Regulation of nicotine biogenesis 2: Increased production of nicotine by urea in tobacco tissue cultures

Summary The floral bud callus ofNicotiana tabacum L. was successfully grown on 10 mM urea as sole nitrogen source. Nicotine content in the urea-treated tissues was 3.5 times higher than in the control on the basis of dry weight, and 2.5-fold higher per culture. Contents of ornithine, citrulline and arginine, urea cycle intermediates, and known precursors of nicotine, were higher in urea-treated callus. The implications of the results are discussed.Financial support given to one of us (GAR) by the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Barado is gratefully acknowledged. Reference No. represents part 1 of the series on regulation of nicotine biogenesis.     

Fusion of two novel genes, RBM15 and MKL1, in the t(1;22)(p13;q13) of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.

t(1;22) is the principal translocation of acute megakaryoblastic leukemias. Here we show this chromosomal rearrangement to result in the fusion of two novel genes, RNA-binding motif protein-15 (RBM15), an RNA recognition motif-encoding gene with homology to Drosophila spen, and Megakaryoblastic Leukemia-1 (MKL1), a gene encoding an SAP (SAF-A/B, Acinus and PIAS) DNA-binding domain.     

Effect of borax on testis of Indian desert gerbil,Meriones hurriane Jerdon

Summary Borax was injected at a dose level of 250 mg/kg b. wt for 16 days (total dose 4 g/kg b.wt) s.c. to active adult male gerbils. Borax caused several degenerative changes in the testes of which giant cell formation, pyknosis and exfoliation are prominent. The increased activity of phosphatases was also noticed.The autors are grateful to University of Rajasthan for providing research scholarship to (M.P. Sharma) and (K. Mehta) and the necessary facilities.     

Semen electrolytes in normal and infertile subjects. II. Zinc

Summary Zinc levels in seminal plasma of normal subjects are compared with those of oligospermic, asthenospermic and azoospermic. A linear direct relationship seems to exist between zinc in seminal plasma and motility of spermatozoans. The possible implications of this are discussed.Acknowledgment. Authors are thankful to Mr P. Gopinath, Assistant Professor in Physiology, for valuable criticism on the article and to Mr N.T. Pabani for technical assistance.     

The Effect of heat on bovine lens proteins

Résumé La chaleur est capable de précipiter les protéines du cristallin bovin et, alors que l'alpha cristallin n'est pas précipité à des températures allant jusqu'à 100 °C. Cette constatation semble être en relation avec la formation de ponts disulfures moléculaires.

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Post-Doctoral Fellow of the National Council to Combat Blindness.

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Supported by N.I.H. Grant No. NB 04765.