The Chromatin Remodeling Factor SMARCB1 Forms a Complex with Human Cytomegalovirus Proteins UL114 and UL44

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) uracil DNA glycosylase, UL114, is required for efficient viral DNA replication. Presumably, UL114 functions as a structural partner to other factors of the DNA-replication machinery and not as a DNA repair protein. UL114 binds UL44 (HCMV processivity factor) and UL54 (HCMV-DNA-polymerase). In the present study we have searched for cellular partners of UL114. Methodology/Principal Findings: In a yeast two-hybrid screen SMARCB1, a factor of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, was found to be an interacting partner of UL114. This interaction was confirmed in vitro by coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that SMARCB1 along with BRG-1, BAF170 and BAF155, which are the core SWI/SNF components required for efficient chromatin remodeling, were present in virus replication foci 24–48 hours post infection (hpi). Furthermore a direct interaction was also demonstrated for SMARCB1 and UL44. Conclusions/Significance: The core SWI/SNF factors required for efficient chromatin remodeling are present in the HCMV replication foci throughout infection. The proteins UL44 and UL114 interact with SMARCB1 and may participate in the recruitment of the SWI/SNF complex to the chromatinized virus DNA. Thus, the presence of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in replication foci and its association with UL114 and with UL44 might imply its involvement i

Interference of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with vasoactive peptides in the coronary circulation of dogs.

The coronary effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and their mechanisms of action are not well understood. Because these drugs may interfere with hormone systems other than the reninangiotensin system (RAS), we studied modulation of the coronary effects of neurotensin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) by pretreatment with captopril in anesthetized, open-chest dogs. The left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was cannulated and perfused at a pressure equal to mean aortic blood pressure. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured by an electromagnetic flowmeter, subendocardial segment length by ultrasonic crystals. ACE inhibition (captopril 0.25 mg/kg), as an intracoronary (i.c.) injection, followed by an intracoronary infusion (0.25 mg/kg/h) did not affect the relative vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 (10(-4)-10(-1) micrograms/kg i.c.) or neuropeptide Y (10(-3)-1 microgram/kg i.c.). However preinjection flow of a second dose-response curve of ET-1 was significantly higher in captopril-treated as compared with control animals. The increase in CBF induced by neurotensin (10(-3)-1 microgram/kg i.c.) was potentiated by captopril (40 +/- 14% after vs. 20 +/- 9% before captopril, p < 0.01, at the highest dose used). Changes in hemodynamics or in regional myocardial function could not explain altered effects of neurotensin. We therefore conclude that ACE inhibition does not interfere with the acute vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 or NPY in this canine model but may reverse the long-term tonic coronary constrictor effect of ET-1. Potentiation of the neurotensin effect on CBF might be due to prevention of hydrolysis of neurotensin or to a cyclooxygenase-dependent mechanism

Wave initiation through spatiotemporally controllable perturbations

We study the initiation of pulses and fronts in a two-dimensional catalytic reaction-diffusion system: CO oxidation on Pt(110). Using a computer-controlled mobile focused laser beam, we impart various patterns (in space and time) of localized temperature “kicks” to the surface. We explore, and also rationalize through modeling, the cooperativity of such individually subcritical perturbations in both the excitable and the bistable regime

Wave initiation through spatiotemporally controllable perturbations

We study the initiation of pulses and fronts in a two-dimensional catalytic reaction-diffusion system: CO oxidation on Pt(110). Using a computer-controlled mobile focused laser beam, we impart various patterns (in space and time) of localized temperature “kicks” to the surface. We explore, and also rationalize through modeling, the cooperativity of such individually subcritical perturbations in both the excitable and the bistable regime

Oscillatory thermomechanical instability of an ultrathin catalyst

Because of the small thermal capacity of ultrathin (∼200 nanometers) metal single crystals, it is possible to explore the coupling of catalytic and thermal action at low pressures. We analyzed a chemothermomechanical instability in this regime, in which catalytic reaction kinetics interact with heat transfer and mechanical buckling to create oscillations. These interacting components are separated and explored through experimentation, mathematical modeling, and scientific computation, and an explanation of the phenomenon emerges from their synthesis