potential. A concentration of 0.5 mM depolarizing the nerve membrane by 16 ± 2 mV (mean ± SEM, 3 axons) in 40 minutes. These changes in ionic conductances and membrane potential were irreversible on washing the axon with drug-free sea water.     

Biotransformation of 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) by Denitrifying Pseudomonas sp. Strain FA1

The microbial and enzymatic degradation of a new energetic compound, 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20), is not well understood. Fundamental knowledge about the mechanism of microbial degradation of CL-20 is essential to allow the prediction of its fate in the environment. In the present study, a CL-20-degrading denitrifying strain capable of utilizing CL-20 as the sole nitrogen source, Pseudomonas sp. strain FA1, was isolated from a garden soil. Studies with intact cells showed that aerobic conditions were required for bacterial growth and that anaerobic conditions enhanced CL-20 biotransformation. An enzyme(s) involved in the initial biotransformation of CL-20 was shown to be membrane associated and NADH dependent, and its expression was up-regulated about 2.2-fold in CL-20-induced cells. The rates of CL-20 biotransformation by the resting cells and the membrane-enzyme preparation were 3.2 ± 0.1 nmol h⁻¹ mg of cell biomass⁻¹ and 11.5 ± 0.4 nmol h⁻¹ mg of protein⁻¹, respectively, under anaerobic conditions. In the membrane-enzyme-catalyzed reactions, 2.3 nitrite ions (NO₂⁻), 1.5 molecules of nitrous oxide (N₂O), and 1.7 molecules of formic acid (HCOOH) were produced per reacted CL-20 molecule. The membrane-enzyme preparation reduced nitrite to nitrous oxide under anaerobic conditions. A comparative study of native enzymes, deflavoenzymes, and a reconstituted enzyme(s) and their subsequent inhibition by diphenyliodonium revealed that biotransformation of CL-20 is catalyzed by a membrane-associated flavoenzyme. The latter catalyzed an oxygen-sensitive one-electron transfer reaction that caused initial N denitration of CL-20.     

Rapid resolution of phenylthiohydantoin amino acids by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel plates impregnated with transition metal ions

The resolution of a 15-component mixture of phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) amino acids using metal ion impregnated silica gel plates is reported. The spots are located by exposing the chromatograms to an iodine chamber. The method provides a rapid, simple, and less expensive chromatographic system, provides resolution for certain difficult combinations, and leaves the PTH amino acids unaltered chemically.     

Reconstitution of rapeseed high molecular weight protein from isolated subunits

The high molecular weight protein was isolated from rapeseed and characterised. Six subunits were isolated in SDS (0.01%) solution on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Reassociation by removing SDS by co-dialysis, against 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.9) was done and the yield was about 90%. The reconstituted protein was indistinguishable from the intact protein in all respects. The subunits isolated from the native protein and the reconstituted protein were found to have identical molecular weights and N-terminal amino acids. No disulphide bonds were observed in the subunit association. Amino acid analysis of the proteins and the six subunits was performed and the number of each amino acid residue calculated.     

Resolution des VIII. Internationalen Pflanzenschutzkongresses

Abstract

In Anbetracht der weitreichenden Bedeutung des VIII. Internationalen Pflanzenschutzkongresses, der in der Zeit vom 22. bis 26. August 1975 in Moskau stattfand, hält es die Redaktion für erforderlich, die anläßlich des Kongresses verabschiedete Resolution im Wortlaut wiederzugeben.     

Oral Delivery of Peptide Formulations and Their Cellular Evaluation

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The development of peptide-based formulations presents numerous challenges to the formulator due to their complexity, delicate structure...     

Physicochemical and molecular modeling studies of cefixime–l-arginine–cyclodextrin ternary inclusion compounds

In an attempt to improve the physicochemical properties of cefixime (CEF), its supramolecular inclusion compounds were prepared with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) in presence and/or absence of ternary component l-arginine (ARG) using spray drying technique. Initially, the phase solubility studies revealed a stoichiometry of 1:1 molar ratio with an A_L-type of phase solubility curve. The stability constants of binary systems were remarkably improved in presence of ARG, indicating positive effect of its addition. The inclusion complexes were characterized by FTIR, XRPD, DSC, SEM, particle size analysis, and dissolution studies. Further, molecular mechanic (MM) calculations were performed to investigate the possible orientations of CEF inside βCD cavity in presence and/or absence of ternary component. In case of physicochemical studies, the ternary systems performed well as a result of comprehensive effect of ternary complexation and particle size reduction achieved by a spray drying technology.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of promising oil-bearing marine algae Parachlorella kessleri

Parachlorella kessleri is a unicellular alga which grows in fresh as well as marine water and is commercially important as biomass/lipid feedstock and in bioremediation. The present study describes the successful transformation of marine P. kessleri with the help of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Transformed marine P. kessleri was able to tolerate more than 10 mg l^?1 hygromycin concentration. Co-cultivation conditions were modulated to allow the simultaneous growth of both marine P. kessleri and A. tumefaciens. For co-cultivation, P. kessleri was shifted from Walne’s to tris acetate phosphate medium to reduce the antibiotic requirement during selection. In the present study, the transfer of T-DNA was successful without using acetosyringone. Biochemical and genetic analyses were performed for expression of transgenes by GUS assay and PCR in transformants. Establishment of this protocol would be useful in further genetic modification of oil-bearing Parachlorella species.