15) Epidemiology of Shigellosis in a Mental Institution
C. MISCELLANEOUS
(19) Isolation of an Anthranilic Acid-like Compound from a Mutant Strain of A. aerogenes
Workers: F. Gibson and (Mrs) Shelagh B. Segall
This compound has been shown to be an N-substituted anthranilic acid resembling, but not identical with, phenylglycine o-carboxylic acid and has been isolated in an impure form. The chemistry of this intermediate is still being examined;
(20) Isolation and Identification of an Indole Derivative Intermediate in the Biosynthesis of Tryptophan
Workers: H. Teltscher and F. Gibson
A /? substituted indole has been isolated which appears to be an intermediate in the synthesis of tryptophan. This compound has now been identified independently by Dr C. Yanofsky in the U.S.A.
(21) Studies in Lysogenicity
Workers: K. Huybers and Pamela A. Jennings
Studies on the spontaneous lysis of cultures of B. megaterium (igSS Research Report) have now been completed. I t has been shown that this phenomenon is due to a mutant bacteriophage capable of attacking the parent lysogenic organism.
(22) Citric Acid Production by Aspergillus niger Workers: Joan F. Gardner and R. C. Bayly
This is a continuation of work previously reported (/055 Research Report). High yields of citric acid are obtainable by mutant cul- tures in glass fermenting vessels. This work will now be continued using pilot fermentation plant with a view of attempting to reach consistently high yields under semi-industrial conditions.
(23) Metabolism of Aspergillus niger in Relation to Citric Acid Production
Worker: Nancy F. Millis
Preliminary studies comparing the enzymic make-up of parent and mutant strains of A . niger have been commenced: This work is now being continued with thc emphasis centred more on thc influ- ence of substrate, particularly trace metals and nitrogen, on the metabolic activity of a high yielding citric acid mutant.
(24) Genetical Analysis of Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Worker: L. Valeric James
1
This is a continuation of a previous study and it has now been found possible to produce by irradiation, auxotrophic mutants of wild type and 'petite' type S. cerevisiae. These mutants are produced with equal frequency from wild and petite types.
(25) Culture Collection
The departmental culture collection is now under the super- vision of Dr R. G. Wyllie and continues to serve a useful purpose supplying cultures to universities, research institutes and industry.
PUBLISHED WORK
1. RUBBO, S. D., CYMERMAN-CRAIG, J., EDGAR, JANICE, VAUGHAN, G. N .
and W I L L I S , D.— Mode of Action of /sonicotinic Hydrazide.
Nature, Lond. lyy: 480 (1956)
B A C T E R I O L O G Y 135
2. JAMES, L . VALERIE, RUBBO, S. D. and GARDNER, JOAN F.— Isola- lation of High Acid-yielding Mutants of Aspergillus niger by a Paper Culture Selection Technique. / . Gen. Microbiol. 14: 223-7
(1956)
3. GARDNER, JOAN F., JAMES, L . VALERIE and RUBBO, S. D.— Pro- duction of Citric Acid by Mutants of Aspergillus niger. J.
Gen. Microbiol. 14: 228-37 ('956)
4. RUBBO, S. D.— Chemotherapy and Chemical Sterilization in Den- tistry. Aust. Dent. J. 1: 204-10 (1956)
5. GIBSON, F., JONES, MARJORIE J. and TELTSCHER, H . — The Synthesis
of Indole by Washed Cell Suspensions of Escherichia coli. Bio- chem. J. 64: 132-7 (1956)
6. GIBSON, F., MCDOUGALL, BARBARA, JONES, MARJORIE J. and
TELTSCHER, H . — The Action of Antibiotics on Indole Svnthcsis by Cell Suspensions of Escherichia coli. J. Gen. Microbiol. 75:
446-58 (1956)
7. COOPER, G. N.— A Rapid Method for the Identification of Sal- monella Species. / . Path. Bact. 57: 39-45 (1956)
8. M I L L I S , NANCY, F.— A Study of thc Cider-Sickness Bacillus—A New Variety of Zvmomonas anaerobia. J. Gen. Microbiol. 75:
521-8 (1956)
Head of Department: Professor V. M. Trikojus STAFF
Full-time Academic Staff
Professor VICTOR M A R T I N TRIKOJUS, D.Phil. (Oxon), D.Sc. (Syd.), M.Sc, F.A.A Associate Professor W I L L I A M ARTHUR RAWLINSON, M.Sc.
Associate Professor (Plant Biochemistry) ROBERT KERFORD MORTON, B.Agr.Sc.
(Syd.), Ph.D. (Cantab.)
Senior Lecturer, JOHN WILLIAMSON LEGGE, M.Sc.
Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Biochemistry, FRANCIS JOHN RAYMOND HIRD, Ph.D. (Cantab.), M.Agr.Sc.
Lecturer in Nutrition, Applied Dietetics and Food Preparation, AUDREY JOSEPHINE CAHN, B.Agr.Sc, Dip.Dict. (On leave)
Lecturers:
MURIEL GRACE CRABTREE, M.Sc.
MARY TERESA McQUlLLAN, M.Sc, Ph.D.
ROBERT W I L L I A M HENDERSON, B.Sc.
Senior Demonstrators:
M A X W E L L ARTHUR MARGINSON, B.Sc MARGOT JEAN BAILIE, M.Sc.
Full-time Research Staff HERMAN STANTON BACHELARD, B.Sc.
LINDSAY MICHAEL BIRT, B.Agr.Sc, B.Sc.
MARJORIE VIVIENNE BRANSTER, B.Sc. (Svd.) LLOYD ROSS FINCH, B.Sc. (W.A.)
GEORGE RICHARD JAGO, B.Sc. (Syd.) RICHARD EDWARD LOUGHLIN, B.Sc.
ARTHUR STANLEY MORIESON, B.Sc.
KATHERINE FRANCES NEAL, B.Agr.Sc
GURCHARN SINGH SIDHU, M.Agr.Sc. (Punjab), Ph.D.
DAVID ANDREW THOMAS, B.Agr.Sc.
PAMELA ELLEN EMINA TODD, B.Sc.
DORA WINIKOFF, M.Sc. (Cracow) Diabetes Research Laboratory:
JOSEPH BORNSTEIN, D.Sc, M.D., M.R.A.C.P.
CAMERON W I L L I A M BAIRD, M.D., B.Sc, M.R.A.C.P.
PETER REES DAVOREN, B.Sc.
The research units of the Department under the direction of senior staff members have continued to be productive during the past year;
however, expansion of the research activities is still hampered by lack of space.
A. E N D O C R I N O L O G Y (1) Enzymes of the Endocrine Glands
(a) Workers: V. M. Trikojus, Mary T. McQuillan, (Mrs) Pamela E. E. Todd and H . S. Baclielard
In the course of work on the proteolytic enzyme system of the thyroid gland, Laver and Trikojus showed that the main protease
136
B I O C H E M I S T R Y 137
fraction, precipitating at 55 per cent acetone concentration, also hydrolyzed the peptide cysteinyl-tyrosine. I t was not, however, known whether this property was inherent in the protease molecule.
Accordingly, it was decided to attempt a separation of these activities, the method chosen being that of column electrophoresis.
Preliminary results indicate that different components may be responsible for cysteinyl-tyrosinase and protease activity.
A number of new peptides containing cysteine and cystine have been synthesized in order to study the specificity of the cysteinyl- tyrosinase.
A n enzyme similar to thyroid protease has been isolated from beef adrenals. I n its present form this enzyme is much less active against haemoglobin at pIT 3-5 than the one from the thyroid gland but, like it, its activity is unchanged by the presence of cysteine, cyanide, phosphate or metal ions such as Z n+ +, Co+ +, M nw, Mg4-*.
Fe44", Ca44", B a4 4 or F c4 4 4. The application of the technique of column electrophoresis has led to the separation of the protease fraction into at least two, probably three, components. The slowest moving component contains most of the protease activity; and in consequence an appreciable purification of the enzyme has been effected. The work is proceeding.
(b) Workers: Mary T. McQuillan and R. E. Loughlin
Attempts have been made to separate thyroid cells with the object of localizing enzymic activities in thyroid tissue. The technique at present involves gentle disruption of the tissue followed by differen- tial centrifugation. So far yields of undamaged cells without free nuclei have been too small for enzyme studies. This work is proceeding.
It has previously been shown in this Department that the total proteolytic activity of the thyroid gland fluctuates with thc changing physiological status of the animal. I n this regard a differential study has been made of the cysteinyl-tyrosinase component of the thyroid proteolytic system. The results indicate that there is no significant change in the total cysteinyl-tyrosinase activity in the thyroid after injections of thyrotropic hormone, i.e. when the gland is in a state of hyperactivity, or after administration of methyl thiouracil, in which case the gland is histologically hyperactive, although function- ally hypoactive. The work is still in progress.
(2) Studies on the Goitrogen Present in Chou Moellier,
Workers: V. M. Trikojus and J. W. Wishart (seconded from the Government Analyst's Branch, Department of Health, Hobart, Tasmania)
Studies in Tasmania have led to the implication of chou moellier
in the increased incidence of endemic goitre amongst school children, in spite of the administration of potassium iodide tablets. Cows fed on chou moellier appear to transfer a goitrogen from the plant to the milk. The work in Melbourne was concerned with attempts to isolate the goitrogenic substance from chou moellier, on the one hand, and from the milk f r o m chou moellier-fed cows, on the other.
So far only active fractions have been obtained, but the goitrogens have not yet been obtained in a pure condition. I t is hoped to con- tinue this work.
(3) Distribution of Hormonal Iodine in Plasma Protein Fractions in Health and Disease
Worker: (Mrs) Dora Winikoff
Further studies on hormonal iodine in plasma fractions separated by precipitation with ammonium sulphate have been carried out.
Thc effects of administered thyrotrophic hormone, iodide and X-ray media have been studied.
The results indicate that the effect of TSH administration is reflected in both globulin and albumin fractions which arc elevated as long as the effect lasts. After the administration of iodide or certain contrast media, however, at first both iodine fractions in- dicate a rise followed by a return to normal levels of the globulin- bound iodine, while the total protein-bound iodine and albumin- bound iodine are still elevated. This phenomenon can be of diag- nostic clinical significance for the assessment of thyroid function.
The work is continuing.
(4) Neohydriol Depot as a Continuous Source of Iodine
Workers: (Mrs) Dora Winikoff (in conjunction with K. Clarke of the Peter MacCallum Clinic)
Intramuscular Neohydriol injections on volunteer students have been used as a continuous source of iodine. Twenty-four hr. I1 3 1 uptake studies and PBI levels have been carried out as indices of the availability of this source of iodine to the thyroid gland. Results after forty-eight weeks show a suppression of the I1 3 1 uptake and elevated PBI levels which can be interpreted as indicating the existence of an iodine depot. Large-scale field experiments on the New Guinea natives will follow shortly. I t is hoped to utilize the iodized oil as a goitre prevention prophylaxis.