Zinc binding to peptide analogs of the structural zinc site in alcohol dehydrogenase: Implications for an entatic state

Zinc binding to the peptide replica and analogs to residues 93–115 of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was examined by competition of the peptides and the chromophoric chelator 4-(2- pyridylazo)resorcinol for zinc and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of the zinc ligands. In the enzyme, zinc is coordinated by four Cys residues. In the peptide replica, zinc is bound to three Cys and one His residue. A four-Cys zinc coordination is observed only when His is removed, leading to increased zinc stability. ADH crystal structures reveal that the ε-amino group of the conserved residue Lys323 is within H-bond distance of the backbone amide oxygens of residues 103, 105 and 108, likely stabilizing the zinc coordination in the enzyme. The peptide data thus indicate structural strain and increased energy in the zinc-binding site in the protein, characteristic of an entatic state, implying a functional nature for this zinc site. Received 3 July 2008; received after revision 11 August 2008; accepted 1 September 2008     

ERK activation by Ca2+ ionophores depends on Ca2+ entry in lymphocytes but not in platelets, and does not conduct membrane scrambling

Rapid Ca²⁺-dependent phospholipid (PL) reorganization (scrambling) at the plasma membrane is a mechanism common to hematopoietic cells exposing procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS). The aim of this research was to determine whether activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was required for PL scrambling, based on a single report analyzing both responses induced by Ca²⁺ ionophores in megakaryoblastic HEL cells. Ca²⁺ ionophore-stimulated ERK phosphorylation was induced in platelets without external Ca²⁺, whereas exogenous Ca²⁺ entry was crucial for ERK activation in Jurkat T cells. In both cells, membrane scrambling only occurred following Ca²⁺ entry and was not blocked by inhibiting ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, ERK proteins are strongly phosphorylated in transformed B lymphoblastic cell lines, which do not expose PS in their resting state. Overall, the data demonstrated that ERK activation and membrane scrambling are independent mechanisms. A. Arachiche, I. Badirou: These authors contributed equally to this work. Received 18 June 2008; received after revision 24 September 2008; accepted 1 October 2008     

The cold case: Are rhinoviruses perfectly adapted pathogens?

Rhinoviruses, which cause common cold, belong to the Picornaviridae family, small non-enveloped viruses (diameter 15-30 nm) containing a single-stranded RNA genome (about 7 kb). Over 100 different rhinoviral serotypes have been identified thus far, establishing rhinoviruses as the most diverse group of Picornaviridae. Based on receptor binding properties, rhinoviruses are divided into two classes: the major group binding to intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and the minor group binding to the very low density lipoprotein receptors. Interactions between virus and the receptor molecules cause a conformational change in the capsid, which is a prerequisite for viral uptake. Rhinoviruses trigger a chemokine response upon infection that may lead to exacerbation of the symptoms of common cold, i.e. asthma and inflammation. The following review aims to summarize the knowledge about rhinoviral infections and discusses therapeutical approaches against this almost perfectly adapted pathogen.     

From endoderm to pancreas: a multistep journey

The formation of the vertebrate pancreas is a complex process that typifies the basic steps of embryonic development. It involves the establishment of competence, specification, signaling from neighboring tissues, morphogenesis, and the elaboration of tissue-specific genetic networks. A full analysis of this multistep process will help us to understand classic principles of embryonic development. Furthermore, this will provide the blueprint for experimental programming of pancreas formation from embryonic stem cells in the context of diabetes cell-therapy. Although in the past decade many studies have contributed to a solid foundation for understanding pancreatogenesis, important gaps persist in our knowledge of early pancreas formation. This review will summarize the current understanding of the early mechanisms coming into play to pattern the "pre-pancreatic" region within the endoderm and, gradually, specify the pancreatic tissue.     

Fermat定理的若干再证明

用数论知识及近代数学理论 ,对整数论中著名的Fermat定理 ,给出若干异于传统的证明     

正规类中遗传根的一个性质

在结合环中,Amitsur证明了：设R是遗传根,对环A的任意两个理想Ii,令Ii^-是由Ii^-/Ii=R（A/I）所唯一确定的A的理想,i=1,2,则有（I1∩I2^-)=I1^-∩I2^-。本文在更广泛的意义下证明此定理,推广了Amitsur的结果,同时给出它的几个应用。     

通用管理程序的快速建立

给出了建立通用管理程序的方法。通过将数据库操作功能单独封装在一个功能模块类中,且在程序建立时与具体的数据库和界面无关,从而可以在平时积累,需要时进行快速组建立应用程序。同时在通用界面及代码优化上也做了一些探讨。     

还给学生腾飞的双翼—课内外语文能力衔接训练的实验

以分阶段、分层次抽样问卷调查,了解本校初中生课内外阅读现状;以“课内指挥”带动“课外练兵”;以阅读能力训练向听、说、写能力辐射;以语文活动课激励与检验“课外练兵”;使课内外语文能力训练衔接起来。     

拟阵交约束分划

给出了用求量大重量拟阵交算法来求定形拟阵交２－分划问题的最优解的一个充分条件。