Suppression of herbivory by macroalgal density: a critical feedback on coral reefs?

Coral reefs globally are in decline, with some reefs undergoing phase shifts from coral-dominance to degraded states dominated by large fleshy macroalgae. These shifts have been underpinned by the overharvesting of herbivorous fishes and represent a fundamental change in the physical structure of these reefs. Although the physical structure provided by corals is regarded as a key feature that facilitates herbivore activity, the influence of the physical structure of macroalgal stands is largely unknown. Using transplanted Sargassum, the largest coral reef macroalga, we created habitat patches of predetermined macroalgal density (0.25-6.23 kg m(-2)). Remote video cameras revealed both grazing and browsing fishes avoided high density patches, preferring relatively open areas with low macroalgal cover. This behaviour may provide a positive feedback leading to the growth and persistence of macroalgal stands; increasing the stability of phase shifts to macroalgae.     

Quantitative proteomics of the integrin adhesome show a myosin II-dependent recruitment of LIM domain proteins

A characteristic of integrins is their ability to transfer chemical and mechanical signals across the plasma membrane. Force generated by myosin II makes cells able to sense substrate stiffness and induce maturation of nascent adhesions into focal adhesions. In this paper, we present a comprehensive proteomic analysis of nascent and mature adhesions. The purification of integrin adhesion complexes combined with quantitative mass spectrometry enabled the identification and quantification of known and new adhesion-associated proteins. Furthermore, blocking adhesion maturation with the myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin markedly impaired the recruitment of LIM domain proteins to integrin adhesion sites. This suggests a common recruitment mechanism for a whole class of adhesion-associated proteins, involving myosin II and the zinc-finger-type LIM domain.     

Molecular basis of α1-antitrypsin deficiency revealed by the structure of a domain-swapped trimer

α(1)-Antitrypsin (α1AT) deficiency is a disease with multiple manifestations, including cirrhosis and emphysema, caused by the accumulation of stable polymers of mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. However, the molecular basis of misfolding and polymerization remain unknown. We produced and crystallized a trimeric form of α1AT that is recognized by an antibody specific for the pathological polymer. Unexpectedly, this structure reveals a polymeric linkage mediated by domain swapping the carboxy-terminal 34 residues. Disulphide-trapping and antibody-binding studies further demonstrate that runaway C-terminal domain swapping, rather than the s4A/s5A domain swap previously proposed, underlies polymerization of the common Z-mutant of α1AT in vivo.     

PINK1与α-synuclein相互作用结构域鉴定

目的: 确定PINK1与α-synuclein相互作用的结构域。方法: 将PINK1不同结构域质粒(pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1^WT, pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1(G309D),pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1(ΔN35),pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1(ΔC145),pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1(156~509), pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-hPINK1(Δ156~581), pcDNA3.1-3xFlag-vector)分别和pCMV-Myc-α-synuclein质粒共转染人胚肾HEK293T细胞,通过免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)技术验证PINK1与α-synuclein相互作用的结构域;同时进行免疫细胞化学染色,利用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察两种蛋白的共定位关系。结果: Co-IP实验结果表明PINK1与α-synuclein相互作用的结构域为PINK1的激酶结构域。免疫细胞化学实验也证实α-synuclein只与含激酶结构域的PINK1蛋白在细胞中存在共定位关系。结论: PINK1与α-synuclein相互作用的结构域位于其激酶结构域。     

The cytotoxic norditerpene dilactones of Podocarpus milanjianus and Podocarpus sellowii

The cytotoxic norditerpene dilactones nagilactone F and its new congener nagilactone G have been isolated from the bark constituents of Podocarpus milanjianus and Podocarpus sellowii. The diterpenes totarol, 19-oxototarol and macrophyllic acid were also isolated.     

Environmental influences on cardiovascular variables in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Two groups of wild (lakedwelling and anadromous), and a group of hatchery-reared Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) (rainbow trout) were sampled in order to measure cardiac morphometrics, haemoglobin concentration, and the DNA and protein concentration in cardiac muscle. A combination of these variables was used to distinguish wild fish from domestic ones.
The wild fish had significantly higher levels of haemoglobin (for male fish, 10.10 and 10.07 g 100 ml⁻¹ vs. 7.69 g d⁻¹) and larger relative ventricle mass (females, 0.091 and 0.099% ofbody mass vs. 0.073%; males, 0.108 and 0.134% vs. 0.102%; immatures, 0.086 and 0.094% vs. 0, 072%, respectively) than the domestic fish. The anadromous and domestic fish had significantly higher amounts of compact tissue when compared with lake fish (females, 43 and 47% of ventricle mass vs. 34%, respectively). Ventricle size distinguished wild fish from domestic fish, except male anadromous and male domestic fish which were distinguished only by haemoglobin and compact tissue values. Immature fishes from all groups had lower total protein levels in the ventricle, lower compact tissue levels, and less haemoglobin. Points regarding the potential environmental influences in determining these cardiovascular trends are discussed.     

Formation of an αCP1-KH3 complex with UC-rich RNA

The CP family of proteins [also known as poly(C)-binding or heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E proteins] are involved in the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translational efficiency. They bind via their triple heterologous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K homology (KH) domain structures to C-rich mRNA, and are thought to interact with other mRNA-binding proteins as well as provide direct nuclease protection. In particular, CP1 and CP2 have been shown to bind to a specific region of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA, resulting in its increased stability. The roles of each of the KH motifs in the binding affinity and the specificity is not yet understood. We report the beginning of a systematic study of each of the CP KH domains, with the cloning and expression of CP1-KH2 and CP1-KH3. We report the ability of CP1-KH3, but not CP1-KH2, to bind the target AR mRNA sequence using an RNA electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay. We also report the preparation of an CP1-KH3/AR mRNA complex for structural studies. ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear single quantum correlation NMR spectra of ¹⁵N-labelled CP1-KH3 verified the integrity and good solution behaviour of the purified domain. The titration of the 11-nucleotide RNA target sequence from AR mRNA resulted in a rearrangement of the ¹H–¹⁵N correlations, demonstrating the complete binding of the protein to form a homogeneous protein/RNA complex suitable for future structural studies.