Palmitate increases Nur77 expression by modulating ZBP89 and Sp1 binding to the Nur77 proximal promoter in pancreatic β-cells

Nur77 is a stress sensor in pancreatic β-cells, which negatively regulates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We recently showed that a lipotoxic shock caused by exposure of β-cells to the saturated fatty acid palmitate strongly increases Nur77 expression. Here, using dual luciferase reporter assays and Nur77 promoter deletion constructs, we identified a regulatory cassette between −1534 and −1512 bp upstream from the translational start site mediating Nur77 promoter activation in response to palmitate exposure. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, transient transfection and siRNA-mediated knockdown assays revealed that palmitate induced Nur77 promoter activation involves Sp1 recruitment and ZBP89 release from the gene promoter.     

Isolation of the origin of replication of the IncW-group plasmid pSa

The origin of replication of the IncW plasmid pSa has been cloned and the function of this origin in Escherichia coli examined. A 1.9-kb region of DNA is required for efficient autonomous replication, and a 0.47-kb fragment within this region can initiate replication only in the presence of an autonomously replicating derivative of pSa. An Mr 35,000 protein (repA) is encoded adjacent to the origin and is required for efficient initiation of replication. The derivatives examined provide information suggesting a direct role of partition factors in plasmid replication and incompatibility.     

Psb30 contributes to structurally stabilise the Photosystem II complex in the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus

A deletion mutant that lacks the Psb30 protein, one of the small subunits of Photosystem II, was constructed in a Thermosynechococcus elongatus strain in which the D1 protein is expressed from the psbA₃ gene (WT*). The ΔPsb30 mutant appears more susceptible to photodamage, has a cytochrome b₅₅₉ that is converted into the low potential form, and probably also lacks the PsbY subunit. In the presence of an inhibitor of protein synthesis, the ?Psb30 lost more rapidly the water oxidation function than the WT* under the high light conditions. These results suggest that Psb30 contributes to structurally and functionally stabilise the Photosystem II complex in preventing the conversion of cytochrome b₅₅₉ into the low potential form. Structural reasons for such effects are discussed.     

Biological Control of Take-all Disease of Wheat Caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici Under Field Conditions Using a Phialophora sp.

A Phialophora sp. (isolate I-52), originally isolated from soil in a wheat field exhibiting suppression of take-all disease caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici , was tested under field conditions for its ability to suppress this disease in winter and spring wheat. I-52 was grown on a variety of autoclaved organic substrates, including oat, millet and canola seed. All of these gave significant disease control when added to the seed furrow with inoculum of the take-all fungus. W hole seed of I-52 substrate was as effective as particles < 0.5 mm in diameter. Placing I-52 in powdered form directly on to wheat seed was ineffective in controlling take-all. Rates as low as 2 g of I-52/3.3 m of row added with the seed provided some control of take-all, and nearly complete control in winter wheat was obtained using 15 g/3.3 m. The winter wheat host cultivar did not influence the degree of control of take-all by I-52.