Carbonic Anhydrases in Chick Extra-embryonic Structures: A Role for CA in Bicarbonate Reabsorption Through the Chorioallantoic Membrane

The villus cavity cells, a specific cell type of the chick chorioallantoic membrane, express both cytosolic carbonic anhydrase in their cytoplasm and [Formula: See Text] anion exchangers at their basolateral membranes. By immunohistochemical analysis, we show here that villus cavity cells specifically react with antibodies directed against the membrane-associated form of carbonic anhydrase, CAIV. Staining is restricted to the apical cell membranes, characteristically invaginated toward the shell membrane, as well as to endothelia of blood vessels present in the mesodermal layer. The occurrence of a membrane-associated CA form at the apical pole of villus cavity cells, when definitively confirmed, would be fairly consistent with the role proposed for these cells in bicarbonate reabsorption from the eggshell so to prevent metabolic acidosis in the embryo during development.     

Isolation of macrocyclic and non-macrocyclic trichothecenes (stachybotrys and fusarium toxins) from the Environment of 200 III Sport Horses

Satratoxins H and G, verrucarin J, and roridin E were isolated from the bedding straw of 200 sport horses exhibiting typical symptoms of stachybotryo-toxicosis. At the same time, the oat feed consumed by the horses contained non-macrocyclicFusarium trichothecenes: T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol.     

Transformation of Streptococcus sanguis to intrinsic penicillin resistance

A series of step-level penicillin-resistant derivatives of Streptococcus sanguis V288 (Challis) were obtained through successive genetic transformations. The DNA donor used was a laboratory-derived, penicillin-resistant multistep mutant of the recipient strain. Detection of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of wild-type and transformants revealed five major PBPs. While it was found that S. sanguis can acquire intrinsic resistance in a stepwise manner and the mechanism was similar to those of some other organisms (changes in penicillin-binding protein affinity and/or in extent of penicillin binding), multiple-PBP changes accompanied a single step-level of resistance. All of the PBPs showed varying degrees of decreased affinity for [3H]benzylpenicillin with increasing penicillin resistance. Of these, the consistent, dramatic and progressive decrease of PBP 4 binding was most notable. After an initial decrease at the first step-level of resistance, PBP 5 was restored to wild-type levels, indicating a possible important role in survival. Genetic linkage of the first two step-levels of resistance was demonstrated by examination of transformation frequencies and by hit-kinetics experiments. A convenient method is described for the quantitative comparison of fluorographs containing PBPs with a wide range of affinities for penicillin.     

Amino acid composition and terminal residues of aspartate aminotransferase from ox heart

1. The amino acid composition of highly purified aspartate aminotransferase from ox heart was determined. 2. Alanine is the only N-terminal residue. 3. Leucine was identified as the only C-terminal residue. 4. No disulphide bridges are present in the enzyme molecule. 5. The thiol groups are not equally accessible, the accessibility being comparatively easier in the apoenzyme molecule.     

Cytogenetic characteristics of a population of Chironomus riparius Meigen 1804 (Diptera, Chironomidae) from a polluted Po river station

A population of Chironomus riparius from a Po river station near Moncalieri (a trace-metal polluted station) was studied. In this population was established a great variability of band structure of polytene chromosomes as well as paracentric heterozygous inversions, deletions, deficiencies, partial breaks, diploid chromosome fragments, and changes in functional activity and appearance of heterochromatin. In arms A through F, some bands had an increased size compared to the standard chromosomic map. Some bands appeared in a heterozygous or normal homozygous state or were amplified. In all arms, many condensed stable bands appeared in the decondensed state when compared to the standard map. Asynaptic zones in arms E and G as well as heterozygous Balbiani rings and NORs were established. Very often the 4th chromosome was almost completely heteropycnotic and looded like a pompon chromosome. For the first time in this species, a high frequency of ectopic pairings of different arms was observed. Telomeric regions involved in ectopic pairings had a granular appearance, as did some centromeres. The hypothesis is advanced that such a high frequency of structural rearrangements could be correlated with genomic distribution of specific mobile elements.