Role of proline in the imprinting developed by dipeptides — in Tetrahymena Possible role in hormone evolution

The effects of proline and serine dipeptides containing phenylalanine, alanine and leucine on the behaviour of receptors of Tetrahymena were investigated. Only proline-containing dipeptides were able to develop positive imprinting, and the activity depended on which other amino acid was present in the dipeptide. In contrast to the positive imprinting effect of the dipeptides Pro-Phe and Pro-Ala, the dipeptide Pro-Pro and Pro-Leu caused negative imprinting. Serine dipeptides produced negative imprinting in all cases. The possible importance of proline in the evolution of hormone specificity is discussed.     

Visual pigment: G-protein-coupled receptor for light signals

The visual pigment present in photoreceptor cells is a prototypical G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that receives a light signal from the outer environment using a light-absorbing chromophore, 11-cis-retinal. Through cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore, light energy is transduced into chemical free energy, which is in turn utilized for conformational changes in the protein to activate the retinal G-protein. In combination with site-directed mutagenesis, various spectroscopic and biochemical studies identified functional residues responsible for chromophore binding, color regulation, intramolecular signal transduction and G-protein coupling. Extensive studies reveal that these residues are localized into specific domains of visual pigments, suggesting a highly manipulated molecular architecture in visual pigments. In addition to the recent findings on dysfunctional mutations in patients with retinitis pigmentosa or congenital night blindness, the mechanism of intramolecular signal transduction in visual pigments and their evolutionary relationship are discussed. Received 20 July 1998; received after revision 9 September 1998; accepted 23 September 1998     

The Janus kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases and their role in signaling

In the early 1990s, the search for protein kinases led to the discovery of a novel family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases, the Janus kinases or JAKs. These proteins were unusual because they contained two kinase homology domains and no other known signaling modules. It soon became clear that these were not ‘just another’ type of kinase. Their ability to complement mutant cells insensitive to interferons and to be activated by a variety of cytokines demonstrated their central signaling function. Now, as we approach the end of the decade, it is evident from biochemical studies to knockout mice that JAKs play non-redundant functions in development, differentiation, and host defense mechanisms. Here, recent progress is reviewed, with particular emphasis on structure-function studies aimed at revealing how this family of tyrosine kinases is regulated.     

Olfaction in Lepidoptera

Odours play a very important role in the life of insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera. In the present paper, a review is given of the current knowledge of morphology, development and function of the olfactory system in larval and adult moths and butterflies. Research regarding both the antennal and accessory olfactory pathways, as well as both the pheromone and the host odour detecting systems, is reviewed.     

雌激素受体β与乳腺癌中关系的研究进展

目的探讨雌激素受体β(ERβ)与乳腺癌关系的研究进展.方法采用文献回顾分析方法,对ERβ的功能、分型,及其乳腺癌发生、发展、预后评估及内分泌治疗反应方面的可能作用加以综述.结果ERβ可能在乳腺癌发生中的作用、对预后及内分泌治疗反应方面具有重要作用.结论虽然ERβ研究结果不一致,但仍是一种新的乳腺癌预后评估指标.     

Increased incidence of unpartnered single chromatids in metaphase II oocytes in 39,X(XO) mice

Since rare cases of sex chromosome anomalies such as XXX and XXY were observed in the offspring of our XO breeder mice, we performed a cytogenetic analysis of metaphase II oocytes of XO mice to determine whether any changes in chromosomal configurations occur. We found a significantly increased incidence of unpartnered single chromatids in metaphase II oocytes of XO mice. Such single chromatids may contribute to embryonic aneuploidy. In addition, the tendency of the X-chromosome to segregate non-randomly to the oocyte rather than to the polar body was confirmed.     

一对罕见的同构异素体的合成和晶体构造

[Co(maa)2(H2O)2](1)和[Cu(maa)2(H2O)2](2)是一对罕见的同构异素体，其中maa表示2—甲氧基乙酸。它们可以在甲醇溶液中以高产率制备出来。这两种同构异素体同属单斜晶系，空间群为P2l/n,其具体的空间大小：1为a6.985(1)，b10．102(2)，c7．132(1)(A)，β97．15(1)^o，V499.34(14)(A^3)；2为：a6.955(1)，b10．123(2)，c7．226(1)(A)，β96．57(1)^o，V505．41(14)(A^3)。这两种同构异素体有相同的配位几何构型，每个金属原子都处在一个稍微扭曲的八面体中间。所有羧酸根和水分子上的O原子都参与了氢键的形成，配合物分子则由这些氢键结合成为一个具有三维的空间结构。     

Genetic and environmental influences on behavioral and neurochemical aspects of emotionality in rats

Summary Three pairings of rats (two derived from divergent, selective breeding and one from divergent environmental conditions) were compared with regard to behavioral and hormonal parameters. Striking differences were observed: results obtained in our own laboratory as well as those found in a review of the literature pointed to higher emotionality (e.g., increased defecation and corticosterone secretion, etc.) in Roman low-avoidance, Wistar-Kyoto and group-housed rats, as compared to their respective counterparts, Roman high-avoidance, spontaneously hypertensive, and individually housed Wistar rats. Concomitant receptor binding studies reviewed here (³H-diazepam- and³H-imipramine-binding sites) have revelaed, however, less consistent intrapair differences.     

烯胺酰化／缩合-锅法构建5，6，7，8-四氢吡啶[4，3-d]嘧啶核心结构及其在5HT2A受体拮抗剂合成上的应用

报道了1条5HT2A受体拮抗剂的高选择性合成路线．烯胺酰化／缩合-锅法可用于有效构建5,6,7,8-四氢吡啶[4,3-明嘧啶核心结构,其中哌啶催化剂的使用对于这一新方法至关重要．     

New structure model of oxygen-evolving center and mechanism for oxygen evolution in photosynthesis

So far, many important questions and problems concerning the structure and mechanism of photosynthetic oxygen evolution are still unsolved. On the basis of recent achievements in this field, a new structure model is proposed whereby two H2O molecules bind asymmetrically to two manganese ions (Mn1Ⅱ and Mn4Ⅲ) at the open end of "C" shaped cluster and keep rather large distance. Two histidine residues coordinate to the other two manganese ions in higher oxidation state (Mn2Ⅳ and Mn3Ⅳ ) through their nitrogen atoms of the imidazole. Cl bound as terminal ligand to Mn4Ⅲl is connected to Ca, and the latter is needed to maintain the special configuration of two Mn2O2 units by bridged-oxo and bridged-carboxylate ligands. The whole structure of oxygen evolution center is asymmetry. A new mechanism for oxygen evolution invokes predictions of asymmetric oxidation of two H2O molecules, dynamic structural changes of oxygen e-volving center and indirect proton transport, etc. Only in S2 state, could Mn1Ⅳ = O. intermediate with high oxidation potential be formed. The S2→S3 process occurs with significant structural changes, as well as intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen transfer. The S3 state corresponds to intermediate of Mn1Ⅳ-O… H… O-Mn4Ⅳ . During S3→ [S4] →S0, the O-O bond is formed only in S4 state. The change of nucleophilic interaction between Cl and manganese ions different oxidation states has consequence for the significant structural changes in H2O oxidation process.