Photosynthesis genes in marine viruses yield proteins during host infection

Cyanobacteria, and the viruses (phages) that infect them, are significant contributors to the oceanic 'gene pool'. This pool is dynamic, and the transfer of genetic material between hosts and their phages probably influences the genetic and functional diversity of both. For example, photosynthesis genes of cyanobacterial origin have been found in phages that infect Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus, the numerically dominant phototrophs in ocean ecosystems. These genes include psbA, which encodes the photosystem II core reaction centre protein D1, and high-light-inducible (hli) genes. Here we show that phage psbA and hli genes are expressed during infection of Prochlorococcus and are co-transcribed with essential phage capsid genes, and that the amount of phage D1 protein increases steadily over the infective period. We also show that the expression of host photosynthesis genes declines over the course of infection and that replication of the phage genome is a function of photosynthesis. We thus propose that the phage genes are functional in photosynthesis and that they may be increasing phage fitness by supplementing the host production of these proteins.     

Structural basis of West Nile virus neutralization by a therapeutic antibody

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus closely related to the human epidemic-causing dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis viruses. In establishing infection these icosahedral viruses undergo endosomal membrane fusion catalysed by envelope glycoprotein rearrangement of the putative receptor-binding domain III (DIII) and exposure of the hydrophobic fusion loop. Humoral immunity has an essential protective function early in the course of West Nile virus infection. Here, we investigate the mechanism of neutralization by the E16 monoclonal antibody that specifically binds DIII. Structurally, the E16 antibody Fab fragment engages 16 residues positioned on four loops of DIII, a consensus neutralizing epitope sequence conserved in West Nile virus and distinct in other flaviviruses. The E16 epitope protrudes from the surface of mature virions in three distinct environments, and docking studies predict Fab binding will leave five-fold clustered epitopes exposed. We also show that E16 inhibits infection primarily at a step after viral attachment, potentially by blocking envelope glycoprotein conformational changes. Collectively, our results suggest that a vaccine strategy targeting the dominant DIII epitope may elicit safe and effective immune responses against flaviviral diseases.     

Preparation of a luteinizing hormone releasing factor from sheep hypothalamus

Résumé Un matériel provoquant la libération d'hormone lutéinisante (LH) d'hypophyse de rats femelles (impubères ou mûres), aussi bien que d'hypophyse d'oiseaux femelles (Steganura paradisea), a été obtenu par la précipitation à l'acétone d'extraits acides de l'hypothalamus de mouton. L'évidence que l'activité de ces extraits n'est pas due a la contamination LH a été obtenue grâce à une méthode sérologique. L'antisérum préparé contre l'extrait d'hypophyse de mouton inhibe la capacité de l'LH de mouton d'épusier l'acide ascorbique de l'ovaire, mais pas celle de l'extrait hypothalamique.     

Development of behavioural tolerance to nicotine in the rat

Résumé On a donné de la nicotine à des rats une fois par jour, pendant 10 jours. L'activité des animaux a d'abord diminué, mais après quelques administrations de la drogue, on constata une accoutumance à ces effets. L'administration terminée, l'activité a augmenté.

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This work was supported by a grant from the Tobacco Research Council.     

低合金结构钢焊接热影响区最大硬度估算

通过钢材的碳当量（ＣＥ）和焊接热影响区的冷却速度（通常取８００～５００℃的冷却时间ｔ８／５来代替）预测ＨＡＺ的最大硬度（Ｈｍａｘ）为分析材料焊接性的便捷途径。现有文献已经提供了不少ＣＥ、ｔ８／５以及Ｈｍａｘ的公式或图解方法。由于这些公式或方法都是针对一定的材料并且是在一定的试验方法和焊接条件下建立，因而在应用上存在着局限性。本文根据对９种低合金结构钢的试验结果，说明在不同ＣＥ范围内，Ｈｍａｘ与ｔ＿８／５有着不同的关系，并根据测得的数据对ｔ＿８／５的３种图解方法和２种计算公式以及Ｈｍａｘ的７种计算公式进行验证。结果表明，Ｕｗｅｒ和Ｄｅｇｅｎｋｏｌｂｅ提出的ｔ＿８／５计算公式和百合冈信孝－３Ｈｍａｘ计算公式具有较高的精确性和实用价值。