Epitope Analysis of Soybean Major Allergen Gly m Bd 30K Recognized by the Mouse Monoclonal Antibody Using Overlapping Peptides

The epitopes of the major soybean allergen, Gly m Bd 30K, recognized by mouse monoclonal antibodies H6 and F5 were investigated by using synthetic peptides bound to pins. The epitopes are shown to be localized in peptide ³¹QGGCGRGWAFSATGAI-EA⁴⁸ for H6, and in ¹¹⁵ DKVTIDGYETLIMSDEST¹³² for F5.     

Fine structural recognition specificities of IgE antibodies distinguishing amoxicilloyl and amoxicillanyl determinants in allergic subjects.

IgE antibodies in the sera of subjects allergic to beta-lactam antibiotics detect a spectrum of specificities ranging from side-chain groups to an entire penicillin or cephalosporin molecule. In addition to such structural heterogeneity of allergenic determinants, IgE antibodies in the sera of different allergic subjects show heterogeneous recognition responses. Detailed immunochemical studies were carried out on the sera of penicillin-allergic subjects that showed selective and unexpected reactions with the frequently prescribed penicillin, amoxicillin. Antibodies from one subject reacted only with the amoxicilloyl determinant while IgE from another subject showed multiple reactivity with penicilloyl and penicillanyl determinants of different penicillins but not with the amoxicilloyl determinant. Quantitative hapten inhibition studies revealed that the combining sites of the former antibodies were complementary to amoxicillin in a form that permits binding to the hydroxyaminobenzyl side-chain and the thiazolidine ring carboxyl. These conditions are satisfied with the drug in the '-oyl' but not in the '-anyl' form which involves linkage through the 2-carboxyl of the thiazolidine ring. With the second serum, adsorption studies showed that the wide-ranging reactivity of IgE was due to a single population of antibodies that detected a common specificity on the different penicillins. Combining site studies revealed clear recognition of the benzyl portion of the side-chain of benzylpenicilloyl, benzylpenicillanyl, ampicilloyl, ampicillanyl and amoxicillanyl determinants when free antibody access to the side-chain was possible but little or no recognition of the ring hydroxyl of amoxicillin. Such uninhibited access may not occur, however, when amoxicillin is conjugated in the '-oyl' form since opening the beta-lactam ring allows increased flexibility and rotation of the molecule and the possibility of close association of the hydroxyaminobenzyl side-chain of amoxicillin with the linked peptide carrier. In such close steric association, H-bonding involving the ring hydroxyl and amino acids of the carrier may prevent antibody access to the side-chain region of the amoxicilloyl determinant.     

五种恙螨染色体核型的研究

恙螨染色体的研究迄今仅Shirai等(1984)简要地报道了三种纤恙螨的染色体核型。本实验采用压片法和改良空气干燥法,研究观察五种恙螨有丝分裂染色体核型。初静止化蛹1—3天的成蛹阶段是制作恙螨有丝分裂染色体标本的最佳虫期。微红纤恙螨,地里纤恙螨和巨螫齿恙螨染色体数目为2n=14;苍白纤恙螨和小板纤恙螨为2n=16。染色体呈大小不等的小棒状,单着丝粒,但多不清晰,仅可见着丝点区浅染。部分核型出现染色体异型现象。核型性别未明,性别决定机制不清。     

Field predation of twospotted spider mite in a New Zealand strawberry crop

Predation by naturally occurring predatory arthropods was investigated to explain variations in population numbers of twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) between first and second season strawberry crops. Araneomorph spiders. European harvestman [Phalangium opilio (L.)], Tasmanian lacewing [Micromus tasmaniae (Walker)] and Pacific damsel bug [Nabis kinbergii Reuter] were the only predators found in high numbers. However, spiders and harvestment were more prevalent than lacewings and nabids. Laboratory feedings trials indicated spiders build horizontal webs in the plants and prey predominantly on small flying insects that shelter in the crops. Similar feeding trials cofirmed the palatability of TSSM to spiders and harvestmen. Immunological testing for proteins of TSSM, aphids, Collembola and leafrollers in the intestines of field collected European harvestman, spiders, Tasmanian lacewing and Pacific damsel bug confirmed European harvestman includes TSSM in its diet, but not in large enough quantities to exert a significant regulating pressure on TSSM populations. Lacewings and nabids include TSSM in their diets but only in very small quantities (2% and 1% respectively). Spiders do not take TSSM unless they drop or spin down onto the spider webbing. The immunological testing also showed European harvestman to be a polyphagous and opportunistic feeder. Prey residues were detected more frequently in harvestmen intestines at times of prey abundance which indicated a seasonality to harvestmen diet.      

Influence of aerial dispersal on persistence and spread of pesticide-resistant Metaseiulus occidentalis in California almond orchards

Aerial dispersal of the phytoseiid Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) was evaluated as a component in managing pesticide-resistant populations established in California almond orchards. Peak dispersal occurred in late July and early August during 1982 and 1983. Most predators (and spider mites) left the orchards on the prevailing winds from the northwest. Within the orchard, the prevailing winds had less influence, and dispersal was usually random. Both spider mites and predators dispersed randomly with regard to height from the almond trees, but data obtained during one 24-h interval suggest they do not disperse randomly throughout the day. Most aerial movements occurred between 16–22 h when relative humidity and wind speeds increased and temperatures decreased. Spider mites and predators were trapped on panels located 200 m from the orchard. A survey of carbaryl resistance levels in M. occidentalis collected from almond orchards surrounding the release sites indicates that carbaryl-resistant M. occidentalis dispersed at least 800 m between 1981–83. However, growers wishing to use the resistant strains should release them in their orchards as natural dispersal appears to be too slow. Migration of native M. occidentalis into the release sites appeared to be sufficiently rare that dilution of carbaryl-resistant populations was minimal during a 2–4 year period.

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Résumé La dispersion aérienne du phytoseïdae, M. occidentalis (Nesbitt), a été estimée comme élément de la lutte contre les populations résistantes aux insecticides établies dans les vergers de Californie. La dispersion maximale s'est produite fin juillet et début a oût en 1982 et 1983. La plupart des prédateurs (et des acariens) quittent les vergers avec les vents dominants du nordouest. Dans le verger, les vents dominants sont moins importants et la dispersion est généralement au hasard. Tant les acariens que les prédateurs se dispersaient au hasard par rapport à la taille des amandiers, mais les relevés sur 24 heures laissent supposer qu'il n'y a pas une distribution aléatoire pendant la journée. La plupart des mouvements aériens se produisirent entre 16 et 22 heures quand HR et vitesse du vent augmentaient et température diminuait. Les acariens et prédateurs ont été piégés sur des panneaux à 200 m du verger.

     

A highly purified allergen from excretory and secretory products of Dirofilaria immitis

Preceding data revealed that the allergen concentrated mainly in excretory and secretory (ES) products exhausted by adult Dirofilaria immitis. The present paper reported that a highly purified allergen was obtainable from ES products more easily and effectively. An allergen in ES products was purified by a combination of DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chromatography, Sephadex G-200 and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The purified preparation was proved to be one protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis and to be exact the same allergen with the one obtained from the crude extract of adult Dirofilaria worms. The molecular weight of the purified allergen was estimated to be 15,000, and the allergen was inclined to aggregate in the buffered solution.     

Behavioural response of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) to induced resistance of cotton plants

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) given a choice between a cotton plant previously damaged by mites and an undamaged control preferentially moved to the control plant.
• 2 This host-choice behaviour was seen in adult female mites but not in immatures.
• 3 Adult females were not found to be significantly more fecund on control plants than on previously damaged plants, but the duration of this choice experiment precluded full assessment of effects on fecundity.
• 4 Mites responded very quickly, choosing previously undamaged plants without contacting or feeding on the test plants. This suggests that an olfactory response to a chemical substance(s) is involved.

     

Structures and contribution to the antigenicity of oligosaccharides of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen allergenCry j I: relationship between the structures and antigenic epitopes of plantN-linked complex-type glycans

The oligosaccharide structures ofCry j I, a major allergenic glycoprotein ofCryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar, sugi), were analysed by 400 MHz¹H-NMR and two-dimensional sugar mapping analyses. The four major fractions comprised a series of biantennary complex type N-linked oligosaccharides that share a fucose/xylose-containing core and glucosamine branches including a novel structure with a nongalactosylated fucosylglucosamine branch.Rabbit polyclonal anti-Cry j I IgG antibodies cross-reacted with three different plant glycoproteins having the same or shorter N-linked oligosaccharides asCry j I. ELISA and ELISA inhibition studies with intact glycoproteins, glycopeptides and peptides indicated that both anti-Cry j I IgGs and anti-Sophora japonica bark lectin II (B-SJA-II) IgGs included oligosaccharide-specific antibodies with different specificities, and that the epitopic structures against anti-Cry j I IgGs include a branch containing 1–6 linked fucose and a core containing fucose/xylose, while those against anti-B-SJA-II IgGs include nonreducing terminal mannose residues. The cross-reactivities of human allergic sera to miraculin andClerodendron Trichotomum lectin (CTA) were low, and inhibition studies suggested that the oligosaccharides onCry j I contribute little or only conformationally to the reactivity of specific IgE antibodies.Abbreviations Cry j I a major allergenic glycoprotein ofCryptomeria japonica - B-SJA-II Sophora japonica bark lectin II - CTA Clerodendron trichotomum lectin - TFMS trifluoromethanesulfonic acid - HRP horseradish peroxidase