Inhibition of the calcium-activated chloride current in cardiac ventricular myocytes by N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA)

N-(p-amylcinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (ACA), a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) inhibitor, is structurally-related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) of the fenamate group and may also modulate various ion channels. We used the whole-cell, patch-clamp technique at room temperature to investigate the effects of ACA on the Ca²⁺-activated chloride current (I_Cl(Ca)) and other chloride currents in isolated pig cardiac ventricular myocytes. ACA reversibly inhibited I_Cl(Ca) in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 4.2 μM, n_Hill = 1.1), without affecting the L-type Ca²⁺ current. Unlike ACA, the non-selective PLA₂ inhibitor bromophenacyl bromide (BPB; 50 μM) had no effect on I_Cl(Ca). In addition, the analgesic NSAID structurally-related to ACA, diclofenac (50 μM) also had no effect on I_Cl(Ca), whereas the current in the same cells could be suppressed by chloride channel blockers flufenamic acid (FFA; 100 μM) or 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS;100 μM). Besides I_Cl(Ca), ACA (50 μM) also suppressed the cAMP-activated chloride current, but to a lesser extent. It is proposed that the inhibitory effects of ACA on I_Cl(Ca) are PLA₂-independent and that the drug may serve as a useful tool in understanding the nature and function of cardiac anion channels.     

Computational prediction of Caenorhabditis box H/ACA snoRNAs using genomic properties of their host genes

Identification of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in genomic sequences has been challenging due to the relative paucity of sequence features. Many current prediction algorithms rely on detection of snoRNA motifs complementary to target sites in snRNAs and rRNAs. However, recent discovery of snoRNAs without apparent targets requires development of alternative prediction methods. We present an approach that combines rule-based filters and a Bayesian Classifier to identify a class of snoRNAs (H/ACA) without requiring target sequence information. It takes advantage of unique attributes of their genomic organization and improved species-specific motif characterization to predict snoRNAs that may otherwise be difficult to discover. Searches in the genomes of Caenorhabditis elegans and the closely related Caenorhabditis briggsae suggest that our method performs well compared to recent benchmark algorithms. Our results illustrate the benefits of training gene discovery engines on features restricted to particular phylogenetic groups and the utility of incorporating diverse data types in gene prediction.     

18S rRNA processing requires base pairings of snR30 H/ACA snoRNA to eukaryote‐specific 18S sequences

The H/ACA RNAs represent an abundant, evolutionarily conserved and functionally diverse class of non‐coding RNAs. Many H/ACA RNAs direct pseudouridylation of rRNAs and snRNAs, while members of the rapidly growing group of ‘orphan’ H/ACA RNAs participate in pre‐rRNA processing, telomere synthesis and probably, in other nuclear processes. The yeast snR30 ‘orphan’ H/ACA snoRNA has long been known to function in the nucleolytic processing of 18S rRNA, but its molecular role remained unknown. Here, we provide biochemical and genetic evidence demonstrating that during pre‐rRNA processing, two evolutionarily conserved sequence elements in the 3′‐hairpin of snR30 base‐pair with short pre‐rRNA sequences located in the eukaryote‐specific internal region of 18S rRNA. The newly discovered snR30‐18S base‐pairing interactions are essential for 18S rRNA production and they constitute a complex snoRNA target RNA transient structure that is novel to H/ACA RNAs. We also demonstrate that besides the 18S recognition motifs, the distal part of the 3′‐hairpin of snR30 contains an additional snoRNA element that is essential for 18S rRNA processing and that functions most likely as a snoRNP protein‐binding site.     

Long-distance placement of substrate RNA by H/ACA proteins

The structural basis for accurate placement of substrate RNA by H/ACA proteins is studied using a nonintrusive fluorescence assay. A model substrate RNA containing 2-aminopurine immediately 3′ of the uridine targeted for modification produces distinct fluorescence signals that report the substrate's docking status within the enzyme active site. We combined substrate RNA with complete and subcomplexes of H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles and monitored changes in the substrate conformation. Our results show that each of the three accessory proteins, as well as an active site residue, have distinct effects on substrate conformations, presumably as docking occurs. Interestingly, in some cases these effects are exerted far from the active site. Application of our data to an available structural model of the holoenzyme, enables the functional role of each accessory protein in substrate placement to come into view.     

Regulation of Plant Plasma Membrane H<Superscript>+</Superscript>- and Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-ATPases by Terminal Domains

In the last few years, major progress has been made to elucidate the structure, function, and regulation of P-type plasma membrane H⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPases. Even though a number of regulatory proteins have been identified, many pieces are still lacking in order to understand the complete regulatory mechanisms of these pumps. In plant plasma membrane H⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPases, autoinhibitory domains are situated in the C- and N-terminal domains, respectively. A model for a common mechanism of autoinhibition is discussed.     

Crystallographic studies on the binding of selectively deuterated LLD- and LLL-substrate epimers by isopenicillin N synthase

Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) is a non-heme iron(II) oxidase which catalyses the biosynthesis of isopenicillin N (IPN) from the tripeptide δ-l-α-aminoadipoyl-l-cysteinyl-d-valine (lld-ACV). Herein we report crystallographic studies to investigate the binding of a truncated lll-substrate in the active site of IPNS. Two epimeric tripeptides have been prepared by solution phase peptide synthesis and crystallised with the enzyme. δ-l-α-Aminoadipoyl-l-cysteinyl-d-2-amino-3,3-dideuteriobutyrate (lld-ACd₂Ab) has the same configuration as the natural substrate lld-ACV at each of its three stereocentres; its epimer δ-l-α-aminoadipoyl-l-cysteinyl-l-2-amino-3,3-dideuteriobutyrate (lll-ACd₂Ab) has the opposite configuration at its third amino acid. lll-ACV has previously been shown to inhibit IPNS turnover of its substrate lld-ACV; the all-protiated tripeptide δ-l-α-aminoadipoyl-l-cysteinyl-d-2-aminobutyrate (lld-ACAb) is a substrate for IPNS, being turned over to a mixture of penam and cepham products. Comparisons between the crystal structures of the IPNS:Fe(II):lld-ACd₂Ab and IPNS:Fe(II):lll-ACd₂Ab complexes offer a possible rationale for the previously observed inhibitory effects of lll-ACV on IPNS activity.     

ACA基因启动子的克隆及功能初探

根据已知的ACA基因的5’端序列设计三个基因特异的反向引物(GSP-1,GSP-2,GSP-3)分别与11个简并引物(AD1-AD11)配对,进行热不对称嵌套PCR(Thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR,TAIL-PCR)扩增,获得了ACA基因起始密码子上游约700bp的片段。为检测其表达特性,构建了该片段与Gus嵌合基因的表达载体pBpAG,在真空条件下通过农杆菌介导,转化了植物的叶、果实、种子三种不同组织,Gus瞬时表达染色结果显示,该DNA片段具有种子特异的启动子活性?对该启动子的一些顺式元件进行了讨论。     

骨创伤后深静脉血栓形成的相关危险因素分析

目的:通过比较骨创伤患者与健康人群的临床资料,分析骨创伤后深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的相关危险因素。方法:选择住院骨创伤患者但未发生深静脉血栓患者126例(骨创伤组)、DVT患者30例(DVT组)以及进行体检无创伤、心血管疾病和血栓性疾病的健康者60例(对照组)作为研究对象。D-二聚体(D-D)含量检测采用散射比浊法,纤维蛋白原(FIB)测定采用PT导出法,抗心磷脂抗体(ACA,IgA,IgM,IgG)检测采用酶联免疫法,C反应蛋白(CRP)含量检测采用速率散射比浊法。结果:骨创伤组和DVT组患者纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体均明显高于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);DVT组与骨创伤组相比,此三者平均含量均升高,其中C反应蛋白含量具有统计学差异(P0.05);骨创伤组ACA阳性率与对照组ACA阳性率之间无统计学差异(P0.05);而DVT组ACA阳性率与对照组之间存在着统计学差异(P0.05);DVT组患者平均年龄明显高于骨创伤组,两者差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);DVT组患者多部位骨折发生率明显高于骨创伤组,两者差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);DVT组患者溶栓治疗前后纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体均明显降低,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体、C反应蛋白升高和抗心磷脂抗体阳性是深静脉血栓患者的危险因素。年龄越大以及骨折情况越严重骨创伤患者发生深静脉血栓危险性越大,溶栓治疗对深静脉血栓患者的治疗效果显著。     

大肠杆菌抗氟乙酸变株的选育及应用

In the cultivation of gene engineered strain of Escherichia coli on glucose medium, excretion and accumulation of acetic acid inhibit not only cell growth but also the the expression of heterologous protein. It is obvious that the desirable host strain maintaining acetate at a low level is one of the approaches to increase the production of recombinant protein. The present article deals with the selection of mutants of E.coli DP19, DP8, which grow on the medium containing pyruvate as the sole carbon…