Role of Asp-9 and Glu-36 in the active site of the pneumococcal CPL1 lysozyme: an evolutionary perspective of lysozyme mechanism.

The role of carboxylic amino acids Asp-9 and Glu-36 in the activity of CPL1 lysozyme was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. The enzymatic activity of the single mutants D9E, D9N, D9H, D9K, D9A, E36D, E36Q, E36K, and E36A and of the double mutant D9A-E36A was analyzed using a highly sensitive radioactive assay. All mutants but D6K showed detectable activities. Interestingly, the mutants E36D and E36Q retained 67% and 37% activity, respectively. Amino acid replacements at position 9 turned out to be more critical for activity than at position 36. In analogy to the mechanism described for hen egg-white lysozyme, where the proton donor play a central role, we propose that, in the CPL1 lysozyme, Asp-9 might act as the proton donor for activation of the substrate, and Glu-36 could help in the stabilization of the intermediate oxocarbocation. The residual activity of lysozyme mutants lacking one or two of the acidic amino acids may be explained by the participation of a water molecule as proton donor and/or to electrostatic contributions in the active center stabilizing the transition state of the reaction. Our results are in agreement with the hypothesis that enzymes have been optimized during evolution from an ancestral protein able to bind more tightly the transition state of the substrate than the substrate itself, by the acquisition of amino acids serving a function in catalysis.     

Effects of changes in circulating volume and in arterial pressure on plasma renin activity in the intact rat

The effects of changes in arterial pressure and in circulating volume on Plasma Renin Activity (PRA) in the intact rat were compared by two experimental procedures. Gradual volume depletion was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a hyperoncotic polyethyleneglycol solution (PEG) in absence of acute changes in Systolic Arterial Pressure (SAP). SAP was measured in the conscious state by the tail cuff technique. Plasma Protein Concentration (PPC) and Hematocrit (Hct) increases after PEG injection were compared as the index for measuring the Plasma Volume Reduction (PVR). PRA showed a significant (p less than 0.001) linear relationship with PPC, suggesting a direct dependence of renin secretion on volume depletion. Acute changes in the circulating volume were induced by controlled hemorrhages of 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 ml of blood/kg body weight. The increase in PRA showed a significant relationship with the changes in circulating volume, but it did not show any dependence on the changes in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP). Our results suggest that, in the intact and conscious rat, renin secretion responds to the information from the cardiopulmonary volume receptors rather than to that from the high pressure receptors.     

Thermal melting and circular dichroism of DNA complexes with (Lys-Ala-Ala)10 and (Lys-Ala-Ala)n: effect of polypeptide chain length

DNA complexes with polypeptides (Lys-Ala-Ala)₁)] and (Lys-Ala-Ala)₃₄ have been studied using the methods of thermal melting and circular dichroism. Derivative melting curves of (Lys-Ala-Ala)₁₀ DNA differed substantially from those of (Lys-Ala-Ala)₃₄ prepared either by salt gradient dialysis or by direct mixing. Melting curves of the former complex were unimodal or bimodal with T_m increasing continuously withn input lysin-to-DNA phosphate ratio (r); those of the latter complex consisted of three separate transitions with T_m values almost independent of r. Complete reversibility of binding in the (Lys-Ala-Ala)₁₀-DNA system but a slow redistribution of (Lys-Ala-Ala)₃₄ on DNA at low temperature were found in the redistribution experiments Much faster redistribution from denatured to native DNA occurs at the temperature of melting, contributing to the unusual trimodal melting pattern. Circular dichroism curves are very similar for both complexes and indicate little change of DNA conformation upon polypeptide binding.     

Some meteorological conditions associated with forest fires in Galicia (Spain)

The present paper offers data on the effect of certain meteorological parameters on the outbreak of forest fires in Galicia (Spain). In a day-to-day analysis, the values of the stability of the air column and the saturation deficit at the lower levels are related to the number of fires occurring in the following 24 h.     

Continuous-flow solid-phase synthesis of potential antigenic peptides of hepatitis B virus

The synthesis of three hepatitis B surface antigens derived from S and pre-S proteins (adw S(140-147), [Tyr148] adw S(139-148), and adw pre-S(120-145)) has been accomplished by the continuous flow Fmoc-polyamide solid phase method. The use of different scavengers and trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr) in trifluoroacetic acid as deprotecting procedures is discussed.     

Development of the visual system of anchovy larvae,Engraulis anchoita: A microanatomical description

During the early ontogeny of fish larvae, the accurate development of the visual system plays a key role, because it is involved in locating food, orientation, selection of favorable habitat, and evasion of predators. The structure of the eye of the fish is typical of vertebrates, with some modifications related to the aquatic environment. In the present work, we describe the development of the larval eye of Engraulis anchoita for the first time. Larvae were collected at the Permanent Station of Environmental Studies (EPEA) in coastal waters of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean during research cruises in 2015 and 2016. We describe the histology of the retina layers, determine the beginning of the functionality of the eye, and discuss a possible synchronization with the development of the digestive tract. This study provides information about the biology of E. anchoita, the most abundant fish species in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Also, recent studies have shown responses of the retina and other tissues to the increase in environmental acidity. Therefore, results of this study are also discussed with respect to the possible effect of acidification on the larvae of this species. The continuity of the time series developed at the EPEA will allow monitoring the effect of long-term environmental and biological variables on the early ontogeny of anchovy in the context of climate change. The high commercial fishing potential of E. anchoita due to its high abundance, as well as its essential role in the trophic web of other commercially valuable fishing resources of Argentina, reinforce the need to continue deepening knowledge about this species. Research highlights:

• Eyes of Engraulis anchoita larvae are functional from early larval stages.
• At hatching, the retina is formed by only few layers from which the other layers differentiates during ontogeny.
• Focal distance increases with larval growth.

     

Fluorescence banding in four species of Microtidae: an analysis of the evolutive changes of the constitutive heterochromatin

Three different fluorochrome and specific counterstain combination (DAPI/AMD, DA/DAPI and CMA/DA) treatments were applied to the chromosomes of four Microtidae (Rodentia) species. The results complete the data obtained in our previous paper (Burgos, M., Jiménez, R., & Dìaz de la Guardia, R., Genome 30:540–546, 1988) and prove that the changes in the constitutive heterochromatin in the evolution of the karyotypes of these species are not only due to gain or loss of heterochromatin, but are qualitative with respect to their nucleotide composition, repeated base pair organization or DNA-protein complex modification. These variations lead to the differential response to the fluorescence dye combinations used.