SEC65 gene product is a subunit of the yeast signal recognition particle required for its integrity.

Protein targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in mammalian cells is catalysed by the signal recognition particle (SRP), which consists of six protein subunits and an RNA subunit. Saccharomyces cerevisiae SRP is a 16S particle, of which only two subunits have been identified: a protein subunit, SRP54p, which is homologous to the mammalian SRP54 subunit, and an RNA subunit, scR1 (ref. 3). The sec65-1 mutant yeast cells are temperature-sensitive for growth and defective in the translocation of several secreted and membrane-bound proteins. The DNA sequence of the SEC65 gene suggests that its product is related to mammalian SRP19 subunit and may have a similar function. Here we show that SEC65p is a subunit of the S. cerevisiae SRP and that it is required for the stable association of another subunit, SRP54p, with SRP. Overexpression of SRP54p suppresses both growth and protein translocation defects in sec65-1 mutant cells.     

The earliest Acheulean from Konso-Gardula.

Konso-Gardula is a palaeoanthropological area discovered by the 1991 Palaeoanthropological Inventory of Ethiopia in the southern Main Ethiopian Rift. The Konso-Gardula sediments span the period about 1.3-1.9 million years ago. They contain rich Acheulean archaeological occurrences. Vertebrate fossils include early Homo.     

Supraphysiological dosages of vitamins and their implications in man

Summary Some recent evidence on the benefits and hazards of elevated dosages of vitamins is summarized. Special emphasis is given on the safety of vitamins A, D, K₁ and B₆. Furthermore, the possibly beneficial effects of vitamins for athletic performance as well as the preventive potential of antioxidative vitamins and of carotenoids against cancer are discussed.     

Human oestrogen receptor cDNA: sequence, expression and homology to v-erb-A

We have cloned and sequenced the complete complementary DNA of the oestrogen receptor (ER) present in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The expression of the ER cDNA in HeLa cells produces a protein that has the same relative molecular mass and binds oestradiol with the same affinity as the MCF-7 ER. There is extensive homology between the ER and the erb-A protein of the oncogenic avian erythroblastosis virus.     

Competitive inhibitors of neurohypophyseal hormones on adenylate cyclase from the toad urinary bladder

Zusammenfassung Adenylat-Cyclase in plasmamembranreichen Präparationen des Epitheliums von der Harnblase der Kröte wird durch Arginine-Vasopressin aktiviert. Diese Aktivierung wird durch mehre Oxytocinanaloge, die alle eine Substitution des Glutaminrestes in Position 4 des Hormones durch Leucin oder Isoleucin gemeinsam haben, kompetitiv gehemmt. Der stärkste Antagonist der Serie ist [2,4-diisoleucin]-Oxytocin und die antagonistische Aktivität nimmt in der Reihenfolge [4-Leucin]-, [2-Isoleucin-4-leucin]-, [2,4-Dileucin]- und [2-Phenylalanin-4-leucin]-Oxytocin ab. Die Resultate werden an Hand der Oxytocinkonformation diskutiert.

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Supported by United States Public Health Service grants No. AM-13567 (RW), by the Life Sciences Foundation, Inc., and by the National Science Foundation No. GB-30716X (VJH).

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Neurohypophyseal hormone analogs are denoted in accordance with the IUPAC-IUB [Tentative Rules (Biochemistry6, 362, 1967)].     

Position of the methionine residue in bovine neurophysin II

Zusammenfassung Durch Spaltung mit CNBr wurde gezeigt, dass Neurophysin II aus Rinderhypophyse nur eine Methionin-Einheit enthält und dass die N-terminale Sequenz Ala-Met ist.

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This work was supported by NIH Grants No. AM-13567, No. AM-10080, by NSF Grant No. GB-17046 and by the City University of New York. The authors are indebted to Dr.L. Abrash for helpful discussion and MissM. Wahrenburg and Mr.V. S. Sapirstein for the assays.

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Predoctoral fellow of the Department of Physiology.     

Stromatolite reef from the Early Archaean era of Australia

The 3,430-million-year-old Strelley Pool Chert (SPC) (Pilbara Craton, Australia) is a sedimentary rock formation containing laminated structures of probable biological origin (stromatolites). Determining the biogenicity of such ancient fossils is the subject of ongoing debate. However, many obstacles to interpretation of the fossils are overcome in the SPC because of the broad extent, excellent preservation and morphological variety of its stromatolitic outcrops--which provide comprehensive palaeontological information on a scale exceeding other rocks of such age. Here we present a multi-kilometre-scale palaeontological and palaeoenvironmental study of the SPC, in which we identify seven stromatolite morphotypes--many previously undiscovered--in different parts of a peritidal carbonate platform. We undertake the first morphotype-specific analysis of the structures within their palaeoenvironment and refute contemporary abiogenic hypotheses for their formation. Finally, we argue that the diversity, complexity and environmental associations of the stromatolites describe patterns that--in similar settings throughout Earth's history--reflect the presence of organisms.