Post-translational modifications of Parkinson's disease-related proteins: Phosphorylation,SUMOylation and Ubiquitination

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway. The etiology of PD remains unclear and most cases are sporadic, however genetic mutations in more than 20 proteins have been shown to cause inherited forms of PD. Many of these proteins are linked to mitochondrial function, defects in which are a central characteristic of PD. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) allow rapid and reversible control over protein function. Largely focussing on mitochondrial dysfunction in PD, here we review findings on the PTMs phosphorylation, SUMOylation and ubiquitination that have been shown to affect PD-related proteins.     

The impact of European Directives on estuarine and coastal science and management

Many recent developments in European marine and estuarine science have been against the demands of European Union legislation. The implementation of certain statutes, the role of scientists and the nature of the data required are discussed using examples from the UK, the Netherlands and Portugal. This includes the implementation of the EU Directives on Urban Waste-water Treatment, the control of Nitrates, the designation of Species and Habitats, the control of Dangerous Substances, the statutory requirement for Environmental Impact Assessments and the recently proposed Water Framework Directive. For these, the integration of physical, chemical and biological monitoring and investigation is discussed in relation to the science dictated by the legislative and administrative requirements. Each of these Directives requires the development of generic guidelines and protocols for implementation and the use of national enabling legislation. This indicates that, in several cases, the science should concentrate on monitoring and assessment in a well-structured and quality-controlled manner. The paper concludes by summarising developments based on similarities in the implementation of present and proposed Directives across Europe.     

Model erroneously predicts failure for restoration of Lake Apopka,a hypereutrophic,subtropical lake

There are six main species of shellfish of commercial importance within the UK (mussels, flat oysters, cockles, king scallops, Manila clams and lobsters) which can be thought of as ranched to varying degrees. A seventh (Pacific oysters) can be included, since a very small proportion of the production may undergo a period of growth on natural habitats in some areas. An eighth species (Palourdes or native clams) appeared in the statistics for the first time in a number of years in 1998. Seafish, as part of its role in promoting the sustainable management of resources, has examined the current state of the shellfish aquaculture industry in the UK.     

人尿激酶原乳腺定位转基因小鼠的建立

应用大鼠β乳酪蛋白基因的上游调控序列和人尿激酶原ｃＤＮＡ构建成功了乳腺定位表达载体．用显微注射的手段导入到受精卵的雄前核,从注射的３００枚受精卵中,１４０枚被移植到９只假孕的受体小鼠．结果从获得的子一代小鼠中,经ＰＣＲ和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ证实,有３只转基因阳性的小鼠．     

Cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist genistein attenuates marijuana-induced vascular inflammation

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Protein-protein interaction sites in the calcium modulated skeletal muscle troponin complex

The sequence domains that contribute to the surfaces of contact between Troponin-C and the other regulatory protein subunits of skeletal muscle troponin are proposed on the basis of data obtained by proton magnetic resonance and other physicochemical studies on the interaction with Troponin-I of both Troponin-C and its peptide fragments. Marked sequence homology in Troponin-C from various species is found for the residues involved in subunit linkage. The role of the recognition sites is discussed.     

Members of the YjgF/YER057c/UK114 Family of Proteins Inhibit Phosphoribosylamine Synthesis in Vitro

The YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family of proteins is highly conserved across all three domains of life and currently lacks a consensus biochemical function. Analysis of Salmonella enterica strains lacking yjgF has led to a working model in which YjgF functions to remove potentially toxic secondary products of cellular enzymes. Strains lacking yjgF synthesize the thiamine precursor phosphoribosylamine (PRA) by a TrpD-dependent mechanism that is not present in wild-type strains. Here, PRA synthesis was reconstituted in vitro with anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase (TrpD), threonine dehydratase (IlvA), threonine, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate. TrpD-dependent PRA formation in vitro was inhibited by S. enterica YjgF and the human homolog UK114. Thus, the work herein describes the first biochemical assay for diverse members of the highly conserved YjgF/YER057c/UK114 family of proteins and provides a means to dissect the cellular functions of these proteins.