Iron corrosion by novel anaerobic microorganisms

Corrosion of iron presents a serious economic problem. Whereas aerobic corrosion is a chemical process, anaerobic corrosion is frequently linked to the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). SRB are supposed to act upon iron primarily by produced hydrogen sulphide as a corrosive agent and by consumption of 'cathodic hydrogen' formed on iron in contact with water. Among SRB, Desulfovibrio species--with their capacity to consume hydrogen effectively--are conventionally regarded as the main culprits of anaerobic corrosion; however, the underlying mechanisms are complex and insufficiently understood. Here we describe novel marine, corrosive types of SRB obtained via an isolation approach with metallic iron as the only electron donor. In particular, a Desulfobacterium-like isolate reduced sulphate with metallic iron much faster than conventional hydrogen-scavenging Desulfovibrio species, suggesting that the novel surface-attached cell type obtained electrons from metallic iron in a more direct manner than via free hydrogen. Similarly, a newly isolated Methanobacterium-like archaeon produced methane with iron faster than do known hydrogen-using methanogens, again suggesting a more direct access to electrons from iron than via hydrogen consumption.     

The staphylocoagulase family of zymogen activator and adhesion proteins

Staphylocoagulase (SC) secreted by Staphylococcus aureus is a potent non-proteolytic activator of the blood coagulation zymogen prothrombin and the prototype of a newly established zymogen activator and adhesion protein (ZAAP) family. The conformationally activated SC·prothrombin complex specifically cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin, which propagates the growth of bacteria-fibrin-platelet vegetations in acute bacterial endocarditis. Our recent 2.2 Å X-ray crystal structures of an active SC fragment [SC(1-325)] bound to the prothrombin zymogen catalytic domain, prethrombin 2, demonstrated that SC(1-325) represents a new type of non-proteolytic activator with a unique fold. The observed insertion of the SC(1-325) N-terminus into the Ile 16 cleft of prethrombin 2, which triggers the activating conformational change, provided the first unambiguous structural evidence for the molecular sexuality mechanism of non-proteolytic zymogen activation. Based on the SC(1-325) fold, a new family of bifunctional zymogen activator and adhesion proteins was identified that possess N-terminal domains homologous to SC(1-325) and C-terminal domains that mediate adhesion to plasma or extracellular matrix proteins. Further investigation of the ZAAP family may lead to new insights into the mechanisms of bacterial factors that hijack zymogens of the human blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems to promote and disseminate endocarditis and other infectious diseases.Received 30 June 2004; received after revision 28 July 2004; accepted 4 August 2004     

Synthesis of Ta C and Ta_2C from tantalum and graphite in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell

The pressure dependence of the onset of the formation of Ta C and Ta2 C from the elements has been investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction and pyrometry.Ta C has been synthesized by the reaction of Ta and graphite at pressures between 8.6 and 14.3 GPa and at temperatures up to 2,300 K using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Ta and graphite begin to react around 1,100 K at ambient pressure conditions, and the reaction temperature increases with increasing pressure. A linear extrapolation of these data is consistent with recent observations of the formation of Ta C at 90 GPa and 3,600 K. We show that diffusion of carbon into tantalum significantly changes the lattice parameter of up to 2 % in the pressure range of up to19 GPa. In some experiments, Ta2 C was formed concomitantly. The experimentally determined bulk modulus of Ta2 C is B0;exp：= 286（5） GPa. Other tantalum carbide phases were not observed.     

Mutations in SIL1 cause Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome, a cerebellar ataxia with cataract and myopathy

SIL1 (also called BAP) acts as a nucleotide exchange factor for the Hsp70 chaperone BiP (also called GRP78), which is a key regulator of the main functions of the endoplasmic reticulum. We found nine distinct mutations that would disrupt the SIL1 protein in individuals with Marinesco-Sj?gren syndrome, an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia complicated by cataracts, developmental delay and myopathy. Identification of SIL1 mutations implicates Marinesco-Sj?gren syndrome as a disease of endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction and suggests a role for this organelle in multisystem disorders.     

Zur Kinematik der Planetenbewegung in Copernicus' Commentariolus

Zusammenfassung Copernicus versucht, die Ptolemäischen Konstruktionen auf konzentrische Kreise und Epizykel zu reduzieren und aus ihnen ein wirklich einheitliches System zu schaffen. Bei der Umordnung, die er dazu vornimmt, bemüht er sich aber, so viel wie möglich vom Ptolemäischen System zu erhalten. Das punctum aequans ersetzt er bei den äußeren Planeten durch eine Näherungskonstruktion mit Hilfe eines Epizykels. Im Fall des Ptolemäischen Deferenten der Venus, der nach seinen Vorstellungen die Erdbahn wiedergibt, muß er einen dem punctum aequans annähernd gleichwertigen Epizykelmechanismus auf die Venusbahn verpflanzen. Vorgelegt von B. L. van der Waerden     

Liver homing in the rat of111Indium labelled beef and neuraminidase-treated rat erythrocytes (Studies with a Gamma Camera)

Summary The rate of liver homing of¹¹¹In-labelled erythrocytes has been measured under a Gamma Camera. Homing of neuraminidase-treated or xenogeneic erythrocytes is delayed by preinjection of glycolipids or glycopeptides.We thank Miss Unverhau for excellent technical assistance.