Understanding Miro GTPases: Implications in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

The Miro GTPases represent an unusual subgroup of the Ras superfamily and have recently emerged as important mediators of mitochondrial dynamics and for maintaining neuronal health. It is now well-established that these enzymes act as essential components of a Ca²⁺-sensitive motor complex, facilitating the transport of mitochondria along microtubules in several cell types, including dopaminergic neurons. The Miros appear to be critical for both anterograde and retrograde mitochondrial transport in axons and dendrites, both of which are considered essential for neuronal health. Furthermore, the Miros may be significantly involved in the development of several serious pathological processes, including the development of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the molecular structure and known mitochondrial functions of the Miro GTPases in humans and other organisms, in the context of neurodegenerative disease. Finally, we consider the potential human Miros hold as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of such disease.     

Characterization and Physiological Importance of a Novel Cell Cycle Regulated Protein Kinase inXenopus laevisOocytes That Phosphorylates Cyclin B2

We have partially purified a specific cyclin B2 kinase (cyk) from prophase oocytes ofXenopus laevisafter an ATP-γ-S activation step. Phosphopeptide analysis identified Ser53 as the majorin vitrophosphorylation site for cyk in cyclin B2. Using a synthetic peptide derived from cyclin B2 encompassing Ser53 (cyktide) as a substrate, cyk was shown to be activated during progesterone-induced maturation, with a peak of activity between 40 and 50% maturation. A sustained high cyk activity was observed in oscillating egg extracts. Microinjection of cyk-phosphorylated cyclin B2 into prophase oocytes accelerated progesterone-induced maturation by about 2 h, indicating that cyclin B2 is a relevant substrate for cyk and that the function of cyk is situated upstream of cdc2-cyclin B activation. Microinjection of cyk-phosphorylated cyktide or a combination of cyk and cyclin B1 into G₂fibroblasts induced significant changes in cell morphology, reminiscent of a premature prophase-like phenotype. Similarly, addition of cyk-phosphorylated cyktide in cyclin B1-dependent interphase extracts resulted in histone H1 kinase activation.     

Frostresistenzprüfungen an keimenden Kernobstsamen

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 3 Textabbildungen.     

Quantitative Untersuchung der Osteonverteilung im Extremitätenskelet eines 43jährigen Mannes

Zusammenfassung Die Beschreibung der Struktur 2. Ordnung baut auf einer Klassifizierung der Strukturen 3. Ordnung, Osteone und Tangentiallamellen, auf (Knese, Voges und Ritschl 1954). Um die Zusammenlagerung der Osteone mit verschiedenen Merkmalen wie Form, Größe und Steigungsfolge am einzelnen Ort zu erfassen, wird das Lochkartenverfahren benutzt. Die Besonderheiten dieses Verfahrens, das sich von der üblichen Beschreibung sowie der Zahlenstatistik unterscheidet, bzw. eine Kombination beider darstellt, werden diskutiert. Es wird darauf hingewiesen, daß die Verwendung des Lochkartenverfahrens die Möglichkeit gibt, eine unübersichtliche Ansammlung sehr ähnlicher Gebilde in ihren einzelnen Bestandteilen zu differenzieren.Typen einer Struktur 2. Ordnung, die an verschiedenen Skeletelementen wiederkehren, existieren nicht. Es ist daraus zu schließen, daß jedes Skeletstück in seinen verschiedenen Anteilen einen individuellen Bau besitzt. Damit kann aber auch nicht mit einem gleichartigen Spannungsgefüge an verschiedenen Skeletstücken gerechnet werden. Die Verteilung der Strukturen ist als Funktion (im mathematischen Sinn) des Querschnittes anzusehen. Asymmetrische Osteone haben Verteilungsschwerpunkte an den Flächen, Runde und Schrägschnitte an den Kanten. In einem Skeletstück herrscht eine Steigungsfolge vor. Gleichartige Wicklungen finden sich zum Teil an gegenüberliegenden Flächen. Im einzelnen ist die Verteilung der Steigungsfolgen über den Querschnitt ähnlich wie die der Asymmetrierichtungen sehr verwickelt.Ausgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

The Network of Knowledge approach: improving the science and society dialogue on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe

The absence of a good interface between scientific and other knowledge holders and decision-makers in the area of biodiversity and ecosystem services has been recognised for a long time. Despite recent advancements, e.g. with the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), challenges remain, particularly concerning the timely provision of consolidated views from different knowledge domains. To address this challenge, a strong and flexible networking approach is needed across knowledge domains and institutions. Here, we report on a broad consultation process across Europe to develop a Network of Knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services (NoK), an approach aiming at (1) organising institutions and knowledge holders in an adaptable and responsive framework and (2) informing decision-makers with timely and accurate biodiversity knowledge. The consultation provided a critical analysis of the needs that should be addressed by a NoK and how it could complement existing European initiatives and institutions at the interface between policy and science. Among other functions, the NoK provides consolidated scientific views on contested topics, identification of research gaps to support relevant policies, and horizon scanning activities to anticipate emerging issues. The NoK includes a capacity building component on interfacing activities and contains mechanisms to ensure its credibility, relevance and legitimacy. Such a network would need to ensure credibility, relevance and legitimacy of its work by maximizing transparency and flexibility of processes, quality of outputs, the link to data and knowledge provision, the motivation of experts for getting involved and sound communication and capacity building.