A Bethlem myopathy Gly to Glu mutation in the von Willebrand factor A domain N2 of the collagen alpha3(VI) chain interferes with protein folding.

A single G1679E mutation in the amino-terminal globular domain N2 of the alpha3 chain of type VI collagen was found in a large family affected with Bethlem myopathy. Recombinant production of N2 ( approximately 200 residues) in transfected mammalian cells has now been used to examine the possibility that the mutation interfered with protein folding. The wild-type form and a G1679A mutant were produced at high levels and shown to fold into a stable globular structure. Only a small amount of secretion was observed for mutants G1679E and G1679Q, which apparently were efficiently degraded within the cells. Homology modeling onto the related von Willebrand factor A1 structure indicated that substitution of G1679 by the bulky E or Q cannot be accommodated without considerable changes in the folding pattern. This suggests protein misfolding as a molecular basis for this particular mutation in Bethlem myopathy, in agreement with radioimmunoassay data showing reduced levels of domain N2 in cultured fibroblasts from two patients.     

Photosynthesis,Transpiration, and Water Use Efficiency of Vegetative and Reproductive Shoots of Grassland Species from North-Eastern China

The differences in net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), and water use efficiency (WUE) between the vegetative and reproductive shoots of three native grass species from the grassland of northeastern China [grey-green and yellow green populations of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., Puccinellia tenuiflora (Griseb) Scrib & Merr, Puccinellia chinampoensis Ohwi] were compared. The two type shoots experienced similar habitats, but differed in leaf life-span and leaf area. The leaf P _N and WUE for the vegetative shoots were significantly higher than those for the reproductive shoots in the grasses, while their E were remarked lower in the dry season. Relative lower leaf P _N and WUE for the reproductive shoots of grassland grasses may explain the facts of lower seed production and the subordinate role of seed in the grassland renewal in north-eastern China.     

Bacterial reduction of hexavalent molybdenum to molybdenum blue

A bacterium that was able to tolerate and reduce as high as 50 mM of sodium molybdate to molybdenum blue has been isolated from a metal recycling ground. The isolate was tentatively identified as Serratia sp. strain Dr.Y8 based on the carbon utilization profiles using Biolog GN plates and partial 16S rDNA molecular phylogeny. ANOVA analysis showed that isolate Dr.Y8 produced significantly higher (P < 0.05) amount of Mo-blue with 3, 5.1 and 11.3 times more molybdenum blue than previously isolated molybdenum reducers such as Serratia marcescens strain Dr.Y6, E. coli K12 and E. cloacae strain 48, respectively. Its molybdate reduction characteristics were studied in this work. Electron donor sources such as sucrose, mannitol, fructose, glucose and starch supported molybdate reduction. The optimum phosphate, pH and temperature that supported molybdate reduction were 5 mM, pH 6.0 and 37°C, respectively. The molybdenum blue produced from cellular reduction exhibited a unique absorption spectrum with a maximum peak at 865 nm and a shoulder at 700 nm. Metal ions such as chromium, silver, copper and mercury resulted in approximately 61, 57, 80, and 69% inhibition of the molybdenum-reducing activity at 1 mM, respectively. The reduction characteristics of strain Dr.Y8 suggest that it would be useful in future molybdenum bioremediation.     

Elaboration and application of mathematical model for estimation of mould contamination of some building materials based on ergosterol content determination

The study presents a mathematical function describing a correlation between the amount of ergosterol and the number of colony-forming units (CFU) of mould contaminating selected building materials such as: a block of cellular concrete, gypsum—carton board and gypsum—carton board covered with emulsion paint. The dependence obtained for a particular material as well as an average dependence for all the investigated materials has been described by means of an exponential equation. It has been found out that there is high, statistically significant correlation between ergosterol content and CFU number of mould in all of the building materials. The correlation coefficients have ranged from r=0.790 to 0.933. The elaborated equation describing the above dependence can be applied to estimate mould contamination by means of culture methods within the range 10³–10⁸ CFU/m² of the surface. In addition, the estimated level of ergosterol in these materials has been shown to be the criterion by which to evaluate the degree of filamentous fungal contamination. It has been assessed that an ergosterol content exceeding the level of 3.96 mg/m² indicates the active development of mould. This criterion has been applied to evaluate several building materials i.e.: concrete, gypsum board, emulsion coatings, brick, plaster, wallpaper, glass wool, mineral wool and wood. No statistically significant differences have been observed between CFU number of mould calculated from a model equation on the basis of the ergosterol content and CFU number of mould experimentally determined by traditional methods. The results presented in this paper show that the elaborated equation of correlation between the ergosterol content and CFU number of mould can be applied to estimate mould contamination of different building materials, based on the determination of ergosterol.     

Scale effects and constraints for sound production in katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): correlated evolution between morphology and signal parameters

Male katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) produce mating calls by rubbing the wings together, using specialized structures in their forewings (stridulatory file, scraper and mirror). A large proportion of species (ca. 66%) reported in the literature produces ultrasonic signals as principal output. Relationships among body size, generator structures and the acoustic parameters carrier frequency (f_c) and pulse duration (p_d), were studied in 58 tropical species that use pure‐tone signals. A comparative analysis, based on the only available katydid phylogeny, shows how changes in sound generator form are related to changes in f_c and p_d. Anatomical changes of the sound generator that might have been selected via f_c and p_d are mirror size, file length and number of file teeth. Selection for structures of the stridulatory apparatus that enhance wing mechanics via file‐teeth and scraper morphology was crucial in the evolution of ultrasonic signals in the family Tettigoniidae.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with different degrees of ethanol tolerance exhibit different adaptive responses to produced ethanol

Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with different degrees of ethanol tolerance adapted differently to produced ethanol. Adaptation in the less ethanol-tolerant strain was high and resulted in a reduced formation of ethanol-induced respiratory deficient mutants and an increased ergosterol content of the cells. Adaptation in the more ethanol-tolerant strain was less pronounced. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 75–78. Received 22 June 1999/ Accepted in revised form 06 October 1999     

Biological responses of tight junction to ionizing radiation and electromagnetic field expostion.

The tight junctions form and regulate the paracellular barrier in the intercellular spaces between epithelial and endothelial cells. They play important roles in the cellular and pathological processes, which follow exposure to radiation. Therefore, analysis of their changes upon different kind of irradiation may help to understand the basic events governing their function and give important information for the radiobiological research and clinical practice as well. The immunohistochemical data on the distribution of occludin presented here demonstrate the breakdown of tight junctions in Madin Darby kidney cells exposed to ionizing irradiation and show, on the other hand that magnetic field exposures upon 100 microT leave the occludin staining pattern intact.