Inhibitors of Plant Peptide Deformylase for Use as Broad-Spectrum Herbicides and Methods for Identifying the Same

The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides

Inhibitor of Plant Peptide Deformylase for Use as Broad-Spectrum Herbicides and Method for Identifying the Same

The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides

Inhibitors of Plant Peptide Deformylase for Use as Broad-Spectrum Herbicides and Methods for Identifying the Same

The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides

Crystallization and Structure of a Plant Peptide Deformylase

This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide

Crystallization and Structure of a Plant Peptide Deformylase

This invention relates to the crystal structure of a plant peptide deformylase polypeptide and methods of using the structure to design compounds that modulate the activity of the polypeptide

Reciprocal Effect of Parental Lines on the Physiological Potential and Seed Composition of Corn Hybrid Seeds

Obtaining corn hybrid seeds (Zea mays L.) with high vigour depends on the parental lines and the direction of the cross, and this relates to seed desiccation tolerance and composition. This research studied reciprocal crosses between pairs of proprietary, elite parent lines (L1 and L5; L2 and L4) producing hybrid seeds with different qualities attempting to correlate vigour with seed composition, focusing on storage proteins, starch and soluble sugar amounts. Four corn hybrid seed lots produced from reciprocal crosses were compared (HS 15 with HS 51, and HS 24 with HS 42) by assessing germination, vigour, and seedling emergence in the field. Seed composition was assessed in mature, dehydrated seeds. Proteins were extracted, quantified, and analysed by electrophoresis and densitometry. Starch amounts were assessed using a kit and soluble sugars were determined using high performance liquid chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection. The L1 and L2 lineages, used as female parents, provided seeds with lower vigour; however, the quantification of major protein bands, and sucrose, raffinose and stachyose were similar between seed lot pairs. While both total seed protein and starch varied between reciprocal hybrids for one of the two sets of crosses, the amounts of neither correlated with seed vigour. Interestingly, hybrids with low seed vigour (HS 15, HS 24) accumulated greater amounts of fructose relative to their reciprocal; correlation analysis confirmed these results. We demonstrate different effects on seed vigour dependent on the maternal parent in reciprocal crosses producing hybrid corn seeds. We also show that vigour is negatively correlated with seed reducing sugar contents

The HIV-1 Tat Protein is Monomethylated at Lysine 71 by the Lysine Methyltransferase KMT7

The HIV-1 transactivator protein Tat is a critical regulator of HIV transcription primarily enabling efficient elongation of viral transcripts. Its interactions with RNA and various host factors are regulated by ordered, transient post-translational modifications. Here, we report a novel Tat modification, monomethylation at lysine 71 (K71). We found that Lys-71 monomethylation (K71me) is catalyzed by KMT7, a methyltransferase that also targets lysine 51 (K51) in Tat. Using mass spectrometry, in vitro enzymology, and modification-specific antibodies, we found that KMT7 monomethylates both Lys-71 and Lys-51 in Tat. K71me is important for full Tat transactivation, as KMT7 knockdown impaired the transcriptional activity of wild type (WT) Tat but not a Tat K71R mutant. These findings underscore the role of KMT7 as an important monomethyltransferase regulating HIV transcription through Tat

KELCH F-BOX Protein Positively Influences Arabidopsis Seed Germination by Targeting PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR1

Seeds employ sensory systems that assess various environmental cues over time to maximize the successful transition from embryo to seedling. Here we show that the Arabidopsis F-BOX protein COLD TEMPERATURE-GERMINATING (CTG)-10, identified by activation tagging, is a positive regulator of this process. When overexpressed (OE), CTG10 hastens aspects of seed germination. CTG10 is expressed predominantly in the hypocotyl, and the protein is localized to the nucleus. CTG10 interacts with PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (PIF1) and helps regulate its abundance in planta. CTG10-OE accelerates the loss of PIF1 in light, increasing germination efficiency, while PIF1-OE lines fail to complete germination in darkness, which is reversed by concurrent CTG10-OE. Double-mutant (pif1 ctg10) lines demonstrated that PIF1 is epistatic to CTG10. Both CTG10 and PIF1 amounts decline during seed germination in the light but reaccumulate in the dark. PIF1 in turn down-regulates CTG10 transcription, suggesting a feedback loop of CTG10/PIF1 control. The genetic, physiological, and biochemical evidence, when taken together, leads us to propose that PIF1 and CTG10 coexist, and even accumulate, in the nucleus in darkness, but that, following illumination, CTG10 assists in reducing PIF1 amounts, thus promoting the completion of seed germination and subsequent seedling development

Variation in neurosurgical management of traumatic brain injury: A survey in 68 centers participating in the CENTER-TBI study

Background Neurosurgical management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is challenging, with only low-quality evidence. We aimed to explore differences in neurosurgical strategies for TBI across Europe. Methods A survey was sent to 68 centers participating in the Collaborative European Neurotrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. The questionnaire contained 21 questions, including the decision when to operate (or not) on traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) and intracerebral hematoma (ICH), and when to perform a decompressive craniectomy (DC) in raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Results The survey was completed by 68 centers (100%). On average, 10 neurosurgeons work in each trauma center. In all centers, a neurosurgeon was available within 30 min. Forty percent of responders reported a thickness or volume threshold for evacuation of an ASDH. Most responders (78%) decide on a primary DC in evacuating an ASDH during the operation, when swelling is present. For ICH, 3% would perform an evacuation directly to prevent secondary deterioration and 66% only in case of clinical deterioration. Most respondents (91%) reported to consider a DC for refractory high ICP. The reported cut-off ICP for DC in refractory high ICP, however, differed: 60% uses 25 mmHg, 18% 30 mmHg, and 17% 20 mmHg. Treatment strategies varied substantially between regions, specifically for the threshold for ASDH surgery and DC for refractory raised ICP. Also within center variation was present: 31% reported variation within the hospital for inserting an ICP monitor and 43% for evacuating mass lesions. Conclusion Despite a homogeneous organization, considerable practice variation exists of neurosurgical strategies for TBI in Europe. These results provide an incentive for comparative effectiveness research to determine elements of effective neurosurgical care