IV. Yeast sequencing reports. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding a potential adenine phosphoribosyltransferase

The nucleotide sequence of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene encoding a potential adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) has been determined. The protein encoded by this gene shows a high degree of similarity with APRTs from a variety of other species. The S. cerevisiae gene, named APT2, has been mapped to chromosome IV. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L14434.     

The search for a veterinary insecticide. II. Carbamates active against sheep blowfly

Many aryl N-methylcarbamates and their N-acyl derivatives have been prepared and tested against larvae of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia sericata. Mammalian toxicities and persistences on sheep fleece were also determined. The factors which led to the selection of Butacarb (3,5-di-t-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate) as a new veterinary insecticide are discussed.     

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Whole-cell Glucose Isomerase. Part 2. Properties of Irradiated Whole-cell Glucose Isomerase

Several properties of Actinoplanes missouriensis and Streptomyces olivaceus glucose isomerase have been studied after irradiation the enzyme of the dose of 10 kGy in dry state. The temperature at which the Actinoplanes missouriensis cells show the highest activity decreased by at least five centigrades. Other investigated enzymatic properties have been found to show no significant differences after irradiation.     

XV. Yeast sequencing reports. Isolation and DNA sequence of the STE13 gene encoding dipeptidyl aminopeptidase

We have isolated a mutant which exhibits partial constitutivity for a -specific gene expression in α cells. The wild-type gene was cloned and demonstrated to be allelic to the STE13 gene, which encodes the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase involved in processing of the α-factor prepropheromone. Thus, the mating defect of the ste13 mutations in α cells may result both from the production of incompletely processed α-factor and from the increased expression of a -specific genes. The STE13 open reading frame of 931 amino acids contains a putative membrane-spanning segment near its amino terminus and is 31% identical to a second yeast dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP2). A null mutant of STE13 has been constructed: it is viable and sporulation-proficient. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L21944.     

Development of a method for genetic identification of four species of anchovies: E. encrasicolus, E. anchoita, E. ringens and E. japonicus

Cytochrome b has been successfully employed for genetic identification of four species of anchovies (Engraulis spp) using two methodologies: PCR–RFLP and FINS. The first method allowed the identification of Engraulis anchoita, Engraulis ringens and Engraulis japonicus–Engraulis encrasicolus. In some cases, with a determined restriction profile, this technique was able to differentiate E. japonicus from E. encrasicolus. The second method allowed the identification of those four species and demonstrates that FINS is a suitable technique for the identification of all species studied in this work. Phylogenetic trees show that sequences of E. encrasicolus are grouped into two different clusters. These results are consistent with the previously published data which suggest that some species of genus Engraulis could be cryptic species, being one specie or population distributed in the oceanic habitat and the other one around the coast.     

XIII. Yeast sequencing reports. Cloning and sequencing of the NES24 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have cloned NES24 using a temperature-sensitive nes24-1 mutant as a host and sequenced a 3162 bp XhoI-EcoRI DNA fragment containing the NES24 gene. Computer analysis revealed that this segment contains a 1806 bp open reading frame which is needed for complementation of the nes24-1 mutation. We found SUP8 in the region upstream of the NES24 gene, placing the NES24 gene on chromosome XIII. A protein homology search indicated that NES24 encodes a new protein. The disruption of the NES24 gene resulted in temperature-sensitive growth. The sequence has been deposited in DDBJ/EmBL/GenBank data bases under Accession Number D15052.     

Cuticular leaf waxes. III. Free and esterified acids and alcohols in Chenopodium album L., Lolium perenne L. and Stellaria media L

The wax esters from the leaf surface of the monocotyledon Lolium perenne L. and the dicotyledons Chenopodium album L. and Stellaria media L. have been analysed for the first time by gas-liquid chromatography (g.l.c.). The esterified acids and alcohols have been obtained and their compositions compared with those of the free acids and alcohols for the three plant species. Preferential esterification of the shorter chain acids has been noted. The presence of alkyl acetates in the two dicotyledons and many branched chain components in S. media is reported. It is proposed that two distinct pools of fatty alcohols are available for the biosynthesis of the esters.     

Microbiology of New Zealand farmed venison.

The hygienic status of two consignments of farmed (“killed”) venison has been surveyed in New Zealand export game packing houses. The consignments were of strikingly different quality. In one case total, coliform and E. coli counts were 10³-10⁵/g, 10²-10⁴/g and 10²-10⁴/g respectively and Salmonella was not detected. In the other consignment total, coliform, E. coli and staphylococcal counts were 10⁵-10⁷/g, 10³-10⁵/g, 10²-10⁵/g and 10³-10⁶/g respectively, with 16 out of 30 samples positive for Salmonella Saint Paul. Although populations of coliforms, E. coli and Clostridium perfringens diminished during frozen storage in ground venison, Salmonella typhimurium which had been added to the venison was still detectable after 12 months storage.     

V. Yeast sequencing reports. Identification of a gene encoding a new Ypt/Rab-like monomeric G-protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae sequence cloned by serendipity was found to encode a protein that is a new member of the Ypt/Rab monomeric G-protein family. This sequence shows high homology to the yeast genes SEC4 and YPT1 and, like SEC4 and YPT1, is essential for viability. The sequence was localized to chromosome V based upon hybridization to pulse-field gel-separated yeast chromosomes. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L17070.     

I. Yeast sequencing reports. Isolation and characterization of the LEU2 gene of Hansenula polymorpha

A DNA fragment carrying the LEU2 gene of methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha was isolated by complementation of the leuB mutation of Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated DNA fragment contains an open reading frame of 363 codons, coding for a protein 80% identical to the LEU2 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Further downstream, there is a partial reading frame with no obvious similarity to known proteins. The LEU2 gene of H. polymorpha cannot complement the leu2 mutation of S. cerevisiae. The sequence has been entered in the EMBL data library under the Accession Number U00889.     

II. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequence analysis of a 31 kb DNA fragment from the right arm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome II

The nucleotide sequence of a 31 352 bp fragment from chromosome II of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined and analysed. The fragment originates from the right arm of chromosome II, located between the GAL7,10,1 and the PHO3,5 loci, at a distance of about 130 kb from the centromere. The sequence contains a tRNA tandem repeat and 17 open reading frames (ORFs) larger than 100 amino acids. One of them extends into adjacent DNA and is incomplete. The two tRNA genes, coding for a tRNA^asp and a tRNA^arg, and three of the ORFs, had been sequenced previously, i.e. HSP26, SEC18, and UBC4. Four other ORFs showed similarity with yeast genes; amino acid transporter genes, the RAD54, SNF2 and STH1 family, the SPS2 gene and the bromodomain of SPT7, respectively. Two showed homology with sequences from other organisms, i.e. with a Plasmodium falciparum gene encoding a surface antigen and with a gene from Saimirine herpes virus respectively. Three ORFs, YBR0726, YBR0735 and YBR0740 are completely contained in YBR0727, YBR0734 and YBR0739 respectively, and thus probably do not represent real genes. Two ORFs, YBR0727 and YBR0745 most likely contain an intron. The sequences have been deposited in the EMBL data library under Accession Number X76294.     

XV. Yeast sequencing reports. Nucleotide sequence of the GDS1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have cloned and sequenced the GDS1 gene located on the right arm of chromosome XV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene codes for a 522 amino acid serine-rich protein with no obvious homology to proteins in the database. GDS1 gene was isolated as the multicopy suppressor of the glycerol-deficient phenotype caused by the nam9-1 mutation in the yeast nuclear gene encoding the mitochondrial ribosomal protein homologous to S4 proteins from various organisms. Disruption-deletion of the GDS1 open reading frame leads to a partial impairment of growth on medium containing glycerol as the carbon source, indicating mitochondrial function of the gene product. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number U18262.     

IV. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequence of the PHO2-POL3 (CDC2) region of chromosome IV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The nucleotide sequence of a 5 kb EcoRI-NcoI fragment of chromosome IV, contiguous to gene POL3 (CDC2), has been determined. It contains three open reading frames: QRI1, QRI2 and QRI7. Two of them are essential genes. QRI7 is homologous to the Escherichia coli orf_x gene. Accession number to EMBL/Genbank Data Library is X79380.     

I. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequencing of chromosome I of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Analysis of the 42 kbp SP07-CENI-CDC15 region

Determination of the DNA sequence and preliminary functional analysis of a 42 kbp centromeric section of chromosome I have been completed. The section spans the SPO7-CEN1-CDC15 loci and contains 19 open reading frames (ORFs). They include an apparently inactive Ty1 retrotransposon and eight new ORFs with no known homologs or function. The remaining ten genes have been previously characterized since this part of the yeast genome has been studied in an unusually intensive manner. Our directed sequencing allows a complete ordering of the region. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L22015.     

Recent research on bioactive compounds of Scomber spp. and their health effects

Scomber spp. are fast-moving migratory fish found in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Scomber spp. contain proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins. However, recent studies on Scomber spp. have focused on improving the quality of products (S. colias), describing their morphology (S. indicus), as well as the exploration and application of their enzymes (S. australasicus) and bioactive compounds for health benefits (S. japonicus and S. scombrus). Bioactive compounds from Scomber spp. have been reported to exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, but there has been no review of this topic to date. Totally, 36 articles were reviewed after the duplicates were removed. Muscle protein hydrolysates, peptides, lipids, collagen, amino acids, lecithin and glycolipids are known as bioactive compounds from Scomber spp. that exhibit beneficial health effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, tyrosinase inhibition, hypoglycaemic and anti-lipoxygenase properties. However, these have been tested only in vitro, and there is still a lack of studies on bioactive compounds from S. australasicus, S. colias and S. indicus. Therefore, further studies are needed to test bioactive compounds from Scomber spp. at the in vivo and clinical stages, as well as to explore the presence of bioactive compounds from S. australasicus, S. colias and S. indicus.     

IV. Yeast sequencing reports. Nucleotide sequence of the SAC2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A temperature-sensitive mutation (act1-1) in the essential actin gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be suppressed by mutations in the SAC2 gene. A cloned genomic DNA fragment that complements the cold-sensitive growth phenotype associated with such a suppressor mutation (sac2-1) was sequenced. The fragment contained an open reading frame that encodes a 641 amino acid predicted hydrophilic protein with a molecular weight of 74 445. No sequences with significant similarity to SAC2 were found in the GenBank and EMBL databases. A SAC2 disruption mutation was constructed which had phenotypes similar to the sac2-1 point mutation. A haploid SAC2 disruption strain failed to grow at low temperature and the disruption allele suppressed the temperature-sensitive act1-1 growth defect. The suppression phenotype was dependent on the strain background. The SAC2 sequence has been submitted to the EMBL data library (Accession Number Z29988).     

Traditional uses,chemical composition and biological activities of Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr.

Sideritis species have been used in folk medicine for their antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, digestive and anti‐inflammatory properties. Over the years, the phytochemistry of the genus Sideritis has been studied, and various terpenoids, sterols, coumarins and especially flavonoid aglycones and glycosides have been identified. In particular, species from the Balkan Peninsula have been studied and were found to be rich in flavonoids, with valuable antioxidant activity. In the folk medicine of the Balkan countries, Sideritis raeseri is used as a herbal tea in the treatment of inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders and coughs, and also as a tonic, whereas extracts are used as a component of dietary supplements for anaemia. Its dried inflorescences are used to prepare a beverage called ‘mountain tea’. In light of the considerable interest generated in the chemistry, pharmacological properties and commercial value of S. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr., we review and summarise the available literature on these plants. The review details the chemical composition of the essential oil, its mineral and polyphenol contents, the naming of these plants and their physicochemical characterisation, and the nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data and biological properties associated with the plant extracts, with a focus on their potential chemotherapeutic applications. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of whisky distillery by-products. II. Studies on the in vitro digestibility of malt distiller's grains

The in vitro digestibility technique has been used to determine the organic matter digestibility (OMD) of dried samples of malt distiller's grains (MDG). The method gave highly reproducible results for OMD of fresh and ensiled samples when different batches of rumen liquor from hay-fed sheep were used. The results were consistently lower than values determined by in vivo digestibility trials. The OMD values were increased by raising the calcium ion Concentration of the digesta and by extraction of lipids from the MDG samples. The addition of calcium had no effect on fat-extracted samples of MDG.