Comparative studies between covalently immobilized and coated chiral stationary phases based on polysaccharide derivatives for enantiomer separation of N‐protected α‐amino acids and their ester derivatives

Liquid chromatographic enantiomer separation of several N‐benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ) and N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl (BOC) α‐amino acids and their corresponding ethyl esters was performed on covalently immobilized chiral stationary phases (CSPs) (Chiralpak IA and Chiralpak IB) and coated‐type CSPs (Chiralpak AD and Chiralcel OD) based on polysaccharide derivatives. The solvent versatility of the covalently immobilized CSPs in enantiomer separation of N‐CBZ and BOC‐α‐amino acids and their ester derivatives was shown and the chromatographic parameters of their enantioselectivities and resolution factors were greatly influenced by the nature of the mobile phase. In general, standard mobile phases using 2‐propanol and hexane on Chiralpak IA showed fairly good enantioselectivities for resolution of N‐CBZ and BOC‐α‐amino acids and their esters. However, 50% MTBE/hexane (v/v) for resolution of N‐CBZ‐α‐amino acids ethyl esters and 20% THF/hexane (v/v) for resolution of N‐BOC‐α‐amino acids ethyl esters afforded the greatest enantioselectivities on Chiralpak IA. Also, liquid chromatographic comparisons of the enantiomer resolution of these analytes were made on amylose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐derived CSPs (Chiralpak IA and Chiralpak AD) and cellulose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐derived CSPs (Chiralpak IB and Chiralcel OD). Chiralpak AD and/or Chiralcel OD showed the highest enantioselectivities for resolution of N‐CBZ‐α‐amino acids and esters, while Chiralpak AD or Chiralpak IA showed the highest resolution of N‐BOC‐α‐amino acids and esters. Chirality 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Rescue of key features of the p63‐null epithelial phenotype by inactivation of Ink4a and Arf

Mice lacking p63 cannot form skin, exhibit craniofacial and skeletal defects, and die soon after birth. The p63 gene regulates a complex network of target genes, and disruption of p63 has been shown to affect the maintenance of epithelial stem cells, the differentiation of keratinocytes, and the preservation of the adhesive properties of stratified epithelium. Here, we show that inactivation of p63 in mice is accompanied by aberrantly increased expression of the Ink4a and Arf tumour suppressor genes. In turn, anomalies of the p63‐null mouse affecting the skin and skeleton are partially ameliorated in mice lacking either Ink4a or Arf. Rescue of epithelialization is accompanied by restoration of keratinocyte proliferative capacity both in vivo and in vitro and by expression of markers of squamous differentiation. Thus, in the absence of p63, abnormal upregulation of Ink4a and Arf is incompatible with skin development.     

Characterization of HSCD5, a novel human stearoyl-CoA desaturase unique to primates

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that catalyzes the formation of monounsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids. Recent studies suggest that SCD is a key regulator of energy metabolism and has implications in dislipidemia and obesity. Four SCD isoforms (SCD1-4) have been identified in mouse. In human, only one SCD isoform has been characterized so far. Here we report that the previously reported human ACOD4 gene encodes a distinct stearoyl-CoA desaturase, hSCD5. GenBank database mining revealed orthologues of hSCD5 in the primates, but not in the rodents. In transiently transfected 293 cells, hSCD5 co-localized with calnexin on ER membrane. Microsome fractions prepared from hSCD1 and hSCD5 transfected cells displayed similar delta 9 desaturase activity. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis suggested that hSCD5 was abundantly expressed in adult brain and pancreas. These data suggested that hSCD5 plays a role distinct from that of hSCD1 during development and in normal physiological conditions.     

A Genome-wide Functional Characterization of Arabidopsis Regulatory Calcium Sensors in Pollen Tubes

Calcium, an ubiquitous second messenger, plays an essential and versatile role in cellular signaling. The diverse function of calcium signals is achieved by an excess of calcium sensors. Plants possess large numbers of calcium sensors, most of which have not been functionally characterized. To identify physiologically relevant calcium sensors in a specific cell type, we conducted a genome-wide functional survey in pollen tubes, for which spatiotemporal calcium signals are well-characterized and required for polarized tip growth. Pollen-specific members of calmodulin (CaM), CaM-like (CML), calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) and calcineurin B-like protein (CBL) families were tagged with green fluorescence protein (GFP) and their localization patterns and overexpression phenotypes were characterized in tobacco pollen tubes. We found that several fusion proteins showed distinct overexpression phenotypes and subcellular localization patterns. CDPK24-GFP was localized to the vegetative nucleus and the generative cell/sperms. CDPK32-GFP caused severe growth depolarization. CBL2-GFP and CBL3-GFP exhibited dynamic patterns of subcellular localization, including several endomembrane compartments, the apical plasma membrane (PM), and cytoskeleton-like structures in pollen tubes. Their overexpression also inhibited pollen tube elongation and induced growth depolarization. These putative calcium sensors are excellent candidates for the calcium sensors responsible for the regulation of calcium homeostasis and calcium-dependent tip growth and growth oscillation in pollen tubes.     

Precipitation Regime Shift Enhanced the Rain Pulse Effect on Soil Respiration in a Semi-Arid Steppe

The effect of resource pulses, such as rainfall events, on soil respiration plays an important role in controlling grassland carbon balance, but how shifts in long-term precipitation regime regulate rain pulse effect on soil respiration is still unclear. We first quantified the influence of rainfall event on soil respiration based on a two-year (2006 and 2009) continuously measured soil respiration data set in a temperate steppe in northern China. In 2006 and 2009, soil carbon release induced by rainfall events contributed about 44.5% (83.3 g C m⁻²) and 39.6% (61.7 g C m⁻²) to the growing-season total soil respiration, respectively. The pulse effect of rainfall event on soil respiration can be accurately predicted by a water status index (WSI), which is the product of rainfall event size and the ratio between antecedent soil temperature to moisture at the depth of 10 cm (r ² = 0.92, P<0.001) through the growing season. It indicates the pulse effect can be enhanced by not only larger individual rainfall event, but also higher soil temperature/moisture ratio which is usually associated with longer dry spells. We then analyzed a long-term (1953–2009) precipitation record in the experimental area. We found both the extreme heavy rainfall events (>40 mm per event) and the long dry-spells (>5 days) during the growing seasons increased from 1953–2009. It suggests the shift in precipitation regime has increased the contribution of rain pulse effect to growing-season total soil respiration in this region. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating precipitation regime shift and its impacts on the rain pulse effect into the future predictions of grassland carbon cycle under climate change.     

Integument and sensory nerve differentiation ofDrosophila leg and wing imaginal discs in vitro

Summary An ultrastructural analysis is presented of the cuticular and neural structures formed by the prothoracic leg and wing imaginal discs of maleDrosophila melanogaster larvae during culture in vitro with 0.2 g/ml of -ecdysone. A pupal cuticle, and subsequently an imaginal cuticle with a well-defined epicuticle and a laminated endocuticle is formed. The ultrastructure of the epidermis and of cuticular structures such as bristles, trichomes, apodemes, and tracheoles is very similar to that found in situ. Dendrites and nerve cell bodies are formed in vitro, and sensory axons form nerve bundles similar to those of normal appendages in situ, despite their isolation from the central nervous system. It is concluded that at the ultrastructural level, differentiation in vitro closely parallels the normal course of development.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum vietnamensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Prorocentraceae Dinophyta): A new armored dinoflagellate from Vietnam coastal waters

TheProrocentrum species, which are primarily marine, are distributed worldwide and occur in ocean, neritic, and littoral environments.Prorocentrum is either a planktonic or benthic genus, with some species possibly being both. Until now, about 35 species had been reported including two that are fresh-water. Some species contain toxic substances. As one of many currently active studies, we collectedP. vietnamensis sp. nov. from Hon Mé, Gulf of Tongkin, Vietnam. Based on its cell shape, smooth valve surface, arrangement of valves and marginal pores, plus characteristics of the central pyrenoid, we propose thatP. vietnamensis is a new species. Its attributes include straight cell sides that are parallel to each other, as well as anterior and posterior areas with rounded ends that form a short, rod-shaped cell that is unique to this species.     

Simultaneous assessment of the effects of exonic mutations on RNA splicing and protein functions

To simultaneously assess the effects of exonic mutations on RNA splicing and protein functions, we report here an intron-inclusive cDNA (Intinc) expression system. As a test model, twenty-four mutations in exon 9 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene were examined in an Intinc expression plasmid composed of the PAH cDNA with the exon 9 flanked by its authentic introns. When the PAH enzyme activities from the Intinc plasmid-transfected cells were compared to those of a standard cDNA expression system, five mutations resulted in significant relative differences in PAH activities attributed to altered exon 9-inclusive mRNA levels. Two of the mutations affected exon recognition probably through splice site modifications and the remaining three affected experimentally verified exon splicing enhancer (ESE) motifs. The Intinc expression system allows not only a better link between mutation genotype to disease phenotype but also contributes to further understanding of molecular mechanisms of deleterious effects of mutations.