Stereoselectivity in mammalian chemical communication: Male mouse pheromones

Two male mouse pheromones, 3,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin (DHB) and 2-sec-butyldihydrothiazole (SBT), are chiral molecules which were previously tested in their respective bioasays as racemic mixtures. The focus of this study has been to determine the absolute configuration of their natural forms and its relation to stereospecific biological action. DHB was established as the R,R-enantiomer possessing biological activity. Due to an extremely easy racemization of SBT under very mild conditions, enantioselectivity of its transmission and its action at the receptor site appear to be of secondary importance.     

Molecular structure of r(GCG)d(TATACGC): a DNA--RNA hybrid helix joined to double helical DNA

The molecule r(GCG)d(TATACGC) is self-complementary and forms two DNA--RNA hybrid segments surrounding a central region of double helical DNA; its molecular structure has been solved by X-ray analysis. All three parts of the molecule adopt a conformation which is close to that seen in the 11-fold RNA double helix. The conformation of the ribonucleotides is partly determined by water molecules bridging between the ribose O2' hydroxyl group and cytosine O2. The hybrid-DNA duplex junction contains no structural discontinuities. However, the central DNA TATA sequence has some structural irregularities.     

Adenosine promoted accumulation of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate in rabbit vagus nerve

Summary Desheathed rabbit vagus nerve has been found to form cyclic AMP when incubated with adenosine. This accumulation of cyclic AMP is inhibited by theophylline but not by antiadrenergic agents, anticholinergic agents or local anaesthetics. Depolarizing media are not able to promote cyclic AMP accumulation in this preparation.Acknowledgment. We gratefully acknowledge Mr.G. Jones for valuable discussion, MrsM. Moosmayer and Mr.S. Ferrara for expert technical assistance and Swiss National Science Foundation for grant support (Nr. 3.478.0.75).     

Retroviral antigens on gs- chf- leukocytes

It has recently been suggested that the endogenous retroviruses present in many different species might be involved during stimulation of the immune system of their hosts. We have now studied the expression of two avian retroviral antigens p27 and gp85 in chicken lymphoid cells by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by complement-dependent microcytotoxicity (CDM). We have now found that these viral antigens are expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes of adults and embryos and in splenic and bursal lymphocytes of Spafas gs- chf- chickens but they are not expressed in fibroblasts cultured from the feather follicles of the same individual adult birds nor in fibroblasts cultured from embryos of the same flock. The differential expression of viral antigens in leukocytes may be related to a specific property or function of these cells.     

Solubility of the neurosecretory products of Crepidula fornicata Phil., a prosobranch mullusk]

Study of solubility of neurosecretory products in Crepidula fornicata shows that the presence of ethanol in the fixative is incompatible with good fixation. This character permits the choice of a more effective extraction technique. An experimental study in organ culture shows that the action of differentiation of brain appears in the extract obtained by this method.     

The lambda phage att site: functional limits and interaction with Int protein

Site specific integrative recombination of bacteriophage lambda involves unequal partners. The minimal phage att site is composed of approximately 240-base pairs and four distinct binding sites for Int protein, at least three of which are crucial for function. This 'donor site' recombines efficiently with a smaller 'recipient site' that lacks the extensive interactions with Int protein.