Inter-monomer electron transfer is too slow to compete with monomeric turnover in bc1 complex

The homodimeric bc₁ complexes are membrane proteins essential in respiration and photosynthesis. The ~ 11 Å distance between the two b_L-hemes of the dimer opens the possibility of electron transfer between them, but contradictory reports make such inter-monomer electron transfer controversial. We have constructed in Rhodobacter sphaeroides a heterodimeric expression system similar to those used before, in which the bc₁ complex can be mutated differentially in the two copies of cyt b to test for inter-monomer electron transfer, but found that genetic recombination by cross-over then occurs to produce wild-type homodimer. Selection pressure under photosynthetic growth always favored the homodimer over heterodimeric variants enforcing inter-monomer electron transfer, showing that the latter are not competitive. These results, together with kinetic analysis of myxothiazol titrations, demonstrate that inter-monomer electron transfer does not occur at rates competitive with monomeric turnover. We examine the results from other groups interpreted as demonstrating rapid inter-monomer electron transfer, conclude that similar mechanisms are likely to be in play, and suggest that such claims might need to be re-examined.     

Presynaptic CK2 promotes synapse organization and stability by targeting Ankyrin2

The precise regulation of synapse maintenance is critical to the development and function of neuronal circuits. Using an in vivo RNAi screen targeting the Drosophila kinome and phosphatome, we identify 11 kinases and phosphatases controlling synapse stability by regulating cytoskeletal, phospholipid, or metabolic signaling. We focus on casein kinase 2 (CK2) and demonstrate that the regulatory (β) and catalytic (α) subunits of CK2 are essential for synapse maintenance. CK2α kinase activity is required in the presynaptic motoneuron, and its interaction with CK2β, mediated cooperatively by two N-terminal residues of CK2α, is essential for CK2 holoenzyme complex stability and function in vivo. Using genetic and biochemical approaches we identify Ankyrin2 as a key presynaptic target of CK2 to maintain synapse stability. In addition, CK2 activity controls the subcellular organization of individual synaptic release sites within the presynaptic nerve terminal. Our study identifies phosphorylation of structural synaptic components as a compelling mechanism to actively control the development and longevity of synaptic connections.     

Faculty development practices in Canadian medical schools.

Twelve Canadian medical schools that had an organized faculty development program were surveyed to evaluate the extent to which such programs were used and to estimate their effectiveness. Common practices included sabbaticals and programs designed to improve instructional skills. The main problems included underfunding, poor participation and inadequate instructor evaluation.     

Dimorphism in methane seep-dwelling ecotypes of the largest known bacteria

We present evidence for a dimorphic life cycle in the vacuolate sulfide-oxidizing bacteria that appears to involve the attachment of a spherical Thiomargarita-like cell to the exteriors of invertebrate integuments and other benthic substrates at methane seeps. The attached cell elongates to produce a stalk-like form before budding off spherical daughter cells resembling free-living Thiomargarita that are abundant in surrounding sulfidic seep sediments. The relationship between the attached parent cell and free-living daughter cell is reminiscent of the dimorphic life modes of the prosthecate Alphaproteobacteria, but on a grand scale, with individual elongate cells reaching nearly a millimeter in length. Abundant growth of attached Thiomargarita-like bacteria on the integuments of gastropods and other seep fauna provides not only a novel ecological niche for these giant bacteria, but also for animals that may benefit from epibiont colonization.     

When corridors collide: Road-related disturbance in commuting bats

As an increasingly dominant feature in the landscape, transportation corridors are becoming a major concern for bats. Although wildlife–vehicle collisions are considered to be a major source of mortality, other negative implications of roads on bat populations are just now being realized. Recent studies have revealed that bats, like many other wildlife species, will avoid roads rather than cross them. The consequence is that roads act as barriers or filters to movement, restricting bats from accessing critical resources. Our objective was to assess specific features along the commuting route, road, or surrounding landscape (alone or in combination) that exacerbated or alleviated the likelihood of a commuting bat exhibiting an avoidance behavior in response to an approaching vehicle. At 5 frequently used commuting routes bisected by roads, we collected data on vehicles travelling along the roads (such as visibility and audibility), commuting bats (such as height), and composition of the commuting route. We revealed that commuting route structure dictated the frequency at which bats turned back along their commuting routes and avoided the road. We found that gaps (>2 m) in commuting routes, such as the road itself, caused bats to turn away just before they reached the road. Furthermore, we found that turning frequencies of bats increased with vehicle noise levels and the locations at which bats responded to vehicles corresponded with areas where noise levels were greatest, including gaps <2 m. This suggested that bats had a disturbance threshold, and only reacted to vehicles when associated noise reached a certain level. We found that threshold levels for our study species were approximately 88 dB, but this value was likely to vary among species. Thus, our findings indicate that restoring (e.g., replanting native trees and shrubs in gaps) and establishing commuting routes (such as planting tree-lines and wooded hedgerows), as well as creating road-crossing opportunities (such as interlinking canopies) will improve the permeability of a road-dominated landscape to bats. Furthermore, our study highlights the influence of the soundscape. We recommend that effective management and mitigation strategies should take into account the ecological design of the acoustic environment. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Influence of alpha-linked glucose on jejunal sodium-glucose co-transport activity in ruminants.

Eight steers and 12 lambs were used in a completely randomized experimental design to determine the effect of partial alpha-amylase starch hydrolysate (SH) on small intestinal sodium-dependent glucose transport activity. Starch hydrolysate was delivered ruminally or abomasally to steers (960 g/day) and sheep (144 g/day) for 7 days. On day 7, the steers were rendered unconscious, exsanguinated and eviscerated. A 1-m section of jejunum was collected starting at the duodenojejunal flexure. Sheep were anaesthetized with pentobarbital and the second meter of small intestine (jejunum) was collected. Brush-border membrane vesicles were prepared and sodium-dependent glucose uptake activity was measured using the rapid uptake/filtration technique. Alkaline phosphatase and maltase activity was enriched by 8.2+/-0.5- and 8.4+/-1.2-fold in the vesicle preparation, respectively, and was not different between treatments. Abomasal SH increased (P=0.03) the Na/glucose co-transport approximately two-fold in both cattle (47.2-114.0+/-31.5 pmol/mgxsec) and sheep (77.4-152.0+/-25.7 pmol mg(-1) s(-1)). We conclude that Na/glucose co-transport activity by enterocytes responds to luminal alpha-linked glucose (from abomasal infusion) in ruminants, compared with controls. Intestinal maltase-specific activity does not respond to alpha-linked glucose in cattle, and decreases slightly in sheep.     

Regional chromosomal assignment of human renin gene to 1q12----qter and use in linkage studies in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

The gene for renin, previously mapped to human chromosome 1, was further localized to 1q12----qter using human-mouse somatic cell hybrid DNAs. The renin DNA probe used (lambda HR5) could detect a HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism. When used in studies of 12 informative families, no linkage could be found between the renin gene and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Furthermore, an association of any renin allele with hypertension was not apparent.