Extending the Cellulosome Paradigm: the Modular Clostridium thermocellum Cellulosomal Serpin PinA Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Subtilisin-Like Proteases

Clostridium thermocellum encodes a cellulosomal, modular, and thermostable serine protease inhibitor (serpin), PinA. PinA stability but not inhibitory activity is affected by the Fn(III) and Doc(I) domains, and PinA is a broad inhibitor of subtilisin-like proteases and may play a key role in protecting the cellulosome from protease attack.     

Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus epidermidis Strain AU12-03, Isolated from an Intravascular Catheter

In recent years, Staphylococcus epidermidis has become a major nosocomial pathogen and the most common cause of intravascular catheter-related bacteremia, which can increase morbidity and mortality and significantly affect patient recovery. We report a draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus epidermidis AU12-03, isolated from an intravascular catheter tip.     

Effect of primycin on some electric properties of the frog skeletal muscle

The effect of primycin, a guanidine-type antibiotic was studied on the electric properties and 42K+ uptake of the frog sartorius and semitendinosus muscle. Both in normal and choline chloride Ringer solution, primycin evoked a concentration and time dependent depolarization of the surface membrane of the muscle. This depolarization was significantly increased by Na ions. Primycin treatment was shown to evoke a dose-dependent decrease of the depolarization induced by 20 mM K+-Ringer. When the muscles were incubated in a Ringer solution containing choline chloride, during an incubation period of 30 min the uptake of 42K+ was decreased to 12% upon the exposure to 5 x 10(-6) mol primycin as compared to the control value. As the primycin-induced depolarization increased, the shape and amplitude of the action potentials elicited by square-wave electric impulses were altered and decreased, respectively. In sodium isaethionate Ringer 1--2 x 10(-6) M primycin induced a slow depolarization resulting in firing potentials. The results suggest that primycin depolarizes the surface membrane exclusively through the blockade of the resting K+ channels, the other phenomena being the results of this depolarizing effect.     

Lencopathie und andere Ab?nderungen der Normalf?rbung bei V?geln

Ohne ZusammenfassungVergl. Naumannia. 1852, II, S. 40, und 1853, II, S. 154.     

Comparative studies of somatostatin-14 and some of its fragments on passive avoidance behavior, open field activity and on barrel rotation phenomenon in rats

Behavioral effects of somatostatin-14, and some of its fragments [somatostatin(3–8), somatostatin(9–14), somatostatin(7–10)] after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration have been investigated in male rats. In a passive avoidance learning test, somatostatin-14 (0.6 nM) given immediately after the learning session increased the avoidance latency at 24 hr after the injection, when compared to a somatostatin(3–8) (0.6 nM)-treated group. However, compared to a saline-treated group, the peptides did not significantly influence the avoidance latency. Somatostatin-14 administered in higher dose (6.0 nM) decreased the avoidance latency compared to the saline-treated group, while its fragments did not influence it. In an open field behavioral test, immediately after the 24-hr passive avoidance test, 6 nM of somatostatin-14 decreased the rearing activity, while the fragments did not influence this behavior. Somatostatin-14 produced barrel rotation in a dose-related manner, but after the injection of a high dose of the peptide (12 nM) all of the animals died in cardiorespiratory failure (apnea, pulmonary oedema). The fragments did not produce barrel rotation.