Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels: their synthesis and steps towards control of electroendosmosis.

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAl) hydrogel networks cross-linked with glutaraldehyde were prepared and their properties as membranes examined using a variety of techniques including preparative electrophoresis. Electroendosmosis (EEO) was observed and shown to be the result of charges on the membrane and of complexation with borate buffer ions. Investigation of "glutaraldehyde" solutions showed acid entities in, or formed in "glutaraldehyde" were responsible for EEO.

Hyperaccumulation of manganese in the rainforest tree Austromyrtus bidwillii (Myrtaceae) from Queensland, Australia.

Throughout the world, over 400 species of plants are known to accumulate large quantities of metals in their shoots (`hyperaccumulators'), but of these, relatively few accumulate manganese (Mn). We have identified for the first time an Australian native hyperaccumulator of Mn, Austromyrtus bidwillii (Benth.) Burrett (Myrtaceae).

A micro-scale method for determining relative metal-binding affinities of proteins.

This article describes a quick and easy method for determining relative binding affinities between proteins and metal ions. The method is based on separating unbound metal ions from metal ions bound to protein by ultrafiltration using microcentrifuge ultrafiltration units. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the test protein and the relative affinity towards divalent metal ions was found to be Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Pb2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+, which corresponds to the relative orders reported in the literature.

A galactose-rich, cell-wall glycoprotein from styles of Nicotiana alata.

A basic, galactose-rich style glycoprotein (GaRSGP) encoded by a previously characterized style-specific cDNA (NaPRP4) has been isolated from the styles of Nicotiana alata and structurally characterized. The glycoprotein is associated with cell walls in the transmitting tract and is composed of approximately 25% (w/w) protein and 75% (w/w) carbohydrate. The purified glycoprotein appears as a smear of between 45-120 kDa on SDS-PAGE; the deglycosylated protein backbone has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa.

A putative O-methyltransferase from barley is induced by fungal pathogens and UV light.

A cDNA clone, pBH72-F1 (F1), was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from barley leaves 72 h after inoculation with Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei.