Crystal structure of a novel ATPase RadD from Escherichia coli

The helicase superfamily 2 (SF2) proteins are involved in essentially every step in DNA and RNA metabolism. The radD (yejH) gene, which belongs to SF2, plays an important role in DNA repair. The RadD protein includes all seven conserved SF2 motifs and has shown ATPase activity. Here, we first reported the structure of RadD from Escherichia coli containing two RecA-like domains, a zinc finger motif, and a C-terminal domain. Based on the structure of RadD and other SF2 proteins, we then built a model of the RedD-ATP complex.     

Functions of Fun30 Chromatin Remodeler in Regulating Cellular Resistance to Genotoxic Stress

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fun30 chromatin remodeler has recently been shown to facilitate long-range resection of DNA double strand break (DSB) ends, which proceeds homologous recombination (HR). This is believed to underlie the role of Fun30 in promoting cellular resistance to DSB inducing agent camptothecin. We show here that Fun30 also contributes to cellular resistance to genotoxins methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and hydroxyurea (HU) that can stall the progression of DNA replication. We present evidence implicating DNA end resection in Fun30-dependent MMS-resistance. On the other hand, we show that Fun30 deletion suppresses the MMS- and HU-sensitivity of cells lacking the Rad5/Mms2/Ubc13-dependent error-free DNA damage tolerance mechanism. This suppression is not the result of a reduction in DNA end resection, and is dependent on the key HR component Rad51. We further show that Fun30 negatively regulates the recovery of rad5Δ mutant from MMS induced G2/M arrest. Therefore, Fun30 has two functions in DNA damage repair: one is the promotion of cellular resistance to genotoxic stress by aiding in DNA end resection, and the other is the negative regulation of a Rad51-dependent, DNA end resection-independent mechanism for countering replicative stress. The latter becomes manifest when Rad5 dependent DNA damage tolerance is impaired. In addition, we find that the putative ubiquitin-binding CUE domain of Fun30 serves to restrict the ability of Fun30 to hinder MMS- and HU-tolerance in the absence of Rad5.     

Characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the castration parasite plant‐ant Allomerus octoarticulatus cf. demerarae (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Fifteen microsatellite loci were isolated from the Peruvian tropical plant‐ant Allomerus octoarticulatus cf. demerarae (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae) and their polymorphism was characterized. High levels of within‐population variation were observed at most loci, with number of alleles ranging from one to 21, and heterozygosity from 0 to 1 per population sample. Cross‐species amplification of these loci was also tested in one other species of the ant genus Allomerus (Allomerus decemarticulatus), displaying similar life history.     

Estimates and Predictions of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Cases among Redeployed Coal Workers of the Fuxin Mining Industry Group in China: A Historical Cohort Study

This research was aimed at estimating possible Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) cases as of 2012, and predicting future CWP cases among redeployed coal workers from the Fuxin Mining Industry Group. This study provided the scientific basis for regulations on CWP screening and diagnosis and labor insurance policies for redeployed coal workers of resource-exhausted mines. The study cohort included 19,116 coal workers. The cumulative incidence of CWP was calculated by the life-table method. Possible CWP cases by occupational category were estimated through the average annual incidence rate of CWP and males’ life expectancy. It was estimated that 141 redeployed coal workers might have suffered from CWP as of 2012, and 221 redeployed coal workers could suffer from CWP in the future. It is crucial to establish a set of feasible and affordable regulations on CWP screening and diagnosis as well as labor insurance policies for redeployed coal workers of resource-exhausted coal mines in China.     

流感病毒抑制剂的研究进展

流感病毒(Influenza Virus,IVs)属于正黏病毒科(Orthomyyxoviridae),单股负链RNA包膜病毒,由于其传播和变异速度快,且致病力和致死率高,严重威胁人类的健康和生命.理论上,抑制流感病毒生命周期的任何一个阶段,都可以有效地抑制病毒的复制和传播.目前FDA已批准的药物主要作用于子代病毒的释放阶段,随着流感病毒耐药问题的日益严重,不同作用机制的抑制剂不断被发现,部分已经进入临床研究阶段.新技术、新思路持续推进着流感病毒抑制剂的研究,本文将对最新的流感病毒抑制剂研究进展进行综述,旨在为新型的流感病毒抑制剂的设计和研发提供参考和思路.