Cilioplasm is a cellular compartment for calcium signaling in response to mechanical and chemical stimuli

Primary cilia with a diameter of ~200 nm have been implicated in development and disease. Calcium signaling within a primary cilium has never been directly visualized and has therefore remained a speculation. Fluid-shear stress and dopamine receptor type-5 (DR5) agonist are among the few stimuli that require cilia for intracellular calcium signal transduction. However, it is not known if these stimuli initiate calcium signaling within the cilium or if the calcium signal originates in the cytoplasm. Using an integrated single-cell imaging technique, we demonstrate for the first time that calcium signaling triggered by fluid-shear stress initiates in the primary cilium and can be distinguished from the subsequent cytosolic calcium response through the ryanodine receptor. Importantly, this flow-induced calcium signaling depends on the ciliary polycystin-2 calcium channel. While DR5-specific agonist induces calcium signaling mainly in the cilioplasm via ciliary CaV1.2, thrombin specifically induces cytosolic calcium signaling through the IP₃ receptor. Furthermore, a non-specific calcium ionophore triggers both ciliary and cytosolic calcium responses. We suggest that cilia not only act as sensory organelles but also function as calcium signaling compartments. Cilium-dependent signaling can spread to the cytoplasm or be contained within the cilioplasm. Our study thus provides the first model to understand signaling within the cilioplasm of a living cell.     

Structural basis of bacterial defense against g-type lysozyme-based innate immunity

Gram-negative bacteria can produce specific proteinaceous inhibitors to defend themselves against the lytic action of host lysozymes. So far, four different lysozyme inhibitor families have been identified. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli periplasmic lysozyme inhibitor of g-type lysozyme (PliG-Ec) in complex with Atlantic salmon g-type lysozyme (SalG) at a resolution of 0.95 Å, which is exceptionally high for a complex of two proteins. The structure reveals for the first time the mechanism of g-type lysozyme inhibition by the PliG family. The latter contains two specific conserved regions that are essential for its inhibitory activity. The inhibitory complex formation is based on a double ‘key-lock’ mechanism. The first key-lock element is formed by the insertion of two conserved PliG regions into the active site of the lysozyme. The second element is defined by a distinct pocket of PliG accommodating a lysozyme loop. Computational analysis indicates that this pocket represents a suitable site for small molecule binding, which opens an avenue for the development of novel antibacterial agents that suppress the inhibitory activity of PliG.     

Electron microscopy of formation of statoconia

Zusammenfassung Erstmaliger Nachweis der Kristallisationszentren in den Statolithen des Innenohrs 15 Tage alter Mäuseembryonen. Die primären Statokonien sind aus lockerer Grundsubstanz aufgebaut mit elektronendichten Körnchen von 20–60 å, die als erste Kalzitpräzipitate aufgefasst werden.     

The transport capacity for bilirubin in rat liver and its relation to bile flow

Résumé La capacité de transport de la bilirubine dans le foie de rat a été mesurée par différents auteurs. Dans nos expériments leT _m était variable selon les conditions expérimentales. En stabilisant la température à 38 C pendant les 10 h qui suivent l'opération, le T_m s'avère 50% plus élevé que les valeurs données dans la littérature. En plus la valeur du T_m était étroitement correlée au débit biliaire.     

Inactivation of deamino-oxytocin,deamino-carba1-oxytocin, [D-Lys8]-, and [D-Arg8]vasopressins by kidney cell particles

Zusammenfassung Die Inaktivierung von Carba-, Deamino- und 8-d-substituierten Analogen der neurohypophysäuren Hormone durch Schweinenierenhomogenate verläuft mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit wie die des Oxytocins und Vasopressins.     

Simian virus 40 infection of uninoculated african green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) revealed by repeated cell passages

Résumé Nous avons trouvé le virus SV₄₀ chez le singeCercopithecus aethiops présumé non infecté. Par la méthode de culture des cellules du rein et en effectuant des passages rapides nous avons pu démontrer l'existence du virus même chez les animaux dépourvus d'anticorps et même dans le cas où le virus n'apparaissait pas durant le premier passage.