Effect of the differentiated or dedifferentiated state of tobacco pith tissue on its behaviour after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes

The ability of Nicotiana tabacum (cv. Wisconsin 38) pith tissue to give rise to transformed roots after inoculation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (agropine type strain 1855) has been examined in relation to its state of differentiation. In young plants, all the stem tissues are able to initiate transformed roots while pith of adult plants does not react. Mature pith, composed mostly of polyploid and non-dividing cells, is able to recover susceptibility when placed in vitro on a medium containing auxin and kinetin. The optimal production of transformed roots is obtained after 6-10 days, when proliferating cells redifferentiated "cambial-like" layers and tracheids. The relationships between the inability of fully differentiated pith to give rise to roots and the underlying cell states are discussed.

[Nuclear medicine diagnosis of Alzheimer type dementia]

Eleven patients with Alzheimer type dementia were investigated by single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-hexamethylpropylene-aminoxim (HM-PAO). Nine had a typical, symmetrically reduced enrichment in the parieto-temporo-occipital area. In three of these nine patients a similar pattern was recorded additionally in the frontal, in the remaining two in the temporal or parietal region. In a semi-quantitative evaluation radioactivity concentrations in the cerebrum and cerebellum were compared. It demonstrated that there was in relation to the cerebellum a reduced concentration in seven of the eight studied cerebral regions. The relative blood flow of the parieto-temporo-occipital region was most markedly affected and in patients with Alzheimer type dementia was reduced by 25% below that of normal subjects. The results indicate that cerebral SPECT with HM-PAO is a reasonable method of investigation to confirm the diagnosis of "Alzheimer type dementia" and exclude other cerebral disease, especially if pathognomonic findings are to be obtained.

Right- and left-handed helixes of poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] investigated by infrared spectroscopy

The secondary structures of double-stranded poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] in films have been studied by IR spectroscopy with three different counterions (Na+, Cs+, and Ni2+) and a wide variety of water content conditions (relative humidity between 100 and 47%). In addition to the A-, B-, C-, and D-form spectra, a new IR spectrum has been obtained in the presence of nickel ions. The IR spectra of Ni2+-poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] films are analyzed by comparison with previously assigned IR spectra of left-handed poly[d(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)] and poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)], and it is possible to conclude that they reflect a Z-type structure for poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)]. The Z conformation has been favored by the high polynucleotide concentration, by the low water content of the films, and by specific interactions of the transition metal ions with the purine bases stabilized in a syn conformation. A structuration of the water hydration molecules around the double-stranded Ni2+-poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] is shown by the presence of a strong sharp water band at 1615 cm-1.

Potential prodrugs of 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (Ro 15-1903)

The synthesis and biological activities of a series of non-classical penicillins are described. These compounds were synthesized by treating the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (Ro 15-1903) with various nucleophiles. They were found to be less active against the beta-lactamases from Proteus vulgaris 1028, Escherichia coli 1024, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 418 and E. coli RTEM than the parent compound. Nevertheless, synergy with ampicillin against whole bacterial cells producing beta-lactamases was evident, although the single compounds did not exhibit antibacterial properties. With the compounds 2a and 2b, synergistic interaction with ampicillin could also be demonstrated in mice.

Interaction of transition metal ions with Z form poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) and poly d(A-T) studied by I.R. spectroscopy

Interactions between Ni2+, Co2+ and purine bases have been studied by I.R. spectroscopy in the case of double stranded regularly alternating purine-pyrimidine polynucleotides poly d(A-T), poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) and poly d(G-C). The spectra of polynucleotide films have been recorded in hydration and salt content conditions which correspond to the obtention of the classical right-handed (A,B) and left-handed (Z) helical conformations. Selective deuteration of the 8C site of purines has been obtained and is used to detect interactions between the transition metal ions and the adenine or guanine bases. The spectral region between 1500 and 1250 cm-1 corresponding to base in-plane vibrations and involving also the glycosidic linkage torsion is discussed in detail. The selective interaction between the transition metal ion and the 7N site of the purine base is considered to be partly responsible for the stabilization of the base in a syn conformation, which favours the adoption by the polynucleotide (poly d(G-C), poly d(A-C).poly d(G-T) or poly d(A-T)) of a Z type conformation.

Infrared spectral studies of the non regularly alternating purine-pyrimidine hexamers d(m5CGGCM5CG), d(CBr8GGCCBr8G) and d(CGCGGC)

The oligonucleotides d(m5CGGCm5CG), d(CBr8GGCCBr8G) and d(CGCGGC) have been prepared and studied by infrared spectroscopy. The three sequences contain two GC pairs which are out of purine-pyrimidine alternation with the rest of the sequence. From the IR data of the d(m5CGGCm5CG) hexamer, it is shown that all of the dG residues adopt a syn conformation. The marker IR bands for the C3' endo syn conformation are at 1410, 1354, 1320 and 925 cm-1 whereas those for the C2' endo anti conformation at 1420, 1374 and 890 cm-1 are clearly absent. This result implies that the two adjacent guanines of the d(m5CGGCm5CG) sequence are in syn conformation. It is suggested that duplex formation occurs in d(CGCGGC) films and that all of the guanines are in syn conformation. In contrast, the central non-brominated guanine of the d(CBr8GGCCBr8G) hexamer is found in anti conformation, as expected in a Z type structure of the non-alternating region.

NMR, CD and IR spectroscopies of a tridecanucleotide containing a no-base residue: coexistence of B and Z conformations

The synthesis of the tridecadeoxynucleotide d(CGm5CGCGxACATGT), where x is the 1-cyano-2-deoxy-beta-D-erythropentofuranose, is described. The NMR, IR, CD studies at various salt concentrations and temperatures of this oligomer show that the B and Z conformations are simultaneously present in the same short DNA fragment. A single apurinic residue is sufficient for the coexistence of the B and Z helices on this oligomer.

Left-handed helical structure of poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] studied by infrared spectroscopy

Infrared spectroscopic studies demonstrate the ability of poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)] to adopt a Z-type conformation. The Z form of the unmodified polynucleotide is induced by Ni2+ counterions and not by Na+. The B----Z equilibrium is shifted at room temperature, in the presence of 1 Ni2+/nucleotide, by an increase in the concentration of poly[d(A-C)].poly[d(G-T)]. The importance of specific binding of Ni2+ ions on the N7 site of purines in the stabilization of the Z form is also discussed.

The B----Z transition in two synthetic oligonucleotides: d(C-2-amino-ACGTG) and d(m5CGCAm5CGTGCG) studied by IR, NMR and CD spectroscopies

The sequences CA'CGTG (where A' = 2-aminodeoxyadenosine) and m5CGCAm5CGTGCG are prepared and studied by IR, CD and 1H-NMR. Infrared spectra demonstrate the capacity of the modified hexamer and decamer to adopt a Z conformation. The influence of the NH2 substitution on the adenine or of the methylated terminal part of the decamer acting with the increase of the DNA concentration stabilizes the Z conformation at room temperature in low humidity films. Very weak proportion of Z conformation is detected in UV dilute solutions. In more concentrated NMR solutions, the Z proportion induced by high salt content is only 20-25%. The effects of the concentration and of the covalent modification of the bases are discussed.

Mechanism of inactivation of TEM-1 beta-lactamase by 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid

The interaction between 6-acetylmethylenepenicillanic acid (compound Ro 15-1903; AMPA) and TEM-1 beta-lactamase was investigated in order to elucidate the mechanism of action of AMPA. Formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex (EA) was accompanied by a shift of the absorbance maximum from 292 nm to 303 nm and an increase in the absorption. Regeneration of activity was very slow and incomplete, reaching about one-third of the initial activity after 48 h at 37 degrees C. This behaviour indicated a branched pathway of the decay of the inactivated enzyme. Kinetic and isoelectric-focusing experiments proved this assumption. The first-order constant of regeneration of active enzyme was 6 X 10(-6)-10 X 10(-6) s-1, whereas the rate constant leading to inactive enzyme (EA') was 10 X 10(-6)-15 X 10(-6) s-1 at pH 7.0. Both constants became larger at higher pH. Inactive enzyme (EA') consisted of two major species, with pI 5.36 (EA'1) and 5.30 (EA'2). The former increased at the beginning of incubation but decreased after prolonged incubation. From consideration of these results and previous data [Arisawa & Then (1983) Biochem. J. 209, 609-615], a likely mechanism of inactivation of TEM-1 beta-lactamase by AMPA is discussed.

Prescribing of oral contraceptives in Oxfordshire

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Radiolysis of alpha, alpha-trehalose in concentrated aqueous solution; the effect of co-irradiated proteins and lipids

gamma-Radiolysis (dose-rate: 0 X 89 Gy/s) or electron (e)-radiolysis (dose-rate: 5 X 10(7) Gy/s) of unbuffered aqueous solutions of alpha, alpha-trehalose (concentration: 60 mg/ml, radiation dose: 20 kGy) at 0 degree C yielded glucose (Ggamma = 1 X 7; Ge = 0 X 63) and 5-deoxyxylohexodialdose (Ggamma = 0 X 21; Ge = 0 X 05). Buffering at pH-values of 5 X 0 or 5 X 5 and irradiation caused increased formation of these monomeric products, particularly of the deoxy-compound. On addition of increasing amounts of bovine serum albumin or ovalbumin (10-30 mg/ml) and irradiation the yields of products were markedly reduced. The decrease in glucose formation was less pronounced when sperm whale myoglobin was present during gamma- or electron-irradiation. The G-values of 5-deoxyxylohexodialdose, however, were increased by 45 per cent (gamma-irradiation) and 70 per cent (electron-irradiation) at approximately 10 mg/ml of admixed myoglobin. Further increase in myoglobin concentration led to a gradual decrease in the yields of the deoxy-product. The observed effects are explained by scavenging of water radicals and by interactions of the added substrates with sugar radicals. Emulsified lipids (palmitic acid methylester or trilinoleic glycerol) did not affect the radiation-induced formation of products from trehalose.

gamma-radiolysis of N2O-saturated aqueous solutions of trehalose and trehalose/amino acid mixtures

gamma-radiolysis of aqueous N2O-saturated solutions of alpha, alpha-trehalose (10(-2) M) with doses of 500 krad yielded glucose (G = 2.3), gluconic acid lactone (G = 0.25) and--after reduction--iditol (G = 0.15), mannitol (G = 0.05), 5-deoxy-glucitol (G = 0.34) and 2-deoxy-glucitol (G = 0.14). The decomposition of trehalose (G = -5.9) was reduced, if equimolar amounts of amino acids (alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, methionine or cysteine) were present during irradiation. The extent of this reduction has been correlated with the .OH radical-scavenging properties of the added amino acids. Cysteine also protected trehalose by the repair of initially formed trehalose radicals and almost completely suppressed the formation of products. The addition of the remaining amino acids led to an increase of molar product yields (glucose, 5-deoxy-glucitol and 2-deoxy-glucitol), which was related to the decomposition of trehalose. This finding was explained by hydrogen transfer from the amino acids to precursor radicals of the products.