The Human EKC/KEOPS Complex Is Recruited to Cullin2 Ubiquitin Ligases by the Human Tumour Antigen PRAME

The human tumour antigen PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma) is frequently overexpressed during oncogenesis, and high PRAME levels are associated with poor clinical outcome in a variety of cancers. However, the molecular pathways in which PRAME is implicated are not well understood. We recently characterized PRAME as a BC-box subunit of a Cullin2-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. In this study, we mined the PRAME interactome to a deeper level and identified specific interactions with OSGEP and LAGE3, which are human orthologues of the ancient EKC/KEOPS complex. By characterizing biochemically the human EKC complex and its interactions with PRAME, we show that PRAME recruits a Cul2 ubiquitin ligase to EKC. Moreover, EKC subunits associate with PRAME target sites on chromatin. Our data reveal a novel link between the oncoprotein PRAME and the conserved EKC complex and support a role for both complexes in the same pathways.     

Insecticidal effects of extracts of seven plant species on larval development, alpha-amylase activity and offspring production of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Bioinsecticidal effects of methanol extracts from seven plant species on Tribolium castaneum were investigated. Centaurium erythraea, Peganum harmala, Ajuga iva, Aristolochia baetica, Pteridium aquilinum and Raphanus raphanistrum extracts inhibit growth of larvae. C. erythraea was the most toxic with 63% mortality 10 days after treatment, followed by P. harmala with 58%. C. erythraea and P. aquilinum reduce the emergence rate respectively of 66% and 19%. The duration of larval period was shortened by Launaea arborescens, P. aquilinum and A. iva extracts, whereas R. raphanistrum and P. harmala extracts extend the larval period when compared to the control. Extracts of C. erythraea, P. harmala, A. iva and A. baetica inhibited F1 progeny production. Larvae possess three alpha-amylase isoforms as determined by SDS-PAGE. Larvae fed on treated diet had lower alpha-amylase activity than larvae feed on untreated diet. C. erythraea and P. harmala are the most potent extracts. These plant extracts could be useful to reduce seed damage caused by this pest species.     

Characterization and properties of biosurfactants produced by a newly isolated strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus methylotrophicus</Emphasis> DCS1 and their applications in enhancing solubility of hydrocarbon

Six biosurfactant-producing bacteria were isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soils in Sfax, Tunisia. Isolates were screened for biosurfactant production by different conventional methods including hemolytic activity, surface tension reduction, drop-collapsing and oil displacement tests. All these screening tests show that all the isolates behave differently. Among the isolated bacteria, DCS1 strain was selected for further studies based on its highest activities and it was identified as Bacillus methylotrophicus DCS1. This strain was found to be a potent producer of biosurfactant when cultivated in mineral-salts medium supplemented with diesel oil (2 %, v/v) as a sole carbon source. Physicochemical properties and stability of biosurfactants synthesized by B. methylotrophicus DCS1 were investigated. The produced biosurfactants DCS1, from Landy medium, possess high surface activity that could lower the surface tension of water to a value of 31 from 72 mN m^?1 and have a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 100 mg L^?1. Compared with SDS and Tween 80, biosurfactants showed excellent emulsification activities against different hydrocarbon substrates and high solubilization efficiency towards diesel oil. Biosurfactants DCS1 showed good stability in a wide range of temperature, pH and salinity. These results suggested that biosurfactants produced by B. methylotrophicus DCS1 could be an alternative to chemically synthesized surfactants for use in bioremediation processes to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic compounds.     

Morphology and anatomy of root nodules of Retama monosperma (L.)Boiss.

Background and aims

In spite of the importance of Retama species for dune stabilization and re-vegetation and the contribution to the bio-fertilization of semi-arid and arid ecosystems, the symbiotic interaction of Retama species with rhizobia remains largely unstudied. In this paper, we aim to provide the first detailed study on nodule morphology and anatomy of Retama monosperma.

Methods

We collected nodules from coastal areas nearby Oran (Algeria) and studied in detail their anatomy and ultrastructure by light and electron microscopy.

Results

First, we confirmed the likely identity of the microsymbiont as B. retamae and found that nodules of R. monosperma belong to the genistoid type of indeterminate nodules. Infection threads, typical for most nodules of legumes, are absent in nodules of R. monosperma and bacterial spread is associated with plant cell division. The nitrogen fixation zone is homogenous with only invaded cells and a network of non-invaded cells found in many nodules, is absent. Moreover, endoreduplication does not take place in bacteroids in nodules of R. monosperma.

Conclusions

The features observed in this study are compared to the morphology and anatomy of nodules of other legumes and the possible consequences for nodule functioning and the mode of infection during the establishment of the interaction are discussed.     

Semaphorin 3F and Neuropilin-2 Control the Migration of Human T-Cell Precursors

Neuropilins and semaphorins are known as modulators of axon guidance, angiogenesis, and organogenesis in the developing nervous system, but have been recently evidenced as also playing a role in the immune system. Here we describe the expression and role of semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) and its receptor neuropilin-2 (NRP2) in human T cell precursors. NRP2 and SEMA3F are expressed in the human thymus, in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid compartments. SEMA3F have a repulsive effect on thymocyte migration and inhibited CXCL12- and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced thymocyte migration by inhibiting cytoskeleton reorganization prior to stimuli. Moreover, NRP2 and SEMA3F are expressed in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma primary cells. In these tumor cells, SEMA3F also blocks their migration induced by CXCL12 and S1P. Our data show that SEMA3F and NRP2 are further regulators of human thymocyte migration in physiological and pathological conditions.     

Enhanced activity of hyperthermostable Pyrococcus horikoshii endoglucanase in superbase ionic liquids

Biotechnology Letters - Ionic liquids (ILs) that dissolve biomass are harmful to the enzymes that degrade lignocellulose. Enzyme hyperthermostability promotes a tolerance to ILs. Therefore, the...