Molecular dynamics analysis of the engrailed homeodomain-DNA recognition

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for investigating the role of Gln50 in the engrailed homeodomain-DNA recognition. Employing the crystal structure of free engrailed homeodomain and homeodomain-DNA complex as a starting structure, we carried out MD simulations of: (i) the complex between engrailed homeodomain and a 20 base-pair DNA containing TAATTA core sequence; (ii) the free engrailed homeodomain. The simulations show that homeodomain flexibility does not depend on its ligation state. The engrailed homeodomain shows similar flexibility, and the recognition helix-3 shows very similar characteristic of high rigidity and limited conformational space in two complexation states. At the same time, DNA structure has also no obvious conformational fluctuations. These results preclude the possibility of the side chain of Gln50 forming direct hydrogen bonds to the core DNA bases. MD simulations confirm a few well-conserved sites for water-mediated hydrogen bonds from protein to DNA are occupied by water molecules, and Gln50 interacts with corresponding core DNA bases through water-mediated hydrogen bonds. So Gln50 plays a relatively modest role in determining the affinity and specificity of the engrailed homeodomain. In addition, the electrostatic interaction between homeodomain and phosphate backbone of the DNA is a main factor for N- and C-terminal arm becoming ordered upon DNA binding.     

Eukaryotic DNA replication: from pre-replication complex to initiation complex

A common mechanism has emerged for the control of the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication. The minichromosome maintenance protein complex (MCM) and Cdc45 have now been recognized as central components of the initiation machinery. In addition, two types of S phase promoting kinases conserved between yeast and humans play critical roles in the initiation reaction. At the onset of S phase, S phase kinases promote the association of Cdc45 with MCM at origins. Upon the formation of the MCM-Cdc45 complex at origins, the duplex DNA is unwound and various replication proteins, including DNA polymerases, are recruited onto unwound DNA. The increasing number of newly identified factors involved in the initiation reaction indicates that the control of initiation requires highly evolved machinery in eukaryotic cells.     

Fitness comparison of Plutella xylostella on original and marginal hosts using age‐stage,two‐sex life tables

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is an important agricultural pest that severely damages cruciferous vegetables. Although previously considered a threat only to Brassica species, P. xylostella has been observed to feed on noncruciferous vegetables. Here, we established a population of P. xylostella on the pea Pisum sativum (PxP population). We compared this PxP population''s performance on the pea host plant to a population (PxR) reared on the original host plant radish (Raphanus sativus) for several generations using an age‐stage, two‐sex life table and analyzed the correlations between different fitness parameters. In the 1st generation of the PxP population, survival rate of immature stage was 17%, while the survival rate of PxR was 68%; the duration of the 4th larval instar (5.30 d) and mortality (25%) of this generation were significantly longer (2.8 d) and higher (1%) than that of PxR, respectively (both p < .001). Upon long‐term acclimation, the PxP fitness improved significantly, especially that the survival rate of immature stages increased to approximately 60% in the 15th, 30th, and 45th generations. However, PxP feeding on pea exhibited poorer fitness with longer larval developmental time, shorter total life span, lighter pupa, and lower fecundity in different generations compared with PxP feeding on radish. PxP feeding on pea also showed a significantly lower intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproduction rate (R ₀), finite increase rate (λ), and longer mean generation time (T) than PxP feeding on radish in all generations tested. Significant positive correlations were observed between pupal weight and female fecundity in pea‐fed populations, and between female longevity and female fecundity in pea‐fed and radish‐fed populations. Our findings suggest that P. xylostella adaptation to pea does not improve overall fitness compared with the original host radish, making pea a marginal host for P. xylostella.     

Herpes simplex virus US3 protein kinase regulates host responses and determines neurovirulence

The US3 of HSV encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is highly conserved among members of the alphaherpesviruses. It is an accessory gene that is not required for viral replication in cultured cells but appears essential for viral survival in humans. Although accumulating in vitro evidence suggested that the viral protein kinase is multifunctional, little information is available about its functions in vivo. Several reports point out that, upon invasion into the peripheral nervous system, HSV blocks virus-induced neuronal apoptosis, while presumably subverting host immune responses, largely through actions of the US3 protein kinase. In addition, the US3 protein kinase confers the viral neurovirulence. In the present article, functions of the HSV US3 protein kinase are briefly reviewed, with special attention given to its role in regulating host responses and neurovirulence.     

河南省绿盲蝽秋季迁移的铷标记研究

利用铷(Rb)标记方法对秋季绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)迁移现象及其寄主种类进行了研究。铷标记回捕试验证明了秋季绿盲蝽由棉田转移到杂草上取食。在河南绿盲蝽一周内可迁移到2 560 m(试验最远回捕距离)。秋季由棉田迁出的绿盲蝽主要集中在艾蒿和葎草上取食。对这2种主要寄主植物作为绿盲蝽越冬寄主的可能性进行了讨论。     

橘小实蝇植物源引诱活性物质的生物测定

植物源引诱物质可显著提高橘小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis(Hendel)蛋白饵剂的应用效果,本文测试了柑橘、番木瓜、芒果、番石榴、杨桃的叶片浸提物、果实以及已知植物次生物质对橘小实蝇的引诱效果。植物浸提物的生物测定结果表明,杨桃的二氯甲烷浸提物的引诱效果最佳,平均引诱率为20.83%,对于不同的萃取剂而言,二氯甲烷、乙醇浸提物效果明显优于石油醚,三者浸提的平均引诱率分别为15.67%、15.17%和10.50%;对于不同寄主植物而言,柑橘浸提物的效果最佳,3种有机溶剂浸提物的平均引诱率为18.33%,其中石油醚、二氯甲烷和乙醇浸提物的引诱率分别为20.00%、15.83%和19.17%,其他植物浸提物的引诱效果为杨桃>番木瓜>芒果>番石榴,3种有机溶剂浸提物的平均引诱率分别为17.22%、11.67%、11.11%和10.56%。寄主果实的生物测定结果表明,柑橘的平均引诱率为65.83%,其中雌虫和雄虫的引诱率分别为61.67%和70.00%,明显高于杨桃、番石榴和番木瓜,三者的引诱率分别为31.67%、31.67%和21.67%,与柑橘引诱率差异显著(P<0.05)。已知植物次生物质的生物测定结果表明,甲基丁香酚的引诱效果最佳,平均引诱率为45.00%,其中雄虫和雌虫的引诱率分别为86.67%和3.33%;乙酸乙酯和番石榴香精的引诱效果次之,平均引诱率分别为32.50%和28.33%,其中雌虫的引诱率均为36.67%;杨桃香精和柠檬酸的引诱效果较差,平均引诱率分别为25.00%和26.67%。     

黄曲条跳甲危害对不同寄主植物可溶性蛋白质含量的影响

采用考马斯亮蓝G-250染色法对6种十字花科蔬菜不同危害程度叶片的可溶性蛋白质含量进行了测定。结果表明黄曲条跳甲Phyllotreta striolata(F.)对6种十字花科蔬菜叶片的可溶性蛋白质含量存在不同程度的影响。萝卜(Raphanus sativus(L.))、白菜(Brassica chinensis(L.))和菜心(B.parachinensis Bailey)叶片在黄曲条跳甲危害胁迫8、10 d时,甘蓝(B.oleracea(L.))在胁迫10、12 d时,芥菜(B.juncea(L.))和芥蓝(B.alboglabra Bailey)在胁迫12 d时,可溶性蛋白质含量显著高于对照(P<0.05)。芥菜在黄曲条跳甲危害2 d时,可溶性蛋白质含量与对照没有显著差异(P>0.05),可能是因为其承受黄曲条跳甲危害的抗虫性能力较强。随着叶片危害程度的加重,叶片可溶性蛋白质含量下降。这可能是寄主植物本身的保护行为,也是对害虫为害胁迫的一种响应。     

Individual variation in pup vocalizations and absence of behavioral signs of maternal vocal recognition in Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii)

Individually stereotyped vocalizations often play an important role in relocation of offspring in gregarious breeders. In phocids, mothers often alternate between foraging at sea and attending their pup. Pup calls are individually distinctive in various phocid species. However, experimental evidence for maternal recognition is rare. In this study, we recorded Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) pup vocalizations at two whelping patches in Atka Bay, Antarctica, and explored individual vocal variation based on eight vocal parameters. Overall, 58% of calls were correctly classified according to individual. For males (n= 12) and females (n= 9), respectively, nine and seven individuals were correctly identified based on vocal parameters. To investigate whether mothers respond differently to calls of familiar vs. unfamiliar pups, we conducted playback experiments with 21 mothers. Maternal responses did not differ between playbacks of own, familiar, and unfamiliar pup calls. We suggest that Weddell seal pup calls may need to contain only a critical amount of individually distinct information because mothers and pups use a combination of sensory modalities for identification. However, it cannot be excluded that pup developmental factors and differing environmental factors between colonies affect pup acoustic behavior and the role of acoustic cues in the relocation process.     

Rotamer libraries and probabilities of transition between rotamers for the side chains in protein-protein binding

Conformational changes in the side chains are essential for protein-protein binding. Rotameric states and unbound- to-bound conformational changes in the surface residues were systematically studied on a representative set of protein complexes. The side-chain conformations were mapped onto dihedral angles space. The variable threshold algorithm was developed to cluster the dihedral angle distributions and to derive rotamers, defined as the most probable conformation in a cluster. Six rotamer libraries were generated: full surface, surface noninterface, and surface interface-each for bound and unbound states. The libraries were used to calculate the probabilities of the rotamer transitions upon binding. The stability of amino acids was quantified based on the transition maps. The noninterface residues' stability was higher than that of the interface. Long side chains with three or four dihedral angles were less stable than the shorter ones. The transitions between the rotamers at the interface occurred more frequently than on the noninterface surface. Most side chains changed conformation within the same rotamer or moved to an adjacent rotamer. The highest percentage of the transitions was observed primarily between the two most occupied rotamers. The probability of the transition between rotamers increased with the decrease of the rotamer stability. The analysis revealed characteristics of the surface side-chain conformational transitions that can be utilized in flexible docking protocols.