Differential scanning calorimetry study of reversible, partial unfolding transitions in dodecameric glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli.

Partial unfolding of dodecameric glutamine synthetase (GS) from Escherichia coli has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A single endotherm (tm = 51.6 +/- 0.1 degrees C and delta Hcal = 211 +/- 4 kcal/mol of enzyme) was observed in DSC experiments with Mn.GS in the presence of 1.0 mM free Mn2+ and 100 mM KCl at pH 7. The dodecameric structure of Mn.GS was retained throughout heating cycles, and thermal transitions were reversible as shown by rescans [with 6-18 mg of GS (Mr 622,000) from 15 to 68 degrees C at 20-60 degrees C/h] and by greater than 93% recovery of activity. A cooperative ratio delta Hcal/delta HvH of 1.6 +/- 0.1 and deconvolution analysis show two cooperative units (two-state transitions): t1 = 50.4 and t2 = 51.7 degrees C; the ratio of the relative sizes of thermally labile domains is approximately 1:2 as judged by delta H2/delta H1 approximately equal to 2. However, the thermally induced overall enthalpy change (0.34 cal/g) for GS dodecamer is only 5-10% of that for thermal unfolding of small globular proteins at 50 degrees C. The t1 and t2 values from deconvolutions of DSC data agree with t0.5 values previously calculated from spectral measurements of temperature-induced exposures of approximately 0.7 of 2 Trp and approximately 2 of 17 Tyr per subunit, respectively [Shrake et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 6281-6294], over a 14 degrees C temperature range using both stabilizing and destabilizing conditions for Mn.GS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Neurite Fasciculation Mediated by Complexes of Axonin-1 and Ng Cell Adhesion Molecule

Neural cell adhesion molecules composed of immunoglobulin and fibronectin type III-like domains have been implicated in cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth, and fasciculation. Axonin-1 and Ng cell adhesion molecule (NgCAM), two molecules with predominantly axonal expression exhibit homophilic interactions across the extracellular space (axonin- 1/axonin-1 and NgCAM/NgCAM) and a heterophilic interaction (axonin-1–NgCAM) that occurs exclusively in the plane of the same membrane (cis-interaction). Using domain deletion mutants we localized the NgCAM homophilic binding in the Ig domains 1-4 whereas heterophilic binding to axonin-1 was localized in the Ig domains 2-4 and the third FnIII domain. The NgCAM–NgCAM interaction could be established simultaneously with the axonin-1–NgCAM interaction. In contrast, the axonin-1–NgCAM interaction excluded axonin-1/axonin-1 binding. These results and the examination of the coclustering of axonin-1 and NgCAM at cell contacts, suggest that intercellular contact is mediated by a symmetric axonin-1₂/NgCAM₂ tetramer, in which homophilic NgCAM binding across the extracellular space occurs simultaneously with a cis-heterophilic interaction of axonin-1 and NgCAM. The enhanced neurite fasciculation after overexpression of NgCAM by adenoviral vectors indicates that NgCAM is the limiting component for the formation of the axonin-1₂/NgCAM₂ complexes and, thus, neurite fasciculation in DRG neurons.     

Gene Expression-Based Classifiers Identify Staphylococcus aureus Infection in Mice and Humans

Staphylococcus aureus causes a spectrum of human infection. Diagnostic delays and uncertainty lead to treatment delays and inappropriate antibiotic use. A growing literature suggests the host’s inflammatory response to the pathogen represents a potential tool to improve upon current diagnostics. The hypothesis of this study is that the host responds differently to S. aureus than to E. coli infection in a quantifiable way, providing a new diagnostic avenue. This study uses Bayesian sparse factor modeling and penalized binary regression to define peripheral blood gene-expression classifiers of murine and human S. aureus infection. The murine-derived classifier distinguished S. aureus infection from healthy controls and Escherichia coli-infected mice across a range of conditions (mouse and bacterial strain, time post infection) and was validated in outbred mice (AUC>0.97). A S. aureus classifier derived from a cohort of 94 human subjects distinguished S. aureus blood stream infection (BSI) from healthy subjects (AUC 0.99) and E. coli BSI (AUC 0.84). Murine and human responses to S. aureus infection share common biological pathways, allowing the murine model to classify S. aureus BSI in humans (AUC 0.84). Both murine and human S. aureus classifiers were validated in an independent human cohort (AUC 0.95 and 0.92, respectively). The approach described here lends insight into the conserved and disparate pathways utilized by mice and humans in response to these infections. Furthermore, this study advances our understanding of S. aureus infection; the host response to it; and identifies new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues.     

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene duplication during chordate evolution: the cDNA sequence of the LDH of the tunicate Styela plicata

L-Lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27) is encoded by two or three loci in all vertebrates examined, with the exception of lampreys, which have a single LDH locus. Biochemical characterizations of LDH proteins have suggested that a gene duplication early in vertebrate evolution gave rise to Ldh-A and Ldh-B and that an additional locus, Ldh-C arose in a number of lineages more recently. Although some phylogenetic studies of LDH protein sequences have supported this pattern of gene duplication, others have contradicted it. In particular, a number of studies have suggested that Ldh-C represents the earliest divergence among vertebrate LDHs and that it may have diverged from the other loci well before the origin of vertebrates. Such hypotheses make explicit statements about the relationship of vertebrate and invertebrate LDHs, but to date, no closely related invertebrate LDH sequences have been available for comparison. We have attempted to provide further data on the timing of gene duplications leading to multiple vertebrate LDHs by determining the cDNA sequence of the LDH of the tunicate Styela plicata. Phylogenetic analyses of this and other LDH sequences provide strong support for the duplications giving rise to multiple vertebrate LDHs having occurred after vertebrates diverged from tunicates. The timing of these LDH duplications is consistent with data from a number of other gene families suggesting widespread gene duplication near the origin of vertebrates. With respect to the relationships among vertebrate LDHs, our data are not consistent with previous claims that Ldh-C represented the earliest divergence. However, the precise relationships among some of the main lineages of vertebrate LDHs were not resolved in our analyses.      

Genetics and genomics to the clinic: a long road ahead

Advances in genomic technology have produced an explosion of new information about the genetic basis for human disease, fueling extraordinarily high expectations for improved treatments. This perspective will take brief stock of what genetics/genomics have brought to clinical practice to date and what we might expect for the future.     

The molecular basis for cold agglutination: effect of receptor density upon thermal amplitude of a cold agglutinin.

Cold agglutinin MKV is a Waldenström macroglobulin that agglutinates human erythrocytes in the cold by binding $\text{N}$-acetylneuraminosyl-containing carbohydrate chains on their surfaces. Neuraminidase-treated cells are not agglutinated but their reactivity can be restored by allowing them to adsorb hematoside (NeuNAcα2-3Galβ1-4Glcβ1-ceramide). When between 7 × 10⁴ and 10⁶ molecules are adsorbed per cell, the cells are agglutinated at 0° but not at 37°. When over 10⁶ molecules of hematoside are adsorbed, they are agglutinated at both 0° and 37°. The density of receptors on the erythrocyte surface can thus influence the thermal amplitude of cold agglutinins.     

The co-evolution of language and emotions

We argue that language evolution started like the evolution of reading and writing, through cultural evolutionary processes. Genuinely new behavioural patterns emerged from collective exploratory processes that individuals could learn because of their brain plasticity. Those cultural-linguistic innovative practices that were consistently socially and culturally selected drove a process of genetic accommodation of both general and language-specific aspects of cognition. We focus on the affective facet of this culture-driven cognitive evolution, and argue that the evolution of human emotions co-evolved with that of language. We suggest that complex tool manufacture and alloparenting played an important role in the evolution of emotions, by leading to increased executive control and inter-subjective sensitivity. This process, which can be interpreted as a special case of self-domestication, culminated in the construction of human-specific social emotions, which facilitated information-sharing. Once in place, language enhanced the inhibitory control of emotions, enabled the development of novel emotions and emotional capacities, and led to a human mentality that departs in fundamental ways from that of other apes. We end by suggesting experimental approaches that can help in evaluating some of these proposals and hence lead to better understanding of the evolutionary biology of language and emotions.     

Cytogenetic analyses of eight species in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptodactylus</Emphasis> Fitzinger, 1843 (Amphibia,Anura, Leptodactylidae), including a new diploid number and a karyotype with multiple translocations

Background

The karyotypes of Leptodactylus species usually consist of 22 bi-armed chromosomes, but morphological variations in some chromosomes and even differences in the 2n have been reported. To better understand the mechanisms responsible for these differences, eight species were analysed using classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques, including replication banding with BrdU incorporation.

Results

Distinct chromosome numbers were found: 2n = 22 in Leptodactylus chaquensis, L. labyrinthicus, L. pentadactylus, L. petersii, L. podicipinus, and L. rhodomystax; 2n = 20 in Leptodactylus sp. (aff. podicipinus); and 2n = 24 in L. marmoratus. Among the species with 2n = 22, only three had the same basic karyotype. Leptodactylus pentadactylus presented multiple translocations, L. petersii displayed chromosome morphological discrepancy, and L. podicipinus had four pairs of telocentric chromosomes. Replication banding was crucial for characterising this variability and for explaining the reduced 2n in Leptodactylus sp. (aff. podicipinus). Leptodactylus marmoratus had few chromosomes with a similar banding patterns to the 2n = 22 karyotypes. The majority of the species presented a single NOR-bearing pair, which was confirmed using Ag-impregnation and FISH with an rDNA probe. In general, the NOR-bearing chromosomes corresponded to chromosome 8, but NORs were found on chromosome 3 or 4 in some species. Leptodactylus marmoratus had NORs on chromosome pairs 6 and 8. The data from C-banding, fluorochrome staining, and FISH using the telomeric probe helped in characterising the repetitive sequences. Even though hybridisation did occur on the chromosome ends, telomere-like repetitive sequences outside of the telomere region were identified. Metaphase I cells from L. pentadactylus confirmed its complex karyotype constitution because 12 chromosomes appeared as ring-shaped chain in addition to five bivalents.

Conclusions

Species of Leptodactylus exhibited both major and minor karyotypic differences which were identified by classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques. Replication banding, which is a unique procedure that has been used to obtain longitudinal multiple band patterns in amphibian chromosomes, allowed us to outline the general mechanisms responsible for these karyotype differences. The findings also suggested that L. marmoratus, which was formerly included in the genus Adenomera, may have undergone great chromosomal repatterning.