The cytoplasmic 4S translation inhibitory RNA species of chick embryonic muscle: fractionation of biologically active subspecies by high performance liquid chromatography

A 4S RNA species (iRNA) isolated from chick embryonic muscle which is a potent inhibitor of mRNA translation in vitro shows heterogeneity in the 70-100 nucleotide size range (Sarkar, S., Mukherjee, A.K., and Guha, C. (1981) J. Biol. Chem., 256, 5077-5086). The iRNA was fractionated by HPLC on different size exclusion columns using a variety of elution conditions. Chromatography of iRNA on a TSK 4000 SW column and elution with a low ionic strength buffer gave three components, one of which contained a pure subspecies of about 90-100 nucleotides size, as shown by a single band on PAGE analysis in 99% formamide. The biological activity of this purified subspecies showed that this is a more potent inhibitor of globin mRNA translation than unfractionated iRNA (Sarkar, S., Mukherjee, A.K., and Guha, C., (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 5077-5086). Partial resolution of three additional low molecular weight iRNA subspecies in the 70-80 nucleotide size range in biologically active form was obtained on chromatography of unfractionated iRNA on TSK 4000 SW column in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl or on TSK 3000 SW column in the presence of low salt. The fractionation of iRNA by HPLC appears to be primarily based on size. These results strongly suggest that HPLC may also be useful for the fractionation of a variety of low molecular weight eukaryotic nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs with retention of biological activity.

A simplified procedure for the preparation of tritiated GM1 ganglioside and other glycosphingolipids

The ganglioside II3NeuAc-GgOse4Cer and other glycosphingolipids can be radiolabeled to high specific activity by the galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 procedure, by purifying the oxidized compounds prior to reductive labeling. The oxidized products are separated from nonoxidized compounds and detergents (Triton X-100 and sodium taurocholate) present during the enzymatic oxidation. Since the oxidized derivatives are separated, the final specific activity depends solely upon the specific activity of the NaB3H4 and the reduction conditions.

Additional alkaloids of Pachygone ovata

Pachygone ovata (Menispermaceae), indigenous to the sandy seashores of southern India, is a woody climber whose fruits have been used as a rodenticide and fish poison. Chromatography of the extract of the roots resulted in the reisolation of the alkaloids liriodenine, coclaurine, trilobine (1), and magnoflorine and the isolation of stepholidine, coreximine, isoboldine, norjuziphine, and nortrilobine (2). Nortrilobine (2) is a new dibenzo-p-dioxin bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid whose structure was established by a consideration of spectral data and conversion to isotrilobine (3).

Glycosphingolipids of chicken skeletal muscle in early development and genetic dystrophy

The acidic and neutral GSL of chicken pectoral muscle and the activities of relevant sialyltransferase and glycosidases have been examined during embryonic and early post-hatching development. At this stage of myogenesis, a prominent shift to the neutral GSL of longer oligosaccharide length involving Forssman glycolipid most prominently and also globoside and GbOse3Cer occurred but the distribution of muscle-type gangliosides was not obviously affected. The glycosidase and sialyltransferase activities decreased dramatically just prior to or at hatching. The fusion-linked change in GSL suggests a role for terminal galactosamine and/or galactose residues in myoblast aggregation. A parallel developmental study of genetic muscular dystrophy revealed similar GSL levels and enzyme activities. A larger proportion of lactosylceramide in dystrophic muscle throughout development suggests a developmental lag in the mutant.

Nuclear matrix-DNA complex resulting from EcoR1 digestion of HeLa nucleoids is enriched for DNA replicating forks

Upon treatment of HeLa nucleoids with EcoR1 restriction enzyme, a minute fraction of the DNA remains attached to the nuclear matrix. This matrix-DNA complex appears to be composed of a unique set of proteins. Electron microscopic analysis of the DNA fragments present shows an enrichment for HeLa DNA replicating forks.Images

Physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety in psychiatric patients and normal subjects

Physiological (Skin conductance) and Psychological (State-trait anxiety) measures of anxiety were employed to assess the level of anxiety in 10 anxious neurotics, 10 schizophrenics and 10 normal subjects. Both the Physiological and Psychological measures were sensitive in detecting the level of anxiety in normals and patients. But interrelationships between these two measures were very poor.

Evaluation of 496 menstrual regulation and abortion patients in Calcutta

From March to December 1975, 496 patients were studied to compare the safety and effectiveness of menstrual regulation (MR) performed with a Karman hand syringe and first trimester abortion performed with an electric vacuum aspirator. All procedures were done on an outpatient basis. The complication rate for the MR patients was significantly lower than that for the other first trimester abortion patients. Study results indicate that MR with the Karman syringe is a safer, simpler and less costly procedure than first trimester abortion with the electric vacuum aspirator. Further research and study are necessary to determine the effect of the initial and repeat MR procedures on women's menstrual patterns and future pregnancies, including any subsequent prematurity, stillbirths and Rh immunization.

Masking of manganese in relation to stepwise complexometric determination of calcium, magnesium and manganese

A critical study has been made of the masking of manganese with potassium cyanide in alkaline medium for complexometric titration of calcium and magnesium. It has been found that there is incomplete oxidation to manganese(III) unless the solution is aged for a sufficient period or air is bubbled through the solution at 35 +/- 5 degrees for 10 min. The manganese(III) complex can be reduced with ascorbic acid for titration with EDTA. Procedures are given for stepwise titration of magnesium, manganese and calcium in silicate materials. Mixed indicators are used, to improve the end-points.

Structure of nascent replicative form DNA of coliphage M13

Nascent replicative form type II (RFII) DNA of coliphage M13 synthesized in an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease associated uith DNA polymerase I contains ribonucleotides that are retained in the covalently closed RFI DNA sealed in vitro by the joint action of T5 phage DNA polymerase and T4 phage DNA ligase. These RFI molecules are labile to alkali and RNase H, unlike the RFI produced either in vivo or from RFII with E. coli DNA polymerase I and E. coli DNA ligase. The ribonucleotides are located at one site and predominantly in one strand of the nascent RF DNA. Furthermore, these molecules contain multiple small gaps, randomly located, and one large gap in the intracistronic region.

Base-unpaired regions in supercoiled replicative form DNA of coliphage M13

Superhelical covalently closed circular replicative form DNA (RF I) of coliphage M13 appears as a relaxed molecule that has a base-unpaired region in the form of a bubble (100 to 200 base pairs long) seen in electron micrographs when spread in the presence of formaldehyde and formamide or after pretreatment with glyoxal. S1 endonuclease, specific for single-stranded DNA, converts superhelical M13 RF I DNA, but not nonsuperhelical M13 RF I to a significant extent, into unit-length linear molecules by sequential nicking of two strands. The locations of S1 nuclease-susceptible sites and glyoxal-fixed base-unpaired regions were both related to the five A-T-rich regions in M13 RF DNA. While S1 nuclease does not show preference for any of these sites, glyoxal-fixed bubbles occur predominantly at the major A-T-rich region in M13 RF DNA.

The role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in coliphage M13 DNA synthesis

Examination of the role of Escherichia coli dnaG function in different stages of M13 phage DNA synthesis by ultracentrifugal analysis of intracellular phage DNA in a thermosensitive dnaG mutant shows that: (a) the formation of parental double-strand replicative-form DNA (rfDNA) from the infecting virus is independent of dnaG function; (b) the synthesis of progeny rfDNA requires dnaG product; (c) after a pool of rfDNA is made up, dnaG function is not required for the progeny single-strand DNA (ssDNA) synthesis. The ssDNAs produced under nonpermissive condition are mostly circular and biologically functional.

Conformation of proflavine-bound DNA molecules

Proflavine, DNA, Electron Microscopic Study The conformational changes suffered by full-length double-stranded DNA molecules from bac­ teriophage T7, due to their binding with the mutagenic dye proflavine (PF), has been studied by electron microscopy. The dye-bound DNA showed a smoother contour and a more compact con­ figuration in comparison with the dye-free native DNA. These changes resulted from the stretching, extension and charge-neutralization accompanying the incorporation of PF.