Disruption of mitochondrial function as the basis of the trypanocidal effect of trifluoperazine onTrypanosoma cruzi

Summary The tricyclic anti-calmodulin drug trifluoperazine (TFP) inhibited growth and motility of epimastigotes ofTrypanosoma cruzi, at concentrations lower than 100 M, and motility and infectivity of the bloodstream trypomastigote form at 200 M. Electron microscopy of TFP-treated epimastigotes showed that the major effect was at the mitochondrial level, with gross swelling and disorganization. The oligomycin-sensitive, mitochondrial ATPase was completely inhibited by 20 M TFP, and the same drug concentration caused a 60% decrease in intracellular ATP content. The results suggest that the trypanocidal effect of TFP may be related more to mitochondrial damage than to the well-known anticalmodulin effect of the drug.     

The phytotoxins ofMycosphaerella fijiensis,the causative agent of Black Sigatoka disease of bananas and plantains

Black Sigatoka is the most costly to control disease of bananas and plantains in the world. Currently, a worldwide search is underway either to find or to produce cultivars that are disease-resistant or-tolerant. Phytotoxins isolated from the pathogen might facilitate the discovery of such cultivars. Several aromatic compounds from liquid cultures ofMycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of Black Sigatoka disease of bananas and plantains, have been isolated. The most abundant and phytotoxic of these compounds is 2,4,8-trihydroxytetralone, which induces necrotic lesions at 5 g/5 l in less than 12 h on sensitive cultivars of bananas. This compound exhibits host-selectivity that mimics that of the pathogen. Other phytotoxins isolated from this fungus, in lesser amounts, were juglone, the novel compound 2-carboxy-3-hydroxycinnamic acid, isoochracinic acid and 4-hydroxyscytalone. Some of the phytotoxins isolated are melanin shunt pathway metabolites, which makes this fungus unique among plant pathogens.     

Identification and possible biological relevance of spermatozoal transglutaminase

Summary Normal human spermatozoa were demonstrated by dot immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry to possess transglutaminase (TGase). The immunological identification of spermatozoal TGase is consistent with reports by others of its biochemical identification and suggested role in sperm motility,and provides, in view of the immunoregulatory properties of seminal plasma TGase, presumptive identification of a means whereby spermatozoa, under normal physiological conditions, may possibly be protected from immunological attack within the female reproductive tract.     

Morphological,biochemical and molecular changes during ectomycorrhiza development

Summary An ectomycorrhiza, a specialized root organ, is the result of a complex interaction leading to a finely-tuned symbiosis between a plant and a compatible ectomycorrhizal fungus. Ultrastructural observations combined with cytochemical and biochemical studies reveal that structural and metabolic changes in the symbiont cells lead to the final phenotype of the active ectomycorrhiza. In the present review these changes are interpreted as changes in gene expression and discussed within the context of ectomycorrhiza development. Recent genetic data indicate that the continued vegetative growth of the ectomycorrhizal hyphae and the root tissues, and their ability to switch to symbiotic organ formation, is basically controlled by developmentally critical genes. The activity of these symbiotic genes during the differentiation of ectomycorrhizas is associated with extensive changes in the concentration of particular polypeptides and protein biosynthesis. The present state of knowledge about the developmental biology of ectomycorrhizas allows only speculation about the events during their development.Puisant mes forces aux sources des galaxies En buvant la sève des arbres M. Jonasz     

Gigantecin: A novel antimitotic and cytotoxic acetogenin,with nonadjacent tetrahydrofuran rings,fromGoniothalamus giganteus (Annonaceae)

Summary Gigantecin (I), a novel tetrahydroxy-di-tetrahydrofuran fatty acid -lactone (acetogenin), was isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stem bark ofGoniothalamus giganteus Hook. f., Thomas (Annonaceae), by means of activity-directed fractionation (brine shrimp lethality test). This new compound is extremely cytotoxic to human tumor cells, inhibits crown gall tumors on potato discs, and is active in an assay designed to detect antimitotic agents (9 ASK).     

Proton-induced dismutation of superoxide in aprotic media by bile pigments

Summary Cyclic voltammetry of molecular oxygen in aprotic media (dimethylformamide) and in the presence of bilirubin and other bile pigments shows that superoxide anion ( ) undergoes proton-induced dismutation. Lactam hydrogens of bile pigments are sufficiently acid to induce disproportionation to O₂ and H₂O₂. Because of its characteristic lipophilic behavior, a biological role for natural bilirubin similar to that of other non-enzymatic lipophilic scavengers of is suggested.     

Inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria in vitro by plant falvanones

Phytoalexins, defensive compounds produced by plants against microbial infections, were purified fromSophora exigua (Leguminosae) and their growth inhibitory effects on oral cariogenic bacteria were determined in vitro. Among three isolated compounds, 5,7,2,4-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone completely inhibited the growth of oral bacteria including primary cariogenic mutans streptococci, other oral streptococci, actinomycetes, and lactobacilli, at concentrations of 1.56 to 6.25 g/ml.     

Variability of sterol utilization in stored-products insects

A comparison of sterol utilization by 3 stored-products insects revealed very different capabilities. The fluor beetle,Tribolium castaneum dealkylates and converts dietary sitosterol to about equal amounts of cholesterol (43.7%) and 7-dehydrocholeterol (39.8%), whereas another flour beetle,Tenebrio molitor, produces considerably less 7-dehydrocholesterol (16.8%) and relatively more cholesterol (66.7%) from sitosterol. The lepidopteran,Plodia interpunctella, utilized dietary sterol very similar to plant-feeding lepidoptera, producing primarily cholesterol (86.5%) from sitosterol.