Skp2B attenuates p53 function by inhibiting prohibitin

The F‐box protein Skp2 and its isoform Skp2B are both overexpressed in breast cancers. Skp2 alters the activity of p53 by inhibiting its interaction with p300 and by promoting p300 degradation. Here, we report that Skp2B also attenuates the activity of p53; however, this effect is independent of p300, suggesting that another mechanism might be involved. Prohibitin, a protein reported to activate p53, was isolated in a two‐hybrid screen with the carboxy‐terminal domain unique to Skp2B. We observed that prohibitin is a new substrate of Skp2B and that the degradation of prohibitin is responsible for the attenuated activity of p53 in cells overexpressing Skp2B. Furthermore, we show that the activity of p53 is reduced in the mammary glands of Skp2B transgenic mice. This study indicates that both Skp2 and Skp2B attenuate p53 activity through different pathways, suggesting that amplification of the Skp2 locus represents a powerful mechanism to attenuate p53 function in cancer.     

The diet of Eneolithic (Copper Age, Fourth millennium cal b.c.) pile dwellers and the early formation of the cultural landscape south of the Alps: a case study from Slovenia

Analyses were performed of plant remains from the Late Neolithic (in Slovenian terminology corresponding to Eneolithic or Copper Age, ca. 4300–2300 b.c.) pile dwelling Hočevarica in the Ljubljansko barje (Ljubljana Moor), Slovenia. This settlement existed between ca. 3650 and 3550 cal b.c. Seeds, fruits, wooden piles, macroscopic charcoal and pollen from the cultural layers were analysed. The remains of domestic plants such as charred grains of Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum monococcum, T. dicoccum (einkorn and emmer wheat) and Papaver somniferum (poppy seeds), as well as seeds of weeds such as Chenopodium album-type indicate early cultivation in the area. In addition, numerous remains of nuts and berries, especially of Quercus sp., Cornus mas, Rubus fruticosus and Corylus avellana demonstrate that the gathering of wild plants was an important part of subsistence. Palaeoecological and archaeobotanical data from Hočevarica further suggest that cleared land was used for agriculture and pastures during the Neolithic, and that different wood was cut for construction and for fuel. The species assemblage from Hočevarica is very similar to those recovered from northern Alpine lake dwelling sites, however, several new taxa (e.g. Lathyrus sativus, Vicia sp.) appear in the assemblage. One of the most surprising finds is the seed of wild grape (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris), which are the oldest on-site remains of grapevine from Slovenia.     

Polymorphisms of IL-6 174 G/C, IL-10 -592 C/A and risk of HIV/AIDS among North Indian population

A growing body of evidence suggests that host genetic factors play an important role both in susceptibility to HIV infection and progression to AIDS. The present study aimed at evaluating the role of IL-6 and IL-10 gene polymorphisms on the risk of HIV susceptibility and disease progression among North Indian patients. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques were applied to genotype IL-6 and IL-10. 300 seropositive and an equal number of age- and sex-matched seronegative control subjects were recruited for this study. There was statistically no significant variation in the frequencies of IL-6 and IL-10 genotypes among cases and controls. However, statistically non-significant association for risk of rapid disease progression was observed due to the combined effect of the IL-6 homozygous CC genotype and CC of IL-10, OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 0.38–6.91. Therefore, combined effects of the CC of IL-6 and CC of IL-10 might reduce the hosts ability to hinder viral replication after infection.     

In vitro propagation of Valeriana jatamansi

Valeriana jatamansi Jones is an important medicinal plant. This wild herb is being exploited for its roots and rhizomes which contain valepotriates, which are highly effective against leprosy. The aim of this study was to establish a practical method for rapid and large-scale multiplication of V. jatamansi by induction of shoot proliferation from shoot buds. The sterilized explants were established on solid medium supplemented with benzyl adenine alone or in combination with indole-acetic acid or naphthalene acetic acid. The buds cultured on nutrient medium supplemented with BA and IAA or NAA formed shoots, which after 3-4 weeks produced roots on the same medium. One hundred per cent survival was obtained on hardening and field establishment of well rooted shoots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular phylogenetic diversity of the emerging mucoralean fungus Apophysomyces: Proposal of three new species

BackgroundApophysomyces is a monotypic genus belonging to the order Mucorales. The species Apophysomyces elegans has been reported to cause severe infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent people. In a previous study of Álvarez et al.³ [J Clin Microbiol 2009;47:1650–6], we demonstrated a high variability among the 5.8S rRNA gene sequences of clinical strains of A. elegans.Material and methodsWe performed a polyphasic study based on the analysis of the sequences of the histone 3 gene, the internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA gene, and domains D1 and D2 of the 28S rRNA gene, as well as by evaluation of some relevant morphological and physiological characteristics of a set of clinical and environmental strains of A. elegans.Results and conclusionsWe have demonstrated that A. elegans is a complex of species. We propose as new species Apophysomyces ossiformis, characterised by bone-shaped sporangiospores, Apophysomyces trapeziformis, with trapezoid-shaped sporangiospores, and Apophysomyces variabilis, with variable-shaped sporangiospores. These species failed to assimilate esculin, whereas A. elegans was able to assimilate that glycoside. Amphotericin B and posaconazole are the most active in vitro drugs against Apophysomyces.     

Effect of intrauterine device on ovarian function in goats

The effect of a polyethylene intrauterine device on oestrous cycle length and ovulation has been studied in goats. Insertion of intrauterine device in nine goats shortened the oestrous cycle length to an average of 10.44 days as compared to the average oestrous cycle length of 17.55 days in nine sham-operated control animals. The oestrous cycle length was reduced irrespective of the fact whether the IUD was ipsilateral or contralateral to the corpus luteum, indicating a systemic effect rather than local effect of the IUD, as seen in other animals such as the sheep, cow and guinea pig. There was no effect on ovulation, which occurred normally despite the presence of the IUD.     

Lipoprotein-X in hyperlipemic rat serum in chronic ethanol and acetaldehyde administration

The levels of lipoprotein-X in circulation increased with chronic administration of ethanol or acetaldehyde. A similar profile was seen in rat serum with alkaline phosphatase activity and bilirubin content. Total cholesterol, phospholipids and triglyceride contents increased followed by a decrease by progressive feeding with ethanol or acetaldehyde. The effect of acetaldehyde was more pronounced than that of ethanol.     

Evaluation of radioimmunoprecipitation for the detection of bovine leukemia virus infection in domestic cattle.

The potential application of a recently developed radioimmunoprecipitation test for antibody directed against the major structural protein of bovine leukemia virus was evaluated for use in detection of BLV-infection in domestic cattle. This technique was found to be considerably more sensitive than serologic procedures currently being utilized for this purpose. Radioimmunoprecipitation was also shown to have distinct advantages as compared to hematologic criteria, such as specified by Bendixen's index, for identification of BLV-infected animals. By the use of radioimmunoprecipitation, high levels of antibody to BLV were demonstrated in sera of animals with confirmed adult lymphosarcoma, but not in animals with a less common sporadic form of the disease which occurs in calves.