Streptococcal dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes: functional characterization and lead compound identification

Biosynthesis of the nucleotide sugar precursor dTDP‐L‐rhamnose is critical for the viability and virulence of many human pathogenic bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; GAS), Streptococcus mutans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Streptococcal pathogens require dTDP‐L‐rhamnose for the production of structurally similar rhamnose polysaccharides in their cell wall. Via heterologous expression in S. mutans, we confirmed that GAS RmlB and RmlC are critical for dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis through their action as dTDP‐glucose‐4,6‐dehydratase and dTDP‐4‐keto‐6‐deoxyglucose‐3,5‐epimerase enzymes respectively. Complementation with GAS RmlB and RmlC containing specific point mutations corroborated the conservation of previous identified catalytic residues. Bio‐layer interferometry was used to identify and confirm inhibitory lead compounds that bind to GAS dTDP‐rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes RmlB, RmlC and GacA. One of the identified compounds, Ri03, inhibited growth of GAS, other rhamnose‐dependent streptococcal pathogens as well as M. tuberculosis with an IC₅₀ of 120–410 µM. Importantly, we confirmed that Ri03 inhibited dTDP‐L‐rhamnose formation in a concentration‐dependent manner through a biochemical assay with recombinant rhamnose biosynthesis enzymes. We therefore conclude that inhibitors of dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis, such as Ri03, affect streptococcal and mycobacterial viability and can serve as lead compounds for the development of a new class of antibiotics that targets dTDP‐rhamnose biosynthesis in pathogenic bacteria.     

Responsive regions for direct organogenesis in sunflower cotyledons

Regeneration efficiency from three different regions of cotyledonary explants was examined in six sunflower inbred lines. Proximal, middle and distal regions from seedling cotyledons were cultured on regeneration medium supplemented with growth regulators. Plant regeneration by direct organogenesis was observed after four weeks. Significant differences among inbred lines were found for regeneration percentage and average number of shoots per total explants. Also a decreasing regeneration capacity was observed from proximal to distal sections for all inbred lines. Regeneration ability from cotyledonary explants in this species is strongly influenced by the genotype and by the region from which the explant was obtained. The distance to the cotyledonary node plays a preponderant role in the expression of shoot forming capacity. Shoot differentiation via seedling cotyledons depends upon the presence of the proximal region of cotyledon regardless of the genotype.     

C. elegans Expressing Human β2-Microglobulin: A Novel Model for Studying the Relationship between the Molecular Assembly and the Toxic Phenotype

Availability of living organisms to mimic key step of amyloidogenesis of human protein has become an indispensable tool for our translation approach aiming at filling the deep gap existing between the biophysical and biochemical data obtained in vitro and the pathological features observed in patients. Human β₂-microglobulin (β₂-m) causes systemic amyloidosis in haemodialysed patients. The structure, misfolding propensity, kinetics of fibrillogenesis and cytotoxicity of this protein, in vitro, have been studied more extensively than for any other globular protein. However, no suitable animal model for β₂-m amyloidosis has been so far reported. We have now established and characterized three new transgenic C. elegans strains expressing wild type human β₂-m and two highly amyloidogenic isoforms: P32G variant and the truncated form ΔN6 lacking of the 6 N-terminal residues. The expression of human β₂-m affects the larval growth of C. elegans and the severity of the damage correlates with the intrinsic propensity to self-aggregate that has been reported in previous in vitro studies. We have no evidence of the formation of amyloid deposits in the body-wall muscles of worms. However, we discovered a strict correlation between the pathological phenotype and the presence of oligomeric species recognized by the A11 antibody. The strains expressing human β₂-m exhibit a locomotory defect quantified with the body bends assay. Here we show that tetracyclines can correct this abnormality confirming that these compounds are able to protect a living organism from the proteotoxicity of human β₂-m.     

Protein profiling in F<Subscript>1</Subscript> and F<Subscript>2</Subscript> generations of two tomato genotypes differing in ripening time

Pericarp polypeptide profiles were analyzed at three ripening stages in the F₁ hybrid and the F₂ population from the cross between the accessions: LA1385 (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) and 804627 (L. esculentum, a homozygous genotype for the nor mutant). Six polymorphic polypeptides were observed in LA1385, while no polymorphic polypeptides among ripening stages was observed in 804627. On the other hand, some polypeptides in the F₁ hybrid were not observed in the parents whereas others were present in both parental genotypes and were unnoticeable in the hybrid genotype. From a cluster analysis on the protein profiles of the F₂ population, the differential expression of proteins allowed to distinguish mature green (MG) stage from the others two stages, while for breaker stage (BR) and red ripe stage, the genetic background was more important in forming groups. The differential expression of proteins could be associated with fruit morphology traits such as a 72 kDa polypeptide present in MG stage with fruit diameter, height and mass and a 47 kDa polypeptide found in BR with fruit shelf life.     

Co-fibrillogenesis of Wild-type and D76N β2-Microglobulin: THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF FIBRILLAR SEEDS*

The amyloidogenic variant of β₂-microglobulin, D76N, can readily convert into genuine fibrils under physiological conditions and primes in vitro the fibrillogenesis of the wild-type β₂-microglobulin. By Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that the amyloid transformation of wild-type β₂-microglobulin can be induced by the variant only after its complete fibrillar conversion. Our current findings are consistent with preliminary data in which we have shown a seeding effect of fibrils formed from D76N or the natural truncated form of β₂-microglobulin lacking the first six N-terminal residues. Interestingly, the hybrid wild-type/variant fibrillar material acquired a thermodynamic stability similar to that of homogenous D76N β₂-microglobulin fibrils and significantly higher than the wild-type homogeneous fibrils prepared at neutral pH in the presence of 20% trifluoroethanol. These results suggest that the surface of D76N β₂-microglobulin fibrils can favor the transition of the wild-type protein into an amyloid conformation leading to a rapid integration into fibrils. The chaperone crystallin, which is a mild modulator of the lag phase of the variant fibrillogenesis, potently inhibits fibril elongation of the wild-type even once it is absorbed on D76N β₂-microglobulin fibrils.     

The Action of Ribonuclease on Fixed Tissues

To study the optimal conditions for histochemical use of ribonuclease on fixed tissues, the factors of (1) type of fixation, (2) temperature, pH, type of buffer and length of incubation, (3) concentration of enzyme, and (4) staining and dehydration of sections were observed on rabbit pancreas.

The fixing fluids studied were sublimate-alcohol, Bouin's, Zenker-acetic, Zenker-formol, Petrunkevich's cupric-paranitrophenol, 10% neutral formalin, SUSA, Carnoy, Bensley's chrom-sublimate, absolute ethyl alcohol and acetone. Formaldehyde was a satisfactory fixative, although others might be preferred for special purposes. Of the five buffers tested, McIlvaine's citric-acid-disodium-phosphate mixture was the most satisfactory, whereas veronal-acetate extracted considerable stainable cytoplasmic material. The optimum concentration of ribonuclease and length of incubation varied greatly after the 11 different types of fixation. For example, with ribonuclease buffered by Mcllvaine's fluid, the intense cytoplasmic staining of formaldehyde-fixed tissues was removed by concentrations as low as 0.001 mg./ml., whereas, with sections fixed in Zenkers fluid some cytoplasmic staining persisted even after 3 hours in 0.2 mg./ml. Under the conditions employed the temperature and hydrogen-ion concentration during incubation were less important. Examples of nonspecific action of ribonuclease were noted. Until the degree and optimum conditions of specific action have been more precisely established by further experiments, it is suggested that this histo-chemical reaction only be interpreted as a confirmatory test which is, under the best conditions, only relatively specific for ribonucleic acid and not highly quantitative.     

Diallel analysis of production traits among domestic, exotic and mutant germplasms of Lycopersicon

The effects of wild germplasm on tomato fruit shelf life have not yet been completely evaluated. Three different genotypes of Lycopersicon esculentum (a cultivated variety, a homozygote for nor and a homozygote for rin), LA1385 of L. esculentum var. cerasiforme, LA722 of L. pimpinellifolium, and 10 diallel hybrids were assayed. Mean values of fruit shelf life, weight, shape, and mean number of flowers per cluster were analyzed after Griffing (1956, Aust. J. Biology 9: 463-493), method 2, model 1. Both general and specific combining abilities (GCA and SCA) were significant for the four traits. Negative unidirectional dominance was detected for fruit weight and shelf life, while bidirectional dominance was detected for fruit shape and mean number of flowers per cluster. SCA was greater than GCA for shelf life, so nonadditive effects predominantly accounted for this trait. In the heterozygous state, rin had smaller mean effects than nor. Wild accessions were able to prolong shelf life per se, and in crosses to the cultivated variety. The cross between the homozygote for nor and LA722 yielded the longest shelf life among hybrids.     

Biochemical and histological changes associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> responses in sunflower cotyledonary explants

In vitro shoot regeneration from sunflower cotyledonary explants can be obtained in the presence of kinetin and indole-3-acetic acid. In contrast, callus proliferation is obtained in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on culture medium. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in protein profiles during callus and shoot development from cotyledonary explants and to correlate them with ontogenic stages during in vitro culture. Cotyledons cultured in the presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid produced friable callus as a result of early division of parenchymatic cells associated with the vascular bundles of the explant. The callogenic ability was independent of the cotyledonary region used as starting explant. Direct shoot organogenesis was observed from the same type of cells growing in culture media supplemented with kinetin and indole-3-acetic acid. In this case, the regeneration potential varied among regions from which the explants were obtained. Protein profiles revealed differences associated with shoots or callus developmental programs. A 27-kDa polypeptide was uniquely detected in the explants undergoing shoot organogenesis. The amount of this polypeptide during the first 4 d of culture increased and was followed by the appearance of meristematic centers in histologically analyzed samples. This polypeptide could be used as a specific marker for in vitro shoot development in this species.     

Increased flexibility in the use of exogenous lipoic acid by Staphylococcus aureus

Lipoic acid is a cofactor required for intermediary metabolism that is either synthesized de novo or acquired from environmental sources. The bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus encodes enzymes required for de novo biosynthesis, but also encodes two ligases, LplA1 and LplA2, that are sufficient for lipoic acid salvage during infection. S. aureus also encodes two H proteins, GcvH of the glycine cleavage system and the homologous GcvH‐L encoded in an operon with LplA2. GcvH is a recognized conduit for lipoyl transfer to α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase E2 subunits, while the function of GcvH‐L remains unclear. The potential to produce two ligases and two H proteins is an unusual characteristic of S. aureus that is unlike most other Gram positive Firmicutes and might allude to an expanded pathway of lipoic acid acquisition in this microorganism. Here, we demonstrate that LplA1 and LplA2 facilitate lipoic acid salvage by differentially targeting lipoyl domain‐containing proteins; LplA1 targets H proteins and LplA2 targets α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase E2 subunits. Furthermore, GcvH and GcvH‐L both facilitate lipoyl relay to E2 subunits. Altogether, these studies identify an expanded mode of lipoic acid salvage used by S. aureus and more broadly underscore the importance of bacterial adaptations when faced with nutritional limitation.     

Gluconeogenesis in developing rat kidney cortex

1. Gluconeogenesis in developing rat kidney cortex was studied by assaying the activities of two enzymes, glucose 6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and by measuring glucose formation in tissue slices. 2. Glucose 6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase are present in late foetal (21-22-day-old) tissue and increase rapidly postnatally. Maximum activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase occurs at 7 days of age, followed by a decline to the adult level. Glucose 6-phosphatase activity rises during the first 2 postnatal weeks and then declines. 3. Late foetuses synthesize glucose from both pyruvate and l-glutamate. The rate increases during the first 2 weeks to above adult levels. Synthesis is always higher from pyruvate than from glutamate. 4. The effect of 24hr. starvation was studied in perinatal animals. The results indicate that the ability to increase the rate of glucose synthesis as a result of starvation is not present at birth, but develops some time after the second postnatal day.