An oleate 12-hydroxylase from Ricinus communis L. is a fatty acyl desaturase homolog.

Recent spectroscopic evidence implicating a binuclear iron site at the reaction center of fatty acyl desaturases suggested to us that certain fatty acyl hydroxylases may share significant amino acid sequence similarity with desaturases. To test this theory, we prepared a cDNA library from developing endosperm of the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) and obtained partial nucleotide sequences for 468 anonymous clones that were not expressed at high levels in leaves, a tissue deficient in 12-hydroxyoleic acid. This resulted in the identification of several cDNA clones encoding a polypeptide of 387 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 44,407 and with approximately 67% sequence homology to microsomal oleate desaturase from Arabidopsis. Expression of a full-length clone under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter in transgenic tobacco resulted in the accumulation of low levels of 12-hydroxyoleic acid in seeds, indicating that the clone encodes the castor oleate hydroxylase. These results suggest that fatty acyl desaturases and hydroxylases share similar reaction mechanisms and provide an example of enzyme evolution.

Winthrop, John, 1606-1676, autographed letter signed (copy) to Richard Odell; Pequot, Conn., 1 side (4 pages), 1652 November 27

Copy of correspondence responding to a November 16, 1652, letter from Odell regarding his daughter's illness, which Winthrop speculates is hemiplegia. According to Winthrop, "The cure depends upon the knowledge of the right cause, and not only that but the constand and due aplication of such things as may conduce them thereto, which is difficult to doe at a distance." Winthrop further writes that he did not at present have medicine to send for her condition, but recommends "some general things that might be helpfull." These included keeping the child warm with fox or rabbit furs, an ointment consisting of herbs, wax, castor oil, worm grease, fox grease, or an ointment of balsam. Winthrop writes he has sent an ointment, but does not specify its ingredients. His other suggestions for treatment include cupping without scarification, and an decoction containing sarsaparilla, guaiacum, and spirit of rosemary.

Ozark -- Piedmont

[drawn by Erwin Raisz].

Pittsburgh -- Atlantic

Shows also part of Delaware.

Pittsburgh -- Atlantic

Shows also part of Delaware.

Mexico

[drawn by Erwin Raisz].

England

[drawn by Erwin Raisz].

From Lubeck to Milan

[drawn by Erwin Raisz].

Adriatic -- Baltic

Cross section of a part of Eastern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, from Kaliningrad in the north to Dubrovnik in the south.

From Black Sea thru Turkey to Cyprus

[drawn by Erwin] Raisz.

Australia

Shows cities, geology and topography, agricultural products and mineral resources.

Tibet -- C. Asia

Cross section of the area in Asia starting with Chittagong and Dhaka in the south to Stalinsk [Novokuznetsk, Sakha (Russian Federation)] in the north.

Sable I. -- Fredericton N.B

[drawn by Erwin Raisz].

General landscape

Cross section of a general landscape showing topography.

Mt. Tremblant -- Catsk

Map drawn with oil based pastels on brown craft paper.