The PREPL A protein, a new member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family, lacking catalytic activity

The PREPL (previously called KIAA0436) gene encodes a putative serine peptidase from the prolyl oligopeptidase family. A chromosomal deletion involving the PREPL gene leads to a severe syndrome with multiple symptoms. Homology with oligopeptidase B suggested that the enzyme cleaves after an arginine or lysine residue. Several PREPL splice variants have been identified, and a 638-residue variant (PREPL A) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Its secondary structure was similar to that of oligopeptidase B, but differential-scanning calorimetry indicated a higher conformational stability. Dimerization may account for the enhanced stability. Unexpectedly, the PREPL A protein did not cleave peptide substrates containing a P1 basic residue, but did slowly hydrolyse an activated ester substrate, and reacted with diisopropyl fluorophosphate. These results indicated that the catalytic serine is a reactive residue. However, the negligible hydrolytic activity suggests that the function of PREPL A is different from that of the other members of the prolyl oligopeptidase family.     

Compensatory caspase activation in MPP+-induced cell death in dopaminergic neurons

Many have hypothesized that cell death in Parkinsons disease is via apoptosis and, specifically, by the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway. We tested this hypothesis using a mouse dopaminergic cell line of mesencephalic origin, MN9D, challenged with the Parkinsonism-causing neurotoxin MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion). Apoptosis was the main mode of cell death when the cells were subjected to MPP⁺ treatment under serum-free conditions for 24 h. Caspase-3 and caspase-9, however, were not activated, thus indicating the existence of alternate or compensatory cell death pathway(s) in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Using caspase inhibitors, we demonstrated that these pathways involve caspase-2, –8, –6 and –7. A time-course study indicated that activation of caspase-2 and –8 occurred upstream of caspase-6 and caspase-7. Upon MPP⁺ challenge, the apoptosis-inducing factor was translocated from the mitochondria into the MN9D cytosol and nucleus. These results suggest the existence of alternative apoptotic pathways in dopaminergic neurons.Received 20 September 2004; received after revision 5 November 2004; accepted 22 November 2004     

单乙醇胺(MEA)捕获二氧化碳过程解吸能耗的模拟

采用ProMax2.0模拟了30% (质量分数)单乙醇胺填料塔吸收 - 解吸CO2的传统流程,考察了贫吸收液CO2负载(CLL)和溶液循环流速(SCR)对解吸用再沸器热负荷(Qreb)的影响.全系统模拟结果表明,当CO2 移除效率为90%时,CLL增加导致Qreb显著下降后再缓慢上升,其最佳值为0.20 mol CO2/mol MEA (MCPM),此时Qreb达最小值3.24 GJ/t CO2.单独的解吸系统模拟结果显示,当CLL 和富吸收液CO2负载(CRL)不变时,解吸塔中富胺进料流量的变化不影响热负荷.然而,由于全吸收 - 解吸系统CLL和CRL的变化则直接导致解吸塔富胺进料流量和热负荷的变化.     

热预处理对细胞分裂效率的影响

以发酵酵母为研究对象,采用超声波空蚀和高压均质方法对细胞进行机械细胞分裂,研究了热预处理对微生物细胞分裂效率的作用。结果表明：酵母悬浮液的温度经热预处理从室温（22±1）℃上升到40-50℃时,达到相同程度的细胞分裂效率所需的能量降低了;当酵母悬浮液的温度经热预处理上升到50℃时,蛋白质浓度达到最大值,蛋白质发生变质的热预处理温度≥52℃。     

南京栖霞山铅锌矿山中的现代钙华:一种高度富锌和锰的方解石

金属硫化物矿山开发引发的重金属污染已成为当前急需解决的环境问题. 以南京栖霞山铅锌矿采矿巷道壁上的现代钙华为研究对象, 利用电子探针、扫描电子显微镜和X射线粉末衍射分析等矿物学手段, 分析了钙华中的矿物组成及其重金属元素的赋存形态和分布状况. 结果表明钙华的主要矿物成分为方解石. 尽管地层水的重金属含量较低, 但是钙华中碳酸盐矿物的微量元素含量却较高, 最高含量分别为: Mn 23.65%, Zn 9.60%, Mg 0.76%, Fe 4.44%和Pb 0.66%. 钙华在电子探针背散射电子像中呈现出复杂的韵律壳层构造, 成分分析表明这种韵律壳层构造与重金属的分布有关. 另外, 在钙华中见有螺旋状及团絮状物质可能表明微生物参与了钙华的形成过程, 并与重金属的富集存在关联. 所报道的高度富锌-锰方解石对矿山环境中的重金属污染治理具有可借鉴意义.     

Programmable and autonomous computing machine made of biomolecules.

Devices that convert information from one form into another according to a definite procedure are known as automata. One such hypothetical device is the universal Turing machine, which stimulated work leading to the development of modern computers. The Turing machine and its special cases, including finite automata, operate by scanning a data tape, whose striking analogy to information-encoding biopolymers inspired several designs for molecular DNA computers. Laboratory-scale computing using DNA and human-assisted protocols has been demonstrated, but the realization of computing devices operating autonomously on the molecular scale remains rare. Here we describe a programmable finite automaton comprising DNA and DNA-manipulating enzymes that solves computational problems autonomously. The automaton's hardware consists of a restriction nuclease and ligase, the software and input are encoded by double-stranded DNA, and programming amounts to choosing appropriate software molecules. Upon mixing solutions containing these components, the automaton processes the input molecule via a cascade of restriction, hybridization and ligation cycles, producing a detectable output molecule that encodes the automaton's final state, and thus the computational result. In our implementation 1012 automata sharing the same software run independently and in parallel on inputs (which could, in principle, be distinct) in 120 microl solution at room temperature at a combined rate of 109 transitions per second with a transition fidelity greater than 99.8%, consuming less than 10-10 W.