Characterization of amber mutations in bacteriophage Mu transposase: a functional analysis of the protein

We have characterized a series of amber mutations in the A gene of bacteriophage Mu encoding the phage transposase. We tested different activities of these mutant proteins either in a sup0 strain or in different sup bacteria. In conjunction with the results described in the accompanying paper by Bétermier et al. (1989) we find that the C-terminus of the protein is not absolutely essential for global transposase function, but is essential for phage growth. Specific binding to Mu ends is defined by a more central domain. Our results also reinforce the previous findings (Bétermier et al., 1987) that more than one protein may be specified by the A gene.     

Comparative bioinformatics analysis and abiotic stress responses of expansin proteins in Cucurbitaceae members: watermelon and melon

Protoplasma - Watermelon and melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family including economically significant crops in the world. The expansin protein family, which is one of the members of the...     

Cloning and sequencing of IS1086, an Alcaligenes eutrophus insertion element related to IS30 and IS4351.

A new insertion sequence (IS), designated IS1086, was isolated from Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 by being trapped in plasmid pJV240, which contains the Bacillus subtilis sacB and sacR genes. The 1,106-bp IS1086 element contains partially matched (22 of 28 bp) terminal-inverted repeats and a long open reading frame. Hybridization data suggest the presence of one copy of IS1086 in the strain CH34 heavy-metal resistance plasmid pMOL28 and at least two copies in its chromosome. Analysis of the IS1086 nucleotide sequence revealed striking homology with two other IS elements, IS30 and IS4351, suggesting that they are three close members in a family of phylogenetically related insertion sequences. One open reading frame of the Spiroplasma citri phage SpV1-R8A2 B was also found to be related to this IS family but to a lesser extent. Comparison of the G+C contents of IS30 and IS1086 revealed that they conform to their respective hosts (46 versus 50% for IS30 and Escherichia coli and 64.5% for IS1086 and A. eutrophus). The pressure on the AT/GC ratio led to a very different codon usage in these two closely related IS elements. Results suggesting that IS1086 transposition might be activated by some forms of stress are discussed.     

Morphology, anatomy, palynology and nutlet micromorphology of the rediscovered Turkish endemic Salvia ballsiana (Lamiaceae) and their taxonomic implications

Salvia ballsiana (Rech. fil.) Hedge, previously known only from the type gathering, is a local endemic species from Turkey. The species was first collected from Gölbaşı (Malatya) by E. K. Balls in 1935, and was not collected again until 2008, when we found it in Gerger (Adıyaman). The diagnostic morphological characters of this rare endemic species are discussed, including its anatomical, palynological and nutlet micromorphological features. Morphological characteristics of leaves, calyces, corollas and types of stamens are useful for sectional and specific delimitation in Salvia . Anatomical characters such as number of ray rows in roots, distance between vascular bundles in stems, mesophyll structures in leaves, shape of mid-rib and presence/absence of sclerenchymatic tissue in petioles are of taxonomic significance. In addition, size, shape and ornamentation of pollen grains and nutlets are diagnostic.     

Determination of microRNAs associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Increasing evidence indicates that microRNA (miRNA) regulated mechanisms in myocardial healing and ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction...     

Serum and hair zinc levels in epileptic children taking valproic acid

This study was performed to investigate the serum and hair zinc levels in patients having epilepsy diagnoses who were intended to be put on valproic acid (VA) monotherapy and had never ingested antiepileptics before. A total of 16 patients having normal growth, development, and nutrition was selected as Group 1, and Group 2 was made up of 10 patients who had received VA monotherapy for 2 yrs or more and had normal growth, development, and nutrition characteristics. A control group (Group 3) was formed of 15 subjects who applied to the hospital for upper respiratory tract disorders. Serum and hair samples were taken for zinc assays from the Group 1 patients on the d 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 180. Groups 2 and 3 were sampled only once, and zinc levels were determined. We found that both serum and hair zinc levels in Group 1 were higher than those of Group 2 and control group before the beginning of VA therapy, but they returned to normal during VA treatment. There was no zinc deficiency, and zinc replacement treatment may therefore be considered as unnecessary.     

Late‐in‐life treadmill training rejuvenates autophagy,protein aggregate clearance,and function in mouse hearts

Protein quality control mechanisms decline during the process of cardiac aging. This enables the accumulation of protein aggregates and damaged organelles that contribute to age‐associated cardiac dysfunction. Macroautophagy is the process by which post‐mitotic cells such as cardiomyocytes clear defective proteins and organelles. We hypothesized that late‐in‐life exercise training improves autophagy, protein aggregate clearance, and function that is otherwise dysregulated in hearts from old vs. adult mice. As expected, 24‐month‐old male C57BL/6J mice (old) exhibited repressed autophagosome formation and protein aggregate accumulation in the heart, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and reduced exercise capacity vs. 8‐month‐old (adult) mice (all p < 0.05). To investigate the influence of late‐in‐life exercise training, additional cohorts of 21‐month‐old mice did (old‐ETR) or did not (old‐SED) complete a 3‐month progressive resistance treadmill running program. Body composition, exercise capacity, and soleus muscle citrate synthase activity improved in old‐ETR vs. old‐SED mice at 24 months (all p < 0.05). Importantly, protein expression of autophagy markers indicate trafficking of the autophagosome to the lysosome increased, protein aggregate clearance improved, and overall function was enhanced (all p < 0.05) in hearts from old‐ETR vs. old‐SED mice. These data provide the first evidence that a physiological intervention initiated late‐in‐life improves autophagic flux, protein aggregate clearance, and contractile performance in mouse hearts.     

Glassworts as Possible Anticancer Agents Against Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells with Their Nutritive,Antioxidant and Phytochemical Profiles

In this study, the possible uses of glassworts as potential food ingredients and their antiproliferative activity against colorectal adenocarcinoma cells together with their antioxidant and phytochemical profiles were investigated for the first time. MeOH extracts of five different taxa collected from different localities were screened for their antioxidant capacities by DPPH (IC₅₀ 2.91 – 5.49 mg/ml) and ABTS (24.4 – 38.5 μmol TE/g extract) assays. Salicornia freitagii exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. LC/MS/MS analysis displayed that vanillic acid and p‐coumaric acid were two main phenolic compounds in the extract. Salicornia freitagii extracts also exhibited high antiproliferative activity against HT‐29 (IC₅₀ 1.67 mg/ml) and Caco‐2 (IC₅₀ 3.03 mg/ml) cells for 72 h. Mineral analysis indicated that all the species with different proportions of elemental components contained high amount of cations. These results indicate that investigated glassworts, with their high phenolic and mineral contents and also notable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties, may be utilized as a promising source of therapeutics.