Solution conformations of penta and heptapeptides containing repetitive α-aminoisobutyryl-Image -alanyl and α -aminoisobutyryl-Image -valyl sequences

The presence of folded solution conformations in the peptides Boc-Ala-(Aib-Ala)2-OMe, Boc-Val-(Aib-Val) 2-OMe, Boc-Ala-(Aib-Ala)3-OMe and Boc-Val-(Aib-Val)3-OMe has been established by 270MHz 1H NMR. Intramolecularly H-bonded NH groups have been identified using temperature and solvent dependence of NH chemical shifts and paramagnetic radical induced broadening of NH resonances. Both pentapeptides adopt 310 helical conformations possessing 3 intramolecular H-bonds in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO. The heptapeptides favour helical structures with 5 H-bonds in CDCl3. In (CD3)2SO only 4 H-bonds are readily detected.

Peanut stripe potyvirus resistance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants carrying viral coat protein gene sequences

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) lines exhibiting high levels of resistance to peanut stripe virus (PStV) were obtained following microprojectile bombardment of embryogenic callus derived from mature seeds. Fertile plants of the commercial cultivars Gajah and NC7 were regenerated following co-bombardmentwith the hygromycin resistance gene and one of two forms of the PStV coat protein (CP) gene, an untranslatable, full length sequence (CP2) or a translatable gene encoding a CP with an N-terminal truncation (CP4). High level resistance to PStV was observed for both transgenes when plants were challenged with the homologous virus isolate. The mechanism of resistance appears to be RNA-mediated, since plants carrying either the untranslatable CP2 or CP4 had no detectable protein expression, but were resistant or immune (no virus replication). Furthermore, highly resistant, but not susceptible CP2 T0 plants contained transgene-specific small RNAs. These plants now provide important germplasm for peanut breeding, particularly in countries where PStV is endemic and poses a major constraint to peanut production.

Identification of small juvenile scombrids from northwest tropical Australia using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences

Small juveniles of the nine species of scombrids in Australian waters are morphologically similar to one another and, consequently, difficult to identify to species level. We show that the sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene region is a powerful tool for identification of these young fish. Using this method, we identified 50 juvenile scombrids collected from Exmouth Bay, Western Australia. Six species of scombrids were apparent in this sample of fish: narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), frigate tuna (Auxis thazard), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), leaping bonito (Cybiosarda elegans), and kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis). The presence of Indian mackerel, frigate tuna, leaping bonito, and kawakawa is the first indication that coastal waters may be an important spawning habitat for these species, although offshore spawning may also occur. The occurrence of small juvenile S. commerson was predicted from the known spawning patterns of that species, but other mackerel species (Scomberomorus munroi, Scomberomorus queenslandicus, Scomberomorus semifasiciatus) likely to be spawning during the sampling period were not detected among the 50 small juveniles analyzed here.

Effects Of 5' Flanking Sequences And Changes In The 5' Internal Control Region On The Transcription Of Rice Transfer-Rna Gcc Cly Gene

A stretch of 71 nucleotides in a 1.2 kilobase pair Pst I fragment of rice DNA was identified as tRNA~ gene by hybridization and nucleotide sequence analyses. The hybridization of genomic DNA with the tRNA gene showed that there are about 10 glycine tRNA genes per diploid rice genome. The 3' and 5' internal control regions, where RNA polymerase III and transcription factors bind, were found to be present in the coding sequence. The gene was transcribed into a 4S product in an yeast cell-free extract. The substitution of 5' internal control region with analogous sequences from either M13mpl9 or M13mpl8 DNA did not affect the transcription of the gene in vitro. The changes in three highly conserved nucleotides in the consensus 5' internal control region (RGYNNARYGG; R = purine, Y = pyrimidine, N = any nucleotide) did not affect transcription showing that these nucleotides are not essential for promotion of transcription. There were two 16 base pair repeats, 'TGTTTGTTTCAGCTTA' at - 130 and - 375 positions upstream from the start of the gene. Deletion of 5' flanking sequences including the 16 base pair repeat at - 375 showed increased transcription indicating that these sequences negatively modulate the expression of the gene.

Bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem with a learning effect: Aneja-Nair method to obtain the set of optimal sequences

In this paper, we consider the bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem of n jobs with a learning effect. The two objectives considered are the total completion time (TC) and total absolute differences in completion times (TADC). The objective is to find a sequence that performs well with respect to both the objectives: the total completion time and the total absolute differences in completion times. In an earlier study, a method of solving bi-criteria transportation problem is presented. In this paper, we use the methodology of solvin bi-criteria transportation problem, to our bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem with a learning effect, and obtain the set of optimal sequences,. Numerical examples are presented for illustrating the applicability and ease of understanding.

Sequences that adopt non-B-DNA conformation in form V DNA as probed by enzymic methylation

pBR322 form V DNA is a highly torsionally strained molecule with a linking number of zero. We have used sequence- specific DNA methylases as probes for B-DNA in this molecule, exploiting the inability of methylases to methylate single-stranded DNA and Z-DNA, both of which are known to occur in form V DNA. Some sequences in form V DNA were shown to be totally in the B-form, others were totally in an altered, unmethylatable conformation, while still other sites appeared to exist partly in altered and partly in normal B-conformation. Some potential Z-forming sequences (alternating pyrimidine/purine) of less than seven base-pairs were not in the Z conformation in form V DNA, whereas others did adopt an altered structure, indicating a modulating influence of flanking sequences. Furthermore, regions of imperfect alternating pyrimidine/purine structure were sometimes capable of adopting an altered structure. In addition, some regions of altered structure had no apparent Z-forming sequences, nor were they in polypurine stretches, which have also been proposed to form left-handed DNA. These non-B-DNA conformations may represent novel left-handed helical structures or sequences that become single stranded under torsional strain. Long regions of either altered (unmethylatable) DNA or B-DNA were not always observed. In fact, one region showed three transitions between B-like DNA and altered structure within 26 base-pairs.

Evidence for extensive population structure in the white-spotted eagle ray within the Indo-Pacific inferred from mitochondrial gene sequences

The white-spotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari is a species complex that occurs circumglobally throughout warm-temperate waters. Aetobatus narinari is semi-pelagic and large (up to 300 cm disc width), suggesting high dispersal capabilities and gene flow on a wide spatial scale. Sequence data from two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4), were used to determine the genetic variability within and among 18 sampling locations in the central Indo-Pacific biogeographical region. Populations in the Indo-Pacific were highly genetically structured with c. 70% of the total genetic variation found among three geographical regions (East China Sea, Southeast Asia and Australia). FST was 0.64 for cytb and 0.53 for ND4, with φST values being even larger, that is, 0.78 for cytb and 0.65 for ND4. This high-level genetic partitioning provides strong evidence against extensive gene flow in A. narinari. The degree of genetic population structuring in the Indo-Pacific was similar to that found on a global scale. Global FST was 0.63 for cytb and 0.57 for ND4, and global φST values were 0.94 for cytb and 0.82 for ND4. This suggests that the A. narinari complex may be more speciose than the two or three species proposed to date. Further sampling and genetic analyses are likely to uncover the ‘evolutionarily significant’ and ‘management’ units that are critical to determine the susceptibilities of individual populations to regional fishing pressures and to provide advice on management options. Network analyses showed a close genetic relationship between haplotypes from the central Indo-Pacific and South Africa, providing support for a proposed dispersal pathway from the possible centre of origin of the A. narinari species complex in the Indo-Pacific into the Atlantic Ocean.

Crop sequences to manage soil pathogens and increase northern grain production

This is part of a GRDC funded project led by Dr Jeremy Whish of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences. The project aims to build a root-lesion nematode module into the crop growth simulation program APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator). This will utilise existing nematode and crop data from field, glasshouse and laboratory research led by Dr John Thompson. New data will be collected to validate and extend the model.

X-Pro peptides. A theoretical study of the hydrogen bonded conformations of (alpha-aminoisobutyryl-L -prolyl)n sequences

Intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformations of (Aib-Pro)n sequences have been analysed theoretically. Both 4-1 (C10 and 3-1 (C7 hydrogen bonded regular structures are shown to be stereochemically feasible. Conformational energies for the helical structures have been estimated using classical potential energy methods. Both C10 and C7 conformations have very similar energies. Pyrrolidine ring puckering has a pronounced effect on the energies, and only Cv-endo puckered Pro residues can be accommodated. The theoretical calculations using spectroscopic data suggest that the recently proposed novel 310 helical conformation for benzyloxycarbonyl(Aib-Pro)4-methyl ester is in solution, is indeed energetically and stereochemically favourable.

X-Pro peptides. A theoretical study of the hydrogen bonded conformations of (a-aminoisobutyryl-L -prolyl)n sequences

Intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformations of (Aib-Pro)n sequences have been analysed theoretically. Both 4�1 (C10 and 3�1 (C7 hydrogen bonded regular structures are shown to be stereochemically feasible. Conformational energies for the helical structures have been estimated using classical potential energy methods. Both C10 and C7 conformations have very similar energies. Pyrrolidine ring puckering has a pronounced effect on the energies, and only Cγ-endo puckered Pro residues can be accommodated. The theoretical calculations using spectroscopic data suggest that the recently proposed novel 310 helical conformation for benzyloxycarbonyl(Aib-Pro)4-methyl ester is in solution, is indeed energetically and stereochemically favourable.

DNA sequences and austral taxa indicate generic synonymy of Paratrichocladius Santos-Abreu with Cricotopus Wulp (Diptera: Chironomidae)

In the century since the description of the orthoclad genus Paratrichocladius Santos-Abreu (Diptera: Chironomidae), separation in any life stage from the cosmopolitan, diverse Cricotopus Wulp has been problematic. Molecular analysis reveals the presence of two species in Australia that conform in morphology to Paratrichocladius and which form a well-supported clade including Paratrichocladius micans (Kieffer) from Africa and a distinct southern African larva. This clade clusters with taxa allied with Cricotopus albitibia (Walker), in turn nested within all other sampled Australian Cricotopus. Relevant nodes strongly support Cricotopus as nonmonophyletic without inclusion of Paratrichocladius. We synonymize Paratrichocladius with Cricotopus syn.n, treating Paratrichocladius as a subgenus. Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) australiensis Cranston sp.n. is described for Trichocladius pluriserialis Freeman from Australia, which is not the same species under that name in New Zealand. Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) bifenestrus Cranston sp.n. from Australia is described, also in all life stages. The many new combinations, listed in an Appendix, include three replacement names for new secondary homonyms, namely: Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sinobicinctus Cranston & Krosch nom.n. for Paratrichocladius bicinctus Fu, Sæther & Wang, Cricotopus draysoni Cranston & Krosch nom.n. for Cricotopus brevicornis Drayson, Krosch & Cranston, and Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sikhotealinus Makarchenko & Makarchenko nom.n. for Cricotopus orientalis Kieffer. We conclude with comments on wider issues in the taxonomy of Paratrichocladius, especially concerning New Zealand species.

Two Complete Genome Sequences of Phasey Bean Mild Yellows Virus, a Novel Member of the Luteoviridae from Australia

We present here the complete genome sequences of a novel polerovirus from Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) and Cicer arietinum (chickpea) and compare these to a partial viral genome sequence obtained from Macroptilium lathyroides (phasey bean). We propose the name phasey bean mild yellows virus for this novel polerovirus.