Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a fusion of the LIM domains of LMO2 and the LID domain of Ldb1

LMO2 (LIM domain only 2), also known as rhombotin-2, is a transcriptional regulator that is essential for normal haematopoietic development. In malignant haematopoiesis, its ectopic expression in T cells is involved in the pathogenesis of leukaemia. LMO2 contains four zinc-finger domains and binds to the ubiquitous nuclear adaptor protein Ldb1 via the LIM-interaction domain (LID). Together, they act as scaffolding proteins and bridge important haematopoietic transcription factors such as SCL/Tal1, E2A and GATA-1. Solving the structure of the LMO2:Ldb1-LID complex would therefore be a first step towards understanding how haematopoietic specific protein complexes form and would also provide an attractive target for drug development in anticancer therapy, especially for T-cell leukaemia. Here, the expression, purification, crystallization and data collection of a fusion protein consisting of the two LIM domains of LMO2 linked to the LID domain of Ldb1 via a flexible linker is reported. The crystals belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 179.9, b = 51.5, c = 114.7 Å, β = 90.1°, and contained five molecules in the asymmetric unit. Multiple-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) data have been collected at the zinc X-ray absorption edge to a resolution of 2.8 Å and the data were used to solve the structure of the LMO2:Ldb1-LID complex. Refinement and analysis of the electron-density map is in progress

Egyptian Diplomacy and International Relations

Foreign policy is an essential component of Egypt’s general state policy. Together with its traditional diplomatic and political functions, and given that development policy is considered a key objective, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry participates in the country’s development effort by trying to attract foreign investment, obtain economic assistance and facilitate technology transfers. Egyptian diplomacy also seeks to maintain strong bilateral and multilateral relationships, which is another essential goal of Egypt’s general policy. Strengthening traditional friendly relations as well as building new relationships enables Egypt to exercise influence and pursue its national interest all over the globe

BaTiO3:H Films as All-Solid-State Electrolytes for Integrated Electric Double-Layer Capacitors

In the electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), a large amount of electrical energy can be stored in the double layer by reversible accumulation of ions onto the active electrode material. In these devices, mobile charge carriers can accumulate (or deplete) near the electrode/electrolyte interface resulting in a space charge layer. So, the appropriate combination of space charge layer and large effective surface of the electrodes constitutes a significant factor to get high specific capacitance. Here, we incorporated protons in BaTiO3 films during a low-temperature deposition process. Drastic changes occurred on both chemical and electrical properties of the films when H2 was added to the sputtering gas. It is well known that protons are very mobile species even at low temperature. Therefore, upon the application of a sufficiently high electric field, positively charged protons move toward the cathode with an activation energy around 0.6 eV and pileup to form a capacitive double layer of several μF/cm2 which enhances the dielectric permittivity of the film