The effect of alpha-actinin on the length distribution of F-actin

Actin filament length distribution in cells is often regulated to fit specific tasks. In comparison to the well-studied regulation of the average filament length (e.g., using capping proteins), controlling the width of the distribution is less well understood. We utilize two complementary methods to measure the effect of alpha-actinin on the width of the distribution of lengths of F-actin in vitro. Analyzing transmission electron micrographs shows that crosslinking by alpha-actinin reduces the width of the length distribution of F-actin, decreasing the coefficient of variation by two- to threefold. Analysis of fluorescence data from depolymerization assays confirms this observation. We suggest a mechanistic molecular model in which a local (weak) stabilization of crosslinked monomers in the filament is the physical origin of the decrease in the variance of lengths. Although alpha-actinin is known to bind reversibly to F-actin, our model shows that even weak binding can produce this effect, and that in fact it persists throughout a wide range of binding strengths.     

The effect of an imprecise map on interval mapping QTLs

The statistical analysis of quantitative trait locus (QTL) experiments relies on the use of a linkage map of the markers genotyped. Such a map is, at best, a good estimate of the true map. Resources might be diverted into developing better marker maps or improved maps become available after the analysis, raising concerns over the original analysis. It is therefore important to understand the sensitivity of QTL analysis to map inaccuracy. We have used simulation methods to investigate the consequences of an incorrect map on the results of a QTL analysis using interval mapping. Backcross data sets were generated with a particular map and then analysed with both the correct map and incorrect maps. If the incorrect maps maintained the true linkage groups (i.e. no markers were incorrectly assigned to another linkage group), the accuracy of the map had little or no impact on the ability to detect QTLs, the true significance levels of the tests or the relative placement of QTLs. When a marker was incorrectly placed on another linkage group, there was a small increase in the level of the test. After adjusting for this increase, there was a decrease in power to detect a QTL near the misplaced marker. This decrease was of a similar magnitude to that found when using a single-marker analysis compared with interval mapping. These results mean that QTL analyses can proceed without the need for very accurate marker maps, and that estimated QTL positions can be translated onto updated maps without the need for reanalysis.     

Sexual selection and its effect on the fixation of an asexual clone

Sexual selection is a powerful and ubiquitous force in sexual populations. It has recently been argued that sexual selection can eliminate the twofold cost of sex even with low genomic mutation rates. By means of differential male mating success, deleterious mutations in males become more deleterious than in females, and it has been shown that sexual selection can drastically reduce the mutational load in a sexual population, with or without any form of epistasis. However, any mechanism that claims to maintain sexual reproduction must be able to prevent the fixation of an asexual mutant clone with a twofold fitness advantage. Here, I show that despite very strong sexual selection, the fixation of an asexual mutant cannot be prevented under reasonable genomic mutation rates. Sexual selection can have a strong effect on the average mutational load in a sexual population, but as it cannot prevent the fixation of an asexual mutant, it is unlikely to play a key role on the maintenance of sexual reproduction.     

The plant ferredoxin precursor: nucleotide sequence of a full length cDNA clone.

A cDNA clone (pFD1) derived from Silene pratensis ferredoxin mRNA was selected from a cDNA-library using the hybrid released translation technique. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed the cDNA insert to contain the complete coding region of the ferredoxin precursor protein. The ferredoxin precursor has a mol.wt. of 15 300, the transit-peptide has a mol.wt. of 5600. The length of the ferredoxin mRNA was found to be 700 nucleotides whereas the cDNA insert was about 1200 basepairs. S1 nuclease protection experiments showed the ferredoxin-specific DNA to be 660 basepairs in length and to start 39 nucleotides upstream of the ferredoxin coding sequence. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA revealed the presence of only one fragment with homology to the ferredoxin cDNA probe, so it is probably a single-copy gene. Comparison of the ferredoxin transit-sequence with transit sequences of another stromal protein, the small subunit of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase showed no apparent homology, except for a stretch of three amino acids near the processing site.     

The effect of the chain length distribution of free fatty acids on the mixing properties of stratum corneum model membranes

The stratum corneum (SC) plays a fundamental role in the barrier function of the skin. The SC consists of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix. The main lipid classes in the lipid matrix are ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL) and free fatty acids (FFAs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the chain length of FFAs on the thermotropic phase behavior and mixing properties of SC lipids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman imaging spectroscopy were used to study the mixing properties using either protonated or deuterated FFAs. We selected SC model lipid mixtures containing only a single CER, CHOL and either a single FFA or a mixture of FFAs mimicking the FFA SC composition. The single CER consists of a sphingoid base with 18 carbon atoms and an acyl chain with a chain length of 24 carbon atoms. When using lignoceric acid (24 carbon atoms) or a mixture of FFAs, the CER and FFAs participated in mixed crystals, but hydration of the mixtures induced a slight phase separation between CER and FFA. The mixed crystalline structures did not phase separate during storage even up to a time period of 3 months. When using palmitic acid (16 carbon atoms), a slight phase separation was observed between FFA and CER. This phase separation was clearly enhanced during hydration and storage. In conclusion, the thermotropic phase behavior and the mixing properties of the SC lipid mixtures were shown to strongly depend on the chain length and chain length distribution of FFAs, while hydration enhanced the phase separation.     

Development of an integrated laboratory information management system for the maize mapping project

MOTIVATION: The development of an integrated genetic and physical map for the maize genome involves the generation of an enormous amount of data. Managing this data requires a system to aid in genotype scoring for different types of markers coming from both local and remote users. In addition, researchers need an efficient way to interact with genetic mapping software and with data files from automated DNA sequencing. They also need ways to manage primer data for mapping and sequencing and provide views of the integrated physical and genetic map and views of genetic map comparisons. RESULTS: The MMP-LIMS system has been used successfully in a high-throughput mapping environment. The genotypes from 957 SSR, 1023 RFLP, 189 SNP, and 177 InDel markers have been entered and verified via MMP-LIMS. The system is flexible, and can be easily modified to manage data for other species. The software is freely available. AVAILABILITY: To receive a copy of the iMap or cMap software, please fill out the form on our website. The other MMP-LIMS software is freely available at http://www.maizemap.org/bioinformatics.htm.     

Internode length in Pisum. IV. The effect of the Le gene on gibberellin metabolism

The highly active, polar gibberellin-like substance found in the apical region of shoots of tall (genotype Le ) peas ( Pisum sativum L.) is shown by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to be GA₁. This substance is either absent or present at only low levels in dwarf ( le ) plants. Multiple ion monitoring (MIM) tentatively suggests that GA₈ may also be present in shoot tissue of tall peas. Gibberellin A₁ is the first 3 β-hydroxylated gibberellin positively identified in peas, and its presence in shoot tissue demonstrates the organ specificity of gibberellin production since GA₁ has not been detected in developing seeds. Application of GA₁ can mask the Le/le gene difference. However, whilst Le plants respond equally to GA₂₀ and GA₁, le plants respond only weakly to GA₂₀, the major biologically active gibberellin found in dwarf peas. These results suggest that the Le gene controls the production of a 3 β-hydroxylase capable of converting GA₂₀ to GA₁. Further support for this view comes from feeds of [³H] GA₂₀ to Le and le plants. Plants with Le metabolise [³H] GA₂₀ to three major products whilst le plants produce only one major product after the same time. The metabolite common to Le and le plants co-chromatographs with GA₂₉. The additional two metabolites in Le peas co-chromatograph with GA₁ and GA₈.     

The effect of the chain length of polynucleotides on their binding with platinum complexes.

The effect of the length of polynucleotides on their binding with platinum complexes was studied. The highest reaction rate was observed in the reaction with guanosine-containing polynucleotides, whereas cytidine- and adenosine-containing polynucleotides were much less efficient. The monoaqua-forms of the platinum complexes exhibited the highest reactivity in the interaction with polynucleotides in solution. The mechanism implies the formation of the monodentate complex at the first stage which is transformed into the corresponding bidentate complex of chelate type at the second stage. Increase in the length of the polynucleotide chain was shown to enhance its interaction with the platinum complexes.     

The mapping of an antibody-binding region on the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kilodalton antigen.

To localize the epitopes of four independently derived murine mAb IT-10, IT-12, IT-16, and IT-19 on the 19-kDa Ag protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, expression plasmids were constructed containing deletions of the gene encoding the 19-kDa protein. Reaction of the 4 mAb with Western blots of the truncated recombinant proteins revealed two epitope specificities in the recognition of the 19-kDa protein. IT-10 was found to be dependent only on the presence of amino acids surrounding the first cysteine residue, whereas IT-12, IT-16, and IT-19 all required the presence of both the first and third cysteine residues. These two cysteine residues are separated by 135 amino acids, and are considered to be brought together by tertiary folding of the protein to form an assembled epitope for IT-12, IT-16, and IT-19. These three mAb demonstrated differing sensitivities to the modification of reduced 19-kDa protein using iodoacetamide: a treatment that should have prevented the reformation of disulfide bonds within the protein. This result suggests that, although IT-12, IT-16, and IT-19 appear to be specific for the same epitope, there are probably fine-specificity differences in this recognition. IT-10 was not sensitive to the absence of disulfide bonds within the 19-kDa protein, suggesting that the epitope is not conformationally sensitive, and is likely to be linear in nature.     

马立克氏病病毒meq基因敲除株感染性克隆的免疫效果评价

【目的】比较和评价了敲除meq基因的MDV感染性克隆作为新型DNA疫苗的免疫保护效果。【方法】将1日龄SPF鸡饲养于正压过滤空气的SPF动物饲养隔离罩内。1日龄时,将SPF鸡以10μg/只的剂量通过大腿肌肉注射的方式接种溶解于PBS缓冲液中的敲除meq基因的MDV感染性克隆GX0101 Δmeq-BAC,分别在免疫后5天或12天以500PFU/只的剂量接种超强毒rMd5。饲养90天,观察死亡情况,对每一只鸡剖检并取心脏与肝脏做石蜡切片,进行病理观察。【结果】免疫5天后攻毒,CVI988/Rispens对超强毒rMd5的保护指数可达到87%,GX0101 Δmeq-BAC对rMd5的保护指数仅达33%;而免疫12天后对rMd5的保护指数为53%。【结论】相对于细胞结合疫苗CVI988/Rispens,DNA疫苗在机体内的病毒拯救是使其获得保护力的前提条件,因此有一定的免疫空当期。以GX0101 Δmeq-BAC作为疫苗免疫不仅能使雏鸡在受到超强毒感染时发病延迟,而且还能提供较好的免疫保护效果。     

The nucleotide sequence of a full length cDNA clone encoding rat liver urate oxidase

Recently we reported the sequence of a cDNA clone (pUOX-1), isolated from a lambda gt11 cDNA library, which encoded for rat liver urate oxidase (EC 1.7.3.3), but this clone lacked the nucleotide sequences encoding the N-terminal region for this enzyme. Using the cDNA insert from the pUOX-1 clone as a probe, we have now isolated a full length cDNA clone, pUOX-2, from a lambda gt10 library by plaque hybridization. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the pUOX-2 clone showed that it has 1379 base pairs with an open reading frame coding for 303 amino acid residues corresponding to a molecular mass of 34,931 daltons. In addition to the open reading frame the pUOX-2 contains 439 bp of 3'-untranslated and 41 bp of 5'-untranslated sequences. The consensus polyadenylation signal AATAAA precedes a stretch of poly(A)+ residues at the 3' end.     

The effect of accessory chromatin on chiasma distribution in maize.

From an analysis of metaphase I bivalent configurations in Zea mays L. it was possible to determine the effects of two supernumerary elements on chiasma formation. Both the B chromosome and abnormal chromosome 10 increased chiasma frequency. In addition to enhancing total exchanges, both elements caused a redistribution of chiasmata from distal to more proximal locations.