A monoclonal antibody raised against adult Schistosoma mansoni which recognizes a surface antigen on schistosomula

A monoclonal antibody has been raised by immunizing a mouse with an isolated tegumental preparation of adult Schistosoma mansoni. The hybridoma designated NIMP/M.47, secreted an IgG2a antibody which was positive by indirect immunofluorescence with live schistosomula of S. mansoni, but not with live schistosomula of S. bovis, or with other living life cycle stages of S. mansoni. In complement-dependent, or cell-mediated in vitro cytotoxicity assays, the monoclonal antibody mediated levels of schistosomular killing as high as those obtained with sera from infected mice. No significant protection, however, was obtained in passive transfer experiments. NIMP/M47 was specific for a 20,000 dalton polypeptide in the schistosomular surface, which was also recognized by serum from infected mice.     

Phosphorothioate analogues of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-diphosphate: 31P nuclear magnetic resonance study

31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to study the 1-phosphorothioate analogues of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-diphosphate (P-Rib-PP). Comparison of the proton-decoupled spectra of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (P-Rib-PP beta S) and the SP diastereomer of 5-phosphoribosyl 1-O-(1-thiodiphosphate) (P-Rib-PP alpha S) with the parent molecule revealed a characteristic large downfield chemical shift change for the resonance signal associated with the thiophosphate group (delta delta approximately 40-50 ppm) and an increase in the magnitude of the phosphate-thiophosphate spin-spin coupling constant (delta J alpha beta approximately 10 Hz). Both these changes are consistent with the observed effects of sulfur substitution on the behavior of the adenosine nucleotides, particularly ADP [Jaffe, E. K., & Cohn, M. (1978) Biochemistry 17, 652-657]. High-field 31P NMR has also been used to demonstrate the diastereomeric purity of P-Rib-PP alpha S (Sp diastereomer) and the greater lability of this analogue when compared with both P-Rib-PP beta S and P-Rib-PP. Sulfur substitution was found to cause a large decrease in the apparent pKa associated with the thiophosphate moiety of P-Rib-PP beta S (delta pKa approximately 1.4 units) and also to enhance the sensitivity of the thiophosphate chemical shift to protonation and, in particular, to Mg2+ binding, compared with P-Rib-PP. The potential application of the phosphorothioate analogues as probes of the reactions catalyzed by the phosphoribosyltransferase enzymes is discussed.     

80K-H Acts as a Signaling Bridge in Intact Living Cells Between PKCζ and the GLUT4 Translocation Regulator Munc18c

Insulin triggers the translocation of glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. To understand the nature of the missing links between upstream insulin activated kinases and proteins of the GLUT4 translocation apparatus, the role of 80K-H was examined to test if it was one such missing link in live cells. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy showed that the mobility of 80K-H was significantly decreased by insulin stimulation. This was dependent on the presence of PKCζ and an intact binding site for PKCζ. Insulin also increased the mobility of munc18c in an 80K-H- and PKCζ dependent manner. These results indicate that insulin induces dynamic associations between PKCζ, 80K-H, and munc18c and that 80K-H may act as a key signaling link between PKCζ and munc18c in live cells.     

Mid-Holocene coral community data as baselines for understanding contemporary reef ecological states

Land-use changes and associated deteriorations in water quality are cited as major drivers of marine ecosystem change, and can modify community abundance and diversity on coral reefs. This study uses palaeoecological data derived from a mid-Holocene age coral reef in the Wet Tropics region of Australia's Great Barrier Reef to develop a record of coral community composition and diversity, from a period that significantly pre-dates European settlement in the region. Major changes in catchment sediment and nutrient yields since European settlement have been documented, and thus the data presented provides a baseline against which to compare contemporary ecological datasets. Natural variations in coral assemblage composition, as preserved in core records, clearly occurred in this mid-Holocene reef and were associated with the reef shallowing to sea level as it accreted vertically. Comparisons between modern and mid-Holocene coral community data from equivalent water depths did not reveal marked shifts in coral community composition and diversity, suggesting the long-term persistence of a resilient coral assemblage over these time periods.