Characterization of subunit-specific interactions in a double-stranded RNA virus: Raman difference spectroscopy of the phi6 procapsid

The icosahedral core of a double-stranded (ds) RNA virus hosts RNA-dependent polymerase activity and provides the molecular machinery for RNA packaging. The stringent requirements of dsRNA metabolism may explain the similarities observed in core architecture among a broad spectrum of dsRNA viruses, from the mammalian rotaviruses to the Pseudomonas bacteriophage phi6. Although the structure of the assembled core has been described in atomic detail for Reoviridae (blue tongue virus and reovirus), the molecular mechanism of assembly has not been characterized in terms of conformational changes and key interactions of protein constituents. In the present study, we address such questions through the application of Raman spectroscopy to an in vitro core assembly system--the procapsid of phi6. The phi6 procapsid, which comprises multiple copies of viral proteins P1 (copy number 120), P2 (12), P4 (72), and P7 (60), represents a precursor of the core that is devoid of RNA. Raman signatures of the procapsid, its purified recombinant core protein components, and purified sub-assemblies lacking either one or two of the protein components have been obtained and interpreted. The major procapsid protein (P1), which forms the skeletal frame of the core, is an elongated and monomeric molecule of high alpha-helical content. The fold of the core RNA polymerase (P2) is also mostly alpha-helical. On the other hand, the folds of both the procapsid accessory protein (P7) and RNA-packaging ATPase (P4) are of the alpha/beta type. Raman difference spectra show that conformational changes occur upon interaction of P1 with either P4 or P7 in the procapsid. These changes involve substantial ordering of the polypeptide backbone. Conversely, conformations of procapsid subunits are not significantly affected by interactions with P2. An assembly model is proposed in which P1 induces alpha-helix in P4 during formation of the nucleation complex. Subsequently, the partially disordered P7 subunit is folded within the context of the procapsid shell.     

The origin of tobacco's T genome is traced to a particular lineage within Nicotiana tomentosiformis (Solanaceae)

Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) is a natural allotetraploid. The maternal genome donor is not controversial and is probably derived from an ancestor of N. sylvestris. The paternal, T-genome donor has been less clear, with N. tomentosiformis, N. otophora, or an introgression hybrid proposed. Here we provide evidence that the T genome of N. tabacum is derived from a particular lineage of N. tomentosiformis. We show that the repetitive sequences of geminiviral origin, GRD53 and GRD3, are present in the genomes of N. tabacum cultivars, a tobacco cell suspension culture TBY-2, and N. tomentosiformis ac. NIC 479/84. Surprisingly, they are not present in another three varieties of N. tomentosiformis. A detailed cytogenetic analysis also revealed that N. tomentosiformis ac. NIC 479/84 most closely resembles the N. tabacum T genome in the location of other tandem repetitive sequences. Thus, tobacco formed after divergence within N. tomentosiformis, and the spectrum of potential donors of the paternal genome can be narrowed to a genotype of N. tomentosiformis characterized by the presence of GRD53 and GRD3 repeats. It is clear that future paternity studies in tobacco should use N. tomentosiformis ac. NIC 479/84 rather than any other accession.     

Evidence for recombination of mtDNA in the marine mussel Mytilus trossulus from the Baltic

A number of studies have claimed that recombination occurs in animal mtDNA, although this evidence is controversial. Ladoukakis and Zouros (2001) provided strong evidence for mtDNA recombination in the COIII gene in gonadal tissue in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Black Sea. The recombinant molecules they reported had not however become established in the population from which experimental animals were sampled. In the present study, we provide further evidence of the generality of mtDNA recombination in Mytilus by reporting recombinant mtDNA molecules in a related mussel species, Mytilus trossulus, from the Baltic. The mtDNA region studied begins in the 16S rRNA gene and terminates in the cytochrome b gene and includes a major noncoding region that may be analogous to the D-loop region observed in other animals. Many bivalve species, including some Mytilus species, are unusual in that they have two mtDNA genomes, one of which is inherited maternally (F genome) the other inherited paternally (M genome). Two recombinant variants reported in the present study have population frequencies of 5% and 36% and appear to be mosaic for F-like and M-like sequences. However, both variants have the noncoding region from the M genome, and both are transmitted to sperm like the M genome. We speculate that acquisition of the noncoding region by the recombinant molecules has conferred a paternal role on mtDNA genomes that otherwise resemble the F genome in sequence.     

The lachrymatory principle of Petiveria alliacea

The lachrymatory principle of Petiveria alliacea has been isolated from a fresh homogenate of the root. Its structure and geometric configuration have been determined as (Z)-thiobenzaldehyde S-oxide by means of NMR, IR, MALDI-MS and by comparison with an authentic compound obtained by synthesis. This unique compound represents only the third naturally occurring sulfine (thiocarbonyl S-oxide) to be reported. Its formation and possible subsequent rearrangements are discussed. Its antibacterial and antifungal activities are also reported.     

Plantlet regeneration from subculturable nodular callus of Pinus radiata

An efficient planlet regeneration system via nodular callus formation is described for Pinus radiata. Subculturable nodular callus was induced at its highest frequency (93%) on embryonic explants excised from seeds at an early stage of germination (radicle length 2–5 mm). The optimal medium for nodular callus tissue proliferation was LP basal medium that was modified by reducing the concentration of potassium nitrate to 500 mg l^–1 and supplemented with 22.2 M 6-benzyladenine (BAP) and 2.85 M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Bud differentiation from the nodules was achieved by reducing BAP and sucrose concentrations in the culture medium. The maximum frequency of adventitious bud formation occurred on LP basal medium containing 2% sucrose and 0.44 M BAP on which about 61% of the transferred nodules formed buds. During the next 6 weeks of culture on the same cytokinin-free medium multiple shoots elongated from the buds. These shoots were excised and transferred to root initiation medium (RIM2.1), consisting of full-stregth SH macro- and micro-salts, 1000 mg l^–1 myo-inositol, 0.4 mg l^–1 thiamine-HCl, 2% sucrose and a combination of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), IBA and BAP at concentrations of 2.69, 4.93 and 0.11 M, respectively. After 5–15 days, root meristems were initiated on the stem bases. The highest rooting frequency was achieved when shoots were treated for 10 days on RIM2.1 medium, before being transferred to half-strength Schenk and Hildebrandt medium with 1% sucrose and without growth regulators for root growth.     

Urinary chiro-inositol and myo-inositol excretion is elevated in the diabetic db/db mouse and streptozotocin diabetic rat

Inositol phosphoglycan molecules containing either D-chiro-inositol or myo-inositol have been isolated from various mammalian tissues and are putative mediators of insulin action. Urinary excretion of inositols appears to be altered in diabetes mellitus; however, the relationships with different types of diabetes are unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the urinary excretion of chiro- and myo-inositol in diabetic animal models, including streptozotocin (STZ) rats, db/db mice, and fa/fa Zucker rats. In STZ rats (type 1 diabetes), 12-hr urinary excretion of chiro-inositol was elevated 336-fold and myo-inositol excretion was elevated 47-fold compared with their nondiabetic counterparts. When corrected for creatinine, chiro-inositol excretion was 259-fold higher and myo-inositol excretion was 36-fold higher in STZ rats than in normal rats. The same pattern was observed in db/db mice (type 2 diabetes), where 12-hr urinary chiro-inositol excretion was elevated 247-fold compared with normal mice. When corrected for creatinine, chiro-inositol excretion was 2455-fold higher and urinary myo-inositol excretion was elevated 8.5-fold in db/db mice compared with normal mice. The fa/fa Zucker rats (impaired glucose tolerance) had a pattern of urinary inositol excretion that was similar to the nondiabetic animals (lean Zucker rats, C57BL/6 mice, and Sprague-Dawley rats). In summary, urinary chiro-inositol and myo-inositol excretion was elevated in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, concomitant with hyperglycemia and glucosuria.     

Ab initio study of phenyl benzoate: structure,conformational analysis,dipole moment,IR and Raman vibrational spectra

The molecular structure (bond distances and angles), conformational properties, dipole moment and vibrational spectroscopic data (vibrational frequencies, IR and Raman intensities) of phenyl benzoate were calculated using Hartree–Fock (HF), density functional (DFT), and second order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with basis sets ranging from 6-31G* to 6-311++G**. The theoretical results are discussed mainly in terms of comparisons with available experimental data. For geometric data, good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained for the MP2, B3LYP and B3PW91 levels with basis sets including diffuse functions. The B3LYP/6-31+G* theory level estimates the shape of the experimental functions for phenyl torsion around the Ph–O and Ph–C bonds well, but reproduces the height of the rotational barriers poorly. The B3LYP/6-31+G* harmonic force constants were scaled by applying the scaled quantum mechanical force field (SQM) technique. The calculated vibrational spectra were interpreted and band assignments were reported. They are in excellent agreement with experimental IR and Raman spectra.Figure Calculated and experimental (GED) potential energy functions for torsional motion of phenyl benzoate relative to the minimum value. a The potential function for torsion about the O₃–C₄ bond. b The potential function for torsion about the C₂–C₁₀ bond.     

Mechanism of constitutive export from the golgi: bulk flow via the formation,protrusion, and en bloc cleavage of large trans-golgi network tubular domains

Transport of constitutive cargo proteins from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane (PM) is known to be mediated by large tubular-saccular carriers moving along microtubules. However, the process by which these large structures emerge from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) remains unclear. Here, we address the question of the formation of Golgi-to-PM carriers (GPCs) by using a suitable cluster of morphological techniques, providing an integrated view of their dynamics and three-dimensional structure. Our results indicate that exit from the TGN of a constitutive traffic marker, the VSVG protein, occurs by bulk flow and is a three-step process. First, the formation of a tubular-reticular TGN domain (GPC precursor) that includes PM-directed proteins and excludes other cargo and Golgi-resident proteins. Notably, this step does not require membrane fusion. Second, the docking of this preformed domain on microtubules and its kinesin-mediated extrusion. Finally, the detachment of the extruded domain by membrane fission. The formation of GPCs does not involve cargo concentration and is not associated with the presence of known coat proteins on GPC precursors. In summary, export from the Golgi occurs via the formation, protrusion and en bloc cleavage of specialized TGN tubular-saccular domains.     

Inverse response of leukocyte heat shock proteins and DNA damage to exercise and heat

Elevated ambient temperature may exert an additional impact on the exercise-induced expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) and DNA damage in leukocytes. The protective functions of HSP include antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects and may prevent damage to DNA. Twelve athletes completed a continuous run (75% VO2max) on the treadmill, six at 28 degrees C and six at 18 degrees C room temperature. Leukocyte expression of HSP27 and inducible HSP70 was analyzed on mRNA- (RT-PCR) and protein-level (flow cytometry), while DNA damage was quantified by the comet assay. High ambient temperature induced an additional accumulation of HSP-mRNA and -protein in leukocytes compared with the exercise-induced expression at 18 degrees C. HSP27 showed a special heat sensitivity. Surprisingly, the increase of DNA damage was less pronounced after exercise at 28 degrees C compared to 18 degrees C although heat shock in vitro clearly induced DNA damage. The inverse relation between HSP and DNA damage may indicate functions of HSP which protect against exercise-induced DNA-damage in terms of thermotolerance or apoptosis.