Effects of abscisic acid on photosynthesis of protoplasts fromPetunia hybrida

Zusammenfassung Inkubation mit Abscisinsäure verursacht bei Mesophyll-Protoplasten vonPetunia hybrida einen Anstieg der Photosyntheserate.     

Lithium and rubidium: effects on the rhythmic swimming movement of jellyfish (Aurelia aurita).

The effects of adding LiCl, RbCl, KCl or NaCl to sea water at concentrations up to 30 mmoles/1 on the frequency of contraction of jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) suggest that studies on phylogenetically low animals with relatively simple nervous systems may be of use to determine mechanisms of action of lithium and rudidium on movements.     

Mutations of the catalytic subunit of RAB3GAP cause Warburg Micro syndrome

Warburg Micro syndrome (WARBM1) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities of the eye and central nervous system and by microgenitalia. We identified homozygous inactivating mutations in RAB3GAP, encoding RAB3 GTPase activating protein, a key regulator of the Rab3 pathway implicated in exocytic release of neurotransmitters and hormones, in 12 families with Micro syndrome. We hypothesize that the underlying pathogenesis of Micro syndrome is a failure of exocytic release of ocular and neurodevelopmental trophic factors.     

Senataxin, the ortholog of a yeast RNA helicase, is mutant in ataxia-ocular apraxia 2

Ataxia-ocular apraxia 2 (AOA2) was recently identified as a new autosomal recessive ataxia. We have now identified causative mutations in 15 families, which allows us to clinically define this entity by onset between 10 and 22 years, cerebellar atrophy, axonal sensorimotor neuropathy, oculomotor apraxia and elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Ten of the fifteen mutations cause premature termination of a large DEAxQ-box helicase, the human ortholog of yeast Sen1p, involved in RNA maturation and termination.     

Recent and episodic volcanic and glacial activity on Mars revealed by the High Resolution Stereo Camera

The large-area coverage at a resolution of 10-20 metres per pixel in colour and three dimensions with the High Resolution Stereo Camera Experiment on the European Space Agency Mars Express Mission has made it possible to study the time-stratigraphic relationships of volcanic and glacial structures in unprecedented detail and give insight into the geological evolution of Mars. Here we show that calderas on five major volcanoes on Mars have undergone repeated activation and resurfacing during the last 20 per cent of martian history, with phases of activity as young as two million years, suggesting that the volcanoes are potentially still active today. Glacial deposits at the base of the Olympus Mons escarpment show evidence for repeated phases of activity as recently as about four million years ago. Morphological evidence is found that snow and ice deposition on the Olympus construct at elevations of more than 7,000 metres led to episodes of glacial activity at this height. Even now, water ice protected by an insulating layer of dust may be present at high altitudes on Olympus Mons.     

Moulting hormone inLocusta migratoria: Rate of Ecdysone 20-hydroxylation and excretion during the last larval instar

Zusammenfassung Der Titer von Ecdyson und Ecdysteron in Heuschrecken (Locusta migratoria) des V. Larvenstadiums wurde getrennt bestimmt. Ecdysteron herrscht zur Zeit des Titermaximums vor. Durch Injektion von radioaktivem Ecdyson wird gezeigt, dass dies durch ein Ansteigen der Steroid-20-Hydroxylase-Aktivität verursacht wird. Die Ausscheidung von Häutungshormonen mit dem Kot sorgt für das Sinken der Häutungshormon-Konzentration in den Tieren.