Potential secondary structure at translation-initiation sites.

Since translational start codons also occur internally, more-complex features within mRNA must determine initiation. We compare the potential secondary structure of 123 prokaryotic mRNA start regions to that of regions coding for internal methionines. The latter display an unexpectedly-uniform, almost-periodic pattern of pairing potential. In contrast, sequences 5' to start codons have little self-pairing, and do not pair extensively with the proximal coding region. Pairing potential surrounding start codons was found to be less than half of that found near internal AUGs. In groups of random sequences where the distribution of nucleotides at each position, or of trinucleotides at each in-frame codon position, matched the observed natural distribution, there was no periodicity in the pairing potential of the internal sequences. Randomized internal sequences had less pairing: the ratio of pairing intensity between internals and starts was reduced from 2.0 to 1.6 by randomization. We propose that the transition from the relatively-unstructured start domains to the highly-structured internal sequences may be an important determinant of translational start-site recognition.     

An acridine-linked oligodeoxynucleotide targeted to the common 5' end of trypanosome mRNAs kills cultured parasites

Anti-messenger oligodeoxynucleotides covalently linked to an intercalating agent were tested for their ability to inhibit translation of Trypanosoma brucei mRNAs in a cell-free system. The sequence of these oligodeoxynucleotides was complementary to part of the 35-nucleotide (nt) sequence which is present at the 5' end of all trypanosome mRNAs (the so-called mini-exon sequence). In a rabbit reticulocyte lysate, a nonadeoxynucleotide linked to an acridine derivative, specifically inhibited protein synthesis from T. brucei mRNAs much more efficiently than unmodified oligodeoxynucleotides of similar length. These oligodeoxynucleotides were tested on cultured trypanosomes. The acridine-linked nonadeoxynucleotide had a lethal effect on the parasites. No effect was observed with the homologous unmodified 9-mer nor with those 9-mers linked to the acridine derivative which were not complementary to the mini-exon sequence. These effects are probably a result of hybrid formation between the anti-messenger and mini-exon sequence. Trypanocidal activity of the acridine-modified nonadeoxynucleotide is most likely due to (i) increased affinity for its target, (ii) improved resistance to 3' exonucleases, and (iii) promoted membrane penetration of living parasites.     

Unexpected influence of ionic strength on branched-pathway interactions between beta-lactamases and beta-halogenopenicillanates.

Ionic strength strongly influenced the turnover/inactivation ratio in the interaction between beta-halogenopenicillanates and some class A beta-lactamases. This suggested the stabilization of a highly charged intermediate by solvation. Those data could be interpreted on the basis of a reaction pathway where an episulphonium ion was transiently formed. The various mechanisms proposed for explaining the formation of the dihydrothiazine chromophore are discussed.     

The Streptomyces K15 DD-peptidase/penicillin-binding protein. Active site and sequence of the N-terminal region.

Fragments of the lipophosphoglycan of Leishmania donovani were generated by phospholipase C digestion and mild acid hydrolysis. The fragments were purified and examined for inhibitory activity on protein kinase C isolated from rat brains. On a molar basis, the 1-O-alkylglycerol portion of LPG exhibited the most inhibitory activity, whereas the carbohydrate domain was not as effective. In addition, several glycolipid antigens from L. major, which contain short carbohydrate chains attached to phosphatidylinositol, were also efficient inhibitors of the enzyme. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that protein kinase C may be a key target for the parasites to overcome within host macrophages.     

Plasma norepinephrine and heart rate dynamics during recovery from submaximal exercise in man

The time course of heart rate (HR) and venous blood norepinephrine concentration [NE], as an expression of the sympathetic nervous activity (SNA), was studied in six sedentary young men during recovery from three periods of cycle ergometer exercise at 21% +/- 2.8%, 43% +/- 2.1% and 65% +/- 2.3% of VO2max respectively (mean +/- SE). The HR decreased mono-exponentially with tau values of 13.6 +/- 1.6 s, 32.7 +/- 5.6 s and 55.8 +/- 8.1 s respectively in the three periods of exercise. At the low exercise level no change in [NE] was found. At medium and high exercise intensity: (a) [NE] increased significantly at the 5th min of exercise (delta [NE] = 207.7 +/- 22.5 pg.ml-1 and 521.3 +/- 58.3 pg.ml-1 respectively); (b) after a time lag of 1 min [NE] decreased exponentially (tau = 87 s and 101 s respectively); (c) in the 1st min HR decreased about 35 beats.min-1; (d) from the 2nd to 5th min of recovery HR and [NE] were linearly related (100 pg.ml-1 delta [NE] congruent to 5 beats.min-1). In the 1st min of recovery, independent of the exercise intensity, the adjustment of HR appears to have been due mainly to the prompt restoration of vagal tone. The further decrease in HR toward the resting value could then be attributed to the return of SNA to the pre-exercise level.     

Cloning and amplified expression in Streptomyces lividans of the gene encoding the extracellular beta-lactamase of Actinomadura R39.

By using the promoter-probe plasmid pIJ424, genomic DNA fragments of Actinomadura R39 were shown to have promoter activity in Streptomyces lividans. The same 100-200-copy-number plasmid was used to clone in S. lividans TK24, the gene that encodes the Actinomadura R39 beta-lactamase. Gene cloning resulted in an amplified expression of the beta-lactamase when compared with the amounts of enzyme produced by the original strain (1 mg versus 0.008 mg.litre of culture-1).     

Intermolecular disulfide bonds are not required for the expression of the dimeric state and functional activity of the transferrin receptor.

The human transferrin receptor is expressed as a disulfide-linked dimer at the cell surface. The sites of intermolecular disulfide bonds are Cys-89 and Cys-98. We have examined the functional significance of the covalent dimeric structure of the transferrin receptor by substitution of Cys-89 and Cys-98 with serine residues. Wild-type and mutated transferrin receptors were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells (clone TF-) that lack detectable endogenous transferrin receptors. The rates of receptor endocytosis and recycling were measured and the accumulation of iron by cells incubated with [59Fe]diferric transferrin was investigated. No significant differences between these rates were observed when cells expressing wild-type and mutated receptors were compared. The structure of the mutant receptor lacking intermolecular disulfide bonds was investigated. The presence of a population of mutant receptors with a non-covalent dimeric structure was indicated by cross-linking studies using diferric [125I]transferrin and the bifunctional reagent disuccinimidyl suberimidate. However, sucrose density gradient sedimentation analysis of Triton X-100 solubilized transferrin receptors demonstrated that the mutant receptor existed as a monomer in the absence of diferric transferrin and as an apparent dimer in the presence of this receptor ligand. We conclude that the covalent dimeric structure of the transferrin receptor is not required for the expression of the dimeric state and functional activity of the receptor.     

Sequence motifs characteristic of DNA[cytosine-N4]methyltransferases: similarity to adenine and cytosine-C5 DNA-methylases

The sequences coding for DNA[cytosine-N4]methyltransferases MvaI (from Micrococcus varians RFL19) and Cfr9I (from Citrobacter freundii RFL9) have been determined. The predicted methylases are proteins of 454 and 300 amino acids, respectively. Primary structure comparison of M.Cfr9I and another m4C-forming methylase, M.Pvu II, revealed extended regions of homology. The sequence comparison of the three DNA[cytosine-N4]-methylases using originally developed software revealed two conserved patterns, DPF-GSGT and TSPPY, which were found similar also to those of adenine and DNA[cytosine-C5]-methylases. These data provided a basis for global alignment and classification of DNA-methylase sequences. Structural considerations led us to suggest that the first region could be the binding site of AdoMet, while the second is thought to be directly involved in the modification of the exocyclic amino group.