Published by De Gruyter

Volume 37 Issue 9

Issue of Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

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Open Access June 2, 2014

Nonlinear Polarisationoscillations in a Biophysical Model System II: External Dynamics

Z. Szabo, F. Kaiser

Page range: 733-738

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Abstract

Nonlinear Polarisationoscillations To describe a metastable electric dipole state in a biological system, Fröhlich suggested a nonlinear model potential. In this paper we investigate a system of two nonlinear dipoles, which are coupled by a dipole-dipole interaction. We apply an external field and add linear damping terms. The external drive leads to a phase-locking of the dipoles. Mathematically, the system corresponds to an externally driven anharmonic oscillator with damping. We investigate the system of coupled oscillators and look for the stable and metastable solutions as a function of the internal and external parameters.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Zur Phytochemie südamerikanischer Nephroma-Arten / The Phytochemistry of South American Nephroma-Species

Bernd Renner, Aino Henssen, Ernst Gerstner

Page range: 739-747

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Abstract

New results on the phytochemistry of Nephroma, a genus of the lichen family Peltigeraceae are presented. Further eight species occuring in South America have been studied. Including earlier results, nine groupings of secondary metabolites within the genus are defined: The phytochemistry of pattern I is represented by N. analogicum containing ergochromes (ergochrome AB and AA), hitherto found only in members of the Parmeliaceae; pattern II: tenuiorin, methylgyrophorate, gyrophoric acid, 4-O-methyl gyrophoric acid, methylevernate, lecanoric acid, zeorin and usnic acid (represented by N. gyelnikii and N. pseudoparile); pattern III: Zeorin, 15α-acetoxy-22- hydroxyhopane and 15α-22-dihydroxyhopane (represented by N. parile and N. expallidum); pattern IV: stictic, constictic, hypostictic, hyposalazinic and usnic acid, zeorin and one unknown depsidone [PQ 4] (represented by N. antarcticum and N. lobuligerum); pattern V: no lichen metabolites (represented by N. resupinatum and N. plumbeum); pattern VI: perlatolic, stenosporic and glomelliferic acid, zeorin and five further metabolites being most likely O-methyl-derivatives of stenosporic and perlatolic acid (represented by N. cellulosum and N. lepidophyllum); pattern VII: usnic acid and phenarctin, including three further unknown depsides (represented by N. microphyllum and N. kuehnemanii); pattern VIII: usnic acid, phenarctin, nephroarctin and zeorin (represented by N. arcticum); pattern IX: usnic acid and 6oc-7β-22-trihydroxyhopane (represented by N. chubutense). A considerable variation in accessory compounds exists in pattern II, IV and VI which does not correlate with the variation in morphological characters. N. patagonicum Kremp. is placed to synonymy with N. analogicum Nyl.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Detection of Glyceollin on the Cellular Level in Infected Soybean by Laser Microprobe Mass Analysis

P. Moesta, U. Seydel, B. Lindner, H. Grisebach

Page range: 748-751

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Abstract

Laser microprobe mass analysis was explored as a method for the detection at the cellular level of the phytoalexin glyceollin in soybean cotyledons infected with an incompatible race of Phy- tophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea. For LAMMA ® analysis 10 μm freeze microtome sections which were freeze-dried on copper grids were used. The LAMMA spectrum of glyceollin (isomer I) shows a characteristic peak at m/e = 321 which can be attributed to M-OH + . This peak was also present in the spectra of infected regions from a cotyledon but was completely absent in the spectra of uninfected tissue. One hundred and Fifty LAMMA spectra were taken along a line perpendicular to the border line of infection. A steep rise in glyceollin content toward the infected area was observed. This is the First time that such highly localized glyceollin accumulation has been shown at the cellular level. The results show that LAMMA analysis is suitable for the detection of organic molecules in biological tissues with high lateral resolution.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Oxygen-Isotope Effect in Enzymatic Cleavage Reaction of 13-ʟ-Hydroperoxylinoleic Acid to Hexanal and 11-Formyl-cis-9-undecenoic Acid

Akikazu Hatanaka, Tadahiko Kajiwara, Jiro Sekiya, Takehiko Fukumoto

Page range: 752-757

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Abstract

Hydroperoxide lyase E" 2 solubilized with Tween 20 from tea chloroplasts was shown to catalyze cleavage reaction of 13-L-hydroperoxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (13-ʟ-hydroper- oxylinoleic acid) to hexanal, a C 6 -compound and 11-formyl-cis-9-undecenoic acid, a C 12 -compound by identification of cleavage products using authentic specimens synthesized through an unequivocal route. An oxygen-isotope effect was first observed in the cleavage reaction of 18 O- labeled 13-ʟ-hydroperoxylinoleic acid by solubilized E 2 ″ . The 18 O-atom of hydroperoxide was not detected in carbonyl group of hexanal formed from 18 O-labeled 13-ʟ-hydroperoxylinoleic acid.

Open Access June 2, 2014

On the Biosynthesis of C₃₀ Carotenoic Acid Glucosyl Esters in Pseudomonas rhodos. Analysis of car-Mutants

Hans Kleinig, Rüdiger Schmitt

Page range: 758-760

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Abstract

car-Mutants of Pseudomonas rhodos were isolated and classified into four types according to their blockage in the biosynthetic pathway. A biosynthetic scheme could be established. Three new structures could be identified (4,4'-diapocarotene-4,4'-dial, 4,4'-diapocarotene-4-al-4'-oic acid, glucosyl-4,4'-diapocarotene-4-oate).

Open Access June 2, 2014

Biosynthesis of Photosynthates and Taxonomy of Algae

Bruno P. Kremer, Gunter O. Kirst

Page range: 761-771

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Abstract

The representatives of the major algal divisions including Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Heterokontophyta usually show specific patterns of accumulated photoassimilatory products. Among these compounds, the accumulated low-molecular weight carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, alditols (i.e. polyhydroxy alcohols) and heterosides are of particular interest. Comparative analyses based on photosynthetic 14 C-labelling provided sufficient evidence that occurrence and distribution of such compounds are in general indicative for particular algal taxa and in some cases useful biochemical parameters for a classiciation of lower taxa even at the ordinal or the generic levels.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Specific Localization of β-ᴅ-Glucoside Conjugates of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Soybean Vacuoles

R. Schmitt, H. Sandermann

Page range: 772-777

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Abstract

Cell suspension cultures of soybean (Glycine max L.) were incubated with [ 14 C]-2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (62 h, 27 °C). The cells were converted to protoplasts by use of the cell-wall degrading enzymes, Driselase and pectinase. This procedure resulted in the release of the cellular amino acid conjugates as well as part of the free 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and of the β-ᴅ- glucoside conjugates. A vacuole fraction was obtained by mild osmotic shock in 10% yield, and was characterized by its polypeptide composition. The purified vacuoles were enriched in β-ᴅ-glucoside conjugates, free 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid being only a minor vacuolar constituent, and amino acid conjugates not being detectable.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Synthesis of Galloyl-Coenzyme A Thioester

Georg G. Gross

Page range: 778-783

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Abstract

Galloyl-CoA, a potential intermediate in the biosynthesis of gallotannins, has been prepared via N-succinimidyl 4-O-β-ᴅ-glucosidogallate and 4-O-β-ᴅ-glucosidogalloyl-CoA. Besides a major absorption band at 261 nm, the UV-spectra of the purified thioester and its corresponding 4-O-glucoside contain a longer wavelenght absorption band due to the thioester linkage at 305 nm (galloyl-CoA) or at 290 nm (shoulder, glucosidogalloyl-CoA). The molar extinction coefficients ε of the two thioesters were determined via the iron-complex of 4-O-β-ᴅ-glucosidogalloyl hydroxamic acid; ε 261 -values of 19.5 × 10 6 [cm 2 mol -1 ] and 21.5 × 10 6 [cm 2 mol -1 ] were calculated for galloyl-CoA and its glucoside, respectively. Difference spectra, i.e. absorbance before esterolysis and after, revealed maximal absorption of the thioester bond at 310 nm (⊿ε = 7.4 × 10 6 [cm 2 mol -1 ]) for galloyl-CoA and at 282 nm (⊿ε = 7.2 × 10 6 [cm 2 mol -6 ]) for glu- cosidogalloyl-CoA. The two thioesters were further characterized by determining their half-lifes during hydroxylaminolysis and alkaline hydrolysis.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Nitrite Inhibition of Bacterial Dinitrogen Fixation

F. Castillo, J. Cárdenas

Page range: 784-786

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Abstract

Dinitrogen fixation by crude extracts from Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Rhodomicrobium vannielii and by purified nitrogenase preparations from Azotobacter vinelandii and Clostridium pasteurianum is inhibited by nitrite, whereas in the same preparations nitrate is without effect. In Clostridium nitrite seems to interact with dinitrogenase reductase component of the bacterial nitrogenase complex.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Energy Transfer Inhibition Induced by Nitrofen

Bernhard Huchzermeyer

Page range: 787-792

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Abstract

The herbicide nitrofen was shown to act as an energy transfer inhibitor. The results proved nitrofen to act by inhibiting nucleotide exchange on the chloroplast coupling factor. A strong correlation was found between the inhibition of phosphorylation, ATPase activity, and nucleotide exchange. These results are discussed in terms of a regulatory effect of tightly bound ADP on the enzymatic activity of the chloroplast coupling factor.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Natürliche Hemmstoffe von Keimung und Wachstum, I Ausarbeitung eines quantitativen Biotests und Anwendung auf Extrakte aus Spelzen von Avena sativa L. / Natural Inhibitors of Germination and Growth, I. Development of a Quantitative Biotest and Application upon Extracts from Husks of Avena sativa L.

Rudolf Karl, Wolfhart Rüdiger

Page range: 793-801

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Abstract

Extracts from oat husks inhibit germination of a variety of seeds including Avena sativa L., Sorghum spec., Phalleris spec., Raphanus spec., Amaranthus caudatus, Lepidium sativum L. A quantitative assay for this inhibition was developed on the basis of percentage of root growth of Avena in the presence of extracted material compared with root growth of water controls. Fractionation of the extracts revealed that about half of the total inhibitory activity was found in the fraction of free organic acids. The inhibition was not due to known inhibitors. Abscisic acid. was not found in this extract. Phenole carbonic acids were determined in the extract. Their concentration was too low to significantly contribute to the observed inhibitory activity.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Natürliche Hemmstoffe von Keimung und Wachstum II Isolierung und Struktur von Hemmstoffen aus , Avena sativa L.⁺ / Natural Inhibitors of Germination and Growth II Isolation and Structure of Inhibitors from Avena sativa L

Edith Lohaus, Inge Bios, Wolfram Schäfer, Wolfhart Rüdiger

Page range: 802-811

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Abstract

Extracts from oat husks which inhibit germination of a variety of seeds were fractionated. After mild alkaline hydrolysis, two active fractions A 1 and A 2 were obtained. From A 1 which contains mainly aliphatic di- and tricarboxylic acids, the inhibitor was isolated by chromatographic procedures and identified as 1,3,4-pentanetricarboxylic acid (11 b) by mass spectrometry. The structure was confirmed by total synthesis of the compound in the form of a mixture of diastereomers 11 a/11 b. From A 2 , two aromatic compounds were isolated by chromatography and identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry as 3,4-dimethoxyacetophenone (12) and dimethoxybutylbenzene. Compounds with similar structures were compared with the natural germination inhibitors with regard to their bioactivity.

Open Access June 2, 2014

5-Methylcytosin-Gehalt in Rattenerythroleukämie-Zellen nach Induktion mit Dimethylsulfoxid / 5-Methylcytosine Content in Erythroleucemic Cells of Rats after Induction with Dimethylsulfoxid

R. Baur, N. Kluge, H. Kröger, H. Wohlert

Page range: 812-817

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Abstract

Erythroleucemic cells of rats were induced by DMSO for the terminal erythroid differentiation. The base composition and the 5MC content of the DNA were analyzed by HPLC and a significant difference between non-induced and induced cells was not found. The analysis of labelled DNA by the restriction enzymes Hha I, Hpa II, and Msp I did not result in a different pattern before and after the induction. These results suggest that the 5 MC content of the DNA does not change during the induced terminal erythroid differentiation.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Katabole Eigenschaften 5',5"-verknüpfter Dinucleosidphosphate in Nuclei aus Rattenleber / Catabolic Properties of 5',5"-Linked Dinucleosidephosphates in Rat Liver Nuclei

Siegmar Bornemann, Eckhard Schlimme

Page range: 818-823

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Abstract

We report on the enzymatic degradation of 14 C-labelled 5',5"-linked dinucleoside triphosphates Gp 3 A, 2-O-mGp 3 A, 2'dGp 3 A, 2',3"ddGp 3 A and m 7 Gp 3 A in rat liver nuclei. The 2'-desoxy- and 2',3'-didesoxy compounds are poorer substrates than the other cap-structured dinucleotides investigated.

Open Access June 2, 2014

The Interaction of Calf Thymus DNA with Mercuric Acetate and 3,6-Bis-(acetatomercurimethyl)-dioxane. Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering and Viscosity Studies

Peter Zipper, Gertraud Ribitsch, Josef Schurz, Hans Bünemann

Page range: 824-832

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Abstract

The binding of Hg 2+ and 3,6-bis-(acetatomercurimethyl)-dioxane (BAMD) to sonicated calf thymus DNA was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering and viscosity measurements. The scattering experiments with DNA complexed by different amounts of mercurials (for Hg 2+ r b = 0-0.79, for BAMD r b = 0-0.86 mol of mercurial bound per mol of base pairs) established that the rod-like character of the DNA molecules is maintained up to high binding ratios. They revealed further a steady decrease of the cross-section radius of gyration R c for the DNA · Hg 2+ complex and a similar decrease of R c for the DNA · BAMD complex up to r b = 0.35. This behaviour is certainly caused by the incorporation of both mercurials near the axis of the DNA helix. Binding of BAMD at r b > 0.35 led to an increase of R c which behaviour obviously reflects the location of mercury atoms at large distances from the axis, possibly on the surface of the helix. The increase of the mass per unit length M c upon binding of the mercurials was found to be much higher than expected. This finding established that the length of the DNA helix decreases by 0.10±0.01 nm per bound mercurial at low binding ratios (i.e. up to r b = 1/3 for BAMD, up to possibly r b = 0.5 for Hg 2+ ). A similar conclusion was also drawn from the observed decrease of intrinsic viscosity [rj] with increasing r b . The analysis of M c at high binding ratios suggests that every BAMD molecule bound beyond r b =1/3 decreases the length of the DNA by 0.21 ±0.05 nm whereas Hg 2+ when bound beyond r b = 0.5 causes no change of the length.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Growth Characteristics of Anaerobically Treated Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells after Reaeration as Studied by Combination of Flow Cytometry and Centrifugal Elutriation

Reiner Merz, Friedh. Schneider

Page range: 833-838

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Abstract

Centrifugal elutriation was applied to separate into the cell compartments asynchronous Ehrlich ascites cells grown under different culture conditions. The cytokinetic properties of the recultivated fractions were studied by flow cytometry. The present experiments prove that G 1- cohorts grown 12 h under exclusion of oxygen accumulate in the late G 1-compartment. The cytokinetic properties of these cells are not changed. In contrast the cytokinetic properties of anaerobically treated S-phase cells are changed; most of S-cells leave the cell cycle after they have attained the DNA content of G 2-cells and continue to synthesize DNA without preceeding division. Cells with a DNA content up to the fourfold of normal values are found.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Inverse Relationships between Ecdysteroid Titres and Total Body Metabolism in Insects

Karel Sláma

Page range: 839-844

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Abstract

In larval and pupal stages of several insect species the changes in total body metabolism appear to be inversely proportional to the course of ecdysteroid titres. The largest peaks of ecdysteroid occur exactly at the time of the lowest metabolic rates. These relationships are consequences of the developmental programming; ecdysteroid has no direct antimetabolic action. The problem of ecdysteroid-metabolic interactions has been discussed in relation to possible homeostatic function of ecdysteroids in insect development.

Open Access June 2, 2014

Yeast Aminopeptidase II: Rapid Purification Using Affinity Chromatography of the Periplasmic Enzyme

Joseph Knüver, Klaus-Heinrich Röhm

Page range: 845-848

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Abstract

Periplasmic aminopeptidase II of yeast was isolated from protoplast supernatants by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and affinity chromatography on immobilized bestatin. This isolation method is more rapid than conventional procedures and, in addition, avoids contact of the enzyme with yeast protein-ases. Thus the preparation obtained is likely to represent the native periplasmic from of aminopeptidase II.

About this journal

Objective

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) is an international scientific journal and a community resource for the emerging field of natural and natural-like products.

The journal publishes original research on the isolation (including structure elucidation), bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products, their biochemistry, pharmacology, biotechnology, and their biological activity and innovative developed computational methods for predicting the structure and/or function of natural products.

A Journal of Biosciences: Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C (ZNC) welcomes research papers in fields on the chemistry-biology boundary which address scientific ideas and approaches to generate and understand natural compounds on a molecular level and/or use them to stimulate and manipulate biological processes.

Topics

Bio-chemical synthesis and bioactivities of natural products
Isolation (including structure elucidation)
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Pharmacology
Chemistry
Biology

Article formats

Original research articles, research notes, letters and review articles

Please have a look at the call for papers for two upcoming Special Issues:

Special Issue on CAZymes

Special Issue on Chitin Structures and Pathways as Targets for Biopesticides and Drugs

Volume 37 Issue 9

Issue of Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C

Nonlinear Polarisationoscillations in a Biophysical Model System II: External Dynamics

Abstract

Zur Phytochemie südamerikanischer Nephroma-Arten / The Phytochemistry of South American Nephroma-Species

Abstract

Detection of Glyceollin on the Cellular Level in Infected Soybean by Laser Microprobe Mass Analysis

Abstract

Oxygen-Isotope Effect in Enzymatic Cleavage Reaction of 13-ʟ-Hydroperoxylinoleic Acid to Hexanal and 11-Formyl-cis-9-undecenoic Acid

Abstract

On the Biosynthesis of C30 Carotenoic Acid Glucosyl Esters in Pseudomonas rhodos. Analysis of car-Mutants

Abstract

Biosynthesis of Photosynthates and Taxonomy of Algae

Abstract

Specific Localization of β-ᴅ-Glucoside Conjugates of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in Soybean Vacuoles

Abstract

Synthesis of Galloyl-Coenzyme A Thioester

Abstract

Nitrite Inhibition of Bacterial Dinitrogen Fixation

Abstract

Energy Transfer Inhibition Induced by Nitrofen

Abstract

Abstract

Natürliche Hemmstoffe von Keimung und Wachstum II Isolierung und Struktur von Hemmstoffen aus , Avena sativa L.+ / Natural Inhibitors of Germination and Growth II Isolation and Structure of Inhibitors from Avena sativa L

Abstract

5-Methylcytosin-Gehalt in Rattenerythroleukämie-Zellen nach Induktion mit Dimethylsulfoxid / 5-Methylcytosine Content in Erythroleucemic Cells of Rats after Induction with Dimethylsulfoxid

Abstract

Katabole Eigenschaften 5',5"-verknüpfter Dinucleosidphosphate in Nuclei aus Rattenleber / Catabolic Properties of 5',5"-Linked Dinucleosidephosphates in Rat Liver Nuclei

Abstract

The Interaction of Calf Thymus DNA with Mercuric Acetate and 3,6-Bis-(acetatomercurimethyl)-dioxane. Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering and Viscosity Studies

Abstract

Growth Characteristics of Anaerobically Treated Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells after Reaeration as Studied by Combination of Flow Cytometry and Centrifugal Elutriation

Abstract

Inverse Relationships between Ecdysteroid Titres and Total Body Metabolism in Insects

Abstract

Yeast Aminopeptidase II: Rapid Purification Using Affinity Chromatography of the Periplasmic Enzyme

Abstract

On the Biosynthesis of C₃₀ Carotenoic Acid Glucosyl Esters in Pseudomonas rhodos. Analysis of car-Mutants

Natürliche Hemmstoffe von Keimung und Wachstum II Isolierung und Struktur von Hemmstoffen aus , Avena sativa L.⁺ / Natural Inhibitors of Germination and Growth II Isolation and Structure of Inhibitors from Avena sativa L