Same/different concept learning by capuchin monkeys in matching-to-sample tasks

The ability to understand similarities and analogies is a fundamental aspect of human advanced cognition. Although subject of considerable research in comparative cognition, the extent to which nonhuman species are capable of analogical reasoning is still debated. This study examined the conditions under which tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) acquire a same/different concept in a matching-to-sample task on the basis of relational similarity among multi-item stimuli. We evaluated (i) the ability of five capuchin monkeys to learn the same/different concept on the basis of the number of items composing the stimuli and (ii) the ability to match novel stimuli after training with both several small stimulus sets and a large stimulus set. We found the first evidence of same/different relational matching-to-sample abilities in a New World monkey and demonstrated that the ability to match novel stimuli is within the capacity of this species. Therefore, analogical reasoning can emerge in monkeys under specific training conditions.     

Fis targets assembly of the Xis nucleoprotein filament to promote excisive recombination by phage lambda

The phage-encoded Xis protein is the major determinant controlling the direction of recombination in phage lambda. Xis is a winged-helix DNA binding protein that cooperatively binds to the attR recombination site to generate a curved microfilament, which promotes assembly of the excisive intasome but inhibits formation of an integrative intasome. We find that lambda synthesizes surprisingly high levels of Xis immediately upon prophage induction when excision rates are maximal. However, because of its low sequence-specific binding activity, exemplified by a 1.9 A co-crystal structure of a non-specifically bound DNA complex, Xis is relatively ineffective at promoting excision in vivo in the absence of the host Fis protein. Fis binds to a segment in attR that almost entirely overlaps one of the Xis binding sites. Instead of sterically excluding Xis binding from this site, as has been previously believed, we show that Fis enhances binding of all three Xis protomers to generate the microfilament. A specific Fis-Xis interface is supported by the effects of mutations within each protein, and relaxed, but not completely sequence-neutral, binding by the central Xis protomer is supported by the effects of DNA mutations. We present a structural model for the 50 bp curved Fis-Xis cooperative complex that is assembled between the arm and core Int binding sites whose trajectory places constraints on models for the excisive intasome structure.     

Lectotypification of the Linnaean name Hypochaeris maculata (Asteraceae)

The typification of the name Hypochaeris maculata L. is discussed. A specimen from the Linnaean Herbarium (LINN) is designated as the lectotype.     

Structural and EPR characterization of the soluble form of cytochrome c-550 and of the psbV2 gene product from the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus

First, the crystal structure of cytochrome c-550 (the psbV1 gene product) from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus has been determined to a resolution of 1.8 A. A comparison of the T. elongatus cytochrome c-550 structure to its counterparts from mesophilic organisms, Synechocystis 6803 and Arthrospira maxima, suggests that increased numbers of hydrogen bonds may play a role in the structural basis of thermostability. The cytochrome c-550 in T. elongatus also differs from that in Synechocystis 6803 and Arthrospira maxima in its lack of dimerization and the presence of a trigonal planar molecule, possibly bicarbonate, tightly bound to the heme propionate oxygen atoms. Cytochromes c-550 from T. elongatus, Synechocystis 6803 and Arthrospira maxima exhibit different EPR spectra. A correlation has been done between the heme-axial ligands geometries and the rhombicity calculated from the EPR spectra. This correlation indicates that binding of cytochrome c-550 to Photosystem II is accompanied by structural changes in the heme vicinity. Second, the psbV2 gene product has been found and purified. The UV-visible, EPR and Raman spectra are reported. From the spectroscopic data and from a theoretical structural model based on the cytochrome c-550 structure it is proposed that the 6th ligand of the heme-iron is the Tyr86.     

Structural organization of a Sex-comb-on-midleg/polyhomeotic copolymer

The polycomb group proteins are required for the stable maintenance of gene repression patterns established during development. They function as part of large multiprotein complexes created via a multitude of protein-protein interaction domains. Here we examine the interaction between the SAM domains of the polycomb group proteins polyhomeotic (Ph) and Sex-comb-on-midleg (Scm). Previously we showed that Ph-SAM polymerizes as a helical structure. We find that Scm-SAM also polymerizes, and a crystal structure reveals an architecture similar to the Ph-SAM polymer. These results suggest that Ph-SAM and Scm-SAM form a copolymer. Binding affinity measurements between Scm-SAM and Ph-SAM subunits in different orientations indicate a preference for the formation of a single junction copolymer. To provide a model of the copolymer, we determined the structure of the Ph-SAM/Scm-SAM junction. Similar binding modes are observed in both homo- and heterocomplex formation with minimal change in helix axis direction at the polymer joint. The copolymer model suggests that polymeric Scm complexes could extend beyond the local domains of polymeric Ph complexes on chromatin, possibly playing a role in long range repression.     

Secretion of psychrophilic alpha-amylase deletion mutants in Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125

The nature and location of structural features responsible for the secretion of a cold-adapted alpha-amylase in the Antarctic marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 was studied by deletion mutagenesis of the wild-type enzyme and of chimerical proteins derived from the fusion of the alpha-amylase with a reporter enzyme. Domain C of the psychrophilic alpha-amylase contains secretion features involved in extracellular targeting.     

Thyrotropin regulation of membrane lipid fluidity in the FRTL-5 thyroid cell line. Its relationship to cell growth and functional activity

The mitogenic effect of thyrotropin on functional rat thyroid cells of the line FRTL-5 is correlated with membrane lipid fluidity as evaluated by fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Continued exposure of FRTL-5 cells to a medium lacking thyrotropin causes cessation of cell proliferation and a decrease in membrane lipid fluidity which reaches its minimum in approximately 8 days. The change in lipid fluidity is due to an absolute increase (greater than 2-fold) of membrane cholesterol, with an increased cholesterol/phospholipid ratio and an increased ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids of the membrane phospholipids, contributed primarily by a nearly 4-fold increase in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated C16 fatty acids. It is also associated with a variation of the relative proportions of the major membrane phospholipids; thus, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine decrease while phosphatidylcholine increases. Both membrane fluidity and lipid composition can be restored by thyrotropin to their original levels, i.e. levels measured under continuous exposure to the hormone. Complete reversal requires at least 48 h, i.e. approximately the same time required for resumption of growth when FRTL-5 cells, starved in thyrotropin, are re-exposed to the hormone. Changes in lipid composition and fluidity can be prevented or can be reversed if FRTL-5 cells are exposed to dibutyryl cAMP while being deprived of thyrotropin. Dibutyryl cAMP has only a modest direct effect on growth; however, this pretreatment eliminates the 48-h lag phase with respect to thyrotropin stimulation. It is proposed that the effects of thyrotropin on growth of FRTL-5 cells requires a modification of the molecular structure and the physical state of cell membranes, which can be mediated by cAMP, although cAMP is not sufficient by itself to promote growth.