Immunocytology of alpha-endorphin positive hypothalamic fibers of Carassius auratus L. and Cyprinus carpio L.]

An immunocytological study of the basal hypothalamus of Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio with an alpha-endorphin antiserum shows the different nerve processes belonging probably to the immunoreactive cells of the lateral part of the N.L.T. According to their pathways, two main fibre tracts have been distinguished: many fluorescent fibres converge towards the pituitary gland into which they enter, other fibres run caudally through the tuber towards the nucleus tuberis inferior (Baumgarten and Braak) where they could not be followed further.     

Localization of immunoreactive sites with anti met-enkephalin and anti alpha-endorphin sera in carp brain]

In the brain of the Carp an anti met-enkephalin serum reveals some telencephalic fibres, about half of the N.P.O. cells and furthermore a subependymal zone of nervous tissue close to the third ventricle of the superior hypothalamus and thalamus. These structures do not react with an anti alpha-endorphin serum, which however reveals cells of the lateral N.L.T. and the corresponding fibres.     

Antigenic determinants of beta-LPH, beta-MSH, alpha-endorphin, ACTH and alpha-MSH revealed by anti-beta-endorphin in neurons of the human infundibular nucleus]

Comparison of adjacent serial sections of the tubero-infundibular region of Human adult hypothalamus demonstrates that the same perikarya, axons and terminals are stained both with anti-beta-endorphin and anti 17-39 ACTH antisera. The most immunoreactive of these neurons are also revealed with anti alpha-endorphin, anti alpha and beta-MSH, anti-1-24 ACTH and anti beta-LPH. These results suggest that neurons of the infundibular nucleus can store and probably secrete peptide similar to propiocortin or fragment(s) of this molecule.     

The function of apolipoproteins L

The function of the proteins of the apolipoprotein L (apoL) family is largely unknown. These proteins are classically thought to be involved in lipid transport and metabolism, mainly due to the initial discovery that a secreted member of the family, apoL-I, is associated with high-density lipoprotein particles. However, the other members of the family are believed to be intracellular. The recent unravelling of the mechanism by which apoL-I kills African trypanosomes, as well as the increasing evidence for modulation of apoL expression in various pathological processes, provides new insights about the functions of these proteins. ApoLs share structural and functional similarities with proteins of the Bcl-2 family. Based on the activity of apoL-I in trypanosomes and the comparison with Bcl-2 proteins, we propose that apoLs could function as ion channels of intracellular membranes and be involved in mechanisms triggering programmed cell death. Received 28 February 2006; received after revision 18 May 2006; accepted 2 June 2006     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids inDanaus plexippus L. andDanaus chrysippus L.

Summary Danaus plexippus L. andDanaus chrysippus L. have been found to store pyrrolizidine alkaloids obtained from adult food plants and it is suggested that the alkaloids contribute to the unpalatability of the butterflies to potential predators.Acknowledgment. We thank Dr.C. C. J. Culvenor for rearing some of the butterflies andJ. M. Smith for plant collection. The plants were identified by the national Herbarium, Melbourne.     

Thermodynamic aspects of development forTenebrio molitor L

Summary Predictions of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes are tested for the development and aging of an insect. Specific heat production and specific respiration rate decrease towards a steady state with deviations for the time of hatching of the imago.     

Accumulation of indole glucosinolates inPsylliodes chrysocephala L.-infested,or-damaged tissues of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Summary Infestation of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) by the cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) leads to an overall reduction in the levels of aliphatic (alkenyl- and hydroxyalkenyl-) glucosinolates in the damaged tissue (lamina, petiole, stem) and a massive accumulation of indole glucosinolates. Whilst artificial damage (puncturing), with and without associated bacterial infection with an isolate fromP. chrysocephala, led to such accumulation, this was less than that observed in the insect-infected situation.     

Production of heteroagglutinins in haemocytes ofLeucophaea maderae L.

Summary It was our purpose to study the immunological activity of circulating fluid cells in the blattoid insectLeucophaea maderae L. These cells are generically called haemocytes; after a preliminary morphological study under optical microscope, they were treated with anti-heteroagglutinins serum marked with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Thus, it was possible to show the presence of heteroagglutinins into the cytoplasm, as regards one group of haemocytes, and on the cell membrane for the second group.Acknowledgment. The author wishes to express his sincere thanks to Prof.R. Milani, Director of the Zoological Department of the University of Pavia, who kindly supplied the insects to carry out the present research.     

Production of heteroagglutinins in haemocytes of Leucophaea maderae L.

It was our purpose to study the immunological activity of circulating fluid cells in the blattoid insect Leucophaea maderae L. These cells are generically called haemocytes; after a preliminary morphological study under optical microscope, they were treated with anti-heteroagglutinins serum marked with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Thus, it was possible to show the presence of heteroagglutinins into the cytoplasm, as regards one group of haemocytes, and on the cell membrane for the second group.     

Juvenile hormone active principle inAttacus atlas L

Summary The ether extract ofAttacus atlas L., subjected to an isotope dilution method for the determination of known insect juvenile hormones, revealed the presence of an active substance which has a similar chromatographic behaviour with the known JH-3, methyl (2E, 6E)-10, 11-epoxy-3, 7, 11-trimethyl-2, 6-dodecadienoate.The work was supported as a research training by Dr.R. Maag Ltd., CH-8157 Dielsdorf, Switzerland.     

Das Spitzenwachstum der Fasern beiLinum perenne L

Summary In shoots ofLinum perenne apical growth was observed at both ends of the fibres. Their rounded tips, rich in protoplasm, protude into the middle lamellae of adjacent fibres or parenchyma cells. In addition to their apical growth, the fibre walls undergo symplastic growth with the walls of neighbouring cells. The formation of the pointed ends of fully developed fibres is described.     

Radiation-induced hyperdiploidy inHyoscyamus niger L

Summary A hyperdiploid plant type, approaching the triploid chromosome number, and representing possibly a high level of tetrasomy, was recorded in the progeny of a gamma ray-induced unbranched desynaptic mutant in the M₄ generation. Its meiotic behavior and its possible importance for deriving diverse hyperdiploid lines from desynaptic mutants are outlined.Acknowledgment. We are grateful to Dr Akhtar Hussian, Director, CIMAP, for his keen interest in the study and for providing the facilities.     

Does ammonium uptake influence xylem sap composition inPhaseolus vulgaris L. andGlycine max (L.) Merill?

The question of whether ammonium uptake influences the occurrence of ureides in legumes has been addressed in this study by investigating threeP. vulgaris genotypes as well as one cultivar ofGlycine max. All plants were raised in sand culture during the dry season in northern Thailand and irrigated daily with nitrogen-free nutrient solution, or the same solution containing 12 mol m^–3 nitrogen in the form of (NH₄)₂SO₄ or KNO₃, each treatment consisting of different proportions of either compound. Regression analyses of xylem sap composition relative to ammonium vs. nitrate supply of plants harvested at V4, R1 and R6 indicated close positive correlations of xylem amino nitrogen content and negative correlations with xylem nitrate content and ammonium supply. Statistically significant correlations between relative xylem ureide content and ammonium availability could be established for theP. vulgaris cultivar Brilliant up to stage R1, but not for the other plants investigated. It was concluded that at least for some genotypes of common bean a relationship exists between ureide production and ammonium uptake by the root system. Since the extent to which ureide production is stimulated remains quite small, its relevance to the xylem solute technique for measurement of N₂ fixation may be limited. Nevertheless, due to the possibility of large genotypic differences in the impact of ammonium on ureide production, this factor must be considered in calculations if N₂ fixation is to be determined in soils containing significant amounts of ammonium, e.g. in paddy fields.     

Pilzkulturen auf Löschpapier

Summary It is possible to obtain good growth of fungi on blotting-paper-strips, if the strips are staying in beer-wort like the photo shows.     

Studies on the modification of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 by succinic anhydride

Lysine modification by increasing quantities of succinic anhydride in the Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 produces loss of its ability in reconstitution of elongation-factor-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis and polyphenylalanine synthesis activities, showing lower antigenicity and loss of antigenic determinants.     

A lectin from the liverwortMarchantia polymorpha L

Bryophytes have been screened for lectins. From the liverwortMarchantia polymorpha (Marchiantiales) a lectin could be purified to homogeneity using a combination of ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography and electrospray mass spectroscopy showed that the lectin is a monomeric protein with a M_r of 16,134.64 ± 2.93.Marchantia polymorpha lectin agglutinates erythrocytes of different mammalia and exhibits carbohydrate specifity against complex carbohydrate structures. This is the first report of a lectin isolated from liverworts.This article forms Publication No. 71 of the Arbeitskreis Biologie und Chemie der Moose.     

Pectinesterase from carrot (Daucus carrota L.)

Summary 3 multiple forms of pectinesterase were found in extracts and purified products from carrot, with a mol. wt near 27,000, similar in properties to the tomato pectinesterase.