Analysis of binding properties and specificity through identification of the interface forming residues (IFR) for serine proteases <Emphasis Type="Italic">in silico</Emphasis> docked to different inhibitors

Background  

Enzymes belonging to the same super family of proteins in general operate on variety of substrates and are inhibited by wide selection of inhibitors. In this work our main objective was to expand the scope of studies that consider only the catalytic and binding pocket amino acids while analyzing enzyme specificity and instead, include a wider category which we have named the Interface Forming Residues (IFR). We were motivated to identify those amino acids with decreased accessibility to solvent after docking of different types of inhibitors to sub classes of serine proteases and then create a table (matrix) of all amino acid positions at the interface as well as their respective occupancies. Our goal is to establish a platform for analysis of the relationship between IFR characteristics and binding properties/specificity for bi-molecular complexes.     

Mating Behavior of Southern Stingrays, Dasyatis americana (Dasyatidae)

We document in detail the first complete sequence of mating events in the southern stingray, Dasyatis americana, based on observations of four matings (five separate copulations) at Grand Cayman, British West Indies and Bimini, Bahamas. These observations are significant because almost nothing is known about this important aspect of the life cycle of batoids, due to the rarity of encounters with mating animals in natural settings. Similar to mating behavior described in the manta ray, Manta birostris, the mating sequence of D. americana can be characterized as (1) 'close-following', (2) 'pre-copulatory biting', (3) 'insertion/copulation', (4) 'resting' and (5) 'separation'. Additional information gained from these observations includes the fact that (1) two of the females were mated very shortly (i.e. within minutes–hours) after parturition and (2) one of the mating events involved a single female that copulated (unforced) with two males in rapid succession. The latter observation suggests that polyandry and multiple paternity may be elements of the mating system of D. americana.     

Key elements in the successful control of diapausing codling moth,Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in wooden fruit bins with a South African isolate of Heterorhabditis zealandica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae)

The non-insecticidal control strategies currently being implemented in South African orchards for the control of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) may be hampered by wooden fruit bins being infested with diapausing codling moth larvae, acting as a potential source of re-infestation. Key factors contributing to the success or failure of an entomopathogenic nematode application were investigated using the SF 41 isolate of Heterorhabditis zealandica in laboratory bioassays with wooden minibins. Under operational conditions, an application rate of 100 IJs/mL (LD₉₀₌102 IJs/mL) effectively controlled codling moth larvae in these bins, and for further laboratory bioassays, the LD₅₀ value of 18 IJs/mL (?25 IJs/mL) was identified as the discriminating dosage. Maximum mortality was attained when bins were pre-wet for at least 1 min (>90% RH) and maintained at maximum humidity (>95% RH) post-treatment for at least 3 days (LT₉₀=73 h), to ensure nematode survival and subsequent satisfactory infection of diapausing codling moth larvae. Tarping bins achieved the desired high level of humidity required. Furthermore, adjuvants (specifically Reverseal 10?) also improved an application. The study conclusively illustrated that if all the above-mentioned conditions are met, H. zealandica has the potential to successfully disinfest wooden fruit bins of codling moth.     

Cystidiella valdensis,nuovo genere e nuova specie di blastomiceti anascosporei

Riassunto È descritto un nuovo genere di blastomiceti anascosporei al quale viene dato il nome di Cystidiella in riferimento agli articoli a forma di cistidio che ne sono la principale caratteristica.Si ritiene che questo nuovo genere, nel quadro sistematico dei blastomiceti anascosporei, trovi il suo posto nella tribù, o sottofamiglia, delle Trichosporeae, della famiglia delle Torulopsidaceae, accanto al gen. Trichosporon, col quale ha dei punti di contatto.La specie in base alla quale è descritto questo nuovo genere è stata isolata dal terreno di un campo di segale in montagna, nelle Valli Valdesi del Piemonte (Italia) e ad essa è stato dato il nome di Cystidiella valdensis. Del genere e della specie nuova è data un'accurata descrizione corredata dalle relative diagnosi latine.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine neue Gattung von anaskosporogenen Sprosspilze beschrieben, der die Name Cystidiella in Bezug auf den kystidienförmigen Arthrosporen, die das hauptsächlichen Kennzeichen darstellen, gegeben wird.Der Verfasser haltet dass im Stamm der anaskosporogenen Sprosspilze die neue Gattung scinen Platz in der Tribus (oder Unterfamilie) Trichosporeae der Familie Torulopsidaceae, neben der Gattung Trichosporon, mit der sie viele Berührungspunkte besitzt, finde.Die neue Art, worüber diese neue Gattung begrundet ist, wurde aus dem Boden eines Roggenfeldes in der Waldenseren Thälern der Piemonte (Italien) isoliert und Cysdidiella valdensis benannt.Man gibt eine ausführliche Beschreibung (mit lateinischen Diagnosen) der neuen Gattung und Art.