14 research outputs found
Embedding a Metal-Binding Motif for Copper Transporter into a Lipid Bilayer by Cu(I) Binding
Peptide–lipid
interactions are widely involved with biologically
significant phenomena, including the pathogenic mechanisms of protein
misfolding diseases and transmembrane protein folding. In this paper,
the interaction of the cysteine/tryptophan (Cys/Trp) motif, which
is a metal-binding motif of copper transporter (Ctr) proteins, with
a lipid bilayer was studied using fluorescence and circular dichroism
(CD) spectroscopy. The binding of Cu(I) to the Cys/Trp motif induced
a large red-edge excitation shift in the Trp fluorescence, indicating
that the Trp residue is located inside the lipid bilayer following
complexation of Cu(I) with the Cys/Trp motif. The Stern–Volmer
quenching of the Trp fluorescence also supported the Cu(I) binding
peptide embedding in the lipid bilayer. The measurement of the CD
spectra indicated the increase in β-sheet content of the Cys/Trp
motif peptide as a result of Cu(I) binding. These results lead to
the conclusion that complexation with Cu(I) induces the change in
the secondary structure of the Cys/Trp motif, which results in the
peptide embedding in the lipid bilayer. Cu(I)-induced enhancement
of the lipid affinity is discussed in terms of the mechanism for copper
transport by Ctr
Simultaneous Multi-Bit Recording in Fused Silica for Permanent Storage
In recent years, optical discs and hard disc drives have been widely used as storage media. However, the lifetime of recorded data in these media is about 100 years. On the other hand, a permanent storage system that can store data for more than 1,000 years is strongly required, especially for historically valuable data. One candidate system for permanent storage is a system using fused silica, which is thermally and chemically stable. In this paper, we reported simultaneous multi-bit recording in fused silica with a femtosecond laser and a spatial light modulator. The recording quality was evaluated using signal-to-noise ratio with an optical microscope. We recorded a four-layer sample with a dot pitch of 2.8 µm and obtained a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 15 dB. Furthermore, we confirmed that the sample had good thermal resistance at 1,000 °C for 120 min, which indicates a lifetime of over 319 million years
Simultaneous multi-bit recording in fused silica for permanent storage
In recent years, optical discs and hard disc drives have been widely used as storage media. However, the lifetime of recorded data in these media is about 100 years. On the other hand, a permanent storage system that can store data for more than 1,000 years is strongly required, especially for historically valuable data. One candidate system for permanent storage is a system using fused silica, which is thermally and chemically stable. In this paper, we reported simultaneous multi-bit recording in fused silica with a femtosecond laser and a spatial light modulator. The recording quality was evaluated using signal-to-noise ratio with an optical microscope. We recorded a four-layer sample with a dot pitch of 2.8 µm and obtained a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 15 dB. Furthermore, we confirmed that the sample had good thermal resistance at 1,000 °C for 120 min, which indicates a lifetime of over 319 million years
Cryptic genomic rearrangements in three patients with 46,XY disorders of sex development.
BACKGROUND: 46,XY disorders of sex development (46,XY DSD) are genetically heterogeneous conditions. Recently, a few submicroscopic genomic rearrangements have been reported as novel genetic causes of 46,XY DSD. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To clarify the role of cryptic rearrangements in the development of 46,XY DSD, we performed array-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis for 24 genetic males with genital abnormalities. Heterozygous submicroscopic deletions were identified in three cases (cases 1-3). A ∼8.5 Mb terminal deletion at 9p24.1-24.3 was detected in case 1 that presented with complete female-type external genitalia and mental retardation; a ∼2.0 Mb interstitial deletion at 20p13 was identified in case 2 with ambiguous external genitalia and short stature; and a ∼18.0 Mb interstitial deletion at 2q31.1-32 was found in case 3 with ambiguous external genitalia, mental retardation and multiple anomalies. The genital abnormalities of case 1 could be ascribed to gonadal dysgenesis caused by haploinsufficiency of DMRT1, while those of case 3 were possibly associated with perturbed organogenesis due to a deletion of the HOXD cluster. The deletion in case 2 affected 36 genes, none of which have been previously implicated in sex development. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results indicate that cryptic genomic rearrangements constitute an important part of the molecular bases of 46,XY DSD and that submicroscopic deletions can lead to various types of 46,XY DSD that occur as components of contiguous gene deletion syndromes. Most importantly, our data provide a novel candidate locus for 46,XY DSD at 20p13
Patients analyzed in the present study.
<p>DSD, disorders of sex development; HS, hypospadias.</p