Contribution of the Peroxisomal acox Gene to the Dynamic Balance of Daumone Production in Caenorhabditis elegans

Dauer pheromones or daumones, which are signaling molecules that interrupt development and reproduction (dauer larvae) during unfavorable growth conditions, are essential for cellular homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. According to earlier studies, dauer larva formation in strain N2 is enhanced by a temperature increase, suggesting the involvement of a temperature-dependent component in dauer pheromone biosynthesis or sensing. Several naturally occurring daumone analogs (e.g. daumones 1–3) have been identified, and these molecules are predicted to be synthesized in different physiological settings in this nematode. To elucidate the molecular regulatory system that may influence the dynamic balance of specific daumone production in response to sudden temperature changes, we characterized the peroxisomal acox gene encoding acyl-CoA oxidase, which is predicted to catalyze the first reaction during biosynthesis of the fatty acid component of daumones. Using acox-1(ok2257) mutants and a new, robust analytical method, we quantified the three most abundant daumones in worm bodies and showed that acox likely contributes to the dynamic production of various quantities of three different daumones in response to temperature increase, changes that are critical in C. elegans for coping with the natural environmental changes it faces.     

Conversion of Japanese red pine wood (Pinus densiflora) into valuable chemicals under subcritical water conditions

A comparative study on the decomposition of Japanese red pine wood under subcritical water conditions in the presence and absence of phosphate buffer was investigated in a batch-type reaction vessel. Since cellulose makes up more than 40-45% of the components found in most wood species, a series of experiments were also carried out using pure cellulose as a model for woody biomass. Several parameters such as temperature and residence time, as well as pH effects, were investigated in detail. The best temperature for decomposition and hydrolysis of pure cellulose was found around 270 °C. The effects of the initial pH of the solution which ranged from 1.5 to 6.5 were studied. It was found that the pH has a considerable effect on the hydrolysis and decomposition of the cellulose. Several products in the aqueous phase were identified and quantified. The conditions obtained from the subcritical water treatment of pure cellulose were applied for the Japanese red pine wood chips. As a result, even in the absence of acid catalyst, a large amount of wood sample was hydrolyzed in water; however, by using phosphate buffer at pH 2, there was an increase in the hydrolysis and dissolution of the wood chips. In addition to the water-soluble phase, acetone-soluble and water-acetone-insoluble phases were also isolated after subcritical water treatment (which can be attributed mainly to the degraded lignin, tar, and unreacted wood chips, respectively). The initial wood:acid ratio in the case of reactions catalyzed by phosphate buffer was also investigated. The results showed that this weight ratio can be as high as 3:1 without changing the catalytic activity. The size of the wood chips as one of the most important experimental parameters was also investigated.     

Association of microcystin-LR and its biotransformation product with a hepatic-cytosolic protein

Microcystin-LR (MCYST-LR), a cyclic peptide hepatotoxin, associates with high-molecular-weight, liver cytosolic components. Repetitive cycles of heat denaturation and pronase digestion released 80 ± 6% of the bound radiolabel from these components, parent toxin (22%), and two biotransformation products, with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention times of 6.7 (52%) and 5.6 (13%) min. Both parent and the biotransformed (6.7 min) toxin appeared to be covalently bound to a monomeric protein of molecular weight 40,000 (protein plus radiolabeled toxin). Binding and biotransformation reactions were time- and temperature-dependent and did not require endogenous molecules <6,000 daltons. The binding appeared to be saturable with a maximum of 20 pmol MCYST-LR bound per mg protein. The binding protein(s) and biotransformation activity were present in rat liver, brain, kidney, heart, lung, small intestine, large intestine, testes, skeletal muscle, and to a lesser extent, in fat. Okadaic acid, a specific protein phosphatase inhibitor, showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of [³H]MCYST-LR binding to hepatic cytosol. The molecular weight and organ distribution of the binding protein(s), and inhibition of binding by okadaic acid were consistent with one of the binding sites being the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase type 2A.     

Leishmania donovani: Surface membrane acid phosphatase activity of promastigotes

Subcellular fractionation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes yielded plasma membranes, which were enriched in acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2.) activity. Cytochemically, the enzyme displayed a uniform distribution over the surface of intact protozoa. The enzyme was also visualized on the external face of the isolated plasma membranes, as indicated by the distribution of subpellicular microtubules. Various parameters of the membrane-bound enzyme were also determined including pH and temperature optima and substrate specificity. The results suggest that these organisms are adapted for existence in a hydrolytic environment.     

Alterations of Mitochondrial Protein Assembly and Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis Pathway in Honglian (HL)-type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Rice

It has been suggested that the mitochondrial chimeric gene orfH79 is the cause for abortion of microspores in Honglian cytoplasmic male sterile rice, yet little is known regarding its mechanism of action. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics strategy to compare the mitochondrial proteome between the sterile line Yuetai A and its fertile near-isogenic line Yuetai B. We discovered a reduced quantity of specific proteins in mitochondrial complexes in Yuetai A compared with Yuetai B, indicating a defect in mitochondrial complex assembly in the sterile line. Western blotting showed that ORFH79 protein and ATP1 protein, an F₁ sector component of complex V, are both associated with large protein complexes of similar size. Respiratory complex activity assays and transmission electron microscopy revealed functional and morphological defects in the mitochondria of Yuetai A when compared with Yuetai B. In addition, we identified one sex determination TASSELSEED2-like protein increased in Yuetai A, leading to the discovery of an aberrant variation of the jasmonic acid pathway during the development of microspores.     

Single vesicle tracking for studying synaptic vesicle dynamics in small central synapses

Sustained neurotransmission is driven by a continuous supply of synaptic vesicles to the release sites and modulated by synaptic vesicle dynamics. However, synaptic vesicle dynamics in synapses remain elusive because of technical limitations. Recent advances in fluorescence imaging techniques have enabled the tracking of single synaptic vesicles in small central synapses in living neurons. Single vesicle tracking has uncovered a wealth of new information about synaptic vesicle dynamics both within and outside presynaptic terminals, showing that single vesicle tracking is an effective tool for studying synaptic vesicle dynamics. Particularly, single vesicle tracking with high spatiotemporal resolution has revealed the dependence of synaptic vesicle dynamics on the location, stages of recycling, and neuronal activity. This review summarizes the recent findings from single synaptic vesicle tracking in small central synapses and their implications in synaptic transmission and pathogenic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.     

系统发育谱（Phylogenetic Profile）生成软件

系统发育谱生成软件（Phylogenetie Profile Generator，PPG）采用Microsoft Visual Basic和Perl两种语言编写，将枸建系统发育谱所涉及的全部过程进行集成，用户只需提供原始的蛋白或核酸序列，软件即可生成所需的系统发育谱，并提供文本和XML两种形式的输出结果。软件具有Windows和Limix两个版本，可提供免费下载。软件下载地址：http：/／life．cnu．edu．cn／kexueyjshow．php？id=56     

Structural Basis for Intrinsic Thermosensing by the Master Virulence Regulator RovA of Yersinia

Pathogens often rely on thermosensing to adjust virulence gene expression. In yersiniae, important virulence-associated traits are under the control of the master regulator RovA, which uses a built-in thermosensor to control its activity. Thermal upshifts encountered upon host entry induce conformational changes in the RovA dimer that attenuate DNA binding and render the protein more susceptible to proteolysis. Here, we report the crystal structure of RovA in the free and DNA-bound forms and provide evidence that thermo-induced loss of RovA activity is promoted mainly by a thermosensing loop in the dimerization domain and residues in the adjacent C-terminal helix. These determinants allow partial unfolding of the regulator upon an upshift to 37 °C. This structural distortion is transmitted to the flexible DNA-binding domain of RovA. RovA contacts mainly the DNA backbone in a low-affinity binding mode, which allows the immediate release of RovA from its operator sites. We also show that SlyA, a close homolog of RovA from Salmonella with a very similar structure, is not a thermosensor and remains active and stable at 37 °C. Strikingly, changes in only three amino acids, reflecting evolutionary replacements in SlyA, result in a complete loss of the thermosensing properties of RovA and prevent degradation. In conclusion, only minor alterations can transform a thermotolerant regulator into a thermosensor that allows adjustment of virulence and fitness determinants to their thermal environment.     

UV Damage in DNA Promotes Nucleosome Unwrapping

The association of DNA with histones in chromatin impedes DNA repair enzymes from accessing DNA lesions. Nucleosomes exist in a dynamic equilibrium in which portions of the DNA molecule spontaneously unwrap, transiently exposing buried DNA sites. Thus, nucleosome dynamics in certain regions of chromatin may provide the exposure time and space needed for efficient repair of buried DNA lesions. We have used FRET and restriction enzyme accessibility to study nucleosome dynamics following DNA damage by UV radiation. We find that FRET efficiency is reduced in a dose-dependent manner, showing that the presence of UV photoproducts enhances spontaneous unwrapping of DNA from histones. Furthermore, this UV-induced shift in unwrapping dynamics is associated with increased restriction enzyme accessibility of histone-bound DNA after UV treatment. Surprisingly, the increased unwrapping dynamics is even observed in nucleosome core particles containing a single UV lesion at a specific site. These results highlight the potential for increased “intrinsic exposure” of nucleosome-associated DNA lesions in chromatin to repair proteins.