Identification and cellular localization of the actin-binding protein ABP-120 from Entamoeba histolytica

Several actin-binding proteins participate in the morphological changes that occur during amoeboid movement. The gene encoding one of these proteins, the gelation factor ABP-120, was identified and characterized from trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica . The sequence contains 2574 nucleotides, with an open reading frame of 858 amino acids, giving a protein of 93 kDa belonging to the spectrin family. The N-terminal domain of ABP-120 from E. histolytica revealed a consensus site for actin binding homologous to the actin-binding sites of ABP-120 of Dictyostelium discoideum , α-actinin and spectrin. Analysis of the central domain revealed the presence of four repeats of a 73-amino-acid motif constituting 31% of the protein. In addition, a stretch of 105 amino acids was highly divergent when compared with the C-terminal domain of D. discoideum ABP-120. This sequence showed short motifs that are homologous to microtubule-binding domains. We found that ABP-120 from E. histolytica binds to F-actin. In addition, upon motility of the parasite, this protein localized in the pseudopod and the uroid region, implying a role for ABP-120 in movement and capping of surface receptors in E. histolytica .     

A new method to determine the aw range in which immobilized lipases display optimum activity in organic media

Summary We describe a qualitative method to predict the pre-equilibration a_w, system value in which, covalent immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica to sepharose and silica, displayed best synthetic activity. The methodology is based in the analysis of the water adsorption isotherms of the biocatalyst in air and in the organic solvent. The biocatalyst is active at pre-equilibration a_w values higher than the divergence point between both isotherms. In addition, native and immobilized lipase display highest activity if the biocatalyst is pre-equilibrated at a_w=P point. For preparative purposes, the validity of the method was proved in the esterification of racemic 2-(4-isobutyl phenyl) propionic acid with 1-propanol in isooctane at long reaction time.     

植酸对稻米品质影响的研究（Ⅰ）

本文报道在水稻生长的抽穗期、齐穗期、灌浆期和蜡熟期喷施不同浓度植酸改良稻米品质的研究。结果表明,在水稻生长的不同阶段,控制喷施植酸浓度可提高糙米率,降低稻米垩白。     

Ehrlich cell plasma membrane redox system is modulated through signal transduction pathways involvingcGMP and Ca2+ as second messengers

Ehrlich cell plasma membrane ferricyanide reductase activity increased in the presence of mastoparan, a generic activator of G proteins, using either whole cells or isolated plasma membrane fractions. Agents that increase intracellularcAMP also increased the rate of ferricyanide reduction by Ehrlich cells. For the first time, evidence is shown on a modulation of plasma membrane redox system bycGMP. In fact, permeant analogs ofcGMP, dibutyrylcGMP, and 8-bromo-cGMP increased the rate of ferricyanide reduction by the Ehrlich cell plasma membrane redox system. Furthermore, specific inhibition ofcGMP-phosphodiesterases by dipyridamole was also accompanied by an enhancement in the rate of ferricyanide reduction. On the other hand, treatments expected to increase cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentrations were accompanied by a remarkable stimulation of the reductase activity. Taking all these data together, it seems that the Ehrlich cell plasma membrane redox system is under a multiple and complex regulation by different signal transduction pathways involving G proteins, cyclic nucleotides, and Ca²⁺ ions.     

Effect of Root Zone Temperature on the Mineral Composition of Xylem Sap and Plasma Membrane K+-Mg++-ATPase Activity of Grafted-Cucumber and -Figleaf Gourd Root Systems

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings were grafted onto cucumber-(CG) or figleaf gourd- (FG, Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché)seedlings in order to determine the effect of solution temperature(12, 22, and 32°C) on the mineral composition of xylem sapand the plasma membrane K⁺-Mg⁺⁺-ATPase activities of the roots.Low solution temperature (12°C) lowered the concentrationof NO^–₃ and H₂PO^–₄ in xylem sap of CG plants butnot of FG plants. Concentrations of K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ in xylemsap were less affected than anions by solution temperature.The plasma membrane of FG plants grown in 12°C solutiontemperature showed the highest K⁺- Mg⁺⁺-ATPase activity at allATP concentrations up to 3 mM and at low reaction temperatureup to 12°C, indicating resistance of figleaf gourd to lowroot temperature. (Received December 27, 1994; Accepted March 10, 1995)     

Yeast colonizing the intestine of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and turbot (Scophtalmus maximus)

Yeast were isolated from the intestine of farmed rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), turbot (Scophtalmus maximus), and free-living flat-fish (Pleuronectes platessa and P. flesus). The average number of viable yeasts recovered from farmed rainbow trout was 3.0 × 10³ and 0.5 × 10² cells per gram homogenized intestine for white and red-pigmented yeasts, respectively. The dominant species were Debaryomyces hansenii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhodotorula rubra, and R. glutinis. In 5 of 10 free-lving marine fish, > 100 viable yeast cells per gram intestinal mucus were recovered. Red-pigmented yeasts dominated and composed >90% of the isolates. Colonization experiments were performed by inoculating rainbow trout and turbot with fish-specific, isolated yeast strains and by examining the microbial intestinal colonization at intervals. Inoculation of experimental fish with pure cultures of R. glutinis and D. hansenii HF1 yielded colonization at a level several orders of magnitude higher than before the inoculation. Up to 3.8 × 10⁴, 3.1 × 10⁶, and 2.3 × 10⁹ viable yeast cells per gram intestine or feces were recovered in three separate colonization experiments. The high level of colonizing yeasts persisted for several weeks. The concentrations of yeasts in the tank water never exceeded 10³ viable cells per milliliter. No traces of fish sickness as a result of high yeast colonization were recorded during any of the colonization experiments. For periods of the experiments, the concentration of aerobic bacteria in the fish intestine was lower than the intestinal yeast concentration. Scanning electron microscopy studies demonstrated a close association of the yeasts with the intestinal mucosa. The mucosal colonization was further demonstrated by separating intestinal content, mucus, and tissue. All compartments were colonized by >10³ viable yeast cells per gram. No bacteria were detected on the micrographs, indicating that their affinity for the intestinal mucosa was less than that of the yeasts. Correspondence to: Thomas Andtid     

The structural role of the carotenoid in the bacterial light-harvesting protein 2 (LH2) of Rhodonbacter capsulatus. A Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism study

In previous work (Zurdo J, Fernández-Cabrera C and Ramírez JM (1993) Biochem J 290: 531–537), it had been shown that selective extraction of the carotenoid from the light-harvesting protein 2 (LH2) of Rhodobacter capsulatus induced the dissociation of 800-nm absorbing bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl), a 10-nm red shift of 854-nm Bchl, and a decrease of the stability of the protein in detergent solution. In the present study, the Fourier transform Raman and near-infrared circular dichroism spectra of native and carotenoid-depleted LH2 membrane preparations were compared. It was found that while the coupled carbonyls of 854-nm Bchl remained specifically H-bonded to the peptides after carotenoid extraction, the optical activity of the near-infrared electronic transition was significantly altered. Given the excitonic origin of such optical activity, our data suggest that carotenoid extraction elicits a rearrengement of the chromophore cluster and of the associated polypeptide subunits. This implies a significant role of the carotenoid in maintaining the native quaternary structure of the protein, which would be consistent with the observed dissociation of 800-nm Bchl and the loss of solubilized LH2 stability that result from carotenoid removal. There is no evidence for a similar role of the carotenoid in the LH1 protein.Abbreviations Bchl bacteriochlorophyll - FT Fourier transform - CD circular dichroism - LH1 and LH2 the bacterial light-harvesting proteins 1 and 2 In memoriam of Daniel I. Arnon.     

Evidence for the involvement of ethylene in the expression of specific RNAs during maturation of the orange,a non-climacteric fruit

Twelve cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs inducible by ethylene were isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library from ethylene-treated Citrus sinensis fruits. Northern analysis of RNA extracted from flavedo of ethylene-treated fruits and from fruits at different maturation stages showed that some of the mRNAs corresponding to these cDNAs were regulated both by ethylene treatment and during fruit maturation. The effect of exogenous ethylene on leaves and of endogenous ethylene on flowers showed that gene induction was not restricted to the flavedo tissue. The possible role of ethylene during maturation of the non-climacteric Citrus fruit is discussed.