Peroxisome-deficient mutants of Hansenula polymorpha

As a first step in a genetic approach towards understanding peroxisome biogenesis and function, we have sought to isolate mutants of the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha which are deficient in peroxisomes. A collection of 260 methanol-utilization-defective strains was isolated and screened for the ability to utilize a second compound, ethanol, the metabolism of which involves peroxisomes. Electron microscopical investigations of ultrathin sections of selected pleiotropic mutants revealed two strains which were completely devoid of peroxisomes. In both, different peroxisomal matrix enzymes were active but located in the cytosol; these included catalase, alcohol oxidase, malate synthase and isocitrate lyase. Subsequent backcrossing experiments revealed that for all crosses involving both strains, the methanol- and ethanol utilizing-deficient phenotypes segregated independently of each other, indicating that different gene mutations were responsible for these phenotypes. The phenotype of the backcrossed peroxisome-deficient derivates was identical: defective in the ability to utilize methanol but capable of growth on other carbon sources, including ethanol. The mutations complemented and therefore were recessive mutations in different genes.     

Radiation heat losses in solar collectors with plastic covers

The use of plastic covers instead of glass covers in solar collectors requires a modification of the calculation of radiation heat loss, because plastics are, in contrast to glass, partly transparent for thermal radiation. This article describes a simple method which enables calculation of radiation heat loss in collectors equipped with plastic covers. Comparison of this method with an incorrect method used by some authors shows that the latter leads to large errors in some cases. The results of the correct method indicate that in some situations the glass covers can be replaced by much cheaper plastic covers with a negligible increase in collector heat loss.     

Metabolism of debrisoquine sulphate in rat, dog and man

1. The metabolism of debrisoquine sulphate in the dog has been studied and is similar to that in rat and man. 2. Two acidic urinary metabolites, shown to be present in rat, dog and man, have been isolated from rat urine. After derivatization they were characterized by n.m.r. and mass spectroscopy as methyl 2-[2-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidylamino)-methyl]-phenylacetate and 2-[2-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidylamino)-ethyl]benzoate.     

Conjugation in the yeast Guilliermondella selenospora Nadson et Krassilnikov

Conjugation in Guilliermondella selenospora took place via conjugation tubes from cells in different hyphae. Afterwards, a septum was formed in the channel connecting the two cells which turned into asci or formed buds which became asci. Conjugation between adjacent hyphal cells was also found. Cell contact without fusion with denticles and stalks, which occurs in G. selenospora, was compared with conjugation.     

An electron microscopical study of the development of peroxisomes during formation and germination of ascospores in the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha

Ascospore formation was studied in liquid cultures of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha, previously grown under conditions in which the synthesis of alcohol oxidase was repressed (glucose as growth substrate) or derepressed (methanol, glycerol and dihydroxyacetone as growth substrates and after growth on malt agar plates). In ascospores obtained from repressed cells, generally one small peroxisome was present. The organelle probably originated from the small peroxisome, originally present in the vegetative cells. They had no crystalline inclusions and cytochemical experiments indicated the presence of catalase, urate oxidase and amino acid oxidase activities in these organelles. In ascospores obtained from derepressed cells, generally 1--3 crystalline peroxisomes were observed. These organelles also originated from the peroxisomes originally present in the vegetative cells by means of fragmentation or division. They contained, in addition to the enzymes characteristic for peroxisomes in spores from repressed cells, also alcohol oxidase. The latter enzyme is probably responsible for the crystalline substructure of these peroxisomes. Peroxisomes had no apparent physiological function in the process of ascosporogenesis. A glyoxysomal function of the organelles during germination of the ascospores was also not observed. Germination of mature ascospores in media containing different sources of carbon and nitrogen showed that the function of the peroxisomes present in ascospores of Hansenula polymorpha is probably identical to that in vegetative haploid cells. They are involved in the oxidative metabolism of different carbon and nitrogen sources. Their enzyme profile is a reflection of that peroxisomes of vegetative cells and their presence may enable the formation of cells which are optimally adapted to environmental conditions extant during spore germination.     

Impact of gas in sodium flow on the temperature variation in an LMFBR rod bundle

The impact of gas in sodium flow on the temperature variation in an LMFBR rod bundle was studied in two types of experiments: (1) The gas fraction of the subchannels as well as the gas bubble spectra across the outlet of an unheated 61-rod bundle with wire spacers were measured in water/air flow. The distributions of the gas fractions at the inlet of the bundle were performed under uniform and non-uniform conditions. The results show that the distribution of the averaged gas fractions between the individual subchannels at the outlet of the bundle was almost the same as the distribution at the inlet. The measured bubble spectra show a dependency existing between the bubble frequencies, the bubble lengths, and the gas fraction in a subchannel. (2) A model for computing the transient temperature distributions within a heated rod was supported by experiments performed in a sodium/argon flow. For slug flow conditions a comparison indicates that the measured variations of wall temperatures can be well interpreted as being functions of the bubble contact time, rod power, and gas fraction in the flow.