Myosin subfragment-1: structure and function of a molecular motor: Current opinion in structural biology 1993, 3:944–952

The ability for directed movement is a fundamental process of all living systems. Molecules designed for such purposes are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and have been the focus of intense investigations for many years. Highlighted in this report is the three-dimensional structure of the myosin motor domain—the first such motor protein to be examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Repetitive somatic embryogenesis in peanut cotyledon cultures by continual exposure to 2,4-d

Somatic embryos from immature cotyledons in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) were initiated on media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d). Over 90% primary embryogenesis and 41–46% repetitive embryogenesis were obtained 12 weeks after initiation by maintaining embryogenic cultures on medium containing 20 mg 1^-1 2,4-d. Maintenance of cultures on medium with 30 or 40 mg I^-1 2,4-d resulted in lower primary and secondary embryogenesis, and proliferation of nonembryogenic callus. Transfer of embryogenic cultures to a secondary medium with 10 or 20 mg I^-1 2,4-d significantly enhanced secondary embryogenesis compared to basal medium without the growth regulator. The use of Murashige & Skoog versus Finer's media had no significant effect on embryogenesis (85–95%), repetitive embryogenesis (11–37%) or mean embryo number. Secondary embryogenesis was also maintained for over one year by repeated subculture of isolated somatic embryos on medium with 20 mg I^-1 2,4-d.Abbreviations B5 Gamborg et al. medium (Gamborg et al. 1968) - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - FN Finer & Nagasawa medium (Finer & Nagasawa 1968) - MS Murashige & Skoog medium (Murashige & Skoog 1962)     

Fatty acid and sterol synthesis by hepatocytes of thermally acclimated rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Incorporation of tritium from tritiated water into lipid fractions was measured in isolated hepatocytes from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) acclimated to 5 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Hepatocytes from cold-acclimated trout exhibited significantly higher rates of tritium incorporation into both fatty acid and sterol fractions at assay temperatures of 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C than did hepatocytes from warm-acclimated trout. Tritium incorporation into the fatty acid fraction was nearly temperature independent in hepatocytes from warm-acclimated trout (Q10 = 1.39) but markedly temperature dependent (Q10 = 2.63) in hepatocytes from cold-acclimated trout; in contrast, rates of sterol synthesis were more temperature dependent in warm-acclimated trout. At 5 degrees C, fatty acid lipogenesis comprised a significantly greater percentage of the total tritium incorporation in hepatocytes from warm-acclimated trout and the percentage of total lipogenesis attributable to fatty acids decreased significantly in warm-acclimated trout as the assay temperature increased; the opposite trends were observed in cold-acclimated trout.     

Crystal and molecular conformation of the fluorescent probe. 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS).

The crystal and molecular structure of the fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) has been determined as the ammonium monohydrate with two conformationally distinct molecules in the triclinic $P\overline{1}$ lattice. The angles between the aromatic rings and the CNC plane are ?9/22° and 112/22° respectively. There is an NH...O intramolecular hydrogen bond in each molecule indicating that hydrogen bond formation is not dependent on the anilino geometry. There are also short intramolecular H...H contacts involving the hydrogens which have anomalous proton shifts shown in a recent NMR study.     

Optimising Immunogenicity with Viral Vectors: Mixing MVA and HAdV-5 Expressing the Mycobacterial Antigen Ag85A in a Single Injection

The Bacillus Calmette - Guerin (BCG) vaccine provides a critical but limited defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). More than 60 years after the widespread introduction of BCG, there is an urgent need for a better vaccine. A large body of pre-clinical research continues to support ongoing clinical trials to assess whether viral vectors expressing M.tb antigens that are shared by BCG and M.tb, can be used alongside BCG to enhance protection. A major focus involves using multiple unique viral vectors to limit anti-vector immunity and thereby enhance responses to the insert antigen delivered. The successful introduction of viral vector vaccines to target M.tb and other pathogens will be reliant on reducing the costs when using multiple vectors and inhibiting the development of unwanted anti-vector responses that interfere with the response to insert antigen. This study examines methods to reduce the logistical costs of vaccination by mixing different viral vectors that share the same insert antigen in one vaccine; and whether combining different viral vectors reduces anti-vector immunity to improve immunogenicity to the insert antigen. Here we show that a homologous prime-boost regimen with a mixture of MVA (Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara) and Ad5 (human adenovirus type 5) vectors both expressing Ag85A in a single vaccine preparation is able to reduce anti-vector immunity, compared with a homologous prime-boost regimen with either vector alone. However, the level of immunogenicity induced by the homologous mixture remained comparable to that induced with single viral vectors and was less immunogenic than a heterologous Ad5 prime-MVA-boost regimen. These findings advance the understanding of how anti-vector immunity maybe reduced in viral vector vaccination regimens. Furthermore, an insight is provided to the impact on vaccine immunogenicity from altering vaccination methods to reduce the logistical demands of using separate vaccine preparations in the field.