The role of calcium in monoamine-induced depression of cerebral cortical neurones

The calcium antagonists, lanthanum, verapamil and manganese, have been shown to antagonize the depressant actions of ionto-phoretically applied monoamines (noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and histamine), but not of γ-aminobutyric acid, on cerebral cortical neurones. Cocaine and ethanol, which also affect membrane calcium fluxes, have a similar antagonistic action. These findings suggest that calcium ions are essential for, and perhaps mediate, the characteristic depressant actions of the monoamines on cerebral cortical neurones.     

Lysine acetylome profiling uncovers novel histone deacetylase substrate proteins in Arabidopsis

Histone deacetylases have central functions in regulating stress defenses and development in plants. However, the knowledge about the deacetylase functions is largely limited to histones, although these enzymes were found in diverse subcellular compartments. In this study, we determined the proteome‐wide signatures of the RPD3/HDA1 class of histone deacetylases in Arabidopsis. Relative quantification of the changes in the lysine acetylation levels was determined on a proteome‐wide scale after treatment of Arabidopsis leaves with deacetylase inhibitors apicidin and trichostatin A. We identified 91 new acetylated candidate proteins other than histones, which are potential substrates of the RPD3/HDA1‐like histone deacetylases in Arabidopsis, of which at least 30 of these proteins function in nucleic acid binding. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that histone deacetylase 14 (HDA14) is the first organellar‐localized RPD3/HDA1 class protein found to reside in the chloroplasts and that the majority of its protein targets have functions in photosynthesis. Finally, the analysis of HDA14 loss‐of‐function mutants revealed that the activation state of RuBisCO is controlled by lysine acetylation of RuBisCO activase under low‐light conditions.     

Biomechanical comparison of unilateral and bilateral power snatch lifts

Biomechanical characteristics of the one-handed dumbbell power snatch (DBPS) were examined to determine whether significant differences existed between unilateral and bilateral weightlifting movements. Kinetic and kinematic movement data were recorded from 10 male weightlifters (mean +/- SD: age: 30.2 +/- 10.2 years; height: 174.2 +/- 4.4 cm; body mass: 81.5 +/- 14.6 kg) during one-handed dumbbell (DB) and traditional barbell (BBPS) power snatch performance with loads of approximately 80% of respective lift one repetition maximums (1RM) with the use of 2 synchronized Kistler force plates and high-speed 3-dimensional video. Results highlighted asymmetry in the ground reaction force and kinematic profile of the DBPS, which deviated from the observed patterns of the bilateral movement. This study found that the nonlifting side (the side corresponding with the hand that did not hold the DB) tended to generate a greater pull phase peak vertical ground reaction forces significantly faster (p = 0.001) than the lifting side (the side corresponding with the hand that held the DB) during the DBPS. In addition, the DBPS nonlifting side catch phase loading rate was approximately double that of the lifting side loading rate (p < 0.05). These results quantify symmetrical deviations in the movement patterns of the unilateral power snatch movement both during the concentric muscular contraction of load vertical displacement, and the loading implications of unilateral landing. This asymmetry supports the contention that unilateral variations of weightlifting movements may provide a different training stimulus to athletes.     

Decoding dangerous death: how cytotoxic chemotherapy invokes inflammation, immunity or nothing at all

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be either synergistic or antagonistic modalities in the treatment of cancer. Cytotoxic chemotherapy not only affects the tumor but also targets dividing lymphocytes, the very cells that are required to develop an immune response. For this reason, chemo- and immunotherapy have been seen as antagonistic. However, cell death can be immunogenic and the way in which chemotherapeutic drug kills a tumor cell is likely to be an important determinant of how that dying cell interacts with the immune system and whether the interaction will lead to an immune response. When a cell dies as the result of infection, the immune system responds rapidly and the system of Toll-like receptors (TLR) plays a key role in this process. In this review, we will briefly summarize the intracellular signaling pathways that link TLR ligation with immune activation and we will address the questions where and how TLRs recognize their targets.     

Arabidopsis At5g39790 encodes a chloroplast-localized,carbohydrate-binding,coiled-coil domain-containing putative scaffold protein

Background  

Starch accumulation and degradation in chloroplasts is accomplished by a suite of over 30 enzymes. Recent work has emphasized the importance of multi-protein complexes amongst the metabolic enzymes, and the action of associated non-enzymatic regulatory proteins. Arabidopsis At5g39790 encodes a protein of unknown function whose sequence was previously demonstrated to contain a putative carbohydrate-binding domain.     

Evidence excluding the root of the tree of life from the actinobacteria

The Actinobacteria are found in aquatic and terrestrial habitats throughout the world and are among the most morphologically varied prokaryotes. They manufacture unusual compounds, utilize novel metabolic pathways, and contain unique genes. This diversity may suggest that the root of the tree of life could be within the Actinobacteria, although there is little or no convincing evidence for such a root. Here, using gene insertions and deletions found in the DNA gyrase, GyrA, and in the paralogous DNA topoisomerase, ParC, we present evidence that the root of life is outside the Actinobacteria.