The role of the C9b domain in the binding of C9 molecules to EAC1-8 defined by monoclonal antibodies to C9

Three mAb to human C9, X195, X197, and P40 were used to analyze the roles of the C9a and C9b domains in the reaction of the C9 molecule with sensitized sheep E bearing C1 to C8 (EAC1-8). X195 bound to NH2-terminal (C9a) fragments, and X197 bound to COOH-terminal (C9b) fragments obtained by cleavage of C9 with alpha-thrombin or trypsin. P40 recognized the epitope on the C9b fragment obtained by alpha-thrombin cleavage but did not react with the NH2-terminal or COOH-terminal fragment obtained by trypsin cleavage. In this respect, P40 differed from mAb to C9 reported previously. P40 almost completely inhibited the hemolytic activity of C9. X195 and X197 also inhibited C9 activity, but less effectively than P40. C9 molecules bound to P40 could not bind to EAC1-8 cells. C9 bound to X197 could not bind rapidly to EAC1-8, but prolonged incubation of the C9-X197 complex with EAC1-8 caused considerable lysis of the cells. C9 molecules bound to X195 could bind rapidly to EAC1-8, but their lytic activity was partially inhibited by the bound antibody. From these results, it is concluded that the C9b but not C9a domain contributes to the binding of C9 to EAC1-8 and that the epitope recognized by P40 or a closely adjacent site may be the binding site of C9 molecule to EAC1-8.     

ZTF-8 Interacts with the 9-1-1 Complex and Is Required for DNA Damage Response and Double-Strand Break Repair in the C. elegans Germline

Germline mutations in DNA repair genes are linked to tumor progression. Furthermore, failure in either activating a DNA damage checkpoint or repairing programmed meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) can impair chromosome segregation. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis for DNA damage response (DDR) and DSB repair (DSBR) within the germline is highly important. Here we define ZTF-8, a previously uncharacterized protein conserved from worms to humans, as a novel factor involved in the repair of both mitotic and meiotic DSBs as well as in meiotic DNA damage checkpoint activation in the C. elegans germline. ztf-8 mutants exhibit specific sensitivity to γ-irradiation and hydroxyurea, mitotic nuclear arrest at S-phase accompanied by activation of the ATL-1 and CHK-1 DNA damage checkpoint kinases, as well as accumulation of both mitotic and meiotic recombination intermediates, indicating that ZTF-8 functions in DSBR. However, impaired meiotic DSBR progression partially fails to trigger the CEP-1/p53-dependent DNA damage checkpoint in late pachytene, also supporting a role for ZTF-8 in meiotic DDR. ZTF-8 partially co-localizes with the 9-1-1 DDR complex and interacts with MRT-2/Rad1, a component of this complex. The human RHINO protein rescues the phenotypes observed in ztf-8 mutants, suggesting functional conservation across species. We propose that ZTF-8 is involved in promoting repair at stalled replication forks and meiotic DSBs by transducing DNA damage checkpoint signaling via the 9-1-1 pathway. Our findings define a conserved function for ZTF-8/RHINO in promoting genomic stability in the germline.     

Dial 9-1-1 for DNA damage: the Rad9-Hus1-Rad1 (9-1-1) clamp complex

Genotoxic stress activates checkpoint signaling pathways that block cell cycle progression, trigger apoptosis, and regulate DNA repair. Studies in yeast and humans have shown that Rad9, Hus1, Rad1, and Rad17 play key roles in checkpoint activation. Three of these proteins-Rad9, Hus1, and Rad1-interact in a heterotrimeric complex (dubbed the 9-1-1 complex), which resembles a PCNA-like sliding clamp, whereas Rad17 is part of a clamp-loading complex that is related to the PCNA clamp loader, replication factor-C (RFC). In response to genotoxic damage, the 9-1-1 complex is loaded around DNA by the Rad17-containing clamp loader. The DNA-bound 9-1-1 complex then facilitates ATR-mediated phosphorylation and activation of Chk1, a protein kinase that regulates S-phase progression, G2/M arrest, and replication fork stabilization. In addition to its role in checkpoint activation, accumulating evidence suggests that the 9-1-1 complex also participates in DNA repair. Taken together, these findings suggest that the 9-1-1 clamp is a multifunctional complex that is loaded onto DNA at sites of damage, where it coordinates checkpoint activation and DNA repair.     

C8- and C9-Alkylphenols and Ethoxylates: II. Assessment of Environmental Persistence and Bioaccumulation Potential

C8- and C9-alkylphenols and their ethoxylates (APE) are widely used commercial products mainly used in industrial applications, in the formulation of crop protection chemicals, and in industrial and household cleaners. Recent regulatory focus on these compounds has included an assessment of their potential to meet criteria for persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic compounds (PBT). To fully evaluate either the relative persistence or bioaccumulation potential of any APE, degradation intermediates and metabolic by-products of these compounds should also be considered. To facilitate the evaluation of the ultimate fate of APE in the environment, a review of the degradation pathways and identification of degradation intermediates was performed (part I of a two-part series). In part II of this series, the relative persistence of APE as indicated by degradation half-lives was examined based on a review of abiotic and biological degradation data. To assess the bioaccumulation potential of APE, the relevant literature was also reviewed. The available data for C8- and C9-APE show that the commercial products and their degradation intermediates do not meet any national or international criteria for identifying these compounds as PBT substances.     

Posters 1-1--8-23

Abstracts

Posters 1-1--8-23     

大环内酯类9 位羰基结构修饰衍生物的研究进展

大环内酯类抗生素自上市以来一直用于治疗呼吸系统等疾病，但随着该类药物的广泛应用，耐药菌日益增多。为此，研究者们一 直致力于半合成大环内酯类抗生素的研究，希望开发出对耐药菌有效、抗菌谱广的半合成衍生物。综述近年来对大环内酯9 位羰基结构 修饰的研究进展，并着重介绍一些活性较好的化合物。     

Genome sequence of the biocontrol agent Pantoea vagans strain C9-1

Pantoea vagans is a Gram-negative enterobacterial plant epiphyte of a broad range of plants. Here we report the 4.89-Mb genome sequence of P. vagans strain C9-1 (formerly Pantoea agglomerans), which is commercially registered for biological control of fire blight, a disease of pear and apple trees caused by Erwinia amylovora.     

Topography of the neurotensin (NT)(8-9) binding site of human NT receptor-1 probed with NT(8-13) analogs.

A series of neurotensin (NT)(8-13) analogs featuring substitution of the Arg8 and/or Arg9 residues with non-natural cationic amino acids was synthesized and evaluated for binding to the human NT receptor-1 (hNTR-1). The modifications were designed to probe specific steric and electrostatic requirements in the N-terminal cationic region of NT(8-13) for receptor binding as a general evaluation of the feasibility of incorporating minor structural changes into a peptide at a crucial polar receptor binding site. Many of the non-natural amino acids are more or less isosteric to Arg but more lipophilic as a result of addition of alkyl groups or through removal or replacement of NH character with methylene or methyl substituents, whereas others vary the distance between the cation and the alpha-amino acid carbon. Substitution of Arg8 with N(G)-alkylated Arg derivatives or homolysine (Hlys) maintained the subnanomolar affinity of NT(8-13) to the hNTR-1. Position 8 incorporation of Hlys produced the most favorable primary amine side-chain substitution to date. Moderate losses in affinity observed with position 9 substitutions were attributed to adverse steric effects. Doubly substituted [Hlys8, DAB9]NT(8-13), in which DAB is 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, was also prepared and tested as the shorter side-chain of DAB is known to be favored in position 9 of NT(8-13). This analog maintained 60% of NT(8-13) binding affinity making it the most favored des-guanidinium-containing analog known. These results demonstrate that adequate receptor binding affinity can be maintained over a structural range of Arg analogs, thus providing a range of peptides expected to exhibit altered pharmacokinetic properties. From the standpoint of the hNTR-1 cationic binding sites, these results help to map out the structural stringency inherent in the formation of a tight binding complex with NT(8-13) and related analogs.     

9-1-1: PCNA's specialized cousin

All living organisms are vulnerable to DNA damage. Cells respond to this hazard by activating a complex network of checkpoint and repair proteins to preserve genomic integrity. The DNA-encircling, ring-shaped heterotrimeric 9-1-1 complex, a relative of the replication protein PCNA, is a central coordinator of these events. 9-1-1 is loaded to damaged sites where it serves as a platform for the selective recruitment of checkpoint and repair proteins. In this Opinion article, 9-1-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are compared and discussed in light of their respective structures and functions. We propose that the interaction partners of 9-1-1 possess specific 9-1-1-interaction boxes, which discriminate between 9-1-1 and PCNA thereby enabling specific interactions with individual 9-1-1 subunits.     

Synthesis of the fragments A1-8, A1-7, A9-15 and A8-15 of the chicken insulin A chain (author's transl)

By coupling the peptide derivatives H-Cys(SBut)-Cys(SBut)-His-OMe(6-8 b) and H-Cys(SBut)-Cys(SBut)-OH(6-7b) respectively with Trt-Gly-Ile-Val-Glu(OBut)-Gln-OH(1-5a) the N-terminal sequences A1-8 and A1-7 of the chicken insulin A chain have been prepared. The sequence of A9-15 has been obtained by connecting Bpoc-Asn-Thr(But)-Cys(SBut)-OH (9-11c) and H-Ser(But)-Leu-Try(But)-Gln-OH (12-15). Acylation of the aminopeptidderivative 9-15b with Bpoc-N2H3 yielded fragment A8-15 (8-15).     

Immunological Basis of the Adenovirus 8-9 Cross-Reaction

The dedecon and hexon components of adenovirus types 8 and 9 have been extensively purified for use in establishing the basis of the cross-reaction between these types. Dodecons, the complete hemagglutinins, were purified 304- to 362-fold by fluorocarbon extraction, calcium phosphate batch chromatography, and ion-exchange column chromatography. Hexons, the group complement-fixation (CF) antigens, were purified 230- to 240-fold by erythrocyte adsorption, ion-exchange chromatography, and exclusion chromatography. Component antisera prepared in rabbits were tested in reciprocal fashion with crude virus and dodecon and hexon components. By hemagglutination-inhibition (HI), the dodecons of types 8 and 9 demonstrated the same predominantly one-sided relationship characteristic of the crude antigens. Some neutralizing activity was associated with both dodecons and hexons of each type. However, combining anti-dodecon and anti-hexon sera or producing antisera against the combined dodecon-hexon components resulted in neutralizing titers which were identical to titers obtained with antisera against the crude virus harvests. Dedecons of each type appear to share at least one antigenic determinant with hexons of the same type, and this determinant may reside on the vertex capsomere. Hexons possess group- and type-specific determinants, as shown by CF, neutralization, and immunodiffusion tests, and may exhibit some minor relationship between types 8 and 9. The results with the purified components are consistent with the predominantly one-sided antigenic relationship between types 8 and 9 in the conventional HI tests and the largely type-specific relationship by neutralization tests.     

CTRP8 and CTRP9B are novel proteins that hetero-oligomerize with C1q/TNF family members

C1q/TNF family comprises over thirty secreted multimeric proteins that play diverse and important roles in immune, endocrine, skeletal, neuronal, reproductive, sensory, and vascular systems. Here we describe two novel human C1q/TNF family members, designated as CTRP8 and CTRP9B. Both genes are absent in the mouse genome. CTRP8 is expressed predominantly in lung and testis. In addition to forming homotrimers, CTRP8 also forms heteromeric complexes with C1q-related factor (CRF). CRF is a secreted multimeric protein that forms heteromeric complexes with CTRP1, CTRP9, and CTRP10. Although human CTRRP9A and CTRP9B share 98% amino acid identity, they are encoded by distinct genes and are biochemically distinct. While CTRP9A is robustly secreted as a multimeric protein, CTRP9B requires physical association with CTRP9A or adiponectin for its secretion. We propose here that combinatorial association between C1q/TNF family members is a possible mechanism to generate an expanded repertoire of functionally distinct ligands with altered function and/or receptor specificity.     

Binding of human complement C8 to C9: role of the N-terminal modules in the C8 alpha subunit

Human C8 is one of five components of the membrane attack complex of complement (MAC). It is composed of a disulfide-linked C8alpha-gamma heterodimer and a noncovalently associated C8beta chain. The C8alpha and C8beta subunits contain a pair of N-terminal modules [thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) + low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLRA)] and a pair of C-terminal modules [epidermal growth factor (EGF) + TSP1]. The middle segment of each protein is referred to as the membrane attack complex/perforin domain (MACPF). During MAC formation, C8alpha mediates binding and self-polymerization of C9 to form a pore-like structure on the membrane of target cells. In this study, the portion of C8alpha involved in binding C9 was identified using recombinant C8alpha constructs in which the N- and/or C-terminal modules were either exchanged with those from C8beta or deleted. Those constructs containing the C8alpha N-terminal TSP1 or LDLRA module together with the C8alpha MACPF domain retained the ability to bind C9 and express C8 hemolytic activity. By contrast, those containing the C8alpha MACPF domain alone or the C8alpha MACPF domain and C8alpha C-terminal modules lost this ability. These results indicate that both N-terminal modules in C8alpha have a role in forming the principal binding site for C9 and that binding may be dependent on a cooperative interaction between these modules and the C8alpha MACPF domain.