Motion perception and visual signal design in Anolis lizards

Anolis lizards communicate with displays consisting of motion of the head and body. Early portions of long-distance displays require movements that are effective at eliciting the attention of potential receivers. We studied signal-motion efficacy using a two-dimensional visual-motion detection (2DMD) model consisting of a grid of correlation-type elementary motion detectors. This 2DMD model has been shown to accurately predict Anolis lizard behavioural response. We tested different patterns of artificially generated motion and found that an abrupt 0.3° shift of position in less than 100 ms is optimal. We quantified motion in displays of 25 individuals from five species. Four species employ near-optimal movement patterns. We tested displays of these species using the 2DMD model on scenes with and without moderate wind. Display movements can easily be detected, even in the presence of windblown vegetation. The fifth species does not typically use the most effective display movements and display movements cannot be discerned by the 2DMD model in the presence of windblown vegetation. A number of Anolis species use abrupt up-and-down head movements approximately 10 mm in amplitude in displays, and these movements appear to be extremely effective for stimulating the receiver visual system.     

伤害信号分子及其信号转导

伤害对于植物是一种常见的环境刺激。目前,对伤害刺激产生的防御反应及其机理都有了较为广泛的研究。简述了目前已确定的参与伤害反应的信号分子：寡糖素,系统素,脱落酸,茉莉酸,乙烯和电信号等,并初步探讨了伤害信号分子的信号转导途径。     

The bps signal: Embryonic arrest from an auxin-independent mechanism in bypass triple mutants

Long-distance signaling is essential for coordination of plant development and environmental responses. We originally isolated a tiny mutant named bypass1 (bps1), which has defects in shoot and root development. The bps1 roots overproduce a mobile signal (bps signal) that arrests both root and shoot development. Our recent study demonstrated that all three BPS gene family members prevent ectopic synthesis of the same bps signal.bps multiple mutants show progressively more severe developmental defects. An embryogenesis analysis revealed abnormal cell divisions in all meristem lineages of bps triple mutants. These defects appear to be auxin independent, and arise prior to changes in PLT1 and PLT2 expression.     

A chemical signal of offspring quality affects maternal care in a social insect

Begging signals of offspring are condition-dependent cues that are usually predicted to display information about the short-term need (i.e. hunger) to which parents respond by allocating more food. However, recent models and experiments have revealed that parents, depending on the species and context, may respond to signals of quality (i.e. offspring reproductive value) rather than need. Despite the critical importance of this distinction for life history and conflict resolution theory, there is still limited knowledge of alternative functions of offspring signals. In this study, we investigated the communication between offspring and caring females of the common earwig, Forficula auricularia, hypothesizing that offspring chemical cues display information about nutritional condition to which females respond in terms of maternal food provisioning. Consistent with the prediction for a signal of quality we found that mothers exposed to chemical cues from well-fed nymphs foraged significantly more and allocated food to more nymphs compared with females exposed to solvent (control) or chemical cues from poorly fed nymphs. Chemical analysis revealed significant differences in the relative quantities of specific cuticular hydrocarbon compounds between treatments. To our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that an offspring chemical signal reflects nutritional quality and influences maternal care.     

Identification and characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae Ffh, a homologue of SRP54 subunit of mammalian signal recognition particle

Recent studies have demonstrated that bacteria possess an essential protein translocation system similar to mammalian signal recognition particle (SRP). Here we have identified the Ffh, a homologue of the mammalian SRP54 subunit from S. pneumoniae. Ffh is a 58-kDa protein with three distinct domains: an N-terminal hydrophilic domain (N-domain), a G-domain containing GTP/GDP binding motifs, and a C-terminal methionine-rich domain (M-domain). The full-length Ffh and a truncated protein containing N and G domains (Ffh-NG) were overexpressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. The full-length Ffh has an intrinsic GTPase activity with k(cat) of 0.144 min(-1), and the K(m) for GTP is 10.9 microM. It is able to bind to 4.5S RNA specifically as demonstrated by gel retardation assay. The truncated Ffh-NG has approximately the same intrinsic GTPase activity to the full-length Ffh, but is unable to bind to 4.5S RNA, indicating that the NG domain is sufficient for supporting intrinsic GTP hydrolysis, and that the M domain is required for RNA binding. The interaction of S. pneumoniae Ffh with its receptor, FtsY, resulted in a 20-fold stimulation in GTP hydrolysis. The stimulation was further demonstrated to be independent of the 4.5S RNA. In addition, a similar GTPase stimulation is also observed between Ffh-NG and FtsY, suggesting that the NG domain is sufficient and the M domain is not required for GTPase stimulation between Ffh and FtsY.     

A trans-Golgi network retention signal YQRL fused to ricin A chain significantly enhances its cytotoxicity

Ricin enters the cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis, followed by translocation across the membranes of intracellular organelles. A trans-Golgi retention peptide signal YQRL was fused to the C-terminus of ricin A chain (RTA) by polymerase chain reaction. The recombinant RTA and RTA-YQRL were expressed in Escherichia coli using plasmid pKK223.3 under the control of a tac promoter. The recombinant proteins were purified by affinity chromatography on a Blue-Sepharose 6B column. The cytotoxicities of RTA and the fusion toxin RTA-YQRL were measured by the MTT assay in HeLa, SKOV-3, and WISH cells following fluid-phase endocytosis. The rRTA-YQRL was 2-, 10-, and 40-fold more cytotoxic than rRTA itself in the three cell lines, respectively. The results indicate that addition of a TGN retention signal YQRL to the C-terminus of RTA can markedly increase its cytotoxicity, suggesting TGN may play an important role in the intracellular routing and translocation of RTA.     

Oligomeric properties and signal peptide binding by Escherichia coli Tat protein transport complexes

The Escherichia coli Tat apparatus is a protein translocation system that serves to export folded proteins across the inner membrane. The integral membrane proteins TatA, TatB and TatC are essential components of this pathway. Substrate proteins are directed to the Tat apparatus by specialized N-terminal signal peptides bearing a consensus twin-arginine sequence motif. Here we have systematically examined the Tat complexes that can be purified from overproducing strains. Our data suggest that the TatA, TatB and TatC proteins are found in at least two major types of high molecular mass complex in detergent solution, one consisting predominantly of TatA but with a small quantity of TatB, and the other based on a TatBC unit but also containing some TatA protein. The latter complex is shown to be capable of binding a Tat signal peptide. Using an alternative purification strategy we show that it is possible to isolate a TatABC complex containing a high molar excess of the TatA component.     

Characterization of the cleavage of signal peptide at the C-terminus of hepatitis C virus core protein by signal peptide peptidase

Production of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein requires the cleavages of polyprotein by signal peptidase and signal peptide peptidase (SPP). Cleavage of signal peptide at the C-terminus of HCV core protein by SPP was characterized in this study. The spko mutant (mutate a.a. 189–193 from ASAYQ to PPFPF) is more efficient than the A/F mutant (mutate a.a 189 and 191 from A to F) in blocking the cleavage of signal peptide by signal peptidase. The cleavage efficiency of SPP is inversely proportional to the length of C-terminal extension of the signal peptide: the longer the extension, the less efficiency the cleavage is. Thus, reducing the length of C-terminal extension of signal peptide by signal peptidase cleavage could facilitate further cleavage by SPP. The recombinant core protein fused with signal peptide from the C-terminus of p7 protein, but not those from the C-termini of E1 and E2, could be cleaved by SPP. Therefore, the sequence of the signal peptide is important but not the sole determinant for its cleavage by SPP. Replacement of the HCV core protein E.R.-associated domain (a.a. 120–150) with the E.R.-associated domain (a.a.1–50) of SARS-CoV membrane protein results in the failure of cleavage of this recombinant protein by SPP, though this protein still is E.R.-associated. This result suggests that not only E.R.-association but also specific protein sequence is important for the HCV core protein signal peptide cleavage by SPP. Thus, our results suggest that both sequences of the signal peptide and the E.R.-associated domain are important for the signal peptide cleavage of HCV core protein by SPP. Electronic Supplementary MaterialThe online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Notch信号途径的调节

Notch信号途径是通过局部细胞间相互作用,实现细胞间通讯、胞浆内的信号转导以及核内转录,从而控制细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡、迁移及粘附等细胞的命运的途径。它在进化中非常保守,在机体的整个生长发育过程的调控中发挥着重要的作用。Notch信号途径作用过程受其他多种分子和途径的调节。本文从细胞外水平、细胞浆水平和细胞核水平分别讨论了Notch信号途径的调节。对进一步了解Notch信号途径,解释生理病理现象、控制和治疗疾病提供基础。     

The periplasmic binding protein of a tripartite tricarboxylate transporter is involved in signal transduction

A new type of solute importer has been identified recently in various bacterial genera and called the tripartite tricarboxylate transporter (TTT). TTTs consist of two cytoplasmic membrane proteins and a periplasmic solute-binding protein. In the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis, a TTT system that has been called BctCBA mediates the uptake of citrate, with BctA and BctB being the membrane components and BctC, the periplasmic protein. Here, we describe that the expression of the bctCBA operon is induced by the presence of citrate in the milieu. The signalling cascade involves both BctC and the signal transduction two-component system BctDE, encoded by an operon adjacent to bctCBA. Furthermore, two-hybrid analyses and affinity chromatography experiments indicated that citrate-liganded BctC interacts with the periplasmic domain of the sensor protein, BctE. Thus, BctC is part of the signalling cascade leading to upregulation of the transporter operon in the presence of its solute, a new function for periplasmic binding proteins of TT transporters.     

Extracellular calmodulin: A polypeptide signal in plants?

Traditionally, calmodulin (CaM) was thought to be a multi-functional receptor for intracellular Ca²⁺ signals. But in the last ten years, it was found that CaM also exists and acts extracellularly in animal and plant cells to regulate many important physiological functions. Laboratory studies by the authors showed that extracellular CaM in plant cells can stimulate the proliferation of suspension cultured cell and protoplast; regulate pollen germination and pollen tube elongation, and stimulate the light-independent gene expression of Rubisco small subunit (rbcS). Furthermore, we defined the trans-membrane and intracellular signal transduction pathways for extracellular CaM by using a pollen system. The components in this pathway include heterotrimeric G-protein, phospholipase C, IP₃, calcium signal and protein phosphorylation etc. Based on our findings, we suggest that extracellular CaM is a polypeptide signal in plants. This idea strongly argues against the traditional concept that there is no intercellular polypeptide signal in plants.