Brominated diphenyl ethers from a marine bacterium associated with the spongeDysidea sp.

Summary BacteriaVibro sp. isolated from the spongeDysidea sp. were shown to biosynthesize brominated diphenyl ethers. We identified one of the bacterial brominated metabolites using gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to compare this product with standard 3,5-dibromo-2-(3,5-dibromo-2-methoxyphenoxy)phenol. The latter has been isolated from ethanol extracts of the spongeDysidea sp.     

Cyanobacterial psbA gene family: optimization of oxygenic photosynthesis

The D1 protein of Photosystem II (PSII), encoded by the psbA genes, is an indispensable component of oxygenic photosynthesis. Due to strongly oxidative chemistry of PSII water splitting, the D1 protein is prone to constant photodamage requiring its replacement, whereas most of the other PSII subunits remain ordinarily undamaged. In cyanobacteria, the D1 protein is encoded by a psbA gene family, whose members are differentially expressed according to environmental cues. Here, the regulation of the psbA gene expression is first discussed with emphasis on the model organisms Synechococcus sp. and Synechocystis sp. Then, a general classification of cyanobacterial D1 isoforms in various cyanobacterial species into D1_m, D1:1, D1:2, and D1′ forms depending on their expression pattern under acclimated growth conditions and upon stress is discussed, taking into consideration the phototolerance of different D1 forms and the expression conditions of respective members of the psbA gene family.     

Isolation of pathogenic treponemes from hare

Summary A presumably new species of pathogenic treponemes was isolated from a lesion on the male organs of hare (Lepus sp.) and the scrotum of a rabbit (Oryctolagus sp.) was infected with this treponeme. Lesion developed on the scrotum after a 110-day incubation.     

Nitrogenase activity in a transfilter culture of rhizobia with a non-leguminous plant callus culture: Transfer of fixed15N2 from bacteria toPortulaca callus

Summary A transfilter culture of the non-leguminous plantPortulaca grandiflora var. JR andRhizobium sp. cowpea 32H1 was established. Using¹⁵N₂-analysis we demonstrated that¹⁵N-containing substances produced by the bacteria passed through the membrane and¹⁵N was enriched in the plant cells.Acknowledgment. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Prof. H. Marschner and Dr G. Hentschel for the determination of the nitrogen-content of our samples by the Dumasmethod and for advice on the optic emission method. Drs J. Burton, Milwaukee, Wisc., and Tjepkema, Oregon State University, are thanked for generous gifts ofRhizobium sp. cowpea 32H1. This work was supported by the DFG.     

Toxic substances produced byFusarium. III. Production and screening of phytotoxic substances ofF. oxysporum f. sp.carthami responsible for the wilt disease of safflowerCarthamus tinctorius Linn.

Summary Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.carthami, a causative agent for the wilt disease of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.), has been shown to produce diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin, fusaric acid and lycomarasmin in artificial media. These substances produced disease syndromes, similar to those seen after the natural infection, when administered in healthy plants. Diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin have been detected in diseased safflower plants after inoculating with the wilt pathogen. This study is the first demonstration of vivotoxicity of diacetoxyscirpenol.     

A new 9,11-secosterol,stellettasterol from a marine spongeStelletta sp

A new 9,11-secosteroid, stellettasterol (1) was isolated from a Japanese marine sponge,Stelletta sp.; its structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis. All NMR signals of1 were unambiguously assigned by application of various 2D NMR techniques. Stellettasterol exhibited antifungal activity againstMortieralla ramannianus.Part 62 of the Bioactive Marine Metabolites series. Part 61: Fusetani, N., Takahashi, M., and Matsunaga, S., Tetrahedron, in press.     

Chromosome studies and chromatographic analysis of free amino acids in two species of coleoptera

Résumé Le nombre des chromosomes diploïdes est de 20 dans les deux espèces de Coléoptères TénébrionïdesGonocephalum depressum etScleron sp. Il y a 18 autosomes et 2 chromosomes sexuels. Ils s'observent dans les acides amino libres. Dasns leScleron sp., il n'a en a que 14. La systématique de ces espèces est discutée sur la base de leurs caractères biochimiques.

---

---

The author is grateful to Dr.A. R. Kasturi Bai, Central College, Bangalore (S. India), for her valuable suggestions and guidance. He is grateful to the Principal, Central College, Bangalore, for permitting him to work in the Zoology Department, Central College, and the Principal, Maharani's College, Bangalore, and the Director of Collegiate Education in Mysore, Bangalore, for the encouragement.     

Rifamycin Y und seine Umwandlungsprodukte

Summary The constitution I has been determined for rifamycin YO. The compound is an oxidation product of rifamycin Y, a metabolite ofStreptomyces mediterranei n. sp.     

Microbial degradation of aliphatic branched compounds: Isobutyric, 2,2-dimethylmalonic and 2,2-dimethylsuccinic acids

Riassunto Da colture di arricchimento si è isolato un ceppo diPseudomonas putida capace di crescere in presenza di acido isobutirrico, unAchromobacter sp. capace di crescere in presenza degli acidi 2,2-dimetilmalonico e isobutirrico e un altroAchromobacter sp. capace di crescere in presenza degli acidi 2,2-dimetilsuccinico, 2,2-dimetilmalonico ed isobutirrico. Esperienze di induzione sequenziale hanno dimostrato che l'acido 2,2-dimetilmalonico viene degradato ad acido isobutirrico per decarbossilazione enzimatica.

---

---

This work was supported by a grant of C.N.R. for the International Biological Program.     

Phosphate transport inClaviceps sp. strain SD-58

Summary Phosphate uptake inClaviceps sp. strain SD-58 was found to be linear for 20 min, proportional to cell density in mg/ml, energy dependent, and taking place against a concentration gradient with a K_m value of 45.45×10^–5 M. Osmotic shock treatment to the cell caused a reduction in phosphate uptake associated with the release of binding protein. Partial restoration of uptake was observed on incubation of osmotically shocked cells with shock fluid. The results are discussed with reference to the effect of phosphate on alkaloid synthesis inClaviceps sp. strain SD-58.     

A new antifungal antibiotic produced byStreptomyces sp. Ac2435

Zusammenfassung Ein neues antifungales Antibioticum,Streptomyces sp. Ac₂(435) wurde mit breitem Spektrum isoliert. Die aktive Substanz ist ein amorphes, nicht-kristallines weisses Pulver, das in Wasser mässig löslich ist. Die Substanz ist lichtempfindlich und bei 100°C inaktiv. Vergleichsproben mit bekannten Substanzen ergaben eine Tetraenverbindung.     

Two new polyploidXenopus species from western Uganda

Summary 2 new species of the anuran genusXenopus have been found in western Uganda:X. ruwenzoriensis sp.n. with the hexaploid chromosome number of 108 in the Semliki Valley, west of the Ruwenzori, andX. species nova with the tetraploid chromosome number of 72 in and near lake Bunyoni.This work has been made possible by a grant from the Georges and Antoine Claraz Foundation and the permission and help the Uganda Fisheries Department gave us to carry out the field work.     

Symbioramide,a novel Ca2+-ATPase activator from the cultured dinoflagellateSymbiodinium sp.

Summary A novel sphingosine derivative, symbioramide, has been isolated from the laboratory-cultured dinoflagellateSymbiodinium sp. as a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺-ATPase activator, and its structure elucidated to be1 on the basis of spectral and chemical means.Acknowledgments. We thank Ms M. Hamashima and Ms A. Muroyama for their technical assistance.     

Occurrence of ricinoleic acid in submerged cultures of variousClaviceps sp.

Summary Ricinoleic acid was found in differentClaviceps sp., indicating that it is neither specific chemotaxonomic marker ofClaviceps purpurea, nor a specific indicator of peptide alkaloid synthesis.     

Luffariellolide,an anti-inflammatory sesterterpene from the marine spongeLuffariella sp.

Summary Luffariellolide (2) is a sesterterpene from the Palauan spongeLuffariella sp. that has useful anti-inflammatory properties. In contrast with the irreversible action of manoalide (1) on phospholipase A₂, luffariellolide (2) is a slightly less potent but partially reversible PLA₂ inhibitor.30 December 1986Acknowledgment We thank Edward Luedtke, Elise Clason and Ellen Snideman for performing some of the assays reported above. The sponge was identified by Dr. Klaus Rützler, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. The research was supported by grants from Allergan Pharmaceuticals and the California Sea Grant College Program (Projects R/MP-30 and R/MP-31).     

Marine indoles of novel substitution pattern from the acorn wormGlossobalanus sp.

Summary 4,6-Dibromoindole and 4,6-dibromo-2-methylindole have been isolated from the acorn wormGlossobalanus sp. The biosynthetic implications of this finding are discussed.We wish to thank Prof. Paul J. Scheuer, University of Hawaii for his encouragement and for use of his facilities during spectroscopic work. T.H. gratefully acknowledges the giving of a travel grant by the University of the Ryukyus Foundation for International Exchange.     

Sterile submerged culture of some graminaceous plantlets

Riassunto Viene descritto un metodo per la coltura sommersa sterile di piantine intere di graminacee, diIpomoea sp. e diDigitalis sp. È stata studiata l'influenza dei vari zuccheri sulla crescita delle foglie e della radice. È stato trovato che le piantine crescono rapidamente in presenza di glucosio, fruttosio e saccarosio, mentre sono inibite in varia misura da altri zuccheri. L'influenza della luce sulla crescita si manifesta solo sul culmo e sulle foglie e non sulle radici. L'aereazione è un fattore determinante sulla crescita: in assenza di agitazione l'embrione non germina e le piantine non crescono.     

In vitro associations of tomato plants andRhizobium; induction of nitrogenase activity

Summary In vitro associations of the non-legumeLycopersicum esculentum andRhizobium sp. cowpea 32H1 were established. Tomato plants induced rhizobial nitrogenase activity. Induction of nitrogenase activity was possible through a membrane which was impermeable for bacteria.     

Hymenin,a novel α-adrenoceptor blocking agent from the Okinawan marine spongeHymeniacidon sp.

Summary A novel bromine-containing alkaloid, hymenin, has been isolated from the Okinawan marine spongeHymeniacidon sp. as a potent -adrenoceptor blocking agent and its structure determined to be1 on the basis of the spectral data.     

Etude autoradiographique de l'incorporation de la thymidine-3H,de l'uridine-3H et de la phénylalanine-3H dans les chloroplastes deClivia miniata etBilbergia sp.

Summary Mature chloroplasts ofClivia miniata etBilbergia sp. show the intensive incorporation of thymidine³H into DNA and uridine³H into RNA. On the contrary, phenylalanine³H is mostly incorporated in the proplastids.