Related RNAs in lepidopteran cells after in vitro infection with Hyposoter didymator virus define a new polydnavirus gene family

In the present study, we describe the isolation and the characterization of three different Hyposoter didymator virus (HdV) lepidopteran host-expressed genes, the products of which might interfere with the host physiology during parasitism. In this report, we study the expression of HdV genes in Sf9 cells infected with HdV since results indicate that the Sf9 model mimics to some extent the in vivo model and may be utilized to study expression of HdV genes in lepidopteran host cells. This system allowed us to isolate three HdV-specific cDNAs, termed M24, M27, and M40. cDNA nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated significant regions of homology. The three cDNAs displayed repeated sequences arranged in tandem array that might have evolved through domain duplication. Similar to other previously described polydnavirus host-expressed genes, two intron positions have been found in the M24 leader region. The cDNAs corresponded to RNAs of 1.6, 1.6, and 2.3 kb that are also detected in parasitized Spodoptera littoralis larvae. They are encoded by different genes likely located on different HdV DNA molecules. Corresponding RNAs are detected early postinfection and remain detectable for at least 10 days postinfection. They encode secreted glycine- and proline-rich proteins. An antiserum raised against a baculovirus recombinant M24-encoded protein detected similar proteins in the culture medium of infected lepidopteran cells and in parasitized host hemolymph. We propose that the three cloned genes belong to an HdV gene family specifically expressed in parasitized lepidopteran hosts, (C) 1999 Academic Press

Oscillatory magnetic anisotropy in one-dimensional atomic wires

One-dimensional Co atomic wires grown on Pt(997) have been investigated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Strong changes of the magnetic properties are observed as the system evolves from 1D- to 2D-like. The easy axis of magnetization, the magnetic anisotropy energy, and the coercive field oscillate as a function of the transverse width of the wires, in agreement with theoretical predictions for 1D metal systems

Electronic tuneability of a structurally rigid surface intermetallic and Kondo lattice: CePt5_5 / Pt(111)

We present an extensive study of structure, composition, electronic and magnetic properties of Ce--Pt surface intermetallic phases on Pt(111) as a function of their thickness. The sequence of structural phases appearing in low energy electron diffraction (LEED) may invariably be attributed to a single underlying intermetallic atomic lattice. Findings from both microscopic and spectroscopic methods, respectively, prove compatible with CePt$_5$ formation when their characteristic probing depth is adequately taken into account. The intermetallic film thickness serves as an effective tuning parameter which brings about characteristic variations of the Cerium valence and related properties. Soft x-ray absorption (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) prove well suited to trace the changing Ce valence and to assess relevant aspects of Kondo physics in the CePt$_5$ surface intermetallic. We find characteristic Kondo scales of the order of 10$^2$ K and evidence for considerable magnetic Kondo screening of the local Ce $4f$ moments. CePt$_5$/Pt(111) and related systems therefore appear to be promising candidates for further studies of low-dimensional Kondo lattices at surfaces.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure

Structure of self-organized Fe clusters grown on Au(111) analyzed by Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction

We report a detailed investigation of the first stages of the growth of self-organized Fe clusters on the reconstructed Au(111) surface by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. Below one monolayer coverage, the Fe clusters are in "local epitaxy" whereas the subsequent layers adopt first a strained fcc lattice and then a partly relaxed bcc(110) phase in a Kurdjumov-Sachs epitaxial relationship. The structural evolution is discussed in relation with the magnetic properties of the Fe clusters.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Physical Review B September 200

Direct observation of a highly spin-polarized organic spinterface at room temperature

Organic semiconductors constitute promising candidates toward large-scale electronic circuits that are entirely spintronics-driven. Toward this goal, tunneling magnetoresistance values above 300% at low temperature suggested the presence of highly spin-polarized device interfaces. However, such spinterfaces have not been observed directly, let alone at room temperature. Thanks to experiments and theory on the model spinterface between phthalocyanine molecules and a Co single crystal surface, we clearly evidence a highly efficient spinterface. Spin-polarised direct and inverse photoemission experiments reveal a high degree of spin polarisation at room temperature at this interface. We measured a magnetic moment on the molecule’s nitrogen p orbitals, which substantiates an ab-initio theoretical description of highly spin-polarised charge conduction across the interface due to differing spinterface formation mechanisms in each spin channel. We propose, through this example, a recipe to engineer simple organic-inorganic interfaces with remarkable spintronic properties that can endure well above room temperature

Matrix gla protein in xenopus laevis: molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and evolutionary considerations

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) belongs to the family of vitamin K-dependent, Gla-containing proteins and in higher vertebrates, is found in the extracellular matrix of mineralized tissues and soft tissues. MGP synthesis is highly regulated at the transcription and posttranscription levels and is now known to be involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix calcification and maintenance of cartilage and soft tissue integrity during growth and development. However, its mode of action at the molecular level remains unknown. Because there is a large degree of conservation between amino,acid sequences of shark and human MGP, the function of MGP probably has been conserved throughout evolution. Given the complexity of the mammalian system, the study of MGP in a lower vertebrate might be advantageous to relate the onset of MGP expression with specific events during development. Toward this goal, MGP was purified from Xenopus long bones and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined and used to clone the Xenopus MGP complementary DNA (cDNA) by a mixture of reverse-transcription (RT)- and 5'- rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MGP messenger RNA (mRNA) was present in all tissues analyzed although predominantly expressed in Xenopus bone and heart and its presence was detected early in development at the onset of chondrocranium development and long before the appearance of the first calcified structures and metamorphosis. These results show that in this system, as in mammals, MGP may be required to delay or prevent mineralization of cartilage and soft tissues during the early stages of development and indicate that Xenopus is an adequate model organism to further study MGP function during growth and development.NATO/CRG940751/SA5.2.05, Praxis XXI/BIA 469/94, (NIH; grant AR 25921) (Praxis XXI/BPD/18816) (Praxis XXI/BICJ-2985

Magnetism of CoPd self-organized alloy clusters on Au(111)

Magnetic properties of gold-encapsulated CoxPd1-x self-organized nano-clusters on Au(111) are analyzed by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism for x = 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0. The clusters are superparamagnetic with a blocking temperature decreasing with increasing Pd concentration, due to a reduction of the out-of-plane anisotropy strength. No magnetic moment is detected on Pd in these clusters, within the detection limit, contrary to thick CoPd films. Both reduction of anisotropy and vanishing Pd moment are attributed to strain. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC

Micro-algae come of age as a platform for recombinant protein production

A complete set of genetic tools is still being developed for the micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Yet even with this incomplete set, this photosynthetic single-celled plant has demonstrated significant promise as a platform for recombinant protein expression. In recent years, techniques have been developed that allow for robust expression of genes from both the nuclear and plastid genome. With these advances, many research groups have examined the pliability of this and other micro-algae as biological machines capable of producing recombinant peptides and proteins. This review describes recent successes in recombinant protein production in Chlamydomonas, including production of complex mammalian therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies at levels sufficient for production at economic parity with existing production platforms. These advances have also shed light on the details of algal protein production at the molecular level, and provide insight into the next steps for optimizing micro-algae as a useful platform for the production of therapeutic and industrially relevant recombinant proteins