Dictyostelium cells bind a secreted autocrine factor that represses cell proliferation

Background  

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen encounters redox stress throughout its life inside the host. In order to protect itself from the redox onslaughts of host immune system, M. tuberculosis appears to have developed accessory thioredoxin-like proteins which are represented by ORFs encoding WhiB-like proteins. We have earlier reported that WhiB1/Rv3219 is a thioredoxin like protein of M. tuberculosis and functions as a protein disulfide reductase. Generally thioredoxins have many substrate proteins. The current study aims to identify the substrate protein(s) of M. tuberculosis WhiB1.     

Identification of a Bacillus thuringiensis Cry11Ba toxin-binding aminopeptidase from the mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus

Background  

Aminopeptidase N (APN) type proteins isolated from several species of lepidopteran insects have been implicated as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin-binding proteins (receptors) for Cry toxins. We examined brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) proteins from the mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus to determine if APNs from this organism would bind mosquitocidal Cry toxins that are active to it.     

Determination of thermodynamic parameters of Xerocomus chrysenteron lectin interactions with N-acetylgalactosamine and Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen by isothermal titration calorimetry

Background  

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins which potentially bind to cell surface glycoconjugates. They are found in various organisms including fungi. A lectin from the mushroom Xerocomus chrysenteron (XCL) has been isolated recently. It shows insecticidal activity and has antiproliferative properties.     

Insights into the role of Val45 and Gln182 of Escherichia coli MutY in DNA substrate binding and specificity

Background  

Escherichia coli MutY (EcMutY) reduces mutagenesis by removing adenines paired with guanines or 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-guanines (8-oxoG). V45 and Q182 of EcMutY are considered to be the key determinants of adenine specificity. Both residues are spatially close to each other in the active site and are conserved in MutY family proteins but not in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Mig.MthI T/G mismatch DNA glycosylase (A50 and L187 at the corresponding respective positions).     

Identification of sites phosphorylated by the vaccinia virus B1R kinase in viral protein H5R

Background  

Vaccinia virus gene B1R encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase. In vitro this protein kinase phosphorylates ribosomal proteins Sa and S2 and vaccinia virus protein H5R, proteins that become phosphorylated during infection. Nothing is known about the sites phosphorylated on these proteins or the general substrate specificity of the kinase. The work described is the first to address these questions.     

A Series of 1-D Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on [Ln4(μ3-OH)4] (Ln = Er, Tb, Gd) Cluster Units

Abstract  

A series of 1-D lanthanide coordination polymers [Ln(μ₃-OH)(pybz)(pa)] _n (Ln = Er (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), Hpybz = 4-pyridin-4-yl-benzoic acid, Hpa = 2-picolinic acid) based on [Ln₄(μ₃-OH)₄] cluster units have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray crystal structure analyses reveal that 1–3 are isomorphous with tetragonal space group P [`4] \overline{4} 2₁c and comprise tetranuclear Ln–O clusters, in which four Ln³⁺ centers are joined together by four μ₃-bridging hydroxyl groups to form cubane-like [Ln₄(μ₃-OH)₄]⁸⁺ cores that are further linked by four μ₃-pa⁻ ligands to produce 1-D chains along the c-axis.     

Identification of α-type subunits of the Xenopus 20S proteasome and analysis of their changes during the meiotic cell cycle

Background  

The 26S proteasome is the proteolytic machinery of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system responsible for most of the regulated intracellular protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. Previously, we demonstrated meiotic cell cycle dependent phosphorylation of α4 subunit of the 26S proteasome. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the spotting pattern separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis of α subunits during Xenopus oocyte maturation.     

Color transitions in coral's fluorescent proteins by site-directed mutagenesis

Background  

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) cloned from jellyfish Aequorea victoria and its homologs from corals Anthozoa have a great practical significance as in vivo markers of gene expression. Also, they are an interesting puzzle of protein science due to an unusual mechanism of chromophore formation and diversity of fluorescent colors. Fluorescent proteins can be subdivided into cyan (~ 485 nm), green (~ 505 nm), yellow (~ 540 nm), and red (>580 nm) emitters.     

Identification of a nuclear localization motif in the serine/arginine protein kinase PSRPK of physarum polycephalum

Background  

Serine/arginine (SR) protein-specific kinases (SRPKs) are conserved in a wide range of organisms, from humans to yeast. Studies showed that SRPKs can regulate the nuclear import of SR proteins in cytoplasm, and regulate the sub-localization of SR proteins in the nucleus. But no nuclear localization signal (NLS) of SRPKs was found. We isolated an SRPK-like protein PSRPK (GenBank accession No. DQ140379) from Physarum polycephalum previously, and identified a NLS of PSRPK in this study.     

Myosin-cross-reactive antigen (MCRA) protein from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bifidobacterium breve</Emphasis> is a FAD-dependent fatty acid hydratase which has a function in stress protection

Background  

The aim of this study was to determine the catalytic activity and physiological role of myosin-cross-reactive antigen (MCRA) from Bifidobacterium breve NCIMB 702258. MCRA from B. breve NCIMB 702258 was cloned, sequenced and expressed in heterologous hosts (Lactococcus and Corynebacterium) and the recombinant proteins assessed for enzymatic activity against fatty acid substrates.     

Identification of archaeal proteins that affect the exosome function in vitro

Background  

The archaeal exosome is formed by a hexameric RNase PH ring and three RNA binding subunits and has been shown to bind and degrade RNA in vitro. Despite extensive studies on the eukaryotic exosome and on the proteins interacting with this complex, little information is yet available on the identification and function of archaeal exosome regulatory factors.     

Osmotic stress-dependent serine phosphorylation of the histidine kinase homologue DokA

Background  

Two-component systems consisting of histidine kinases and their corresponding receivers are widespread in bacterial signal transduction. In the past few years, genes coding for homologues of two-component systems were also discovered in eukaryotic organisms. DokA, a homologue of bacterial histidine kinases, is an element of the osmoregulatory pathway in the amoeba Dictyostelium. The work described here addresses the question whether DokA is phosphorylated in vivo in response to osmotic stress.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New 2-D Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Wells–Dawson-Type Polyoxometalate

Abstract  

A new 2-D organic–inorganic hybrid Wells–Dawson-Type polyoxotungstate K[Cu(Im)₂]₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂·2H₂O·(OH) (Im = Imidazole) (1) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR spectroscopy, TG, and single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Crystal data for 1: triclinic, P-1, a = 15.3676(12) ?, b = 15.5059(14) ?, c = 24.6437(19) ?, α = 98.088(2)°, β = 96.930(2)°, γ = 119.312(2)°, Z = 2. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that the [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ polyoxoanion is linked by [Cu(Im)₂]⁺ cation to form a 1-D chain along the a axis which is connected by K⁺ cation down the c axis to form a 2-D layer.     

Characterization of the aggregates formed during recombinant protein expression in bacteria

Background  

The first aim of the work was to analyze in detail the complexity of the aggregates formed upon overexpression of recombinant proteins in E. coli. A sucrose step gradient succeeded in separating aggregate subclasses of a GFP-GST fusion protein with specific biochemical and biophysical features, providing a novel approach for studying recombinant protein aggregates.     

Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks Based on {Ln<Subscript>4</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-OH)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>} Cluster Units

Abstract  

Three novel lanthanide-organic frameworks: [Ln₂(pyba)₃(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-OH)(H₂O)] _n (Ln = Er (1), Y (2), Dy (3) Hpyba = 4-pyridin-4-yl-benzoic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure analysis shows that each {Ln₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ₂-OH)₂} cluster units interconnect to form 1-D chains, which are further linked by π–π interactions to make a 3-D supramolecular network structure. Furthermore, the IR, PXRD and TGA of compounds 1–3 were also studied.     

Thermophile-specific proteins: the gene product of <Emphasis Type="Italic">aq_1292</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquifex aeolicus</Emphasis> is an NTPase

Background  

To identify thermophile-specific proteins, we performed phylogenetic patterns searches of 66 completely sequenced microbial genomes. This analysis revealed a cluster of orthologous groups (COG1618) which contains a protein from every thermophile and no sequence from 52 out of 53 mesophilic genomes. Thus, COG1618 proteins belong to the group of thermophile-specific proteins (THEPs) and therefore we here designate COG1618 proteins as THEP1s. Since no THEP1 had been analyzed biochemically thus far, we characterized the gene product of aq_1292 which is THEP1 from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus (aaTHEP1).     

Glutathionylation of beta-actin via a cysteinyl sulfenic acid intermediary

Background  

Cysteinyl residues in actin are glutathionylated, ie. form a mixed disulfide with glutathione, even in the absence of exogenous oxidative stress. Glutathionylation inhibits actin polymerization and reversible actin glutathionylation is a redox dependent mechanism for regulation of the cytoskeleton structure. The molecular mechanism that mediates actin glutathionylation in vivo is unclear.     

Biochemical evidence for the tyrosine involvement in cationic intermediate stabilization in mouse β-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase

Background  

β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (BCMO1) catalyzes the crucial first step in vitamin A biosynthesis in animals. We wished to explore the possibility that a carbocation intermediate is formed during the cleavage reaction of BCMO1, as is seen for many isoprenoid biosynthesis enzymes, and to determine which residues in the substrate binding cleft are necessary for catalytic and substrate binding activity. To test this hypothesis, we replaced substrate cleft aromatic and acidic residues by site-directed mutagenesis. Enzymatic activity was measured in vitro using His-tag purified proteins and in vivo in a β-carotene-accumulating E. coli system.     

Biochemical characterization of Cdk2-Speedy/Ringo A2

Background  

Normal cell cycle progression requires the precise activation and inactivation of cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs), which consist of a CDK and a cyclin subunit. A novel cell cycle regulator called Speedy/Ringo shows no sequence similarity to cyclins, yet can directly bind to and activate CDKs. Speedy/Ringo proteins, which bind to and activate Cdc2 and Cdk2 in vitro, are required for the G2 to M transition during Xenopus oocyte maturation and for normal S-phase entry in cultured human cells.     

The effect of amino acid deletions and substitutions in the longest loop of GFP

Background  

The effect of single and multiple amino acid substitutions in the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria has been extensively explored, yielding several proteins of diverse spectral properties. However, the role of amino acid deletions in this protein -as with most proteins- is still unknown, due to the technical difficulties involved in generating combinatorial in-phase amino acid deletions on a target region.