Optically active benzo[c]phenanthrene diol epoxides bind extensively to adenine in DNA

Reactions of diol epoxide metabolites of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with DNA are thought to initiate the carcinogenic process. Although formation of a benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) diol epoxide-deoxyguanosine adduct has been held responsible for biological activity, the more potent carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) binds extensively to deoxyadenosine residues in DNA, suggesting that hydrocarbon carcinogen-deoxyadenosine adducts may be instrumental in tumour initiation. Because the bay region diol epoxides of benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcPh) are very active tumour initiators, and the relative activities of the four configurationally isomeric 3,4-diol 1,2-epoxides (Fig. 1) are known, we examined their reactions with DNA. Each BcPh diol epoxide isomer exhibits a remarkable preference for covalent binding to DNA over hydrolysis, each yields a unique distribution of products with the nucleosides of DNA and each reacts extensively with deoxyadenosine residues in DNA. The relative tumour initiating activities of these stereoisomers is best reflected by the relative yields of one of the deoxyadenosine adducts formed.     

The need for national HIV databases

Researchers and public health officials involved in surveying and forecasting the course of the HIV epidemic require complete and unfiltered information from many sources. Governments should respond by establishing national HIV databases.     

Complementary DNA for a novel human interleukin (BSF-2) that induces B lymphocytes to produce immunoglobulin

When stimulated with antigen, B cells are influenced by T cells to proliferate and differentiate into antibody-forming cells. Since it was reported that soluble factors could replace certain functions of helper T cells in the antibody response, several different kinds of lymphokines and monokines have been reported in B-cell growth and differentiation. Among these, human B-cell differentiation factor (BCDF or BSF-2) has been shown to induce the final maturation of B cells into immunoglobulin-secreting cells. BSF-2 was purified to homogeneity and its partial NH2-terminal amino-acid sequence was determined. These studies indicated that BSF-2 is functionally and structurally unlike other known proteins. Here, we report the molecular cloning, structural analysis and functional expression of the cDNA encoding human BSF-2. The primary sequence of BSF-2 deduced from the cDNA reveals that BSF-2 is a novel interleukin consisting of 184 amino acids.     

Loss of a Harvey ras allele in sporadic Wilms' tumour

Genomic changes within chromosome band 11p13 appear to have a role in the initiation of Wilms' tumour. The human Harvey ras oncogene, c-Ha-ras 1, has been located by Jhanwar et al. immediately adjacent to this region at band 11p14 .1, although several groups have assigned the gene more distally at band 11p15 . We have examined tumour DNA from two cases of sporadic Wilms' tumour, and report here that in both cases one of the two constitutional c-Ha-ras 1 alleles was absent. One tumour had a reciprocal translocation between the short arm of chromosome 11 (at band 11p13), and the long arm of chromosome 12, with no visible loss of chromosomal material. The loss of a c-Ha-ras 1 allele in association with this translocation indicates that a submicroscopic deletion had occurred. The resulting hemizygosity may have had a role in tumour initiation. Our results indicate that the c-Ha-ras 1 gene and the 'Wilms' tumour locus' may be in close proximity. It would, therefore, be premature to exclude the possibility that these two sites are functionally related.     

Tests of the helix dipole model for stabilization of alpha-helices

Charged groups play a critical role in the stability of the helix formed by the isolated C-peptide (residues 1-13 of ribonuclease A) in aqueous solution. One charged-group effect may arise from interactions between charged residues at either end of the helix and the helix dipole. We report here that studies of C-peptide analogues support the helix dipole model, and provide further evidence for the importance of electrostatic interactions not included in the Zimm-Bragg model for alpha-helix formation.     

Preadult lethality in four populations ofDrosophila melanogaster treated with formaldehyde

Summary Samples from 4 populations ofD. melanogaster were treated with formaldehyde by the larval feeding method, and induced lethality was scored. The results showed relevant differences among the populations analyzed.     

Heterogeneous ferritin in the blood of two species of Tyrrhenian limpets,Patella coerulea L. andPatella lusitanica G.

Summary The hemolymph ofPatella is yellow and contains 30–300 μg/ml of iron. Ferritin was found to be uniquely abundant in the hemolymph, and was identified by electron microscopy and electrophoresis. Electrophoretically it appears to be heterogeneous, with an individually variable number of components with very similar mobilities. Ferritin in the blood of limpets might relate to the turnover of radular denticles.     

Genetic variation at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus inDrosophila melanogaster: A third ubiquitous allele

Summary A 3rd allele at theAdh locus,Adh ^FCh.D., has been found at polymorphic frequencies in natural populations ofD. melanogaster. The ADH-FChD enzyme has properties distinct from those of the 2 more common forms of ADH. TheAdh polymorphism should now be analyzed as a triallelic system.