An increase in Sendai virus-induced cell fusion of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium chabaudi

The extent of cell fusion induced by Sendai virus was examined in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium chabaudi. An increase in cell fusion of erythrocytes with Ehrlich tumor cells and of erythrocytes with erythrocytes was observed with the infected erythrocytes. However, agglutination by the virus was not changed between erythrocytes of normal and malarial mice. These results indicate that the increase in cell fusion occurred in the process of membrane fusion, suggesting that some membrane property of Plasmodium-parasitized erythrocytes is changed in terms of Sendai virus-induced cell fusion.     

Phospholipase C-induced neural tube defects in the mouse embryo

Summary Mouse embryo neurulae were exposed in vitro to phospholipase C to examine the role of carbohydrate-rich extracellular material (ECM) during neurulation. Exposure of embryos to this agent for 12 h resulted in failure of closure of the neural tube. Ultrastructural examination revealed an absence of ECM from regions of the neural tube which failed to close.This study was supported by a grant from the National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases.     

Arrest of somatic cells at G2 by Sevin (pesticide)

Summary The treatment of onion root meristems with the pesticide Sevin [carbaryl (1-naphthyl n-methyl carbamate)] induces an accumulation of interphase nuclei with a larger diameter, and a subsequent decrease in the index of smaller nuclei. It is concluded that Sevin depresses mitosis by arresting cells at G₂ without affecting DNA synthesis.The authors are grateful to Prof. K. S. Bilgrami, Head of the Postgraduate Department of Botany, Bhagalpur University, for providing facilities and to Prof. B.N. Mookerjee for his valued suggestions.