Function of the Signal Peptide and N- and C-terminal Propeptides in the Leucine Aminopeptidase from \u3cem\u3eAeromonas proteolytica\u3c/em\u3e

The leucine aminopeptidase from Aeromonas proteolytica (also known as Vibrio proteolyticus) (AAP) is a metalloenzyme with broad substrate specificity. The open reading frame (ORF) for AAP encodes a 54 kDa enzyme, however, the extracellular enzyme has a molecular weight of 43 kDa. This form of AAP is further processed to a mature, thermostable 32 kDa form but the exact nature of this process is unknown. Over-expression of different forms of AAP in Escherichia coli (with AAP\u27s native leader sequence, with and without the N- and/or C-terminal propeptides, and as fusion protein) has allowed a model for the processing of wild-type AAP to be proposed. The role of the A. proteolytica signal peptide in protein secretion as well as comparison to other known signal peptides reveals a close resemblance of the A. proteolytica signal peptide to the outer membrane protein (OmpA) signal peptide. Over-expression of the full 54 kDa AAP enzyme provides an enzyme that is significantly less active, due to a cooperative inhibitory interaction between both propeptides. Over-expression of AAP lacking its C-terminal propeptide provided an enzyme with an identical kcat value to wild-type AAP but exhibited a larger Km value, suggesting competitive inhibition of AAP by the N-terminal propeptide (Ki∼0.13 nM). The recombinant 32 kDa form of AAP was characterized by kinetic and spectroscopic methods and was shown to be identical to mature, wild-type AAP. Therefore, the ease of purification and processing of rAAP along with the fact that large quantities can be obtained now allow new detailed mechanistic studies to be performed on AAP through site-directed mutagenesis

1-year mortality following contrast-induced nephropathy

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the 1-year mortality risk subsequent to Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN) following CECT imaging, relative to other well-recognized predictors of mortality. Methods: We followed a prospective, consecutive cohort of ambulatory patients who received intravenous contrast for CECT for the outcome of death from any cause within 1 year. In a multivariate analysis, we compared CIN with other predictors of mortality: active malignancy, coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF) and age ≥70 years. Anticipating that terminal cancers would account for the majority of deaths in this population, we also analyzed the subset of patients without an active malignancy at the time of enrollment. Results: We followed 633 patients and 46 died (7%, 95%CI: 5-9%) within 1 year. The incidence of CIN was 11% (95%CI: 8-14%). Active malignancy (HR 9.2, 95%CI: 5.1-16.8), CIN (HR 2.4, 95%CI: 1.3-4.6), CHF (HR 2.1, 95%CI: 1.0-4.2), CAD (HR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.0-5.5) and age ≥70 years (HR 1.8, 95%CI: 1.0-3.8) were significant predictors of all-cause mortality. Among patients without active malignancies, the mortality rate was 4% (25/580, 95%CI: 3-6%) and CIN (HR 4.0, 95%CI: 1.7-9.6) and age ≥70 years (HR 3.7, 95%CI: 1.4-9.7) were significantly associated with death, whereas CAD (HR 2.5, 95%CI: 0.8-7.7) and CHF (HR 1.8, 95%CI: 0.6-5.3) were not. Conclusions: The development of CIN following CECT is associated with an increased likelihood of death at 1 year among patients with and without active malignancies, comparable to CAD, CHF and advanced age

A change in temperature modulates defence to yellow (stripe) rust in wheat line UC1041 independently of resistance gene Yr36

Background Rust diseases are of major importance in wheat production worldwide. With the constant evolution of new rust strains and their adaptation to higher temperatures, consistent and durable disease resistance is a key challenge. Environmental conditions affect resistance gene performance, but the basis for this is poorly understood. Results Here we show that a change in day temperature affects wheat resistance to Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici (Pst), the causal agent of yellow (or stripe) rust. Using adult plants of near-isogenic lines UC1041 +/- Yr36, there was no significant difference between Pst percentage uredia coverage in plants grown at day temperatures of 18°C or 25°C in adult UC1041 + Yr36 plants. However, when plants were transferred to the lower day temperature at the time of Pst inoculation, infection increased up to two fold. Interestingly, this response was independent of Yr36, which has previously been reported as a temperature-responsive resistance gene as Pst development in adult UC1041 -Yr36 plants was similarly affected by the plants experiencing a temperature reduction. In addition, UC1041 -Yr36 plants grown at the lower temperature then transferred to the higher temperature were effectively resistant and a temperature change in either direction was shown to affect Pst development up to 8 days prior to inoculation. Results for seedlings were similar, but more variable compared to adult plants. Enhanced resistance to Pst was observed in seedlings of UC1041 and the cultivar Shamrock when transferred to the higher temperature. Resistance was not affected in seedlings of cultivar Solstice by a temperature change in either direction. Conclusions Yr36 is effective at 18°C, refining the lower range of temperature at which resistance against Pst is conferred compared to previous studies. Results reveal previously uncharacterised defence temperature sensitivity in the UC1041 background which is caused by a change in temperature and independently of Yr36. This novel phenotype is present in some cultivars but absent in others, suggesting that Pst defence may be more stable in some cultivars than others when plants are exposed to varying temperatures

Microinfusion of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide into the Central Nucleus of Amygdala of the Rat Produces a Shift from an Active to Passive Mode of Coping in the Shock-Probe Fear/Defensive Burying Test

High concentrations of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) nerve fibers are present in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA), a brain region implicated in the control of fear-related behavior. This study evaluated PACAPergic modulation of fear responses at the CeA in male Sprague-Dawley rats. PACAP (50–100 pmol) microinfusion via intra-CeA cannulae produced increases in immobility and time the rats spent withdrawn into a corner opposite to the electrified probe compared to controls in the shock-probe fear/defensive burying test. Shock-probe burying and exploration, numbers of shocks received, locomotion distance, and velocity were all reduced by intra-CeA PACAP injection. Further, intra-CeA PACAP effects were manifested only when the animals were challenged by shock, as intra-CeA PACAP injections did not cause significant changes in the behaviors of unshocked rats. Thus, intra-CeA administration of PACAP produces a distinct reorganization of stress-coping behaviors from active (burying) to passive modes, such as withdrawal and immobility. These findings are potentially significant toward enhancing our understanding of the involvement of PACAP and the CeA in the neural basis of fear and anxiety

Electronic Structure of Dinuclear Gold(I) Complexes

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments on LL(AuSR∗)2 complexes [LL = diphenylphosphinomethane (dppm), diphenylphosphinopentane (dpppn); R* = p-SC6H4CH3] show anodic sweeps that broaden by about 25 mV on going from the longer (dpppn) to the shorter (dppm) bidentate phosphine ligand. Changing concentrations had no effect on the shape of the waveform. The result suggests a weak intramolecular metal-metal interaction in dppm(AuSR∗)2 that correlates well with rate acceleration occurring in the reaction of dppm(AuSR∗)2 with organic disulfides. Quantum yields for cis-dppee(AuX)2 [dppee = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene; X = Cl, Br, I] complexes, (disappearance) Φ , are significantly higher in complexes with a softer X ligand, a trend that correlates well with aurophilicity. This result also suggests that electronic perturbation caused by Au(I)-Au(I) interactions is important in explaining the reactivity of some dinuclear gold(I) complexes. The crystal structure for cis-dppee(Aul)2 shows short intramolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 2.9526 (6) A°, while the structure of trans-dppee(AuI)2 , shows intermolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 3.2292 (9) A°. The substitution of .As for P results in a ligand, cis-diphenylarsinoethylene (cis-dpaee), that is photochemically active, in contrast to the cis-dppee ligand. The complexes, cis-dpaee(AuX)2, are also photochemically active but with lower quantum yields than the cis-dppee(AuX)2 complexes

TB STIGMA – MEASUREMENT GUIDANCE

TB is the most deadly infectious disease in the world, and stigma continues to play a significant role in worsening the epidemic. Stigma and discrimination not only stop people from seeking care but also make it more difficult for those on treatment to continue, both of which make the disease more difficult to treat in the long-term and mean those infected are more likely to transmit the disease to those around them. TB Stigma – Measurement Guidance is a manual to help generate enough information about stigma issues to design and monitor and evaluate efforts to reduce TB stigma. It can help in planning TB stigma baseline measurements and monitoring trends to capture the outcomes of TB stigma reduction efforts. This manual is designed for health workers, professional or management staff, people who advocate for those with TB, and all who need to understand and respond to TB stigma