Sequence requirements for Hid binding and apoptosis regulation in the baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis Op-IAP. Hid binds Op-IAP in a manner similar to Smac binding of XIAP.

It has been suggested that the Drosophila Hid protein interacts with the baculovirus Op-IAP protein in a manner similar to that of human Smac binding to XIAP, based largely on amino acid sequence homology. However, there is little direct experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis; indeed, evidence exists from previous studies suggesting that the mode of binding is not similar. We have now precisely mapped the interaction between Hid and Op-IAP, and we show clearly for the first time that the biochemical interactions between the amino terminus of Hid and BIR2 of Op-IAP are highly similar to those found between the processed amino terminus of Smac and BIR3 of XIAP. Also similar to Smac, the amino terminus of Hid must be processed to bind Op-IAP. In addition, our data also suggest that a second interaction between Hid and Op-IAP exists that does not involve the amino terminus of Hid, which may explain some of the earlier contradictory results. The evolutionary conservation of this mechanism of binding underscores its importance in apoptotic regulation. Nevertheless, interaction with Hid is not sufficient for Op-IAP to inhibit apoptosis induced by Hid overexpression or by treatment with actinomycin D, indicating that additional sequence elements are required for the anti-apoptotic function of Op-IAP.     

Assessing Greater Sage-Grouse Selection of Brood-Rearing Habitat Using Remotely-Sensed Imagery: Can Readily Available High-Resolution Imagery Be Used to Identify Brood-Rearing Habitat Across a Broad Landscape?

Greater sage-grouse populations have decreased steadily since European settlement in western North America. Reduced availability of brood-rearing habitat has been identified as a limiting factor for many populations. We used radio-telemetry to acquire locations of sage-grouse broods from 1998 to 2012 in Strawberry Valley, Utah. Using these locations and remotely-sensed NAIP (National Agricultural Imagery Program) imagery, we 1) determined which characteristics of brood-rearing habitat could be used in widely available, high resolution imagery 2) assessed the spatial extent at which sage-grouse selected brood-rearing habitat, and 3) created a predictive habitat model to identify areas of preferred brood-rearing habitat. We used AIC model selection to evaluate support for a list of variables derived from remotely-sensed imagery. We examined the relationship of these explanatory variables at three spatial extents (45, 200, and 795 meter radii). Our top model included 10 variables (percent shrub, percent grass, percent tree, percent paved road, percent riparian, meters of sage/tree edge, meters of riparian/tree edge, distance to tree, distance to transmission lines, and distance to permanent structures). Variables from each spatial extent were represented in our top model with the majority being associated with the larger (795 meter) spatial extent. When applied to our study area, our top model predicted 75% of naïve brood locations suggesting reasonable success using this method and widely available NAIP imagery. We encourage application of our methodology to other sage-grouse populations and species of conservation concern.     

Evaluation of vitamin D3 metabolites in Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset)

Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) is endogenously produced in the skin of primates when exposed to the appropriate wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UV-B). Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) maintained indoors require dietary provision of vitamin D₃ due to lack of sunlight exposure. The minimum dietary vitamin D₃ requirement and the maximum amount of vitamin D₃ that can be metabolized by marmosets is unknown. Observations of metabolic bone disease and gastrointestinal malabsorption have led to wide variation in dietary vitamin D₃ provision amongst research institutions, with resulting variation in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃), the accepted marker for vitamin D sufficiency/deficiency. Multiple studies have reported serum 25(OH)D₃ in captive marmosets, but 25(OH)D₃ is not the final product of vitamin D₃ metabolism. In addition to serum 25(OH)D_3, we measured the most physiologically active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃), and the less well understood metabolite, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (24,25(OH)₂D₃) to characterize the marmoset's ability to metabolize dietary vitamin D₃. We present vitamin D₃ metabolite and related serum chemistry value colony reference ranges in marmosets provided diets with 26,367 (Colony A, N = 113) or 8,888 (Colony B, N = 52) international units (IU) of dietary vitamin D₃ per kilogram of dry matter. Colony A marmosets had higher serum 25(OH)D₃ (426 ng/ml [SD 200] vs. 215 ng/ml [SD 113]) and 24,25(OH)₂D₃ (53 ng/ml [SD 35] vs. 7 ng/ml [SD 5]). There was no difference in serum 1,25(OH)₂D₃ between the colonies. Serum 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased and 25(OH)D₃ decreased with age, but the effect was weak. Marmosets tightly regulate metabolism of dietary vitamin D₃ into the active metabolite 1,25(OH)₂D₃; excess 25(OH)D₃ is metabolized into 24,25(OH)₂D₃. This ability explains the tolerance of high levels of dietary vitamin D₃ by marmosets, however, our data suggest that these high dietary levels are not required.     

Impact of vaginal microbiome communities on HIV antiretroviral-based pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug metabolism

Despite the efficacy of antiretroviral-based pre-exposure prophylactics (PrEP) in men who have sex with men, studies in women have produced widely varying outcomes. Recent evidence demonstrates that vaginal microbial communities are associated with increased HIV acquisition risk and may impact PrEP efficacy. Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying how vaginal bacteria alter PrEP drug levels and impact HIV infection rates ex vivo. Using cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) from women with or without bacterial vaginosis (BV), we identified microbial metabolism of PrEP drugs in BV samples through LC-MS/MS analysis of soluble drug levels and metabolite formation in dual T-cell cultures. CVL samples were assessed for microbiome analysis using sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. We also observed non-Lactobacillus bacteria that are associated with BV may potentially impact PrEP efficacy through increased HIV infection rates in co-cultures containing Lactobacillus or BV bacteria, PrEP drugs, CEM-GFP cells, and HIV-1_LAI virus. Finally, we used these data to develop a novel predictive mathematical simulation modeling system to predict these drug interactions for future trials. These studies demonstrate how dysbiotic vaginal microbiota may impact PrEP drugs and provides evidence linking vaginal bacteria to PrEP efficacy in women.     

Aortic ascorbic acid, trace elements, and superoxide dismutase activity in human aneurysmal and occlusive disease

Altered trace elements and ascorbic acid metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, their role in the disease process, or the effect of atherosclerosis on their tissue levels within plaque, is poorly understood. The present study analyzes the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn, and ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in tissue samples from 29 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and 14 patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AOD). It was observed that the Fe and Mn concentrations in AAA and AOD tissue were higher than the levels in nondiseased control aorta, whereas Cu and Zn levels in AAA and AOD tissue were similar to the levels in controls. The Zn:Cu ratio was significantly lower in the AAA tissue in comparison to both AOD and control tissue. In addition, AAA and AOD tissue had low ascorbic acid levels and low Cu,Zn-SOD activity with Cu,Zn-SOD:Mn-SOD ratios of 0.27 and 0.19, respectively, compared to a ratio of 3.20 in control aorta. These data indicate that aorta affected by aneurysms and occlusive disease have altered trace element and ascorbic acid concentrations, as well as low Cu,Zn-SOD activity. Although these observations do not directly support the hypothesis that AAA is associated with aortic Cu deficiency they do suggest a role for oxygen radicals or increased lipid peroxidation in occlusive and aneurysmal disease of the aorta.     

Purification of adenylosuccinate lyase from rat skeletal muscle by a novel affinity column. Stabilization of the enzyme, and effects of anions and fluoro analogues of the substrate.

The turnover of prothrombin and of factor X was investigated in rabbits fed on a 1%-cholesterol-supplemented or a standard diet by studying the evolution of radioactivity in blood and in plasma from these animals after the intravenous injection of either 125I-rabbit factor X or 125I-bovine prothrombin. For factor X, half-lives and fractional pool sizes were similar for the two groups of rabbits in the extravascular, intravascular and plasma compartments. However, the equivalent plasma fractional pool size for the two groups of rabbits was only 73% of that in the intravascular compartment. The fractional catabolic rate for the hypercholesterolaemic rabbits [0.064 +/- 0.007 (of the intravascular pool)/h] was not significantly different from that in the rabbits fed on the standard diet (0.074 +/- 0.008/h). However, the absolute catabolic rate, and therefore the rate of synthesis, was significantly higher (1.261 +/- 0.141 mg/day per kg body wt. of rabbit) in the rabbits fed on the cholesterol-supplemented than that in the rabbits fed on the standard diet (0.705 +/- 0.019 mg/day per kg). The prothrombin half-lives and fractional pool sizes were similar for the two groups of rabbits in the extravascular and the intravascular compartments. The fractional catabolic rate for the hypercholesterolaemic rabbits [0.041 +/- 0.003 (of the plasma pool)/h] was not significantly different from that in the rabbits fed on the standard diet (0.035 +/- 0.003/h). However, the absolute catabolic rate and therefore the rate of prothrombin synthesis was significantly higher (3.96 +/- 0.48 mg/day per kg body wt.) in the rabbits fed on the cholesterol-supplemented than that in the rabbits fed on the standard diet (2.24 +/- 0.12 mg/day per kg).     

Localization and Pattern of Graviresponse across the Pulvinus of Barley Hordeum vulgare

Pulvini of excised stem segments from barley (Hordeum vulgare cv `Larker') were pretreated with 1 millimolar coumarin before gravistimulation to reduce longitudinal cell expansion and exaggerate radial cell enlargement. The cellular localization and pattern of graviresponse across individual pulvini were then evaluated by cutting the organ in cross-section, photographing the cross-section, and then measuring pulvinus thickness and the radial width of cortical and epidermal cells in enlargements of the photomicrographs. With respect to orientation during gravistimulation, we designated the uppermost point of the cross-section 0° and the lowermost point 180°. A gravity-induced increase in pulvinus thickness was observable within 40° of the vertical in coumarin-treated pulvini. In upper halves of coumarin-treated gravistimulated pulvini, cells in the inner cortex and inner epidermis had increased radial widths, relative to untreated gravistimulated pulvini. In lower halves of coumarin-treated pulvini, cells in the central and outer cortex and in the outer epidermis showed the greatest increase in radial width. Cells comprising the vascular bundles also increased in radial width, with this pattern following that of the central cortex. These results indicate (a) that all cell types are capable of showing a graviresponse, (b) that the graviresponse occurs in both the top and the bottom of the responding organ, and (c) that the magnitude of the response increases approximately linearly from the uppermost point to the lowermost. These results are also consistent with models of gravitropism that link the pattern and magnitude of the graviresponse to graviperception via statolith sedimentation.     

The cDNA cloning of a pea (Pisum sativum) seed lipoxygenase. Sequence comparisons of the two major pea seed lipoxygenase isoforms.

Cloning and sequencing of two cDNAs from mRNA of maturing pea (Pisum sativum) seeds allowed the deduction of the complete amino acid sequence of a lipoxygenase polypeptide which is most similar to that of soya-bean lipoxygenase 2. The predicted Mr of this polypeptide is 97134, and its sequence permits comparisons between the lox2-type and the lox3-type lipoxygenase isoforms from pea and soya bean (Glycine max).     

Isolation and chromosomal localization of the human glutathione peroxidase gene

We have isolated cDNA clones for the gene, termed GPX1, encoding the major human selenoprotein, glutathione peroxidase. Sequence analysis confirmed previous findings that the unusual amino acid seleno-cysteine is encoded by the opal terminator codon UGA. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA with the GPX1 cDNA showed that restriction endonucleases without sites in the probe sequence produced three hybridizing bands at standard stringency, diminishing to one strongly and one weakly hybridizing band at high stringency. In situ hybridization localized the human GPX1 gene to a single site on chromosome 3, at region 3q11-13.1. Thus, three genomic sites bear sequence homology to the GPX1 cDNA, and the one most homologous maps to 3q11-13.1.