The secD locus of E.coli codes for two membrane proteins required for protein export.

Cold-sensitive mutations in the secD locus of Escherichia coli result in severe defects in protein export at the non-permissive temperature of 23 degrees C. DNA sequence of a cloned fragment that includes the secD locus reveals open reading frames for seven polypeptide chains. Both deletions and TnphoA insertions in this clone have been used in maxicell and complementation studies to define the secD locus and its products. The secD mutations fall into two complementation groups, defining genes we have named secD and secF. These two genes comprise an operon, the first case of two genes involved in the export process being co-transcribed. The DNA sequence of the two genes along with alkaline phosphatase fusion analysis indicates that they code for integral proteins of the cytoplasmic membrane. We suggest that these two proteins may form a complex in the membrane which acts at late steps in the export process.     

SecD and SecF facilitate protein export in Escherichia coli.

We show here that the rate of protein translocation in the bacterium Escherichia coli depends on the levels of the SecD and SecF proteins in the cell. Overexpression of SecD and SecF stimulates translocation in wild type cells and improves export of proteins with mutant signal sequences. Depletion of SecD and SecF from the cell greatly reduces but does not abolish protein translocation. A secDF::kan null mutant deleted for the genes encoding both proteins is cold-sensitive for growth and protein export, has a severe export defect at 37 degrees C and is barely viable. The phenotypes of a secD null mutant and a secF null mutant are identical to the secDF::kan double null mutant. These results partially resolve the conflict between genetic studies and results from in vitro translocation systems which do not require SecD and SecF for activity, affirm the importance of these proteins to the export process, and suggest that SecD and SecF function together to stimulate protein export in a role fundamentally different from other Sec proteins. Our results provide additional support for the notion that an early step in protein export is cold-sensitive.     

Domain-swapping analysis of FtsI, FtsL, and FtsQ, bitopic membrane proteins essential for cell division in Escherichia coli.

FtsI, FtsL, and FtsQ are three membrane proteins required for assembly of the division septum in the bacterium Escherichia coli. Cells lacking any of these three proteins form long, aseptate filaments that eventually lyse. FtsI, FtsL, and FtsQ are not homologous but have similar overall structures: a small cytoplasmic domain, a single membrane-spanning segment (MSS), and a large periplasmic domain that probably encodes the primary functional activities of these proteins. The periplasmic domain of FtsI catalyzes transpeptidation and is involved in the synthesis of septal peptidoglycan. The precise functions of FtsL and FtsQ are not known. To ask whether the cytoplasmic domain and MSS of each protein serve only as a membrane anchor or have instead a more sophisticated function, we have used molecular genetic techniques to swap these domains among the three Fts proteins and one membrane protein not involved in cell division, MalF. In the cases of FtsI and FtsL, replacement of the cytoplasmic domain and/or MSS resulted in the loss of the ability to support cell division. For FtsQ, MSS swaps supported cell division but cytoplasmic domain swaps did not. We discuss several potential interpretations of these results, including that the essential domains of FtsI, FtsL, and FtsQ have a role in regulating the localization and/or activity of these proteins to ensure that septum formation occurs at the right place in the cell and at the right time during the division cycle.     

Virus removal during groundwater recharge: effects of infiltration rate on adsorption of poliovirus to soil.

Studies were conducted to determine the influence of infiltration rate on poliovirus removal during groundwater recharge with tertiary-treated wastewater effluents. Experiments were conducted at a uniquely designed, field-situated test recharge basin facility through which some 62,000 m3 of sewage had been previously applied. Recharge at high infiltration rates (75 to 100 cm/h) resulted in the movement of considerable numbers of seeded poliovirus to the groundwater. Moderately reduced infiltration rates (6 cm/h) affected significantly improved virus removal. Very low infiltration rates (0.5 to 1.0 cm/h), achieved by partial clogging of the test basin, yielded the greatest virus removal efficiencies.     

Cloning and restriction mapping of the alkaline phosphatase structural gene (phoA) of Escherichia coli and generation of deletion mutants in vitro

The structural gene for alkaline phosphatase (phoA) of Escherichia coli was cloned into the PstI site of pBR322, from a transducing bacteriophage, lambda p(phoA-proC). The restriction map of the plasmid was established. Based upon this information, several phoA deletion plasmids as well as a smaller phoA+ plasmid were constructed. The genetic map and restriction map were correlated by recombination analysis. Cells carrying one of the phoA+ plasmids overproduce alkaline phosphatase 10-fold upon phosphate limitation. However, both regulation and processing of the enzyme were found to be normal.     

Decreased GABA receptor in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A

Abstact

Background

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, maintains the inhibitory tones that counter balances neuronal excitation. When this balance is perturbed, seizures may ensue.

Methods

In the present study, alterations of the general GABA, GABA_A and GABA_B receptors in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri were investigated.

Results

Scatchard analysis of [³H]GABA, [³H]bicuculline and [³H]baclofen in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in B_max (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABA receptor subunits such as GABA_Aά1, GABA_Aγ, GABA_Aδ, GABA_B and GAD where down regulated (P < 0.001) in epileptic rats. GABA_Aά5 subunit and Cyclic AMP responsible element binding protein were up regulated. Confocal imaging study confirmed the decreased GABA receptors in epileptic rats. Epileptic rats have deficit in radial arm and Y maze performance.

Conclusions

Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses epilepsy associated changes to near control suggesting that decreased GABA receptors in the cerebral cortex have an important role in epileptic occurrence; Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have therapeutic application in epilepsy management.     

Contribution of the FtsQ transmembrane segment to localization to the cell division site

The Escherichia coli cell division protein FtsQ is a central component of the divisome. FtsQ is a bitopic membrane protein with a large C-terminal periplasmic domain. In this work we investigated the role of the transmembrane segment (TMS) that anchors FtsQ in the cytoplasmic membrane. A set of TMS mutants was made and analyzed for the ability to complement an ftsQ mutant. Study of the various steps involved in FtsQ biogenesis revealed that one mutant (L29/32R;V38P) failed to functionally insert into the membrane, whereas another mutant (L29/32R) was correctly assembled and interacted with FtsB and FtsL but failed to localize efficiently to the cell division site. Our results indicate that the FtsQ TMS plays a role in FtsQ localization to the division site.     

Intense photon emission induced by fracture of γ–irradiated Dy‐, Tm‐, Sm‐ and Mn‐doped CaSO4 single crystals

When an γ‐irradiated Dy‐, Tm‐, Sm‐ or Mn‐doped CaSO₄ crystal is impulsively deformed, two peaks appear in the ML intensity versus time curve, whereby the first ML peak is found in the deformation region and the second in the post‐deformation region of the crystals. In this study, intensities I_m1 and I_m2 corresponding to first and second ML peaks, respectively, increased linearly with an impact velocity v₀ of the piston used to deform the crystals, and times t_m1 and t_m2 corresponding to the first and second ML peaks, respectively, decreased with impact velocity. Total ML intensity initially increased with impact velocity and then reached a saturation value for higher values of impact velocity. ML intensity increased with increasing γ‐doses and size of crystals. Results showed that the electric field produced as a result of charging of newly‐created surfaces caused tunneling of electrons to the valence band of the hole‐trapping centres. The free holes generated moved in the valence band and their subsequent recombination with electron trapping centres released energy, thereby resulting in excitation of luminescent centres. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.