Constitutive expression of a native human interferon-alpha 1 gene in Escherichia coli

1. A plasmid for constitutive expression of the human interferon-alpha 1 (hIFN-alpha 1) gene in Escherichia coli is constructed on the basis of the cloning plasmid pBR322 using a strong synthetic promoter, synthetic ribosome binding site and a native hIFN-alpha 1 gene excised from a chromosomal clone. 2. The yield of recombinant hIFN-alpha 1 from E. coli LE392 cells transformed with the expression plasmid pJP1R9-hIFN-alpha 1 is evaluated to be 2-6 x 10(7) U/l bacterial culture for metabolic shaker and 6-8 x 10(7) U/l for fermentor.     

Expression inEscherichia coli K12 strains of two synthetic human calcitonin genes differing in codon composition

Two genes coding for a Val⁸-variant of the human calcitonin (hCT) are synthesized on two different codon biases: the native codons for the hCT gene and the codons preferential forEscherichia coli. Both genes are fused to a synthetic human interferon-gamma (IF) gene [6] and expressed in various strains ofE. coli K12. It is found that, in all host strains used, the level of expression of both genes is similar and much lower (1/50–1/100) than that of the IF gene alone.     

Demonstration of a 7-nm RNP fiber as the basic structural element in a premessenger RNP particle

Balbiani ring granules in Chironomus salivary glands represent premessenger ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles, each containing a 35- to 40-kb message for a secretory polypeptide. Their gross structure can be described as an RNP ribbon bent into a toroid. We now demonstrate that an unfolded, thin RNP fiber is observed after low salt treatment of isolated Balbiani ring granules. Moreover, the thin RNP fiber, 7 nm in diameter, can be revealed as the main structural element in Balbiani ring granules studied in situ in 3-D with electron microscope tomography. It is proposed that the thin RNP fiber consists of a premessenger RNA molecule coiled around a filamentous core of polymeric proteins, which has functional implications for processes such as assembly of RNP, intranuclear degradation of RNA, and delivery of RNA through the nuclear pores.     

The interaction between EAP30 and ELL is modulated by MCM2

ELL-associated protein 30 (EAP30) was initially characterized as a component of the Holo-ELL complex, which contains the elongation factor ELL. Both ELL and Holo-ELL stimulate RNA pol II elongation in vitro. However, ELL and not Holo-ELL inhibits RNA pol II initiation. It is not clear how these two discrete functions of ELL are regulated. Here we report that mini-chromosome maintenance 2 (MCM2) binds to EAP30 and show that MCM2 competes with ELL for binding to EAP30 thus potentially modulating the stability of Holo-ELL.

Structured summary

MINT-7277033: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with RPB1 (uniprotkb:P24928) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7277085: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) binds (MI:0407) to ELL (uniprotkb:P55199) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7277072: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with ELL (uniprotkb:P55199) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-7277100: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with ELL (uniprotkb:P55199) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-7277153: MCM2 (uniprotkb:P49736) binds (MI:0407) to ELL (uniprotkb:P55199) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7276989: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with MCM2 (uniprotkb:P49736) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7277005: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with RPB1 (uniprotkb:P24928) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7276960, MINT-7277168: MCM2 (uniprotkb:P49736) physically interacts (MI:0915) with EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7276971, MINT-7277121, MINT-7277137: MCM2 (uniprotkb:P49736) binds (MI:0407) to EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7277018, MINT-7277061: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:0915) with MCM2 (uniprotkb:P49736) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Two forms of RNA polymerase II holoenzyme display different abundance during the cell cycle

We analyzed the composition and abundance of two forms of RNA polymerase II (pol II) holoenzyme in synchronized HeLa cells. We did not detect significant changes in pol II holoenzyme composition, but we noticed differences in the abundance of the two complexes at different stages of the cell cycle. Summarized data from several independent experiments demonstrate that pol II holoenzyme, which is purified by GST-TFIIS affinity chromatography, is more abundant during G1/S and S phases. Another form of pol II holoenzyme, which is purified by anti-CDK7 antibodies, shows relatively higher amounts in G2/M and early G1 phases.     

Strategies to Reduce Tin and Other Metals in Electronic Cigarette Aerosol

Background

Metals are present in electronic cigarette (EC) fluid and aerosol and may present health risks to users.

Objective

The objective of this study was to measure the amounts of tin, copper, zinc, silver, nickel and chromium in the aerosol from four brands of EC and to identify the sources of these metals by examining the elemental composition of the atomizer components.

Methods

Four brands of popular EC were dissected and the cartomizers were examined microscopically. Elemental composition of cartomizer components was determined using integrated energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, and the concentrations of the tin, copper, zinc silver, nickel, and chromium in the aerosol were determined for each brand using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

Results

All filaments were made of nickel and chromium. Thick wires were copper coated with either tin or silver. Wires were joined to each other by tin solder, brazing, or by brass clamps. High concentrations of tin were detected in the aerosol when tin solder joints were friable. Tin coating on copper wires also contributed to tin in the aerosol.

Conclusions

Tin concentrations in EC aerosols varied both within and between brands. Tin in aerosol was reduced by coating the thick wire with silver rather than tin, placing stable tin solder joints outside the atomizing chamber, joining wires with brass clamps or by brazing rather than soldering wires. These data demonstrate the feasibility of removing tin and other unwanted metals from EC aerosol by altering designs and using materials of suitable quality.     

CDC28 phosphorylates Cac1p and regulates the association of chromatin assembly factor i with chromatin

Chromatin Assembly Factor I (CAF-I) plays a key role in the replication-coupled assembly of nucleosomes. It is expected that its function is linked to the regulation of the cell cycle, but little detail is available. Current models suggest that CAF-I is recruited to replication forks and to chromatin via an interaction between its Cac1p subunit and the replication sliding clamp, PCNA, and that this interaction is stimulated by the kinase CDC7. Here we show that another kinase, CDC28, phosphorylates Cac1p on serines 94 and 515 in early S phase and regulates its association with chromatin, but not its association with PCNA. Mutations in the Cac1p-phosphorylation sites of CDC28 but not of CDC7 substantially reduce the in vivo phosphorylation of Cac1p. However, mutations in the putative CDC7 target sites on Cac1p reduce its stability. The association of CAF-I with chromatin is impaired in a cdc28–1 mutant and to a lesser extent in a cdc7–1 mutant. In addition, mutations in the Cac1p-phosphorylation sites by both CDC28 and CDC7 reduce gene silencing at the telomeres. We propose that this phosphorylation represents a regulatory step in the recruitment of CAF-I to chromatin in early S phase that is distinct from the association of CAF-I with PCNA. Hence, we implicate CDC28 in the regulation of chromatin reassembly during DNA replication. These findings provide novel mechanistic insights on the links between cell-cycle regulation, DNA replication and chromatin reassembly.     

Trichoptera (Insecta) from new Guinea∗

This paper is a systematic report on a collection of caddisflies from Papua‐New Guinea. Twenty‐four taxa are identified to species and nine others are determined only to the generic level. Te new species (Diplectrona papuana n. sp., D. subtriangulaia n. sp., Herbertorossia kimminsi n. sp., Hydropsyche papuana n. sp., Cheumatopsyche beroni n. sp., Polycentropus mounthageni n. sp., P. elegans n. sp., Polyplectropus chapmani n. sp., Oecetis kimminsi n. sp. and Triaenodes lelefominicus n.sp.)and the females of Polycentropus similis Kimm, and Polycentropus sinuosus Kimm, are described. New faunistic data is presented for the other species which is supplemented in a few cases by taxonomic notes. The genera Cheumatopsyche, Polyplectropus and Nyctiophylax are new to the fauna of New Guinea.