Structure and conserved RNA binding of the PAZ domain

The discovery of RNA-mediated gene-silencing pathways, including RNA interference, highlights a fundamental role of short RNAs in eukaryotic gene regulation and antiviral defence. Members of the Dicer and Argonaute protein families are essential components of these RNA-silencing pathways. Notably, these two families possess an evolutionarily conserved PAZ (Piwi/Argonaute/Zwille) domain whose biochemical function is unknown. Here we report the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of the PAZ domain from Drosophila melanogaster Argonaute 1 (Ago1). The structure consists of a left-handed, six-stranded beta-barrel capped at one end by two alpha-helices and wrapped on one side by a distinctive appendage, which comprises a long beta-hairpin and a short alpha-helix. Using structural and biochemical analyses, we demonstrate that the PAZ domain binds a 5-nucleotide RNA with 1:1 stoichiometry. We map the RNA-binding surface to the open face of the beta-barrel, which contains amino acids conserved within the PAZ domain family, and we define the 5'-to-3' orientation of single-stranded RNA bound within that site. Furthermore, we show that PAZ domains from different human Argonaute proteins also bind RNA, establishing a conserved function for this domain.     

Effects of brain monoamine depletion on thermoregulation,active avoidance,and food and water intake in rats

Summary Intraventricular administration of 6-OHDA or 5,6-DHT suppressed food intake, whereas their effect on active avoidance produced a suppression with the former and an enhancement with the latter. The increased water intake was specifically associated with 5,6-DHT treatment in rats.This work supported by grants from the National Science Council (Republic of China), J. Aron Charitable Foundation (USA) and John B. Pierce Foundation (USA). The authors are grateful to Drs C.Y. Chai and H. H. Lu for their support and advice.     

固氮酶活性中心模型的EHMO研究

应用群分解BHMO程序,研究了含S_2的固氮酶活性中心模型和N_2的络合活化模式.结果表明,在结构参数优化的情况下,平躺式络合与微斜插入式络合的键能差别不大(前者仅高约1ev),实际的络合方式很可能是直插式的或微斜插入式的,这样在加进1个H或两个H后,μ_3-H_2就转化为端基络合在Mo上的-N=NH或=N-NH_2。对奇数电子体系,由于其LUMO和NHOMO之间能级差别小,如对称性相同,易于产生d—d跃迁,从而为S=3/2的实验事实提供了可能的解释.     

The total synthesis of delphinine: A stereoselective synthesis of an advanced relay compound

Zusammenfassung Die stereoselektive Totalsynthese eines Delphininabbauproduktes wird beschrieben. Dieses Produkt, das 5 Ringe und 5 Substituenten besitzt, ist von Delphinin aus leicht zugänglich und kann deshalb als Relais-Verbindung für die Totalsynthese dieses Alkaloids dienen.

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Presented at a seminar at the Organic Chemistry Laboratory, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland on June 24, 1969.     

碱土金属氟化物／三氧化二钆催化剂的甲烷氧化偶联性能

考察碱土金属氟化物／三氧化二钆在甲烷氧化偶联反应中的催化性能．发现在Ｇｄ＿２Ｏ＿３中添加碱土金属氟化物，Ｃ＿２选择性和收率都有明显提高。当Ｇｄ＿２Ｏ＿３摩尔含量相同时，催化性能按Ｃａ－Ｓｒ－Ｂａ顺序递增，在８０％ＢａＦ＿２／Ｇｄ＿２Ｏ＿３催化剂上Ｃ＿２选择性和收率分别达５９．５％和１８．７％．ＸＲＤ分析结果表明，在含氟催化剂中出现了四方Ｇｄ＿４Ｏ＿３Ｆ＿６新相，其结构与立方ＣａＦ＿２，ＳｒＦ＿２和ＢａＦ＿２相似．可能有利于物相之间的匹配及载流子传递．ＸＰＳ测试发现，催化剂表面上存在着（或Ｏ￣－）物种．与Ｇｄ＿２Ｏ＿３相比，在含氟的催化剂中，Ｏ＿１ｓ结合能较高，表明该吸附氧物种所带电荷较少，对提高Ｃ＿２选择性有利。