Phycobilisome from Anabaena Variabilis Kütz. and its Model Conjugates

The model conjugates phycocyanin-allophycocyanin (C-PC-APC) and phycoerythrocyanin-phycocyanin-allophycocyanin (PEC-C-PC-APC) were synthesized by using a heterobifunctional coupling reagent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. The rod-core complex (αβ)₆ ^PCL_RC ²⁷(αβ)₃ ^APCL_C ^8.9 and phycobilisomes were separated from Anabaena variabilis. Energy transfer features for the conjugates and the complexes were compared. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra indicated that the linker-peptides mediate interaction of phycobiliproteins and prompt energy transfer. The energy transfer in the conjugates was detected by fluorescence emission spectra and confirmed by the addition of dithiothreitol. The conjugates may be used as models for studying the energy transfer mechanism in phycobilisomes. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of Ni(mnt)2-based molecular solids containing substituted isoquinolinium

Two novel ion-pair complexes, [RBzIQl]⁺[Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate, [RBzIQl]⁺ = 4-R-benzylisoquinolinium; R = H (1), Cl (2)) have been characterized structurally and magnetically. The anions and [BzIQl]⁺ cations of 1 form 1D column of alternating between cations and anions via π?π stacking interaction between Ni(mnt)₂ plane and isoquinoline ring, and the Ni(mnt)₂ anions between adjacent columns exist C?N, C?N, and N?N interaction. The anions and cations of 2 stack into well-segregated columns in the solid state; and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D zigzag chain in a Ni(mnt)₂ column through intermolecular Ni?S, S?S, Ni?Ni or π?π interactions. The chain is uniform in 2 with the Ni?Ni distances of 3.784 Å. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for these complexes in the temperature range 1.8-300 K show that 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling behavior, and 2 exhibits unusual magnetic phase transitions around 45 K. The overall magnetic behavior for 2 indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction in the high-temperature phase (HT) and spin gap in the low-temperature phase (LT).     

Macroautophagy is repressed during mitosis – seeing is believing

ABSTRACT

For the last two decades there has been wide ranging debate about the status of macroautophagy during mitosis. Because metazoan cells undergo an “open” mitosis in which the nuclear envelope breaks down, it has been proposed that macroautophagy must be inhibited to maintain genome integrity. While many studies have agreed that the number of autophagosomes is greatly reduced in cells undergoing mitosis, there has been no consensus on whether this reflects decreased autophagosome synthesis or increased autophagosome degradation. Reviewing the literature we were concerned that many studies relied too heavily on autophagy assays that were simply not appropriate for a relatively brief event such as mitosis. Using highly dynamic omegasome markers we have recently shown unequivocally that autophagosome synthesis is repressed at the onset of mitosis and is restored once cell division is complete. This is accomplished by CDK1, the master regulator of mitosis, taking over the function of MTORC1, to ensure autophagy is repressed during mitosis.     

Function of a membrane-embedded domain evolutionarily multiplied in the GPI lipid anchor pathway proteins PIG-B,PIG-M,PIG-U,PIG-W,PIG-V,and PIG-Z

Distant homology relationships among proteins with many transmembrane regions (TMs) are difficult to detect as they are clouded by the TMs’ hydrophobic compositional bias and mutational divergence in connecting loops. In the case of several GPI lipid anchor biosynthesis pathway components, the hidden evolutionary signal can be revealed with dissectHMMER, a sequence similarity search tool focusing on fold-critical, high complexity sequence segments. We find that a sequence module with 10 TMs in PIG-W, described as acyl transferase, is homologous to PIG-U, a transamidase subunit without characterized molecular function, and to mannosyltransferases PIG-B, PIG-M, PIG-V and PIG-Z. We conclude that this new, membrane-embedded domain named BindGPILA functions as the unit for recognizing, binding and stabilizing the GPI lipid anchor in a modification-competent form as this appears the only functional aspect shared among all proteins. Thus, PIG-U's likely molecular function is shuttling/presenting the anchor in a productive conformation to the transamidase complex.     

Fecundity and MHC affects ejaculation tactics and paternity bias in sand lizards

We demonstrate that extending copulation enhances probability of paternity in sand lizards and that determinants of copulation duration depend on a males' mating order (first or second). First males, with no information on presence of rivals, extend copulation when mating with a more fecund female. Second males, however, adjust copula duration in relation to a first male's relatedness with his female, which there is reason to believe can be deduced from the MHC-related odor of the copulatory plug. Male-female relatedness negatively influences a male's probability of paternity, and when second males are in a favored role (i.e., the first male is the one more closely related to the female), second males transfer larger ejaculates, resulting in higher probability of paternity. This result corroborates predictions from recent theoretical models on sperm expenditure theory incorporating cryptic female choice and sexual conflict. More specifically, the results conform to a "random roles" model, which depicts males as being favored by some females and disfavored by others, but not to a "constant-type" model, in which a male is either favored or disfavored uniformly by all females in a population.     

Carbazole and arylamine functionalized iridium complexes for efficient electro-phosphorescent light-emitting diodes

We report the synthesis and characterization of four cyclometalated iridium complexes based on carbazole and arylamine modified 2-phenylpyridine. The carbazole and arylamine groups are linked to 2-phenyl pyridine backbone to enhance the energy harvesting and transfer from host to guest materials. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of the complexes are studied and electroluminescent devices are fabricated. The results show that the complexes with ligands containing carbazole moieties have desirable phosphorescent properties. The device with complex 3 doped PVK (poly (vinylcarbazole)) as emission layer achieves maximum luminous efficiency of 6.56 cd A⁻¹ and maximum brightness of 14448 cd m⁻².     

中国龙葵复合种细胞学分析和地理分布的研究

本文根据１５省３０余个县的实地考察,和对采自２５省的６６份中国龙葵种籽进行种植观察,并与国外的有关研究资料对比分析,在国内首次提出;（１）中国龙葵复合种的四个种,从低纬度到高纬度（１８．６－５３．５°Ｎ）,分别属于二倍体,四倍体和六倍体种;（２）从中国南方到北方,自然形成了二倍体,六倍体与二倍体交叉,六倍体与四倍体交叉三个地理分布区。     

Pollenfertility and seed formation in theOrnithogalum umbellatum/angustifolium complex (Liliaceae/Scilloideae)

The pollen fertility and seed formation of six species of theOrnithogalum umbellatum/angustifolium complex and of seven related species were studied. Four types of pollen grains could be recognized. The pollen fertility varied greatly in this complex and is not related to the ploidy level. The seed formation ofO. umbellatum showed an adaptation to a subcontinental-Mediterranean climate, that ofO. angustifolium to an Atlantic climate. In both cases raindrops seem to be important for pollination, in view of the absence of insect pollinators. After open pollination 113 seedlings were obtained in four species. Their chromosome numbers were determined. Nearly all the cultivated seedlings were aneuploid, which points to a positive selection of euploids in nature, because aneuploid individuals are rare in the wild.Biosystematic Studies on theOrnithogalum umbellatum/angustifolium Complex III.—Previous parts of this series are Part I: Taxonomy. Proceeding Kon. Ned. Acad. Wet. series C,85 (4), 563–574 (1982) andvan Raamsdonk (1984).     

Accumulation of major histocompatibility complex class II+CD11c− non‐lymphoid cells in the spleen during infection with Plasmodium yoelii is lymphocyte‐dependent

The spleen is the main organ for immune defense during infection with Plasmodium parasites and splenomegaly is one of the major symptoms of such infections. Using a rodent model of Plasmodium yoelii infection, MHC class II⁺CD11c^? non‐T, non‐B cells in the spleen were characterized. Although the proportion of conventional dendritic cells was reduced, that of MHC II⁺CD11c^? non‐T, non‐B cells increased during the course of infection. The increase in this subpopulation was dependent on the presence of lymphocytes. Experiments using Rag‐2^?/? mice with adoptively transferred normal spleen cells indicated that these cells were non‐lymphoid cells; however, their accumulation in the spleen during infection with P. yoelii depended on lymphocytes. Functionally, these MHC II⁺CD11c^? non‐T, non‐B cells were able to produce the proinflammatory cytokines alpha tumor necrosis factor and interleukin‐6 in response to infected red blood cells, but had only a limited ability to activate antigen‐specific CD4⁺ T cells. This study revealed a novel interaction between MHC II⁺CD11c^? non‐lymphoid cells and lymphoid cells in the accumulations of these non‐lymphoid cells in the spleen during infection with P. yoelii.