Tree identity and diversity directly affect soil moisture and temperature but not soil carbon ten years after planting

1. Soil C is the largest C pool in forest ecosystems that contributes to C sequestration and mitigates climate change. Tree diversity enhances forest productivity, so diversifying the tree species composition, notably in managed forests, could increase the quantity of organic matter being transferred to soils and alter other soil properties relevant to the C cycle.
2. A ten‐year‐old tree diversity experiment was used to study the effects of tree identity and diversity (functional and taxonomic) on soils. Surface (0–10 cm) mineral soil was repeatedly measured for soil C concentration, C:N ratio, pH, moisture, and temperature in twenty‐four tree species mixtures and twelve corresponding monocultures (replicated in four blocks).
3. Soil pH, moisture, and temperature responded to tree diversity and identity. Greater productivity in above‐ and below‐ground tree components did not increase soil C concentration. Soil pH increased and soil moisture decreased with functional diversity, more specifically, when species had different growth strategies and shade tolerances. Functional identity affected soil moisture and temperature, such that tree communities with more slow‐growing and shade‐tolerant species had greater soil moisture and temperature. Higher temperature was measured in communities with broadleaf‐deciduous species compared to communities with coniferous‐evergreen species.
4. We conclude that long‐term soil C cycling in forest plantations will likely respond to changes in soil pH, moisture, and temperature that is mediated by tree species composition, since tree species affect these soil properties through their litter quality, water uptake, and physical control of soil microclimates.

     

Identification of structural transitions in bacterial fatty acid binding proteins that permit ligand entry and exit at membranes

Fatty acid (FA) transfer proteins extract FA from membranes and sequester them to facilitate their movement through the cytosol. Detailed structural information is available for these soluble protein–FA complexes, but the structure of the protein conformation responsible for FA exchange at the membrane is unknown. Staphylococcus aureus FakB1 is a prototypical bacterial FA transfer protein that binds palmitate within a narrow, buried tunnel. Here, we define the conformational change from a “closed” FakB1 state to an “open” state that associates with the membrane and provides a path for entry and egress of the FA. Using NMR spectroscopy, we identified a conformationally flexible dynamic region in FakB1, and X-ray crystallography of FakB1 mutants captured the conformation of the open state. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations show that the new amphipathic α-helix formed in the open state inserts below the phosphate plane of the bilayer to create a diffusion channel for the hydrophobic FA tail to access the hydrocarbon core and place the carboxyl group at the phosphate layer. The membrane binding and catalytic properties of site-directed mutants were consistent with the proposed membrane docked structure predicted by our molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the structure of the bilayer-associated conformation of FakB1 has local similarities with mammalian FA binding proteins and provides a conceptual framework for how these proteins interact with the membrane to create a diffusion channel from the FA location in the bilayer to the protein interior.     

Amyloid fibril formation by a helical cytochrome

The substitution of alanines for the two cysteines which form thioether linkages to the haem group in cytochrome c(552) from Hydogenobacter thermophilus destabilises the native protein fold. The holo form of this variant slowly converts into a partially folded apo state that over prolonged periods of time aggregates into fibrillar structures. Characterisation of these structures by electron microscopy and thioflavin-T binding assays shows that they are amyloid fibrils. The data demonstrate that when the native state of this cytochrome is destabilised by loss of haem, even this highly alpha-helical protein can form beta-sheet structures of the type most commonly associated with protein deposition diseases.     

A fatal cytokine-induced systemic inflammatory response reveals a critical role for NK cells

The mechanism of cytokine-induced shock remains poorly understood. The combination of IL-2 and IL-12 has synergistic antitumor activity in vivo, yet has been associated with significant toxicity. We examined the effects of IL-2 plus IL-12 in a murine model and found that the daily, simultaneous administration of IL-2 and IL-12 resulted in shock and 100% mortality within 4 to 12 days depending on the strain employed. Mice treated with IL-2 plus IL-12 exhibited NK cell apoptosis, pulmonary edema, degenerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, and elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase reactants. The actions of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha, IL-1, IL-1-converting enzyme, Fas, perforin, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and STAT1 did not contribute to the observed toxicity, nor did B or T cells. However, toxicity and death from treatment with IL-2 plus IL-12 could be completely abrogated by elimination of NK cells. These results suggest that the fatal systemic inflammatory response induced by this cytokine treatment is critically dependent upon NK cells, but does not appear to be mediated by the known effector molecules of this cellular compartment. These data may provide insight into the pathogenesis of cytokine-induced shock in humans.     

Design and synthesis of bridged gamma-lactams as analogues of beta-lactam antibiotics

Anti-Bredt bridged bicyclo[3.2.1] gamma-lactams were designed as inhibitors of penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). The compounds were prepared by a carbenoid insertion into a lactam N-H bond. Their weak antibacterial activity could either be explained by a poor chemical stability or by unfavorable steric interactions of the methylene bridge of the gamma-lactam with the targeted enzymes.     

Molecular interactions between an insect predator and its herbivore prey on transgenic potato expressing a cysteine proteinase inhibitor from rice

Transgenic plants expressing resistance to herbivorous insects may represent a safe and sustainable pest control alternative if they do not interfere with the natural enemies of target pests. Here we examined interactions between oryzacystatin I (OCI), a proteinase inhibitor from rice genetically engineered into potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Kennebec, line K52) to increase resistance to insect herbivory, and the insect predator Perillus bioculatus. This stinkbug is a relatively specialized predator of caterpillars and leaf-beetle larvae, and may also include plant sap in its predominantly carnivorous diet. One of its preferred prey is Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a major target of insect resistance development for potato field crops. Gelatin/sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) confirmed that a major fraction of proteinase (gelatinase) activity in P. bioculatus extracts is OCI-sensitive. Among five gelatinolytic bands detected, the slowest-moving one (proteinase I) was inhibited strongly by purified OCI expressed in Escherichia coli or by OCI-transgenic potato extracts, while three other proteinases were partly sensitive to these treatments. There was also evidence of slight inhibition of proteinase I by untransformed potato foliage, suggesting the presence of a natural inhibitor related to OCI at low level in potato foliage. Interestingly, only about 50% of the maximum potential activity of proteinase I was recovered in extracts of P. bioculatus feeding on L. decemlineata larval prey on a diet of OCI-potato foliage, indicating that the predator was sensitive to OCI in the midgut of its prey. However, P. bioculatus on OCI-prey survived, grew and developed normally, indicating ability to compensate prey-mediated exposure to the OCI inhibitor. Confinement of P. bioculatus to potato foliage provided no evidence that potato plant-derived nutrition is a viable alternative to predation, restriction to potato foliage in fact being inferior to free water for short-term survival of nonfeeding first-instar larvae. These results support the view that OCI, an effective inhibitor of a substantial fraction of digestive enzymatic potential in P. bioculatus, should not interfere with its predation potential when expressed in potato plants fed to its prey at a maximum level of approximately 0.8% of total soluble proteins in mature foliage.