Crystallographic studies of the Escherichia coli quinol-fumarate reductase with inhibitors bound to the quinol-binding site

The quinol-fumarate reductase (QFR) respiratory complex of Escherichia coli is a four-subunit integral-membrane complex that catalyzes the final step of anaerobic respiration when fumarate is the terminal electron acceptor. The membrane-soluble redox-active molecule menaquinol (MQH(2)) transfers electrons to QFR by binding directly to the membrane-spanning region. The crystal structure of QFR contains two quinone species, presumably MQH(2), bound to the transmembrane-spanning region. The binding sites for the two quinone molecules are termed Q(P) and Q(D), indicating their positions proximal (Q(P)) or distal (Q(D)) to the site of fumarate reduction in the hydrophilic flavoprotein and iron-sulfur protein subunits. It has not been established whether both of these sites are mechanistically significant. Co-crystallization studies of the E. coli QFR with the known quinol-binding site inhibitors 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide and 2-[1-(p-chlorophenyl)ethyl] 4,6-dinitrophenol establish that both inhibitors block the binding of MQH(2) at the Q(P) site. In the structures with the inhibitor bound at Q(P), no density is observed at Q(D), which suggests that the occupancy of this site can vary and argues against a structurally obligatory role for quinol binding to Q(D). A comparison of the Q(P) site of the E. coli enzyme with quinone-binding sites in other respiratory enzymes shows that an acidic residue is structurally conserved. This acidic residue, Glu-C29, in the E. coli enzyme may act as a proton shuttle from the quinol during enzyme turnover.     

The place of Tam Hang in Southeast Asian human evolution

In February 1934, Jacques Fromaget of the Geological Service of Indochina discovered the Tam Hang rockshelter during prospecting work in Northern Laos. During his excavations, the geologist discovered seventeen anatomically modern human skulls. Ten of these skulls have been recovered in association with six largely-complete skeletons. These fossils, which are dated by ¹⁴C to 15.7 ka, are used to address issues related to anatomical variation and migration in Southeast Asia during the Late Pleistocene. Excellent preservation of the skeletal material allows for estimation of body size and shape in a sample of young adults. Cranial metrics are also used to assess affiliations between Tam Hang and other Southeast Asian fossil samples in an effort to address questions about population migration. This fossil sample demonstrates that Late Pleistocene human activity may be productively addressed by continued work in the highlands of mainland Southeast Asia.     

Eucapnic intermittent hypoxia augments endothelin-1 vasoconstriction in rats: role of PKCdelta

We reported previously that simulating sleep apnea by exposing rats to eucapnic intermittent hypoxia (E-IH) causes endothelin-dependent hypertension and increases constrictor sensitivity to endothelin-1 (ET-1). In addition, augmented ET-1-induced constriction in small mesenteric arteries (sMA) is mediated by increased Ca(2+) sensitization independent of Rho-associated kinase. We hypothesized that exposing rats to E-IH augments ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction by increasing protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent Ca(2+) sensitization. In sMA, the nonselective PKC inhibitor GF-109203x (3 microM) significantly inhibited ET-1-stimulated constriction in E-IH arteries but did not affect ET-1-stimulated constriction in sham arteries. Phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 (1 microM) also inhibited constriction by ET-1 in E-IH but not sham sMA. In contrast, the classical PKC (cPKC) inhibitor G?-6976 (1 microM) had no effect on ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction in either group, but a PKCdelta-selective inhibitor (rottlerin, 3 microM) significantly decreased ET-1-mediated constriction in E-IH but not in sham sMA. ET-1 increased PKCdelta phosphorylation in E-IH but not sham sMA. In contrast, ET-1 constriction in thoracic aorta from both sham and E-IH rats was inhibited by G?-6976 but not by rottlerin. These observations support our hypothesis that E-IH exposure significantly increases ET-1-mediated constriction of sMA through PKCdelta activation and modestly augments ET-1 contraction in thoracic aorta through activation of one or more cPKC isoforms. Therefore, upregulation of a PKC pathway may contribute to elevated ET-1-dependent vascular resistance in this model of hypertension.     

Higher-accuracy method for measuring minichromosome stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The minichromosome maintenance assay isfrequently used to characterize mutations genetically that affect the initiation of DNA replication or to decipherfunctional components in autonomously replicating sequences. The assay determines minichromosome loss by measuring the percentage of plasmid-containing cells in cultures after a period of growth in nonselective medium. Here we analyze data acquisition errors that contribute to the low accuracy of the routine versions of the assay. We propose modifications that eliminate errors in the acquisition of two variables and significantly improve the accuracy of the assay.     

Nitrogen Cycling of Active Bacteria within Oligotrophic Sediment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Flank

Microbial ecology within oligotrophic marine sediment is poorly understood, yet is critical for understanding geochemical cycles. Here, 16S rRNA sequences from RNA and DNA inform the structure of active and total microbial communities in oligotrophic sediment on the western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Sequences identified as Bacillariophyta chloroplast were detected within DNA, but undetectable within RNA, suggesting preservation in 5.6-million-year-old sediment. Statistical analysis revealed that RNA-based microbial populations correlated significantly with nitrogen concentrations, whereas DNA-based populations did not correspond to measured geochemical analytes. Bioenergetic calculations determined which metabolisms could yield energy in situ, and found that denitrification, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation were all favorable. A metagenome was produced from one sample, and included genes mediating nitrogen redox processes. Nitrogen respiration by active bacteria is an important metabolic strategy in North Pond sediments, and could be widespread in the oligotrophic sedimentary biosphere.     

Curcumin derivatives as new ligands of Aβ peptides

Curcumin derivatives with high chemical stability, improved solubility and carrying a functionalized appendage for the linkage to other entities, have been synthesized in a straightforward manner. All compounds retained Curcumin ability to bind Aβ peptide oligomers without inducing their aggregation. Moreover all Curcumin derivatives were able to stain very efficiently Aβ deposits.     

Effect of potential amine prodrugs of selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on blood–brain barrier penetration

Several prodrug approaches were taken to mask amino groups in two potent and selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors containing either a primary or secondary amino group to lower the charge and improve blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration. The primary amine was masked as an azide and the secondary amine as an amide or carbamate. The azide was not reduced to the amine under a variety of in vitro and ex vivo conditions. Despite the decrease in charge of the amino group as an amide and as carbamates, BBB penetration did not increase. It appears that the uses of azides as prodrugs for primary amines or amides and carbamates as prodrugs for secondary amines are not universally effective for CNS applications.