The p53 isoforms are differentially modified by Mdm2

The discovery that the single p53 gene encodes several different p53 protein isoforms has initiated a flurry of research into the function and regulation of these novel p53 proteins. Full-length p53 protein level is primarily regulated by the E3-ligase Mdm2, which promotes p53 ubiquitination and degradation. Here, we report that all of the novel p53 isoforms are ubiquitinated and degraded to varying degrees in an Mdm2-dependent and -independent manner, and that high-risk human papillomavirus can degrade some but not all of the novel isoforms, demonstrating that full-length p53 and the p53 isoforms are differentially regulated. In addition, we provide the first evidence that Mdm2 promotes the NEDDylation of p53β. Altogether, our data indicates that Mdm2 can distinguish between the p53 isoforms and modify them differently.     

Alkaloids of Dyera costulata

Six bisindole alkaloids have been isolated from the leaves of Dyera costulata (Apocynaceae). One is the known ochrolifuanine A and the others are the novel ochrolifuanines E and F, and the 18-dehydroochrolifuanines A, E and F.     

Differential scanning calorimetric study of the thermal unfolding of beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus.

The irreversible thermal unfolding of the class A beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus has been investigated at pH 7.0, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and inactivation kinetic techniques. DSC transitions showed a single peak with a denaturation enthalpy of 646 kJ.mol-1 and were moderately scan rate dependent, suggesting that the process was partially kinetically controlled. The inactivation kinetics at constant temperature showed that the irreversible denaturation of the enzyme occurs as the sum of two exponential terms whose amplitudes are strongly temperature dependent within the transition range so that, at the lowest temperatures within this interval, irreversible inactivation would proceed mainly through the slow phase. The fraction of irreversibly denatured enzyme (D) as a function of temperature for a given scanning rate was calculated by numerical integration of the kinetic equation with temperature, using previously determined kinetic parameters. This D form was the most populated of the unfolded states only at temperatures well above the maximum in the calorimetric transition. Combination of the results of kinetic and DSC experiments has allowed us to separate the contribution of the final D state to the excess enthalpy change from the contribution arising from the reversibly denatured forms of the enzyme (I(i), i = 1,..., n), with the resulting conclusion that the scan rate dependence of the calorimetric traces was the result of two different dynamic effects, viz., the irreversible step and a slow relaxation process during formation of the reversibly denatured intermediate states. Finally, the problems of using results obtained at a single scan rate to validate the two-state kinetic model are commented on.     

Extracellular targeting of the vacuolar tobacco proteins AP24, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase in transgenic plants

The Nicotiana tabacum ap24 gene encoding a protein with antifungal activity toward Phytophthora infestans has been characterized. Analysis of cDNA clones revealed that at least three ap24-like genes are induced in tobacco upon infection with tobacco mosaic virus. Amino acid sequencing of the purified protein showed that AP24 is synthesized as a preproprotein from which an amino-terminal signal peptide and a carboxyl-terminal propeptide (CTPP) are cleaved off during post-translational processing. The functional role of the CTPP was investigated by expressing chimeric genes encoding either wild-type AP24 or a mutant protein lacking the CTPP. Plants expressing the wild-type construct resulted in proteins properly sorted to the vacuole. In contrast, the proteins produced in plants expressing the mutant construct were secreted extracellularly, indicating that the CTPP is necessary for targeting of AP24 to the vacuoles. Similar results were obtained for vacuolar chitinases and -1,3-glucanases of tobacco. The extracellularly targeted mutant proteins were shown to have retained their biological activity. Together, these results suggest that within all vacuolar pathogenesis-related proteins the targeting information resides in a short carboxyl-terminal propeptide which is removed during or after transport to the plant vacuole.     

NSA－Ⅱ型生理信号处理系统

介绍一种ＩＢＭ－ＰＣ系列微机生理信号采集、处理系统。该系统信号采集卡集程控放大、脉冲甄别、Ａ／Ｄ、Ｄ／Ａ等电路于一体,可满足各种生理信号的采集需要。采集信号时可长时间显示,动态观察。采样后,按需要给出各种图表与结果。部分处理方法采用独特数学模型,使结果更加精确。     

Alcaloides du Strychnos tchibangensis

The structure of a new bisindole alkaloid has been elucidated by chemical correlation and analysis of ¹³C NMR spectra.     

Structure des caboxines: Alcaloïdes oxindoliques du Cabucala fasciculata

The structures of three new 11-monomethoxy pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids have been elucidated by chemical correlations with reserpinine: caboxine-A was assigned to the allo C₁₉-méthyl α series: 3S, 4R, 7S, 19S; isocaboxine-A and B to the epi-allo C₁₉-methyl α series and have, respectively, the following configurations 3R, 4S, 7S, 19S and 3R, 4S, 7R, 19S.     

Identification of small RNAs involved in nitrogen fixation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 based on RNA-seq under steady state conditions

The aim of the present study was to investigate the tolerance of five new Achromobacter and Pseudomonas strains to kerosene and to establish if the production of several secondary metabolites increases or not when these bacteria were grown in the presence of kerosene. The biodegradation of kerosene by isolated bacteria was also investigated in this study. Five Proteobacteria were isolated from different samples polluted with petroleum and petroleum products. Based on their morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics, isolated bacteria were identified as Achromobacter spanius IBBPo18 and IBBPo21, Pseudomonas putida IBBPo19, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22. All these bacteria were able to tolerate and degrade kerosene. Higher tolerance to kerosene and degradation rates were observed for P. aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22, compared with that observed for A. spanius IBBPo18 and IBBPo21, and P. putida IBBPo19. All these bacteria were able to produce several secondary metabolites, such as surfactants and pigments. Glycolipid surfactants produced by P. aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22, A. spanius IBBPo18 and IBBPo21, and P. putida IBBPo19 have a very good emulsification activity, and their activity increased when they were grown in the presence of kerosene. The production of rhamnolipid surfactants by P. aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22 was confirmed by detection of rhlAB gene involved in their biosynthesis. Pyocyanin and pyoverdin pigments were produced only by P. aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22, while carotenoid pigments were produced by all the isolated bacteria. Significant changes in pigments production were observed when P. aeruginosa IBBPo20 and IBBPo22, A. spanius IBBPo18 and IBBPo21, and P. putida IBBPo19 were grown in the presence of kerosene. Due to their ability to tolerate and degrade kerosene, and also to produce several secondary metabolites, the isolated bacteria could be used in the bioremediation of kerosene-polluted environments.