Magnaporthe oryzae MTP1 gene encodes a type III transmembrane protein involved in conidiation and conidial germination

In this study the MTP1 gene, encoding a type III integral transmembrane protein, was isolated from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. The Mtp 1 protein is 520 amino acids long and is comparable to the Ytp 1 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with 46% sequence similarity. Prediction programs and MTP1-GFP （green fluorescent protein） fusion expression results indicate that Mtp 1 is a protein located at several membranes in the cytoplasm. The functions of the MTP1 gene in the growth and development of the fungus were studied using an MTP1 gene knockout mutant. The MTP1 gene was primarily expressed at the hyphal and conidial stages and is necessary for conidiation and conidial germination, but is not required for pathogenicity. The Amtpl mutant grew more efficiently than the wild type strain on non-fermentable carbon sources, implying that the MTP1 gene has a unique role in respiratory growth and carbon source use.     

Availability and toxicity of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in Caco-2 cells

The objective of the present study was to compare the toxicity and availability of Fe(II) and Fe(III) to Caco-2 cells. Cellular damage was studied by measuring cell proliferation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The activities of two major antioxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and differentiation marker (alkaline phosphatase) were determined after the cells were exposed to different levels of iron salts. The cellular iron concentration was investigated to evaluate iron bioavailability. The results show that iron uptake of the cells treated with Fe(II) is significantly higher than that of the cells treated with Fe(III) (P<0.05). Fe(II) at a concentration >1.5 mmol/L was found to be more effective in reducing cellular viability than Fe(III). LDH release investigation suggests that Fe(II) can reduce stability of the cell membrane. The activities of SOD and GPx of the cells treated with Fe(II) were higher than those of the cells treated with Fe(III), although both of them increased with raising iron supply levels. The results indicate that both Fe(II) and Fe(III) could reduce the cellular antioxidase gene expression at high levels.     

Crystal structure of a human membrane protein involved in cysteinyl leukotriene biosynthesis

The cysteinyl leukotrienes, namely leukotriene (LT)C4 and its metabolites LTD4 and LTE4, the components of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, are lipid mediators of smooth muscle constriction and inflammation, particularly implicated in bronchial asthma. LTC4 synthase (LTC4S), the pivotal enzyme for the biosynthesis of LTC4 (ref. 10), is an 18-kDa integral nuclear membrane protein that belongs to a superfamily of membrane-associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism that includes 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, microsomal glutathione S-transferases (MGSTs), and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (ref. 13). LTC4S conjugates glutathione to LTA4, the endogenous substrate derived from arachidonic acid through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. In contrast with MGST2 and MGST3 (refs 15, 16), LTC4S does not conjugate glutathione to xenobiotics. Here we show the atomic structure of human LTC4S in a complex with glutathione at 3.3 A resolution by X-ray crystallography and provide insights into the high substrate specificity for glutathione and LTA4 that distinguishes LTC4S from other MGSTs. The LTC4S monomer has four transmembrane alpha-helices and forms a threefold symmetric trimer as a unit with functional domains across each interface. Glutathione resides in a U-shaped conformation within an interface between adjacent monomers, and this binding is stabilized by a loop structure at the top of the interface. LTA4 would fit into the interface so that Arg 104 of one monomer activates glutathione to provide the thiolate anion that attacks C6 of LTA4 to form a thioether bond, and Arg 31 in the neighbouring monomer donates a proton to form a hydroxyl group at C5, resulting in 5(S)-hydroxy-6(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (LTC4). These findings provide a structural basis for the development of LTC4S inhibitors for a proinflammatory pathway mediated by three cysteinyl leukotriene ligands whose stability and potency are different and by multiple cysteinyl leukotriene receptors whose functions may be non-redundant.     

氧氟沙星荧光光度法测定痕量铁

研究了在HAc-NaAc缓冲溶液中氧氟沙星与Fe(Ⅲ)的络合反应，结果表明：在pH=4．0的缓冲溶液中，氧氟沙星有稳定而较强的荧光；与Fe(Ⅲ)络合后，荧光强度减弱．最大激发及发射波长为324nm和498．6nm，Fe(Ⅲ)的质量浓度在0．56～3．08mg／L范围内，荧光强度与浓度呈良好的线性关系．检出限为0，076mg／L，常见的共存离子不干扰其测定．本方法用于水中痕量铁的测定，得到了满意的结果。     

An LFA-3 cDNA encodes a phospholipid-linked membrane protein homologous to its receptor CD2

Recently the human T cell erythrocyte receptor CD2 has been shown to bind human erythrocytes through LFA-3, a heavily glycosylated surface protein of broad tissue distribution. CD2-LFA-3 interactions are important for cytolytic conjugate formation, for thymocyte adhesion, and for T cell activation. A complementary DNA clone encoding LFA-3 was isolated using a complementary DNA clone encoding LFA-3 was isolated using a novel transient expression system of mouse cells. The cDNA encodes a phospholipid-linked membrane protein whose extracellular domain shares significant homology with CD2. As CD2 is homologous with the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM in immunoglobulin-like domains, cellular adhesion molecules in both neural and lymphoid tissues could have a common ancestor.     

Geobacter metallireducens accesses insoluble Fe(III) oxide by chemotaxis

Microorganisms that use insoluble Fe(III) oxide as an electron acceptor can have an important function in the carbon and nutrient cycles of aquatic sediments and in the bioremediation of organic and metal contaminants in groundwater. Although Fe(III) oxides are often abundant, Fe(III)-reducing microbes are faced with the problem of how to access effectively an electron acceptor that can not diffuse to the cell. Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in the genus Shewanella have resolved this problem by releasing soluble quinones that can carry electrons from the cell surface to Fe(III) oxide that is at a distance from the cell. Here we report that another Fe(III)-reducer, Geobacter metallireducens, has an alternative strategy for accessing Fe(III) oxides. Geobacter metallireducens specifically expresses flagella and pili only when grown on insoluble Fe(III) or Mn(IV) oxide, and is chemotactic towards Fe(II) and Mn(II) under these conditions. These results suggest that G. metallireducens senses when soluble electron acceptors are depleted and then synthesizes the appropriate appendages to permit it to search for, and establish contact with, insoluble Fe(III) or Mn(IV) oxide. This approach to the use of an insoluble electron acceptor may explain why Geobacter species predominate over other Fe(III) oxide-reducing microorganisms in a wide variety of sedimentary environments.     

The mechanism of Fe （Ⅲ）-catalyzed ozonation of phenol

Fe (III)-catalyzed ozonation yielded better degradation rate and extent of COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) or oxalic acid as compared with oxidation by ozone alone. Two parameters with strong effects on the efficiency of ozonation are pH of the solution and the catalyst (Fe(3+)) dosage. The existence of a critical pH value determining the catalysis of Fe (III) in acid conditions was observed in phenol and oxalic acid systems. The best efficiency of catalysis was obtained at a moderate concentration of the catalyst. A reasonable mechanism of Fe (III)-catalyzed ozonation of phenol was obtained based on the results and literature.     

酸性媒介黄GG与［Coen_2（OH）（OH_2）］~（2＋）的取代反应动力学及反应机理

用分光光度法研究ｃｉｓ－［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ）（ＯＨ）２］（ＣｌＯ４）２（ｅｎ为乙二胺）与酸性媒介黄ＧＧ染料（２－羟基－５－［（４－苯磺酸基）偶氮基］苯甲酸）的取代反应动力学．用ｐＨ电位滴定法测定了［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ）２］＋、［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ）（ＯＨ２）］２＋６０℃时的加质子反应平衡常数．用分光光度法测得６０℃时染料的酸解离常数．６０℃离子强度为０．１ｍｏｌ／ｋｇＮａＣｌＯ４时，各络合质点与染料的反应活性顺序为［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ）（ＯＨ２）］２＋＞［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ）２］＋＞［Ｃｏｅｎ２（ＯＨ２）２］３＋．由表观速率常数ｋｏｂｓ与Ｃｏ（Ⅲ）络合物浓度的关系及反应活化参数西ΔＨ、ΔＳ可见，该取代反应是按ＳＮ２缔合机理进行的．     

A tetrairon(III) complex recognizing protein structures via a hydrolytic pathway

Structural information of proteins is of crucial impor-tance for understanding their functions and mechanisms in the proteomic times. Compared to the huge data banks of protein sequences, the structural data banks (for example, PDB) are very small. To date, determination of the three-dimensional structure of a protein is dependent on X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)[1]. The requirement of X-ray crystallography is to obtain crystal of a protein, whereas NMR is main…     

A tetrairon（Ⅲ） complex recognizing protein structures via a hydrolytic pathway

There might be significant differences in the rate and efficiency in the metal complex-mediated hydrolytic reactions of proteins belonging to the different structural patterns. The tetrairon（Ⅲ） complex [Fe4（NTB）4 （μ2-O）2（μ4-Suc）]^6＋, as a promoter in protein hydrolysis, is sensitive to α-helices in proteins, indicating that some metal complexes, as artificial proteolytic agents, could be used as a new hydrol） tic probe of protein structures.     

Fe(III)掺杂对TiO2光催化活性的影响机理

采用平面波赝势(PWPP)方法进行密度泛函(DFT)总能量计算,优化了TiO2超晶胞构型参数,模拟计算了Fe(III)掺杂锐钛矿TiO2对能隙、Fermi能级、态密度的影响.Fe(III)掺杂锐钛矿TiO2晶体后禁带(Eg)变小,TiO2的Fermi能级降低,使TiO2 的吸收带红移,同时电子-空穴在表面的复合几率降低,从而增强了光催化的活性.     

Subcellular localization of the stripe disease-specific protein encoded by rice stripe virus (RSV) in its vector, the small brown planthopper,Laodelphax striatellus

The stripe disease-specific protein (SP) encoded by the rice stripe virus (RSV) was successfully used as a localization signal of the virus in its vector, the small brown lanthopper,Laodelphax striatellus Fallen. Immunogold particles in large numbers were detected in various parts of the viruliferous females: the ovum, surface of chorion, the midgut lumen, and the columnar cells. Whereas there was none of these particles in the non-viruliferous females and males, and testis of viruliferous males. Endosymbionts (mycetocytes) were abundant, harboring ovaries of both viruliferous and non-viruliferous females, but none in the testis of males. The results provided us with the direct proof that RSV is a ciruculative and propagative plant virus and it was transovarially transmitted alongside with endosymbionts of its vector. Therefore, we deem it a nice lead for future studies on the mechanism of RSV transmission and functioning of its viral proteins.     

A suppressor of a yeast splicing mutation (prp8-1) encodes a putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase

Five small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are required for nuclear pre-messenger RNA splicing: U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6. The yeast U1 and U2 snRNAs base-pair to the 5' splice site and branch-point sequences of introns respectively. The role of the U5 and U4/U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) in splicing is not clear, though a catalytic role for the U6 snRNA has been proposed. Less is known about yeast splicing factors, but the availability of genetic techniques in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has led to the identification of mutants deficient in nuclear pre-mRNA splicing (prp2-prp27). Several PRP genes have now been cloned and their protein products characterized. The PRP8 protein is a component of the U5 snRNP and associates with the U4/U6 snRNAs/snRNP to form a multi-snRNP particle believed to be important for spliceosome assembly. We have isolated extragenic suppressors of the prp8-1 mutation of S. cerevisiae and present here the preliminary characterization of one of these suppressors, spp81. The predicted amino-acid sequence of the SPP81 protein shows extensive similarity to a recently identified family of proteins thought to possess ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity. The possible role of this putative helicase in nuclear pre-mRNA splicing is discussed.     

Human nectin-like 1, a novel membrane protein interacting with protein 4.1 R

Human nectin-like 1 (NECL1) full-length cDNA was cloned by bioinformatics method when searching for candidate membrane proteins interacting with members of protein 4.1 family. The cytoplasmic and extracellular regions of NECL1 were expressed in and purified from E. coli, and the polyclonal antibody was produced. Interaction between the cytoplasmic region of NECL1 and the 30 kD membrane binding domain of protein 4.1 on red blood cell (4. 1R) was demonstrated by IAsys-biosensor system and GST pull-down experiment. Results of biotin-labeled peptide ELISA further demonstrated the key amino acids for the binding. The interaction research of NECL1's cytoplasmic domain provides basis for further study of the functions of NECL1 in nervous system.     

Distal-less encodes a homoeodomain protein required for limb development in Drosophila

The spatial organization of the Drosophila embryo depends on the activity of three axial pattern-forming systems. In addition to the anterior-posterior and dorsal-ventral systems that organize the segmented body plan, a proximal-distal pattern-forming system is required to provide positional information for the developing limbs. The development of both the larval and adult limbs depends directly on the activity of the Distal-less gene. Genetic analysis has shown that Distal-less functions as a developmental switch that is required to promote the development of limb structures above the evolutionary ground-state of body wall. Here we provide genetic evidence that indicates a graded requirement for Distal-less activity during limb development. Reduction of this activity has a global effect on pattern formation in the limb. The molecular structure of the Distal-less locus indicates that the gene encodes a homoeodomain-containing protein which is therefore likely to specify limb development through differential regulation of subordinate genes.     

Crystal structure and photoelectricity property of Fe(II/III) coordination supermolecules

Three new mixed-ligand Fe(II/III) complexes [Fe₂(μ₂–btec)(μ₂–H2btec)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (1), [Fe2(btec) (phen)₂(H₂O)₄] (2), and {[Fe(o-pha)(phen)(H₂O)]•H₂O}_n (3) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, o-H₂pha=o-phthalic acid, H₄btec=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and detected by single crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that complexes (1) and (2) are both bridged by the betc⁴⁻ ligands to form 1D chain and dinuclear structure and complex (3) is bridged by the o-pha groups to form 1D chain structure. The coordinated modes of the carboxyl groups adopt μ₂-η¹η¹ηη¹η¹ and μ₂-η²η¹ respectively in com-plexes (2) and (3). The betc groups in complex (1) show two different coordinated modes: μ₂-η¹η¹η¹η¹ and μ₂-η¹η¹. In addition, the hydrogen bonds and π…π type interactions make the complex molecule further connect to three-dimensional and two-dimensional networks respectively. These complexes are detected by IR, UV-Vis-NIR and surface photovoltage spectrum (SPS). The SPS of complexes (1)–(3) indicate that there are positive SPV responses in the range of 300–600 nm and show p-type semiconductor characteristic. Because the structure, the valence and the coordinative environment of the Fe ions are all different in the three complexes, the intensity, position and the number of the response bands are different obviously. The results of SPS are corresponding with UV-Vis-NIR spectra.     

无机离子对Fe(III)体系光降解罗丹明B的影响

进行了光/Fe(III)体系降解染料罗丹明B水溶液的研究,考察了无机阴离子(Cl^-、HCO^-₃和SO^2-₄)对罗丹明B光降解的影响。结果表明,当Fe(III)的初始浓度为0.5 mmol·L^-1,溶液的初始pH=3.6,经氙灯(λ>290 nm)照射60 min后,罗丹明B(5 mg·L^-1)去除率达到91%,而反应105 min时去除率几乎达到100%。Cl^-的存在对罗丹明B的降解具有抑制作用,并且浓度越高抑制作用越明显;SO^2-₄的存在也会降低罗丹明B的去除效率;而HCO^-₃的存在对罗丹明B的去除率影响不大,且具有一定的促进作用。     

Cytoskeleton reorganization and FAK phosphorylation are involved in lanthanum （Ⅲ）-promoted proliferation and differentiation in rat osteoblasts

The effect of lanthanum ion (La³⁺) on osteoblast function and cytoskeleton is assessed in vitro. Osteoblasts were isolated from Sprague-Dawley fetal neonatal rats. Cell proliferation and gene expression levels of cbfa-1, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) were examined by cell counting and RT-PCR. Cytoskeleton F-actin was stained with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin and was visualized by a confocal microscope. As the results, 10⁻⁸-10⁻⁴ M La³⁺-induced osteoblast proliferation on day 2. Data from the RT-PCR assay revealed that 10⁻⁶ M La³⁺ up-regulated the expression levels of ALP, BSP, and cbfa-1 on day 4, while it enhanced the expressions of OC and OPN on day 21. The F-actin cytoskeleton was strengthened and reorganized under the exposure of La³⁺. In addition, the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was significantly promoted in 24 h evaluated by Western blot analysis. These findings indicate that La³⁺ promotes osteoblast activity through the phosphorylation of FAK and reorganization of the cytoskeleton.