Alternative splicing and genome complexity.

Alternative splicing of mRNA allows many gene products with different functions to be produced from a single coding sequence. It has recently been proposed as a mechanism by which higher-order diversity is generated. Here we show, using large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis, that among seven different eukaryotes the amount of alternative splicing is comparable, with no large differences between humans and other animals.     

Genomic instability in Gadd45a-deficient mice.

Gadd45a-null mice generated by gene targeting exhibited several of the phenotypes characteristic of p53-deficient mice, including genomic instability, increased radiation carcinogenesis and a low frequency of exencephaly. Genomic instability was exemplified by aneuploidy, chromosome aberrations, gene amplification and centrosome amplification, and was accompanied by abnormalities in mitosis, cytokinesis and growth control. Unequal segregation of chromosomes due to multiple spindle poles during mitosis occurred in several Gadd45a -/- cell lineages and may contribute to the aneuploidy. Our results indicate that Gadd45a is one component of the p53 pathway that contributes to the maintenance of genomic stability.     

(3H) spiroperidol binding decreases in brains of rats infected with Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus1

Summary After i.p. inoculation with the Guajira strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus a significant decrease in the density of (³H) spiroperidol binding sites in the striatum, midbrain and frontal cortex was observed. No changes in the affinity of the receptors could be demonstrated. This finding is compatible with neuronal degeneration caused by the viral infection.Acknowledgments. This work was partially supported by Condes-Luz and Fundacite-Zulia. Butaclamol isomers were a gift of Ayerst Laboratories, Montreal, Canada.     

Preadult lethality in four populations ofDrosophila melanogaster treated with formaldehyde

Summary Samples from 4 populations ofD. melanogaster were treated with formaldehyde by the larval feeding method, and induced lethality was scored. The results showed relevant differences among the populations analyzed.     

The localization of3H-corticosterone in mast cell granules by electron microscopic autoradiography

Zusammenfassung Der Einbau von 1,2-³H-Corticosteron in die Mastzellen der lymphatischen Organe wurde bei Mäusen untersucht. Bei gleichzeitiger Anwendung von Autoradiographie und Elektronenmikroskopie konnte das Corticosteron in den Mastzellen nachgewiesen werden.     

Development of the steady potential differences of the eyeball in chick embryos

Résumé Le potentiel D. C. mesuré sur la surface du globe oculaire de l'embryon de poulet croît à partir du 15 ème jour de 0.92±0.21 mV jusqu' à 9.26±0.76 mV au 21 ème jour l'incubation. L'augmentation maximum se situe entre le 17 ème et 18ème jour (2.57 et 6.61 mV). Elle correspond à la mise en jeu de l'appareil visuel afférent. La stabilité du potentiel D. C. du globe oculaire est directement proportionnelle à sa valeut.