Structural Changes of Water Molecules Upon the Reduction of Quinones in The Reaction Center from Rhodobactery Sphaeroides

1 Results The photosynthetic bacterial reaction center (RC) is a membrane protein complex.The RC is composed of three protein subunits and redox components such as bacteriochlorophylls, bacteriopheophytins,and quinones.The RC performs the photochemical electron transfer from the bacteriochlorophyll dimer through a series of electron donor and acceptor molecules to a secondary quinone,QB.QB accepts electrons from a primary quinone,QA,in two sequential electron transfer reactions.The second electron trans...     

Mutations in the gene encoding the basal body protein RPGRIP1L, a nephrocystin-4 interactor, cause Joubert syndrome

Protein-protein interaction analyses have uncovered a ciliary and basal body protein network that, when disrupted, can result in nephronophthisis (NPHP), Leber congenital amaurosis, Senior-L?ken syndrome (SLSN) or Joubert syndrome (JBTS). However, details of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders remain poorly understood. RPGRIP1-like protein (RPGRIP1L) is a homolog of RPGRIP1 (RPGR-interacting protein 1), a ciliary protein defective in Leber congenital amaurosis. We show that RPGRIP1L interacts with nephrocystin-4 and that mutations in the gene encoding nephrocystin-4 (NPHP4) that are known to cause SLSN disrupt this interaction. RPGRIP1L is ubiquitously expressed, and its protein product localizes to basal bodies. Therefore, we analyzed RPGRIP1L as a candidate gene for JBTS and identified loss-of-function mutations in three families with typical JBTS, including the characteristic mid-hindbrain malformation. This work identifies RPGRIP1L as a gene responsible for JBTS and establishes a central role for cilia and basal bodies in the pathophysiology of this disorder.     

Telomeres and meiosis in health and disease

Beyond their role in replication and chromosome end capping, telomeres are also thought to function in meiotic chromosome pairing, meiotic and mitotic chromosome segregation as well as in nuclear organization. Observations in both somatic and meiotic cells suggest that the positioning of telomeres within the nucleus is highly specific and believed to be dependent mainly on telomere interactions with the nuclear envelope either directly or through chromatin interacting proteins. Although little is known about the mechanism of telomere clustering, some studies show that it is an active process. Recent data have suggested a regulatory role for telomere chromatin structure in telomere movement. This review will summarize recent studies on telomere interactions with the nuclear matrix, telomere chromatin structure and factors that modify telomere chromatin structure as related to regulation of telomere movement.     

Heat shock proteins and infection: interactions of pathogen and host.

Invasive microorganisms encounter defensive attempts of the host to starve, destroy and eliminate the infection. In experimental model systems aiming to imitate defensive actions of the host, microorganisms respond by the rapid acceleration in the rate of expression of heat shock and other stress proteins. Heat shock proteins (hsp) of most if not all pathogens are major immune targets for both B- and T-cells. Host cells involved in the defensive action cannot avoid exposure to their own reactive compounds, such as oxygen radicals, resulting in premature cell death and tissue damage. Long-term consequences to the host may include cancer. In cells in tissue culture, induction of host-specific hsps occurs upon exposure to oxidants and in viral infections. Drugs that bind to members of the hsp70 family induce peroxisome proliferation and hepatocarcinoma, but may open the way for the development of novel drugs in support of antimetabolite treatment of infections and cancer.     

分子间作用力对制备含有机废弃之水泥浆体影响研究

研究以水泥处理固体有机物时，有机物对水泥水化的影响。以膜流模式说明水份在水泥浆体内传输的现象。水膜存在半干之水泥浆体，其厚度小于100nm，膜流由离分压所驱动，而离分压来自分子间作用力。膜拟结果发现，水泥浆体内局部位置可用以进行水化之水量为Q=-Aslv／6vπ。当有机物添加在水泥浆体内时，会影响Hamaker常数，Aslv因此可能使膜流不稳定或完全抑制膜流，因而使水泥浆体内局部缺水，影响水化进行，造成成品强度降低，影响品质。