Identification,functional characterization,assembly and structure of ToxIN type III toxin–antitoxin complex from E. coli

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are proposed to play crucial roles in bacterial growth under stress conditions such as phage infection. The type III TA systems consist of a protein toxin whose activity is inhibited by a noncoding RNA antitoxin. The toxin is an endoribonuclease, while the antitoxin consists of multiple repeats of RNA. The toxin assembles with the individual antitoxin repeats into a cyclic complex in which the antitoxin forms a pseudoknot structure. While structure and functions of some type III TA systems are characterized, the complex assembly process is not well understood. Using bioinformatics analysis, we have identified type III TA systems belonging to the ToxIN family across different Escherichia coli strains and found them to be clustered into at least five distinct clusters. Furthermore, we report a 2.097 Å resolution crystal structure of the first E. coli ToxIN complex that revealed the overall assembly of the protein-RNA complex. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that toxin forms a high-affinity complex with antitoxin RNA resulting from two independent (5′ and 3′ sides of RNA) RNA binding sites on the protein. These results further our understanding of the assembly of type III TA complexes in bacteria.     

A short note on predicted motifs in the Thaparocleidus wallagonius genome

Thaparocleidus wallagonius is a monogenean parasite and a fish-borne pathogen with a worldwide distribution. The genome for Thaparocleidus wallagonius is known. Therefore, it is of interest to report the DNA motif analysis data in the 18S rDNA of Thaparocleidus wallagonius collected from the fish Wallago attu in India. This data forms a framework for an in-depth analysis of the parasite biology and development, immune evasion strategies, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host.     

Evidence for photosynthetic independence of viral multiplication in cyanophage LPP-1 infected cyanobacterium Phormidium uncinatum

Abstract Pigment decomposition, oxygen evolution and CO₂ fixation were measured in the cyanobacterium Phormidium uncinatum after infection with cyanophage LPP-1, under light and dark conditions. A gradual decrease in para benzoquinone supported O₂ evolution, chlorophyll a and phycocyanin level were noticed after 6 h of infection. These results demonstrated decreased photosynthetic activity of the host P. uncinatum prior to the start of LPP-1 multiplication. Metabolic inhibitor investigations confirmed that the cyanophage LPP-1 multiplication was independent of host photosynthesis.     

Effect of clofibrate on peroxisomal lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity

The effect of a 2-week clofibrate (0.5%)-fortified diet on peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceroyl-CoA ligases was studied. The activities of palmitoyl-CoA and lignoceroyl-CoA ligases in peroxisomes isolated from clofibrate-treated animals were 4.4- and 4.0-fold higher than those of the controls. The different degrees of increases in these two enzyme activities support the previous conclusions that in peroxisomes palmitoyl-CoA ligase and lignoceroyl-CoA ligase are different enzymes. Since clofibrate treatment increases both of these peroxisomal acyl-CoA ligase activities and normal palmitoyl-CoA ligase is the source of the partial activity for the oxidation of lignoceric acid in X-ALD, treatment with a hypolipidemic drug, which can increase human peroxisomal enzyme activities, may be helpful in lowering the amount of the pathogen, VLC fatty acids, in X-ALD.     

Regulation of urea-uptake in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum

Abstract The utilization of urea was studied in the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum . The uptake of urea was unaltered in the presence of ammonium. The cells receiving ATP exogenously showed an induced level of urea-uptake as compared with the control cells. Urease inhibitor acetohydroxamic acid and hydroxyurea as well as glutamate analogue, MSO, did not affect the uptake of urea. These results suggest: (1) urea and ammonia have different uptake sites, (2) urea-uptake is an energy dependent process, and (3) during short-term experiments, urea uptake is not linked with the enzyme urease or the ammonium assimilating enzyme glutamine synthetase.     

Effect of anti-mycobacterial antibodies on activation of the alternative pathway of the human complement system

Abstract Genome analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was performed by digestion with rare-cutting restriction endonucleases and subsequent one- and two-dimensional field inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE). The frequency of chromosomal recognition sites increased in the order Spe I, Dra I, Xba I, Ssp I, Nhe I. The genome size of strain PAO and the 17 IATS strains varied from 4.4 × 10⁶ to 5.4 × 10⁶ base pairs. Double restriction digests and two-dimensional FIGE provide a genome fingerprint which is useful for the identification and typing of the respective strains.     

Ultrastructural Differentiation of the Ovarian Transmitting Tissue in Lilium regale

The cells of the ovarian transmitting tissue of Lilium regaleare papilla shaped and form and epithelium on the placenta.Their ultrastructural organization and differentiation from1 d before to 7 d after anthesis is presented. These placentacells are typical transfer cells with a prominent secretionzone similar to that known from stylar canal cells. After anthesisthe secretion zone continues to grow by addition of vesiclefrom the numerous dictyosomes. Maximum depth of this zone isreached by day 4 after anthesis. The outer surface of the cellwall is distinctly rugged on cell maturation and the outermostlayer is corroded. The ER system undergoes transition from asmooth to a granular condition. Before anthesis there is a centralvacuole which at anthesis is reduced to a system of small vauoles.These are supplemented by autophagic vacuoles formed from theER. Such vacuoles are found near the secretion zone and mayalso fuse with the plasmalemma. The cuticle is sloughed andsecretion commences before anthesis. Accumulations of vesiclesfound in the nucleus and occasional connections between suchvesicles and the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope indicatethe presence of a nuclear network. Protein crystals are presentin the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The starch grains in the plastidsare digested after anthesis, but new ones are formed by days6 and 7.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press Lilium regale, transmitting tissue, placenta, secretion, nuclear reticulum, transfer cells     

Role of arterial blood gas (ABG) as a valuable assessment tool of disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 patients

BackgroundCOVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The foremost predominant complication of SARS-CoV-2 is arterial hypoxemia thereby disturbing lung compliance, requiring mechanical ventilation. The aim of the current research study is to analyze role of ABG as a valuable assessment tool of disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 patients.Methods170 arterial blood samples were collected from patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital, Amritsar. They were analyzed for arterial blood gas using ABG analyzer. Parameters of ABG such as pH, pCO2, HCO3, O2 saturation, ionized calcium (iCa) and calculated ionized calcium (at pH 7.4) was calculated for all the samples.ResultsContinuous variables were described as medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs) and categorical variables as percentages and frequencies. Spearman correlation test was done for calculation of correlation between pH and other ABG parameters. Analysis of arterial blood gas revealed significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between pH and pCO2 and significant positive correlation (p<0.05) between pH and HCO3 and between pH and delta ionized calcium. Low levels (98.2%) of ionized calcium were observed while monitoring the ABG findings though weak negative correlation (p<0.05) was observed between pH and iCa.ConclusionsOur study suggests that ABG analysis acts as a momentous indicator for critically ill patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Estimation of iCa in this critical care setting acts as a distinctive biochemical feature of SARS-CoV-2 disease, as an initial assessment tool, for hypocalcemia.     

Evaluation of Corrosion Resistance and Characterization of Ni-Cr Coated Structure Using Plasma Spray Coating for Marine Hulls

Plasmonics - Corrosion is a natural process which gradually destructs the materials with their environment by chemical or electrochemical means. Mechanized boat hull structures used in fishing were...