The ORF, Regulated Synthesis, and Persistence-Specific Variation of Influenza C Viral NS1 Protein

AbstractThe open reading frame (ORF) and the regulated synthesis of the influenza C viral NS1 protein were analyzed in view of viruses possessing different biological activities. We provide evidence for a 246-amino-acid NS1-ORF, encoded by five viral strains and variants. Prokaryotic expression of the prototype NS1-ORF resulted in a product of 27 kDa, confirming the predicted molecular weight. Using an antiserum raised against recombinant NS1 protein, nonstructural proteins of wild-type virus were detected in infected cells for a limited course of time, whereas a persistent virus variant was characterized by a long-term nonstructural gene expression. As examined by infection experiments, the intracellular distribution of nonstructural protein was nuclear and cytoplasmic, whereas in NS1 gene-transfected cells, the cytoplasmic localization occurred in a fine-grained structure, suggesting an analogy to influenza A viral NS1 protein. Concerning persistent infection, NS1 protein species differing in sizes and posttranslational modifications were observed for a persistent virus variant, as particularly illustrated by a high degree of NS1 phosphorylation. Virus reassortant analyses proved the importance of the NS-coding genomic segment: the minimal viral properties required for the establishment of persistence were transferred with this segment to a monoreassortant virus. Thus the influenza C viral NS1 protein is a 246-amino-acid nuclear-cytoplasmic phosphoprotein that can be subject to specific variations being functionally linked to a persistent virus phenotype

Oxygen-Dependent Changes in the N-Glycome of Murine Pulmonary Endothelial Cells

Supplemental oxygen is frequently used together with mechanical ventilation to achieve sufficient blood oxygenation. Despite the undoubted benefits, it is vigorously debated whether too much oxygen can also have unpredicted side-effects. Uncertainty is also due to the fact that the molecular mechanisms are still insufficiently understood. The lung endothelium is covered with an exceptionally broad glycocalyx, carrying N- and O-glycans, proteoglycans, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans. Glycan structures are not genetically determined but depend on the metabolic state and the expression level and activity of biosynthetic and glycan remodeling enzymes, which can be influenced by oxygen and the redox status of the cell. Altered glycan structures can affect cell interactions and signaling. In this study, we investigated the effect of different oxygen conditions on aspects of the glycobiology of the pulmonary endothelium with an emphasis on N-glycans and terminal sialylation using an in vitro cell culture system. We combined a proteomic approach with N-glycan structure analysis by LC-MS, qRT-PCR, sialic acid analysis and lectin binding to show that constant and intermittent hyperoxia induced time dependent changes in global and surface glycosylation. An siRNA approach identified St6gal1 as being primarily responsible for the early transient increase of alpha 2-6 sialylated structures in response to hyperoxia

Regulatory strategies for selected Member States (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, the UK):IMPROGRES project

Research Project supported by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, under the Energy Intelligent Europe (EIE) programmeThis Work Package 6 report of the IMPROGRES project provides an overview of regulatory strategies and incentives, conducive to (i) network integration of increasing levels of distributed generation including notably intermittent renewable technology such as wind power and solar photovoltaics (PV) as well as (ii) options for reducing impacts on surging network integration costs. Similar to the IMPROGRES project in general, this report focuses on European distribution networks. It includes specific country studies of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. This summary presents the main findings of this report

Multi-Messenger Astronomy with Extremely Large Telescopes

The field of time-domain astrophysics has entered the era of Multi-messenger Astronomy (MMA). One key science goal for the next decade (and beyond) will be to characterize gravitational wave (GW) and neutrino sources using the next generation of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs). These studies will have a broad impact across astrophysics, informing our knowledge of the production and enrichment history of the heaviest chemical elements, constrain the dense matter equation of state, provide independent constraints on cosmology, increase our understanding of particle acceleration in shocks and jets, and study the lives of black holes in the universe. Future GW detectors will greatly improve their sensitivity during the coming decade, as will near-infrared telescopes capable of independently finding kilonovae from neutron star mergers. However, the electromagnetic counterparts to high-frequency (LIGO/Virgo band) GW sources will be distant and faint and thus demand ELT capabilities for characterization. ELTs will be important and necessary contributors to an advanced and complete multi-messenger network.Comment: White paper submitted to the Astro2020 Decadal Surve

THE FIRST MAXIMUM-LIGHT ULTRAVIOLET THROUGH NEAR-INFRARED SPECTRUM OF A TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA

We present the first maximum-light ultraviolet (UV) through near-infrared (NIR) Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) spectrum. This spectrum of SN 2011iv was obtained nearly simultaneously by the Hubble Space Telescope at UV/optical wavelengths and the Magellan Baade telescope at NIR wavelengths. These data provide the opportunity to examine the entire maximum-light SN Ia spectral energy distribution. Since the UV region of an SN Ia spectrum is extremely sensitive to the composition of the outer layers of the explosion, which are transparent at longer wavelengths, this unprecedented spectrum can provide strong constraints on the composition of the SN ejecta, and similarly the SN explosion and progenitor system. SN 2011iv is spectroscopically normal, but has a relatively fast decline (Δm [subscript 15](B) = 1.69 ± 0.05 mag). We compare SN 2011iv to other SNe Ia with UV spectra near maximum light and examine trends between UV spectral properties, light-curve shape, and ejecta velocity. We tentatively find that SNe with similar light-curve shapes but different ejecta velocities have similar UV spectra, while those with similar ejecta velocities but different light-curve shapes have very different UV spectra. Through a comparison with explosion models, we find that both a solar-metallicity W7 and a zero-metallicity delayed-detonation model provide a reasonable fit to the spectrum of SN 2011iv from the UV to the NIR

Unique Features of a Global Human Ectoparasite Identified Through Sequencing of the Bed Bug Genome

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host-symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human-bed bug and symbiont-bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology that contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite