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。     

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.     

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.     

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 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.     

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.     

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.     

1-苯基-3-甲基-4-三氟乙酰基吡唑酮-(5)与Nd(III),Eu(III),Yb(III)的萃取平衡及络合物的合成和性质

在30℃及0.5mol·L(-1)NaNO_6条件下,测定了Nd(III),Eu(III),Yb((III)与1-苯基-3-甲基-4-三氟乙酰基吡唑酮-(5)(PMTFP)氯仿溶液体系的萃取平衡常数及萃合物的组成。用萃取法合成了Nd(III),Eu(III),Yb(III)与PMTFP的固体络合物,分析了它的组成,并通过它们的红外光谱和紫外光谱,探讨了络合物的结构。     

热溶液中Fe(Ⅵ)向Fe(Ⅳ)转化反应的分光光度法跟踪

分别将系列Fe(Ⅵ)碱性溶液加热到65℃、75℃、85℃、95℃,用分光光度法跟踪热溶液中发生的反应.在热溶液中Fe(Ⅵ)分解生成Fe(OH)3,同时存在着Fe(Ⅵ)向Fe(Ⅳ)的转化反应.新生成的Fe(Ⅳ)溶液2 h即达最高浓度,并且在85℃以下能稳定存在.     

Development of Fe(III)-containing ether-functionalized imidazolium ionic liquids for aryl Grignard cross-coupling of alkyl halides

A series of Fe(Ⅲ)-containing imidazolium-based ionic liquids containing ether substituents,including[C3OMim][FeCl4](1,[C3OMim]=1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium),[C3OiPim][FeCl4](2,[C3OiPim]=1-isopropyl-3-(2-methoxyethyl)imidazolium),[C3OBim][FeCl4](3,[C3OBim]=1-butyl-3-(2-methoxyethyl)imidazolium),[(C3O)2im][FeCl4](4,[(C3O)2im]=1,3-bis(2-methoxyethyl)imidazolium),[C3OMim][FeBr4](5)and[(C3O)2im][FeBr4](6),were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis,Raman spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.The catalytic performances of 1–6 and related Fe(III)-based catalysts in the cross-coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with alkyl halides bearing-hydrogens were studied,revealing that mono(ether)functionality improves the catalytic activity and that bis(ether)functionality improves the reusability.After simply decanting the product contained in the ethereal layer,complex 4,which containing bis(ether)-functionalized imidazolium cation,could be successfully recycled seven times.     

Investigation of performances and mechanism of fluoride removal by Fe (III)-loaded ligand exchange cotton cellulose adsorbent

Novel adsorbent, Fe(III)-loaded ligand exchange cotton cellulose adsorbent [Fe(III)LECCA], was used to investigate the adsorption performances and mechanism of fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was found to adsorb fluoride rapidly and effectively. The fluoride removal was influenced by pH. Adsorption model followed first-order reaction at different temperature, theapparent adsorption activated energyE, was 6.37 kJ·mol⁻¹, and adsorption enthalpy ΔH was 5.35 kJ·mol⁻¹. The adsorption capacity of fluoride on adsorbent was 3.2 mmol·g⁻¹ (dry weight). The maximal integer coordination ratio of fluoride with Fe(III) LECCA was 3∶1. The ligand exchange mechanism of adsorption was elucidated through chemical methods and IR spectral analysis. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (29977010) and Shanghai Priority Academic Discipline Biography: ZHAO Ya-ping (1974-), female, Ph.D., research direction: water and wastewater treatment.     

MoFLP1, encoding a novel fungal fasciclin-like protein, is involved in conidiation and pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae

Fasciclin family proteins have been identified as cell adhesion molecules in various organisms. In this study, a novel Magnaporthe oryzae fasciclin-like protein encoding gene, named MoFLP1, was isolated from a subtractive suppressive cDNA library and functionally analyzed. Sequence analysis showed that the MoFLP1 gene contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 1050 nucleotides encoding 349 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 35.85 kDa and a pI of 7.76. The deduced MoFLP1 protein contains a 17-amino acid secretion signal sequence and an 18-amino acid sequence with the characteristics of a glycosylphosphotidylinositol (GPI) anchor additional signal at its N- and C-terminuses, respectively. Potential N-glycosylation sites and domains involving cell adhesion were also identified in MoFLP1. Sequence analysis and subcellular localization by the expression of MoFLP1-GFP fusion construct in M. oryzae indicated that the MoFLP1 protein is probably localized on the vacuole membrane. Two MoFLP1 null mutants generated by targeted gene disruption exhibited marked reduction of conidiation, conidial adhesion, appressorium turgor, and pathogenicity. Our results indicate that fasciclin proteins play important roles in fungal development and pathogenicity in M. oryzae.     

E. coli F1-ATPase interacts with a membrane protein component of a proton channel

The ATP synthases of bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts, which use the energy of a transmembrane proton gradient to power the synthesis of ATP, consist of an integral membrane component F0--thought to contain a proton channel--and a catalytic component, F1. To help investigate the way F0 and F1 are coupled, we have sequenced the b-subunit of the Escherichia coli F0, which seems to be the counterpart of a thermophilic bacteria F0 subunit thought to be essential for F1 binding. We report here that its sequence is remarkable, being hydrophobic around the N-terminus and highly charged in the remainder. We propose that the N-terminal segment lies in the membrane and the rest outside. The extramembranous section contains two adjacent stretches of 31 amino acids where the sequence is very similar: in the second of these stretches there is further internal homology. These duplicated stretches of the polypeptide probably fold into two alpha-helices which have many common features able to make contact with F1 subunits. Thus protein b occupies a central position in the enzyme, where it may be involved in proton translocation. It is possibly also important in biosynthetic assembly.     

玉米抗旱性的研究进展(综述)

玉米的抗旱机理十分复杂,其中适应干旱的形态结构特征是玉米长期进化的结果,通过生理代谢调节也是玉米适应抗旱的有效手段之一.玉米抗旱性是由多基因控制,呈现典型的数量遗传.对玉米抗旱机理及其基因工程改良的最新进展作了系统的介绍,并探讨了今后玉米抗旱性研究发展方向.     

碱性介质中铁(Ⅲ)-磺基水杨酸-邻硝基苯基荧光酮-吐温-80显色反应的研究

研究了碱性介质中Fe(Ⅲ)-Sal-o-NPF在非离子表面活性剂吐温-80存在下的显色反应条件.反应适宜的酸度为PH10.0～11.0,络合物的λ_(max)=632nm,ε_(632)=7.73×10~4L·mol~(-1)·cm~(-1),稳定时间为12h,组成为Fe(Ⅲ):Sal:o-NPF=l:l:2,0～10μgFe/25mL符合比尔定律,研究了ca~+、Mn~(2+)等10多种物质的干扰.用本法直接测定天然矿泉水中的微量铁,相对标准偏差3.86％,平均回收率97·4 ％.