Linkage between the loci for serum albumin and vitamin D binding protein (GC) in the Japanese quail

Vitamin D binding protein ( GC ) and serum protease inhibitor ( PI ) have been added to genetic markers in the Japanese quail. Both loci were controlled by autosomal codominant alleles named GC^A, GC^B and PI^A, PI^B, PI^C, respectively. Close linkage between the loci for serum albumin ( ALB ) and GC protein is reported. Two recombinants were observed in 145 informative offspring of 14 families. The recombination frequency between the loci was estimated as 0.014±0.006. Thus, GC was assigned to linkage group II in the Japanese quail. No signs of linkage were observed among the loci for the ALB-GC complex, PI. serum prealbumin 2 ( PA2 ), phosphoglucose isomerase ( PG1 ), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase ( PGD ) and esterase-D ( ESD ).     

Phosphate starvation affects the synthesis of outer membrane proteins in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

The outer membrane protein (omp40) component from the chemolithoautotrophic acidophilic Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is apparently regulated by the external pH and the concentration of phosphorus. Its amino-terminal sequence showed little identity with the Escherichia coli OmpC, OmpF or PhoE porins, but was 38.5% identical to the outer membrane channel-forming protein NosA from Pseudomonas stutzeri, whose expression is also regulated environmentally. In addition, the partial amino acid sequence of T. ferrooxidans omp40 showed between 34 and 38% identity with the amino-terminal end of the small outer membrane proteins Rck and PagC from Salmonella typhimurium and OmpX from Enterobacter cloacae.     

Structural variability of C3larvin toxin. Intrinsic dynamics of the α/β fold of the C3-like group of mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase toxins

C3larvin toxin is a new member of the C3 class of the mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin family. The C3 toxins are known to covalently modify small G-proteins, e.g. RhoA, impairing their function, and serving as virulence factors for an offending pathogen. A full-length X-ray structure of C3larvin (2.3 Å) revealed that the characteristic mixed α/β fold consists of a central β-core flanked by two helical regions. Topologically, the protein can be separated into N and C lobes, each formed by a β-sheet and an α-motif, and connected by exposed loops involved in the recognition, binding, and catalysis of the toxin/enzyme, i.e. the ADP-ribosylation turn–turn and phosphate–nicotinamide PN loops. Herein, we provide two new C3larvin X-ray structures and present a systematic study of the toxin dynamics by first analyzing the experimental variability of the X-ray data-set followed by contrasting those results with theoretical predictions based on Elastic Network Models (GNM and ANM). We identify residues that participate in the stability of the N-lobe, putative hinges at loop residues, and energy-favored deformation vectors compatible with conformational changes of the key loops and 3D-subdomains (N/C-lobes), among the X-ray structures. We analyze a larger ensemble of known C3bot1 conformations and conclude that the characteristic ‘crab-claw’ movement may be driven by the main intrinsic modes of motion. Finally, via computational simulations, we identify harmonic and anharmonic fluctuations that might define the C3larvin ‘native state.’ Implications for docking protocols are derived.     

Responses of production and storage walnut pests to Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein fragments

Recent advances in genetic engineering have provided the opportunity to induce walnut plants to produce Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner insecticidal crystal protein fragments (ICPFs) for insect control. We studied the effects of two ICPFs CryIA(b) and CrylA(c) previously shown to be encoded by the cryIA(b) and cryIA(c) genes in the B. thuringiensis strains HD-1 and HD-73, respectively. The lethal effects on larvae of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), and the major postharvest pest Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), were investigated. Both proteins were toxic to the three species tested. Indianmeal moth larvae were the most susceptible and navel orangeworm the least; CryIA(b) was generally more toxic to navel orangeworm. Similar relationships resulted when ICPFs were incorporated into the diet. Both ICPFs caused decreased rate of development of navel orangeworm. Effects on pupal weight occurred only at the highest concentration (100 ng/cm²). Neither ICPF affected frequency of mating or fecundity. In addition to the lethal effects, the extended development times observed could have considerable effects on the population dynamics of the navel orangeworm and possibly other species.     

Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae

The efficient aquisition of nutrients from leaves by insect herbivores increases their nutrient assimilation rates and overall fitness. Caterpillars of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) have high protein assimilation efficiencies (PAE) from the immature leaves of trees such as red oak (Quercus rubra) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) (71–81%) but significantly lower PAE from their mature leaves (45–52%). By contrast to this pattern, both PAE and carbohydrate assimilation efficiencies (CAE) remain high for L. dispar larvae on the mature leaves of poplar (Populus alba × Populus tremula) grown in greenhouse conditions. The present study tests two alternative hypotheses: (i) outdoor environmental stresses cause decreased nutrient assimilation efficiencies from mature poplar leaves and (ii) nutrients in the mature leaves of trees in the poplar family (Salicaceae) remain readily available for L. dispar larvae. When poplar trees are grown in ambient outdoor conditions, PAE and CAE remain high (approximately 75% and 78%, respectively) in L. dispar larvae, in contrast to the first hypothesis. When larvae feed on the mature leaves of species in the Salicaceae [aspen (Populus tremuloides), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willow (Salix nigra) and poplar], PAE and CAE also remain high (68–76% and 72–92%, respectively), consistent with the second hypothesis. Larval growth rates are strongly associated with protein assimilation rates, and more strongly associated with protein assimilation rates than with carbohydrate assimilation rates. It is concluded that tree species in the Salicaceae are relatively high‐quality host plants for L. dispar larvae, in part, because nutrients in their mature leaves remain readily available.     

Activation of the pro-migratory bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B gene in human MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer cells that over-express CYP2J2

Secondary metastases are the leading cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 (CYP2J2) is upregulated in many human tumors and generates epoxyeicosanoids from arachidonic acid that promote tumorigenesis and metastasis, but at present there is little information on the genes that mediate these actions. In this study MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells were stably transfected with CYP2J2 (MDA-2J2 cells) and Affymetrix microarray profiling was undertaken. We identified 182 genes that were differentially expressed in MDA-2J2 cells relative to control (MDA-CTL) cells (log[fold of control] ≥2). From gene ontology pathway analysis bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor 1B (BMPR1B) emerged as an important upregulated gene in MDA-2J2 cells. Addition of the BMPR1B ligand BMP2 stimulated the migration of MDA-2J2 cells, but not MDA-CTL cells, from 3D-matrigel droplets. Migration of MDA-2J2 cells was prevented by the BMPR antagonist dorsomorphin. These findings indicate that over-expression of CYP2J2 in MDA-MB-468-derived breast cancer cells activates BMPR1B expression that may contribute to increased migration. Targeting BMPR1B may be a novel approach to inhibit the metastatic activity of breast cancers that contain high levels of CYP2J2.     

Evaluation of the antiviral efficacy of bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazines and bis[1,2]dithiolopyrrole derivatives against the nucelocapsid protein of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) as a model for HIV infection

A diverse library of bis[1,2]dithiolo[1,4]thiazines and bis[1,2]dithiolopyrrole derivatives were prepared for evaluation of activity against the nucleocapsid protein of the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) as a model for HIV, using an in vitro cell culture approach, yielding nanomolar active compounds with low toxicity.