Thomas-Ehrman shifts in nuclei around ^{16}O and role of residual nuclear interaction

The asymmetry in the energy spectra between mirror nuclei (the Thomas-Ehrman shifts) around $^{16}$O is investigated from a phenomenological viewpoint. The recent data on proton-rich nuclei indicates that the residual nuclear interaction is reduced for the loosely bound s-orbit by as much as 30%, which originates in the broad radial distribution of the proton single-particle wave function.Comment: to appear in Phys. Lett. B, with 3 eps figure

On the density matrix for the kink ground state of higher spin XXZ chain

The exact expression for the density matrix of the kink ground state of higher spin XXZ chain is obtained

On the problem of calculation of correlation functions in the six-vertex model with domain wall boundary conditions

The problem of calculation of correlation functions in the six-vertex model with domain wall boundary conditions is addressed by considering a particular nonlocal correlation function, called row configuration probability. This correlation function can be used as building block for computing various (both local and nonlocal) correlation functions in the model. The row configuration probability is calculated using the quantum inverse scattering method; the final result is given in terms of a multiple integral. The connection with the emptiness formation probability, another nonlocal correlation function which was computed elsewhere using similar methods, is also discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figure

Simultaneous disruption of two DNA polymerases, Polη and Polζ, in Avian DT40 cells unmasks the role of Polη in cellular response to various DNA lesions

Replicative DNA polymerases are frequently stalled by DNA lesions. The resulting replication blockage is released by homologous recombination (HR) and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). TLS employs specialized TLS polymerases to bypass DNA lesions. We provide striking in vivo evidence of the cooperation between DNA polymerase η, which is mutated in the variant form of the cancer predisposition disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-V), and DNA polymerase ζ by generating POLη−/−/POLζ−/− cells from the chicken DT40 cell line. POLζ−/− cells are hypersensitive to a very wide range of DNA damaging agents, whereas XP-V cells exhibit moderate sensitivity to ultraviolet light (UV) only in the presence of caffeine treatment and exhibit no significant sensitivity to any other damaging agents. It is therefore widely believed that Polη plays a very specific role in cellular tolerance to UV-induced DNA damage. The evidence we present challenges this assumption. The phenotypic analysis of POLη−/−/POLζ−/− cells shows that, unexpectedly, the loss of Polη significantly rescued all mutant phenotypes of POLζ−/− cells and results in the restoration of the DNA damage tolerance by a backup pathway including HR. Taken together, Polη contributes to a much wide range of TLS events than had been predicted by the phenotype of XP-V cells

In Vitro Contraction of Cytokinetic Ring Depends on Myosin II but not on Actin Dynamics

10.1038/ncb2781Nature Cell Biology157853-859NCBI

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor response in neuroblastoma is highly correlated with ALK mutation status, ALK mRNA and protein levels

Background In pediatric neuroblastoma (NBL), high anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) levels appear to be correlated with an unfavorable prognosis, regardless of ALK mutation status. This suggests a therapeutic role for ALK inhibitors in NBL patients. We examined the correlation between levels of ALK, phosphorylated ALK (pALK) and downstream signaling proteins and response to ALK inhibition in a large panel of both ALK mutated and wild type (WT) NBL cell lines. Methods We measured protein levels by western blot and ALK inhibitor sensitivity (TAE684) by viability assays in 19 NBL cell lines of which 6 had a point mutation and 4 an amplification of the ALK gene. Results ALK 220 kDa (p=0.01) and ALK 140 kDa (p= 0.03) protein levels were higher in ALK mutant than WT cell lines. Response to ALK inhibition was significantly correlated with ALK protein levels (p<0.01). ALK mutant cell lines (n=4) were 14,9 fold (p<0,01) more sensitive to ALK inhibition than eight WT cell lines. Conclusion NBL cell lines often express ALK at high levels and are responsive to ALK inhibitors. Mutated cell lines express ALK at higher levels, which may define their superior response to ALK inhibition

Controlling transmembrane protein concentration and orientation in supported lipid bilayers

The trans-membrane protein – proteorhodopsin (pR) has been incorporated into supported lipid bilayers (SLB). In-plane electric fields have been used to manipulate the orientation and concentration of these proteins, within the SLB, through electrophoresis leading to a 25-fold increase concentration of pR