Multiple phosphoglucomutase alleles inToxorhynchites splendens (Diptera: Culcidae)

Summary Multiple phosphoglucomutase (E.C. 2.7.5.1) alleles are found in the mosquitoToxorhynchites splendens. The sample studied reveals 3Pgm alleles whose frequencies are in good accord with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The most frequent allele is that controlling a phenotype with an intermediate electrophoretic mobility. EachPgm allele determines a two-band electrophoretic pattern.This work is supported in part by a University of Malaya research grant to the senior author.     

The sterols of two hadromerida sponges

Summary Sterols were extracted and identified from 2 marine sponges,Aaptos aaptos andSuberites domuncula. The sponges contained conventional C₂₆–C₃₀ sterols with a saturated ring system. Minor amounts of cholest-7-en-3-ol and cholesterol were also present. Cholestanol and 24-ethylcholestanol were the major components of the sterol mixtures.We thank Prof. L. Boniforti (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma) for CG-MS analysis, Prof. R. Pronzato (Istituto di Zoologia dell'Università di Genova) for identifying the sponges and A. Senatore for G.C. measurements. This research was supported by grants of Ministero P.I. and C.N.R.     

Giffordene, 2Z, 4Z, 6E, 8Z-undecatetraene,is the odoriferous principle of the marine brown algaGiffordia mitchellae

Summary Giffordene, 2Z, 4Z, 6E, 8Z-undecatetraene, and five stereoisomers are new odoriferous C₁₁H₁₆-hydrocarbons from the marine brown algaGiffordia mitchellae. Their isolation and identification is described.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. G. Ohloff for kindly providing us with synthetic 1,3,5,7-undecatetraenes and Prof. P. Schreier for GC/FTIR-analyses.     

Buffalo α S1-casein; its terminal residues and amino acid composition

Summary BuffaloaS₁-casein was treated with carboxypeptidase-A to determine the C-terminal amino acid residue, which was — leucine-tryptophan. The Sakaguchi reagent was used to confirm arginine as the N-terminal amino acid. The colored p-phenylazophenyl thiohydantions of tryptophan and arginine released from C- and N-terminals respectively were quantitatively estimated and from this molecular weights of buffaloaS₁ casein were calculated and found to be 26,300 and 26,100 respectively.Acknowledgment. We are thankful to Prof. B. K. Bachhawat, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, for encouragement. We also thank Prof. S. K. Mukherjee, Bose Institute, for amino acid analysis. Part of this work was completed when the authors were at the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.     

Interchange trisomics in pearl millet

Summary In the progeny of interchange heterozygotes ofPennisetum typhoides, 2 interchange trisomic plants were obtained. These were selfed over 2 generations and the cytology of the parents, s₁ and s₂ plants was studied. The types of multiple associations in the s₁ and s₂ generations differed from those of the parent. A significant decrease in mean chiasma frequency was noted in s₁ and s₂.Acknowledgment. The author is grateful to Prof. em. J. V. Pantulu, Department of Botany, Andhra University, Waltair, for his suggestions and encouragement.     

Genetisch bedingte Tumoren und der Gehalt an freien Aminosäuren bei lebendgebärenden Zahnkarpfen (Poeciliidae)

Summary The F₁- and F_nR-hybrids ofPlatypoecilus maculatus andXiphophorus helleri (Poeciliidae), producing melanomase spontaneously, contain essentially more free amino acids than the initial species. Further experiments show that the abnormally high content of free amino acids is connected with the spontaneous formation of tumors.

---

---

Den Herren Prof. Dr.G. de Lattin (Zoologisches Institut Saarbrücken) und Prof. Dr.B. Eistert (Institut für organische Chemie Saarbrücken) sind wir für die stete Förderung dieser Arbeit zu grösstem Dank verpflichtet. Den Herren Prof. Dr.C. Kosswig (Hamburg), Prof. Dr.M. Gordon (New York) und Dr.H. Breider (Würzburg) sind wir für viele Anregungen und die freundliche Überlassung von Zuchtstämmen sehr dankbar. — Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

---

F. Anders, F. Vester, K. Klinke undH. Schumacher, Biol. Zbl., im Druck.     

The identification of dehydroretinol (vitamin A2) in human skin

Summary Vitamin A₂ has for the first time been identified in a human tissue and, in contrast to vitamin A₁, its concentration in the epidermis is markedly increased in a hyperkeratotic condition (Psoriasis vulgaris).Acknowledgments. The valuable discussions with Prof. I. Björk, Drs A. de Belder, C. Lindberg and J.B. Lee are gratefully acknowledged. Purified retinoids were generously supplied by F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Co. AG, Basle. This project was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (B78-03x-05174), the Welander Foundation and the Tore Nilsson Fund.     

Kinetics and Na-dependence of riboflavin absorption by intestine in vivo

Conclusion The transport of riboflavin across the intestinal mucosa is certainly not by a system of passive diffusion. It necessitates the presence of a specific transporter in the membrane, thus explaining saturation kinetics noted. The transport is dependent on the presence of Na⁺ in the perfusion medium. However, it is not as yet possible to say whether transport is against an electrochemical gradient or a system of facilitated diffusion with simple equilibrium of concentrations extra-and intra-cellular.

---

Résumé L'absorption intestinale de la riboflavine est mesurée in vivo par perfusion d'un segment proximal du jéjunum chez le rat. Le transport de la vitamine à travers la muqueuse intestinale suit une cinétique de saturation (K _t =3M; V _max =0,26 nMole par min et par g de tissu frais). Il est fortement réduit (de 40 à 50%) lorsqu'on substitue au NaCl isotonique du milieu de perfusion du mannitol ou du LiCl isotoniques.

---

---

Acknowledgements. We should like to thank Prof.B. Blanc who made possible the completion of this work, Prof.W. Wilbrandt and Prof.G. Semenza for their advice and criticism. The work was supported by the Foundation pour la Recherche Nutritionelle (financed by Zyma S. Y., Nyon and Union Laitière Vaudoise, Lausanne).     

Does an inhibitor of mitochondrial adenylate kinase also affect oxidative phosphorylation?

Summary Adenylate kinase activity of intact mitochondria is strongly inhibited by Ap₅A, i.e.p ¹,p ⁵-Di (adenosine-5-) pentaphosphate, whereas oxidative phosphorylation is not affected. Therefore, Ap₅A is a useful tool to distinguish between oxidative and non oxidative ATP generating reactions.Acknowledgment. The generous support of Prof. Dr.Walther Lamprecht is gratefully acknowledged. J. L. thanks the Stipendienfonds des Verbandes der Chemische Industrie for a scholarship.     

Prianicin A and B,nor-sesterterpenoid peroxide antibiotics from red sea sponges

Summary The antibiotic properties of 2 acidic C₂₄H₄₀O₄ nor-sesterterpenoid peroxides, prianicin A (1) and B (2), against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and against fungi are herein described. They are 4–10 times more effective than tetracycline againstbeta hemolytic Streptococcus, but significantly non-effective against a variety of gram-negative bacteria.Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Prof. A. Kjaer of the Organic Chemistry Department of the Technical University of Denmark, for his help and fruitful discussions.     

Prevention of estrogenic inhibition of adrenal 686-1686-1686-1686-2686-2686-2in rats

Summary The urinary protein _2u stimulates adrenal ⁵-3 dehydrogenase activity and prevents adrenal enlargement in estrogen-treated adult male rats.Acknowledgements. Dehydroepiandrosterone used in this study was donated by Organon(India) Ltd, Calcutta. This work received financial support from University Grants' Commission, New Delhi. The author's thanks are due to Prof. A. K. Maiti and Prof. C. Deb, Department of Physiology, Calcutta University, for their constant encouragement.     

Fluorescence of blood cells of the tunicatesPhallusia mamillata andCiona intestinalis

Zusammenfassung Von den Blutzellen derPhallusia mamillata Cuvier zeigen nur die stark vakuolisierten (compartment cells) im UV-Licht eine stabile blaue Fluoreszenz ( _max =5200 und 4600 Å). Sie ist in den Zellgranula lokalisiert. Bei den Blutzellen vonCiona intestinalis L. tritt dagegen eine gelbe Fluoreszenz ( _max = 5900, 5200 und 4600 Å) auf, die nur von den Vanadocyten ausgeht. Diese Fluoreszenz, welche auch von den Testazellen der Oocyten gegeben wird, geht innerhalb einiger Minuten in die blaue Fluoreszenz über.

---

---

This work has been carried out in the Stazione Zoologica, Napoli (director Dr.P. Dohrn) and in the Istituto di Biologia Generale e Genetica della Università di Napoli (director Prof. Dr.B. de Lerma). —M. de Vincentiis wishes to thank Dr,P. Dohrn for placing at his disposal a working place of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma. —W. Rüdiger thanks sincerely the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bad Godesberg, for providing grants, and Prof. Dr.H.-J. Bielig for his interest.     

The lipids of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria: Occurrence ofcis-9,10-methylene hexadecanoic acid inHydrogenomonas H 16

Zusammenfassung Knallgasbakterien (Hydrogenomonas H 16) wurden unter Speicherbedingungen in Submerskultur herangezogen. Die dabei gespeicherte Poly--hydroxybuttersäure wurde zusammen mit anderen «lokker gebundenen » Lipiden mit Chloroform extrahiert. Die daraus abgetrennten polaren Lipide bestanden ausschliesslich aus Phosphatidyläthanolamin. Die Analyse der Fettsäurezusammensetzung dieses Phosphatids ergab einen Gehalt von 42% (bezogen auf das Gewicht der Gesamtfettsäuren) einer C₁₇-Cyclopropansäure. Durch spektroskopische Untersuchungen und oxydativen Abbau wurde letztere alscis-9,10-Methylenhexadecansäure identifiziert.

---

---

The author is grateful to Prof.H. G. Schlegel for the bacterial culture and to Prof.G. Spiteller for measuring the mass spectra. The technical aid of MissG. Thiele is gratefully acknowledged. The analytical GLC apparatus used has been borrowed from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Mutagenic effects of sulfur dioxide onSaccharomyces cerevisiae diploid strains

Summary In resting cells of diploidSaccharomyces cerevisiae strains sulfur dioxide induces at very high frequency: a) respiratory deficinet mutants: b) mutants with altered methionine metabolism. In growing cells the following kinds of mutants appear: a) revertants for respiration; b) mutants altered in the methionine metabolism; c) SO₂-resistants. It is suggested that sulfur dioxide acts as a selective agent through the induction SO₂-resistant mutantsAcknowledgments. This investigation was supported by grant of C.N.R., Roma. The authors are grateful to Prof. Domenico L. Palenzona for helpful comments and suggestions.     

Antimicrobial activity of carbazole derivatives

Summary Glycozoline and girinimbine isomers (IV andVII) were synthesized and their activity against 2 bacterial strains, viz.E. coli andS. aureus, and 2 fungal strains, viz.C. albicans andA. niger were studied. The hydroxy synthons (III) were also tested. The authors are thankful to Dr B.N. Apte, Association of Microbiologists of India, Bombay Unit, for providing some of the organisms, to Prof. A.K. De, Indian Institute of Technology, for financial assistance, to Prof. G. D. Shah, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology for guidance, encouragement and helpful discussions.     

Plasma albumin patterns of the speciesRana ridibunda in Greece

Summary Serum electrophoretic studies on the speciesRana ridibunda displayed one new albumin band D and a total of 6 albumin patterns B, BC, C, BD, CD, BCD. The albumin patterns found are compared with those reported from Central and Northern Europe.Acknowledgments. Thanks are due to Prof. M. Kattoulas, Drs C. Triantaphillidis, H. E. J. Wijnands and Th. Sofianidou for assistance and/or valuable advice.     

On the intraganglionic neurohaemal organs in the ventral nerve cord ofHydrophilus olivaceus (Hydrophilidae. Coleoptera)

Zusammenfassung Aufgrund von Lage, Grösse und färberischem Verhalten können in der ventralen Ganglienkette des KäfersHydrophilus olivaceus 3 Typen von neurosekretorischen Zellen (A₁, A₂, B) unterschieden werden. Die Axone der in allen Ganglien vorkommenden A₂-Zellen führen im Suboesophagealganglion und in den Thoracalganglien zu paraldehydfuchsinpositiven Bezirken, aus denen umgekehrt perlschnurartig mit Neurosekreten gefüllte Nervenfasern zu den Lateralnerven führen. Die fuchsinophilen Bezirke werden als intraganglionäre Neurohaemalorgane interpretiert.

---

---

The authors are grateful to Prof.J. P. Thapliyal for facilities and to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi for financial support.     

Karyomorphology of two species ofTor (Pisces; Cyprinidae) with a high number of chromosomes

Summary The karyotypes ofTor khudree andTor tor, occurring in the Himalayan streams in India, are described. As reported earlier forT. putitora, the diploid complements in these 2 congeneric species also comprise 100 chromosomes. The modal number being 2n=50 in this family,Tor appears to be of tetraploid origin.The author is greatly indebted to Prof. G.K. Manna, and Prof. A.K. Bose, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, for encouragements and laboratory facilities. Financial aid from the University of Kalyani is gratefully acknowledged. Sincere thanks are also due to Dr M.K. Jyoti and Miss Anu Agarwal of the Department of Biosciences, Jammu University for their cordiality and help in various ways during my stay at Jammu.     

Multiple phosphoglucomutase alleles in two species ofMansonia mosquito

Summary Multiple phosphoglucomutase (E.C.2.7.5.1) alleles are found in the mosquitoesMansonia crassipes andM. uniformis. The present study reveals 4Pgm alleles, of whichPgm ^B andPgm ^C are common to both species whilePgm ^A is present only inM. crassipes andPgm ^D only inM. uniformis. The frequencies in both species accord well with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The most frequent allele is that controlling a phenotype with an intermediate electrophoretic mobility, viz.Pgm ^B inM. crassipes andPgm ^C inM. uniformis.This work is supported in part by a University of Malaya research grant to the senior author.     

Resilin in the cuticle of physogastric queen termites

Summary Resilin is present in the endocuticle of the flexible abdominal intersegmental cuticle of the, physogastric queen of the termite,Odontotermes obesus (Rambur). Resilin seems to assist in the extension of abdomen of the queen termites during physogastry.Acknowledgments. I am grateful to Dr S. O. Anderson for examining the cuticle in the fluorescent microscope. I thank Prof. R. G. Michael for interest in this work, Prof. P. S. Ramakrishnan for providing UV Lamp (Toshnival) for the examination of chromatograms and Mr Sudip Dey for valuable discussions.Previously called A. Sannasi.