442 research outputs found
Identification of post-pyrite phase transitions in SiO2 by a genetic algorithm
US Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Science and Engineering [DE-AC02-07CH11358]; NSF [EAR-0757903, EAR-0810272, EAR-1047629, ATM-0426757]Using a first-principles genetic algorithm we predict an Fe2P phase is the first post-pyrite phase of SiO2 at low temperatures. This contrasts with a recently predicted cotunnite phase. Static enthalpy differences between these two phases are small near the transition pressure (0.69 TPa). While quasiharmonic free energy calculations predict an Fe2P--> cotunnite-type transition with increasing temperature, another phase, NbCoB type, is identified as being structurally and energetically intermediate between Fe2P and cotunnite phases. This structure suggests a possible temperature-induced gradual transformation between Fe2P and cotunnite phases. This finding would change our understanding of how planet-forming silicates, for example, MgSiO3 post-perovskite and its solid solutions, dissociate into elementary oxides at thermodynamic conditions expected in the interior of solar giants and exoplanets
Expression of Distal-less, dachshund, and optomotor blind in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Annelida, Nereididae) does not support homology of appendage-forming mechanisms across the Bilateria
The similarity in the genetic regulation of
arthropod and vertebrate appendage formation has been
interpreted as the product of a plesiomorphic gene
network that was primitively involved in bilaterian
appendage development and co-opted to build appendages
(in modern phyla) that are not historically related
as structures. Data from lophotrochozoans are needed to
clarify the pervasiveness of plesiomorphic appendage forming
mechanisms. We assayed the expression of three
arthropod and vertebrate limb gene orthologs, Distal-less
(Dll), dachshund (dac), and optomotor blind (omb), in
direct-developing juveniles of the polychaete Neanthes
arenaceodentata. Parapodial Dll expression marks premorphogenetic
notopodia and neuropodia, becoming restricted
to the bases of notopodial cirri and to ventral
portions of neuropodia. In outgrowing cephalic appendages,
Dll activity is primarily restricted to proximal
domains. Dll expression is also prominent in the brain. dac
expression occurs in the brain, nerve cord ganglia, a pair
of pharyngeal ganglia, presumed interneurons linking a
pair of segmental nerves, and in newly differentiating
mesoderm. Domains of omb expression include the brain,
nerve cord ganglia, one pair of anterior cirri, presumed
precursors of dorsal musculature, and the same pharyngeal
ganglia and presumed interneurons that express dac.
Contrary to their roles in outgrowing arthropod and
vertebrate appendages, Dll, dac, and omb lack comparable
expression in Neanthes appendages, implying independent
evolution of annelid appendage development. We infer
that parapodia and arthropodia are not structurally or
mechanistically homologous (but their primordia might
be), that Dll’s ancestral bilaterian function was in sensory
and central nervous system differentiation, and that
locomotory appendages possibly evolved from sensory
outgrowths
Observation of a ppb mass threshoud enhancement in \psi^\prime\to\pi^+\pi^-J/\psi(J/\psi\to\gamma p\bar{p}) decay
The decay channel
is studied using a sample of events collected
by the BESIII experiment at BEPCII. A strong enhancement at threshold is
observed in the invariant mass spectrum. The enhancement can be fit
with an -wave Breit-Wigner resonance function with a resulting peak mass of
and a
narrow width that is at the 90% confidence level.
These results are consistent with published BESII results. These mass and width
values do not match with those of any known meson resonance.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Chinese Physics
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The cryo-EM structure of the bacterial flagellum cap complex suggests a molecular mechanism for filament elongation
The bacterial flagellum is a remarkable molecular motor, whose primary function in bacteria is to facilitate motility through the rotation of a filament protruding from the bacterial cell. A cap complex, consisting of an oligomer of the protein FliD, is localized at the tip of the flagellum, and is essential for filament assembly, as well as adherence to surfaces in some bacteria. However, the structure of the intact cap complex, and the molecular basis for its interaction with the filament, remains elusive. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of the Campylobacter jejuni cap complex, which reveals that FliD is pentameric, with the N-terminal region of the protomer forming an extensive set of contacts across several subunits, that contribute to FliD oligomerization. We also demonstrate that the native C. jejuni flagellum filament is 11-stranded, contrary to a previously published cryo-EM structure, and propose a molecular model for the filament-cap interaction
Diversification and Specialization of Plant RBR Ubiquitin Ligases
Background: RBR ubiquitin ligases are components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system present in all eukaryotes. They are characterized by having the RBR (RING – IBR – RING) supradomain. In this study, the patterns of emergence of RBR genes in plants are described. Methodology/Principal Findings: Phylogenetic and structural data confirm that just four RBR subfamilies (Ariadne, ARA54, Plant I/Helicase and Plant II) exist in viridiplantae. All of them originated before the split that separated green algae from the rest of plants. Multiple genes of two of these subfamilies (Ariadne and Plant II) appeared in early plant evolution. It is deduced that the common ancestor of all plants contained at least five RBR genes and the available data suggest that this number has been increasing slowly along streptophyta evolution, although losses, especially of Helicase RBR genes, have also occurred in several lineages. Some higher plants (e. g. Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa) contain a very large number of RBR genes and many of them were recently generated by tandem duplications. Microarray data indicate that most of these new genes have low-level and sometimes specific expression patterns. On the contrary, and as occurs in animals, a small set of older genes are broadly expressed at higher levels. Conclusions/Significance: The available data suggests that the dynamics of appearance and conservation of RBR genes is quite different in plants from what has been described in animals. In animals, an abrupt emergence of many structurall
Steroid receptor coactivator 1 deficiency increases MMTV-neu mediated tumor latency and differentiation specific gene expression, decreases metastasis, and inhibits response to PPAR ligands
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) subgroup of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily is activated by a variety of natural and synthetic ligands. PPARs can heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors, which have homology to other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Ligand binding to PPAR/RXRs results in recruitment of transcriptional coactivator proteins such as steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) and CREB binding protein (CBP). Both SRC-1 and CBP are histone acetyltransferases, which by modifying nucleosomal histones, produce more open chromatin structure and increase transcriptional activity. Nuclear hormone receptors can recruit limiting amounts of coactivators from other transcription factor binding sites such as AP-1, thereby inhibiting the activity of AP-1 target genes. PPAR and RXR ligands have been used in experimental breast cancer therapy. The role of coactivator expression in mammary tumorigenesis and response to drug therapy has been the subject of recent studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the effects of loss of SRC-1 on MMTV-neu mediated mammary tumorigenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SRC-1 null mutation in mammary tumor prone mice increased the tumor latency period, reduced tumor proliferation index and metastasis, inhibited response to PPAR and RXR ligands, and induced genes involved in mammary gland differentiation. We also examined human breast cancer cell lines overexpressing SRC-1 or CBP. Coactivator overexpression increased cellular proliferation with resistance to PPAR and RXR ligands and remodeled chromatin of the proximal epidermal growth factor receptor promoter.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results indicate that histone acetyltransferases play key roles in mammary tumorigenesis and response to anti-proliferative therapies.</p
The Evolutionary Basis of Naturally Diverse Rice Leaves Anatomy
Rice contains genetically and ecologically diverse wild and cultivated species that show a
wide variation in plant and leaf architecture. A systematic characterization of leaf anatomy
is essential in understanding the dynamics behind such diversity. Therefore, leaf anatomies
of 24 Oryza species spanning 11 genetically diverse rice genomes were studied in both lateral
and longitudinal directions and possible evolutionary trends were examined. A significant
inter-species variation in mesophyll cells, bundle sheath cells, and vein structure was
observed, suggesting precise genetic control over these major rice leaf anatomical traits.
Cellular dimensions, measured along three growth axes, were further combined proportionately
to construct three-dimensional (3D) leaf anatomy models to compare the relative size
and orientation of the major cell types present in a fully expanded leaf. A reconstruction of
the ancestral leaf state revealed that the following are the major characteristics of recently
evolved rice species: fewer veins, larger and laterally elongated mesophyll cells, with an
increase in total mesophyll area and in bundle sheath cell number. A huge diversity in leaf
anatomy within wild and domesticated rice species has been portrayed in this study, on an
evolutionary context, predicting a two-pronged evolutionary pathway leading to the ‘sativa
leaf type’ that we see today in domesticated species
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