Pathophysiology of white-nose syndrome in bats: a mechanistic model linking wing damage to mortality

White-nose syndrome is devastating North American bat populations but we lack basic information on disease mechanisms. Altered blood physiology owing to epidermal invasion by the fungal pathogen Geomyces destructans (Gd) has been hypothesized as a cause of disrupted torpor patterns of affected hibernating bats, leading to mortality. Here, we present data on blood electrolyte concentration, haematology and acid–base balance of hibernating little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus, following experimental inoculation with Gd. Compared with controls, infected bats showed electrolyte depletion (i.e. lower plasma sodium), changes in haematology (i.e. increased haematocrit and decreased glucose) and disrupted acid–base balance (i.e. lower CO₂ partial pressure and bicarbonate). These findings indicate hypotonic dehydration, hypovolaemia and metabolic acidosis. We propose a mechanistic model linking tissue damage to altered homeostasis and morbidity/mortality.     

X-ray crystal structures of a severely desiccated protein.

Unlike most protein crystals, form IX of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A diffracts well when severely dehydrated. Crystal structures have been solved after 2.5 and 4 days of desiccation with CaSO4, at 1.9 and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. The two desiccated structures are very similar. An RMS displacement of 1.6 A is observed for main-chain atoms in each structure when compared to the hydrated crystal structure with some large rearrangements observed in loop regions. The structural changes are the result of intermolecular contacts formed by strong electrostatic interactions in the absence of a high dielectric medium. The electron density is very diffuse for some surface loops, consistent with a very disordered structure. This disorder is related to the conformational changes. These results help explain conformational changes during the lyophilization of protein and the associated phenomena of denaturation and molecular memory.     

快速检测干旱和脱水可诱导植物启动子瞬间表达特性的方法

选择合适的诱导表达启动子是开展植物耐干旱和脱水等非生物逆境转基因研究的重要环节。我们通过几年的研究,已建立了一套以大麦幼苗完整活体和植物离体叶片为主要材料通过瞬间表达鉴定来快速检测干旱和脱水可诱导基因启动子表达特性的方法。来自大麦和水稻的启动子Dhn4s、Dhn8s、HVA1s、Rab16Bj、wsi18j在大麦、小麦、水稻、高粱和蕨类植物的离体叶片中经干燥诱导可以瞬间表达GFP,在绿豆、番茄叶片中不表达。鉴定了HVA1s和wsi18j在大麦不同器官或组织中启动子的定性表达情况。进一步建立了GFP荧光点/GUS染色点计数分析和GUS活性/XYN活性测定分析的启动子表达的定量分析方法,并讨论该方法在环境可诱导植物启动子功能分析中的应用价值和前景。     

Furfural formation from d-xylose: the use of different halides in dilute aqueous acidic solutions allows for exceptionally high yields

Starting from the results achieved in a previous work on the effects of Cl⁻ ions on furfural formation in aqueous acid solution [Marcotullio, G. et al., Green Chem.2010, 12, 1739], the general effect of different halides is addressed. Experimental results show the halides to influence at least two distinct steps in the reaction leading from d-xylose to furfural under acidic conditions, via different mechanisms. The nucleophilicity of the halides appears to be critical for the dehydration, but not for the initial enolization reaction. By combining different halides synergic effects become evident resulting in very high selectivities and furfural yields.     

Effect of isotope substitution and controlled dehydration on the photoinduced electron transport reactions of quinone acceptors and multiheme cytochrome C in bacterial photosynthetic reaction center

Isotope substitution of H₂O by ²H₂O causes an increase in the rate of dark recombination between photooxidized bacteriochlorophyll (P⁺) and reduced primary quinone acceptor in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centers (RC) at room temperature. The isotopic effect declines upon decreasing the temperature. Dehydration of RC complexes of Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii chromatophores containing multiheme cytochrome c causes a decrease in the efficiency of transfer of a photomobilized electron between the primary and secondary quinone acceptors and from cytochrome to P⁺. In the case of H₂O medium these effects are observed at a lower hydration than in ²H₂O-containing medium. In the E. shaposhnikovii chromatophores subjected to dehydration in H₂O, the rate of electron transfer from the nearest high-potential cytochrome heme to P⁺ is virtually independent of hydration within the P/P₀ range from 0.1 to 0.5. In samples hydrated in ²H₂O this rate is approximately 1.5 times lower than in H₂O. However, the isotopic effect of this reaction disappears upon dehydration. The intramolecular electron transfer between two high-potential hemes of cytochrome c in samples with ²H₂O is inhibited within this range of P/P₀, whereas in RC samples with H₂O there is a trend toward gradual inhibition of the interheme electron transfer with dehydration. The experimental results are discussed in terms of the effects of isotope substitution and dehydration on relaxation processes and charge state of RC on implementation of the reactive states of RC providing electron transfer control.     

Heat Effects of Dehydration of Human Serum Albumin in Hydrophilic Organic Solvents

A thermochemical model for describing the transfer of water from the protein phase to the organic solvent liquid phase and for determining how the solvation ability of organic solvents affects this process was developed. Enthalpy changes on the interaction of dried and hydrated human serum albumin (HSA) with hydrophilic organic solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide, formamide, ethanol, methanol and acetic acid) and water were measured by isothermal calorimetry at 25 °C. The initial hydration level of human serum albumin was varied in the entire water content range from 0–30 % [g water/g HSA]. The dependence of the interaction enthalpies on the initial water content is complex. The interaction enthalpies of the dried HSA with organic solvents are exothermic. At low water contents (less than 0.1 g/g), there is a sharp increase in the interaction enthalpy values. At the highest water contents (more than 0.2 g/g), the interaction enthalpies are endothermic for acetic acid and formamide and exothermic for DMSO, methanol, and ethanol. These thermochemical data were analyzed in conjunction with the results for the water adsorption in organic solvents to calculate the molar enthalpies of dehydration of HSA in organic liquids. It was found that the dehydration enthalpy changes may be endothermic or exothermic depending on the initial water content and the water solvation enthalpy value. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that: (i) only the solvation of water by hydrophilic organic solvent determines the changes in the dehydration enthalpy values, and (ii) the data for the enthalpies of solvation of water by the solvent at infinite dilution reflect this effect.