Identification and functional analysis of novel phosphorylation sites in the RNA surveillance protein Upf1.

One third of inherited genetic diseases are caused by mRNAs harboring premature termination codons as a result of nonsense mutations. These aberrant mRNAs are degraded by the Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD) pathway. A central component of the NMD pathway is Upf1, an RNA-dependent ATPase and helicase. Upf1 is a known phosphorylated protein, but only portions of this large protein have been examined for phosphorylation sites and the functional relevance of its phosphorylation has not been elucidated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using tandem mass spectrometry analyses, we report the identification of 11 putative phosphorylated sites in S. cerevisiae Upf1. Five of these phosphorylated residues are located within the ATPase and helicase domains and are conserved in higher eukaryotes, suggesting a biological significance for their phosphorylation. Indeed, functional analysis demonstrated that a small carboxy-terminal motif harboring at least three phosphorylated amino acids is important for three Upf1 functions: ATPase activity, NMD activity and the ability to promote translation termination efficiency. We provide evidence that two tyrosines within this phospho-motif (Y-738 and Y-742) act redundantly to promote ATP hydrolysis, NMD efficiency and translation termination fidelity

Comportamiento mecánico de restos de pirámides y templos americanos y los edificios históricos construidos sobre ellos

Una característica bastante habitual de monumentos y edificios históricos suele ser el estar construidos sobre otros edificios que bien fueron demolidos para levantar los actuales o bien fueron olvidados. Las nuevas construcciones suelen estar edificadas en parte sobre rellenos artificiales relativamente blandos y sobre zonas rígidas, restos de los muros anteriores. Esta disposición llega a provocar una serie de patologías características. Un caso singular de este tipo de levantamientos es la construcción de iglesias y palacios en Hispanoamérica sobre los restos de las antiguas pirámides. Además de los casos en México D.F., existen bastantes poblaciones en Guatemala y en el resto de México con pirámides parcialmente destruidas que están siendo o fueron utilizadas como base para cimentaciones de “nuevos” edificios históricos. Existen también otros casos en los que, al no disponer de cubrición en su parte superior, permiten el paso del agua de lluvia. En este artículo se muestra como el comportamiento de estas pirámides y construcciones antiguas incluidas en el terreno es más parecido al de estructuras de contención (muros) que al de plataformas horizontales debido a que el agua de lluvia aumenta los empujes sobre las capas exteriores y estos edificios, como sucede con pirámides de Guatemala y México, sufren una degradación importante. Además, se demuestra el efecto de rigidización lateral del terreno y reducción de asientos en las construcciones cimentadas sobre suelos que contienen estos restos, los cuales suponen una mejora importante de la capacidad portante.Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaColegio Oficial de Ingenieros Industriales de CanariasAgencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Informació

Prevention of renal injury after induction of ozone tolerance in rats submitted to warm ischaemia.

On the basis that ozone (O3) can upregulate cellular antioxidant enzymes, a morphological, biochemical and functional renal study was performed in rats undergoing a prolonged treatment with O3 before renal ischaemia. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, a medial abdominal incision was performed to expose the kidneys; (2) ischaemia, in animals undergoing a bilateral renal ischaemia (30 min), with subsequent reperfusion (3 h); (3) O3 + ischaemia, as group 2, but with previous treatment with O3 (0.5 mg/kg per day given in 2.5 ml O2) via rectal administration for 15 treatments; (4) O2 + ischaemia, as group 3, but using oxygen (O2) alone. Biochemical parameters as fructosamine level, phospholipase A, and superoxide dismutases (SOD) activities, as well as renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), were measured by means of plasma clearance of p-amino-hippurate and inulin, respectively. In comparison with groups 1 and 3, the RPF and GFR were significantly decreased in groups 2 and 4. Interestingly, renal homogenates of the latter groups yielded significantly higher values of phospholipase A activity and fructosamine level in comparison with either the control (1) and the O3 (3) treated groups. Moreover renal SOD activity showed a significant increase in group 3 without significant differences among groups 1, 2 and 4. Morphological alterations of the kidney were present in 100%, 88% and 30% of the animals in groups 2, 4 and 3, respectively. It is proposed that the O3 protective effect can be ascribed to the substantial possibility of upregulating the antioxidant defence system capable of counteracting the damaging effect of ischaemia. These findings suggest that, whenever possible, ozone preconditioning may represent a prophylactic approach for minimizing renal damage before transplantation

Morfometría de frutos y semillas del “ají mochero” Capsicum chinense Jacq.

Capsicum chinense Jacq. “aji mochero” is cataloged a gastronomic heritage for its pleasant spicy or pungency degree that flavors many internationally recognized Peruvian dishes. The gastronomic boom in Peru has led to the export of many national inputs, including ají mochero. Therefore, many basic agronomic studies that provide information on the productive state of fruits and seeds of this crop are necessary. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the morphometry of fruits and seeds of “ají mochero” C. chinense. For this, fruits from the Moche district, province of Trujillo, department of La Libertad were collected; in the laboratory, the weight of the fruit and pulp were evaluated, in addition to the length, width and number of seeds. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed with 50 repetitions for each component evaluated. The average fruit weight is 2.4 g and the average pulp weight is 2.1 g. The seed has an average length of 4.3 mm, and an average width of 1.4 mm. An average of 16.4 seeds per fruit were recorded. A high coefficient of variation and a high correlation (p < 0.01) were found between the evaluated parameters. It is concluded that the morphometry of fruits and seeds of “ají mochero” C. chinense differentiates it from other species and varieties such as C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens. This information is essential to promote its industrialization and support its designation of origin.Capsicum chinense Jacq. “ají mochero” es catalogado como patrimonio gastronómico de Perú por su agradable grado de picor, que condimenta numerosos platos reconocidos internacionalmente. El boom gastronómico en Perú ha conllevado a la exportación de diferentes insumos nacionales, incluyendo el ají mochero, por lo que se requieren estudios agronómicos que brinden información sobre el estado productivo de los frutos y las semillas de este cultivo. El estudio buscó determinar la morfometría de los frutos y las semillas de C. chinense “ají mochero”. Para ello, se recolectaron frutos procedentes del distrito de Moche (provincia de Trujillo, departamento de La Libertad) y en el laboratorio se evaluó el peso del fruto y de la pulpa, así como las dimensiones y el número de semillas. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo con 50 repeticiones por cada componente evaluado. El peso promedio del fruto fue de 2,4 g y el peso promedio de la pulpa, de 2,1 g. La semilla registró una longitud promedio de 4,3 mm y un ancho promedio de 1,4 mm, y se reportaron 16,4 semillas por fruto. Se identificó un alto coeficiente de variación y una alta correlación (p < 0,01) entre los parámetros evaluados. Se concluyó que la morfometría de los frutos y las semillas de C. chinense “ají mochero” permite diferenciar esta de otras especies y variedades como C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. frutescens y C. pubescens. Esta información es primordial para promover su industrialización y fundamentar su denominación de origen. &nbsp

On the nature of long-range contributions to pair interactions between charged colloids in two dimensions

We perform a detailed analysis of solutions of the inverse problem applied to experimentally measured two-dimensional radial distribution functions for highly charged latex dispersions. The experiments are carried out at high colloidal densities and under low-salt conditions. At the highest studied densities, the extracted effective pair potentials contain long-range attractive part. At the same time, we find that for the best distribution functions available the range of stability of the solutions is limited by the nearest neighbour distance between the colloidal particles. Moreover, the measured pair distribution functions can be explained by purely repulsive pair potentials contained in the stable part of the solution.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Plantas medicinales empleadas en el tratamiento de enfermedades del sistema respiratorio por la comunidad andina de Pampas, Tayacaja, Huancavelica

Objective: to identify the medicinal plants used in the therapy of respiratory system disorders by the Andean community of Pampas, Tayacaja, Huancavelica. Methodology: Semi-structured, random interviews were used, considering exclusion and inclusion criteria for the study sample of 370 inhabitants. Results: The ethnomedicinal use of 13 species and 10 families of medicinal plants used for the therapy of respiratory system conditions such as influenza, bronchitis, asthma, cold, cough, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia is reported. Conclusions: The Andean inhabitant of the Pampas reports the families Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Geraniaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Onagraceae, Piperaceae and Plantaginaceae and 13 species; used in the therapy of affections of the respiratory system; where the widely used species is Eucalyptus globulus (69%).Objetivo: identificar las plantas medicinales empleadas en la terapia de afecciones del sistema respiratorio por la comunidad andina de Pampas, Tayacaja, Huancavelica. Metodología: Se empleó entrevistas semiestructurada, aleatoria, considerando criterios de exclusión e inclusión a la muestra de estudio de 370 habitantes. Resultados: Se reporta el uso etnomedicinal de 13 especies y 10 familias de plantas medicinales empleadas para la terapia de afecciones del sistema respiratorio tales como la gripe, bronquitis, asma, resfrío, tos, laringitis, faringitis, bronquitis, amigdalitis, neumonía. Conclusiones: El poblador andino de Pampas, reporta las familias Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Geraniaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Onagraceae, Piperaceae y Plantaginaceae y 13 especies; empleadas en la terapia de afecciones del sistema respiratorio; donde la especie ampliamente utilizada es el Eucalyptus globulus (69%)