Comparative studies on the dynamics of crosslinked insulin

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on an insulin crosslinked between the N-terminal A chain and the C-terminal B chain to form a so-called mini-proinsulin: N -^A1-N -^B29-diaminosuberoyl insulin (DASI). To investigate the influence of crosslinking on the dynamics of the insulin moiety, the bridge was removed from a transient DASI structure and simulation was carried on independently with the then unlinked (ULKI) as well as with the crosslinked species. The effects of crystal packing and quaternary interactions were checked by simulating both types of monomers and dimers known from the hexamer structure. All simulations were compared to previous ones of native insulin. DASI shows general similarity to the native simulations in most parts of the structure. Deviations are visible in the segments to which the bridge is directly connected, i.e. their flexibility is reduced. Upon removal of the bridge the ULKI simulations reapproach those of native insulin. The influence of the bridge spreads over the whole molecule, but all of its main structural features remain intact. The simulations suggest that the displacement of the C-terminal B chain of native insulin, considered important for receptor interaction, is prevented by the bridge, which also partially shields some binding residues. This is in accordance with the poor biological potency of A1-B29-crosslinked insulins.Abbreviations DASI-insulin(DASI) bovineN -^A1-N -^B29-di-aminosuberoyl insulin - ULK-insulin (ULKI) Native beef insulin with the bridge of DASI removed     

Genomic structure,expression and evolution of the alfalfa aspartate aminotransferase genes

Genomic clones encoding two isozymes of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) were isolated from an alfalfa genomic library and their DNA sequences were determined. The AAT1 gene contains 12 exons that encode a cytosolic protein expressed at similar levels in roots, stems and nodules. In nodules, the amount of AAT1 mRNA was similar at all stages of development, and was slightly reduced in nodules incapable of fixing nitrogen. The AAT1 mRNA is polyadenylated at multiple sites differing by more than 250 bp. The AAT2 gene contains 11 exons, with 5 introns located in positions identical to those found in animal AAT genes, and encodes a plastid-localized isozyme. The AAT2 mRNA is polyadenylated at a very limited range of sites. The transit peptide of AAT2 is encoded by the first two and part of the third exon. AAT2 mRNA is much more abundant in nodules than in other organs, and increases dramatically during the course of nodule development. Unlike AAT1, expression of AAT2 is significantly reduced in nodules incapable of fixing nitrogen. Phylogenetic analysis of deduced AAT proteins revealed 4 separate but related groups of AAT proteins; the animal cytosolic AATs, the plant cytosolic AATs, the plant plastid AATs, and the mitochondrial AATs.     

Analysis of DNA polymerase activity in Petunia protoplasts treated with clastogenic agents

Clastogenic agents, i.e. agents that can induce chromosome or DNA breakage, have been shown to enhance the rale of direct gene transfer to protoplasts. The effect was analysed at the enzymatic level using protoplast homogenates as well as intact protoplasts. For that purpose existing procedures were modified to enable measurement of DNA polymerase in vivo. In the system used, external DNA was able to enter the cells without the addition of membrane-permeabilizing compounds. When comparing total DNA polymerase activity of protoplasts irradiated with X-rays or UV-light with that of untreated cells we did not observe significant differences. Incubation of protoplasts with high doses of bleomycin affected total DNA polymerase activity negatively. but dideoxythymidine triphosphate-sensitive activity was not influenced. We conclude that the DNA strand-breaks induced by low doses of X-rays. UV-light or bleomycin do not increase the total or the repair-DNA polymerase activity and. therefore. that the increase in the transformation rates after DNA strand-breaking is not preceded by enhanced DNA polymerase activity.     

Wild pearl millet population (Pennisetum glaucum,Poaceae) integrity in agricultural Sahelian areas. An example from Keita (Niger)

Morphometric and isozymic analyses of adjacent cultivated and spontaneous populations of pearl millet in Niger revealed in the field a unique continuous distribution of phenotypes ranging from the most cultivated one to a typical cultivated × wild hybrid. The natural population was subdivided into a major wild group and a hybrid wild × cultivated group. Cultivated millet displayed an equilibrium state between recombined domesticated and wild genes. The natural population, in spite of a high rate of immigration by pollen from cultivated plants, retained its structure by apparently reproducing itself exclusively from the major wild group.     

PrP in pathology and pathogenesis in scrapie-infected mice

PrP accumulation in the brains of mice infected with scrapie takes several different forms: amyloid plaques, widespread accumulation in neuropile, and perineuronal deposits. PrP is also sometimes detected within microglia and in or around astrocytes. There are dramatic and reproducible differences between scrapie strains in the relative prominence of these changes and their distribution in the brain. Depending on the scrapie strain, PrP pathology is targeted precisely to particular brain areas, often showing a clear association with identifiable groups of neurons. These results suggest that PrP changes are primarily associated with neurons, and that different scrapie strains recognize and selectively replicate in different populations of neurons. Immunostaining at the ultrastructural level demonstrates an association of PrP with neurite plasmalemma, around amyloid plaques, and in areas of widespread neuropile and perineuronal accumulation. It is probable that PrP is encoded by theSinc gene, which controls the incubation period of scrapie in mice. Studies using the intraocular infection route show that theSinc gene controls the onset rather than the rate of replication, suggesting that PrP may be involved in cell-to-cell spread of infection. The accumulation of PrP at the surface of neurons is consistent with such a role.     

Nuclear and chloroplast transformation inChlamydomonas reinhardtii: strategies for genetic manipulation and gene expression

Transformation of the nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes can now be accomplished inChlamydomonas reinhardtii. Many biosynthetic pathways are carried out in the chloroplast, and efforts to manipulate these pathways will require that gene products be directed to this compartment. Chloroplast proteins are encoded in either the chloroplast or nuclear genome. In the latter case they are synthesized in the cytoplasm and imported post-translationally into the chloroplast. Thus, strategies for expressing foreign genes or overexpressing endogenous genes whose products reside in the chloroplast could involve either genome. This paper reviews the present status of transformation methodology for the nuclear and chloroplast genomes inChlamydomonas. Considerations for expressing gene products in the chloroplast are discussed. Experimental evidence for homologous recombination during transformation of the nuclear genome is presented.