A novel catalytic heme cofactor in SfmD with a single thioether bond and a bis-His ligand set revealed by a de novo crystal structural and spectroscopic study

SfmD is a heme-dependent enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of saframycin A. Here, we present a 1.78 Å resolution de novo crystal structure of SfmD, which unveils a novel heme cofactor attached to the protein with an unusual Hx_nHxxxC motif (n ∼ 38). This heme cofactor is unique in two respects. It contains a single thioether bond in a cysteine–vinyl link with Cys317, and the ferric heme has two axial protein ligands, i.e., His274 and His313. We demonstrated that SfmD heme is catalytically active and can utilize dioxygen and ascorbate for a single-oxygen insertion into 3-methyl-l-tyrosine. Catalytic assays using ascorbate derivatives revealed the functional groups of ascorbate essential to its function as a cosubstrate. Abolishing the thioether linkage through mutation of Cys317 resulted in catalytically inactive SfmD variants. EPR and optical data revealed that the heme center undergoes a substantial conformational change with one axial histidine ligand dissociating from the iron ion in response to substrate 3-methyl-l-tyrosine binding or chemical reduction by a reducing agent, such as the cosubstrate ascorbate. The labile axial ligand was identified as His274 through redox-linked structural determinations. Together, identifying an unusual heme cofactor with a previously unknown heme-binding motif for a monooxygenase activity and the structural similarity of SfmD to the members of the heme-based tryptophan dioxygenase superfamily will broaden understanding of heme chemistry.

The de novo crystal structure of SfmD reveals a novel c-type heme cofactor for promoting a monooxygenation reaction in the biosynthetic pathway of saframycin A.     

Metagenomic and functional analysis of hindgut microbiota of a wood-feeding higher termite

From the standpoints of both basic research and biotechnology, there is considerable interest in reaching a clearer understanding of the diversity of biological mechanisms employed during lignocellulose degradation. Globally, termites are an extremely successful group of wood-degrading organisms and are therefore important both for their roles in carbon turnover in the environment and as potential sources of biochemical catalysts for efforts aimed at converting wood into biofuels. Only recently have data supported any direct role for the symbiotic bacteria in the gut of the termite in cellulose and xylan hydrolysis. Here we use a metagenomic analysis of the bacterial community resident in the hindgut paunch of a wood-feeding 'higher' Nasutitermes species (which do not contain cellulose-fermenting protozoa) to show the presence of a large, diverse set of bacterial genes for cellulose and xylan hydrolysis. Many of these genes were expressed in vivo or had cellulase activity in vitro, and further analyses implicate spirochete and fibrobacter species in gut lignocellulose degradation. New insights into other important symbiotic functions including H2 metabolism, CO2-reductive acetogenesis and N2 fixation are also provided by this first system-wide gene analysis of a microbial community specialized towards plant lignocellulose degradation. Our results underscore how complex even a 1-microl environment can be.     

Mechanism of copper underpotential deposition at Pt(<Emphasis Type="Italic">hkl</Emphasis>)-electrodes: Quantum-chemical modelling

Mechanism of copper underpotential deposition at stepped faces of platinum single crystals Pt(hkl) is studied using cyclic voltammetry, scanning probe microscopy, and quantum-chemical modelling. It is shown that the first stage of UPD is one-dimensional decoration of the (100)- or (110)-orientated steps, then copper monolayer forms at (111)-terraces. The final stage is the secondary step decoration. Quantum-chemical modelling, with the using of long-distance potentials of the Cu-Pt and Cu-Cu pair interactions, allows estimating the energy of copper adsorption at different structure elements of the substrate (steps, kinks, terraces) and revealing the succession of the adatom monolayer formation; it also provides additional information for the identifying of the nature of voltametric peaks for different stages of the copper adsorption-desorption.     

求解复杂湍流的非线性涡黏性系数模型和代数应力模型

非线性涡黏性系数模型和代数应力模型联系了线性涡黏性系数湍流模型和完整的微分 雷诺应力模型.随着它们受到日益关注,其形式也越来越多样化.本篇综述的目的是对这些模 型加以总结并比较它们之间的共同点及不同之处,指出它们与完整微分雷诺应力模型之间的 关系,以及相对于线性涡黏性系数模型而言它们在预报流场上所具有的优势.     

The inner jet of an active galactic nucleus as revealed by a radio-to-gamma-ray outburst

Blazars are the most extreme active galactic nuclei. They possess oppositely directed plasma jets emanating at near light speeds from accreting supermassive black holes. According to theoretical models, such jets are propelled by magnetic fields twisted by differential rotation of the black hole's accretion disk or inertial-frame-dragging ergosphere. The flow velocity increases outward along the jet in an acceleration and collimation zone containing a coiled magnetic field. Detailed observations of outbursts of electromagnetic radiation, for which blazars are famous, can potentially probe the zone. It has hitherto not been possible to either specify the location of the outbursts or verify the general picture of jet formation. Here we report sequences of high-resolution radio images and optical polarization measurements of the blazar BL Lacertae. The data reveal a bright feature in the jet that causes a double flare of radiation from optical frequencies to TeV gamma-ray energies, as well as a delayed outburst at radio wavelengths. We conclude that the event starts in a region with a helical magnetic field that we identify with the acceleration and collimation zone predicted by the theories. The feature brightens again when it crosses a standing shock wave corresponding to the bright 'core' seen on the images.