A tale of tails: deciphering the contribution of terminal tails to the biochemical properties of two Dps proteins from Streptomyces coelicolor

Dps proteins are members of an extensive family of proteins that oxidise and deposit iron in the form of ferric oxide, and are also able to bind DNA. Ferroxidation centres are formed at the interface of anti-parallel dimers, which further assemble into dodecameric nanocages with a hollow core where ferric oxide is deposited. Streptomyces coelicolor encodes three Dps-like proteins (DpsA, B and C). Despite sharing the conserved four-helix bundle organisation observed in members of the Dps family, they display significant differences in the length of terminal extensions, or tails. DpsA possess both N- and C-terminal tails of different lengths, and their removal affects quaternary structure assembly to varying degrees. DpsC quaternary structure, on the other hand, is heavily dependent on its N-terminal tail as its removal abolishes correct protein folding. Analysis of the crystal structure of dodecamers from both proteins revealed remarkable differences in the position of tails and interface surface area; and provides insight to explain the differences in biochemical behaviour observed while comparing DpsA and DpsC.     

Low-energy acoustic plasmons at metal surfaces

Nearly two-dimensional (2D) metallic systems formed in charge inversion layers and artificial layered materials permit the existence of low-energy collective excitations, called 2D plasmons, which are not found in a three-dimensional (3D) metal. These excitations have caused considerable interest because their low energy allows them to participate in many dynamical processes involving electrons and phonons, and because they might mediate the formation of Cooper pairs in high-transition-temperature superconductors. Metals often support electronic states that are confined to the surface, forming a nearly 2D electron-density layer. However, it was argued that these systems could not support low-energy collective excitations because they would be screened out by the underlying bulk electrons. Rather, metallic surfaces should support only conventional surface plasmons-higher-energy modes that depend only on the electron density. Surface plasmons have important applications in microscopy and sub-wavelength optics, but have no relevance to the low-energy dynamics. Here we show that, in contrast to expectations, a low-energy collective excitation mode can be found on bare metal surfaces. The mode has an acoustic (linear) dispersion, different to the dependence of a 2D plasmon, and was observed on Be(0001) using angle-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy. First-principles calculations show that it is caused by the coexistence of a partially occupied quasi-2D surface-state band with the underlying 3D bulk electron continuum and also that the non-local character of the dielectric function prevents it from being screened out by the 3D states. The acoustic plasmon reported here has a very general character and should be present on many metal surfaces. Furthermore, its acoustic dispersion allows the confinement of light on small surface areas and in a broad frequency range, which is relevant for nano-optics and photonics applications.     

CEP152 is a genome maintenance protein disrupted in Seckel syndrome

Functional impairment of DNA damage response pathways leads to increased genomic instability. Here we describe the centrosomal protein CEP152 as a new regulator of genomic integrity and cellular response to DNA damage. Using homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing, we identified CEP152 mutations in Seckel syndrome and showed that impaired CEP152 function leads to accumulation of genomic defects resulting from replicative stress through enhanced activation of ATM signaling and increased H2AX phosphorylation.     

Construction and use of human chromosome jumping libraries from NotI-digested DNA

A basic difficulty in the molecular analysis of genes identified by mutations in the mammalian genome is the need to cover genetic distances corresponding to several hundred kilobases or more by molecular techniques like chromosome walking. In chromosome jumping, this limitation is overcome by the deletion of all but the extreme ends of large DNA molecules before cloning. We describe here the construction and characterization of a NotI 'jumping library' from human DNA. To characterize this library, random clones were analysed by restriction mapping. Clones carrying unique end fragments were characterized further by hybridization to Southern blots of NotI-cleaved human DNA separated on pulsed field gradient (PFG) gels. As a first step in a directional walk, the library was screened with a clone containing a NotI site cleaved in genomic DNA ('NotI linking clone') localized to the distal third of the short arm of human chromosome 4 (A.-M.F. & T.P., unpublished data). Starting and end points of two identified clones were positioned within a restriction map covering 850 kilobases.     

Dose-effects of 8-methoxypsoralen and long wave UV-light in 3T3 cells: evaluation of a phototoxic index

Summary 3T3 cells were cultured until confluency and treated with various doses of 8-methoxypsoralen followed by long wave UV light irradiation. The inhibition of³H-thymidine incorporation was dose-dependent for both, psoralen and light. A phototoxic index (PTI) was established demonstrating that a constant correlation between psoralen and UVA light exists for the photoinactivation in living cells.Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.We thank Miss Anne Schröder for her skillful assistance.     

Sequence and analysis of chromosome 4 of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana

The higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) is an important model for identifying plant genes and determining their function. To assist biological investigations and to define chromosome structure, a coordinated effort to sequence the Arabidopsis genome was initiated in late 1996. Here we report one of the first milestones of this project, the sequence of chromosome 4. Analysis of 17.38 megabases of unique sequence, representing about 17% of the genome, reveals 3,744 protein coding genes, 81 transfer RNAs and numerous repeat elements. Heterochromatic regions surrounding the putative centromere, which has not yet been completely sequenced, are characterized by an increased frequency of a variety of repeats, new repeats, reduced recombination, lowered gene density and lowered gene expression. Roughly 60% of the predicted protein-coding genes have been functionally characterized on the basis of their homology to known genes. Many genes encode predicted proteins that are homologous to human and Caenorhabditis elegans proteins.     

Time function of corticosteroid levels in the blood plasma of rats under the influence of222Rn inhalation

Summary The time function of corticosteroid level in plasma of rats under two different²²²Rn concentrations was investigated. Both curves show a maximum after 8 h. Whereas the higher activity of²²²Rn produces a second maximum after 5 days, the lower activity reaches its second maximum not before 9 days. From both time functions, a two-step mechanism in the intracellular control can be concluded.     

Circadian pacemaker does not arrest in deep hibernation. Evidence for desynchronization from the light cycle

A freerunning rhythm of locomotor activity was observed between hibernation bouts in Turkish hamsters (mesocricetus brandti) kept in 10L:14D light-dark cycles at 10 +/- 1 degree C. The data further indicate an influence of natural hypothermia upon the circadian system and its ability to entrain to light-dark cycles.