Structural dynamic aspects of protein synthesis on ribosomes

Three types of conformational changes in the translating ribosome are considered: (1) intersubunit movement (ribosome unlocking) during translocation; (2) L7/L12 stalk mobility affected by elongation factors; (3) change of tRNA residue during its transition from the A-site to the P-site. Relevant experimental data are reviewed.     

Morphometric analysis and taxonomic revision of the Vriesea paraibica complex (Bromeliaceae)

The species related to Vriesea paraibica (Bromeliaceae, Tillandsioideae) have controversial taxonomic limits. For several decades, this group has been identified in herbarium collections as V. × morreniana, an artificial hybrid that does not grow in natural habitats. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological variation in the V. paraibica complex through morphometric analyses of natural populations. Two sets of analyses were performed: the first involved six natural populations (G1) and the second was carried out on taxa that emerged from the first analysis, but using material from herbarium collections (G2). Univariate ANOVA was used, as well as discriminant analysis of 16 morphometric variables in G1 and 18 in G2. The results of the analyses of the two groups were similar and led to the selection of diagnostic traits of four species. Lengths of the lower and median floral bracts were significant for the separation of red and yellow floral bracts. Vriesea paraibica and V. interrogatoria have red bracts; these two species are differentiated by the widths of the lower and median portions of the inflorescence and by scape length. These structures are larger in the former and smaller in the latter. Of the species with yellow floral bracts, V. eltoniana is distinguished by longer leaf blades and scapes and V. flava is characterized by its shorter sepal lengths. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 163–181.     

Hydrologic regulation of gross methyl chloride and methyl bromide uptake from Alaskan Arctic tundra

The Arctic tundra has been shown to be a potentially significant regional sink for methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) and methyl bromide (CH₃Br), although prior field studies were spatially and temporally limited, and did not include gross flux measurements. Here we compare net and gross CH₃Cl and CH₃Br fluxes in the northern coastal plain and continental interior. As expected, both regions were net sinks for CH₃Cl and CH₃Br. Gross uptake rates (−793 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −20.3 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹) were 20–240% greater than net fluxes, suggesting that the Arctic is an even greater sink than previously believed. Hydrology was the principal regulator of methyl halide flux, with an overall trend towards increasing methyl halide uptake with decreasing soil moisture. Water table depth was one of the best predictors of net and gross uptake, with uptake increasing proportionately with water table depth. In drier areas, gross uptake was very high, averaging −1201 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −34.9 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹; in flooded areas, gross uptake was significantly lower, averaging −61 nmol CH₃Cl m⁻² day⁻¹ and −2.3 nmol CH₃Br m⁻² day⁻¹. Net and gross uptake was greater in the continental interior than in the northern coastal plain, presumably due to drier inland conditions. Within certain microtopographic features (low‐ and high‐centered polygons), uptake rates were positively correlated with soil temperature, indicating that temperature played a secondary role in methyl halide uptake. Incubations suggested that the inverse relationship between water content and methyl halide uptake was the result of mass transfer limitation in saturated soils, rather than because of reduced microbial activity under anaerobic conditions. These findings have potential regional significance, as the Arctic is expected to become warmer and drier due to anthropogenic climate forcing, potentially enhancing the Arctic sink for CH₃Cl and CH₃Br.     

A method for calculating the dose absorbed by terrestrial animals to assess the environmental impact of radioactive contamination

A method for calculating the exposures of terrestrial animals in areas contaminated with radionuclides using a point source dose function is presented. To take into account scattered γ-radiation, the Berger formula for dose buildup factor in an infinite air medium has been parameterized. In the dosimetric model proposed, an animal phantom is presented as a parallelepiped to estimate external exposures and as a tissue-quivalent sphere to estimate internal doses. Using analytical expressions, dose rate conversion coefficients for external and internal exposures of animals have been estimated for individual radionuclides. For energies of γ-rays above 50 keV, the results are in good agreement with those estimated by the Monte Carlo method for ellipsoidal phantoms of animals.     

DOG-SPOT database for comprehensive management of dog genetic research data

Research laboratories studying the genetics of companion animals have no database tools specifically designed to aid in the management of the many kinds of data that are generated, stored and analyzed. We have developed a relational database, "DOG-SPOT," to provide such a tool. Implemented in MS-Access, the database is easy to extend or customize to suit a lab's particular needs. With DOG-SPOT a lab can manage data relating to dogs, breeds, samples, biomaterials, phenotypes, owners, communications, amplicons, sequences, markers, genotypes and personnel. Such an integrated data structure helps ensure high quality data entry and makes it easy to track physical stocks of biomaterials and oligonucleotides.     

A comparative analysis of the impact on biota and man in the 30 km zone of the Chernobyl NPP

A methodological approach is described for a comparative assessment of ionizing radiation effects on man and biota, based on the use of indices of radiation impact--ratios of actual exposure doses to environmental objects (including humans) and critical ones. As such doses, standards limiting radiation exposure and doses at which phenotypical effects were absent after the Chernobyl accident were employed, respectively for man and biota. For the test site chosen within the 30 km ChNPP zone (region of the Borshchovka settlement), dose burdens to reference biota species and the population (with and without evacuation) and the corresponding radiation impact indices were calculated. For the long term period after the accident radiation safety standards for man are shown to ensure radiation safety for biota as well. At the same time in the early period after the accident the emergency regulations do not guarantee adequate protection of nature, some species of which can be subject to irradiation more than man, even if countermeasures like evacuation are not applied. A conclusion has been made on the necessity of a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of situations when the anthropocentric principle "if radiation standards protect man then biota are also adequately protected" is violated.     

RNA polymerase as a molecular machine

Structure and function of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is considered in terms of a conveying molecular machine. The use of mechanical energy and mechanical devices, such as "power-stroke motor", is supposed unlikely in the conveying function of RNA polymerase, as well as other molecular machines. Brownian motion and thermal mobility of macromolecules and their parts are postulated as the only motive impulse at the molecular level. Binding of substrates and subsequent chemical reaction as the energy input may provide successive selection and fixation of alternative conformational states of the enzyme complex thus providing the directionality of the conveyance ("Brownian ratchet mechanism"). The following sequence of events "substrate binding--fixation of a certain conformational state--chemical reaction--fixation of an alternative conformational state--translocation (dissociation and downstream reassociation) of product-template duplex" is proposed as the principal scheme of the forward movement of RNA polymerase along DNA template.     

Ribosomal protein S1 from Thermus thermophilus: its detection,identification and overproduction

Ribosomal protein S1 has been identified in Thermus thermophilus ribosomes. The gene of ribosomal protein S1 from Thermus thermophilus has been cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A procedure for purification of the protein has been developed.     

Understanding down-regulation of photosynthesis under water stress: future prospects and searching for physiological tools for irrigation management

Photosynthetic down-regulation and/or inhibition under water stress conditions are determinants for plant growth, survival and yield in drought-prone areas. Current knowledge about the sequence of metabolic events that leads to complete inhibition of photosynthesis under severe water stress is reviewed. An analysis of published data reveals that a key regulatory role for Rubisco in photosynthesis is improbable under water stress conditions. By contrast, the little data available for other Calvin cycle enzymes suggest the possibility of a key regulatory role for some enzymes involved in the regeneration of RuBP. There are insufficient data to determine the role of photophosphorylation. Several important gaps in our knowledge of this field are highlighted. The most important is the remarkable scarcity of data about the regulation/inhibition of photosynthetic enzymes other than Rubisco under water stress. Consequently, new experiments are urgently needed to improve our current understanding of photosynthetic down-regulation under water stress. A second gap is the lack of knowledge of photosynthetic recovery after irrigation of plants which have been subjected to different stages of water stress. This knowledge is necessary in order to match physiological down-regulation by water stress with controlled irrigation programmes.