The chloroplast genome from a lycophyte (microphyllophyte), <Emphasis Type="Italic">Selaginella uncinata</Emphasis>, has a unique inversion,transpositions and many gene losses

We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the chloroplast genome of Selaginella uncinata, a lycophyte belonging to the basal lineage of the vascular plants. The circular double-stranded DNA is 144,170 bp, with an inverted repeat of 25,578 bp separated by a large single copy region (LSC) of 77,706 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 40,886 bp. We assigned 81 protein-coding genes including four pseudogenes, four rRNA genes and only 12 tRNA genes. Four genes, rps15, rps16, rpl32 and ycf10, found in most chloroplast genomes in land plants were not present in S. uncinata. While gene order and arrangement of the chloroplast genome of another lycophyte, Hupertzia lucidula, are almost the same as those of bryophytes, those of S. uncinata differ considerably from the typical structure of bryophytes with respect to the presence of a unique 20 kb inversion within the LSC, transposition of two segments from the LSC to the SSC and many gene losses. Thus, the organization of the S. uncinata chloroplast genome provides a new insight into the evolution of lycophytes, which were separated from euphyllophytes approximately 400 million years ago. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Homostachydrine is a Xenobiotic Substrate of OCTN1/SLC22A4 and Potentially Sensitizes Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizures in Mice

Neurochemical Research - Understanding of the underlying mechanism of epilepsy is desired since some patients fail to control their seizures. The carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4...     

A sequence-ready 840-kb PAC contig spanning the candidate tumor suppressor locus DBC1 on human chromosome 9q32-q33.

A putative tumor suppressor locus involved in bladder cancer has been mapped to human chromosome 9q32-q33 and designated DBC1. Our previous microsatellite-based deletion mapping study indicated that DBC1 was localized between D9S1848 and AFMA239XA9. We have constructed an 840-kb sequence-ready contig composed of bacteriophage P1-derived artificial chromosomes (PACs), which encompasses DBC1. Clones were initially identified by screening a PAC library with markers localized to the region by physical mapping, and subsequently PAC end probes were used to complete the contig. This contig contains a minimum tiling path of six PAC clones between D9S1848 and AFMA239XA9. Three expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were mapped to the DBC1 region by screening 24 ESTs mapped to the surrounding area by radiation hybrids. One represented the gene for DBCCR1, a known candidate for DBC1, and the other two were novel. This contig and preliminary expression map form the basis for the identification of the bladder cancer tumor suppressor gene in this region.     

Guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from bovine cerebellum. Purification and characterization.

Guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP)-dependent protein kinase was assayed with calf thymus histone as substrate and partially purified from the soluble fraction of bovine cerebellum. The enzyme was selectively activated by cyclic GMP at lower concentrations; the Ka value for cyclic GMP was 1.7 times 10- minus 8 M whereas that for adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was 1.0 times 10- minus 6 M. The Km value for ATP was 1.0 times 10- minus 5 M. A high concentration of Mg-2+ (100 mM) was needed for maximum stimulation by cyclic GMP and maximum reaction rate. The pH optimum was 7.5 to 8.0. The isoelectric point was pH 5.7. The molecular weight was about 140,000 as estimated by gel filtration. The enzyme was unable to activate muscle glycogen phosphorylase kinase, and was clearly distinguishable from cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in kinetic and catalytic properties. Comparative data on cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in this tissue are presented.     

Recovery of extracellular matrix components by enalapril maleate during the repair process of ultraviolet B-induced wrinkles in mouse skin

The renin–angiotensin system is known to be involved in skin remodeling and inflammation. Previously, we reported that ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression and angiotensin II levels in hairless mouse skin, and an ACE inhibitor, enalapril maleate (EM), accelerated repair of UVB-induced wrinkles. In this study, we analyzed gene expression profiles by DNA microarray and protein distribution patterns using an immunofluorescence method to clarify the process of EM-accelerated wrinkle repair in UVB-irradiated hairless mouse skin. In the microarray analysis, we detected EM-induced up-regulation of various extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes in the UVB-irradiated skin. In the immunofluorescence, we confirmed that type I collagen α1 chain, fibrillin 1, elastin and dystroglycan 1 in the skin decreased after repeated UVB irradiation but staining for these proteins was improved by EM treatment. In addition, ADAMTS2 and MMP-14 also increased in the EM-treated skin. Although the relationship between these molecules and wrinkle formation is not clear yet, our present data suggest that the molecules are involved in the repair of UVB-induced wrinkles.     

Difference in the structures of alanine tri‐ and tetra‐peptides with antiparallel β‐sheet assessed by X‐ray diffraction,solid‐state NMR and chemical shift calculations by GIPAW

Alanine oligomers provide a key structure for silk fibers from spider and wild silkworms.We report on structural analysis of l ‐alanyl‐l ‐alanyl‐l ‐alanyl‐l ‐alanine (Ala)₄ with anti‐parallel (AP) β‐structures using X‐ray and solid‐state NMR. All of the Ala residues in the (Ala)₄ are in equivalent positions, whereas for alanine trimer (Ala)₃ there are two alternative locations in a unit cell as reported previously (Fawcett and Camerman, Acta Cryst., 1975, 31, 658–665). (Ala)₄ with AP β‐structure is more stable than AP‐(Ala)₃ due to formation of the stronger hydrogen bonds. The intermolecular structure of (Ala)₄ is also different from polyalanine fiber structure, indicating that the interchain arrangement of AP β‐structure changes with increasing alanine sequencelength. Furthermore the precise ¹H positions, which are usually inaccesible by X‐ray diffraction method, are determined by high resolution ¹H solid state NMR combined with the chemical shift calculations by the gauge‐including projector augmented wave method. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 13–20, 2014.