271 research outputs found
Budding and vesiculation induced by conical membrane inclusions
Conical inclusions in a lipid bilayer generate an overall spontaneous
curvature of the membrane that depends on concentration and geometry of the
inclusions. Examples are integral and attached membrane proteins, viruses, and
lipid domains. We propose an analytical model to study budding and vesiculation
of the lipid bilayer membrane, which is based on the membrane bending energy
and the translational entropy of the inclusions. If the inclusions are placed
on a membrane with similar curvature radius, their repulsive membrane-mediated
interaction is screened. Therefore, for high inclusion density the inclusions
aggregate, induce bud formation, and finally vesiculation. Already with the
bending energy alone our model allows the prediction of bud radii. However, in
case the inclusions induce a single large vesicle to split into two smaller
vesicles, bending energy alone predicts that the smaller vesicles have
different sizes whereas the translational entropy favors the formation of
equal-sized vesicles. Our results agree well with those of recent computer
simulations.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figure
5.5-7.5 MeV Proton generation by a moderate intensity ultra-short laser interaction with H2O nano-wire targets
We report on the first generation of 5.5-7.5 MeV protons by a moderate
intensity short-pulse laser (4.5 \times 1017 W/cm^2, 50 fsec) interacting with
H2O nano-wires (snow) deposited on a Sapphire substrate. In this setup, the
laser intensity is locally enhanced by the tip of the snow nano-wire, leading
to high spatial gradients. Accordingly, the plasma near the tip is subject to
enhanced ponderomotive potential, and confined charge separation is obtained.
Electrostatic fields of extremely high intensities are produced over the short
scale length, and protons are accelerated to MeV-level energies.Comment: submitted to PRL, under press embargo. 6 figure
Dynamic interactions of the asialoglycoprotein receptor subunits with coated pits. Enhanced interactions of H2 following association with H1
Lateral mobility studies comparing native and mutated membrane proteins, combined with treatments that alter clathrin lattice structure, can measure membrane protein-coated pit interactions in intact cells (Fire, E., Zwart, D., Roth, M. G., and Henis, Y. I. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 115, 1585-1594). We applied this approach to study the interactions of the H1 and H2 human asialoglycoprotein receptor subunits with coated pits. The lateral mobilities of singly expressed and coexpressed H1 and H2B (the H2 species that reaches the cell surface) were measured by fluorescence photobleaching recovery. They were compared with mutant proteins, H1(5A) (Tyr-5 replaced by Ala) and H2(5A) (Phe-5 replaced by Ala). While the mobile fractions of H1, H2B, and their mutants were similar, the lateral diffusion rate (measured by D, the lateral diffusion coefficient) was significantly slower for H1, whether expressed alone or with H2B. Coexpression with H1 reduced D of H2B to that of H1. Disruption of the clathrin lattices by hypertonic medium elevated D of H1, H1(5A), H2B, and H2(5A) to the same final level, without affecting their mobile fractions. Cytosol acidification, which retains altered clathrin lattices attached to the membrane and prevents coated vesicle formation, immobilized part of the H1 molecules, reflecting stable entrapment in "frozen" coated pits. H1(5A), H2B, and H2(5A) were not affected; however, coexpression of H2B with H1 conferred the sensitivity to cytosol acidification on H2B. Our results suggest that H1 lateral mobility is inhibited by dynamic interactions with coated pits in which Tyr-5 is involved. H2B resembles H1(5A) rather than H1, and its interactions with coated pits are weaker; efficient interaction of H2B with coated pits depends on complex formation with H1
Measurement of L-shell emission from mid-Z targets under non-LTE conditions using Transmission Grating Spectrometer and DANTE power diagnostics
ProducciĂłn CientĂficaIn this work, we present the measurement of L-band emission from buried Sc/V targets in experiments performed at the OMEGA laser facility. The goal of these experiments was to study non-local thermodynamic equilibrium plasmas and benchmark atomic physics codes. The L-band emission was measured simultaneously by the time resolved DANTE power diagnostic and the recently fielded time integrated Soreq-Transmission Grating Spectrometer (TGS) diagnostic. The TGS measurement was used to support the spectral reconstruction process needed for the unfolding of the DANTE data. The Soreq-TGS diagnostic allows for broadband spectral measurement in the 120 eV–2000 eV spectral band, covering L- and M-shell emission of mid- and high-Z elements, with spectral resolution λ/Δλ = 8–30 and accuracy better than 25%. The Soreq-TGS diagnostic is compatible with ten-inch-manipulator platforms and can be used for a wide variety of high energy density physics, laboratory astrophysics, and inertial confinement fusion experiments
Structural Principles in Robo Activation and Auto-Inhibition
This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier (Cell Press) via the DOI in this record.Proper brain function requires high-precision neuronal expansion and wiring, processes controlled by the transmembrane Roundabout (Robo) receptor family and their Slit ligands. Despite their great importance, the molecular mechanism by which Robos’ switch from “off” to “on” states remains unclear. Here, we report a 3.6 Å crystal structure of the intact human Robo2 ectodomain (domains D1–8). We demonstrate that Robo cis dimerization via D4 is conserved through hRobo1, 2, and 3 and the C. elegans homolog SAX-3 and is essential for SAX-3 function in vivo. The structure reveals two levels of auto-inhibition that prevent premature activation: (1) cis blocking of the D4 dimerization interface and (2) trans interactions between opposing Robo receptors that fasten the D4-blocked conformation. Complementary experiments in mouse primary neurons and C. elegans support the auto-inhibition model. These results suggest that Slit stimulation primarily drives the release of Robo auto-inhibition required for dimerization and activation.ICRFIS
Reaching within a dynamic virtual environment
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens
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Ubiquitin sets the timer: impacts on aging and longevity
Protein homeostasis is essential for cellular function, organismal growth and viability. Damaged and aggregated proteins are turned over by two major proteolytic routes of the cellular quality-control pathways: the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy. For both these pathways, ubiquitination provides the recognition signal for substrate selection. This Commentary discusses how ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathways are coordinated with stress- and aging-induced signals
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