Gram-positive merA gene in gram-negative oral and urine bacteria

Clinical mercury resistant (Hg(r)) Gram-negative bacteria carrying Gram-positive mercury reductase (merA)-like genes were characterized using DNA-DNA hybridization, PCR and sequencing. A PCR assay was developed which discriminated between the merA genes related to Staphylococcus and those related to the Bacillus/Streptococcus merA genes by the difference in size of the PCR product. DNA sequence analysis correlated with the PCR assay. The merA genes from Acinetobacter junii, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli were sequenced and shared 98-99% identical nucleotide (nt) and 99.6-100% amino acid identity with the Staphylococcus aureus MerA protein. A fourth merA gene, from Pantoeae agglomerans, was partially sequenced (60%) and had 99% identical nt and 100% amino acid identity with the Streptococcus oralis MerA protein. All the Hg(r) Gram-negative bacteria transferred their Gram-positive merA genes to a Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis recipient with the resulting transconjugants expressing mercury resistance. These Gram-positive merA genes join Gram-positive tetracycline resistance and Gram-positive macrolide resistance genes in their association with mobile elements which are able to transfer and express in Gram-negative bacteria.     

Cadherin, alkaline phosphatase, and aminopeptidase N as receptors of Cry11Ba toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. jegathesan in Aedes aegypti

Cry11Ba is one of the most toxic proteins to mosquito larvae produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. It binds Aedes aegypti brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) with high affinity, showing an apparent dissociation constant (K(d)) of 8.2 nM. We previously reported that an anticadherin antibody competes with Cry11Ba binding to BBMV, suggesting a possible role of cadherin as a toxin receptor. Here we provide evidence of specific cadherin repeat regions involved in this interaction. Using cadherin fragments as competitors, a C-terminal fragment which contains cadherin repeat 7 (CR7) to CR11 competed with Cry11Ba binding to BBMV. This binding was also efficiently competed by the CR9, CR10, and CR11 peptide fragments. Moreover, we show CR11 to be an important region of interaction with Cry11Ba toxin. An alkaline phosphatase (AaeALP1) and an aminopeptidase-N (AaeAPN1) also competed with Cry11Ba binding to Ae. aegypti BBMV. Finally, we found that Cry11Ba and Cry4Ba share binding sites. Synthetic peptides corresponding to loops α8, β2-β3 (loop 1), β8-β9, and β10-β11 (loop 3) of Cry4Ba compete with Cry11Ba binding to BBMV, suggesting Cry11Ba and Cry4Ba have common sites involved in binding Ae. aegypti BBMV. The data suggest that three different Ae. aegypti midgut proteins, i.e., cadherin, AaeALP1, and AaeAPN1, are involved in Cry11Ba binding to Ae. aegypti midgut brush border membranes.     

Insertion mutations at the maizeOpaque2 locus induced by transposable element familiesAc, En/Spm andBg

Eight independently isolated unstable alleles of theOpaque2 (O2) locus were analysed genetically and at the DNA level. The whole series of mutations was isolated from a maize strain carrying a wild-typeO2 allele and the transposable elementActivator (Ac) at thewx-m7 allele. Previous work with another unstable allele of the same series has shown that it was indeed caused by the insertion of anAc element. Unexpectedly, the remaining eight mutations were not caused by the designatedAc element, but by other insertions that are structurally similar or identical to one of two different autonomous transposable elements. Six mutations were caused by the insertion of a transposable element of theEnhancer/Suppressor-Mutator (En/Spm) family. Two mutations were the result of the insertion of a transposable element of theBergamo (Bg) family. Genetic tests carried out with plants carrying the unstable mutations demonstrated that all were caused by the insertion of an autonomous transposable element.     

Genetic evidence of fragmented populations and inbreeding in the Colombian endemic Dahl’s toad-headed turtle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesoclemmys dahli</Emphasis>)

Population fragmentation is one of the most concerning consequences of habitat fragmentation, as small and isolated populations suffer increased genetic drift and inbreeding. However, the extent to which habitat fragmentation leads to population fragmentation depends not only on the landscape structure, but also on the response of organisms to it. This behavioral component makes it difficult to detect population fragmentation even if the habitat is fragmented, unless appropriate tools are used. In this study, we used a molecular approach to evaluate if Dahl’s toad-headed turtle (Mesoclemmys dahli) population was fragmented, given that it occurs in a very restricted area within the most degraded biome of Colombia, the tropical dry forest. We developed a panel of 15 microsatellite loci in order to perform the first genetic assessment of M. dahli across its complete geographic range. We found that M. dahli has significant genetic structure with at least four subpopulations, with surprisingly moderate to high levels of genetic diversity. Despite high levels of genetic diversity, subpopulations are very small (effective population sizes?<?50) and isolated, with little to no contemporary gene flow among them. As a consequence, mating among related individuals has been occurring, and all four populations are showing high degrees of inbreeding. To counteract this threat, we recommend an urgent genetic rescue strategy accompanied by habitat restoration, and advocate for a new conservation status assessment, not based on geographic range, but on adult population size and level of fragmentation.     

Analysis of the MMP-dependent and independent functions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 on the invasiveness of breast cancer cells

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted endopeptidases that play an essential role in remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). MMPs are primarily active during development, when the majority of ECM remodeling events occurs. In adults, elevated MMP activity has been observed in many pathological conditions such as cancer and osteoarthritis. The proteolytic activity of MMPs is controlled by their natural inhibitors - the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In addition to blocking MMP-mediated proteolysis, TIMPs have a number of MMP-independent functions including binding to cell surface proteins thereby stimulating signaling cascades. TIMP-2, the most studied member of the family, can both inhibit and activate MMPs directly, as well as inhibit MMP activity indirectly by upregulating expression of RECK, a membrane anchored MMP regulator. While TIMP-2 has been shown to play important roles in breast cancer, we describe how the MMP-independent effects of TIMP-2 can modulate the invasiveness of MCF-7, T47D and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Using an ALA + TIMP-2 mutant which is devoid of MMP inhibition, but still capable of initiating specific cell signaling cascades, we show that TIMP-2 can differentially affect MMP activity and cellular invasiveness in both an MMP dependent and independent manner. More specifically, MMP activity and invasiveness is increased with the addition of exogenous TIMP-2 in poorly invasive cell lines whereas it is decreased in highly invasive cells lines (MDA-MB-231). Conversely, the addition of ALA + TIMP-2 resulted in decreased invasiveness regardless of cell line.     

Deimination of Human Myelin Basic Protein by a Peptidylarginine Deiminase from Bovine Brain

Abstract: A peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD; EC 3.5.3.15) has been isolated from bovine brain and some of its characteristics have been studied. The enzyme showed an absolute requirement for Ca²⁺, a temperature optimum at ～50°C, and two K_mvalues when benzoylarginine ethyl ester was used as substrate, 0.78 mMand 11.2 mM.The higher K_mhas not been reported previously. Protein substrates for the enzyme included polyarginine and myelin basic protein but not histones. Because one of the components of MBP contains six citrullinyl residues per mole, enzymic deimination appeared to be a likely mechanism. When the most cationic component (C-1) was subjected to PAD in solution, 17 of the 19 arginyl residues were modified. From sequence analyses we concluded that the nature of the amino acid residues adjacent to the deiminated arginine were not modifiers of the reaction as arginyl residues in a variety of environments were deiminated. This deimination was reflected in a large increase in random structure, as measured by [θ]₂₀₀. At 5°C, the [θ]₂₀₀of the deiminated protein was -70 × 10³ compared with -30 × 10³ deg cm²/dmol for the native protein. When the temperature was increased to 70°C, the [θ]₂₀₀ was -44 × 10³ for the deiminated protein and -20 × 10⁷ deg cm²/ dmol for the native C-1. When plotted as a function of temperature, [θ]₂₀₀ decreased linearly from 5°C to 50°C for both proteins and did not change from 50°C to 70°C. PAD provides a mechanism for deimination of arginyl residues of myelin basic protein. The selective deimination of the six arginyl residues that are consistently found deiminated in C-8 may be determined by the orientation of the protein in the membrane and/or the more complex lipid composition of myelin may affect the selectivity of the deimination.     

Increased Respiration Through Cytochrome d Enhances Microaerobic N2Fixation in Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Nitrogenase activity was increased in a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (FN27) producing higher amounts of cytochrome d than the wild-type strain. The increased production of cytochrome d in FN27 showed a positive effect on nitrogenase activity in cells cultured with glucose as carbon source at 1 kPa oxygen but a negative effect at higher O₂concentrations. In cells cultured with pyruvate as carbon source, FN27 expressed higher activity of nitrogenase at all oxygen tensions tested when compared to the wild-type strain. This analysis shows that the over production of cytochrome d terminal oxidase improves nitrogen fixation in certain culture conditions.     

Multiple Sclerosis in the Mount Etna Region: Possible Role of Volcanogenic Trace Elements

Background

Trace elements have been hypothesised to be involved in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and volcanic degassing is the major natural sources of trace elements. Both incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Catania and volcanic activity of Mount Etna have been significantly increased during the last 30 years. Due to prevailing trade winds direction, volcanic gases from Etna summit craters are mostly blown towards the eastern and southern sectors of the volcano.

Objective

To evaluate the possible association between Multiple Sclerosis and exposure to volcanogenic trace elements.

Methods

We evaluated prevalence and incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in four communities (47,234 inhabitants) located in the eastern flank and in two communities (52,210 inhabitants) located in the western flank of Mount Etna, respectively the most and least exposed area to crater gas emissions.

Results

A higher prevalence was found in the population of the eastern flank compared to the population of the western one (137.6/100,000 versus 94.3/100,000; p-value 0.04). We found a borderline significantly higher incidence risk during the incidence study period (1980–2009) in the population of the eastern flank 4.6/100,000 (95% CI 3.1–5.9), compared with the western population 3.2/100,000 (95% CI 2.4–4.2) with a RR of 1.41 (95% CI 0.97–2.05; p-value 0.06). Incidence risks have increased over the time in both populations reaching a peak of 6.4/100,000 in the eastern flank and of 4.4/100.000 in the western flank during 2000–2009.

Conclusion

We found a higher prevalence and incidence of Multiple Sclerosis among populations living in the eastern flank of Mount Etna. According to our data a possible role of TE cannot be ruled out as possible co-factor in the MS pathogenesis. However larger epidemiological study are needed to confirm this hypothesis.