A testis-specific lactate dehydrogenase in the pipid frog,Hymenochirus boettgeri

Summary Lactate dehydrogenase zymograms of mature testes ofHymenochirus boettgeri show in addition to the five isozymes composed of LDH-A and LDH-B subunits, a second 5-band system which is due to isozymes formed between LDH-A and a third subunit, LDH-C. These testis-specific LDH-C isozymes appear around 6 months after metamorphosis indicating that their expression is correlated with sexual maturity as is generally the case in mammals. This is the first report of a testis-specific LDH isozyme in a lower tetrapod; such isozymes have hitherto only been reported in mammals and in the pigeon.This study was supported by a grant from the Fond National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique to H.R.K. We thank M. Sateur and F. Bourquin for their technical help.     

Contribution to knowledge of the biosynthesis of cyclosporin A

3H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic investigations on the structure of labeled cyclosporin A were performed after feeding of appropriate precursors. The 6 N-methyl groups and the methyl group in position 4 of the epsilon, zeta-unsaturated amino acid No. 1 (Mebmt) are introduced as intact CH3-units from methionine. Four head-to-tail acetate units are involved in the biosynthesis of the 8-carbon chain of the olefinic amino acid.     

Vergleich der Alkaloidbildung vonClaviceps purpurea in parasitischer und saprophytischer Kultur

Summary Three monoconidial strains ofClaviceps purpurea were grown parasitically on rye and saprophytically on a nutrient medium. The qualitative alkaloid spectra were nearly identical in the sclerotia and in the corresponding saprophytic cultures, while the quantitative distribution of some of the alkaloids differed considerably.

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53. Mitteilung über Mutterkornalkaloide. 52. Mitt. s. Helv. chim. Acta45, 276 (1962).     

Two new polyploidXenopus species from western Uganda

Summary 2 new species of the anuran genusXenopus have been found in western Uganda:X. ruwenzoriensis sp.n. with the hexaploid chromosome number of 108 in the Semliki Valley, west of the Ruwenzori, andX. species nova with the tetraploid chromosome number of 72 in and near lake Bunyoni.This work has been made possible by a grant from the Georges and Antoine Claraz Foundation and the permission and help the Uganda Fisheries Department gave us to carry out the field work.     

Psilocybin,ein psychotroper Wirkstoff aus dem mexikanischen RauschpilzPsilocybe mexicana Heim

Summary The active principle ofPsilocybe mexicana Heim, a mexican mushroom with hallucinogenic properties, has been isolated in crystalline form. The compound has been given the namePsilocybin; it possesses indole characteristics and contains phosphorus. A second substance, closely related toPsilocybin but found only in traces, has been calledPsilocin.     

Heterochromosomen beiVipera berus L. (Viperidae,Serpentes)

Summary A dimorphic pair of chromosomes was found among the macrochromosomes in mitosis of females ofVipera berus L. It corresponds to a pair of medium-sized chromosomes in the male. The conclusion is drawn that females are heterogametic (ZW-type), males being homogametic (ZZ-type). Similar observations were made inVipera aspis L.,Natrix natrix L., andNatrix maura L.