Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-03-11

Isolation of a heavy protein which
appears to be identical with the ultra
virus responsible for an animal disease
is reported in the current issue of
Science, journal Of the American Asso-
citation. by Drs J. w. Beard and r. w. G..
Wyckof of the Rockefeller Institute.
The virus is demonstrably the causa-
tive agent in wart-like growth on
rabbits. Injections of preparation from
these warts will cause similar groWths
on other rabbits. Beard and Wyckoff
"centrifuged' such a preparation, using
a centrifugal force $4,000 times that Of
gravity.
The end product of this centrifugng.
in which all the lighter materials were
separated, was tiny bit of protein
with an enormous molecule. This was
1000 times more active in producing the
disease than the preparation from the
warts themselves
The significance of the discovery is
that it is the first isolation of the ultra
virus of an animal disease. Until two
years ago it was possible only to specu-
late as to the nature of the ultraviruses.
Whatever they were, they were too tiny
to be seen under the most powerful
microscope. Their existence, however,
could be demonstrated because they
would pass through the tiny pores of
porcelain filter. They we're, it could be
demonstrated. about the size of the
largest protein molecules.
These ultraviruses. however, had the
capacity for self reproduction which is
characteristic of life. Cultures of them
could be kept alive indefinitely. They
were considered as the tiniest, perhaps
the most primitive, OF all living things.
Compared to them the smallest visible
bacteria or protozoa were like elephants
to rabbits.
They were demonstrably responsible
for some of the most deadly human,
animal and plant diseases. Two years
ago came the first light on the mystery
of their identity when DR., w. NJ Stanley
of the Rockefeller Institute isolated in
the form of protein crystal the ultra
virus responsible for mosaic disease in
tobacco. 1t was impossible, however, to
duplicate the result with other plant
viruses or animal viruses and it appeared
that there were outstanding differences
between those which afflicted the vege-
table and animal kingdoms.
The definite proof that an ultravirus
responsible for an animal disease can
be isolated and is complex protein now
bridges the gap and opens the way to
obtaining in pure form the substance
responsible for such diseases as
poliomyelitis encephalitis, psittacosis,
influenza, etc.
If there were no night this probably
would be desolate planet.
That darkness as we'll as light may
be essential for life on earth appears
from experiments on the curious phe-
nomenon of phototropisn, in which
plants bend toward a source of light
such as the sun, just reported by DR..
Earl S. Johnston OF the Smithsonian
Institution and DR.. Paul r. Burkholder
Of Connecticut College.
These experiments also give clue to
the mechanism of the rapid growth of
plants in darkness which often has
been reported. Phototropism Is due to
the fact that growth of the plant is in
hibited on the Illuminated side. It bends
its head in the direction Of least growth.
Plant growth is activated by various
substances, chemically very complex,
which are present in the growing tips
These auxins, or plant hormones. Drs.