ABSTRACT
A gene encoding the preproprotein of the pea (Pisum sativum) lectin was expressed in transgenic potato plants using a cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter or a tobacco ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit (ssRubisco) promoter. Presence of the pea lectin to levels greater than 1% of total soluble leaf protein was detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The pattern of expression derived from the two promoters was established using both RIA and a squash-blot immunolocalisation technique. Western blotting demonstrated that the preproprotein was correctly processed, generating alpha and beta subunits that assembled to give an isolectin form observed in pea seeds and roots. It was also found that the haemagglutination activity and specificity of pea lectin synthesised in transgenic potato leaves was comparable to purified lectin from pea cotyledons.
Subject(s)
Lectins/genetics , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Animals , Blotting, Northern , Blotting, Southern , Blotting, Western , Cloning, Molecular , Hemagglutination Tests , Isoelectric Focusing , Lectins/metabolism , Plant Lectins , Plasmids , Protein Precursors/genetics , Rabbits , Radioimmunoassay , Regeneration , Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/genetics , Solanum tuberosum/genetics , Transformation, GeneticABSTRACT
We describe the isolation of a mouse H1 histone gene that encodes two mRNA transcripts. One mRNA ends just beyond the coding region, near a highly conserved palindrome sequence typical of cell cycle-regulated histone genes. The level of this transcript is coupled to DNA replication. The second mRNA ends nearly 1 kilobase downstream near a polyadenylation signal. This mRNA is polyadenylylated, and its accumulation is not coupled to DNA replication. The two mRNAs are regulated independently and in some circumstances in opposite directions under several physiological conditions. The production of a polyadenylylated mRNA from an otherwise cell cycle-regulated histone gene may allow for continued synthesis of the histone protein when DNA synthesis ceases in nondividing cells.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Genes , Histones/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Transcription, Genetic , Acetamides/pharmacology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Cell Cycle , Cell Line , DNA, Neoplasm/genetics , DNA, Neoplasm/isolation & purification , Genes/drug effects , Genetic Variation , Hydroxyurea/pharmacology , Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute , Mice , Molecular Sequence Data , Transcription, Genetic/drug effectsABSTRACT
Behavioral studies were conducted on 90 petrol pump workers to study the effect of petrol on the central and peripheral nervous systems. Sixty-four control subjects of similar age and socio-economic status were also taken for purposes of comparison. Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), Benton Visual Retention Test, Digit Span Test, Progressive Matrices, Digit Symbol Test and Mirror Drawing Test were used for behavioral studies. Immediate and delayed memory were found to be significantly affected in exposed workers. Intellectual capacity and psychomotor ability were also significantly affected (P less than 0.01). Psychomotor ability and visuomotor learning ability were more affected (P less than 0.05) among the exposed subjects than among the controls. However, stability and extroversion-introversion ability remained unaffected.
Subject(s)
Mental Processes/drug effects , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Petroleum/adverse effects , Humans , Intelligence/drug effects , Memory/drug effects , Neuropsychological Tests , Occupational Diseases/psychology , Psychomotor Performance/drug effectsSubject(s)
Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Volume Measurements , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Adult , Humans , India , Male , Middle Aged , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
A study was undertaken to assess the health status of workers exposed to cyanide fumes and cyanide aerosols in one of the local factories. Cyanide levels in the breathing zone and the working atmosphere were measured. Cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations in blood and urine were determined colorimetrically. The cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations in blood and urine of exposed workers were much higher than those of control workers. Smokers had higher concentrations than nonsmokers. The highest values of cyanide were found to be 0.8 and 0.2 mg/m3 in the breathing zone and general workroom atmosphere respectively. In spite of such low values, the workers complained of typical HCN poisoning. It is suggested that MAC values of 5 mg/m3 (in terms of CN) should be reviewed in respect to conditions in India.
