Molecular characerization of the interaction between the fungal pathogen Cladosporium fulvum and tomato

The fungus Cladosprium fulvum is a biotrophic leaf pathogen of tomato. The fungus develops in the intercellular space without forming specialized feeding structures and does not affect the leaf tissue. The outcome of the C. fulvum-tomato interaction can be described by the gene-for-gene model. Failure of infection is expressed by a hypersensitive response. Two fungal proteins, ECP1 and ECP2, have been isolated and their corresponding genes have been cloned. In a compatible interaction including many physiological races ECP1 and ECP2 are highly produced and a role in pathogenicity is suggestive. The ecp1 gene shows some homology with tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) while the ecp2 gene shows no homology with sequences known in data bases. However, disruption of one of the two genes showed no reduced pathogenicity of the fungus. Two race-specific elicitors, AVR4 and AVR9, have been isolated and their corresponding genes have been cloned. The avirulence genes Avr4 and Avr9 are only present in C. fulvum avirulent on Cf-4 and Cf-9 cultivars, respectively. The expression of these two genes is, like the expression of the ecp genes, highly induced when the fungus grows in planta. Disruption of the Avr9 gene in wild type avirulent races leads to virulence on tomato genotypes carrying the complementary resistance gene Cf-9. A single base-pair change in the avirulence gene Avr4 leads to virulence on tomato genotypes carrying the Cf-4 resistance gene. Isolation, characterization and possible function of ECP1, ECP2, AVR4, and AVR9 will be discussed.     

Detection of linkage between RFLP markers and genes affecting anthocyanin pigmentation in maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary Linkages between molecular markers and genes involved in the expression of agronomical traits have already been described in all of the major crops. In most cases, the genetic model underlying the Quantitative Traits Loci (QTL) is discussed. Here, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) and Mapmaker-QTL have been used to pinpoint seven regions of the genome significantly correlated with four pigmentation qualitative traits of maize (Zea mays L.). Two of these, located on chromosomes 2 and 10, explain most of the variation of these traits. The R and B gene loci known to be involved in the regulation of the anthocyanin pathway map to the same regions and we suggest that these loci could be the candidate genes involved in the correlations detected with RFLPs. This type of result is in accordance with the hypothesis of the candidate gene which supposes that, if we have a very high density map of randomly-selected cDNA clones, it should theoretically be possible to associate a cloned genic sequence with a phenotypic trait where correlations are found.     

Influence of the extent of hemoglobin hydrolysis on the digestive absorption of heme iron. An in vitro study

This study was designed to assess the interactions of heme with peptides produced by enzyme hydrolysis of hemoglobin, and their relationship with heme iron absorption. Bovine hemoglobin was hydrolyzed by pepsin or by subtilisin, which differ in their hydrolysis processes. The hydrolysis rate ranged from 0 (native hemoglobin) to 15%. Heme solubility and heme-peptides interactions were compared to iron absorption by the Ussing chamber model, at intestinal pH (7.5). Increasing hemoglobin hydrolysis enhanced iron absorption; the highest value was reached between 8 and 11% hydrolysis, whatever the enzyme used. Comparing the products of hydrolysis of the two enzymes showed that heme iron absorption depends not only on its solubility, but relies mainly on the balance between the strength of heme-peptides and the polymerization rate of heme.     

Süßwasser-Algenarten in Einzeldarstellung VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis,eine neue Art der Sektion Salamacis

Summary Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec.Vegetative cells 18–21 × (88,5-) 109–182 (–223,5) µm, with replicate end walls. 1 Chromatophore, making (4-) 5–6 (–8) turns, rarely 2 Chromatophores with (1,5-) 2 (–3) turns. Conjugation lateral and scalariform; tubes formed ± by both gametangia; fertile cells abruptly inflated to 41,5–52,0 (–70,0) µm in diameter. Zygospores ellipsoid 26,0–34,0–45,0 (–52,0) × 41,5–47,0–78,0 (–96,0) µm; median spore wall yellow, finely punctate, on the poles sometimes with a few wrinkles.In the GDR in a road ditch between Gatersleben and Quedlinburg with shallow, slowly running water, together withVaucheria woroniniana Heering V. debaryana Woronin andV. sessilis (Vauch.) D.C. April–Mai 1967.

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. VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis, Salamacis

Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec. : , Vaucheria woroniniana Heering,V. debaryana Woronin V. sessilis (Vauch.) D. C. 25. IV — 16. V. 1967. . .

     

EinBatrachospermum der Sektion Contorta Skuja aus Kuba

Zusammenfassung Es wird über ein Vorkommen der bisher nur aus China bekannten Süßwasser-RotalgeBatrachospermum intortum Jao 1941 an mehreren Standorten im gebirgigen Osten (Provinz Oriente) der Insel Kuba berichtet. Es dürfte sich um den ersten Nachweis der Gattung für diese Antilleninsel handeln.

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ABatrachospermum, Sect. Contorta Skuja from Cuba

Summary Batrachospermum intortum hitherto known only from China, was found on several localities in the mountainous eastern part of Cuba (Prov. Oriente). This may be the first report of the genus for this island.

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Batrachospermum Contorta Skuja

Batrachospermum intortum Jao 1941, , . ( ). .

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Ergebnisse der 1. Kubanisch-deutschen Alexander von Humboldt-Expedition 1967/68, Nr. 33.     

Formation of modified fatty acids and oxyphytosterols during refining of low erucic acid rapeseed oil

Formation of trans fatty acids and cyclic fatty acid monomers was investigated during refining of low erucic acid rapeseed oil. The first steps of the refining process, that is, degumming, neutralization, and bleaching, hardly modified the fatty acid profile. In contrast, deodorization produced substantial quantities of trans fatty acids (>5% of total fatty acids) and small amounts of cyclic fatty acid monomers (650 mg of cyclic fatty acid monomers/kg of oil) when severe conditions (5-6 h at 250 degrees C) were used. Alpha-linolenic acid was the main precursor of cyclic fatty acid monomers. The influence of deodorization on the chemical composition of low erucic acid rapeseed oil was studied additionally. Whereas free fatty acids, peroxides, and tocopherols decreased, neither total polar compounds nor oxyphytosterols changed during deodorization. Oxyphytosterols were identified by GC-MS. Three oxyphytosterols not yet observed in oil were tentatively identified as 6beta-hydroxycampestanol, 6beta-hydroxysitostanol, and 6beta-hydroxybrassicastanol. Brassicasterol oxides were the most abundant oxyphytosterols.