[Interactions of a DNA molecule with coordination compounds of platinum and cobalt in solutions]. / Vzaimodeistvie molekuly DNK s koordinatsionnymi soedineniiami platiny i kobal'ta v rastvore.

The interaction of DNA with coordination compounds of divalent platinum and trivalent cobalt was studied. Complexes containing simultaneously different coordination compounds were prepared by various procedures. It was shown that the binding of trans-diaminodichloroplatinum (DDP) to DNA prevents its further complexing with cis-DDP, while in the presence of cis-DDP the possibility for trans-DDP to bind to DNA in solution remains. The study of similar DNA complexes with trans-DDP and cobalt hexamine indicated the competition for the binding sites of these compounds to the DNA molecule.

The alanine racemase gene is essential for growth of Lactobacillus plantarum.

The Lactobacillus plantarum alr gene encoding alanine racemase was cloned by complementation of an Escherichia coli Alr- DadX- double mutant strain. Knockout of the alr gene abolished all measurable alanine racemase activity, and the mutant was shown to be strictly dependent on D-alanine for growth.

HLA antigens and atopic dermatitis.

The frequency of HLA antigens was determined in 27 unrelated children and 44 of their parents, compared to 326 healthy controls. HLA-BW35 frequency is significantly increased in the patients (37 instead of 11.6%; Pc less than 0.01) and in the parents (34 instead of 11.6%; Pc less than 0.05). However HLA segregation was not disturbed in 23 families with 33 patients and 24 healthy siblings. These data confirm the hereditary character of atopy but does not allow the exclusion of the hypothesis of a linkage between a HLA-B gene and an Ir gene conditioning abnormal humoral response to several allergens.