163 research outputs found

    Non-Bulk-Like Solvent Behavior in the Ribosome Exit Tunnel

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    As nascent proteins are synthesized by the ribosome, they depart via an exit tunnel running through the center of the large subunit. The exit tunnel likely plays an important part in various aspects of translation. Although water plays a key role in many bio-molecular processes, the nature of water confined to the exit tunnel has remained unknown. Furthermore, solvent in biological cavities has traditionally been characterized as either a continuous dielectric fluid, or a discrete tightly bound molecule. Using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we predict that the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of water confined within the ribosome exit tunnel are quite different from this simple two-state model. We find that the tunnel creates a complex microenvironment for the solvent resulting in perturbed rotational dynamics and heterogenous dielectric behavior. This gives rise to a very rugged solvation landscape and significantly retarded solvent diffusion. We discuss how this non-bulk-like solvent is likely to affect important biophysical processes such as sequence dependent stalling, co-translational folding, and antibiotic binding. We conclude with a discussion of the general applicability of these results to other biological cavities

    Direct Visualization of Protease Action on Collagen Triple Helical Structure

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    Enzymatic processing of extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) is crucial in mediating physiological and pathological cell processes. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to effective physiological enzyme-ECM interactions remain elusive. Only scant information is available on the mode by which matrix proteases degrade ECM substrates. An example is the enzymatic degradation of triple helical collagen II fragments, generated by the collagenase MMP-8 cleavage, during the course of acute inflammatory conditions by gelatinase B/MMP-9. As is the case for many other matrix proteases, it is not clear how MMP-9 recognizes, binds and digests collagen in this important physiological process. We used single molecule imaging to directly visualize this protease during its interaction with collagen fragments. We show that the initial binding is mediated by the diffusion of the protease along the ordered helix on the collagen ¾ fragment, with preferential binding of the collagen tail. As the reaction progressed and prior to collagen degradation, gelatin-like morphologies resulting from the denaturation of the triple helical collagen were observed. Remarkably, this activity was independent of enzyme proteolysis and was accompanied by significant conformational changes of the working protease. Here we provide the first direct visualization of highly complex mechanisms of macromolecular interactions governing the enzymatic processing of ECM substrates by physiological protease

    Structural basis for the binding of IRES RNAs to the head of the ribosomal 40S subunit

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    Some viruses exploit internal initiation for their propagation in the host cell. This type of initiation is facilitated by structured elements (internal ribosome entry site, IRES) upstream of the initiator AUG and requires only a reduced number of canonical initiation factors. An important example are IRES of the virus family Dicistroviridae that bind to the inter-subunit side of the small ribosomal 40S subunit and lead to the formation of elongation-competent 80S ribosomes without the help of any initiation factor. Here, we present a comprehensive functional and structural analysis of eukaryotic-specific ribosomal protein rpS25 in the context of this type of initiation and propose a structural model explaining the essential involvement of rpS25 for hijacking the ribosome

    The concept of RNA-assisted protein folding: the role of tRNA

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    We suggest that tRNA actively participates in the transfer of 3D information from mRNA to peptides - in addition to its well-known, "classical" role of translating the 3-letter RNA codes into the one letter protein code. The tRNA molecule displays a series of thermodynamically favored configurations during translation, a movement which places the codon and coded amino acids in proximity to each other and make physical contact between some amino acids and their codons possible. This specific codon-amino acid interaction of some selected amino acids is necessary for the transfer of spatial information from mRNA to coded proteins, and is known as RNA-assisted protein folding

    X-exome sequencing of 405 unresolved families identifies seven novel intellectual disability genes

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    X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. During the past two decades in excess of 100 X-chromosome ID genes have been identified. Yet, a large number of families mapping to the X-chromosome remained unresolved suggesting that more XLID genes or loci are yet to be identified. Here, we have investigated 405 unresolved families with XLID. We employed massively parallel sequencing of all X-chromosome exons in the index males. The majority of these males were previously tested negative for copy number variations and for mutations in a subset of known XLID genes by Sanger sequencing. In total, 745 X-chromosomal genes were screened. After stringent filtering, a total of 1297 non-recurrent exonic variants remained for prioritization. Co-segregation analysis of potential clinically relevant changes revealed that 80 families (20%) carried pathogenic variants in established XLID genes. In 19 families, we detected likely causative protein truncating and missense variants in 7 novel and validated XLID genes (CLCN4, CNKSR2, FRMPD4, KLHL15, LAS1L, RLIM and USP27X) and potentially deleterious variants in 2 novel candidate XLID genes (CDK16 and TAF1). We show that the CLCN4 and CNKSR2 variants impair protein functions as indicated by electrophysiological studies and altered differentiation of cultured primary neurons from Clcn4−/− mice or after mRNA knock-down. The newly identified and candidate XLID proteins belong to pathways and networks with established roles in cognitive function and intellectual disability in particular. We suggest that systematic sequencing of all X-chromosomal genes in a cohort of patients with genetic evidence for X-chromosome locus involvement may resolve up to 58% of Fragile X-negative cases

    Virologie / Bakteriologie / Mykologie

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    141 - Effizienz von Kaliumhypochlorit zur Inaktivierung ausgewählter pilzlicher, bakterieller und viraler PflanzenkrankheitserregerEfficancy of Potassium Hypochlorite (KClO) to inactivate selected plant pathogenic fungi, bacteria and virusesMarlon-Hans Rodríguez, Martina Bandte, Gerhard Fischer, Carmen Büttner142 - Eignung von elektrolytisch generiertem Kaliumhypochlorit zur Inaktivierung von Pflanzenviren in rezirkulierender Nährlösungen im Gewächshausanbau von TomatenAbility of electrolysed produced Potassium Hypochlorite (KClO) to inactivate plant viruses in recirculating nutrient solutions in greenhouse production of tomatosJanine Paulke, Martina Bandte, Carmen Büttner143 - Ultrafiltration und Ultrazentrifugation zur Konzentrierung von Pflanzenviren in NährlösungUltrafiltration and ultracentrifugation as tools to concentrate plant viruses in nutrient solutionJanina Vincenz, Martina Bandte, Carmen Büttner144 - Reinigung doppelsträngiger RNA in Verbindung mit Hochdurchsatzsequenzierung als Werkzeug zum Nachweis von RNA Viren in PflanzenThe combination of double-stranded RNA isolation and deep sequencing as an unspecific diagnostic tool to assess the presence of RNA viruses in plantsTill Lesker, Paul Rentz, Edgar Maiss145 - Impact of silica supplementation on virus infected cucumber culturesRolle der Kieselsäureapplikation Virus infizierter GurkenkulturenSabine Holz, Grzegorz Bartoszewski , Michael Kube, Carmen Büttner146 - Untersuchungen zum Auftreten des Arabis mosaic virus in Birken aus Rovaniemi (Finnland) mit Virus-spezifischen SymptomenInvestigations on the occurence of Arabis mosaic virus in birches from Rovaniemi (Finland) with virus-specific symptomsRichard Pauwels, Markus Rott, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner147 - Cherry leaf roll virus in Betula spp. in Finland: what do we know about its population diversity?Cherry leaf roll virus in Birken-Arten in Finnland: Was wissen wir über die Populationsdiversität?A. Rumbou, S. von Bargen, M. Rott, R. Jalkanen, C. Büttner148 - Viruserkrankungen im WeinbauViroses in viticultureHenriette Gruber, Patricia Bohnert, Christiane Rieger149 - Molecular analysis of Tobacco rattle virus isolates from potatoes in various parts of GermanyKerstin Lindner, Renate Koenig150 - Detektion und Diversität des European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Ebereschen (Sorbus aucuparia L.) in NorwegenDetection and variability of European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Sorbus aucuparia L. in NorwayTheresa Büttner, Jenny Robel, Hans-Peter Mühlbach, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner151 - Charakterisierung des European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in Mehlbeerenarten (Sorbus spp.)Characterization of the European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARaV) in whitebeam species (Sorbus spp.)Luisa Dieckmann, Jenny Robel, Susanne von Bargen, Carmen Büttner152 - Vollständige Genomsequenz eines Carrot virus S Isolates aus Meerfenchel aus SpanienW. Menzel, P. Menzel, S. Winter153 - Nachweis und vollständige Sequenzierung eines Carla- und eines Potex-virus aus Epiphyullum spec.Detection and complete sequence of a Carla- and Potexvirus in Epiphyllum spec.Edgar Maiss, Paul Rentz, Annette Hohe, Rosa Herbst154 - Analysis of mixed populations of latent viruses of apple and rubbery wood disease of apple using new generation sequencingAnalyse von Mischpopulationen latenter Apfelviren und der Gummiholzkrankheit an Apfel mittels HochdurchsatzsequenzierungVladimir Jakovljevic, Patricia Otten, Jonathon Blake, Wilhelm Jelkmann155 - Experiments on transmission of viroids under glass and longevity of viroid RNA in detached leaves under different storage conditionsThi Thu Vo, Heinz-Wilhelm Dehne, Stephan Winter, Joachim Hamacher156 - Phytoplasmen in Schleswig-HolsteinPhytoplasmas in the state of Schleswig-HolsteinG. Henkel, C. Willmer, M. Wunderlich, B. Golecki157 . Phytoplasmen verändern das Dufststoffbouquet ihres pflanzlichen LebensraumsPlant volatile emission is affected by phytoplasma infectionMargit Rid, Kai Lukat, Svenja Hoferer, Jürgen Gross159 - Ist das Wurzelbild ein Sortierungsmerkmal für durch Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri verursachten Birnenverfall?Is the root file a sorting feature for Pear decline caused by Canditatus Phytoplama pyri?Georg Henkel, Claudia Willmer, Bernd Kaland, Bettina Golecki160 - Die Bedeutung von β-Caryophyllen als Lockstoff für die Apfeltriebsucht übertragende Blattsaugerart Cacopsylla pictaThe impact of β-caryophyllene as attractant for the Apple Proliferation transmitting insect Cacopsylla pictaConstanze Mesca, Svenja Hoferer, Jürgen Gross161 - Echte Mehltauarten an Beet- und BalkonpflanzenSpecies of powdery mildews on bedding plantsUlrike Brielmaier-Liebetanz162 - Echter Mehltau an Petersilie – Untersuchungen zum WirtspflanzenspektrumPowdery Mildew of Parsley – studies on the host rangePeggy Marx, Ute Gärber163 - Falscher Mehltau an Petersilie – Untersuchungen zum Wirtspflanzenspektrum und molekularbiologische CharakterisierungDowny mildew of parsley – studies on the host range and molecular characterizationGabriele Leinhos, Hermann-Josef Krauthausen, Frank Brändle164 - Welkekrankheit an Euonymus japonicaWilt disease on Euonymus japonicaUlrike Brielmaier-Liebetanz, Roswitha Ulrich, Stefan Wagner, Sabine Werres165 - Taxonomische Analyse der mikrobiellen Gemeinschaft von Zuckerrüben unter unterschiedlichen Lagerbedingungen mittels Hochdurchsatz-Amplikonsequenzierung von unterschiedlichen MarkergenenTaxonomic analysis of the microbial community in stored sugar beets using highthroughput sequencing of different marker genesSebastian Liebe, Daniel Wibberg, Anika Winkler, Alfred Pühler, Andreas Schlüter, Mark Varrelmann166 - Molecular characterization of a novel mycovirus found in Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIBMolekulare Charakterisierung eines neuen Mycovirus aus Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 IIIBAnika Bartholomäus, Mark Varrelman
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