482 research outputs found
Modeling Dual Pathways for the Metazoan Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Using computational modelling, we investigate mechanisms of signal
transduction focusing on the spindle assembly checkpoint where a single
unattached kinetochore is able to signal to prevent cell cycle progression.
This inhibitory signal switches off rapidly once spindle microtubules have
attached to all kinetochores. This requirement tightly constrains the possible
mechanisms. Here we investigate two possible mechanisms for spindle checkpoint
operation in metazoan cells, both supported by recent experiments. The first
involves the free diffusion and sequestration of cell-cycle regulators. This
mechanism is severely constrained both by experimental fluorescence recovery
data and also by the large volumes involved in open mitosis in metazoan cells.
Using a simple mathematical analysis and computer simulation, we find that this
mechanism can generate the inhibition found in experiment but likely requires a
two stage signal amplification cascade. The second mechanism involves spatial
gradients of a short-lived inhibitory signal that propagates first by diffusion
but then primarily via active transport along spindle microtubules. We propose
that both mechanisms may be operative in the metazoan spindle assembly
checkpoint, with either able to trigger anaphase onset even without support
from the other pathway.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure
Induction of non-d-wave order-parameter components by currents in d-wave superconductors
It is shown, within the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau theory for a
superconductor with d_{x^2-y^2} symmetry, that the passing of a supercurrent
through the sample results, in general, in the induction of order-parameter
components of distinct symmetry. The induction of s-wave and
d_{xy(x^2-y^2)-wave components are considered in detail. It is shown that in
both cases the order parameter remains gapless; however, the structure of the
lines of nodes and the lobes of the order parameter are modified in distinct
ways, and the magnitudes of these modifications differ in their dependence on
the (a-b plane) current direction. The magnitude of the induced s-wave
component is estimated using the results of the calculations of Ren et al.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 3680 (1995)], which are based on a microscopic approach.Comment: 15 pages, includes 2 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Plane - Chain coupling in YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{7} : temperature dependence of the penetration depth
We have studied the penetration depth for a model of
involving pairing both in the planes and in the CuO chains. In this
model pairing in the planes is due to an attractive interaction, while Coulomb
repulsion induces in the chains an order parameter with opposite sign. Due to
the anticrossing produced by hybridization between planes and chains, one
obtains a d-wave like order parameter which changes sign on a single sheet of
the Fermi surface and has nodes in the gap. We find that our model accounts
quite well for the anisotropy of the penetration depth and for the absolute
values. We reproduce fairly well the whole temperature dependence for both the
a and the b directions, including the linear dependence at low temperature. We
use a set of parameters which are all quite reasonable physically. Our results
for the c direction are also satisfactory, although the situation is less clear
both experimentally and theoretically.Comment: 11 pages, revtex, 6 figure
Staphylococcus aureus toxin LukSF dissociates from its membrane receptor target to enable renewed ligand sequestration
Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin is a pore-forming toxin targeting the human C5a receptor (hC5aR), enabling this pathogen to battle the immune response by destroying phagocytes through targeted lysis. The mechanisms that contribute to rapid cell lysis are largely unexplored. Here, we show that cell lysis may be enabled by a process of toxins targeting receptor clusters and present indirect evidence for receptor recycling that allows multiple toxin pores to be formed close together. With the use of live cell single-molecule super-resolution imaging, Forster resonance energy transfer and nanoscale total internal reflection fluorescence colocalization microscopy, we visualized toxin pore formation in the presence of its natural docking ligand. We demonstrate disassociation of hC5aR from toxin complexes and simultaneous binding of new ligands. This effect may free mobile receptors to amplify hyperinflammatory reactions in early stages of microbial infections and have implications for several other similar bicomponent toxins and the design of new antibiotics.Haapasalo, K., Wollman, A. J. M., de Haas, C. J. C., van Kessel, K. P. M., van Strijp, J. A. G., Leake, M. C. Staphylococcus aureus toxin LukSF dissociates from its membrane receptor target to enable renewed ligand sequestration.Peer reviewe
Disappearance of Ensemble-Averaged Josephson Current in Dirty SNS Junctions of d-wave Superconductors
We discuss the Josephson current in superconductor / dirty normal conductor /
superconductor junctions, where the superconductors have pairing
symmetry. The low-temperature behavior of the Josephson current depends on the
orientation angle between the crystalline axis and the normal of the junction
interface. We show that the ensemble-averaged Josephson current vanishes when
the orientation angle is and the normal conductor is in the diffusive
transport regime. The -wave pairing symmetry is responsible for
this fact.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Posttranslational events leading to the assembly of photosystem II protein complex: a study using photosynthesis mutants from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
The dynamics of animal social networks: Analytical, conceptual, and theoretical advances
Social network analysis provides a broad and complex perspective on animal sociality that is widely applicable to almost any species. Recent applications demonstrate the utility of network analysis for advancing our understanding of the dynamics, selection pressures, development, and evolution of complex social systems. However, most studies of animal social networks rely primarily on a descriptive approach. To propel the field of animal social networks beyond exploratory analyses and to facilitate the integration of quantitative methods that allow for the testing of ecologically and evolutionarily relevant hypotheses, we review methodological and conceptual advances in network science, which are underutilized in studies of animal sociality. First, we highlight how the use of statistical model- ing and triadic motifs analysis can advance our understanding of the processes that structure networks. Second, we discuss how the consideration of temporal changes and spatial constraints can shed light on the dynamics of social networks. Third, we consider how the study of variation at multiple scales can potentially transform our understanding of the structure and function of animal networks. We direct readers to analytical tools that facilitate the adoption of these new concepts and methods. Our goal is to provide behavioral ecologists with a toolbox of current methods that can stimulate novel insights into the ecological influences and evolutionary pressures structuring networks and advance our understanding of the proximate and ultimate processes that drive animal sociality
Pairing symmetry and long range pair potential in a weak coupling theory of superconductivity
We study the superconducting phase with two component order parameter
scenario, such as, , where . We show, that in absence of orthorhombocity, the usual
does not mix with usual symmetry gap in an anisotropic band
structure. But the symmetry does mix with the usual d-wave for . The d-wave symmetry with higher harmonics present in it also mixes with
higher order extended wave symmetry. The required pair potential to obtain
higher anisotropic and extended s-wave symmetries, is derived by
considering longer ranged two-body attractive potential in the spirit of tight
binding lattice. We demonstrate that the dominant pairing symmetry changes
drastically from to like as the attractive pair potential is obtained
from longer ranged interaction. More specifically, a typical length scale of
interaction , which could be even/odd multiples of lattice spacing leads
to predominant wave symmetry. The role of long range interaction on
pairing symmetry has further been emphasized by studying the typical interplay
in the temperature dependencies of these higher order and wave pairing
symmetries.Comment: Revtex 8 pages, 7 figures embeded in the text, To appear in PR
Analysis of the Chloroplast Protein Kinase Stt7 during State Transitions
State transitions allow for the balancing of the light excitation energy between photosystem I and photosystem II and for optimal photosynthetic activity when photosynthetic organisms are subjected to changing light conditions. This process is regulated by the redox state of the plastoquinone pool through the Stt7/STN7 protein kinase required for phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complex LHCII and for the reversible displacement of the mobile LHCII between the photosystems. We show that Stt7 is associated with photosynthetic complexes including LHCII, photosystem I, and the cytochrome b6f complex. Our data reveal that Stt7 acts in catalytic amounts. We also provide evidence that Stt7 contains a transmembrane region that separates its catalytic kinase domain on the stromal side from its N-terminal end in the thylakoid lumen with two conserved Cys that are critical for its activity and state transitions. On the basis of these data, we propose that the activity of Stt7 is regulated through its transmembrane domain and that a disulfide bond between the two lumen Cys is essential for its activity. The high-light–induced reduction of this bond may occur through a transthylakoid thiol–reducing pathway driven by the ferredoxin-thioredoxin system which is also required for cytochrome b6f assembly and heme biogenesis
The dynamics of animal social networks: Analytical, conceptual, and theoretical advances
Social network analysis provides a broad and complex perspective on animal sociality that is widely applicable to almost any species. Recent applications demonstrate the utility of network analysis for advancing our understanding of the dynamics, selection pressures, development, and evolution of complex social systems. However, most studies of animal social networks rely primarily on a descriptive approach. To propel the field of animal social networks beyond exploratory analyses and to facilitate the integration of quantitative methods that allow for the testing of ecologically and evolutionarily relevant hypotheses, we review methodological and conceptual advances in network science, which are underutilized in studies of animal sociality. First, we highlight how the use of statistical model- ing and triadic motifs analysis can advance our understanding of the processes that structure networks. Second, we discuss how the consideration of temporal changes and spatial constraints can shed light on the dynamics of social networks. Third, we consider how the study of variation at multiple scales can potentially transform our understanding of the structure and function of animal networks. We direct readers to analytical tools that facilitate the adoption of these new concepts and methods. Our goal is to provide behavioral ecologists with a toolbox of current methods that can stimulate novel insights into the ecological influences and evolutionary pressures structuring networks and advance our understanding of the proximate and ultimate processes that drive animal sociality
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