Zuttiyeh face: a view from the East

We analyze the phylogenetic position of the frontofacial fragment from Zuttiyeh, Israel. This specimen is dated to the Middle Pleistocene (the latest estimate is between 250 and 350 kyr) and is associated with the Acheulo-Yabrudian, which makes it the oldest cranium from the region. It has been previously regarded as a Neandertal, and early "anatomically modern Homo sapiens," and a generalized specimen ancestral to both. These different phylogenetic interpretations of its features have a historic basis but in our view also result from a confusion of grade and intraspecies clade as valid sources of variation. We show here that generally the differences that distinguish Zuttiyeh from Neandertals are similarities it shares with the Zhoukoudian remains. These similarities involve a unique combination of features, and suggest the possibility of an ancestral relationship. It is less likely that Middle Pleistocene remains from Europe or sub-Saharan Africa are uniquely or significantly ancestral to Zuttiyeh. An accurate understanding of the relationship between populations of eastern and western Asia is important for resolving the more general questions surrounding the position of the Upper Pleistocene Levant populations in human evolution, including (1) whether there are significantly different contemporary Mousterian populations in the Upper Pleistocene, (2) whether Neandertals are clearly intrusive in the region, and (3) whether there is an early appearance of (what many workers call) "anatomically modern Homo sapiens." The hypothesis of a recent unique African ancestry for all modern humans is disproved by our study, which shows Asia as a significant source area for at least some living populations.

Characterization of the coenzyme binding site of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase: differential reactivity of coenzyme analogues

The mitochondrial isozyme of horse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase was labeled with brominated [5-(3-acetylpyridinio)pentyl]diphosphoadenosine. Specific labeling of a coenzyme binding region was proven by an enzymatic activity of the isozyme with the nonbrominated coenzyme derivative, optical properties of the complex, stoichiometry of incorporation, and protection against inactivation. A cysteine residue was selectively modified by the brominated coenzyme analogue and was identified in a 35-residue tryptic peptide. This cysteine residue corresponds to Cys-302 of the cytoplasmic isozyme and has earlier been implicated in disulfiram binding, confirming a position close to the active site. In contrast, the butyl homologue of the coenzyme analogue labels another residue of the mitochondrial isozyme. Thus, in the same isozyme, two residues are selectively reactive. They are concluded to be close together in the tertiary structure and to be close enough to the coenzyme binding site to be differentially labeled by coenzyme analogues differing only by a single methylene group.

Characterization of a structure close to the coenzyme-binding site of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase

NAD analogues with the nicotinamide moiety exchanged for acetylpyridino-pentyl or acetylpyridino-butyl groups function as coenzymes in the enzymatic reaction with liver aldehyde dehydrogenase. The corresponding bromoacetyl derivatives bind to the coenzyme-binding site of the enzyme and inactive the protein by covalent modification of single residues close to the active site. Protection by coenzymes and substrate against the inactivation differs slightly for the two coenzyme analogues, suggesting the presence of more than one reactive residue. This is consistent with the results of differential carboxymethylation of cysteine residues of the basic isozyme in the presence and absence of the inhibitor disulfiram. The amino acid sequence around one reactive cysteine residue close to the active site of the acidic isozyme was determined after labeling with the butyl coenzyme analogue. This structure bears no extensive homology to corresponding known structures of dehydrogenases working on other types of aldehyde substrates.

Verrucous carcinoma of the vagina

The case histories of three women with verrucous carcinoma of the vagina are presented. Verrucous carcinoma, in the female genital tract as elsewhere, is a relentlessly growing, destructive, but generally nonmetastasizing neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium with a characteristic gross and microscopic appearance. It should be recognized and segregated from the usual type of squamous carcinoma so that appropriate therapy can be administered. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is usually contraindicated. Two of the patients described here were treated by surgery alone with good results. The other received radiation only and died within a year with persistent disease.