Thelephantins A,B and C: three benzoyl p-terphenyl derivatives from the inedible mushroom Thelephora aurantiotincta

Three benzoyl p-terphenyl derivatives named thelephantins A, B and C were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of fruit bodies of the Thelephoraceous Basidiomycete Thelephora aurantiotincta. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of high-resolution 2D NMR, MS, IR and UV spectra.     

Expression pattern and raft association of NIPSNAP3 and NIPSNAP4, highly homologous proteins encoded by genes in close proximity to the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

The highly homologous genes NIPSNAP3 and NIPSNAP4, with 87% amino acid identity, are members of the NIPSNAP family with putative roles in vesicular trafficking. NIPSNAP3 mRNA and NIPSNAP4 mRNA and protein were detected in multiple tissues and cells at varying degrees. Interestingly, NIPSNAP3 is most highly expressed in skeletal muscle, where NIPSNAP4 has a low mRNA abundance. NIPSNAP4 was found associated with membranes and partly localized in rafts. The ubiquitous expression of the highly conserved NIPSNAPs and their association with membranes further support an important cellular function of these proteins probably linked to vesicular trafficking. The NIPSNAP3 and NIPSNAP4 genes are located in close proximity to the 3' end of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), whose mutations cause familial high-density lipoprotein deficiency syndromes. The adjacent genomic location and the finding that ABCA1 is a regulator of vesicular trafficking may indicate a functional relation of these proteins, even though NIPSNAP4 does not interact directly with ABCA1 nor is its expression altered in cells with mutated ABCA1.     

Identification of purebred Crocodylus siamensis for reintroduction in Vietnam

Crocodylus siamensis, the Siamese crocodile, is a critically endangered species of freshwater crocodile previously distributed throughout much of SE Asia. Recovery plans call for reintroductions to the wild using founder individuals currently in captivity, mostly in commercial crocodile farms. On many farms C. siamensis has been intentionally hybridised with either Cuban crocodiles, C. rhombifer, or the estuarine crocodile, C. porosus, and hybrids may be difficult to distinguish morphologically. We report on the combined use of microsatellite and mtDNA genetic markers to determine the species status of potential founder individuals for reintroduction of C. siamensis. Genetic markers were used to characterise 103 captive and wild-caught individuals of C. siamensis, C. rhombifer and C. porosus in Vietnam and to distinguish purebred versus hybrid individuals. Although the microsatellite loci used had some overlap of allele sizes among species, assignment tests allowed differentiation. Four hybrids were identified, two of which had not been recognised morphologically as hybrids, and one of these was thought to be a C. siamensis suitable for reintroduction. Ten of the identified purebred C. siamensis were subsequently released into Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam.     

Physiological and biochemical aspects of the acid survival of Listeria monocytogenes

The physiological aspects of the response to acidic conditions and the correlated protein synthesis were studied by using Listeria monocytogenes grown in a chemically defined synthetic medium. This growth was greatly affected by pH of the medium. It decreased when pH declined and was arrested at pH 4. When pH went under 4, the bacteria began to die. If the bacteria had been adapted to an intermediary sublethal pH before imposition of lethal pH stress, they would have resisted better lethal pH. A prolonged treatment at intermediary pH, however, rendered the bacteria more sensitive to subsequent lethal pH. Organic volatile acids exerted a more deleterious effect on L. monocytogenes than inorganic acids at the same stressing pH. The acquired acid tolerance was conserved after several weeks of storage of the adapted bacteria at 4 degrees C. Acid stress and acid adaptation (tolerance) affected the synthesis patterns of bacterial proteins: Many proteins were repressed and several others increased in expression level. These acid-induced proteins were separated by two-dimensional (2D-) electrophoresis and analyzed by a computer-aided 2D-gel analysis system. The results obtained suggested that acid tolerance and acid stress responses require the synthesis of a certain number of shared proteins and that additional acid-induced proteins are needed when the bacteria must face more severe acidic pH.     

Chemical Composition,Mosquito Larvicidal and Antimicrobial Activities,and Molecular Docking Study of Essential Oils of Cinnamomum melastomaceum,Neolitsea buisanensis and Uvaria microcarpa from Vietnam

The leaf oil compositions of two Lauraceae and one Annonaceae plants cultivated in Vietnam were analysed by GC/MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. The leaf oil of the first Lauraceae plant Cinnamomum melastomaceum contained 34 identified compounds, in which benzyl benzoate (38.5 %), linalool (19.9 %), (E)-caryophyllene (10.5 %), and α-terpineol (6.9 %) were the major compounds. The leaves of the second Lauraceae plant Neolitsea buisanensis gave an oil with the main compounds (E)-β-ocimene (24.0 %), benzyl benzoate (15.8 %), bicyclogermacrene (14.9 %), and (E)-caryophyllene (6.3 %). The leaf oil of the Annonaceae plant Uvaria microcarpa consisted of the principal compounds (E)-caryophyllene (18.0 %), bicyclogermacrene (8.1 %), and δ-elemene (6.1 %). Two Lauraceae oil samples exhibited strong mosquito larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus with LC₅₀ and LD₉₀ values of less than 50 μg/mL. The Annonaceae oil sample showed strong antimicrobial activity against the fungus Aspergillus niger ATCC 1015 with the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) value of 32 μg/mL. In the docking approach, the major compounds (E)-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, and benzyl benzoate interacted with the mosquito odorant-binding protein 3OGN, whereas (E)-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, and δ-elemene also potentially interacted with the 4ZA5 protein of fungus A. niger.     

Selectivity of lipid-protein interaction with myelin proteolipids PLP and DM-20. A fluorescence anisotropy study

The two main myelin proteolipids, PLP (30 kDa) and DM-20 (25 kDa), differ by an internal deletion in DM-20. The deleted fragment, of 35 amino acids (116-150), corresponds to the major hydrophilic domain of PLP. Fluorescence anisotropy experiments using diphenylhexatriene as a fluorescent probe were performed to detect the phase separation induced by these two proteolipids in multilamellar vesicles of binary composition. We found that in vesicles composed of 30% L-alpha-PS and 70% DPPC, the PLP boundary layer contained about 18 motionally restricted phospholipids, almost exclusively L-alpha-PS. On the contrary, the DM-20 boundary layer contained only 14 to 15 phospholipids, with a composition no different from that of the bulk vesicle. In mixtures of DMPG and DPPC, the selectivity of PLP for the acidic phospholipid DMPG was maintained, but was lower than that observed for L-alpha-PS. We assume that this selectivity of PLP stems mainly from electrostatic interactions between the charged residues of the 116-150 fragment, deleted in DM-20, and the acidic phospholipids. These results suggest that fragment 116-150 may play a specific role in the interaction of PLP with the lipid bilayer of the myelin membrane.     

Isolation and identification of three ecdysteroid conjugates with a C-20 hydroxy group in eggs of locusta migratoria

Three ecdysteroids conjugates with a hydroxy group at C-20 were isolated from developing eggs of Locusta migratoria and identified as 22-phosphate conjugates of 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone acetate.