Bleb-driven chemotaxis of Dictyostelium cells

Blebs and F-actin–driven pseudopods are alternative ways of extending the leading edge of migrating cells. We show that Dictyostelium cells switch from using predominantly pseudopods to blebs when migrating under agarose overlays of increasing stiffness. Blebs expand faster than pseudopods leaving behind F-actin scars, but are less persistent. Blebbing cells are strongly chemotactic to cyclic-AMP, producing nearly all of their blebs up-gradient. When cells re-orientate to a needle releasing cyclic-AMP, they stereotypically produce first microspikes, then blebs and pseudopods only later. Genetically, blebbing requires myosin-II and increases when actin polymerization or cortical function is impaired. Cyclic-AMP induces transient blebbing independently of much of the known chemotactic signal transduction machinery, but involving PI3-kinase and downstream PH domain proteins, CRAC and PhdA. Impairment of this PI3-kinase pathway results in slow movement under agarose and cells that produce few blebs, though actin polymerization appears unaffected. We propose that mechanical resistance induces bleb-driven movement in Dictyostelium, which is chemotactic and controlled through PI3-kinase.     

The Intestinal Microbiota Influences Campylobacter jejuni Colonization and Extraintestinal Dissemination in Mice

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of human foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. The interactions between this pathogen and the intestinal microbiome within a host are of interest as endogenous intestinal microbiota mediates a form of resistance to the pathogen. This resistance, termed colonization resistance, is the ability of commensal microbiota to prevent colonization by exogenous pathogens or opportunistic commensals. Although mice normally demonstrate colonization resistance to C. jejuni, we found that mice treated with ampicillin are colonized by C. jejuni, with recovery of Campylobacter from the colon, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in recovery of C. jejuni from ampicillin-treated mice inoculated with a C. jejuni virulence mutant (ΔflgL strain) compared to recovery of mice inoculated with the C. jejuni wild-type strain or the C. jejuni complemented isolate (ΔflgL/flgL). Comparative analysis of the microbiota from nontreated and ampicillin-treated CBA/J mice led to the identification of a lactic acid-fermenting isolate of Enterococcus faecalis that prevented C. jejuni growth in vitro and limited C. jejuni colonization of mice. Next-generation sequencing of DNA from fecal pellets that were collected from ampicillin-treated CBA/J mice revealed a significant decrease in diversity of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) compared to that in control (nontreated) mice. Taken together, we have demonstrated that treatment of mice with ampicillin alters the intestinal microbiota and permits C. jejuni colonization. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers using mice to investigate C. jejuni colonization factors, virulence determinants, or the mechanistic basis of probiotics.     

Synthesis and near IR photoluminescence of Os(II) bis(2,2′-bipyridine) (3,8-diarylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complexes: anomalous behavior in the 3,8-dinitrophenylethynyl-substituted homologue

A large bathochromic shift (?50 nm) and emission in the near infrared is observed by attaching arylethynyl groups at the 3,8-positions of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand (phen) of [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ (where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine). Thus [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-methoxyphenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits at 795 nm, while [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-diphenylethynyl-1,10-phenanthroline)]²⁺ emits at 815 nm. According to this trend it would have been expected that [Os(bipy)₂(3,8-di-4-nitrophenylethynyl-1,10-phenathroline)]²⁺ emits farther in the near infrared. Nevertheless, this complex is not photoluminescent because of intramolecular electron transfer quenching of the MLCT excited state by the nitroaromatic group. These results set structural and redox potential standards in the design of near infrared emitters based on [Os(bipy)₂(phen)]²⁺ type complexes.     

4-Nitrocatechol as a colorimetric probe for non-heme iron dioxygenases.

4-Nitrocatechol is examined as an active site probe for non-heme iron dioxygenases and found to be of value, particularly with those containing iron in the Fe(II) oxidation state. 4-Nitrocatechol is astrong competitive inhibitor of substrate oxygenation by protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase, forming a reversible complex with this enzyme, and by pyrocatechase. The number of binding sites per enzyme molecule titrated spectrophotometrically with 4-nitrocatechol agrees with results from previous studies with either the principal substrate or other analogues, as expected of an effective probe. Despite these facts and the observation that both enzymes cleave the same substrates at the same carbon-carbon bond, the optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of their 4-nitrocatechol complexes are remarkably different. The 4-nitocatechol-protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase optical spectra resemble that of the 4-nitrocatecholate ion shifted 20 to 30 nm to longer wavelength. Concomitant with this change the EPR signal centered at g equal 4.28 shows increased rhombicity (g values at 4.74, 4.28, and 3.74).In contrast, the spectrum of the 4-nitrocatechol-pyrocatechase complex has a maximum at the same wavelength as that of a 1:1 solution of free Fe(II) and 4-nitrocatechol in the absence of enzyme after titration of the catecholic protons with base and the g equal 4.28 EPR signal is not resolved at liquid N-2 temperature. These changes are interpreted as resulting in part from a pronounced change in the ligand fields about the irons at the active sites which in the case of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase leads to enzyme inactivation. The results also are the first indication that substrate analogues change their ionization form upon complexation with Fe (III) dioxygenases. The interaction of the probe with metapyrocatechase, an Fe(III) containing dioxygenase, and with several additional oxygenases and hydroperoxidases is also briefly examined. The probe is not specific for any particular class of non-heme iron dioxygenases.     

Differential regulation by the homologous response regulators NarL and NarP of Escherichia coli K-12 depends on DNA binding site arrangement

The NarL and NarP proteins are homologous response regulators of Escherichia coli that control the expression of several operons in response to nitrate and nitrite. A consensus heptameric NarL DNA-binding sequence has been identified, and previous observations suggest that the NarP protein has a similar sequence specificity. However, some operons are regulated by NarL alone, whereas others are controlled by both NarL and NarP. In this study, DNase I footprinting experiments with the fdnG , nirB and nrfA control regions revealed that NarP only binds to heptamer sequences organized as an inverted repeat with a 2 bp spacing (7–2–7 sites). The NarL protein also binds to these 7–2–7 sites but, unlike NarP, also recognizes heptamers in other arrangements. These results provide an explanation for the regulation of some operons by NarL alone and for the different effects of NarL and NarP at common target operons, such as fdnG and nrfA . To investigate this differential DNA binding further, derivatives of the nrfA control region were constructed in which the spacing of the 7–2–7 heptamers was increased (7– n –7 constructs). Increasing the spacing to four or more basepairs abolished NarP binding and significantly reduced NarL binding. The NarL protein also had a reduced binding affinity for heptamers adjacent to the 7– n –7 heptamer pair, suggesting a decrease in cooperative interactions. In conclusion, we propose that 7–2–7 sites are preferred by both NarL and NarP. NarL can also recognize other binding site arrangements, an ability that appears to be lacking in NarP.     

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Visual Cue Training to Improve Adaptability of Walking after Stroke: Multi-Centre,Single-Blind Randomised Control Pilot Trial

Objectives

Given the importance of vision in the control of walking and evidence indicating varied practice of walking improves mobility outcomes, this study sought to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of varied walking practice in response to visual cues, for the rehabilitation of walking following stroke.

Design

This 3 arm parallel, multi-centre, assessor blind, randomised control trial was conducted within outpatient neurorehabilitation services

Participants

Community dwelling stroke survivors with walking speed <0.8m/s, lower limb paresis and no severe visual impairments

Intervention

Over-ground visual cue training (O-VCT), Treadmill based visual cue training (T-VCT), and Usual care (UC) delivered by physiotherapists twice weekly for 8 weeks.Main outcome measures: Participants were randomised using computer generated random permutated balanced blocks of randomly varying size. Recruitment, retention, adherence, adverse events and mobility and balance were measured before randomisation, post-intervention and at four weeks follow-up.

Results

Fifty-six participants participated (18 T-VCT, 19 O-VCT, 19 UC). Thirty-four completed treatment and follow-up assessments. Of the participants that completed, adherence was good with 16 treatments provided over (median of) 8.4, 7.5 and 9 weeks for T-VCT, O-VCT and UC respectively. No adverse events were reported. Post-treatment improvements in walking speed, symmetry, balance and functional mobility were seen in all treatment arms.

Conclusions

Outpatient based treadmill and over-ground walking adaptability practice using visual cues are feasible and may improve mobility and balance. Future studies should continue a carefully phased approach using identified methods to improve retention.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01600391