Formulation of a coupled mechanism between solute diffusion,phosphatase-kinase reactions and membrane potentials for the primary active transport of phosphorylated substrates through biological membranes

Coupled interrelations occurring between a phosphatase/kinase reaction sequence acting in unstirred layers and on both sides of a charged biomembrane pore structure are presented as a plausible kinetic model for the primary active transport of phosphorylated molecules. Simulations conducted at the cell level and with credible numerical values demonstrate that the enzymes positions strongly regulate the membrane permeability for the transported substrate. Depending on both the enzymes positions (more or less far from the membrane) and the membrane charges, the membrane may appear either impervious, either permeable or able to actively transport a phosphorylated substrate. Globally all happens as if, in function of the enzymes positions, a permanent pore may be regulated, changing from a more closed to a more open conformation.     

Niacin supplementation induces type II to type I muscle fiber transition in skeletal muscle of sheep

Background

It was recently shown that niacin supplementation counteracts the obesity-induced muscle fiber transition from oxidative type I to glycolytic type II and increases the number of type I fibers in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats. These effects were likely mediated by the induction of key regulators of fiber transition, PPARδ (encoded by PPARD), PGC-1α (encoded by PPARGC1A) and PGC-1β (encoded by PPARGC1B), leading to type II to type I fiber transition and upregulation of genes involved in oxidative metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether niacin administration also influences fiber distribution and the metabolic phenotype of different muscles [M. longissimus dorsi (LD), M. semimembranosus (SM), M. semitendinosus (ST)] in sheep as a model for ruminants. For this purpose, 16 male, 11 wk old Rhoen sheep were randomly allocated to two groups of 8 sheep each administered either no (control group) or 1 g niacin per day (niacin group) for 4 wk.

Results

After 4 wk, the percentage number of type I fibers in LD, SM and ST muscles was greater in the niacin group, whereas the percentage number of type II fibers was less in niacin group than in the control group (P?<?0.05). The mRNA levels of PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B, and PPARD and the relative mRNA levels of genes involved in mitochondrial fatty acid uptake (CPT1B, SLC25A20), tricarboxylic acid cycle (SDHA), mitochondrial respiratory chain (COX5A, COX6A1), and angiogenesis (VEGFA) in LD, SM and ST muscles were greater (P?<?0.05) or tended to be greater (P?<?0.15) in the niacin group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The study shows that niacin supplementation induces muscle fiber transition from type II to type I, and thereby an oxidative metabolic phenotype of skeletal muscle in sheep as a model for ruminants. The enhanced capacity of skeletal muscle to utilize fatty acids in ruminants might be particularly useful during metabolic states in which fatty acids are excessively mobilized from adipose tissue, such as during the early lactating period in high producing cows.

     

Mini-F E protein: the carboxy-terminal end is essential for E gene repression and mini-F copy number control

Mini-F is a segment of the conjugative plasmid F consisting of two origins of replication flanked by regulatory regions, which ensure a normal control of replication and partitioning. Adjacent to the ori-2 origin is a complex coding region that consists of the E gene overlapped by three open reading frames with the coding potential for 9000 Mr polypeptides here designated 9 kd-1, 9 kd-2 and 9 kd-3. In this paper, we show that open reading frame 9 kd-3 is preceded by active promoter and Shine-Dalgarno sequences. The E coding region specifies: an initiator of replication, which acts at the ori-2 site; a function that negatively regulates the expression of the E gene; and a function involved in mini-F copy number control. To assign one of these functions to one of the overlapping coding sequence, we have isolated, characterized and sequenced mutations mapping in the E coding region. In this paper, we analyse two mutations (cop5 and pla25) that abolish the repression of the E gene. As these mutations affect the primary structure of protein E itself but not the 9 kd polypeptides, we conclude that protein E takes part in the negative regulation of its own synthesis. In addition, the localization of the cop5 and pla25 mutations indicates that the carboxy-terminal end of the E protein is involved in the autorepression function. The cop5 mutation causes an eightfold increase of the mini-F copy number. The pla25 mutation leads to the inability of the derived mini-F plasmid to give rise to plasmid-harbouring bacteria. The ways in which the cop5 and pla25 mutations may lead to such phenotypes are discussed in relation to the different functions mapping in the E coding sequence.     

Human somatic chromosome chains and rings. A preliminary note on end-to-end fusion

Chain and ring chromosome configurations were detected in a small percentage of the lymphocytes of a patient suffering from Thiberge-Weissenbach syndrome. Precise recognition of the chromosomes involved in the rearrangements did not indicate a systematic order of end-to-end fusions. A relationship between these configurations and the chromosome arrangement in the interphase nucleus is possible.     

Methoxylated fatty acids in Blumeria graminis conidia

The total fatty acids (FA) composition of Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici conidia, the causal agent of wheat powdery mildew, was analyzed as a function of their age. A total of 19 FA (C12-C24 saturated and unsaturated) and unusual methoxylated fatty acids (mFA) were detected in young, intermediate and old conidia. Two very long chain methoxylated FA were identified by GC-MS as 3-methoxydocosanoic and 3-methoxytetracosanoic acids. Medium chain FA were predominant in young conidia (75%, including 13% of mFA) while very long chain fatty acids constituted the major compounds in old conidia (74%, including 30% of mFA). We have shown for the first time that the total FA composition is strongly correlated with the age of B. graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt) conidia.