Complementary replica of freeze-fractured human lymphocyte nuclei

Complementary replicas of freeze-fractured human lymphocyte nuclei were obtained, and were studied with the electron microscope. Complementarity was evident in cross-fractured nuclear pore complexes and in particle-free membrane areas. Explanations for the observed structural peculiarities are considered.     

Glutamate decarboxylase activity in preoptic and hypothalamic nuclei of the rat

Summary Freeze-dried samples were used for the determination of glutamate decarboxylase activity in discrete preoptic and hypothalamic nuclei. The activity showed marked regional variation in distribution.     

Appendages of the oocyte nuclei in the gall midgeHeteropeza pygmaea

Summary Spherical appendages of the nuclei in oocytes of the gall midgeHeteropeza pygmaea were observed in ovaries cultured in vitro.This study was supported in part by the Swiss National Science Foundation.     

An apocynaceae-alkaloid of a novel type

Zusammenfassung Bei thermischer oder solvolytischer Decarbonylierung eines neuen Alkaloids ausMelodinus scandens Forst. entsteht eine Verbindung II, die ihrerseits in die Derivate III–VI umgewandelt werden kann. Auf Grund eingehender NMR- und MS-Untersuchungen können für die Verbindungen II–VII die angegebenen Strukturen vorgeschlagen werden. Alkaloide mit dem Skelett der Verbindung II entstehen biosynthetisch wahrscheinlich aus Alkaloiden des Aspidospermin-Typs durch Oxidation an C-2 und nachfolgende Umlagerung.     

Innervation by W-type retinal ganglion cells of superior colliculus neurons projecting to pulvinar nuclei in cats.

Neurons of the cat superior colliculus (SC) sending their axons to the pulvinar nuclei were identified electrophysiologically as the ones responding antidromically to electrical stimulation of the pulvinar nuclei. They were located in the superficial layers of SC and found to be innervated by axons of W-type ganglion cells of the retina.     

The endocranial parietal vascular traces in the hominid line]

The study of the grooves traced by the middle meningeal veins on the parietal bone or the endocast of Hominid fossils shows different patterns which correspond to each evolutive stage. Height types are characterised among the Hominids (Australopithecines, Archanthropines, Paleanthropines and Neanthropines): I, robust Australopithecine type; II, gracile Australopithecine type; III, earliest Pithecanthropine type; IV, evolved Pithecanthropine type; V, Preneandertal type; VI, neandertal type; VII, Neanthropine type; VIII, modern type.     

Electron microscopic observation of nucleosomes in ultrathin sections of heparin-treated nuclei

Summary Isolated rat liver nuclei display nucleosomes (-bodies) in common ultrathin sections after treatment of nuclei with heparin. The masking of nucleosomes in intact chromatin by some extranucleosomal component is suggested.     

The nature of DNA synthesis by isolated nuclei from cells of a rat tumour

Summary The DNA synthetic activity of nuclei isolated from a solid rat tumour was determined. The nuclei had DNA synthetic properties similar to nuclei from other sources but the time course of the reactions was different.     

Complementary replica of freeze-fractured human lymphocyte nuclei

Summary Complementary replicas of freeze-fractured human lymphocyte nuclei were obtained, and were studied with the electron microscope. Complementarity was evident in cross-fractured nuclear pore complexes and in particle-free membrane areas. Explanations for the observed structural peculiarities are considered.I thank the staff of the Immuno-Hematological Lab. (Med. Clinic of the University Hospital of Zurich) for showing me the lymphocyte isolation technique, Dr med. D. Meier-Göhr for performing the blood counts, T. Suda for helping me with the electron microscope, and E. Wehrli (Lab. of Electron Microscopy, Institute of Cell Biology/ETH, Zurich) for providing the freeze-fracture equipment.     

Transfer of isolated nuclei into protoplasts of Aspergillus nidulans.

Nuclei were isolated from protoplasts of a haploid auxotrophic Aspergillus nidulans strain. Transformation of protoplasts prepared from a complementary haploid auxotrophic strain with these purified nuclei resulted in both heterokaryotic and diploid colonies. The nutritionally-complementing colonies appeared at a frequency of 5 x 10(-7) to 10(-8).     

Similarity between the effects of suprachiasmatic nuclei lesions and of pinealectomy on gonadotropin release in ovariectomized,sulpiride-treated and melatonin-replaced rats

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pineal indole treatments on LH and FSH release in pinealectomized and suprachiasmatic lesioned and ovariectomized rats rendered hyperprolactinemic by acute sulpiride treatment. pinealectomy or suprachiasmatic nuclei lesions in female rats both decreased plasma LH and FHS at 10, but not at 20 d after surgery, whereas the daily afternoon administration of melatonin effectively restored levels of both gonadotropins to control values. In ovariectomized rats, pinealectomy or suprachiasmatic nuclei lesions were ineffective in counteracting the high plasma levels of LH and FSH. However, sulpiride treatment in both pinealectomized and suprachiasmatic nuclei lesioned and castrated female rats significantly decreased the levels of LH and FSH, an effect which was counteracted by daily afternoon melatonin administration. Other pineal indoles tested, i.e., 5-hydroxy- and 5-methoxytryptophol, were ineffective in regulating gonadotropin levels. The results suggest that the pineal gland, through its hormone melatonin, can modulate gonadotropin secretion by acting on a dopamine mechanism independent of hypothalamic suprachiasmatic areas.     

Transcription of bacterial DNA by isolated plant nuclei.

Plant nuclei prepared from protoplasts can be used as a cell-free system for testing their template activity of procaryotic DNA for plant polymerases. We were able to demonstrate that plant polymerases of Petunia hybrida are capable of transcribing linear bacterial DNA, whereas supercoiled DNA could not be used as a template.     

Transfer of isolated nuclei into protoplasts ofAspergillus nidulans

Nuclei were isolated from protoplasts of a haploid auxotrophicAspergillus nidulans strain. Transformation of protoplasts prepared from a complementary haploid auxotrophic strain with these purified nuclei resulted in both heterokaryotic and diploid colonies. The nutritionally-complementing colonies appeared at a frequency of 5×10^–7 to 10^–8.     

Specificity and reversibility of insulin binding to isolated thyroid nuclei

Inhibition studies of nuclear binding of labelled insulin by unlabelled insulin, proinsulin and polypeptide hormones (glucagon, GH, TSH) as well as kinetics of binding dissociation suggest that thyroid isolated nuclei specifically, at least pro parte, and reversibly bind to insulin.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine: Autoradiographic evidence for uptake into fibroblast cell nuclei

Summary After incubation with tritiated 5-HT, activity is autoradiographically localized over fibroblast nuclei. This may indicate an effect of 5-HT directly on the nuclei of these cells.     

‘Cystine monosulfoxide’ and related compounds

Zusammenfassung Die früher als «Cystinmonosulfoxyd» beschriebene Verbindung (Thiosulfinat II) verhält sich wie eine äquimolekulare Mischung von Cystin (I) und dem entsprechenden Thiosulfonat (III). Oxydation von Cystin mit Perameisensäure führt, besonders in Gegenwart von HCl, über die Zwischenprodukte Thiosulfonat (III) und Sulfinsäure (VI) zu Cysteinsäure (VII).     

Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations in individual hypothalamic nuclei and other brain areas of rat

Summary Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in individual nuclei of rat hypothalamus and other brain areas using HPLC with electrochemical detection. 5-HIAA levels were first demonstrated in hypothalamic and some discrete brain areas. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was highest in the n. caudatus putamen, high in the n. ventromedialis and lowest in the n. suprachiasmaticus.     

The metabolism of the soil fumigant 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in the rat

The soil fumigant 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (I) undergoes hydrolysis in the rat to a series of epoxide metabolites. Alkylation of glutathione by these epoxides produces 2 urinary metabolites identified as the mercapturic acids VI (R=COCH3) and VII (R-COCH3). Hydrolysis of the epoxides produces the male antifertility agents alpha-chlorohydrin (IX, X-Cl) and alpha-bromohydrin (IX, X-Br) which are oxidatively metabolized to oxalic acid (XII), thus causing renal damage. These metabolic pathways can explain the toxic nature of the fumigant as a carcinogen, a male chemosterilant and as an agent causing kidney damage.     

Determination of the dry mass of nervous and glial cell nuclei by interference microscopy

Riassunto In questo lavoro si descrive una nuova metodica per la determinazione della massa secca dei nuclei delle cellule nervose o gliali mediante il microscopio ad interferenza. Sono riferiti i valori della massa secca, dei volumi e della concentrazione dei nuclei isolati sia da tessuto liofilizzato che da tessuto fresco.

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This investigation was supported by a grant to this Department from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (No. 04/76/4/3482).     

Large scale preparation of calf liver nuclei by continuous flow centrifugation

Summary Large scale purification and preparation of calf liver nuclei was accomplished by high speed centrifugation of a fraction enriched in nuclei (nuclear homogenate) through 1.8 M sucrose by means of a Beckman CF-32 Ti continuous flow rotor. In comparison with methods involving the use of conventional high capacity rotors, larger volumes of homogenate could be processed. This method was used to prepare nuclei from calf liver for the preparation of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. The use of continuous flow ultracentrifugation avoids time-consuming manipulations, thus allowing handling of large quantities of tissue.Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank Professor J. Brachet for his interest and fruitful discussion. They also thank Ms J. Gilder for secretarial assistance.