Isolation and characterization of Photosystem I from two strains of the marine oxychlorobacterium Prochlorococcus

Photosystem I (PS I) complexes from two strains of the marine photosynthetic prokaryote Prochlorococcus, MED4 (= clone CCMP1378) and SS120 (= clone CCMP1375), were isolated by centrifugation on sucrose gradients after detergent treatment. The PS I-enriched fractions of both strains contained about 100 chlorophyll molecules per P700. Electron microscopy showed that the PS I complexes were in a trimeric form. The characteristic long wavelength fluorescence emission of PS I at 77 K, currently observed in chloroplasts and most cyanobacteria was absent both in intact cells and in PS I preparations of both strains. The major proteins of the PS I-enriched fractions were identified immunologically as PsaA and PsaB. Two proteins with apparent molecular masses of about 21 and 25 kDa were present in PS I preparations of Prochlorococcus, whereas the small PS I subunits in cyanobacteria all have molecular masses below 18 kDa. The 25 kDa protein showed a strong cross-reaction with a heterologous antibody against PsaL. Relatedness of the 21 kDa protein to PsaF was demonstrated by internal protein sequencing. Although only trace amounts of the major divinyl-Chl a/b-binding antenna complexes were present in the PS I preparations, significant amounts of divinyl-Chl b were observed in this fraction. The putative organization of this Chl b in PS I is discussed.     

From Panspermia to Bioastronomy,the Evolution of the Hypothesis of Universal Life

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, ideas related to the possible origin in space of bioorganic molecules, or seeds, or even germs and organisms (and how they reached the Earth) included the Panspermia theory. Based on the idea of the eternity of life proposed by eminent physicists – such as Arrhenius and Kelvin – Panspermia is mainly divided into two branches: lithopanspermia (transport of germs inside stones traveling in space) and radiopanspermia (transport of spores by radiative pressure of stellar light). We point out some arguments to help to understand whether Panspermia could exist nowadays as the same theory defined one century ago. And we wonder about the kind of evolution Panspermia could have undergone during only a few decades. This possible evolution of the Panspermia concept takes place in the framework of the emergence of a new field, Bioastronomy. We present how this discipline has emerged during a few decades and how it has evolved. We consider its relationship with the progression of other scientific fields, and finally we examine how it is now included in different projects of space agencies. Bioastronomy researches having become more and more robust during the last few years, we emphasize several questions about new ideas and their consequences for the current hypothesis of Panspermia and of universal life.     

Lysozyme crystal growth, as observed by small angle X-ray scattering, proceeds without crystallization intermediates

A combination of small angle X-ray scattering and gel techniques was used to follow the kinetics of protein crystal growth as a function of time. Hen egg white lysozyme, at different protein concentrations, was used as a model system. A new sample holder was designed, in which supersaturation is induced in the presence of salt by decreasing the temperature. It had been shown previously that a decrease in temperature and/or an increase in crystallizing agent induces an increase in the attractive interactions present in the lysozyme solutions, the lysozyme remaining monomeric. In the present paper we show that similar behaviour is observed in NaCl when agarose gels are used. During crystal growth, special attention was paid to determine whether oligomers were formed as the protein in solution was incorporated in the newly formed crystals. From these first series of experiments, we did not find any indication of oligomer formation between monomer in solution and crystal. The results obtained are in agreement with the hypothesis that lysozyme crystals in NaCl grow by addition of monomeric particles. Received: 28 July 1997 / Revised version: 4 December 1997 / Accepted: 5 December 1997     

BMP-4 is proteolytically activated by furin and/or PC6 during vertebrate embryonic development.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is a multifunctional developmental regulator. BMP-4 is synthesized as an inactive precursor that is proteolytically activated by cleavage following the amino acid motif -Arg-Ser-Lys-Arg-. Very little is known about processing and secretion of BMPs. The proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of seven structurally related serine endoproteases, at least one of which, furin, cleaves after the amino acid motif -Arg-X-Arg/Lys-Arg-. To examine potential roles of PCs during embryonic development we have misexpressed a potent protein inhibitor of furin, alpha1-antitrypsin Portland (alpha1-PDX) in early Xenopus embryos. Ectopic expression of alpha1-PDX phenocopies the effect of blocking endogenous BMP activity, leading to dorsalization of mesoderm and direct neural induction. alpha1-PDX-mediated neural induction can be reversed by co-expression of downstream components of the BMP-4 signaling pathway. Thus, alpha1-PDX can block BMP activity upstream of receptor binding, suggesting that it inhibits an endogenous BMP-4 convertase(s). Consistent with this hypothesis, alpha1-PDX prevents cleavage of BMP-4 in an oocyte translation assay. Using an in vitro digestion assay, we demonstrate that four members of the PC family have the ability to cleave BMP-4, but of these, only furin and PC6B are sensitive to alpha1-PDX. These studies provide the first in vivo evidence that furin and/or PC6 proteolytically activate BMP-4 during vertebrate embryogenesis.     

Calcium and S100B Regulation of p53-Dependent Cell Growth Arrest and Apoptosis

In glial C6 cells constitutively expressing wild-type p53, synthesis of the calcium-binding protein S100B is associated with cell density-dependent inhibition of growth and apoptosis in response to UV irradiation. A functional interaction between S100B and p53 was first demonstrated in p53-negative mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF cells) by sequential transfection with the S100B and the temperature-sensitive p53Val135 genes. We show that in MEF cells expressing a low level of p53Val135, S100B cooperates with p53Val135 in triggering calcium-dependent cell growth arrest and cell death in response to UV irradiation at the nonpermissive temperature (37.5°C). Calcium-dependent growth arrest of MEF cells expressing S100B correlates with specific nuclear accumulation of the wild-type p53Val135 conformational species. S100B modulation of wild-type p53Val135 nuclear translocation and functions was confirmed with the rat embryo fibroblast (REF) cell line clone 6, which is transformed by oncogenic Ha-ras and overexpression of p53Val135. Ectopic expression of S100B in clone 6 cells restores contact inhibition of growth at 37.5°C, which also correlates with nuclear accumulation of the wild-type p53Val135 conformational species. Moreover, a calcium ionophore mediates a reversible G₁ arrest in S100B-expressing REF (S100B-REF) cells at 37.5°C that is phenotypically indistinguishable from p53-mediated G₁ arrest at the permissive temperature (32°C). S100B-REF cells proceeding from G₁ underwent apoptosis in response to UV irradiation. Our data support a model in which calcium signaling and S100B cooperate with the p53 pathways of cell growth inhibition and apoptosis.     

What effect does classroom separation have on twins' behavior, progress at school, and reading abilities?

We investigated the effects of classroom separation on twins' behavior, progress at school, and reading abilities. This investigation was part of a longitudinal study of a nationally-representative sample of twins (the E-risk Study) who were assessed at the start of school (age 5) and followed up (age 7). We examined three groups of twins: pairs who were in the same class at both ages; pairs who were in separate classes at both ages; and pairs who were in the same class at age 5, but separated by age 7. When compared to those not separated, those separated early had significantly more teacher-rated internalizing problems and those separated later showed more internalizing problems and lower reading scores. Monozygotic (MZ) twins showed more problems as a result of separation than dizygotic (DZ) twins. No group differences emerged for externalizing problems, ADHD or prosocial behaviors. The implications of the findings for parents and teachers of twins, and for school practices about separating twins, are discussed.     

Synthesis and biological activity of N-aroyl-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines

Research on dual inhibitors of both 5-LOX and COXs gained interest due to the overexpressions of these enzymes during the malignant state of the evolution of prostate cancer. In order to take part in this research, new N-aroyl-tetrahydro-γ-carbolines issued from the modification of Indomethacin have been synthesised. As for the NSAIDs, the compounds have been tested for their activity against COX₁, COX₂ plus against 5-LOX and against the proliferation of malignant prostate cancer. Interesting cytotoxic activities and selectivities of some tetrahydro-γ-carboline derivatives have been obtained.     

Material & equipment,procurement & maintenance: Impact on blood safety

Blood Transfusion Safety is dependent on effectively organised and managed blood services, which have adequate financial resources, skilled manpower, appropriate infrastructure and quality management systems in place.80% of the world's population has access to 20% of the supply blood products, of which little is consistently safe.HIV highlighted the importance of blood safety. The lack of effective blood services in low human development index (LHDI), developing countries, has lead to international funding and capacity building for more than three decades. The initial strategies focused on providing HIV testing reagents to prevention transmission, however this only addresses one part of blood safety.Blood safety is not only dependent on preventing HIV transmission. In many populations there are other infectious agents, which have a higher prevalence. Ensuring the correct blood is provided to the patient depends on: well managed services with effective leadership and adequate budgets; capacity building and retention of skilled experienced staff; availability of laboratory equipment, correctly maintained; blood cold chain systems; procedures for tendering, purchasing and ensuring an unbroken supply of reagents and consumables; and quality management systems.Barriers for simplified effective tendering, procurement and contracting require urgent attention and coordination of all funding organisations to ensure an unbroken supply of reagents.