Nuclear fusion and irregular cytokinesis in binucleate and tetraploid cells ofVicia faba after caffeine treatment

Summary By means of 3 h treatment with 0.2% caffeine solution, binucleate and tetraploid cells were obtained in the lateral root meristem ofVicia faba. During recovery changing rates of fused interphases were noticed. Cell walls were formed in the equatiorial plane of the preceeding division of binucleate and tetraploid cells at interphase and in the course of bimitosis or 4n-mitosis at prophase or metaphase; during bitelophase a constriction of the fused nuclei could be seen. The conclusion is that the basic requirements of cytokinesis are not affected by caffeine.     

Inhibition of cytokinesis in plant cells by 6-dimethylaminopurine and puromycin

Summary Binucleate cells are produced in garlic root tip cells with puromycin and with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), the purine component of puromycin. The possibility that the effect of puromycin on cytokinesis is due to 6-DMAP-which appears to be without short term effects on protein synthesis-is discussed.This work was supported by AI 031871 from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (M-C.B.) and the University René Descartes (M-C.B. and F.L.), Paris.The authors would like to thank Miss G. Daouse and Miss M. Delage for excellent technical assistance.     

Biological effects of lithium: Experimental analysis in plant cytokinesis

Summary The biological effects of lithium ions have been studied, using plant cytokinesis in onion root meristems as the experimental model. Lithium induces binucleate cells by inhibiting cell plate formation. Moreover, lithium and caffeine have additive effects on the induction of binucleate cells. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ antagonize lithium-induced inhibition of cytokinesis.     

Calcium and magnesium deficiency and C3 fraction of complement]

The third (C3) and fourth (C4) components of complement and C3 proactivator (C3PA) were determined in 55 children with low serum levels of calcium and magnesium and 30 normal children. The concentrations of serum C3, C4 and C3PA were significantly reduced in children with double deficiences of calcium and magnesium. There were significant correlations between calcium and C3 and magnesium and C3PA. The relations between calcium, magnesium and the classical or alternate pathway of complement systems are discussed.     

Calcium and magnesium deficiency-induced atrophy of muscle and calcium accumulation in the spinal cord

After severe dietary calcium-magnesium deficiency in rats, succinic dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity of gastrocnemius muscle showed a neurogenic atrophy. This alteration was associated with a high concentration of calcium in the spinal cord.     

Phytotoxins and their involvement in plant diseases. Introduction

Bacterial and fungal plant pathogens are known to produce diffusible toxins in infected plants. These phytotoxins are harmful to plants in very low concentrations, and many reproduce at least some of the symptoms of the relevant bacterial or fungal disease. Several phytotoxins have been shown to be involved in pathogenesis. Recent years have seen substantial progress in our knowledge about the nature, structure and mode of action of phytotoxins, and this is briefly reviewed. Finally, possible applications in fields other than plant pathology are mentioned.The Editors wish to thank Prof. A. Ballio and Prof. A. Graniti for coordinating this multi-author review.     

Cytokinesis in onion roots: Inhibition by vanadate and caffeine

Summary The effect of vanadate ions on plant cytokinesis has been studied inAllium cepa root meristematic cells. Vanadate induces binucleate cells by inhibiting cell plate formation. Moreover, vanadate and caffeine have additive effects in the induction of binucleate cells.     

Microdetermination of magnesium and calcium in animal tissue

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode zur Bestimmung von 10–40 µg Mg und 5–15 µg Ca in etwa 150 mg Tiergeweben wird beschrieben. Nach Trennung auf Dowex 50-X8 wird Mg mit Komplexon III und Ca mit Na-naphthalohydroxamat bestimmt.     

Isometric relaxation in rat myocardium: load dependence and influence of caffeine

When caffeine plus calcium is added to the perfusing medium, isometric relaxation of rat myocardium is no longer affected by length changes occurring during the twitch. The dependence of isometric relaxation on the initial muscle length is still present and more pronounced after caffeine addition.     

Isometric relaxation in rat myocardium: Load dependence and influence of caffeine

Summary When caffeine plus calcium is added to the perfusing medium, isometric relaxation of rat myocardium is no longer affected by length changes occurring during the twitch. The dependence of isometric relaxation on the initial muscle length is still present and more pronounced after caffeine addition.     

Oxytocin antagonism of hypothalamic-induced angina-like ECG changes and pressor effects in the cat

Electrical stimulation of a specific site in the lateral hypothalamus of the cat, in a region posterior to Hess' defense area, results in pressor effects and angina-like ECG changes which consist either of T-wave inversion and ST-segment prolongation or in the appearance of tall T-waves. Oxytocin (10 U, i.v.) administered 15 min prior to stimulation, prevents the former ECG changes and BP rise in 90%, and the latter ECG changes and BP rise in 50% of the animals.     

Calcium and sodium distribution and movements in smooth muscle

Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) has been used to study the subcellular distribution of Ca, Na, K, Cl, and Mg in smooth muscle. The EPMA results indicate that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the major intracellular source and sink of activator Ca: norepinephrine decreases the Ca content of the junctional SR in portal vein smooth muscle. Mitochondria do not play a significant role in regulating cytoplasmic free Ca2+, but mitochondrial Ca content can be altered to a degree compatible with suggestions that fluctuations in matrix Ca contribute to the control of mitochondrial metabolism. The rise in total cytoplasmic Ca during a maintained, maximal contraction is very much greater than the rise in free Ca2+, and is probably in excess of the known binding sites available on calmodulin and myosin. Cell Ca is not increased in normal cells that are Na-loaded. The non-Donnan distribution of Cl is not due to compartmentalization, but reflects high cytoplasmic Cl. Na-loading of smooth muscle in K-free solutions is temperature dependent, and may exhibit cellular heterogeneity undetected by conventional techniques. The total cell Mg is equivalent to approximately 12 mM, and less than 50% of it can be accounted for by binding to ATP and to actin. Mitochondrial monovalent cations in smooth muscle are relatively rapidly exchangeable.     

Calcium and sodium distribution and movements in smooth muscle

Summary Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) has been used to study the subcellular distribution of Ca, Na, K. Cl, and Mg in smooth muscle. The EPMA results indicate that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the majorintracellular source and sink of activator Ca: norepinephrine decreases the Ca content of the junctional SR in portal vein smooth muscle. Mitochondria do not play a significant role in regulating cytoplasmic free Ca²⁺, but mitochondrial Ca content can be altered to a degree compatible with suggestions that fluctuations in matrix Ca contribute to the control of mitochondrial metabolism. The rise intotal cytoplasmic Ca during a maintained, maximal contraction is very much greater than the rise in free Ca²⁺, and is probably in excess of the known binding sites available on calmodulin and myosin. Cell Ca is not increased in normal cells that are Na-loaded. The non-Donnan distribution of Cl is not due to compartmentalization, but reflects high cytoplasmic Cl. Na-loading of smooth muscle in K-free solutions is temperature dependent, and may exhibit cellular heterogeneity undetected by conventional techniques. The total cell Mg is equivalent to approximately 12 mM, and less than 50% of it can be accounted for by binding to ATP and to actin. Mitochondrial monovalent cations in smooth muscle are relatively rapidly exchangeable.     

Calcium transients in a crustacean motoneuron soma: Detection with arsenazo III

Summary Long lasting action potentials can be triggered in crayfish giant motor neurons by a short depolarizing pulse under different conditions. The concomitant increase in absorbance of the Ca indicator arsenazo III preloaded into the soma, confirms observations suggesting that these potential changes are related to a Ca inward current through the some membrane.     

The buzz on caffeine in invertebrates: effects on behavior and molecular mechanisms

A number of recent studies from as diverse fields as plant–pollinator interactions, analyses of caffeine as an environmental pollutant, and the ability of caffeine to provide protection against neurodegenerative diseases have generated interest in understanding the actions of caffeine in invertebrates. This review summarizes what is currently known about the effects of caffeine on behavior and its molecular mechanisms in invertebrates. Caffeine appears to have similar effects on locomotion and sleep in both invertebrates and mammals. Furthermore, as in mammals, caffeine appears to have complex effects on learning and memory. However, the underlying mechanisms for these effects may differ between invertebrates and vertebrates. While caffeine’s ability to cause release of intracellular calcium stores via ryanodine receptors and its actions as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor have been clearly established in invertebrates, its ability to interact with invertebrate adenosine receptors remains an important open question. Initial studies in insects and mollusks suggest an interaction between caffeine and the dopamine signaling pathway; more work needs to be done to understand the mechanisms by which caffeine influences signaling via biogenic amines. As of yet, little is known about whether other actions of caffeine in vertebrates, such as its effects on GABA_A and glycine receptors, are conserved. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of caffeine remains to be elucidated. Overall behavioral responses to caffeine appear to be conserved amongst organisms; however, we are just beginning to understand the mechanisms underlying its effects across animal phyla.     

Sterol composition of three species of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) and their dietary plant material

Three species of sawflies, along with their particular host plants, were examined for neutral sterols. Cholesterol was the predominant sterol in the sawfliesDolerus nitens (56.6%) andAneugmenus flavipes (73.0%), with lesser amounts of sitosterol, campesterol and desmosterol.Xiphydria maculata, however, contained unusually high levels (74.9%) of 7-dehydrocholesterol. Based on the sterol composition of their individual host plants, which contained primarily 28- and 29-carbon sterols, it is likely that all three sawfly species are capable of dealkylation of phytosterols.     

Free amino-acids in the snailLimnaea and their changes with morphogenesis

Résumé Les auteurs étudient l'état des acides-aminés libres aux différents stades de développement de l'escargot (Gastéropode)Limnéa. Cet état est constant de l'éclosion jusqu'à un stade avancé; ce n'est qu'après celui-ci que l'on trouve de nouveaux acides-aminés libres. Par contre, le modèle-type se maintient inchangé dans les animaux affamés.