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Protein Profiles of Azotobacter Vinelandii During the Encystment Process
Azotobacter vinelandii 12837 was grown in Burk's glucose media and transferred onto Burk's n-butanol agar plates to allow for the formation of cysts. The patterns of the vegetative cell proteins were compared for each successive day of cyst formation, using the polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing technique. The findings revealed that, as the cysts developed to maturity, definite changes occurred in the protein constitution, indicative of the biochemical and physiological changes which cells undergo during cyst development. Also, as a control to show that the changes in protein patterns during encystment were not due to physiological condition, Azotobacter vinelandii strain OP was grown in three different media, and proteins from the cells were compared using PAGIF.
Colchicine Reversibly Inhibits Electrical Activity in Arthropod Mechanoreceptors
Dendrites of cockroach tibial spine mechanoreceptors contain hundreds of free microtubules, which may have some relation to the generation of electrical activity. Deflection of a spine produces a train of action potentials. Continuous perfusion over a period of 4 hours results in no response decrement. Perfusion with 10mM colchicine reversibly inhibits the response within 5-7 minutes. Irreversible inhibition is produced by perfusion with 1mM vinblastine sulfate in perfusion solution containing 1% dimethyl sulfoxide. Deuterium oxide does not inhibit at concentrations less than 50%, nor does it counteract inhibition by 10mM colchicine. Colchicine may be affecting (1) intracellular microtubules, (2) membraneous tubulin, (3) other membrane components, or (4) axoplasmic transport of essential materials to the sensory dendrites.
The Effects of Hypothermia on the Release of Cardiac Enzymes
The myocardium is known to release CPK, LDH1 , and GOT in response to ischemia as a result of myocardial infarction. This study was designed to induce the release of cardiac enzymes without adversely effecting the myocardium by perfusion hypothermia, thereby suggesting that these enzymes are not as specific in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction as once thought. Hypothermia was by in vivo perfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Enzyme activity was measured from sera samples spectrophotometrically and electrophoretically. Significant CPK and LDH1 increases were observed in animals perfused between 25 and 19 C. These results indicate that, while heart function remained unchanged, an alteration occurred in the membrane integrity of the myocardial cells.
The Effect of Light on Carotenoid Synthesis in Corynebacterium 7E1C
The effects of light, light "mimicking" chemicals, and protein synthesis inhibitors on the photo-induced carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium 7EIC were studied. Changes in the dosage of fluorescent light applied to dark grown cells showed a dose related carotenogenic response. Maintaining the same dosage but varying the wavelength of monochromatic light revealed that light with a wavelength of 280 to 450nm was responsible for photo-induction. It further showed a peak of photo-induction between the wavelengths of 370 and 430nm. The light "mimicking" chemicals antimycin A and p-Chloromercurybenzoate were shown to have no light "mimicking" effects. The transcriptional inhibitor of protein synthesis actinomycin D partially inhibited, and chloramphenicol a translational inhibitor, completely inhibited photo-induced carotenogenesis.
Effect of Amino Acids on Growth and Cartenogenesis in Corynebacterium Species Strain 7E1C
Studies were evaluated on the effects of known growth factors on the growth and carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium species strain 7ElC. The complex medium, Tryptic Soy Broth,was found to stimulate growth and production of more pigment in the light and in the dark than did a mineral salts-glucose medium. A complete amino acid mixture added to LSG enhanced carotenogenesis in the dark in Corynebacterium 7ElC, while B-vitamins retarded carotenogenesis. No absolute requirement for one or more amino acids was found,indicating a multiple amino acid requirement. The fewest amino acids found to stimulate carotenogenesis in the dark were a combination of those in the Serine and Histidine families which include serine, glycine, cysteine, and histidine.
Biosystematic Study of a Desmodium Complex
An examination of the Desmodium canescens complex (D. canescens; D. tweedyi; D. illinoense) has resulted in the delimitation of a previously unreported alliance between D. canescens and D. tweedyi. The following points support this view: (a) morphological data taken from herbarium and garden specimens indicate that for many characters, the mean values of D. canescens and D. tweedy are not significantly different (b) breeding experiments have shown that artificial interspecific hybridization is possible between D. canescens and D. tweedyi (c) cytological studies have shown that D. canescens and D. tweedyi have a base number of x = 11, while D. illinoense has a base number of x = 10. A new combination is suggested: Desmodium canescens var. tweedyi (Britt.) Williams.
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