Effects of the aglycone of ascaulitoxin on amino acid metabolism in Lemna paucicostata

Ascaulitoxin and its aglycone (2,4,7-triamino-5-hydroxyoctanoic acid, CAS 212268-55-8) are potent phytotoxins produced by Ascochyta caulina, a plant pathogen being developed for biocontrol of weeds. The mode of action of this non-protein amino acid was studied on Lemna paucicostata. Ascaulitoxin is a potent growth inhibitor, with an I₅₀ for growth of less than 1 μM, almost completely inhibiting growth at about 3 μM. Its action is slow, starting with growth inhibition, followed by darker green fronds, and then chlorosis and death. Most amino acids, including non-toxic non-protein amino acids, reversed the effect of the toxin when supplemented in the same medium. Supplemental sucrose slightly increased the activity. d-Amino acids were equally good inhibitors of ascaulitoxin activity, indicating the amino acid effects may not be due to inhibition of amino acid synthesis. Oxaloacetate, the immediate precursor of aspartate, also reversed the activity. LC-MS did not detect interaction of the compound with lysine, an amino acid that strongly reversed the effect of the phytotoxin. Metabolite profiling revealed that the toxin caused distinct changes in amino acids. Reduction in alanine, paralleled by enhanced levels of the branched chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine and nearly unchanged levels of pyruvate, might indicate that the conversion of pyruvate to alanine is affected by ascaulitoxin aglycone. In addition, reduced levels of glutamate/glutamine and aspartate/asparagine might suggest that synthesis and interconversion reactions of these amino group donors are affected. However, neither alanine aminotransferase nor alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase were inhibited by the toxin in vitro. Our observations might be explained by three hypotheses: (1) the toxin inhibits one or more aminotransferases not examined, (2) ascaulitoxin aglycone affects amino acid transporters, (3) ascaulitoxin aglycone is a protoxin that is converted in vivo to an aminotransferase inhibitor.     

RADIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF SPAVIN IN YOUNG TROTTERS

Tarsal radiographs of 134 trotters were made prior to training. Radiographs were evaluated for changes commonly associated with spavin. Spavin, if present, was graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Sone of the 134 horses were radiographed annually for one, two, or three years. Radiographs of the 134 horses were compared with radiographs of 141 additional horses in which spavin had been diagnosed clinically. Only 66 of the 134 trotters (50.4%) had normal tarsal radiographs at the time of initial examination; the other 65 had some radiographic evidence of spavin. The incidence and severity of radiographic changes identified in a group of horses in which spavin was diagnosed clinically. Thus, the present results suggest that tarsal radiography is of little value in establishing the diagnosis and prognosis of spavin in trotters.     

Bemühungen der organisierten Rinderproduktion urn die Verbesserung der Fruchtbarkeit beim Rind

Inhalt: Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt den Stand der Datenermittlung und Zuchtwertschätzung für die Reproduktionsmerkmale beim Rind in Deutschland. Des weiteren werden Probleme der Seuchenkontrolle und der EG-Gesetzgebung im Bereich der KB und des Embryotransfers beschrieben. Abschlieβend werden die Aktivitäten der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Rinderzüchter zur Verbesserung der Aus- und Weiterbildung des Besamungspersonals dargestellt. Seit mehr als 20 Jahren erhalten die Bemühungen der ADR um die Verbesserung des Fortpflanzungsgeschehens in den deutschen Rinderbeständen hervorragende Unterstützung durch Dr. Dr. h.c. R. Hahn, Neustadt a.d.Aisch.     

Bibliographie der Gibberellin-Untersuchungen an Kulturpflanzen

Zusammenfassung Als I. Mitteilung einer Serie über die Bibliographie der Gibberellin-Untersuchungen an Kulturpflanzen werden für die Kartoffelpflanze,Solanum tuberosum L., die bis 1964 vorliegenden Veröffentlichungen in alphabetischer Anordnung aufgeführt.

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Summary In the I. part of a series on the bibliography of the gibberellin investigations on cultivated plants the papers concerning the potato plant,Solanum tuberosum L., published till 1964 are catalogued alphabetically.

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am ¶rt;au , , ,Solanum tuberosum L., 1964 .

     

Pflanzenproteine: Ihre wirtschaftliche Bedeutung und Nutzung

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Photoautotrophe Organismen (Pflanzen) sind die primären Proteinproduzenten auf der Erde. Die Erzeugung von Tier- und Mikrobenprotein geht von organischen...     

Hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency) with concomitant factor XII degradation in a male crossbreed cat

A male cat suffered from a severe haemorrhagic disorder manifesting as deep, partly infected cutaneous haematomas, enhanced and prolonged bleeding after injuries and subsequent lameness at several occasions. Bleeding resulted in severe anaemia with haematocrit falling to as low as 0.10 L/L. Haemophilia B was diagnosed based on factor IX deficiency with a functional residual activity of 5% and factor IX antigen of 8%, respectively. Additionally, factor XII activity was reduced to 32% of normal. The mutation 31217G==>A in exon 8 of the factor IX gene, predicting the amino acid exchange G366R was identified as the cause of moderate factor IX deficiency. This is the first mutation identified in cats with haemophilia B. Treatment was limited to local therapy and palliation, insufficient to prevent lethal outcome due to severe anaemia.