Photosynthetic Characteristics of Sun and Shade Leaves in the Canopy of Arbutus unedo L. Trees Exposed to In Situ Long-Term Elevated CO2

Photosynthetic parameters were studied in Arbutus unedo L. trees growing at either ambient (AC) or elevated EC (mean 465 μmol mol^-1) CO₂ concentration near a natural CO₂ vent in Orciatico, Italy Diurnal courses of net photosynthetic rate (P _N), ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m), and quantum yield of electron transport through photosystem 2 (Φ₂) were measured on sun and shade leaves. The contents of N, C, Ca, K, P, and chlorophyll (Chl) and specific leaf area (SLA) in these leaf categories were also determined. A morning peak and midday depression of P _N were found for both AC and EC sun leaves. Long-term EC caused little or no down-acclimation of P _N in sum leaves. The estimate of total daily CO₂ uptake was lower in AC leaves than in EC leaves. In shade leaves, it reached up to 70 % of the value of sun leaves. The F_v/F_m ratio showed decreasing trend in the morning, reached a minimum at midday (90 % of dawn value), and then increased in the afternoon. The EC had no effect on F_v/F_m either in sun or shade leaves. Plants grown near the CO₂ spring had lower Chl content, higher SLA, and higher Ca and K contents than plants grown under AC. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mice lacking the UbCKmit isoform of creatine kinase reveal slower spatial learning acquisition,diminished exploration and habituation,and reduced acoustic startle reflex responses

Brain-type creatine kinases B-CK (cytosolic) and UbCKmit (mitochondrial) are considered important for the maintenance and distribution of cellular energy in the central nervous system. Previously, we have demonstrated an abnormal behavioral phenotype in mice lacking the B-CK creatine kinase isoform, regarding exploration, habituation, seizure susceptibility and spatial learning. The phenotype in these mice was associated with histological adaptations in the hippocampal mossy fiber field size. Here, mice lacking the ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase isoform (UbCKmit-/- mice) showed, when subjected to a similar battery of behavioral tasks, diminished open field habituation and slower spatial learning acquisition in the Morris water maze task, but normal sensory or motor functions. A reduced acoustic startle response, higher threshold, and lack of prepulse inhibition were observed in UbCKmit-/- mice, suggesting that the unconditioned reflexive responsiveness is not optimal. Our findings suggest a role for mitochondrial CK-mediated high-energy phosphoryl transfer in synaptic signalling in the acoustic signal response network and hippocampal-dependent learning circuitry of brain. Finally, we demonstrate that UbCKmit has a widespread occurrence in the cell soma of neuronal nuclei along the rostro-caudal axis of the brain, i.e. cortex, midbrain, hindbrain, cerebellum and brainstem, similar to the occurrence of B-CK. This may explain the similarity of phenotypes in mice lacking B-CK or UbCKmit. We predict that the remaining functional intactness of the cytosolic B-CK reaction and perhaps the compensatory role of other phosphoryl transfer systems are sufficient to sustain the energy requirements for basic sensory, motor and physiological activities in UbCKmit-/- mice.     

Increased subcutaneous abdominal tissue norepinephrine levels in patients with anorexia nervosa: an in vivo microdialysis study

The present study was designed to measure interstitial levels of norepinephrine-regulating lipolysis (NE) in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue of anorexia nervosa (AN) patients and control subjects under basal conditions and after the local administration of an inhibitor of NE re-uptake, maprotiline. In vivo microdialysis technique was used to assess subcutaneous adipose NE levels in five women with AN (body mass index 14.62+/-0.47 kg/m(2)) and six age-matched controls (22.1+/-0.52 kg/m(2)). NE was assayed using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection after batch alumina extraction. Measured basal adipose tissue NE levels reflecting its interstitial levels were significantly increased in AN patients compared to the controls (106.0+/-20.9 vs. 40.0+/-5.0 pg/ml). The local maprotiline administration resulted in a significant increase in adipose tissue NE levels (AN patients: 440.0+/-28.6 vs. 202.0+/-33.0 pg/ml in the controls) in both groups. Markedly increased subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue NE levels in AN patients compared to control subjects reflect increased sympathetic nervous system activity but not altered membrane noradrenergic transporter system in anorexia nervosa patients.     

Diaphorase can metabolize some vasorelaxants to NO and eliminate NO scavenging effect of 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO)

Diaphorase was studied as a possible oxidoreductase participating in NO production from some vasorelaxants. In the presence of NADH or NADPH, diaphorase can convert selected NO donors, glycerol trinitrate (GTN) and formaldoxime (FAL) to nitrites and nitrates with NO as an intermediate. This activity of diaphorase was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) (inhibitor of some NADPH-dependent flavoprotein oxidoreductases), while it remained uninhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (inhibitor of NO synthase) 7-Ethoxyresorufin (inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 1A1 and cytochrome P-450 NADPH-dependent reductase) inhibited the conversion of GTN only. Existence of NO as an intermediate of the reaction was supported by results of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition to its ability to affect the above mentioned NO donors, diaphorase was able to reduce 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) and thus to eliminate its NO scavenging effect. This activity of diaphorase could also be inhibited by DPI. The reaction of diaphorase with GTN and PTIO was not affected by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase. Reaction of FAL with diaphorase was lowered with SOD by 38 % indicating the partial participation of superoxide anion probably generated by the reaction of diaphorase with NADH or NADPH. Catalase had no effect. Diaphorase could apparently be one of the enzymes participating in the metabolism of studied NO donors to NO. The easy reduction and consequent elimination of PTIO by diaphorase could affect its use as an NO scavenger in biological tissues.     

Functional interaction of 13 yeast SCF complexes with a set of yeast E2 enzymes in vitro

SCF complexes are multi-subunit ubiquitin ligases that, in concert with the E1 and E2 ubiquitination enzymes, catalyze the ubiquination of specific target proteins. Only three yeast SCFs have been reconstituted and characterized to date; each of these ubiquitinates its target protein with the E2 Cdc34. We have reconstituted and purified 1 known and 12 novel yeast SCF complexes, and explored the ability of these complexes to function with 5 different purified E2 enzymes; Ubc1, Cdc34, Ubc4, Ubc8 and Ubc11. We have found that the ubiquitination of Sic1 by the reconstituted SCF(Cdc4) complex was specifically catalyzed by two of the five E2 enzymes tested in vitro; Cdc34 and Ubc4. We also show that at least eight of the purified SCF complexes clearly ubiquitinated their F-box proteins in vitro, lending support for a regulatory mechanism in which F-box proteins catalyze their own destruction. The autoubiquitination of each F-box was in some cases catalyzed only by Cdc34, and in other cases preferentially catalyzed by Ubc4. Ubc4 thus interacts with multiple SCFs in vitro, and the interactions among SCF and E2 components of the ubiquitination machinery may allow further diversification of the roles of SCFs in vivo.     

C2360, a nuclear protein expressed in human proliferative cytotrophoblasts, is a representative member of a novel protein family with a conserved coiled coil-helix-coiled coil-helix domain

In this study, we describe the identification of nine novel genes isolated from a unique human first-trimester cDNA library generated from the placental bed. One of these clones, called C2360 and located on chromosome 10q22, was selected as it showed restricted expression in placental bed tissue as well as in JEG3 choriocarcinoma cells with absent expression in adult tissues. We show that the expression is restricted to first-trimester proliferative trophoblasts of the proximal column and show that C2360 is a nuclear protein. No detectable transactivation potential was observed for different domains of the protein. Secondary structure prediction showed that C2360 is a representative member of a eukaryotic family of proteins with a low conservation at the amino acid level, but with strong conservation at the structural level, sharing the general domain (coiled coil 1)-(helix 1)-(coiled coil 2)-(helix 2), or CHCH domain. Each alpha-helix within this domain contains two cysteine amino acids, and these intrahelical cysteines are separated by nine amino acids (C-X(9)-C motif). The fixed position within each helix indicated that both helices could form a hairpin structure stabilized by two interhelical disulfide bonds. Other proteins belonging to the family include estrogen-induced gene 2 and the ethanol-induced 6 protein. The conserved motif was found in yeast, plant, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, mouse, and human proteins, indicating that the ancestor of this protein family is of eukaryotic origin. These results indicate that C2360 is a representative member of a multifamily of proteins, sharing a protein domain that is conserved in eukaryotes.     

Presenilins in memory, Alzheimer's disease, and therapy

Presenilins are considered to be the catalytic subunits of the gamma-secretase complex and are therefore drug targets for Alzheimer's disease. They are also essential for the fine tuning of the immunological system and for memory and synaptic plasticity. Genetic ablation in the forebrain results in a progressive neurodegenerative process that is independent from Abeta generation. The question arises as to what extent these observations should influence our thinking on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and on strategies to further develop gamma-secretase inhibitors.     

Factors influencing glycosylation of Trichoderma reesei cellulases. II: N-glycosylation of Cel7A core protein isolated from different strains

A systematic analysis of the N-glycosylation of the catalytic domain of cellobiohydrolase I (Cel7A or CBH I) isolated from several Trichoderma reesei strains grown in minimal media was performed. Using a combination of chromatographic, electrophoretic, and mass spectrometric methods, the presence of glucosylated and phosphorylated oligosaccharides on the three N-glycosylation sites of Cel7A core protein (from T. reesei strains Rut-C30 and RL-P37) confirms previous findings. With N-glycans isolated from other strains, no end-capping glucose could be detected. Phosphodiester linkages were however found in proteins from each strain and these probably occur on both the alpha1-3 and the alpha1-6 branch of the high-mannose oligosaccharide tree. Evidence is also presented for the occurrence of mannobiosyl units on the phosphodiester linkage. Therefore the predominant N-glycans on Cel7A can be represented as (ManP)(0-1)GlcMan(7-8)GlcNAc2 for the hyperproducing Rut-C30 and RL-P37 mutants and as (Man(1-2)P)(0-1-2)Man(5-6-7)GlcNAc2 for the wild-type strain and the other mutants. As shown by ESI-MS, random substitution of these structures on the N-glycosylation sites explains the heterogeneous glycoform population of the isolated core domains. PAG-IEF separates up to five isoforms, resulting from posttranslational modification of Cel7A with mannosyl phosphodiester residues at the three distinct sites. This study clearly shows that posttranslational phosphorylation of glycoproteins is not atypical for Trichoderma sp. and that, in the case of the Rut-C30 and RL-P37 strains, the presence of an end-capped glucose residue at the alpha1-3 branch apparently hinders a second mannophoshoryl transfer.     

Fatty acid production from amino acids and alpha-keto acids by Brevibacterium linens BL2

Low concentrations of branched-chain fatty acids, such as isobutyric and isovaleric acids, develop during the ripening of hard cheeses and contribute to the beneficial flavor profile. Catabolism of amino acids, such as branched-chain amino acids, by bacteria via aminotransferase reactions and alpha-keto acids is one mechanism to generate these flavorful compounds; however, metabolism of alpha-keto acids to flavor-associated compounds is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of Brevibacterium linens BL2 to produce fatty acids from amino acids and alpha-keto acids and determine the occurrence of the likely genes in the draft genome sequence. BL2 catabolized amino acids to fatty acids only under carbohydrate starvation conditions. The primary fatty acid end products from leucine were isovaleric acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid. In contrast, logarithmic-phase cells of BL2 produced fatty acids from alpha-keto acids only. BL2 also converted alpha-keto acids to branched-chain fatty acids after carbohydrate starvation was achieved. At least 100 genes are potentially involved in five different metabolic pathways. The genome of B. linens ATCC 9174 contained these genes for production and degradation of fatty acids. These data indicate that brevibacteria have the ability to produce fatty acids from amino and alpha-keto acids and that carbon metabolism is important in regulating this event.