Computer Modelling of the Interaction Between CeRme-8 J Domain and CeHsp70-1

Abstract: Rme-81 is a J domain-containing plasma membrane protein that is required for endocytosis in various cells2. The J domain is a characteristic structural motif found mainly in heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40 or DnaJ) and other proteins such as Rme-83. Within the J domain is a tripeptide, the HPD motif, that is required by the J-domain protein to interact with and stimulate the ATPase activity of Hsp70, a major cellular chaperone4. The Rme-8 protein in C. elegans, CeRme-8, has not been identified with a particular Hsp70 partner. CeHsp70-1 is the only cytosolic Hsp70 in C. elegans, therefore, we hypothesize that CeHsp70-1 is the binding partner for the J domain of CeRme-8. To test this hypothesis, we employed computer modelling to predict the interaction between CeRme-8 and CeHsp70-1 using the known DnaK-DnaJ protein complex as a template. In addition, we report the successful cloning and expression of the J domain of CeRme-8. AlphaFold, SwissModel, and Phyre2 modelling programs revealed that CeRme-8 possesses a J domain that contains the canonical HPD tripeptide motif. ClusPro docking program predicted similar binding interface to the DnaK-DnaJ complex, along with several nonconforming models. Complementary DNA of the J domain of CeRme-8 was cloned into the pGEX-Tev-KG plasmid, in-frame with the gene for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), to yield a GST-CeRme-8 fusion protein. IPTG-induced expression of the expected 37- kilodalton fusion protein was confirmed by both SDS-PAGE and western blotting using antibody against GST. Future work will involve purifying and testing the effect of the J domain protein on the ATPase activity of CeHsp70-1

Competition in old growth Pinus resinosa in relation to basal area, growth rate, and biomass.

General EcologyThis study focuses on relative growth rate, percent basal area, distance and biomass in relation to Pinus resinosa competition in the Pellston Plain, Northern Michigan. We ask how the proportion of tree basal area in an old growth P. resinosa plot affects growth rate, and how biomass changes over time. We measured these variables and compared to previous data collections from 1942-1999. P. resinosa RGRs are negatively correlated with basal area coverage at certain time intervals as a result of increased competitive stress with increased density. Total above ground biomass increases over time until 2011 as a result of high mortality. These findings contribute to the scientific understanding of the Pellston Plain, specifically regarding competitive interactions and their effects on biomass, relative growth rate, and proportion of basal area of a mature P. resinosa stand.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/85765/1/Cole_Easley-Appleyard_Salowitz_2011.pd

Innovation and Price Informativeness

We study whether the innovation decisions of a firm are improved as a result of information reflected in the firm\u27s stock price. We show that firms with more informative stock prices, as measured by price nonsynchronicity, have better innovation outcomes, as measured by the number of patents and patent citations. Our results are not driven by managerial private information and are robust to various alternative specifications. We also find that price informativeness is more important to innovation when managers are less experienced or face greater uncertainty about the optimal innovation strategy, and that these effects are primarily observed in small- and mid-sized firms where additional information may be of greater value. Our results are consistent with the notion that capital markets can have real effects on the economy

Information Immobility and the Home Bias Puzzle

Many argue that home bias arises because home investors can predict home asset payoffs more accurately than foreigners can. But why does global information access not eliminate this asymmetry? We model investors, endowed with a small home information advantage, who choose what information to learn before they invest. Surprisingly, even when home investors can learn what foreigners know, they choose not to: Investors profit more from knowing information others do not know. Learning amplifies information asymmetry. The model matches patterns of local and industry bias, foreign investments, portfolio outperformance, and asset prices. Finally, we propose new avenues for empirical research. Copyright (c) 2009 The American Finance Association.