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Biomedical subjects

J Blamire

Publications and source records attributed to J Blamire.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Stability patterns and trophic structure in a Delaware Bay plankton community.

Using qualitative loop analysis we have extended our examination of a Delaware Bay plankton community to include an investigation of the roles played by the various entities (population, guild or nutrient) in the community. In an entity removal exercise, we used stability relationships as a probe into community structure. Six types of stability change are possible as a result of entity removal from the system: stable to stable (s-->s); stable to unstable (s-->u); stable to disconnected (s-->d); unstable to stable (u-->s); unstable to unstable (u-->u); unstable to disconnected (u-->d). Using these changes as an investigative tool, we found that in order to account for the stability-instability patterns, it was necessary to construct a refined trophic structure model. The observed connections between the entities in the larger model could be grouped into two different types of stability substructures: a simple pattern and a more complex branching pattern. These patterns map easily onto the refined trophic structure model. Using stability analysis it is also possible to model community structure in ways other than the traditional trophic approach. Patterns of system necessity and relative contribution to stability are observed. These patterns match the refined trophic structure model derived previously. The roles that the various entities play in the overall community were followed over an annual cycle. Entities were seen to change their roles as a function of time and status within a subgroup. These results show that stability determinations have the potential to be used as a valuable tool in community analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Stability-complexity relationships within models of natural systems.

Drawing on the qualitative loop analysis models prepared by Lane for a Delaware Bay plankton community, we evaluated 12 systems that ranged from 14 to 18 entities (population, guild or nutrient). Our approach was to study models of extended trophic biotic communities and examine the stability-complexity issue not only as it exists between systems (the traditional approach) but also with respect to the entities and relationships within a given system. We found no statistically significant inverse relationship for stability and complexity between systems. Within a system, a significant inverse relationship at the entity level was observed embedded in an increasing stability positively related to increasing subsystem size. Also, within a system and from system to system, several entities were seen to vary their roles with respect to stability. These results extend the stability-complexity issue to models of relatively large biotic communities and raise issues concerning the roles, with respect to stability, played by entities within communities.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The potential for community level evaluations based on loop analysis.

In this paper we present results obtained with a computer simulation in which a community, described by Levins in his presentation of loop analysis (Levins, R., 1975, Evolution in communities near equilibrium, in: Ecology and Evolution of Communities, M.L. Cody and J.M. Diamond (eds) (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.) pp. 16-50), is analysed. We show how our simulation accurately reproduces Levins' calculations and further, (i) how our simulation can be used to answer questions raised by Levins but never answered, (ii) how the simulation can be used to dissect a community in order to analyse the roles played by the various entities, and (iii) how predictions relating to the evolution of this community, proposed by Levins, can be analysed with some interesting and unexpected results. In particular, it becomes clear that discussion of the type of selection that may take place needs to be done in the framework of the community in which it occurs.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed1985

DNA metabolism during infection of Anacystis nidulans by cyanophage AS-1. VI. Effect of hydroxyurea and nalidixic acid on the development of cyanophage AS-1.

The use of the DNA inhibitors hydroxyurea (HU) and nalidixic acid (NAL) to elucidate patterns of DNA metabolism in AS-1 infected A. nidulans have led to several conclusions. First, HU and NAL at concentrations of 500 and 100 micrograms/ml, respectively, inhibited DNA synthesis in synchronized A. nidulans. Protein and chlorophyll synthesis remained essentially unchanged as did turbidity increases. Second, the complete burst size of the cyanophage AS-1 was severely affected by HU and NAL treatment and burst sizes of 8 and 2.6, respectively, were obtained. Third, inhibitor treatment of infected cultures caused a premature release of phage at 12 h instead of 16 h post infection. Finally, HU treatment of the host cell had no effect on the formation of PIL-DNA, whereas NAL pretreatment blocked its formation.

Chlorophyll↗
PubMed1985

DNA metabolism during infection of Anacystis nidulans by cyanophage AS-1. VII. UV-induced alterations of the AS-1/A. nidulans lytic cycle.

In order to interfere specifically with either the host of phage DNA metabolism and separate the effects of new phage DNA synthesis from the effects of host cell breakdown and PIL-DNA formation, UV irradiation of either the host, A. nidulans, or intact phage AS-1, prior to infection was utilized. Several conclusions were reached. First, a photoreactivation system was present in UV-irradiated A. nidulans. Second, the complete burst size of AS-1 was severely affected by UV irradiation of cells and/or phage; third, UV treatment of cells infected with healthy phage caused an early release of phage at 12 h instead of 16 h post-infection; however, healthy cells infected with UV-irradiated phage caused a delayed release of phage as 20 h.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed1983

A rapid procedure for the isolation of yeast mitochondrial DNA suitable for restriction fragment analysis.

A method for the rapid isolation of mitochondrial DNA from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described. Cells are first disrupted by vortexing with glass beads and the mitochondrial DNA is then extracted directly from the cell lysate by poly-L-lysine-kieselguhr-exchange chromatography. The method is unique from most other published procedures in that there is no requirement for the isolation of either a crude or purified mitochondrial preparation. Mitochondrial DNA isolated by this procedure is shown to yield restriction endonuclease fragment patterns identical to those obtained from DNA isolated by other previously reported procedures.

Chromatography↗
PubMed1980

Polyadenylated RNA of Volvox: isolation and partial characterization.

Polyadenylated RNA from Volvox carteri has been isolated and partially characterized. Electrophoretic profiles of total cellular poly(A)-associated RNA of Volvox spheroids indicate a hetero-disperse distribution of size classes with the range extending from an apparent sedimentation value of approximately 10S to greater than 38S. The radioactive labelling kinetics of this material are typical for rapidly-turning-over RNA. The profiles of poly(A) RNA from different cell types show marked differences in average migration rate. Terminally-differentiated somatic cells contain a greater proportion of material of higher molecular weight than either gonidia (germ cells) or cleaving embryos. The poly(A) segments associated with cellular RNA, obtained by selective RNase digestion are heterogeneous in size as determined by gel electrophoresis with the largest tracts estimated to be 75-80 nucleotides long. Gonidia and embryos display the greatest degree of size heterogeneity, while somatic cells show predominantly the largest classes of poly(A) tract. It is apparent that gross changes in poly(A) RNA metabolism accompany development and cellular differentiation in Volvox.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
PubMed1979

Effect of tetrahydrocannabinol and ethidium bromide on DNA metabolism and embryogenesis in Volvox.

The effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and ethidium bromide (EB) on the developmental life cycle and DNA metabolism of Volvox carteri have been investigated. THC, previously shown to interfere specifically with cytoplasmic DNA (cDNA) in this organism, was used at different concentrations and at different times during the life cycle. The morphological consequences observed were found to be dependent on the nature and time of treatment. This study also indicates that ethidium bromide induces degradatin of cDNA similar to that mediated by THC. However, unlike THC, it also causes the cessation of nuclear DNA synthesis. The consequences of EB treatment on morphological development are different from those observed with THC. A correlatin of these observations with the biochemical results presented suggests possible models in which the amounts and proportions of nuclear and cytoplasmic DNA play a role in the regulation of embryogenesis in this organism.

Chlorophyta↗
PubMed1978

Detection of aberrant nuclear DNA metabolism in a conditional mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A single recessive nuclear gene mutation has been isolated from strain 123.1C of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which appears to be conditionally deficient in nuclear DNA metabolism. Growth of the mutant strain at the elevated temperature of 36 degree C results in rapid loss of cell viability. However, no apparent reduction in the rate of radioisotope incorporation into DNA was detected during this period. When haploid cells carrying this temperature sensitive lesion were exposed to the restrictive temperature for varying lengths of time, returned to the permissive temperature, mated with a non-temperature sensitive strain and then the resulting diploids made to undergo meiosis, a greatly reduced number of viable spores were produced. Genetic analysis of the viable spores produced by these diploids has revealed aberrant auxotrophic marker segregation patterns. Thus, these results suggest that the mutated gene hardbored in this strain plays a vital role in the metabolism of the nuclear genome.

DNA↗
PubMed1977

Regulation of yeast mitochondrial DNA synthesis. I. Analysis of a mutant conditionally deficient in mitochondrial DNA metabolism.

A single nuclear gene mutation has been isolated from strain 123.1C of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is conditionally deficient in mitochondrial DNA metabolism. Growth of the haploid in media containing dextrose, a repressing carbon source, at 36 degrees C causes the rapid cessation of mitochondrial DNA synthesis as analyzed by radioactive 3H-adenine incorporation into mitochondrial DNA. These cells continue to grow and divide giving rise to neutral petites which are devoid of mitochondrial DNA as measured by radioactive incorporation of 3H-adenine at the permissive temperature. Growth of the haploid cells in media containing glycerol, a non-repressing carbon source, at 36 degrees C does not prevent mitochondrial DNA synthesis, however, the population of cells becomes partially petite. When such petites are analyzed, they are found to be suppressive and to contain mitochondrial DNA as measured in the manner described above. The action of this mutated gene appears to involve the sunthetic aspects of mitochondrial DNA metabolism, as haploid cells prelabeled in dextrose media with 3H-adenine show no loss or degradation of mitochondrial DNA at the restrictive temperature of 36 degrees C.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed1976

Mitochondrial DNA in yeast recombination and subsequent modification following mating between a Grande and a suppressive Petite.

The fate of mitochondrial DNA, following mating between a grande and suppressive petite of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been followed for up to 60 generations. The buoyant density of the mitochondrial DNA was seen to change in a manner explicable by a combination of recombination and subsequent modification phenomena whilst the suppressivity of the petite zygotic clones always remained high. These findings are consistent with current models of mitochondrial DNA metabolism in which petite strains have been observed to undergo deletion and reamplification of certain parts of their genomes.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗
PubMed1976

The DNA of Volvox carteri: a biophysical and biosynthetic characterization.

Various biophysical and biosynthetic characteristics of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from Volvox carteri are examined. The DNA from three strains (HK-10,NB-7 and KA-1) is compared, and all strains are shown to contain at least two distinct DNA species which band at densities of 1.714-1.715 and 1.704-1.705 g/cm3 in neutral CsCl and correspond to nuclear and "cytoplasmic" DNA, respectively. Base compositions calculated from these densities, 55-56% G+C for nuclear DNA, and 45-46% G+C for cytoplasmic DNA, are in close agreement with % G+C values estimated from thermal denaturation data. DNA from strain KA-1 has a third component with a buoyant density of 1.693 g/cm3. DNA synthesis is analysed using radioactively labelled heterogeneously grown strains of Volvox carteri and profiles obtained following preparative CsCl density gradient centrifugation are presented. In addition, dissimilarities in patterns of DNA synthesis at various periods in the asexual life cycle are reported for synchronous cultures of strain HK-10. These differences in temporal patterns of DNA synthesis clearly indicate that while nuclear DNA is make to some degree throughout the life cycle, cytoplasmic DNA synthesis appears to occur only at discrete intervals.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The mating reaction in yeast. I. A new mutation involved in the determination of mating-type.

The isolation and preliminary characterisation of a mutation, not linked to the mating type locus, but which apparently alters the mating type directed sequence of events during sexual conjugation is described. Haploids of the alpha mating type carrying this gene will now mate with other alpha haploids, creating diploids homozygous for the alpha mating type locus. This gene can be carried, but not expressed, in a haploids, however in a/alpha diploids homozygous for this gene mating is now possible with both a and alpha haploids giving either a/a/alpha or a/alpha/alpha triploids. Using these strains mating-deficient mutants have been isolated and preliminary results on their characterisation presented.

Conjugation, Genetic↗
PubMed1974

Regulation of nuclear DNA replication by thechloroplast in Chlamydomonas.

The experiments described in this paper implicate chloroplast protein synthesis in the regulation of nuclear DNA replication. The inhibition of nuclear DNA replication in the lower eukaryote, Chlamydomonas reinhardi strain 21gr, was examined after growth of cells with a series of antibiotics (streptomycin, neamine, spectinomycin, cleocin, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin) each of which has a known effect upon chloroplast RNA or protein synthesis in this organism. Each antibiotic inhibited nuclear DNA replication at drug concentrations at which there was little or no inhibition of adenine incorporation into chloroplast DNA. That chloroplast DNA was replicating under these conditions rather than merely being repaired, was shown first by the high incorporation rates and second by a (14)N-(15)N density transfer experiment in which chloroplast DNA doubled in the presence of streptomycin, while no incorporation into nuclear DNA was detected. A small DNA peak, Component III, located between nuclear and chloroplast DNA's in CsCl gradients, possibly mitochondrial, was more pronounced in DNA from antibiotic-inhibited cultures than from controls.

Adenine↗
PubMed1973

Studies on the action of nalidixic acid in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The effect of the antibiotic nalidixic acid on macromolecular metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been studied. It was found that, upon the addition of nalidixic acid to a logarithmically growing culture, there is a transient inhibition of total cell ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and protein synthesis, after which the cells show an almost complete recovery. In addition, there is no preferential inhibition of yeast mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗