Three-dimensional solution structure of the B domain of staphylococcal protein A: comparisons of the solution and crystal structures.

The three-dimensional solution structure of the recombinant B domain (FB) of staphylococcal protein A, which specifically binds to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G, was determined by NMR spectroscopy and hybrid distance geometry-dynamical simulated annealing calculations. On the basis of 692 experimental constraints including 587 distance constraints obtained from the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE), 57 torsion angle (phi, chi 1) constraints, and 48 constraints associated with 24 hydrogen bonds, a total of 10 converged structures of FB were obtained. The atomic root mean square difference among the 10 converged structures is 0.52 +/- 0.10 A for the backbone atoms and 0.98 +/- 0.08 A for all heavy atoms (excluding the N-terminal segment from Thr1 to Glu9 and the C-terminal segment from Gln56 to Ala60, which are partially disordered). FB is composed of a bundle of three alpha-helices, i.e., helix I (Gln10-His19), helix II (Glu25-Asp37), and helix III (Ser42-Ala55). Helix II and helix III are antiparallel to each other, whereas the long axis of helix I is tilted at an angle of about 30 degrees with respect to those of helix II and helix III. Most of the hydrophobic residues of FB are buried in the interior of the bundle of the three helices. It is suggested that the buried hydrophobic residues form a hydrophobic core, contributing to the stability of FB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Kinetic studies on CO binding to reconstituted myoglobins with four synthetic hemes; structural control in ligand binding to myoglobin.

Examination was made of CO binding reactions to four kinds of modified sperm whale myoglobin (Mb), whose heme was reconstituted by iron complexes of synthetic porphyrins such as porphine (Por), meso-tetramethylporphyrin (TMeP), meso-tetraethylporphyrin (TEtP) and meso-tetra(n-propyl)porphyrin (TnPrP), using flash photolysis and stopped-flow methods. The CO association rate was found to be 5- to 20-times and dissociation rate 10- to 36-times accelerated by replacement with synthetic hemes. These features could be explained based on characteristic structures of modified Mbs indicated by X-ray crystallography. The side chain of Arg-45 protruded from the heme vicinity into the solvent region and heme was tilted by interactions of meso-alkyl side chains with surrounding peptides, resulting in the formation of widely opened channels and pockets for ligand passage. These structural features indicate the CO ligand to more easily enter or exit from heme pockets of reconstituted myoglobins, compared to native Mb.     

Application of the micropipette technique to the measurement of cultured porcine aortic endothelial cell viscoelastic properties

The viscoelastic deformation of porcine aortic endothelial cells grown under static culture conditions was measured using the micropipette technique. Experiments were conducted both for control cells (mechanically or trypsin detached from the substrate) and for cells in which cytoskeletal elements were disrupted by cytochalasin B or colchicine. The time course of the aspirated length into the pipette was measured after applying a stepwise increase in aspiration pressure. To analyze the data, a standard linear viscoelastic half-space model of the endothelial cell was used. The aspirated length was expressed as an exponential function of time. The actin microfilaments were found to be the major cytoskeletal component determining the viscoelastic response of endothelial cells grown in static culture.     

Evolutionary double suicide in symbiotic systems

Mutualism is thought to face a threat of coextinction cascade because the loss of a member species could lead to the extinction of the other member. Despite this common emphasis on the perils of such knock-on effect, hitherto, the evolutionary causes leading to extinction have been less emphasised. Here, we examine how extinction could be triggered in mutualism and whether an evolutionary response to partner loss could prevent collateral extinctions, by theoretically examining the coevolution of the host exploitation by symbionts and host dependence on symbiosis. Our model reveals that mutualism is more vulnerable to co-extinction through adaptive evolution (evolutionary double suicide) than parasitism. Additionally, it shows that the risk of evolutionary double suicide rarely promotes the backward evolution to an autonomous (non-symbiotic) state. Our results provide a new perspective on the evolutionary fragility of mutualism and the rarity of observed evolutionary transitions from mutualism to parasitism.     

Localization of the antigen for the monoclonal antibody ②9F11-B-E4 interspecific cross-reaction in the freshwater triclads

The localization of the antigen for monoclonal antibody 9F11-B-E₄ was clarified by immuno-electron microscopy. The antigens were localized on the mitochondria and Golgi bodies in the male germ cells and on the secretory granules of various glands cells in the penis bulb and subepidermal parenchymal tissue of Phagocata vivida. The results of the interspecific cross-reaction tests with seven other freshwater triclads showed that these secretory granules are species-specific. A positive interspecific reaction was showed with Dugesia (family Dugesiidae), but not with Polycelis within the same family Planariidae which suggests the position of Phagocata within the Planariidae needs to be reassesed.