Carboxy group derivatization for enhanced electron‐transfer dissociation mass spectrometric analysis of phosphopeptides

A novel strategy based on carboxy group derivatization is presented for specific characterization of phosphopeptides. By tagging the carboxy group with 1‐(2‐pyrimidyl) piperazine (PP), the ion charge states of phosphopeptides can be largely enhanced, showing great advantages for sequencing phosphorylated peptides with electron‐transfer dissociation MS. Besides, after PP‐derivatization, most non‐specific bindings can be avoided by eliminating the interaction between the carboxy group and TiO₂, greatly improving the specificity of TiO₂‐based phosphopeptide enrichment strategy. Moreover, being tagged with a hydrophobic group, the retention time of phosphopeptides in RPLC can be prolonged, overcoming the difficulty of separating phosphopeptides in RPLC‐based approach. Together with several other advantages, such as ease of handling, rapid reaction time, broad applicability and good reproducibility, this PP‐derivatization method is promising for high‐throughput phosphoproteome research.     

SYD-1C,UNC-40 (DCC) and SAX-3 (Robo) Function Interdependently to Promote Axon Guidance by Regulating the MIG-2 GTPase

During development, axons must integrate directional information encoded by multiple guidance cues and their receptors. Axon guidance receptors, such as UNC-40 (DCC) and SAX-3 (Robo), can function individually or combinatorially with other guidance receptors to regulate downstream effectors. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mediate combinatorial guidance receptor signaling. Here, we show that UNC-40, SAX-3 and the SYD-1 RhoGAP-like protein function interdependently to regulate the MIG-2 (Rac) GTPase in the HSN axon of C. elegans. We find that SYD-1 mediates an UNC-6 (netrin) independent UNC-40 activity to promote ventral axon guidance. Genetic analysis suggests that SYD-1 function in axon guidance requires both UNC-40 and SAX-3 activity. Moreover, the cytoplasmic domains of UNC-40 and SAX-3 bind to SYD-1 and SYD-1 binds to and negatively regulates the MIG-2 (Rac) GTPase. We also find that the function of SYD-1 in axon guidance is mediated by its phylogenetically conserved C isoform, indicating that the role of SYD-1 in guidance is distinct from its previously described roles in synaptogenesis and axonal specification. Our observations reveal a molecular mechanism that can allow two guidance receptors to function interdependently to regulate a common downstream effector, providing a potential means for the integration of guidance signals.     

Changes in microbial biomass,community composition and diversity,and functioning with soil depth in two alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan plateau

Plant and Soil - Plant P acquisition strategies are driven by multiple belowground morphological and physiological traits as well as interactions among these traits. This study aimed to...     

Essential oil variations in different Perilla L. accessions: chemotaxonomic implications

Three processes play an important role in plant speciation: isolation, hybridization and polyploidization. Galapagos endemic Opuntia display putatively all of these processes. On this archipelago most islands are inhabited by a single Opuntia taxon. Santa Cruz, however, houses two morphologically distinct O. echios varieties (echios and gigantea). Morphological intermediates are found where these two geographically isolated varieties meet. Here we used ten microsatellite loci to reveal the population genetic structure of this system. In contrast to earlier studies, we found high genetic variability within localities. Genetic structuring was weak and no evidence for the existence of hybrids was found. The reasons for this weak genetic structure may include: the species’ hexaploid nature, high levels of gene flow, recent colonization, and the lack of geographic barriers. This first detailed genetic study on these threatened species will be important for further conservation planning.     

Two Rubisco activase isoforms may play different roles in photosynthetic heat acclimation in the rice plant

Studies on some plant species have shown that increasing the growth temperature gradually or pretreating with high temperature can lead to obvious photosynthetic acclimation to high temperature. To test whether this acclimation arises from heat adaptation of ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39) activation mediated by Rubisco activase (RCA), gene expression of RCA large isoform (RCA_L) and RCA small isoform (RCA_S) in rice was determined using a 4‐day heat stress treatment [40/30°C (day/night)] followed by a 3‐day recovery under control conditions [30/22°C (day/night)]. The heat stress significantly induced the expression of RCA_L as determined by both mRNA and protein levels. Correlative analysis indicated that RCA_S protein content was extremely significantly related to Rubisco initial activity and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under both heat stress and normal conditions. Immunoblot analysis of the Rubisco–RCA complex revealed that the ratio of RCA_L to Rubisco increased markedly in heat‐acclimated rice leaves. Furthermore, transgenic rice plants expressing enhanced amounts of RCA_L exhibited higher thermotolerance in Pn and Rubisco initial activity and grew better at high temperature than wild‐type (WT) plants and transgenic rice plants expressing enhanced amounts of RCA_S. Under normal conditions, the transgenic rice plants expressing enhanced amounts of RCA_S showed higher Pn and produced more biomass than transgenic rice plants expressing enhanced amounts of RCA_L and wild‐type plants. Together, these suggest that the heat‐induced RCA_L may play an important role in photosynthetic acclimation to moderate heat stress in vivo, while RCA_S plays a major role in maintaining Rubisco initial activity under normal conditions.     

Speciation of tissue and cellular iron with on-line detection by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Iron accumulating to excess in tissues of humans and animal models occurs mainly as complexes with transferrin, ferritin, other hemoproteins, and insoluble hemosiderin particles. To determine the distribution of Fe amongst these molecular species, we have used inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry as a means of on-line, isotope-specific detection for their liquid chromatographic separation. The stable isotope 57Fe is a suitable isotope for monitoring the Fe content of each fraction, and its availability at high isotopic enrichment makes it an attractive choice for tracer studies when the use of a radioisotope is undesirable, e.g., in human subjects. The detection system offers the advantages of high sensitivity (detection limits in the parts per billion range), a wide dynamic range (linearity of the calibration curve over several orders of magnitude), and on-line analysis facilitating real-time evaluation of the chromatographic separation, in addition to isotope-specific information. The Fe distributions in healthy rat livers, liver and heart tissue from Fe-loaded human subjects, and human hepatocyte cultures are reported. The ferritin:hemosiderin ratio in these samples is shown to be an indicator of the degree of Fe loading and correlates well with that determined by Zeeman-corrected electrothermal atomic absorption as an alternative means of detection.     

Molecular characterization and immunohistochemical localization of a mitogen-activated protein kinase, Accp38b, from Apis cerana cerana

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in various processes, including stress responses, development, and differentiation. However, little information on p38 MAPK in insects is available. In this study, a p38 MAPK gene, Accp38b, was isolated from Apis cerana cerana and characterized. The quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) analysis revealed that Accp38b was induced by multiple stressors. Notably, the expression of Accp38b was relatively higher in the pupae phase than in other developmental phases. During the pupae phase, Accp38b expression was higher in the thorax than in the head and abdomen and higher in the fat body than in the muscle and midgut. Immunohistochemisty showed significant positive staining of Accp38b in sections from the brain, eyes, fat body, and midgut of A. cerana cerana. These results suggest that Accp38b may play a crucial role in stress responses and have multiple aspects function during development.     

Antiemetic Role of Thalidomide in a Rat Model of Cisplatin-Induced Emesis

The efficacy of thalidomide to attenuate cisplatin-induced emesis was evaluated in a rat model. Four groups were utilized: control group (peritoneal injection and gastric lavage with normal saline), cisplatin group (peritoneal injection of cisplatin at 10 mg/kg and gastric lavage with normal saline), thalidomide group (cisplatin as above and gastric lavage with thalidomide at 10 mg/kg), and granisetron group (positive control for antiemetic effects; cisplatin given as above and gastric lavage done with granisetron at 0.5 mg/kg). The cisplatin-induced kaolin consumption (pica behavior) was used as a model of emesis in patients. The animals’ kaolin and food intakes were measured. Further, medulla and gastric tissues were obtained 5 and 33 h after peritoneal injections to quantify the levels of Substance P and Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R). The cisplatin-induced kaolin consumption was significantly (p < 0.05 vs. cisplatin group) attenuated by thalidomide 72 h after the injection. The levels of Substance P in the medulla and gastric tissue were increased 5 h after the injection in both cisplatin and thalidomide groups, however, returned faster to normal levels in the thalidomide group (p < 0.05 vs. cisplatin group). Further, levels of NK-1R in the cisplatin, thalidomide, and granisetron group were significantly increased at both 5 and 33 h (p < 0.05 vs. control group), with no obvious difference among these three groups. In conclusion, thalidomide attenuates animal equivalent of cisplatin-induced emesis, and this beneficial effect is associated with decreased levels of Substance P levels in the medulla and gastric tissue.