Structure and inhibition analysis of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment

The SAD (synapses of amphids defective) kinases, including SAD-A and SAD-B, play important roles in the regulation of neuronal development, cell cycle, and energy metabolism. Our recent study of mouse SAD-A identified a unique autoinhibitory sequence (AIS), which binds at the junction of the kinase domain (KD) and the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain and exerts autoregulation in cooperation with UBA. Here, we report the crystal structure of the mouse SAD-B C-terminal fragment including the AIS and the kinase-associated domain 1 (KA1) at 2.8 Å resolution. The KA1 domain is structurally conserved, while the isolated AIS sequence is highly flexible and solvent-accessible. Our biochemical studies indicated that the SAD-B AIS exerts the same autoinhibitory role as that in SAD-A. We believe that the flexible isolated AIS sequence is readily available for interaction with KD-UBA and thus inhibits SAD-B activity.     

Inhibition of prostaglandin synthase activity of sheep seminal vesicular gland by human serum haptoglobin

Serum haptoglobin was added to the reaction mixture of prostaglandin synthase (EC 1.14.99.1) and its inhibitory effect was studied [1-14C]Arachidonic acid was used as substrate and the enzyme activity was estimated by monitoring the radioactivity of the products after thin layer chromatography. With or without addition of hemoglobin to the reaction mixture, both the purified haptoglobin 1-1 and 2-2 showed inhibitory activity. In the presence of 5 microM hematin, however, inhibitory activity haptoglobin was not observed. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the system depended on the molar ratio of haptoglobin to hemoglobin in the reaction mixture. These results demonstrate that haptoglobin inhibits prostaglandin synthase by restricting available heme group for the enzyme activity through complexing with hemoglobin. However, haptoglobin did not inhibit completely the stimulatory effect of free hemoglobin. Relevant significant of this effect was discussed.     

Scutellarein protects against cardiac hypertrophy via suppressing TRAF2/NF-κB signaling pathway

Molecular Biology Reports - Scutellarein, a widely studied ingredient of scutellaria herbs, has higher bioavailability and solubility than that of scutellarin. Although the scutellarein had been...     

Liver Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Energy Regulation and Functional Impairment of Onychostoma sima During Starvation

Marine Biotechnology - Releasing juvenile fish into resource-depleted waters is regarded as an effective way to restore fishery resources. However, during this stage, released fish are most...     

Stereotaxic endoscopy for the ocular imaging of awake,freely moving animal models

Stereotaxic instruments are increasingly used in research animals for the study of disease, but typically require restraints and anesthetic procedures. A stereotaxic head mount that enables imaging of the anterior chamber of the eye in alert and freely mobile mice is presented in this study. The head mount is fitted based on computed tomography scans and manufactured using 3D printing. The system is placed noninvasively using temporal mount bars and a snout mount, without breaking the skin or risking suffocation, while an instrument channel stabilizes the ocular probes. With a flexible micro‐endoscopic probe and a confocal scanning laser microscopy system, <20 μm resolution is achieved in vivo with a field of view of nearly 1 mm. Discomfort is minimal, and further adaptations for minimally invasive neuroscience, optogenetics and auditory studies are possible.     

Probing Dopant Redistribution,Phase Propagation,and Local Chemical Changes in the Synthesis of Layered Oxide Battery Cathodes

Achieving the targeted control of layered oxide properties calls for more fundamental studies to mechanistically probe their evolution during their synthesis. Herein, dopant distribution, phase propagation, and local chemical changes as well as their interplay in multielement-doped LiNiO₂ materials are investigated using spectroscopic, imaging, and scattering techniques. It is shown that dopants undergo dynamic redistribution in the Ni(OH)₂ host lattice at the early stage of calcination (below 300 °C). Such redistribution behavior exhibits strong dopant-dependent characteristics, allowing for targeted surface and bulk doping control. The Ni oxidation process exhibits depth-dependent characteristics and the most rapid Ni oxidation takes place between 300 and 700 °C. Using Ni oxidation state as the proxy for the phase transformation, the buildup of heterogenous phase propagation in the early stage of calcination is shown, especially along the radial direction of secondary particles. The radial heterogenous phase distribution gradually decreases upon completing the calcination. However, a high degree of mosaic-like heterogeneity may still be present in the final product, departing from the perfect layered oxide. The present study offers fundamental insights into manipulating multiscale materials properties during calcination for obtaining stable, high-energy layered oxide cathodes.