Identification of MarvelD3 as a tight junction-associated transmembrane protein of the occludin family

Background

Protein translocation across the membrane of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is the first step in the biogenesis of secretory and membrane proteins. Proteins enter the ER by the Sec61 translocon, a proteinaceous channel composed of three subunits, α, β and γ. While it is known that Sec61α forms the actual channel, the function of the other two subunits remains to be characterized.

Results

In the present study we have investigated the function of Sec61β in Drosophila melanogaster. We describe its role in the plasma membrane traffic of Gurken, the ligand for the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) receptor in the oocyte. Germline clones of the mutant allele of Sec61β show normal translocation of Gurken into the ER and transport to the Golgi complex, but further traffic to the plasma membrane is impeded. The defect in plasma membrane traffic due to absence of Sec61β is specific for Gurken and is not due to a general trafficking defect.

Conclusion

Based on our study we conclude that Sec61β, which is part of the ER protein translocation channel affects a post-ER step during Gurken trafficking to the plasma membrane. We propose an additional role of Sec61β beyond protein translocation into the ER.     

Are fish outside their usual ranges early indicators of climate‐driven range shifts?

Shifts in species ranges are a global phenomenon, well known to occur in response to a changing climate. New species arriving in an area may become pest species, modify ecosystem structure, or represent challenges or opportunities for fisheries and recreation. Early detection of range shifts and prompt implementation of any appropriate management strategies is therefore crucial. This study investigates whether ‘first sightings’ of marine species outside their normal ranges could provide an early warning of impending climate‐driven range shifts. We examine the relationships between first sightings and marine regions defined by patterns of local climate velocities (calculated on a 50‐year timescale), while also considering the distribution of observational effort (i.e. number of sampling days recorded with biological observations in global databases). The marine trajectory regions include climate ‘source’ regions (areas lacking connections to warmer areas), ‘corridor’ regions (areas where moving isotherms converge), and ‘sink’ regions (areas where isotherms locally disappear). Additionally, we investigate the latitudinal band in which first sightings were recorded, and species’ thermal affiliations. We found that first sightings are more likely to occur in climate sink and ‘divergent’ regions (areas where many rapid and diverging climate trajectories pass through) indicating a role of temperature in driving changes in marine species distributions. The majority of our fish first sightings appear to be tropical and subtropical species moving towards high latitudes, as would be expected in climate warming. Our results indicate that first sightings are likely related to longer‐term climatic processes, and therefore have potential use to indicate likely climate‐driven range shifts. The development of an approach to detect impending range shifts at an early stage will allow resource managers and researchers to better manage opportunities resulting from range‐shifting species before they potentially colonize.     

Comparison of Transition Metal-Mediated Oxidation Reactions of Guanine in Nucleoside and Single-Stranded Oligodeoxynucleotide Contexts

Sulfurization of 3-[(diphenylphosphinyl)methyl]benzene-1,2-diol 1 produced phosphine sulfide 3. Both ligands reacted easily to form gold(I) and rhodium(I) complexes which were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Whereas the phosphine prefers to form complexes with a metal-to-ligand ratio of 1:2 with both metals, the phosphine sulfide exhibits a reduced donor power and yields only a 1:1 complex with AuCl. With rhodium(I), formation of a homobimetallic complex with a metal-to-ligand ratio of 2:1 was found. This complex displays an unusual coordination of both metal atoms to the catechol moiety whereas the phosphine sulfide moiety remains inactive.     

The effect of reaction conditions on the nature of cadmium 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate metal-organic frameworks

The product from the reaction between Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H₃btc) in DMF at 95 °C depends on the reaction time, with [Cd(Hbtc)(H₂O)₂] 1 and [Cd(Hbtc)(DMF)₂] 2 isolated after heating for 10 min, the latter after standing the solution for 1-2 weeks at room temperature. [Cd₃(btc)₂(H₂O)₉]·4H₂O 3 was isolated after heating for 1 h, whereas [Cd₁₂(btc)₈(DMF)₁₄(OH₂)₂]·1.5DMF 4 was isolated after heating for 2 days. Compounds 1 and 3 have been previously reported, whereas 2 and 4 are both new. Compound 2 adopts a two-dimensional sheet structure, with the coordinated DMF ligands projecting from both sides of the sheets, whereas 4 has a complex three-dimensional structure related to the fsc net. When the reaction was repeated in the presence of pyrazine (pyz), the product [Cd(Hbtc)(pyz)(DMF)]·DMF 5 was isolated as a minor compound. Compound 5 has a two-dimensional structure, with Cd-Hbtc zig-zag chains linked into sheets through the pyrazine ligands.     

Utilization of dried blood spots within drug discovery: modification of a standard DiLab(®) AccuSampler(®) to facilitate automatic dried blood spot sampling

The use of dried blood spots (DBS) in preclinical studies has seen an enormous increase over the past two years. Despite its positive impact on the 3Rs (reduce, replace and refine), its uptake in exploratory drug discovery has been limited due mainly to protracted method development time in bioanalysis but also the need for small volumes (<20 μL) to be sampled manually. Automatic blood sampling technology such as the DiLab(?) AccuSampler(?) is widely used in drug discovery to facilitate exploratory rodent-based pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies with minimal animal handling. Propranolol was orally administered to a Han-Wistar rat attached to either a standard DiLab(?) AccuSampler(?) or a retrofitted unit designed to directly collect the DBS samples. In all, 50 or 20 μL blood samples were then collected via the standard or retrofitted unit, respectively, at six timepoints over a 7 h period. After drying and storage the DBS samples were analysed for propranolol via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In this report we demonstrate that a standard DiLab(?) AccuSampler(?) can be easily retrofitted to facilitate automatic dried blood spot sampling and that time-concentration data generated from these samples are equivalent to that from manually spotted samples.     

Effects of decomposition and storage conditions on the δ13C and δ15N isotope values of killer whale (Orcinus orca) skin and blubber tissues

Several different factors in the collection and preservation of whale skin and blubber samples were examined to determine their effect on the results obtained by stable nitrogen and carbon isotope (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) analysis. Samples of wet killer whale skin retained their original stable isotope values for up to 14 d at 4°C or lower. However, decomposition significantly changed the δ¹⁵N value within 3 d at 20°C. Storage at ?20°C was as effective as ?80°C for the preservation of skin and blubber samples for stable isotope analysis for at least a year. By contrast, once a skin sample had been freeze‐dried and lipid extracted, the stable isotope values did not change significantly when it was stored dry at room temperature for at least 12 mo. Preservation of whale skin samples for a month in DMSO‐salt solution, frozen or at room temperature, did not significantly change the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of lipid extracted tissues, although the slight changes seen could influence results of a study if only small changes are expected.