Showing papers on "Biochemical Genetics published in 1987"

Biochemical genetics of blood group antigens: retrospect and prospect.

Abstract: found in secretions and body fluids, and exhibit size heterogeneity upon purification, as discussed above. Based on these observations, it is likely that many glycosyltransferases share a common domain structure with the sialyltransferase. What is the basis for the subcellular localization of the glycosyltransferases? It has been demonstrated that the fi-galactoside a2,6-sialyltransferase is localized to the trans region of the Golgi apparatus stack in hepatocytes and in intestinal goblet cells, and is found throughout the Golgi apparatus of intestinal absorptive cells (Roth et al., 1985; 1986). Inspection of the sequence provides few clues as to the polypeptide domains which encode the information mediating subcellular localization. It is unlikely that the soluble catalytic domain found in secretions would determine localization. Probable candidates would include the cytoplasmic domain, the trans-membrane domain and the polypeptide sequences close to the lumenal side of the membrane. Now that a cDNA containing the complete coding sequence of the sialyltransferase has been obtained, it should be possible to carry out a systematic investigation of the molecular basis of the localization of the sialyltransferase within the Golgi apparatus of cells through the use of eukaryotic expression vectors and site-directed mutagenesis.

Molecular genetic approaches in breeding for quality in barley

Abstract: To this day plant breeding is most successfully carried out empirically by crossing promising lines with each other and by selecting high yielding plants with improved quality. Biochemical genetics provides increasing possibilities to determine the metabolic pathways leading to storage proteins, enzymes, flavonoids and fatty acids, compounds which give favourable or unfavourable quality characteristics to the desired plant product. Mutations blocking the pathway are of special significance in evaluating the effect of a substance on a quality parameter. Molecular genetics permits the isolation of individual genes and their multiplication in bacteria and yeast. The structures and expression of genes in single copy and complex loci can thereby be explored. The information obtained provides the basis for breeding strategies. In spite of knowledge about the biochemical pathways and the structures of the genes, the selection of the appropriate rare genotypes is often economically unfeasible. Genetic tr...

Avian genetics: A field and ecological approach

Abstract: The authors wanted to present the ecological/population approach they used in their own research, and a compendium of carefully referred chapters written by invited experts was essential. The book follows the historical evolution of work in avian genetics, proceeding from a discussion of Mendelian (i.e. classical) genes through quantitative genetics, chromosomal genetics, biochemical genetics, to extensive treatment of population genetics, and concluding with some examples of long-term studies. In this book concentration has been more on intra- than on inter-specific variation; in that sense the approach has been more genetic than evolutionary or taxonomic.