Nanometer‐scale characterization of exceptionally preserved bacterial fossils in Paleocene phosphorites from Ouled Abdoun (Morocco)

Micrometer‐sized spherical and rod‐shaped forms have been reported in many phosphorites and often interpreted as microbes fossilized by apatite, based on their morphologic resemblance with modern bacteria inferred by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. This interpretation supports models involving bacteria in the formation of phosphorites. Here, we studied a phosphatic coprolite of Paleocene age originating from the Ouled Abdoun phosphate basin (Morocco) down to the nanometer‐scale using focused ion beam milling, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning transmission x‐ray microscopy (STXM) coupled with x‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). The coprolite, exclusively composed of francolite (a carbonate‐fluroapatite), is formed by the accumulation of spherical objects, delimited by a thin envelope, and whose apparent diameters are between 0.5 and 3 μm. The envelope of the spheres is composed of a continuous crown dense to electrons, which measures 20–40 nm in thickness. It is surrounded by two thinner layers that are more porous and transparent to electrons and enriched in organic carbon. The observed spherical objects are very similar with bacteria encrusting in hydroxyapatite as observed in laboratory experiments. We suggest that they are Gram‐negative bacteria fossilized by francolite, the precipitation of which started within the periplasm of the cells. We discuss the role of bacteria in the fossilization mechanism and propose that they could have played an active role in the formation of francolite. This study shows that ancient phosphorites can contain fossil biological subcellular structures as fine as a bacterial periplasm. Moreover, we demonstrate that while morphological information provided by SEM analyses is valuable, the use of additional nanoscale analyses is a powerful approach to help inferring the biogenicity of biomorphs found in phosphorites. A more systematic use of this approach could considerably improve our knowledge and understanding of the microfossils present in the geological record.     

Iron reduction and mineralization of deep‐sea iron reducing bacterium Shewanella piezotolerans WP3 at elevated hydrostatic pressures

In this study, iron reduction and concomitant biomineralization of a deep‐sea iron reducing bacterium (IRB), Shewanella piezotolerans WP3, were systematically examined at different hydrostatic pressures (0.1, 5, 20, and 50 MPa). Our results indicate that bacterial iron reduction and induced biomineralization are influenced by hydrostatic pressure. Specifically, the iron reduction rate and extent consistently decreases with the increase in hydrostatic pressure. By extrapolation, the iron reduction rate should drop to zero by ~68 MPa, which suggests a possible shut‐off of enzymatic iron reduction of WP3 at this pressure. Nano‐sized superparamagnetic magnetite minerals are formed under all the experimental pressures; nevertheless, even as magnetite production decreases, the crystallinity and grain size of magnetite minerals increase at higher pressure. These results imply that IRB may play an important role in iron reduction, biomineralization, and biogeochemical cycling in deep‐sea environments.     

Investigation of the Synthesis of 2-Carbamoylmethyl-6-D-Ribofuranosylpyridine

Abstract

During the course of our study on the synthesis of new pyridine-C-nucleosides with potential anti-viral and/or anti-tumourai properties, the preparation of 2-carbamoylmethyl-6-β-D-ribofuranosylpyridine 1, by means of a lithiation reaction on 2-(2,3-0-isopropylidene-β D-nbofuranosyl)-6-methylpyridine 2, was investigated (Scheme I). The latter compound was prepared by treating 6-methyl- toluenesulphonic acid. 2-(& D-ribofuranosyl)pyridine 1 2 with 2.2-dimethoxypropane in the presence of p-     

Arenesulfonylethoxycarbonyl- a Set of Amino Protecting Groups for DNA and RNA Synthesis

Abstract

Phenyl-, 4-chlorophenyl- and 4-nitrophenylsufonylethoxycarbonyl groups have been reported for the first time as the exocyclic amino protecting groups in nucleoside chemistry. They are all stable under the standard conditions of manipulations in phosphotriester and phosphiteamidite chemistry, they are removable both under the alkaline hydrolytic conditions and also under the influence of non-nucleophilic tertiary bases. N³-Phenyl- and 4-toluenesulfonylethoxycarbonyl derivatives of uridine have been also prepared and characterized by ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy, their stabilities under different conditions have been tested.     

Genetic Analysis of the First 4 Patients with β-Ureidopropionase Deficiency

β-Ureidopropionase is the third enzyme of the pyrimidine degradation pathway and it catalyses the irreversible hydrolysis of N-carbamyl-ß-aminoisobutyric acid or N-carbamyl-ß-alanine to β-aminoisobutyric acid or ß-alanine, ammonia, and CO₂. Analysis of the β-ureidopropionase gene (UPB1) of the first 4 patients presenting with a complete enzyme deficiency, revealed the presence of 2 splice-site mutations (IVS1-2A>G and IVS8-1G>A) and one missense mutation (A85E). RT-PCR analysis of the complete β-ureidopropionase cDNA suggested that both splice-site mutations lead to a variety of alternative splice variants, with deletions of a single or several exons. The alanine at position 85 was not conserved in other eukaryotic β-ureidopropionase protein sequences.     

Synthesis of Six-Membered Nucleoside Analogs. Part 1: Pyrimidine Nucleosides Based on the 1,3-Dioxane Ring System

Abstract

The synthesis of pyrimidine nucleosides, cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]uracil (4) cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]thymine (5) and cis-N-1-[(2-hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl]cytosine (6) and their corresponding trans isomers is described. Compound 4 showed modest, selective activity against human immunodeficiency virus in acutely infected primary human lymphocytes.     

Temperature-related effects of treatments with jasmonic and salicylic acids on Arabidopsis infected with cucumber mosaic virus

Plant-virus interactions are affected by environmental factors, including temperature. Plant defenses are often inhibited by high or low temperature. In this study, oxidative damage and gene expression were detected in Arabidopsis thaliana infected with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) at different temperatures. Before virus inoculation, plants were treated with jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), both of which are important signaling molecules in plant defense responses. The levels of MDA and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and electrolyte leakage were significantly higher in CMV-infected leaves at 15 and 37°C. The accumulation of H₂O₂ and superoxide radical (O ₂ ^·? ) was obviously suppressed by spraying with JA followed by SA (JA → SA) at different temperatures. The CMV-CP expression analysis showed that virus replication was inhibited efficiently in the (JA → SA) treatment. Therefore, many JA- and SA-responsible resistance genes were quantified; MPK4 was expressed highly and steadily in the (JA → SA) treatment. To further confirm the role of MPK4, the CMV-CP gene expression was evaluated in wild-type Arabidopsis and its mpk4 mutant infected with CMV. The results suggested that MPK4 might play an important role in the antagonism between JA and SA at temperature fluctuation.     

Adaptogenic action of the complex of phenylpropanoids on Dioscorea deltoidea cell culture under abiotic stress

Biological activity of the extract from golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) roots, containing the complex of phenylpropanoids (CPP), was studied on the cell culture of yam (Dioscorea deltoidea Wall) under normal conditions and abiotic stress. The high radical-binding capacity of CPP relative to anion- and hydroxyl-radicals was observed. Having a high level of antiradical protection, CPP at a high concentration(100 μM) exerted prooxidant effect, causing a decrease in D. deltoidea cell viability and a decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, guaiacol-dependent peroxidase, and catalase, with the exception of ascorbate peroxidase. At treatment with 100 μM CPP, oxidase (prooxidant) activity of peroxidase increased by three times. The low CPP concentration (2 μM) did not induce substantial changes in the activities of tested enzymes and also a substantial increase in the oxidase activity of peroxidase. Under conditions of oxidative stress induced by paraquat and high temperature, CPP manifested adaptogenic action, increasing cell viability; however, under hyperosmotic stress, it was not efficient. CPP was most efficient at a low concentration after cell pre-incubation with it for 5 days. In this case, the amount of primary and secondary POL products increased. Shortening pre-cultivation with CPP reduced its defensive effect.     

The differential contributions of herkogamy and dichogamy as mechanisms of avoiding self‐interference in four self‐incompatible Epimedium species

Self‐interference is one of the most important selective forces in shaping floral evolution. Herkogamy and dichogamy both can achieve reductions in the extent of self‐interference, but they may have different roles in minimizing self‐interference in a single species. We used four self‐incompatible Epimedium species to explore the roles of herkogamy and dichogamy in avoiding self‐interference and to test the hypothesis that herkogamy and dichogamy may be separated and become selected preferentially in the taxa. Two species (E. franchetii and E. mikinorii) expressed strong herkogamy and weak protogyny (adichogamy), whereas another two species (E. sutchuenense and E. leptorrhizum) expressed slight herkogamy and partial protandry. Field investigations indicated that there was no physical self‐interference between male function and female function regarding pollen removal and pollen deposition in all species. Self‐pollination (autonomous or facilitated) was greater in species with slight herkogamy than in those with strong herkogamy. Artificial pollination treatments revealed that self‐pollination could reduce outcrossed female fertility in all species, and we found evidence that self‐interference reduced seed set in E. sutchuenense and E. leptorrhizum in the field, but not in E. franchetii and E. mikinorii. These results indicate that well‐developed herkogamy is more effective compared with dichogamy in avoiding self‐interference in the four species. In genus Epimedium, herkogamy instead of dichogamy should be selected preferentially and evolved as an effective mechanism for avoiding self‐interference and might not need to evolve linked with dichogamy.