P transposon-induced dominant enhancer mutations of position-effect variegation in Drosophila melanogaster.

P transposon induced modifier mutations of position-effect variegation (PEV) were isolated with the help of hybrid dysgenic crosses (pi 2 strain) and after transposition of the mutator elements pUChsneory+ and P[lArB]. Enhancer mutations were found with a ten times higher frequency than suppressors. The 19 pUChsneory(+)- and 15 P[lArB]-induced enhancer mutations can be used for cloning of genomic sequences at the insertion sites of the mutator elements via plasmid rescue. Together with a large sample of X-ray-induced (48) and spontaneous (93) enhancer mutations a basic genetic analysis of this group of modifier genes was performed. On the basis of complementation and mapping data we estimate the number of enhancer genes at about 30 in the third chromosome and between 50 and 60 for the whole autosome complement. Therefore, enhancer of PEV loci are found in the Drosophila genome as frequently as suppressor genes. Many of the enhancer mutations display paternal effects consistent with the hypothesis that some of these mutations can induce genomic imprinting. First studies on the developmentally regulated gene expression of PEV enhancer genes were performed by beta-galactosidase staining in P[lArB] induced mutations.

[Synthesis and properties of digitoxigenin-3 beta-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside]. / Synthese und Eigenschaften des Digitoxigenin-3 beta-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosids.

The synthesis of a cardenolide glycoside with a furanoide sugar component, digitoxigenin-3 beta-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside (4), is described for the first time. 4 was prepared by the reaction of digitoxigenin with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosylchloride and Fétizon-reagent in benzene/dioxan followed by debenzoylation with ammonia in dry methanol. Compound 4 is cleaved by alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase (Aspergillus niger K1) into digitoxigenin and L-arabinose. Hydrolytic stability against methanolic HCl (0.1 mol/l) is relatively high. 4 X 10(-8) mol/l 4 gives a 50% inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase (pig heart muscle) and is 2.5 times more active at this receptor than the aglycon digitoxigenin.

[Synthesis of 5-bromosalicyl-4'-chloroanilide-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside and other transport forms enzymatically activated by microbes]. / Synthese des 5-Bromsalicyl-4'-chloranilid-O-beta-D-xylopyranosids und weiterer durch Mikroben enzymatisch aktivierbarer Wirkstoff-Transportformen.

The synthesis of 5-bromosalicyl-4'-chloroanilide-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside and other glycosides of 5-bromosalicyl-4'-chloroanilide, salicylanilide, 3,5-dichlorophenol and tetrachlorohydrochinone is described. Glycosidations follow the procedures described by Latham et al. Sabalitschka and Helferich et al. These glycosides represent relatively untoxic transport-forms of drugs, which are activated to the free drug by specific enzymes of the organisms to be destroyed. This new mechanisms can help to destroy fungi and parasites in dermatology, agriculture, horticulture and cultivation of decorative plants without side effects on the host.

[Situation and perspectives of tumor chemotherapy from experimental viewpoint (author's transl)]. / Zur Situation und Perspektive der Tumorchemotherapie aus experimenteller Sicht.

In a reveiw article the origin, the present position, and the possibilities of further development of tumour chemotherapy are described. The central problems in preparing new substances and combinations with more selective activity, and different forms of carriers with promising perspectives are discussed.