Backbone motion in elastin's hydrophobic domains as detected by (2) H NMR spectroscopy

The elasticity of vertebrate tissue originates from the insoluble, cross-linked protein elastin. Here, the results of variable-temperature (2) H NMR spectra are reported for hydrated elastin that has been enriched at the Hα position in its abundant glycines. Typical powder patterns reflecting averaged quadrupolar parameters are observed for the frozen protein, as opposed to the two, inequivalent deuterons that are detected in a powder sample of enriched glycine. The spectra of the hydrated elastin at warmer temperatures are dominated by a strong central peak with features close to the baseline, reflective of both isotropic and very weakly anisotropic motions.     

Expression screening of 17q12-21 amplicon reveals GRB7 as an ERBB2-dependent oncogene

Gene amplification is a major genetic alteration in human cancers. Amplicons, amplified genomic regions, are believed to contain "driver" genes responsible for tumorigenesis. However, the significance of co-amplified genes has not been extensively studied. We have established an integrated analysis system of amplicons using retrovirus-mediated gene transfer coupled with a human full-length cDNA set. Applying this system to 17q12-21 amplicon observed in breast cancer, we identified GRB7 as a context-dependent oncogene, which modulates the ERBB2 signaling pathway through enhanced phosphorylation of ERBB2 and Akt. Our work provides an insight into the biological significance of gene amplification in human cancers.     

CENP-T-W-S-X forms a unique centromeric chromatin structure with a histone-like fold

The multiprotein kinetochore complex must assemble at a specific site on each chromosome to achieve accurate chromosome segregation. Defining the nature of the DNA-protein interactions that specify the position of the kinetochore and provide a scaffold for kinetochore formation remain key goals. Here, we demonstrate that the centromeric histone-fold-containing CENP-T-W and CENP-S-X complexes coassemble to form a stable CENP-T-W-S-X heterotetramer. High-resolution structural analysis of the individual complexes and the heterotetramer reveals similarity to other histone fold-containing complexes including canonical histones within a nucleosome. The CENP-T-W-S-X heterotetramer binds to and supercoils DNA. Mutants designed to compromise heterotetramerization or the DNA-protein contacts around the heterotetramer strongly reduce the DNA binding and supercoiling activities in?vitro and compromise kinetochore assembly in?vivo. These data suggest that the CENP-T-W-S-X complex forms a unique nucleosome-like structure to generate contacts with DNA, extending the "histone code" beyond canonical nucleosome proteins.     

Genome sequence of Pantoea agglomerans strain IG1

Pantoea agglomerans is a gram-negative bacterium that grows symbiotically with various plants. Here we report the 4.8-Mb genome sequence of P. agglomerans strain IG1. The lipopolysaccharides derived from P. agglomerans IG1 have been shown to be effective in the prevention of various diseases, such as bacterial or viral infection, lifestyle-related diseases. This genome sequence represents a substantial step toward the elucidation of pathways for production of lipopolysaccharides.     

Nation-wide litter fall data from 21 forests of the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project in Japan

This data paper reports litter fall data collected in a network of 21 forest sites in Japan. This is the largest litter fall data set freely available in Japan to date. The network is a part of the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. It covers subarctic to subtropical climate zones and the four major forest types in Japan. Twenty-three permanent plots in which usually 25 litter traps were installed were established in old-growth or secondary natural forests. Litter falls were collected monthly from 2004, and sorted into leaves, branches, reproductive structures and miscellaneous. The data provide seasonal patterns and inter-annual dynamics of litter falls, and their geographical patterns, and offer good opportunities for meta-analyses and comparative studies among forests.     

Thermodynamic analysis of a multifunctional RNA-binding protein, PhoRpp38, in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3

The protein component PhoRpp38 of Pyrococcus horikoshii ribonuclease P (RNase P) is known to be a multifunctional RNA-binding protein. Previous biochemical data indicate that it binds to two stem-loops in RNase P RNA (PhopRNA). Thermodynamic analysis revealed that PhoRpp38 and PhopRNA interact with each other with an association constant (Ka) of 1.56×10(7) M(-1). It was further found that PhoRpp38 simultaneously binds two stem-loop structures in PhopRNA with approximately equal affinity. Crystals of PhoRpp38 in complex with the stem-loop were grown and diffracted to a resolution of 7.0 ? on a synchrotron X-ray source.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of proteoglycan and progesterone on human uterine cervical fibroblasts

AimsThe aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory effect of proteoglycan (PG) with that of progesterone (P) in the cultured fibroblasts from human uterine cervix.Main methodsAfter obtaining informed consent, the cervix was collected from normal women undergoing total hysterectomy. The cervix was cultured until fibroblasts proliferated and had grown to confluence, then, the fibroblasts were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without PG, P and a combination of both; they were cultured for 24–48 h. The anti-inflammatory effects of PG and P were evaluated by the suppression of IL-6 or IL-8 secretion. The expression of the IL-6 or IL-8 gene and the expression of their protein were determined by real-time PCR, and ELISA, respectively. Activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 was evaluated by Western blotting.Key findingsLPS markedly enhanced gene and protein expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in human uterine cervical fibroblasts. The up-regulation of the IL-6 or IL-8 gene and protein expression by LPS was significantly suppressed with PG, P and a combination of both. Western blotting revealed that combination of PG and P showed more potent inhibition on LPS-stimulated TLR4 induction than that seen by each.SignificanceThis study showed that both PG and P have an inhibitory effect on LPS-induced inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect of PG and P was augmented by co-administration of both, suggesting for the first time that PG has an anti-inflammatory effect on human uterine cervical fibroblasts.