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.     

Starfish saponins. Part 101. Further 24-O-glycosidated steroids from the starfishHacelia attenuata

Summary On the basis of comparative spectral data, the structures of 3 novel steroidal glycosides from the Mediterranean starfishHacelia attenuata have been elucidated as3, 4 and5. These are further examples of a novel group of 24-O-glycosidated steroids recently encountered in the same species and in the Pacific speciesProtoreaster nodosus.Part 9. L. Minale, C. Pizza, R. Riccio and F. Zollo, Experientia39 (1983) 567. This contribution is part of the Progetto Finalizzato Chimica fine e secondaria del C.N.R., Roma.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. K. Nakanishi, Columbia University, New York, for FD-mass spectral analyses, the Centro Interfacoltà di Metodologie Chimico-Fisiche for 270 MHz NMR facilities, and Miss R. Aquino for part of the experimental work.     

Ethylene effects on tissue cultures ofNicotiana tabacum

Riassunto Si è studiato l'effetto dell'etilene su culture di cellule diNicotiana tabacum, in vitro. I risultati ottunuti mostrano che le auxine in presenza di etilene inibiscono la crescita di frammenti di callus, e che tale inibizione viene rimossa dalla kinetina.

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The author thanks Prof.G. Montalenti and Prof.G. Morpurgo for discussions andG. Conti for excellent technical assistance.     

Hemolymph proteins in an ascitic condition,induced by lethal1(3)gl tumorous tissue inDrosophila hydei

Summary Drosophila hydei larvae homozygous for the gene1(3)gl may survive to the age of 3 weeks, become bloated and be incapable of metamorphosis. Wild-type flies after the injection of a fragment of the1(3)gl disc, which has been previously culture in vivo for 40–500 days, also become bloated (ascitic reaction). In the hemolymph of both the advanced1(3)gl larvae and ascitic adult hosts the accumulation of a specific protein is observed.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation under Grant No.3.792-0.76 and the Georges und Antoine Claraz-Schenkung. We thank Prof. H. Gloor, University of Geneva, and Prof. P.S. Chen, University of Zürich, for advice and criticism.     

Occurrence of carotid labyrinth in the catfish group of teleost fishes

Summary A structure similar in topography and morphology to the carotid labyrinth of amphibians has been found in 4 catfishes, namely,Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Rita rita andMystus seenghala. The present finding of the presence of the carotid labyrinth in fishes is the first report, and the results are discussed in the light of the amphibious habit of these catfishes.We are grateful to Prof. U.S. Srivastava for providing laboratory facilities and for encouragement. The work was financially supported by the S.C.S.T., U.P. which is thankfully acknowledged.     

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.

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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.     

Biochemical,genetical studies on host-parasite relationship: Variation in fusaric acid production with different carbon sources

Zusammenfassung Die Bildung von Fusarinsäure durchFusarium vasinfectum Atk., bezogen auf das Trockengewicht, ist am grössten, wenn Proteine oder Auszüge aus Wirtspflanzen und am geringsten, wenn Säuren des Krebszyklus als Kohlenstoffquelle geboten werden.

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This research has been financed in part by a grant made by the United States Department of Agriculture under No. P.L. 480. The authors wish to thank Prof. Dr. H.Kern of Switzerland for a generous gift of fusaric acid.     

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.     

A new neurosecretory system in fish,located in the gill region

Summary A peculiar neurosecretory system is reported in 6 teleost species;Clarias batrachus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mystus seenghala, Ompak pabda, Glassogobius giuris andNotopterus notopterus. It is located in the gill region close to the pseudobranch or to the carotid labyrinth. The neurosecretory cells have been identified using stains specific for neurosecretion. The results are discussed in the light of the association of the neurosecretory system with the pseudobranch or the carotid labyrinth, and the airbreathing habit of these fishes.We are grateful to Prof. U.S. Srivastava for providing laboratory facilities and for encouragement. The work was financially supported by U.G.C. Research Project grant awarded to C.B.L.S., which is thankfully acknowledged. Thanks are due to M. Seal and Amarlata for technical help rendered.     

Bakterien im Ovar aquariengehälterter Meeresfische

Summary In the ovary of the ovoviviparous teleostZoarces viviparus L. kept in aquaria, gram-negative bacteria are found. These penetrate the tissue up to the basement membrane which separates the follicle epithelium from the theca.

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danke ich für die Förderung der Arbeiten, Herrn Prof. Dr.,P. Giesbrecht, Berlin, für Beratung.     

Identification of hemocyanin in the cyanocytes ofCarcinus maenas

Riassunto Nel tessuto emopoietico diCarcinus maenas sono state identificate le cellule che sintetizzano l'emocianina. Queste cellule contengono materiale che al microscopio elettronico presenta un aspetto granulare con particelle di dimensioni costanti simili a quelle dell'emocianina circolante e che in molti punti sono organizzate in una struttura cristallina. L'identità di questo materiale con l'emocianina è stata dimostrata col metodo dell'immunofluorescenza.

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Thanks are due to Mr.G. Tognon for technical assistance; to Prof.P. Omodeo for advice and criticism and to Prof.V. Albergoni and Dr.P. Burighel for help and discussion.     

Paraensine,a new indolopyridoquinazoline alkaloid fromEuxylophora paraënsis Hub.

Riassunto Dalla corteccia dellaEuxylophora paraënsis Hub. viene isolata la paraensina (I) che si rivela essere il primo alcaloide di tipo indolopiridochinazolinico a contenere una unità isoprenica.

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Acknowledgments. The authors thank Prof.L. Canonica for his interest in the work. Thanks are also due to Dr.G. Severini Ricca for the NMR-spectra, and to Dr.T. Salvatori for mass spectra.     

Guggulsterol-like steroids from the Mediterranean gorgonianLeptogorgia sarmentosa

Summary Several polyoxygenated steroids (1, 2, 3) have been isolated from the marine gorgonianLeptogorgia sarmentosa. One of these (1) is the known guggulsterol III, previously found in the pharmacologically active resin from the treeCommiphora mukul; the others,2 and3, have not been found before in nature, and are closely related to1. During the structural work apparent anomalies in the CMR-spectra of1 were observed.The authors are grateful to Prof. Sukh Dev for the PMR-spectra of guggulsterol III. Thanks are also due to Zoological Station (Naples), for the collection of the gorgonian, to Centro Metodologie Chimico-Fisiche, Università di Napoli, for recording PMR-spectra on WH-270 Superconducting Spectrometer-Bruker, to Mr C. Di Pinto for the CMR-spectra and to Mr A. Milone for the MS spectral measurements.     

Porphobilinogen-accumulation by a porphyrin auxotrophic strain ofBacillus subtilis

Summary The amount of porphobilinogen accumulated by aBacillus subtilis hemC mutant strain is dependent on time and exogenic aminolevulinic acid addition.hemC mutant seems to be suitable for porphobilinogen production on a large scale.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. I. Bélàdi for renewing our interest in pophyrin auxotrophs and for her current help.     

The non-exponential decay pattern of the weak luminescence from seedling ofCicer arietinum L. stimulated by pulsating electric fields

Our experiments have shown that the response of etiolated seedlings ofCicer arietinum L. to an externally applied pulsating electric field involves a weak luminescence, the intensity of which follows a non-exponential decay pattern.Acknowledgment. It is our pleasure to acknowledge the useful discussions we had with Dr S. K. Srivastava of the Mathematics Department and Dr M. K. Parida of the Physics Department of NEHU, Shillong. We also appreciate the interest shown by Prof. R. K. Mishra, former director of I.S.O.S. & B., in this work.     

Albumin synthesis in regenerating rat liver cells

Riassunto Gli autori hanno studiatoin vitro il problema della sintesi dell'albumina in sezioni di fegato normale e rigenerante di ratto. La quantità di albumina prodotta durante l'incubazione non presenta notevoli variazioni nelle due situazioni studiate. Al contrario l'incorporazione di glicina marcata nella albumina del fegato rigenerante risulta nettamente aumentata rispetto a quella del fegato normale. Tale comportamento viene interpretato come espressione di un ricambio albuminico più elevato nel fegato rigenerante che nel normale.

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This investigation was aided by a grant from C.N.R., Roma, and was made during a tenure by one of us (G. G.) of a Scholarship from C.N.R., Roma.     

Presence of giant mitochondria during cerebellar ontogenesis in reptiles

Summary Giant mitochondria were observed in the perikarya and dendrites of Purkinje cells in the developing cerebellar cortex of the lizardGallotia galloti at sevral stages previous to hatching. Such mitochondria are absent from the adult cerebellum.4 December 1986The authors would like to thank Prof. L. Puelles (Murcia University) for his critical assistance and the Edafology Department of La Laguna University for facilities offered, specially for the use of the electron microscope. This work has been pertially suported by a CAICYT research grant No. 909-2.     

Germ cell chromosomes in two species of terrestrial isopods from India

Summary In 2 species of terrestrial isopods, namelyPorcellio assamensis andP. laevis, the diploid and haploid numbers of chromosomes have been established to be 48 and 24 respectively for the former species and 50 and 25 respectively for the latter species. Female heterogamety of the ZW type has been found to exist inP. laevis.The authors express their sincere thanks to Prof. G.P. Sharma, and to Prof. S. Khera, Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, for the necessary laboratory facilities.     

Chromosome change during growth inPuschkinia libanotica L. (Liliaceae)

Summary The variation in chromosome size in root-tip meristem ofPuschkinia libanotica L. was studied at different days of root growth with special attention to DNA, RNA, total protein and histone contents. The results show that the size and organisation of chromosomes even within the one tissue is subject to considerable change during growth and development.The author is thankful to Prof. H. Rees, FRS, Department of Agricultural Botany, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales, U.K., for his guidance and to University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, for granting him a SRC fellowship.     

Differential binding of vitamin E to sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast and slow muscles of the rabbit

Summary The distribution of [³H]-tocopherol between the intracellular membranes of fast white and slow red muscles was studied in vivo. In vitro experiments confirmed a higher incorporation of the vitamin into the reconstructed sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes from slow muscle.This work was supported by funds from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche to the C.S. Biologia e Fisiopatologia Muscolare and to the Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università di Bologna, and in part by a grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to Prof. Aloisi.