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Pre-attentive categorization of vowel formant structure in complex tones.

It has been demonstrated that vowel information can be extracted from speech sounds without attention focused on them, despite widely varying non-speech acoustic information in the input. The present study tested whether even complex tones that were constructed based on F0, F1 and F2 vowel frequencies to resemble the defining features of speech sounds, but were not speech, are categorized pre-attentively according to vowel space information. The Mismatch Negativity brain response was elicited by infrequent tokens of the complex tones, showing that the auditory system can pre-attentively categorize speech information on the basis of the minimal, defining auditory features. The human mind extracts the language-relevant information from complex tones despite the non-relevant variation in the sound input.

Adult↗

A tandem of SH3-like domains participates in RNA binding in KIN17, a human protein activated in response to genotoxics.

The human KIN17 protein is an essential nuclear protein conserved from yeast to human and expressed ubiquitously in mammals. Suppression of Rts2, the yeast equivalent of gene KIN17, renders the cells unviable, and silencing the human KIN17 gene slows cell growth dramatically. Moreover, the human gene KIN17 is up-regulated following exposure to ionizing radiations and UV light, depending on the integrity of the human global genome repair machinery. Its ectopic over-expression blocks S-phase progression by inhibiting DNA synthesis. The C-terminal region of human KIN17 is crucial for this anti-proliferation effect. Its high-resolution structure, presented here, reveals a tandem of SH3-like subdomains. This domain binds to ribonucleotide homopolymers with the same preferences as the whole protein. Analysis of its structure complexed with tungstate shows structural variability within the domain. The interaction with tungstate is mediated by several lysine residues located within a positively charged groove at the interface between the two subdomains. This groove could be the site of interaction with RNA, since mutagenesis of two of these highly conserved lysine residue weakens RNA binding.

Binding Sites↗

Exercise-induced changes in dendritic structure and complexity in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus.

Neurogenesis is a constitutive activity in the adult dentate gyrus whereby new cells are created in the subgranular zone, before becoming neurons in the dentate gyrus granule cell layer. New granule cells are thought to migrate from the subgranular zone outwards to the edge of the cell layer as they mature. In these experiments we examined the dendritic morphology of granule cells in the subgranular zone, and the inner and outer regions of the granule cell zone in Sprague-Dawley rats with low and high rates of neurogenesis. In animals with lower rates of neurogenesis, the number of primary dendrites, degree of dendritic complexity and total dendritic length was lowest in cells located in the subgranular zone, higher in inner granule cell zone neurons, and highest in outer granule cell zone granule cells. Subgranular zone granule cells typically extended one primary dendrite and had a simple, immature dendritic tree, while granule cells in the outer granule cell zone had an increased number of primary dendrites, greater dendritic complexity, and greater total dendritic length. Animals that engaged in voluntary exercise showed increased neurogenesis, and the proportion of cells with one or two primary dendrites was increased in all of the granule cell zones. Despite having fewer primary processes, these cells showed enhanced dendritic complexity and an overall increase in their total dendritic length. These results indicate that granule cell dendritic morphology may be indicative of the age and position of a cell in the granule cell layer, but that in animals with increased rates of neurogenesis, the proportion of cells exhibiting what is considered an immature phenotype is increased throughout the all regions of the dentate gyrus cell layer.

Animals↗

Rhamnogalacturonan I in Solanum tuberosum tubers contains complex arabinogalactan structures.

A rhamnogalacturonan I polysaccharide was isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Posmo) tuber cell walls and characterised by enzymatic digestion with an endo-beta-1 --> 4-galactanase and an endo-alpha-1 --> 5-arabinanase, individually or in combination. The reaction products were separated using size-exclusion chromatography and further analysed for monosaccharide composition and presence of epitopes using the LM5 anti-beta-1 --> 4-galactan and LM6 anti-alpha-1 --> 5-arabinan monoclonal antibodies. The analyses point to distinct structural features of potato tuber rhamnogalacturonan I, such as the abundance of beta-1 --> 4-galactan side chains that are poorly substituted with short arabinose-containing side chains, the presence of alpha-1 --> 5-arabinan side chains substituted with beta-1 --> 4-galactan oligomers (degree of polymerisation > 4), and the presence of alpha-1 --> 5-arabinans that resist enzymatic degradation. A synergy between the enzymes was observed towards the degradation of arabinans but not towards the degradation of galactans. The effect of the enzymes on isolated RG I is discussed in relation to documented effects of enzymes heterologously expressed in potato tubers. In addition, a novel and rapid method for the determination of the monosaccharide and uronic acid composition of cell wall polysaccharides using high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection is described.

Cell Wall↗

Antiinflammatory agents: new series of N-substituted amino acids with complex pyrimidine structures endowed with antiphlogistic activity.

A series of N-methyl-N-pyrimidin-2-yl glycines 2a-e, having the pyrimidine ring fused with a cyclohexane [N-methyl-N-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-2-yl)glycine], cyclohexene [N-methyl-N-(5,6-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)glycine], 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene [N-methyl-N-(5,6-dihydrobenzo[e]quinazolin-2-yl)glycine], benzopyrane [N-methyl-N-(5-phenyl-5H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)glyci ne] and benzothiopyrane [N-methyl-N-(5H-[1]benzothiopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)glycine] ring, was prepared and tested for antiinflammatory activity. With the same purpose a number of N-5H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl substituted amino acids 3a-e, having a different chain length and branching were also synthesized and tested. All the described products 2 and 3 showed an appreciable antiphlogistic activity, particularly 2b and 2c.

Amino Acids↗

Extract screening by HPLC coupled to MS-MS, NMR, and CD: a dimeric and three monomeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from Ancistrocladus griffithii.

Three new monomeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, ancistrogriffines A, B, and C, and the first dimer of a 7,8'-coupled naphthylisoquinoline, ancistrogriffithine A, have been detected by phytochemical online screening of plant extracts of Ancistrocladus griffithii, using the analytical 'triad' HPLC-MS/MS, HPLC-NMR, and HPLC-CD. Ancistrogriffithine A, as well as ancistrogriffines A and C, were structurally completely assigned (including the absolute configuration) right from the extract, without previous isolation. Furthermore, two related, but known alkaloids, ancistrocladine and hamatine, were identified. Except for ancistrogriffine B, which occurs in trace quantities only, all new alkaloids were then isolated preparatively and the initial assignments were fully confirmed by conventional offline methods. Of particular interest is the constitutionally and configurationally unprecedented structure of ancistrogriffithine A, which is simultaneously the first dimeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid from an Asian Ancistrocladus species. Ancistrogriffithine A and ancistrogriffine A are active against Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, the latter compound shows good activity against Leishmania donovani. The results demonstrate the ability of modern online methods like HPLC-NMR, -MS/MS, and -CD to serve as powerful tools for the reliable structural elucidation of even complex structures of trace compounds in crude biological matrices.

Alkaloids↗

Structure and complex transcription pattern of the mouse SK1 K(Ca) channel gene, KCNN1.

Small conductance calcium-gated K(+) channels (SK channels) are encoded by the three SK genes, SK1, SK2, and SK3. These channels likely contribute to slow synaptic afterhyperpolarizations of apamin-sensitive and apamin-insensitive types. SK channels are also widely expressed outside the nervous system. The mouse SK1 gene comprises at least 12 exons extending across 19.8 kb of genomic DNA. This gene encodes a complex pattern of alternatively spliced SK1 transcripts widely expressed among mouse tissues. These transcripts exhibit at least four distinct 5'-nucleotide sequence variants encoding at least two N-terminal amino acid sequences. Optional inclusion of exons 7 and 9, together with two alternate splice donor sites in exon 8, yields transcripts encoding eight variant C-terminal amino acid sequences for SK1. These include an altered putative S6 transmembrane span, modification of the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain binding site for calmodulin, and generation of two alternate predicted binding sites for PDZ domain-containing proteins. 20 of the 32 predicted mouse SK1 transcripts are expressed in brain at levels sufficient to allow consistent detection, and encode 16 SK1 polypeptide variants. Only four of these 16 polypeptides preserve the ability to bind calmodulin in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. Mouse SK1 also exhibits novel, strain-specific, length polymorphism of a polyglutamate repeat in the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The evolutionary conservation of this complex transcription pattern suggests a possible role in the tuning of SK1 channel function.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Large, complex modular structure of a fission yeast DNA replication origin.

BACKGROUND: In the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, each DNA replication origin is associated with an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) element. Each element contains several modules, including an essential close match to the 11 base-pair (bp) ARS consensus sequence (ACS) and two or three short (< 20 bp) stimulatory motifs, within a stretch of approximately 150 bp or less. To determine whether a similar origin structure exists in the evolutionarily distant fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we used deletion and linker substitution scanning to identify the sequences important for the function of ars3002, a chromosomal replication origin. RESULTS: We detected two large (30-55 bp) essential regions and several additional stimulatory sequences within a 600 bp stretch of a restriction fragment containing ars3002. The two essential regions are similar to each other, and sequences similar to them are found in all known S. pombe ARS elements, suggesting that one or both of them may represent the S. pombe equivalent of the S. cerevisiae ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Like S. cerevisiae origins, the S. pombe origin, ars3002, possesses a modular structure, but the number and size of modules is greater for ars3002, and ars3002 is larger than S. cerevisiae origins. These observations suggest that origin function in S. pombe requires more protein-DNA interactions than in S. cerevisiae.

Base Sequence↗

Copper(I)-bleomycin: structurally unique complex that mediates oxidative DNA strand scission.

Copper(I)-bleomycin [Cu(I) X BLM] was characterized in detail by 13C and 1H NMR. Unequivocal chemical shift assignments for Cu(I) X BLM and Cu(I) X BLM X CO were made by two-dimensional 1H-13C correlated spectroscopy and by utilizing the observation that Cu(I) X BLM was in rapid equilibrium with Cu(I) and metal-free bleomycin, such that individual resonances in the spectra of BLM and Cu(I) X BLM could be correlated. The binding of Cu(I) by bleomycin involves the beta-aminoalaninamide and pyrimidinyl moieties, and possibly the imidazole, but not N alpha of beta-hydroxyhistidine. Although no DNA strand scission by Cu(II) X BLM could be demonstrated in the absence of dithiothreitol, in the presence of this reducing agent substantial degradation of [3H]DNA was observed, as was strand scission of cccDNA. DNA degradation by Cu(I) X BLM was shown not to depend on contaminating Fe(II) and not to result in the formation of thymine propenal; the probable reason(s) for the lack of observed DNA degradation in earlier studies employing Cu(II) X BLM and dithiothreitol was (were) also identified. DNA strand scission was also noted under anaerobic conditions when Cu(II) X BLM and iodosobenzene were employed. If it is assumed that the mechanism of DNA degradation in this case is the same as that under aerobic conditions (i.e., with Cu(I) X BLM + O2 in the presence of dithiothreitol), then Cu X BLM must be capable of functioning as a monooxygenase in its degradation of DNA.

Bleomycin↗

Structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae N-myristoyltransferase with bound myristoylCoA and peptide provide insights about substrate recognition and catalysis.

MyristoylCoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase (Nmt) attaches myristate to the N-terminal Gly residue of proteins involved in a variety of signal transduction cascades, and other critical cellular functions. To gain insight about the structural basis of substrate recognition and catalysis, we determined the structures of a binary complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nmt1p with myristoylCoA to 2.2 A resolution and of a ternary complex of Nmt1p with a nonhydrolyzable myristoylCoA analogue [S-(2-oxo)pentadecylCoA] and an octapeptide substrate (GLYASKLA) to 2.5 A resolution. The binary complex reveals how myristoylCoA alters the conformation of the enzyme to promote binding of both myristoylCoA and peptide and identifies the backbone amides of F170 and L171 as an oxyanion hole which polarizes the reactive thioester carbonyl. The ternary complex structure reveals details of the enzyme's peptide binding specificity and illuminates its mechanism of acyl transfer. The N-terminal Gly ammonium is positioned in close proximity to the C-terminal carboxylate of the protein, where it is poised to undergo the required deprotonation to an amine. In this conformation, the nucleophile is 6.3 A away from the thioester carbonyl. A catalytic mechanism is proposed whereby, once deprotonation is initiated, the N-terminal Gly amine can approximate the thioester carbonyl by rotating along Psi. This motion is facilitated by a H-bond network and leads to reaction between the glycine nitrogen nucleophile and the carbonyl. Loss of CoA from the tetrahedral intermediate may be facilitated by intramolecular H-bonding of the sulfur to the adenylamine of CoA. This affords a compact leaving group and lends a role for the observed bends in the CoA structure. The absolute requirement for Gly at the N-terminus of substrates is explained by the requirement for flexible rotation of its amine.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Human saliva forms a complex film structure on alumina surfaces.

Films formed from saliva on surfaces are important for the maintenance of oral health and integrity by protection against chemical and/or biological agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate adsorbed amounts, thickness, and structure of films formed from human whole saliva on alumina surfaces by means of in situ ellipsometry, neutron reflectivity, and atomic force microscopy. Alumina (Al2O3, synthetic sapphire) is a relevant and interesting substrate for saliva adsorption studies as it has an isoelectric point close to that of tooth enamel. The results showed that saliva adsorbs rapidly on alumina. The film could be modeled in two layers: an inner and dense thin region that forms a uniform layer and an outer, more diffuse and thicker region that protrudes toward the bulk of the solution. The film morphology described a uniformly covering dense layer and a second outer layer containing polydisperse adsorbed macromolecules or aggregates.

Adsorption↗