Isolierung der tuberkulinaktiven Proteine aus dem Tuberkulin mit Hilfe von Dextran-Gel

Summary By filtering heated filtrates of the cultures ofMycobacterium tuberculosis human, bovine and avian type respectively through the dextran-gel Sephadex 50, it is possible to separate the tuberculoproteins from the other inactive constituents in a simple manner.     

Influence of diglycyl-glycine on the radiation sensitivity of catalase

Zusammenfassung Die Veränderung der Strahlenempfindlichkeit von Katalase durch Diglycyl-glycin wurde spektralphotometrisch untersucht. Die Bestrahlungsdosen variierten zwischen 0–2,7 × 10⁶ r. Der Schutzeffekt lässt sich durch einen Radikal-abfangenden Mechanismus erklären. Strahlenbiologische Folgerungen werden diskutiert.     

Structure assignments of two new C-18-oxygenated steroidal ketals isolated from a pacific soft coral of the genusSinularia

Summary Two new C-18-oxygenated sterols possessing a spiroketal function (1 and2) have been isolated from a soft coral of the genusSinularia. The proposed structures are based on spectral data.     

Biosynthesis of 1-alkenes in the defensive secretions ofTribolium confusum (Tenebrionidae); stereochemical implications

Summary The terminally unsaturated hydrocarbons of the defensive secretion ofTribolium confusum are biosynthesized from fatty acids by oxidative decarboxylation. The process involves an enantiospecific cleavage of the C–H bond of thepro-(S) C(3)–H atom and simultaneous decarboxylation of the acid into an 1-alkene and carbon dioxide via ananti-periplanar transition state geometry (anti-elimination). The stereochemistry of this biotranformation is identical in all respects with the same reaction in higher plants. The mechanism seems to be of general importance for the biosynthesis of many vinylic substructures of natural products from oxygen-containing precursors.     

Wind and orientation of migrating birds: A review

Summary Migratory flights are strongly affected by wind, and birds have developed many adaptations to cope with wind effects. By day, overland migrants at high altitudes may often allow crosswinds to drift their tracks laterally from the preferred heading. In contrast, many birds at low altitude adjust their headings to compensate for drift, and may overcompensate to allow for previous drift. The relative motion of landscape features is probably used to sense drift, at least by day. By night, some overland migrants compensate fully for drift but others do not; no pattern is obvious. Over the sea, compensation is rarely if ever total; wave patterns may allow partial compensation. Other adaptations can include reduction of drift by flying at times and/or altitudes without strong crosswinds. Some birds recognize the need to change course to allow for previous wind displacement, and reorient at least roughly toward the original route or destination. Some juveniles en route to previously-unvisited wintering grounds seem to have this ability, but corroboration is needed. Such reorientation may not require a true navigation ability. However, some birds have unexplained abilities to sense the wind while aloft.     

Secondary metabolites of the chemically rich ascoglossanCyerce nigricans

Summary Two new metabolites of an apparent propionate origin have been isolated from the organic extract of the ascoglossan molluscCyerce nigricans. The proposed structures for the new natural products are based on interpretation of their physical and spectral properties. The new compounds isolated lacked the potent ichthyodeterrent properties of the whole animal extract suggesting that other molecules are involved in the defense of this shell-less mollusc.     

A newTrichoplusia ni antennal receptor neuron that responds to attomolar concentrations of a minor pheromone component

Summary A newly discovered third class of sensillum trichodea on the antenna ofTrichoplusia ni contains an olfactory receptor neuron that responds to (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate at 1×10^–18 M. The threshold of this neuron is 100–1000 times lower than the thresholds of two previously described pheromone-sensitive neurons that detect (Z)-7-dodecen-1-ol acetate and (Z)-7-tetradecen-1-ol acetate. The sensitivity and selectivity of this receptor neuron is evidence that (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate may be important for sexual behavior.     

Starvation and penetration of bacteria in soils and rocks

Summary The soil and subsurface strata are low nutrient environments and their bacterial inhabitants must adopt starvation responses to survive. These responses include the formation of dormant, viable cells which, although reduced in cell size and volume, are able to respond to any improvement in nutrient availability. Starved bacteria are able to survive for extended periods without nutrients and their reduced size allows them to disperse deeply within rocks and soils greatly improving their penetration. These combined factors may increase opportunities for bacteria to reach a deep waste disposal site.     

Changes in erythrocyte membrane lipid composition affect the transient decrease in membrane order which accompanies insulin receptor down-regulation

We have recently demonstrated, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, that insulin receptor internalization in response to insulin incubation (down-regulation) in human erythrocytes is accompanied by a transient decrease in membrane order, as measured by the 2T order parameter. Since membrane lipids play such an important role in receptor internalization, we investigated the possible effects that an alteration of the normally-occurring lipid profile might have on down-regulation and the concomitant transient decrease in membrane order. Consequently, human erythrocytes enriched with cholesterol and erythrocytes from cirrhotic patients were examined, because both of these groups of cells have a higher cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (CH/PL) than controls. The 5-nitroxystearate spin label, which inserts into the lipid bilayer of cell membranes, was used to monitor changes in 2T for a 3-h period at 37°C. We report here that both cholesterol-enriched and cirrhotic erythrocytes do not down-regulate, as demonstrated by binding assays, and that they do not show the typical transient decrease in membrane order observed in controls. The results seem to indicate that a more ordered membrane inhibits internalization of the insulin receptor in erythrocytes, and that an increase in membrane disorder is necessary for insulin receptor down-regulation.