A recycling pathway between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus for retention of unassembled MHC class I molecules

Assembly of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules involves the interaction of two distinct polypeptides (the heavy and light chains) with peptide antigen. Cell lines synthesizing both chains but expressing low levels of MHC class I molecules on their surface as a result of a failure in assembly and transport have been identified. We now report that although the apparent steady-state distribution in these cells of class I molecules is in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the molecules in fact are recycled between the ER and Golgi, rather than retained in the ER. This explains the failure of class I molecules to negotiate the secretory pathway. Class I molecules do not seem to be modified by Golgi enzymes, suggesting that the proteins do not reach the Golgi apparatus during recycling. But morphological and subcellular fractionation evidence indicates that they pass through the cis Golgi or a Golgi-associated organelle, which we postulate to be the recycling organelle. This compartment, which we call the 'cis-Golgi network', would thereby be a sorting organelle that selects proteins for return to the ER.     

Nachweis eines androgenen Wirkstoffes im Hypophysenvorderlappen

Ohne Zusammenfassung9. Mitt. Untersuchungen über Organextrakte; 8. Mitt. vgl. Helv. chim. acta28 im Druck.     

Cytogenetic and biochemical comparison of Mus musculus and Mus hortulanus

Two chromosome markers of Mus hortulanus are described: a dotted Y chromosome exceeding half of the length of autosome 19, and the 'domesticus' type of C-banding in the X chromosome. In Mus musculus from distant regions of the USSR (more than 200 specimens of various subspecies), the Y chromosome is equal to autosome 19, and the X chromosome is of the 'molossinus' type. Specific biochemical characteristics of house mice of the USSR are shown.     

Fibronectin and VLA-4 in haematopoietic stem cell-microenvironment interactions

The self-renewal and differentiation of haematopoietic stem cells occurs in vivo and in vitro in direct contact with cells making up the haematopoietic microenvironment. In this study we used adhesive ligands and blocking antibodies to identify stromal cell-derived extracellular matrix proteins involved in promoting attachment of murine haematopoietic stem cells. Here we report that day-12 colony-forming-unit spleen (CFU-S12)5 cells and reconstituting haematopoietic stem cells attach to the C-terminal, heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin by recognizing the CS-1 peptide of the alternatively spliced non-type III connecting segment (IIICS) of human plasma fibronectin. Furthermore, CFU-S12 stem cells express the alpha 4 subunit of the VLA-4 integrin receptor, which is known to be a receptor for the CS-1 sequence, and monoclonal antibodies against the integrin alpha 4 subunit of VLA-4 block adhesion of CFU-S12 stem cells to plates coated with the C-terminal fibronectin fragment. Finally, polyclonal antibodies against the integrin beta 1 subunit of VLA-4 inhibit the formation of CFU-S12-derived spleen colonies and medullary haematopoiesis in vivo following intravenous infusion of antibody-treated bone marrow cells.     

Evaluation of cement degradation induced by the metabolic products of two fungal strains

Summary During their metabolism, microorganisms can produce acids able to bring about the degradation of cement. Two acid-producing alkalophilic fungal strains have been isolated from soil, a strain ofAspergillus niger which produces gluconic and oxalic acid and ofMycelia sterila which produces gluconic and malic acid. After eleven months of contact the acids produced byAspergillus dissolved portlandite with a low leaching of calcium, increased the cement porosity by 11.4%, and reduced the bending strength by 78%. The second strain is responsible for a significant dissolution of portlandite with a leaching of calcium of 4.2% of the initial content, an increase of the porosity of 11%, and a loss of the bending strength of 62%. Direct contact of mycelia with the cement surface is not necessary for effective dissolution to take place. Low pH and a high temperature favor the the production of acids.     

高硼多组分铸铁的组织及相元素分布

这种新提出的新型铸铁的化学成分为在0.7C–5W–5Mo–5V–10Cr–2.5Ti (wt%)中分别添加1.6wt% B和2.7wt% B。这项工作的目的是研究硼的含量对合金的结构状态和阶段元素分布对耐磨结构成分的形成影响。结果表明,当B含量为1.6wt%时,合金由三种共晶组成:(a) “M₂(C,B)₅+铁素体”具有“汉字”形貌 (89.8vol%), (b) “M₇(CB)₃+奥氏体”具有“莲座”形貌,(c) “M₃C+奥氏体”具有“莱氏体”形貌 (2.7vol%)。当硼含量为2.7wt%时,基体硬度由HRC 31提高到HRC 38.5。组织中出现了平均显微硬度为HV 2797的初生碳化物M₂(C,B)₅,体积分数为17.6vol%。共晶体(a)和(b,c)的体积分数分别降低到71.2vol%和3.9vol%。基体为“铁素体/奥氏体” (1.6wt% B) 和“铁素体/珠光体”(2.7wt% B),两种铸铁均含有致密析出碳化物(Ti,M)C和碳硼化物(Ti,M)(C,В),体积分数为7.3%–7.5%。基于能量色散X射线能谱,给出了元素相的分布和相应的相公式。     

Understanding natural-cultural systems for development planning: The problems of developing societies

This paper traces the levels of understanding based on which three development-planning exercises were carried out in a microwatershed in the South Indian State of Kerala: the first by a governmental department and the other two by a nongovernmental organization. The microwatershed is considered here as a natural-cultural system. The authors identify three levels of understanding: the first level influenced by a technological solution, the second one by certain methods, and the third by the ideological viewpoints. The authors argue for a critical understanding of the ideological viewpoints implicit at the third level. This argument, based on the experience of the case study, derives strength from the developments in Critical Systems Perspective.     

Extracellular matrix components in intestinal development

Intestinal morphogenesis and differentiation are dependent on heterotypic cell interactions between embryonic epithelial cells (endoderm) and stromal cells (mesenchyme). Extracellular matrix molecules represent attractive candidates for regulators of these interactions. The structural and functional diversity of the extracellular matrix as intestinal development proceeds is demonstrated by 1) spatio-temporal specific expression of the classically described constituents, 2) the finding of laminin and collagen IV variants, 3) changes in the ratio of individual constituent chains, and 4) a stage-specific regulation of basement membrane molecule production, in particular by glucocorticoids. The orientation/assembly of these extracellular matrix molecules could direct precise cellular functions through interactions via integrin molecules. The involvement of extracellular matrix, and in particular basement membrane molecules in heterotypic cell interactions leading to epithelial cell differentiation, has been highlighted by the use of experimental models such as cocultures, hybrid intestines and antisense approaches. These models allowed us to conclude that a correct elaboration and assembly of the basement membrane, following close contacts between epithelial and fibroblastic cells, is necessary for the expression of differentiation markers such as digestive enzymes.     

Ultrastructural localisation of substance P and choline acetyltransferase in endothelial cells of rat coronary artery and release of substance P and acetylcholine during hypoxia

Substance P and choline acetyltransferase have been localised in a small proportion of endothelial cells of rat coronary arteries using electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. During a hypoxic period of 1 min, coronary vasodilatation was produced in the Langendorff heart preparation and increased levels of substance P and acetylcholine were released into the perfusate. The possibility that these substances are released from endothelial cells during hypoxia and contribute to the hyperaemic response is discussed.