Tendency of using different aromatic compounds as substrates by 2,4-DNT dioxygenase expressed by pJS39 carrying the gene dntA from Burkholderia sp. strain DNT

The substrate range of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) dioxygenase was investigated by measuring substrate-dependent O₂ uptake and maximum growth (expressed in A₆₀₀) on substrate-containing minimal medium. The control for each strain had no added particular substrate. The following aromatic compounds: catechol, α-naphthalene acetic acid, β-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, 3,4-dinitrosalicylic acid, p-nitrophenol, naphthanol, o-anisic acid, salicylic acid, toluene, and benzoic acid, were tried as possible substrates. Considering all substrates used, only p-nitrophenol showed zero oxygen uptake rate and zero growth. This indicates that it was rather unlikely that p-nitrophenol is a substrate analog for 2,4-DNT. Catechol was clearly used as a sole carbon source by both wild-type Escherichia. coli (JM103) and the dnt transformant (JS39). Using α-naphthalene acetic acid and β-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde as substrates resulted in DNT dioxygenase oxygen uptake rates of 11.8 and 14?μM/hr/mg protein, respectively. However, using both compounds as a carbon source, JS39 had twice the growth rate of E. coli JM103. For the remaining six substrates tested (3, 4-dinitrosalicylic acid, p-nitrophenol, o-anisic acid, salicylic acid, toluene, and benzoic acid), there appeared to be growth advantages for JS39 (even though the growth in the presence of substrate was less than the controls) suggesting a situation similar to that described for α-naphthalene and β-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde above. Combining results from our assay with respirometry and growth-based experiments will allow a better understanding of the biochemical consequences of these interactions. These results suggest that DNT dioxygenase gene, dntA carried by JS39, and those potential genes for substrates-degraded enzyme(s) system could have a common root.     

Fatty acid compositional changes during the embryonic development of the swimming crab,Portunus pelagicus (Portunidae: Decapoda)

Abstract

The fatty acid composition, moisture, and total lipid of the eggs from the swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, at three different embryonic stages (within 24 h, during the eye placode stage and the final heart beat stage), were measured. Results showed that the moisture and lipid content significantly increased and decreased (p < 0.05), respectively, as the stages progressed. The most prevalent fatty acids that were initially deposited included C16:0, C18:1n-9, and C18:0, while the most consumed fatty acids were C22:5n-6, C22:5n-3, and C20:1n-7. Among the major fatty acid groups, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) were consumed more than saturated fatty acids and significantly more (p < 0.05) than monounsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, n-3 PUFA was deposited in significantly higher amounts (p < 0.05) than n-6 PUFA, but both were consumed at similar amounts at 43.4% and 41.3%, respectively. The relatively low amount of C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 consumption may indicate these fatty acids were conserved, while the essential fatty acids C18:3n-3 and C18:3n-6 were consumed at high amounts. These findings may have implications for broodstock nutrition in order to formulate a well-balanced diet.     

Structure-Activity Relationship of Pyrimidine Heterosubstituted Nucleoside Analogues

Abstract

The structure-activity relationship of sixteen 3-deaza, C-4 substituted pyrimidines and imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidine bases of 1,3-oxathiolanes and 1,3-dioxolanes revealed good anti-HBV activity in 2.2.15 cells transfected with human hepatitis B virus of the imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidine nucleosides 21, 25 and 29. Two procedures for the preparation of C-4 substituted analogues are reported based on nucleophilic displacement of a sulfonamide or imidazole by a variety of nitrogen nucleophiles.     

A microtubule-independent role for centrosomes and aurora a in nuclear envelope breakdown

Aurora A kinase localizes to centrosomes and is required for centrosome maturation and spindle assembly. Here we describe a microtubule-independent role for Aurora A and centrosomes in nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD) during the first mitotic division of the C. elegans embryo. Aurora A depletion does not alter the onset or kinetics of chromosome condensation, but dramatically lengthens the interval between the completion of condensation and NEBD. Inhibiting centrosome assembly by other means also lengthens this interval, albeit to a lesser extent than Aurora A depletion. By contrast, centrosomally nucleated microtubules and the nuclear envelope-associated motor dynein are not required for timely NEBD. These results indicate that mitotic centrosomes generate a diffusible factor, which we propose is activated Aurora A, that promotes NEBD. A positive feedback loop, in which an Aurora A-dependent increase in centrosome size promotes Aurora A activation, may temporally couple centrosome maturation to NEBD during mitotic entry.     

Hierarchical assembly of the eggshell and permeability barrier in C. elegans

In metazoans, fertilization triggers the assembly of an extracellular coat that constitutes the interface between the embryo and its environment. In nematodes, this coat is the eggshell, which provides mechanical rigidity, prevents polyspermy, and is impermeable to small molecules. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we found that the Caenorhabditis elegans eggshell was composed of an outer vitelline layer, a middle chitin layer, and an inner layer containing chondroitin proteoglycans. The switch between the chitin and proteoglycan layers was achieved by internalization of chitin synthase coincident with exocytosis of proteoglycan-containing cortical granules. Inner layer assembly did not make the zygote impermeable as previously proposed. Instead, correlative light and electron microscopy demonstrated that the permeability barrier was a distinct envelope that formed in a separate step that required fatty acid synthesis, the sugar-modifying enzyme PERM-1, and the acyl chain transfer enzyme DGTR-1. These findings delineate the hierarchy of eggshell assembly and define key molecular mechanisms at each step.     

The human Mis12 complex is required for kinetochore assembly and proper chromosome segregation

During cell division, kinetochores form the primary chromosomal attachment sites for spindle microtubules. We previously identified a network of 10 interacting kinetochore proteins conserved between Caenorhabditis elegans and humans. In this study, we investigate three proteins in the human network (hDsn1Q9H410, hNnf1PMF1, and hNsl1DC31). Using coexpression in bacteria and fractionation of mitotic extracts, we demonstrate that these proteins form a stable complex with the conserved kinetochore component hMis12. Human or chicken cells depleted of Mis12 complex subunits are delayed in mitosis with misaligned chromosomes and defects in chromosome biorientation. Aligned chromosomes exhibited reduced centromere stretch and diminished kinetochore microtubule bundles. Consistent with this, localization of the outer plate constituent Ndc80HEC1 was severely reduced. The checkpoint protein BubR1, the fibrous corona component centromere protein (CENP) E, and the inner kinetochore proteins CENP-A and CENP-H also failed to accumulate to wild-type levels in depleted cells. These results indicate that a four-subunit Mis12 complex plays an essential role in chromosome segregation in vertebrates and contributes to mitotic kinetochore assembly.     

Discovery of 4H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones as potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus polymerase

A series of 4H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-one derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against HCV NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. A number of these compounds exhibited potent activity in enzymatic assay. The synthesis and structure–activity relationship are also described.     

A Highlights from MBoC Selection: Analyzing the Effects of Delaying Aster Separation on Furrow Formation during Cytokinesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans Embryo

Signaling by the centrosomal asters and spindle midzone coordinately directs formation of the cytokinetic furrow. Here, we explore the contribution of the asters by analyzing the consequences of altering interaster distance during the first cytokinesis of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. Delaying aster separation, by using TPXL-1 depletion to shorten the metaphase spindle, leads to a corresponding delay in furrow formation, but results in a single furrow that ingresses at a normal rate. Preventing aster separation, by simultaneously inhibiting TPXL-1 and Gα signaling-based cortical forces pulling on the asters, delays furrow formation and leads to the formation of multiple furrows that ingress toward the midzone. Disrupting midzone-based signaling, by depleting conserved midzone complexes, results in a converse phenotype: neither the timing nor the number of furrows is affected, but the rate of furrow ingression is decreased threefold. Simultaneously delaying aster separation and disrupting midzone-based signaling leads to complete failure of furrow formation. Based on these results, we propose that signaling by the separated asters executes two critical functions: 1) it couples furrow formation to anaphase onset by concentrating contractile ring proteins on the equatorial cortex in a midzone-independent manner and 2) it subsequently refines spindle midzone-based signaling to restrict furrowing to a single site.