Characterization of the roles of Blt1p in fission yeast cytokinesis

Spatial and temporal regulation of cytokinesis is essential for cell division, yet the mechanisms that control the formation and constriction of the contractile ring are incompletely understood. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe proteins that contribute to the cytokinetic contractile ring accumulate during interphase in nodes—precursor structures around the equatorial cortex. During mitosis, additional proteins join these nodes, which condense to form the contractile ring. The cytokinesis protein Blt1p is unique in being present continuously in nodes from early interphase through to the contractile ring until cell separation. Blt1p was shown to stabilize interphase nodes, but its functions later in mitosis were unclear. We use analytical ultracentrifugation to show that purified Blt1p is a tetramer. We find that Blt1p interacts physically with Sid2p and Mob1p, a protein kinase complex of the septation initiation network, and confirm known interactions with F-BAR protein Cdc15p. Contractile rings assemble normally in blt1Δ cells, but the initiation of ring constriction and completion of cell division are delayed. We find three defects that likely contribute to this delay. Without Blt1p, contractile rings recruited and retained less Sid2p/Mob1p and Clp1p phosphatase, and β-glucan synthase Bgs1p accumulated slowly at the cleavage site

Asset Management for Mobility and ITS

MoDOT project # TR202117The Federal Highway Administration currently requires pavement and bridge National Highway System assets to be managed through a formal plan at the statewide level regardless of ownership. The methods for Transportation Asset Management planning for pavements and bridges are relatively well defined and mature. To incorporate evolving technologies and new industry standards, methods and practices need to continue to progress and evolve. New Intelligent Transportation System and Transportation Systems Management and Operations assets must be managed and maintained, with similar methods to bridges and pavements, to keep the asset management processes consistent. This project outlined a literature review, a state of the practice survey, an assessment of several state-published Transportation Asset Management Plans, and the development and application of a tool for use in varied settings across the Missouri to manage Intelligent Transportation Systems and other new mobility assets and highlights the importance of a common asset management approach, risk management, and quality data management plans. Future recommendations and strategies are provided to the Missouri Department of Transportation to improve and incorporate new mobility assets into existing transportation asset management plans

Kelch-like Protein 11 Antibodies in Seminoma-Associated Paraneoplastic Encephalitis.

A 37-year-old man with a history of seminoma presented with vertigo, ataxia, and diplopia. An autoantibody specific for kelch-like protein 11 (KLHL11) was identified with the use of programmable phage display. Immunoassays were used to identify KLHL11 IgG in 12 other men with similar neurologic features and testicular disease. Immunostaining of the patient's IgG on mouse brain tissue showed sparse but distinctive points of staining in multiple brain regions, with enrichment in perivascular and perimeningeal tissues. The onset of the neurologic syndrome preceded the diagnosis of seminoma in 9 of the 13 patients. An age-adjusted estimate of the prevalence of autoimmune KLHL11 encephalitis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, was 2.79 cases per 100,000 men. (Funded by the Rochester Epidemiology Project and others.)

Mitogenomics reveals low variation within a trigeneric complex of black corals from the North Pacific Ocean

A 2013 study revealed that three morphologically distinct antipatharian genera (Dendrobathypathes, Lillipathes, Parantipathes) from the eastern North Pacific (ENP) are genetically indistinguishable using three mitochondrial and four nuclear markers (7,203 bp). To investigate whether this lack of molecular variability extends beyond three mitochondrial genes, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of a single representative within each genus. Dendrobathypathes was the only specimen from the 2013 study containing high molecular weight (HMW) DNA. In terms of geographic proximity to the ENP, the closest Lillipathes and Parantipathes yielding HMW DNA were from the central North Pacific near Hawai'i. Based on cox3-IGR-cox1, Lillipathes and Parantipathes each contained two variable sites and thus were not equivalent substitutes for specimens from the ENP. Nonetheless, variation was extremely low when comparing the mitogenomes, with 32 variable positions across 17,687 bp. Pairwise comparisons revealed 18 (Dendrobathypathes and Parantipathes) and 23 (Lillipathes and Parantipathes;Lillipathes and Dendrobathypathes) variable sites. An ML-based phylogenetic reconstruction using 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNAs revealed that the three North Pacific genera grouped in a clade with Atlantic Dendrobathypathes, while Atlantic Parantipathes spp. formed a sister clade. Previous research hypothesized that hybridization with subsequent introgression was responsible for the lack of variability among genera. Due to uniparental inheritance and lack of recombination, mtDNA cannot identify hybrids; however, finding Pacific Parantipathes grouping with Dendrobathypathes and Lillipathes rather than Atlantic Parantipathes suggests that the trigeneric complex has a unique evolutionary history. If high-resolution nuclear markers support hybridization, it will be important to elucidate the molecular mechanism that maintains three distinct morphological forms occurring in sympatry

The Effect of Doxapram on Proprioceptive Neurons: Invertebrate Model

The resting membrane potential enables neurons to rapidly initiate and conduct electrical signals. K2p channels are key in maintaining this membrane potential and electrical excitability. They direct the resting membrane potential toward the K+ equilibrium potential. Doxapram is a known blocker for a subset of K2p channels that are pH sensitive. We assessed the effects of 0.1 and 5 mM doxapram on the neural activity within the propodite-dactylopodite (PD) proprioceptive sensory organ in the walking legs of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Results indicate that 0.1 mM doxapram enhances excitation, while the higher concentration 5 mM may over-excite the neurons and promote a sustained absolute refractory period until the compound is removed. The effect of 5 mM doxapram mimics the effect of 40 mM K+ exposure. Verapamil, another known K2p channel blocker as well as an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, reduces neural activity at both 0.1 and 5 mM. Verapamil may block stretch activated channels in sensory endings, in addition to reducing the amplitude of the compound action potential with whole nerve preparations. These findings are notable as they demonstrate that doxapram has acute effects on neurons of crustaceans, suggesting a targeted K2p channel. The actions of verapamil are complex due to the potential of affecting multiple ion channels in this preparation. Crustacean neurons can aid in understanding the mechanisms of action of various pharmacological agents as more information is gained

Differential responses of sugar, organic acids and anthocyanins to source-sink modulation in Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapevines

Grape berry composition mainly consists of primary and secondary metabolites. Both are sensitive to environment and viticultural management. As a consequence, climate change can affect berry composition and modify wine quality and typicity. Leaf removal techniques can impact berry composition by modulating the source-to-sink balance and, in turn, may mitigate some undesired effects due to climate change. The present study investigated the balance between technological maturity parameters such as sugars and organic acids, and phenolic maturity parameters such as anthocyanins in response to source-sink modulation. Sugar, organic acid, and anthocyanin profiles were compared under two contrasting carbon supply levels in berries of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese collected at 9 and 14 developmental stages respectively. In addition, whole-canopy net carbon exchange rate was monitored for Sangiovese vines and a mathematic model was used to calculate the balance between carbon fixation and berry sugar accumulation. Carbon limitation affected neither berry size nor the concentration of organic acids at harvest. However, it significantly reduced the accumulation of sugars and total anthocyanins in both cultivars. Most interestingly, carbon limitation decreased total anthocyanin concentration by 84.3% as compared to the non source-limited control, whereas it decreased sugar concentration only by 27.1%. This suggests that carbon limitation led to a strong imbalance between sugars and anthocyanins. Moreover, carbon limitation affected anthocyanin profiles in a cultivar dependent manner. Mathematical analysis of carbon-balance indicated that berries used a higher proportion of fixed carbon for sugar accumulation under carbon limitation (76.9%) than under carbon sufficiency (48%). Thus, under carbon limitation, the grape berry can manage the metabolic fate of carbon in such a way that sugar accumulation is maintained at the expense of secondary metabolites