Analyses of the CYP11B gene family in the guinea pig suggest the existence of a primordial CYP11B gene with aldosterone synthase activity.

In this study we describe the isolation of three genes of the CYP11B family of the guinea pig. CYP11B1 codes for the previously described 11beta-hydroxylase [Bülow, H.E.,M?bius, K., B?hr, V. & Bernhardt, R. (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 221, 304-312] while CYP11B2 represents the aldosterone synthase gene. As no expression for CYP11B3 was detected this gene might represent a pseudogene. Transient transfection assays show higher substrate specificity for its proper substrate for CYP11B1 as compared to CYP11B2, which could account for the zone-specific synthesis of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, respectively. Thus, CYP11B2 displayed a fourfold higher ability to perform 11beta-hydroxylation of androstenedione than CYP11B1, while this difference is diminished with the size of the C17 substituent of the substrate. Furthermore, analyses with the electron transfer protein adrenodoxin indicate differential sensitivity of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 as well as the three hydroxylation steps catalysed by CYP11B2 to the availability of reducing equivalents. Together, both mechanisms point to novel protein intrinsic modalities to achieve tissue-specific production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in the guinea pig. In addition, we conducted phylogenetic analyses. These experiments suggest that a common CYP11B ancestor gene that possessed both 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase activity underwent a gene duplication event before or shortly after the mammalian radiation with subsequent independent evolution of the system in different lines. Thus, a differential mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid synthesis might be an exclusive achievement of mammals.     

Glutathione dependence of caspase-8 activation at the death-inducing signaling complex.

Apoptosis triggered by the death receptor CD95 (APO-1 or Fas) is pivotal for the homeostasis of the immune system. We investigated differential effects of glutathione depletion on CD95-triggered apoptosis in T and B cell lines as well as the glutathione dependence of caspase-8 activation. In B lymphoblastoid SKW6.4 cells, CD95-mediated apoptosis was prevented upstream of caspase-8 activation and caspase-3-like activity after acute glutathione depletion by diethyl maleate or cis-chloro-dinitrobenzene. Immunoprecipitation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) revealed that the DISC was still formed in the glutathione-depleted state. The first cleavage step of procaspase-8 activation at the DISC, however, was inhibited. Accordingly, under cell-free conditions, radiolabeled procaspase-8 was processed at the immunoprecipitated DISC only after the addition of exogenous dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione. We also observed suppression of CD95-mediated apoptosis in glutathione-depleted CEM and H9 cells. Notably, Jurkat cells still died upon CD95 engagement under this condition, displaying incomplete nuclear fragmentation and a partial switch to necrosis; this may be explained by reduced cytochrome c/dATP-mediated caspase activation observed in cytosol from glutathione-depleted Jurkat cytosol. Our data indicate that the activation of caspase-8 at the DISC and hence CD95-mediated apoptosis induction shows a cell-specific requirement for intracellular glutathione.     

Identifying the Real Minority Carrier Lifetime in Nonideal Semiconductors: A Case Study of Kesterite Materials

Time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is a powerful characterization technique to study carrier dynamics and quantify absorber quality in semiconductors. The minority carrier lifetime, which is critically important for high‐performance solar cells, is often derived from TRPL analysis. However, here it is shown that various nonideal absorber properties can dominate the TRPL signal making reliable extraction of the minority carrier lifetime not possible. Through high‐resolution intensity‐, temperature‐, voltage‐dependent, and spectrally resolved TRPL measurements on absorbers and devices it is shown that photoluminescence (PL) decay times for kesterite materials are dominated by minority carrier detrapping. Therefore, PL decay times do not correspond to the minority carrier lifetime for these materials. The lifetimes measured here are on the order of hundreds of picoseconds in contrast to the nanosecond lifetimes suggested by the decay curves. These results are supported with additional measurements, device simulation, and comparison with recombination limited PL decays measured on Cu(In,Ga)Se₂. The kesterite material system is used as a case study to demonstrate the general analysis of TRPL data in the limit of various measurement conditions and nonideal absorber properties. The data indicate that the current bottleneck for kesterite solar cells is the minority carrier lifetime.     

Drawdown flushing in a chain of reservoirs—Effects on grayling populations and implications for sediment management

We used an information theoretic approach to assess the effects of an ecologically adjusted sediment management scheme on grayling (Thymallus thymallus L. 1758) populations. Additionally to reservoir operation, candidate models included a variety of parameters and processes that may influence grayling populations such as flow, temperature, density dependence, and bird predation. Population parameters analyzed included total densities, young of the year numbers, and larval densities. These analyses were supplemented by a characterization of sediments and sedimentation patterns in the reach. Investigations were carried out in six sites affected by flushing and in one control site. A total of thirteen flushing operations have been undertaken within the study period leading to considerable remobilization of fine sediments and gravel. Due to seasonal and hydrological restrictions, not every flood could be used for flushing. These limitations led to an interrupted management throughout the chain of reservoirs as well as to long time intervals between flushing events with possible effects on spawning habitat quality. None of the investigated population parameters was affected by flushing, and thus, the study generally supports the current reservoir management scheme. Our analyses revealed the magnitude and timing of high water events, temperature, and density‐dependent effects, that is, population densities the year before, as the most influential variables for grayling population dynamics in the investigated stretch. The siltation of reservoirs is a significant problem for reservoir storage, flood protection, river deltas, and coastal zones. Its management—which is inevitable to safeguard river deltas and secure flood protection—poses also the challenge to safeguard riverine ecosystems below reservoirs. Based on our experience, we propose a periodic flushing regime in concordance with the hydrograph thereby mimicking the timing, magnitude, frequency, and duration of natural SSC pulses and gravel transport. This flushing regime minimizes adverse downstream environmental impacts and maximizes benefits.