bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a ribosomal protein essential for peptidyl transferase activity.
Authors: Moore V G , Atchison R E , Thomas G , Moran M , Noller H F
Published: May 2006

Extraction with 2 M lithium chloride removes a group of proteins (LiC1 SP) from 50S ribosomal subunits. Both the LiC1 SP and the resulting cores, which contain the remaining proteins as well as 5S and 23S RNA, lack peptidyl transferase activity, as measured by the "fragment reaction". Activity can be restored to the LiC1 cores by reconstitution with LiC1 SP under conditions of high temperature and high ionic strength. The LiC1 SP proteins were fractionated by carboxymethyl-cellulose and Sephadex G-100, and the individual fractions were tested by this reconstitution system. Of the 18 ribosomal proteins found in the LiC1 SP, only L16 is essential for reconstitution of peptidyl transferase activity.
RNA-directed DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerase of Rous sarcoma virus: structural and functional identification of 4S primer RNA in uninfected cells.
Authors: Faras A J , Dibble N A
Published: May 2006

The RNA-directed DNA polymerase of Rous sarcoma virus requires a 4S RNA molecule as primer for the initiation of DNA synthesis on the viral 70S RNA genome. We have now functionally identified primer activity in uninfected cells on the basis of the capacity of cellular 4S RNA to actively participate in the initiation of DNA synthesis by the RNA-directed DNA polymerase of Rous sarcoma virus in vitro. This was accomplished by reconstitution experiments in which 4S RNA from uninfected avian cells was tested for its ability to restore template activity to the viral RNA genome from which all primer had been removed. Similar reconstitution experiments were employed to demonstrate a primer activity in the 4S RNA population of duck, mouse, and human cells. Primer activity appears to be absent in lower eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Unambiguous identification of the Rous sarcoma virus primer molecule in uninfected cells was accomplished by directly purifying a 4S RNA molecule from the bulk of host cell transfer RNA and establishing structural similarities between this cellular 4S RNA species and the Rous sarcoma virus primer by two-dimensional paper electrophoresis of oligonucleotides obtained from a T1 ribonuclease digest of the RNA species. We conclude that the Rous sarcoma virus DNA polymerase can utilize a host cell molecule as primer for the initiation of RNA-directed DNA synthesis in vitro.
A mitochondrial carnitine acylcarnitine translocase system.
Authors: Pande S V
Published: May 2006

Acetylation of added (-)carnitine by heart mitochondira coupled to the oxidation of pyruvate in the presence of malonate was inhibited, apparently competitively, by long chain acyl(+)carnitines although the activity of carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) itself was not affected. Mitochondria have been found to possess a translocase system that allows the transport of carnitine and acylcarnitines by exchange diffusion, and interaction with this transport appears to be the cause of long chain acyl(+)carnitine inhibition. These c-nclusions are based on the following observations: (a) exposure of intact, but not of denatured or disrupted, mitochondria to [14-C]carnitine efflux was saturable at low lwvels of carnitine or acylcarnitines, showed temperature dependence, and was more rapid with acyl(-)carnitines than with acyl(+)carnitines--such stereospecificity was not noticeable with free carnitine; (c) long chain acyl-(+)carnitines inhibited the carnitine-carnitine exchange and higher concentrations of carnitine decreased this inhibition; (d) direct estimations showed the presence of endogenous (-)carnitine in mitochondria that effluxed by freezing and thawing of mitochondria; (e) the amount of total endogenous (-)carnitine present was not affected by prior exposure of mitochondria to (-)carnitine or acetyl(-)carnitine. These results indicate that the carnitine-dependent translocation of acyl groups across mitochondrial inner membrane involves the participation of a carnitine acylcarnitine translocase system.
Interaction of Escherichia coli dnaB and dnaC(D) gene products in vitro.
Authors: Wickner S , Hurwitz J
Published: May 2006

Purified E. coli dnaB and dnaC(D) gene products interact physically and functionally in vitro. This interaction was demonstrated as follows: (a) A complex of dnaB and dnaC(D) gene products was isolated by gel filtration; ATP specifically was required for isolation of the complex. (b) The DNA-independent ribonucleoside triphosphatase activity associated with dnaB gene product was inhibited by dnaC(D) gene product. (c) The dnaC(D) gene product was protected from inactivation by N-ethyl-maleimide by the combination of dnaB gene product and ATP; this protection required ATP specifically.
Computer Simulation of the Toroidal Equilibrium and Stability of a Plasma in Three Dimensions
Authors: Betancourt Octavio , Garabedian Paul
Published: May 2006

A computer program has been written to solve the equations for sharp boundary magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium of a toroidal plasma in three dimensions without restriction to axial symmetry. The numerical method is based on a variational principle that indicates whether the equilibria obtained are stable. Applications have been made to Tokamak, Stellarator, and Scyllac configurations.
Isolation and characterization of vitamin K-dependent region of bovine blood clotting factor X.
Authors: Howard J B , Nelsestuen G L
Published: May 2006

A 39-residue peptide from the tryptic digestion of bovine blood clotting factor X has been isolated by specific adsorption on barium citrate. The amino- and carboxyl-terminal sequences of the peptide were determined and compared to the vitamin K-dependent Ca2+-binding region from bovine prothrombin. The factor X peptide was found to contain gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues, and the results of independent analysis are consistent with all 14 glutamic acid residues as gamma-carboxyglutamic acid. The similarity of the factor X peptide to the prothrombin peptide supports the hypothesis that the vitamin K-dependent blood clotting proteins are descended from a common ancestral gene.
Lymphocyte cytotoxicity to autologous liver cells in chronic active hepatitis.
Authors: Wands K R , Isselbacher K J
Published: May 2006

Lymphocyte function in vitro was evaluated in patients with chronic active hepatitis and compared to normal controls. Circulating lymphocytes of patients were spontaneously cytotoxic to 51Cr-labeled human Chang liver cells and to suspensions of autologous liver cells obtained at the time of liver biopsy when tested at a lymphocyte target cell ratio of 200:1. Prednisone treatment of patients with chronic active hepatitis inhibited both spontaneous and concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocyte cytotoxicity to human Chang liver cells. Similarly, chronic prednisone administration substantially reduced lymphocyte cytotoxicity towards the patients' own liver cells in vitro, which correlated with a clinical, biochemical, and histological response to such therapy. Thus, patients with chronic hepatitis have circulating lymphocytes that are capable of causing destruction of their own liver cells in vitro. The beneficial effect of prednisone therapy in such patients may be related to this inhibition of lymphocyte cytotoxicity.
Donnan potential of rabbit skeletal muscle myofibrils I: electrofluorochromometric detection of potential.
Authors: Scordilis S P , Tedeschi H , Edwards C
Published: May 2006

The fluorescence of the dye CC-6 [(3-hexyl-2-(3-hexyl-2-benzoxazolinylidene)-1-propenyl)-benzoxazolium iodide] has been shown to indicate Donnan potentials in rabbit skeletal muscle myofibrils. These results are in agreement with previously published work in which the potentials were measured with microelectrodes on glycerol-extraced muscle fibers. The magnitude of the Donnan potential of the myofibrils has been shown to be dependent on the state (rigor or relaxed) of the system.
Detection and ultrastructural localization of human smooth muscle myosin-like molecules in human non-muscle cells by specific antibodies.
Authors: Painter R G , Sheetz M , Singer S J
Published: May 2006

Spectrin, a protein complex which is peripherally attached to the cytoplasmic surface of the human erythrocyte membrane, cannot be detected (by complement fixation with anti-spectrin antibodies) in homogenates of several different human non-muscle cells studied. On the other hand, a protein antigenically identical or similar to human smooth muscle myosin was detected (by complement fixation with antibodies to uterine smooth muscle myosin) in these cells. In the case of human fibroblast line WI38, this smooth muscle myosin like component was shown (by ferritin-antibody experiments in electron microscopy) to be at least partly associated with cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane of the cell. It is proposed that the spectrin complex of the erythrocyte membrane and the smooth muscle myosin-like component of the fibroblast membrane play similar roles in regulating the translational mobilities of integral proteins in their respective membranes.
Synthesis of acetylcholine receptor by denervated rat diaphragm muscle.
Authors: Brockes J P , Hall Z W
Published: May 2006

Acetylcholine receptor was purified by affinity chromatography from denervated rat hemidiaphragms that had been incubated in organ culture for 24 hr in medium containing [35-S] methionine. Radioactive acetylcholine receptor was identified in purified preparations by zone sedimentation in a sucrose gradient, by isoelectric focusing, and by precipitation with an antiserum to the acetylcholine receptor from electric eel. When innervated and denervated hemidiaphragms were incubated with [35-S] methionine in organ culture, and the acetylcholine receptors from each were purified separately, only the preparation from denervated muscles contained radioactive receptor as determined by zone sedimentation. We conclude that newly synthesized receptor is accumulated as a result of muscle denervation.
Epstein-Barr virus genomes with properties of circular DNA molecules in carrier cells.
Authors: Adams A , Lindahl T
Published: May 2006

A high-density fraction of high-molecular-weight DNA was isolated from the human lymphoid cell line Raji. This cell line contains 50 to 60 virus genome equivalents of Epstein-Barr virus DNA per cell, and the high-density DNA fraction was 10-fold enriched in such viral sequences. Sedimentation analysis on neutral glycerol gradients, followed by hybridization experiments with viral complementary RNA, showed that most of the intracellular viral DNA sequences in this material did not cosediment with the cellular DNA, but were recovered as two distinct species with sedimentation coefficients of 100 S and 65 S. These two forms sediment 1.70-1.75 and 1.10-1.12 times as fast as the linear Epstein-Barr virus DNA from virus particles, and thus have the hydrodynamic properties of a covalently closed circular form and a nicked (containing single-strand breaks) circular form of the virus genome. The 100S form also behaved as a covalently closed circular EBV DNA molecule on gradient centrifugation in CsC1/propidium diiodide, It would appear that latent Epstein-Barr virus DNA has the properties of a mammalian episome, and that both nonintegrated and integrated viral DNA sequences can be isolated from carrier cells.
Isorhodopsin II: artificial photosensitive pigment formed from 9,13-dicis retinal.
Authors: Crouch R , Purvin V , Nakanishi K , Ebrey T
Published: May 2006

We have found that in addition to the 11-cis and 9-cis isomers of retinal which are known to couple with the visual pigment apoprotein opsin to form pigments, a third isomer 9,13-dicis retinal also will form a pigment. That this isomer is indeed bound to opsin has been shown unequivocally by removing the chromophore without isomerization and subsequent identification by high-speed liquid chromatography. Using similar techniques, we have shown that the product of bleaching by light of all three pigments in Trition X-100 is the all-trans isomer. This specificity in the product of bleaching, as with many other properties of visual pigments, is not shared by the free chromophore. Of particular interest is that when 9,13-dicis retinal is combined with opsin to form a pigment, a single photon can isomerize it about two double bonds, to the all-trans isomer.
gene mutations.GENE MUTATIONS.
Authors: Richardson J P , Grimley C , Lowery C
Published: May 2006

Rho factor has been purified from a strain of E. coli containing the Su78 mutation in the suA gene and assayed in another strain with an amber mutation in the suA gene. The rho from the Su78 mutant strain is present in normal amounts but has altered termination function; it does not terminate transcription at some sites that are recognized effectively by the rho factor from the isogenic wild-type strain. Rho in cells with an amber mutation in the suA gene has been assayed by its RNA-dependent ATPase activity. Extracts of cells of this strain have only 9% as much of this rho activity as extracts of cells of the isogenic wild-type strain. These results suggest that rho is the product of the suA gene. Since mutations in the suA gene are known to decrease polar effects of mutations in other genes, it is also suggested that rho factor is at least partially responsible for polar effects.
Activation of adenylate cyclase by phosphoramidate and phosphonate analogs of GTP: possible role of covalent enzyme-substrate intermediates in the mechanism of hormonal activation.
Authors: Cuatrecasas P , Jacobs S , Bennett V
Published: May 2006

Incubation of rat fat pad membranes with 5-guanylyliminodiphosphonate [Gpp-(NH)p] and 5-guanylylmethylenediphosphonate [Gpp(CH2)p], but not GTP (with or without hormones), at 24 degrees or 30 degrees (but not at 4 degrees) greatly stimulates adenylate cyclase activity [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] measured after thoroughly washing the membranes. The rate of activation is relatively slow, even with very high (and saturating) concentrations of the analogs. Binding alone appears to be insufficient for activation. Hormones (catecholamines, glucagon) increase the rate but not the extent of activation, even when saturating analog concentrations are used. The dependence on analog concentration (apparent Km) varies with the time of incubation. GTP and very high concentrations of ATP inhibit the activation by Gpp(NH)p, but this effect is dependent on the length of incubation and can be overcome with time. The activated state is not reversed upon incubation of the washed membranes at 30 degrees, even in the presence of GTP, or by solubilization with nonionic detergents. Also, Gpp(NH)p can directly stimulate the control, solubilized enzyme. The activated state of the solubilized enzyme persists upon specific adsorption to and subsequent elution from an organomercurial-agarose column. It is suggested that after forming reversible Michaelis complexes of relatively low affinity, these analogs may react irreversibly with the GTP regulatory site of the enzyme, perhaps forming p(NH)p- and p(CH2)p-covalent enzyme intermediates which capture the activated state of the enzyme. GTP, after binding, may normally activate the enzyme by forming a "labile" pyrophosphoryl enzyme intermediate, and hormone receptors may function to increase the rate of formation (and thus concentration) of this active state of the enzyme.
A protein factor essential for microtubule assembly.
Authors: Weingarten M D , Lockwood A H , Hwo S Y , Kirschner M W
Published: May 2006

A heat stable protein essentail for microtubule assembly has been isolated. This protein, which we designate tau (tau), is present in association with tubulin purified from porcine brain by repeated cycles of polymerization. Tau is separated from tubulin by ion exchange chromatography on phosphocellulose. In the absence of tau, tubulin exists entirely as a 6S dimer of two polypeptide chains (alpha and beta tubulin) with a molecular weight of 120,000, which will not assemble into microtubules in vitro. Addition of tau completely restores tubule-forming capacity. Under nonpolymerizing conditions, tau converts 6S dimers to 36S rings-structures which have been implicated as intermediates in tubule formation. Hence, tau appears to act on the 6S tubulin dimer, activating it for polymerization. The unique ability of tau to restore the normal features of in vitro microtubule assembly makes it likely that tau is a major regulator of microtubule formation in cells.
Tertiary Hydrogen Bonds in the Solution Structure of Transfer RNA
Authors: Reid B. R. , Ribeiro N. S. , Gould G. , Robillard G. , Hilbers C. W. , Shulman R. G.
Published: May 2006

The high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of hydrogen-bonded protons in four tRNAs have been studied at 270 MHz. The relative intensity of the resonances between -11 ppm and -15 ppm of
Escherichia coli
tRNA
1
Val
indicate that there are 26 ± 3 protons, while only 20 are expected from secondary structure Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds in the cloverleaf structure. Several possible candidates for these extra resonances are suggested by tertiary interactions observed in recent crystallographic studies.

Of the four tRNAs studied, three, e.g.,
E. coli
tRNA
1
Val
,
E. coli
tRNA
Arg
and
E. coli
tRNA
Phe
have one “GU pair” in their cloverleaf structure, while the fourth, yeast tRNA
Asp
, has three “GU pairs” and one “GΨ pair”. Correlating these with the NMR spectra in the -10 ppm to -11 ppm region allows us to conclude that the “GU pairs” are not hydrogen-bonded by tautomerization to the lactim form.

At the very low field region, near -14.9 ppm, the three
E. coli
tRNAs show a single resonance which is attributed to the 4-thiouracil 8 to adenine 14 hydrogen bond of the tertiary structure, by analogy with the recent crystal structure of yeast tRNA
Phe
. This assignment is confirmed by the disappearance of this resonance after treatment with cyanogen bromide.
Properties of cytoplasmic mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with specific lesions in cytochrome oxidase.
Authors: Tzagoloff A , Akai A , Needleman R B
Published: May 2006

Two mutants with specific defects in cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.9.3.1) have been isolated from cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to the mutagens ethyl-methane sulfonate and Mn++. The mutations have been shown to be extranuclear by two criteria. The phenotype persists in diploids formed by a cross with a p-o strain of yeast of the opposite mating type. Tetrad analysis indicates a non-Mendelian segregation (4:0 and 0:4) of the mutations. Both mutants show a total absence of cytochrome oxidase activity and of spectral cytochromes a and as. One of the mutants has been shown to be missing a polypeptide synthesized by mitochondria. The migration of this protein on polyacrylamide gels corresponds to the highest-molecular-weight subunit of cytochrome oxidase.
A link between streptomycin and rifampicin mutation.
Authors: Chakrabarti S L , Gorini L
Published: May 2006

Introduction of str A mutations frequently make "male" strains of Escherichia coli permissive to bacteriophage T7; certain rif mutations reverse the permissive effect of strA mutation. Permissiveness of the strA mutation is accompanied by enhanced transcription of bacteriophage T7 genome. Introduction of the nonpermissive rif allele to the permissive strA strain reduces or abolishes the transcription of T7 genome. Thus, a link is implied in the functioning of the ribosome and the RNA polymerase (RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6).
Ability of tryptophan tRNA to hybridize with 35S RNA of avian myeloblastosis virus and to prime reverse transcription in vitro.
Authors: Waters L C , Mullin B C , Ho T , Yang W K
Published: May 2006

Selected species of 4S RNA of chick embryo cells will hybridize in vitro with 35S RNA of avian myeloblastosis virus. A major tRNA component of the hybridizable 4S RNA is tryptophan tRNA. A hybrid prepared from purified tryptophan tRAN and 35S RNA of avian myeloblastosis virus in vitro is an efficient templateprimer for DNA synthesis catalyzed by reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase).
Electrophoretic separation of Bacillus subtilis genes.
Authors: Harris-Warrick R M , Elkana Y , Ehrlich S D , Lederberg J
Published: May 2006

The cleavage of Bacillus subtilis DNA by EcoR1 restriction endonuclease produced segments which retain various degrees of genetic transforming activity. The active segments analyzed thus far, range in size from 23 to 3 kilobases and can be partially separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Various markers can thus be enriched from 30- to 60-fold.
Nature of the increase in renal ornithine decarboxylase activity after cycloheximide administration in the rat.
Authors: Levine J H , Nicholson W E , Orth D N
Published: May 2006

The present study was designed to determine whether the increase in rat renal ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) activity after cycloheximide administration was a primary effect on the kidney or was a secondary effect of adrenal or pituitary hormones released in response to the drug. Renal ornithine decarboxylase activity was reduced approximately 70% 1 hr after intraperitoneal administration of doses of cycloheximide that also inhibited renal protein synthesis by 68-95% within 1 hr. Protein synthesis began to recover by the second hour, accompanied by a rise in decarboxylase activity that reached a peak about six times greater than pretreatment values at 8 hr, then gradually declined to preinjection levels by 16 hr. Peak ornithine decarboxylase activity was directly proportional to cycloheximide doses up to 250 mug; larger doses, which almost abolished protein synthesis for 8 hr, where inhibitory. Plasma corticosterone rose rapidly after cycloheximide, reached a peak at 2 hr, then fell to baseline by 8 hr. Corticosterone response was also dose-dependent up to 250 mug, but larger doses were inhibitorymadrenalectomy did not reduce decarboxylase activity response to cycloheximide, nor did cortisol administration enhance it. Hypophysectomy greatly reduced baseline renal decarboxylase activity within 9 hr and all but abolished the increase in enzyme activity normally seen after cycloheximide administration to the intact rat. The hypophysectomized animal exhibited apparent increased sensitivity to cycloheximide, since a smaller dose of the drug caused a reduction in renal protein synthesis similar to that seen with a larger dose in the intact rat. As protein synthesis was recovering in the hypophysectomized animals, renal decarboxylase activity responded adequately to the injection of a crude pituitary extract. These data suggest that renal ornithine decarboxylase turnover is rapid, that baseline activity is.maintained by new protein synthesis, and that the increase in renal enzyme activity after cycloheximide is in larger part dependent upon pituitary hormone action.
Kinetics of opiate receptor inactivation by sulfhydryl reagents: evidence for conformational change in presence of sodium ions.
Authors: Simon E J , Groth J
Published: May 2006

The role of SH groups in opiate-receptor interactions has been further examined. In activation by N-ethylmaleimide of sterospecific opiate binding by rat brain membrane fractions follows pseudo-first order kinetics and exhibits strong temperature dependence. The kinetics indicate that alkylation of a single SH group suffices to block opiate binding. Considerable protection from SH group inactivation is observed when treatment with N-ethylmaleimide is carried out in the presence of an opiate or an antagonist, suggesting close proximity of the SH group to the opiate binding site. The rate of inactivation of receptor binding by N-ethylmaleimide is markedly slower in buffers containing 100 mM NaCl (t1/2 equals 30 plus or minus 1.4 min) than in sodium-free buffers (t1/2 equals 10 plus or minus 1.0 min). Since the rate of alkylation of model SH compounds is unaffected by sodium ions, this protection seems best explained by a conformational change in the receptors that renders the SH groups less accessible to alkylation. The rate of inactivation is not affected by K+, Rb+, or Cs+ and only slightly by Li+. This cation specificity as well as the concentration-response to Na+ are remarkably similar to those previously shown to lead to increased antagonist and decreased agonist binding. We suggest that the same conformational change is involved in the two phenomena.
Region of immunoglobulin light-chain mRNA transcribed into complementary DNA by RNA-dependent DNA polymerase of avian myeloblastosis virus.
Authors: Schechter I
Published: May 2006

The mRNA coding for a kappa-type immunoglobulin light (L)-chain and its complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridize with a Crt1/2 of 2.6 x 10(-4) moles of ribonucleotide x liter-1 x sec, forming well-matched duplexes (melting temperature Tm equals 89 degrees). The molecular weight of the cDNA is about 280,000 (840 nucleotides) as determined by alkaline sucrose gradient centrifugation and from the extent of protection of the mRNA by the cDNA from ribonuclease digestion. The cDNA anneals with kappa-type mRNAs of the same and different subgroups with comparable Crt1/2 values, but not with a lambda-type mRNA. Thus, one kappa-type cDNA can be used to quantify the mRNAs coding for all kappa-type L-chains. The values of cDNA hybridized at saturation with various kappa-type mRNAs indicate that: (1) the cDNA is complementary to the entire constant region and to about half of the variable (V)-region; (2) V-regions of similar amino-acid sequence are coded by a similar nucleotide sequence; (3) the nucleic acid probe to one V-region may anneal and quantify V-region genes of members of the same subgroup.
Molecular orbital studies of enzyme activity: I: Charge relay system and tetrahedral intermediate in acylation of serine proteinases.
Authors: Scheiner S , Kleier D A , Lipscomb W N
Published: May 2006

The charge relay ststem and its role in the acylation of serine proteinases is studied using the partial retention of diatomic differential overlap (PRDDO) technique to perform approximate ab initio molecular orbital calculations on a model of the enzyme-substrate complex. The aspartate in the charge relay system is seen to act as the ultimate proton acceptor during the charging of the serine nucleophile. A projection of the potential energy surface is obtained in a subspace corresponding to this charge transfer and to the coupled motions of active site residues and the substrate. These results together with extended basis set results for cruder models suggest that a concerted transfer of protons from Ser-195 to His-57 and from His-57 to Asp-102 occurs with an energy barrier of 20-25 kcal/mole (84-105 kJ/mole). The subsequent nucleophilic attack on the scissile peptide linkage by the charged serine is then seen to proceed energetically downhill to the tetrahedral intermediate. The formation of the tetrahedral intermediate from the Michaelis complex is calculated to be nearly thermoneutral.
Feedback dynamics analysis of secondary successional transients in ecosystems.
Authors: Gutierrez L T , Fey W R
Published: May 2006

A theoretical dynamic model of the mutual causalities that generate secondary successional behavior in ecological systems is developed using zero- and first-order nonlinear difference equations. The model is based on Odum's tabular model of ecological succession, and has been simulation-tested for the case of secondary succession in a grassland ecosystem. It shows how energy, abiotic and biotic matter, and community (species) diversity interact in time and space to produce autogenic succession, that is, developmental changes generated by biotic components within the system as distinguished from allogenic forcing functions from without the system. The simulations demonstrate that successional transients can arise from the endogenous feedback structure of the ecosystem and provide strong evidence for the validity of the model.
On the question of the integration of exogenous bacterial DNA into plant DNA.
Authors: Kleinhofs A , Eden F C , Chilton M D , Bendich A J
Published: May 2006

Extensive studies with pea, tomato, and barley failed to confirm the evidence presented by previous investigators for integration or replication of exogenously applied bacterial DNA in these plants. Labeled DNA of buoyant density in CsCl intermediate between that of high density donor bacterial DNA and of plant DNA was never observed with axenic plants. Intermediate peaks, similar to those used as evidence for recombination by earlier investigators, were observed only when the plants were contaminated with bacteria. Plant DNA prepared by a published procedure [Ledoux, L. & Huart, R. (1969) J. Mol. Biol. 43, 243-262] was found to be contaminated with unidentified impurities. Such DNA was partially protected from the action of DNase and produced aberrant banding patterns in CsCl after shearing. Much of the published evidence for integration of foreign DNA in plants is based upon experiments with plant DNA prepared by this procedure. We conclude that contamination is the likely explanation for what has been interpreted as evidence for integration.
Distribution of allelic frequencies in a finite population under stepwise production of neutral alleles.
Authors: Kimura M , Ota T
Published: May 2006

A formula for the distribution of allelic frequencies in a finite population is derived assuming stepwise production of multiple alleles. Monte Carlo experiments were performed to check the validity of the formula, and excellent agreement was obtained between theoretical distribution and experimental results. The formula should be useful for analyzing genetic variability in natural populations that can be detected by electrophoretic methods.
Somnolence, akinesia, and sensory activation of motivated behavior in the lateral hypothalamic syndrome.
Authors: Levitt D R , Teitelbaum P
Published: May 2006

After lateral hypothalamic damage in rats, somnolence, akinesia, and sensory neglect combine to produce complete aphagia. Only simple automatisms (such as grooming, chewing, licking) are present, but intense stimuli can activate more complex actions (walking, orientation, swimming). In the anorexic stage, tactile stimuli dominate in steering locomotion and "spontaneous" locomotion depends on activation from the empty stomach.
Presence of polyriboadenylate sequences in pulse-labeled RNA of Escherichia coli.
Authors: Srinivasan P R , Ramanarayanan M , Rabbani E
Published: May 2006

Pulse-labeled RNA isolated from E. coli cells grown on limiting phosphate medium and phosphate-containing medium was analyzed by oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography and by Millipore binding assay for polyriboadenylate-containing RNA. Whereas poly(A)-containing RNA amounted to as much as 15% of the total pulse-labeled RNA from cells grown on limiting phosphate medium, pulse-labeled RNA from cells grown on phosphate medium gave values around 1.5%. Steady-state labeled RNA from cells grown on limiting phosphate medium contained 1.2% poly(A) RNA. The addition of poly(A) sequences appears to be post-transcriptional. These results strongly favor the view that bacterial mRNAs may contain poly(A) stretches.
Synthesis of RNA containing a methylated blocked 5′ terminus by HeLa nuclear homogenates
Authors: Groner Yoram , Hurwitz Jerard
Published: May 2006

RNA synthesized
in vitro
by HeLa nuclei contains a variety of blocked methylated 5′-terminal structures that can be grouped into four general types: (
a
) m
7
GppN
m
p...; (
b
) m
7
GppN
m
pM
m
p...; (
c
) m
7
GpppN
m
p...; and (
d
) m
7
GpppN
m
pM
m
.... Both N
m
and M
m
can be either one of the four 2′-
O
-methylated nucleosides. The relative amounts of the N
m
species are G = 45%, A = 25%, U = 20%, and C = 10%.
Heme biosynthesis in bacterium-protozoon symbioses: enzymic defects in host hemoflagellates and complemental role of their intracellular symbiotes.
Authors: Chang K P , Chang C S , Sassa S
Published: May 2006

Heme biosynthetic activity in the symbiotic association involving crithidial flagellates and intracellular bacteroids was studied by enzymic, nutritional, and isotope incorporation experiments. Component organisms and their complexes in this association were analyzed separately to determine the underlying cause of the hemin requirement of hemoflagellates and the role of symbiotes in sparing this requirement of two crithidial species. Nutritional study of symbiote-free flagellates showed that their growth requires at least 0.1 mug/ml of hemin, which can be substituted by protoporphyrin IX, but not by the porphyrin precursors, delta-amino-levulinic acid or porphobilinogen. These flagellates, in the presence of protoporphyrin IX, incorporated 59Fe into heme, indicating that they possess ferrochelatase (EC 4.99.1.1), the terminal enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, which catalyzes the insertion of iron into protoporphyrin IX. In symbiote-containing flagellates serially cultured in a defined medium free of tetrapyrrole compounds, heme and porphyrins can be detected by a fluorophotometric method, indicative of heme biosynthesis. Study of [14C]glycine incorporation into heme showed that the rate is much higher in symbiote-containing flagellates than in those without symbiotes. Microassay of uroporphyrinogen I synthase [EC 4.3.1.8; porphobilinogen ammonia-lyase (polymerizing)] revealed that the specific activity is high in symbiote-containing flagellates and higher still in isolated symbiotes, but essentially negligible in symbiote-free organisms. It is concluded that the bacterial symbiotes augment a very limited heme biosynthetic capacity of host flagellates by supplying uroporphyrinogen I synthase and perhaps other enzymes preceding ferrochelatase in the heme biosynthetic chain.
Inactivation of rabbit muscle phosphorylase phosphatase by cyclic AMP-dependent kinas.
Authors: Huang F L , Glinsmann W H
Published: May 2006

Partially purified rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.17; phosphoprotein phosphohydrolase) was inactivated when it was incubated with exogenous cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (EC 2.7.1.37; ATP:protein phosphotransferase), cyclic AMP, and ATP-Mg. Subsequent separation of the phosphatase by acrylamide gel electrophoresis or sucrose density centrifugation resulted in reactivation of the enzyme. The phosphatase decreased in molecular weight from approximately 70,000 to 52,000, and a phosphorylated inhibitor with molecular weight of 26,000 was found. Reactivation of phosphatase also occurred when it was incubated with MnCl2 or trypsin. The inhibitor was effective at less than 10(-8) M and was relatively heat stable. Its activity was destroyed by tryptic digestion and by dephosphorylation by a Mn-stimulated phosphatase. These observations support the possibility that phosphorylase phosphatase activity is controlled by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and a Mn-stimulated phosphatase by a reaction involving phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a protein phosphatase inhibitor.
Arrangement of sequences in the inverted terminal repetition of adenovirus 18 DNA.
Authors: Garon C F , Berry K W , Rose J A
Published: May 2006

In contrast to the single-stranded circular molecules produced with denatured DNA from other adenoviruses, there was associated with nearly all circular molecules of adenovirus type 18 a visible, duplex projection. These projections had a mean contour length of 0.31 +/- 0.12 mum, equivalent to approximately 3% of genome length. Individual projections ranged in size from 0.1 to 2 mum. Alkaline sucrose gradient purification of single-stranded molecules did not affect formation of these projections, and treatment of a preparation of circular molecules with Neurospora crassa single-strand specific nucleases yielded 0.34 +/- 0.09 mum duplex fragments. Single-stranded circles did not form if a limited number of nucleotides were removed from the 3' ends of native molecules by Escherichia coli exonuclease III digestion prior to denaturation and annealing. In addition, preformed single-stranded circles could be converted to linear molecules by similar treatment. Based on the formation of specific heteroduplex structures when preparations of native DNA were denatured and reannealed and the absence of branches on linear, single-stranded molecules, we conclude that projections are generated by unusually long, inverted terminal repetitions. The repetitious sequences occur in place of rather than in addition to regular sequences. These data provide direct, visual evidence for the arrangement of bases in the inverted terminal repetition of adenovirus DNA.
Idiotype positive T cells visualized by autoradiography and electron microscopy.
Authors: Binz H , Bächi T , Wigzell H , Ramseier H , Lindenmann J
Published: May 2006

Anti-idiotypic antibodies were prepared in (CBA X C57BL/6)F1 hybrid mice by immunization either with CBA anti-C57BL/6 alloantiserum or with purified CBA thymus-processed lymphoid cells (T cells) Iodinated anti-mouse Ig or triple sandwich ferritin-labeling techniques served to visualize the reaction between idiotype and anti-idiotype. From 5 to 10% of purified CBA T cells appeared to carry receptors for C57BL/6 antigens. Heavily labeled cells had the morphology of small lymphocytes.
Acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular synapses: phylogenetic differences detected by snake alpha-neurotoxins.
Authors: Burden S J , Hartzell H C , Yoshikami D
Published: May 2006

Phylogenetic differences in acetylcholine receptors from skeletal neuromuscular synapses of various species of snakes and lizards have been investigated, using the snake venom alpha-neurotoxins alpha-atratoxin (cobrotoxin) and alpha-bungarotoxin. The acetylcholine receptors of the phylogenetically primitive lizards, like those from all other vertebrates previously tested, are blocked by these alpha-neurotoxins. In contrast, receptors from snakes and advanced lizards are insensitive to one or both of the toxins. It is suggested that toxin-resistant acetylcholine receptors appeared early in the evolution of Squamata and preceded the appearance of alpha-neurotoxins.
Association of phiX174 DNA-dependent ATPase activity with an Escherichia coli protein, replication factor Y, required for in vitro synthesis of phiX174 DNA.
Authors: Wickner S , Hurwitz J
Published: May 2006

phiX174 DNA-dependent DNA synthesis is catalyzed in vitro by the combination of at least 11 purified protein fractions: dnaB, dnaC(D), and dnaG gene products, DNA polymerase III, DNA elongation factors I and II, DNA binding protein, and replication factors W, X, Y, and Z. The reaction requires ATP, 4 dNTPs, and Mg+2 and is specific for phiX174 (or phiXahb) DNA. Purified replication factor Y contains phiX174 (or phiXahb) DNA-dependent ATPase (or dATPase) activity. The ATPase activity is poorly stimulated by other single-stranded DNA, by double-stranded DNA, or by RNA. The products of the phiX174 DNA-dependent ATPase activity of factor Y are Pi and ADP (or dADP). The association of phiX174 DNA-dependent ATPase activity with factor Y was shown in the following ways: (a) the two activities copurified with a constant ratio; (b) they comigrated on native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (c) both activities were heat-inactivated at the same rate; and (d) both showed identical patterns of N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity.
Identification of the 5' end of Rous sarcoma virus RNA.
Authors: Keith J , Fraenkel-Conrat H
Published: May 2006

The 5'-terminal triphosphate of the 35S RNA isolated from Rous sarcoma virus is blocked by 7-methylguanosine in 5' linkage with the penultimate nucleoside which is methylated in the 2'-O-ribose position, a type of endgroup found in all animal mRNAs investigated during the past year. The specific nuclease-resistant terminal fragment of RSV RNA has the structure 7mG5'ppp5'GmpCp-. This finding supports the belief that RNA of Rous sarcoma virus represents a (+) strand messenger which may be directly translated upon infection.
Comparison between growth characteristics of an Epstein--Barr virus (EBV)-genome-negative lymphoma line and its EBV-converted subline in vitro.
Authors: Steinitz M , Klein G
Published: May 2006

The GC-BJAB cell line, which carries the Epstein--Barr virus (EBV), was derived from an EBV-genome-negative lymphoma line (BJAB) by EBV infection in vitro [G. B. Clements, G. Klein, and S. Povey (1975) Int. J. Cancer, in press]. Both lines grow at a similar rate at 37 degrees but they differ at other temperatures. BJAB grows well at 34 degrees, 37 degrees, and 39 degrees. GC-BJAB grows at 37 degrees and 39 degrees, but grows poorly at 34 degrees. At 37 degrees, GC-BJAB cultures can be maintained at the viable state for a long time after having reached saturation density (approximately 10(6) cells per ml). In contrast, BJAB cultures die very soon after having attained similar maximum density. Since the identity of the two cell lines has been critically established [Clements et al.; E. Svedmyr and M. Jondal (1975) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci USA 72, 1622--1626; G. Klein, to be published; J. Zeuthen, personal communication] the remarkable differences in their growth properties must be attributed to the EBV genome.
Periodate and concanavalin A induce blast transformation of rat lymphocytes by an indirect mechanism.
Authors: Beyer C F , Bowers W E
Published: May 2006

When rat lymph node cells, rendered incapable of division by treatment with mitomycin C, were then reacted with sodium metaperiodate (NaIO4), they stimulated the transformation of untreated, syngeneic lymph node cells in vitro. Unequivocal evidence that untreated lymph node cells responded in this situation was obtained by means of sex chromosome karyotype analysis. In experiments in which the ratio of responder to stimulator cells was varied between the limits of pure responder and pure stimulator cells at a constant cell density, [3H]thymidine incorporation increased linearly to a maximum at a ratio of 1:1, and then decreased linearly. These results suggest a predominantly bicellular reaction in which one periodate-treated cell stimulates only one responder cell. In experiments in which stimulator cells were reacted with periodate, but not treated with mitomycin C, and then mixed at a 1:1 ratio with untreated, syngeneic lymph node cells, karyotype analysis showed that both periodate-treated and untreated lymph node cells responded in significant numbers. Lymph node cells were cultured at various cell densities under three different conditions: one group was made up entirely of cells treated with periodate; a second group consisted of a 1:1 mixture of cells treated with periodate and untreated cells; the third group contained normal cells cultured in the presence of soluble concanavalin A. Expressed as [3H]thymidine incorporated per 10(6) cells, a progressive increase was found at the lower cell densities for all three groups, and identical slopes (about 2.5) were obtained when the results were plotted on a full logarithmic scale. Mitomycin C-treated lymph node cells incubated with concanavalin A and then thoroughly washed were found to be capable of transforming untreated, syngeneic lymph node cells. Maximal [3H]thymidine incorporation also occurred at a ratio of 1:1. These results show that, similarly to periodate stimulation, mitogenic stimulation by concanavalin A probably operates through an indirect mechanism, analogous to a mixed lymphocyte reaction. It is possible that other mitogenic agents also operate indirectly.
Expression of the beta-thalassemia gene in the first trimester fetus.
Authors: Chang H , Modell C B , Alter B P , Dickinson M J , Frigoletto F D , Huehns E R , Nathan D G
Published: May 2006

To determine whether beta-thalassemia can be detected in the fetus, blood was obtained from abortuses of normal mothers and of mothers with beta-thalassemia trait. The red cells were incubated with radioactive leucine and the globin chains were analyzed by radiochromatography. Two independent methods were utilized to correct the results for contamination by maternal radioactive beta-chain, and the corrected beta/gamma ratios were compared to a previously established range of normal fetal beta/gamma synthetic ratios obtained by similar measurements in pure fetal cells. In the erythroid cells of three fetuses from mothers with beta-thalassemia trait, the beta/gamma synthetic ratio was normal in two. The third had a beta/gamma ratio of 0.04 at 10 1/2 weeks, a 50% reduction, consistent with fetal beta-thalassemia trait. Two other fetuses, derived from parents both of whom had beta-thalassemia trait, were also studied. One had a beta/gamma ratio of 0.029 at 8 weeks, a 65% reduction, also consistent with beta-thalassemia trait. The cells of the other had a ratio of essentially zero at 11 weeks, highly suggestive of homozygous beta-thalassemia. Although further experience will be needed to distinguish the homozygous and heterozygous states reliably, it now appears that the beta-thalassemia gene is expressed in the first trimester. Therefore these data suggest that the antenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia is becoming an attainable goal.
Selection for conditional gametogenesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardi.
Authors: Forest C L , Togasaki R K
Published: May 2006

A new technique is described for selection of temperature-sensitive mutants affecting gametogenesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardi. The first mutant found by this technique is characterized. Cells exhibiting the gam-1 phenotype are capable of sexual agglutination, but cannot form zygotes at the restrictive temperature. The mutation, however, has been expressed only in gametes of mating type (-). Cells of mating type (+) which carry this gene are able to engage in normal zygote formation. Temperature shift experiments and antibiotic studies have indicated that this gene is expressed within 6 hr after the onset of gametogenesis in liquid culture, and its product has a lifetime of about 4 hr at 35 degrees.
Absence of H-2 antigens capable of reacting with cytotoxic T cells on a teratoma line expressing a T/t locus antigen.
Authors: Forman J , Vitetta E S
Published: May 2006

An established cell line of murine teratoma cells (F9), which lacks serologically detectable H-2 that is determined by a wild-type T/t locus gene. These cells are not killed and do not react with cytotoxic T cells sensitized to H-2 antigens in a cell-mediated lympholysis assay. Modification of spleen cells from the strain or origin (129) of this teratoma line with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid allows the generation of syngeneic killer cells that display a cytotoxic effect against trinitrophenyl-modified splenic targets, but not against trinitrophenyl-modified F9 targets. Thus, the F9 antigen is structurally similar to H-2b but does not act as a target antigen in the cell-mediated lympholysis assay for anti-H-2b cytotoxic T cells, nor does it crossreact with H-2b antigens at the T cell level.