WorldWideScience
 
 
1

Two separate domains within vesicular stomatitis virus phosphoprotein support transcription when added in trans.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The structural phosphoprotein NS of vesicular stomatitis virus, in association with the virion-associated RNA polymerase L protein, transcribes the genome ribonucleoprotein template in vitro. It contains...Full Text Available

1987-12-01

2

Molecular Mechanistic Insights into the Endothelial Receptor Mediated Cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Erythrocytes  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cytoadherence or sequestration is essential for the pathogenesis of the most virulent human malaria species, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Similar to leukocyte-endothelium...Full Text Available

3

Synthesis and Phosphorylation of Maize Acidic Ribosomal Proteins1  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The objective of this research was to determine the role of acidic ribosomal protein (ARP) phosphorylation in translation. Ribosomes (Rbs) from germinated maize (Zea mays L.) axes had...Full Text Available

1998-01-01

4

Phylogeny of Steinernema Travassos, 1927 (Cephalobina: Steinernematidae) Inferred From Ribosomal DNA Sequences and ...  

Science.gov (United States)

... 0877:POSTCS]2.0.CO;2 Phylogeny of Steinernema Travassos, 1927 (Cephalobina: Steinernematidae) Inferred From Ribosomal DNA ... C...

5

Two Proline-Rich Nuclear Localization Signals in the Amino- and Carboxyl-Terminal Regions of the Borna Disease Virus Phosphoprotein  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Borna disease virus (BDV) uses a unique strategy of replication and transcription which takes place in the nucleus, unlike other known, nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses of animal origin....Full Text Available

1998-12-01

6

Yeast ribosomal protein L1 is required for the stability of newly synthesized 5S rRNA and the assembly of 60S ribosomal subunits.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Ribosomal protein L1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae binds 5S rRNA and can be released from intact 60S ribosomal subunits as an L1-5S ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle. To understand the nature of the...Full Text Available

1993-05-01

7

Expression of ribosomal genes in pea cotyledons at the initial stages of germination  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The time of appearance of newly synthesized rRNAs and ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) in the ribosomes of pea cotyledons (Pisum sativum L.) during germination was investigated. The ribosomal fraction was isolated and analyzed according to the method of germination of the embryo in the presence of labeled precursors or after pulse labeling of the embryos at different stages of germination. For the identification of newly synthesized rRNAs in the ribosomes we estimated the relative stability of labeled RNAs to the action of RNase, the sedimentation rate, the ability to be methylated in vivo in the presence of (/sup 14/C)CH/sub 3/-methionine, and the localization in the subunits of dissociated ribosomes. The presence of newly synthesized r-proteins in the ribosomes was judged on the basis of the electrophoretic similarity in SDS-disc electrophoresis of labeled ...

1986-01-20

8

var gene transcription and PfEMP1 expression in the rosetting and cytoadhesive Plasmodium falciparum clone FCR3S1.2  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe pathogenicity of Plasmodium falciparum is in part due to the ability of the parasitized red blood cell (pRBC) to adhere to intra-vascular host cell...Full Text Available

9

The relationship between the Plasmodium falciparum parasite ratio in childhood and climate estimates of malaria transmission in Kenya  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum morbid and fatal risks are considerably higher in areas supporting parasite prevalence ≥25%, when compared with low transmission...Full Text Available

10

The Dynamics of Naturally Acquired Immune Responses to Plasmodium falciparum Sexual Stage Antigens Pfs230 & Pfs48/45 in a Low Endemic Area in Tanzania  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundNaturally acquired immune responses against sexual stages of P. falciparum can reduce the transmission of malaria from humans to mosquitoes. These antigens...Full Text Available

11

Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in Nigerian children.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The in vivo sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine was evaluated in children under 5 years of age in two areas of southern Nigeria in 1987. A modification...Full Text Available

1990-01-01

12

Population genetic analysis of large sequence polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage antigens  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of human malaria, invades host erythrocytes using several proteins on the surface of the invasive merozoite, which have been proposed...Full Text Available

2010-03-01

13

Hypoglycaemia and severe plasmodium falciparum malaria among pregnant sudanese women in an area characterized by unstable malaria transmission  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundPregnant women are more susceptible to severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which can lead to poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Few data exist on the...Full Text Available

14

Diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for the detection of malaria antigens  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A serodiagnostic test has been developed for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in infected blood. Using parasite antigens and infected red blood cells from in vitro...Full Text Available

1980-01-01

15

Contrasting Population Structures of the Genes Encoding Ten Leading Vaccine-Candidate Antigens of the Human Malaria Parasite, Plasmodium falciparum  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The extensive diversity of Plasmodium falciparum antigens is a major obstacle to a broadly effective malaria vaccine but population genetics has rarely been used to guide vaccine design....Full Text Available

16

Common variation in the ABO glycosyltransferase is associated with susceptibility to severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

There is growing epidemiological and molecular evidence that ABO blood group affects host susceptibility to severe Plasmodium falciparum infection. The high frequency of common...Full Text Available

2008-02-15

17

Blood Group A Antigen Is a Coreceptor in Plasmodium falciparum Rosetting  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum utilizes molecules present on the surface of uninfected red blood cells (RBC) for rosette formation, and a dependency on ABO antigens has...Full Text Available

2000-05-01

18

Age-Related Differences in Naturally Acquired T Cell Memory to Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria in malaria holoendemic areas is characterized by the gradual, age-related development of protection against high-density...Full Text Available

19

A prospective analysis of the Ab response to Plasmodium falciparum before and after a malaria season by protein microarray  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Abs are central to malaria immunity, which is only acquired after years of exposure to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Despite the enormous worldwide burden of malaria,...Full Text Available

2010-04-13

20

Stochastic kinetics of ribosomes: single motor properties and collective behavior  

CERN Document Server

Synthesis of protein molecules in a cell are carried out by ribosomes. A ribosome can be regarded as a molecular motor which utilizes the input chemical energy to move on a messenger RNA (mRNA) track that also serves as a template for the polymerization of the corresponding protein. The forward movement, however, is characterized by an alternating sequence of translocation and pause. Using a quantitative model, which captures the mechanochemical cycle of an individual ribosome, we derive an {\\it exact} analytical expression for the distribution of its dwell times at the successive positions on the mRNA track. Inverse of the average dwell time satisfies a ``Michaelis-Menten-like'' equation and is consistent with the general formula for the average velocity of a molecular motor with an unbranched mechano-chemical cycle. Extending this formula appropriately, we also derive the exact force-velocity relation for a ...

2009-01-01

 
 
 
 
21

Ricin inhibition of in vitro protein synthesis by plant ribosomes  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In vitro translation systems were prepared with supernatant factors from wheat germ and 80S ribosomes from wheat germ, barley embryos, watermelon cotyledons, pea cotyledons, and castor...Full Text Available

1982-10-01

22

Differential targeting of Tetrahymena ORC to ribosomal DNA and non-rDNA replication origins  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The Tetrahymena thermophila origin recognition complex (ORC) contains an integral RNA subunit, 26T RNA, which confers specificity to the amplified ribosomal DNA (rDNA) origin by base...Full Text Available

2009-02-04

23

Defining the Specificity of Cotranslationally Acting Chaperones by Systematic Analysis of mRNAs Associated with Ribosome-Nascent Chain Complexes  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Polypeptides exiting the ribosome must fold and assemble in the crowded environment of the cell. Chaperones and other protein homeostasis factors interact with newly translated polypeptides to facilitate...Full Text Available

2011-07-01

25

Assembly of 60S ribosomal subunits is perturbed in temperature-sensitive yeast mutants defective in ribosomal protein L16.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Temperature-sensitive mutants defective in 60S ribosomal subunit protein L16 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated through hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the RPL16B gene and plasmid shuffling. Two...Full Text Available

1991-11-01

26

Affinity labelling of ribosomes from the livers of different vertebrates by 2-nitro-4-azidobenzoyl-Phe-tRNA  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ribosomal protein L 10 from the livers of trout, hen, and rat was found to be the main target for 2-nitro-4-azidobenzoyl-Phe-tRNA in affinity labelling experiments. Therefore, despite somewhat different electrophoretic mobilities, this protein seems to be involved in the organization of the peptidyl transferase centre in ribosomes of various vertebrates. (author).

27

The ribosome and the mechanism of protein synthesis  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In virtually all forms of life on earth, proteins in each cell are made according to a genetic blueprint, in the form of DNA. The translation of copies of this genetic blueprint (in the form of messenger RNA) into polypeptides is performed on the ribosome, a highly complex molecular machine composed of RNAs and proteins. To this end, special adaptor molecules called transfer RNAs are lined up by the ribosome in the sequence dictated by the genetic code, such that the amino acids carried by these molecules can be linked into a polypeptide. Several cofactors are involved in these processes, some of which require energy freed up by GTP hydrolysis. Although the ribosome was discovered more than 50 years ago, its structure has only been solved recently by X-ray crystallography. Another technique, cryo-electron microscopy, is starting to contribute toward our understanding of the ribosome's function, ...

2006-05-01

28

Phylogenomic analyses of malaria parasites and evolution of their exported proteins  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum is the most malignant agent of human malaria. It belongs to the taxon Laverania, which includes other ape-infecting Plasmodium...Full Text Available

29

Efficacy of drug prophylaxis.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

With the spread of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum the control of malaria has become increasingly complex. In recent years, particular concern has arisen over how best to prevent malaria...Full Text Available

1989-01-01

32

Ribose metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis in normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient human erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The metabolism of pentose-phosphate was investigated in Plasmodium falciparum-infected normal and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient human red blood cells in vitro. 5'-Phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate...Full Text Available

1986-04-01

33

Molecular environment of the IIId subdomain of the IRES element of hepatitits C virus RNA on the human 40S ribosomal subunit  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The molecular environment of the key subdomain IIId of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the binary complex with the human 40S ribosomal subunit was studied. To this end, HCV IRES derivatives bearing perfluorophenylazido groups activatable by mild UV at nucleotides G263 or A275 in the subdomain IIId stem were used. They were prepared by the complementary addressed modification of the corresponding RNA transcript with alkylating oligodeoxyribonucleotide derivatives. None of the RNA derivatives were shown to be crosslinked to the 18S rRNA. It was found that the photoreactive groups of the IRES G263 and A275 nucleotides are crosslinked to ribosomal proteins S3a, S14, and S16. For the IRES derivative with the photoreactive group in nucleotide G26...

2009-01-01

34

Mutations at the accommodation gate of the ribosome impair RF2-dependent translation termination  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During protein synthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) and release factors 1 and 2 (RF1 and RF2) have to bind at the catalytic center of the ribosome on the 50S subunit where they take part in peptide bond...Full Text Available

2010-09-01

35

A Genetic Screen for Ribosomal DNA Silencing Defects Identifies Multiple DNA Replication and Chromatin-Modulating Factors  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at several genetic loci, including the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Silencing at telomeres (telomere position effect [TPE])...Full Text Available

1999-04-01

36

Efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose oral combination of pyronaridine-artesunate compared with artemether-lumefantrine in children and adults with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a randomised non-inferiority trial  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Summary Background There is a need for new artemisinin-based combination therapies that are convenient, effective, and safe. We compared the efficacy and safety of pyronaridine-artesunate with that of artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of uncomplicated P falciparum malaria. Methods This phase 3, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority trial was undertaken in seven sites in Africa and three sites in southeast Asia. In a double-dummy design, patients aged 3-60 years with uncomplicated P falciparum malaria were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive pyronaridine-artesunate once a day or artemether-lumefantrine twice a day, orally for 3 days, plus respective placebo. Randomisation was done by computer-generated randomisation sequence in blocks of nine by study centre....

2010-01-01

37

Statistical properties of nucleotide clusters in DNA sequences*  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Using the complete genome of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 which has 14 chromosomes as an example, we have examined the distribution functions for the amount of C or G and A or T consecutively...Full Text Available

2005-05-01

38

Multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection in asymptomatic children in Senegal: relation to transmission, age and erythrocyte variants  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundIndividuals living in malaria endemic areas generally harbour multiple parasite strains. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) can be an indicator of immune status. However,...Full Text Available

39

Measuring the efficacy of anti-malarial drugs in vivo: quantitative PCR measurement of parasite clearance  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundArtemisinin-based combination therapy, currently considered the therapy of choice for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in endemic countries,...Full Text Available

40

Impact of Plasmodium falciparum infection on the frequency of moderate to severe anaemia in children below 10 years of age in Gabon  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundImproving the understanding of childhood malarial anaemia may help in the design of appropriate management strategies.MethodsA...Full Text Available

 
 
 
 
41

Evaluation of the OptiMAL Test for Rapid Diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum Malaria  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The development of rapid and specific diagnostic tests to identify individuals infected with malaria is of paramount importance in efforts to control the severe public health impact of this disease....Full Text Available

1998-01-01

42

Efficacy of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine with or without artesunate for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in southern Mozambique: a randomized controlled trial  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAn artemisinin-based combination therapy, artesunate (AS) plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), was compared to SP monotherapy to provide evidence of further treatment...Full Text Available

43

Diagnostic comparison of malaria infection in peripheral blood, placental blood and placental biopsies in Cameroonian parturient women  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnancy presents an enormous diagnostic challenge. The epidemiological and clinical relevance...Full Text Available

44

Deletion of the Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 7 Gene Impairs Parasite Invasion of Erythrocytes?  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Merozoite surface proteins have been implicated in the initial attachment to the host red blood cell membrane that begins the process of invasion, an important step in the life cycle of the malaria...Full Text Available

2008-12-01

45

Comparative Transcriptional and Genomic Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Field Isolates  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Mechanisms for differential regulation of gene expression may underlie much of the phenotypic variation and adaptability of malaria parasites. Here we describe transcriptional variation among culture-adapted...Full Text Available

2009-10-01

46

An improved method for undertaking limiting dilution assays for in vitro cloning of Plasmodium falciparum parasites  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundObtaining single parasite clones is required for many techniques in malaria research. Cloning by limiting dilution using microscopy-based assessment for parasite growth...Full Text Available

47

Accumulation of Plasmodium berghei-Infected Red Blood Cells in the Brain Is Crucial for the Development of Cerebral Malaria in Mice?  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of human infection with Plasmodium falciparum. It was shown that Plasmodium berghei ANKA-induced cerebral malaria was...Full Text Available

2010-09-01

48

ABO blood group phenotypes influence parity specific immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Malawian women  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundBlood group O has been significantly associated with increased placental malaria infection in primiparae and reduced risk of infection in multiparae in the Gambia, an area...Full Text Available

49

Structure of plant nuclear and ribosomal DNA containing chromatin.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Digestion of plant chromatin from Brassica pekinensis and Matthiola incana with staphylococcus nuclease leads to a DNA repeat of 175 plus or minus 8 and a core size of 140 base pairs. DNase I digestion...Full Text Available

1979-11-10

50

Scintillation proximity assay for measurement of RNA methylation  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Methylation of RNA by methyltransferases is a phylogenetically ubiquitous post-transcriptional modification that occurs most extensively in transfer RNA (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Biochemical...Full Text Available

2009-03-01

51

Multiple Functions of the 37/67-kd Laminin Receptor Make It a Suitable Target for Novel Cancer Gene Therapy  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The 37/67-kd laminin receptor, LAMR, is a multifunctional protein that associates with the 40S ribosomal subunit and also localizes to the cell membrane to interact with the extracellular matrix. LAMR...Full Text Available

2010-01-01

52

Molecular Variability of Pseudallescheria boydii, a Neurotropic Opportunist  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) domain data obtained by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with 18S rDNA and fingerprinting (M13) for clinical...Full Text Available

2000-09-01

53

Influence of Species Specificity and Other Factors on Bacteria Associated with the Coral Stylophora pistillata in Taiwan ?  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Species of bacteria associated with Stylophora pistillata were determined by analyses of 16S ribosomal genes. Coral samples were taken from two distinct sites at Kenting, in the far...Full Text Available

2009-12-01

54

Identification of proteins important for tetracycline (TC) binding to ribosomes by single protein omission reconstitution (SPORE) experiments  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

TC inhibits protein synthesis in E. coli by interfering with aminoacyl-tRNA binding to the ribosomal A site, and there is strong evidence that such inhibition results from TC binding to a high affinity site on the 30S subunit. The SPORE approach has been used to define those 30S proteins that are potentially important for high affinity TC binding, measured as the (/sup 3/H)-TC co-sedimenting with the reconstitution particle through a sucrose density gradient. Reverse phase-HPLC has been used both to prepare ribosomal proteins and to analyze the protein content of reconstituted particles. The results obtained so far show that protein S7, as well as some proteins linked to S7 in the 30S assembly map, are important for TC binding, whereas other ribosomal proteins are not. These results are in very good accord with their earlier photoaffinity labeling studies that strongly implicated S7 as forming part of the TC binding site. ...

1987-05-01

55

Further assembly required: construction and dynamics of the endoplasmic reticulum network  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a continuous membrane system comprising the nuclear envelope, ribosome-studded peripheral sheets and an interconnected network of smooth tubules extending throughout...Full Text Available

2010-07-01

56

Evolution of the nuclear ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer in four species of the Daphnia pulex complex  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundConcerted evolution refers to the pattern in which copies of multigene families show high intraspecific sequence homogeneity but high interspecific sequence diversity....Full Text Available

57

Evolution of a molecular switch: universal bacterial GTPases regulate ribosome function.  

Science.gov (United States)

The GTPases comprise a protein superfamily of highly conserved molecular switches adapted to many diverse functions. These proteins are found in all domains of life and often perform essential roles in fundamental cellular processes. Analysis of data from genome sequencing projects demonstrates that bacteria possess a core of 11 universally conserved GTPases (elongation factor G and Tu, initiation factor 2, LepA, Era, Obg, ThdF/TrmE, Ffh, FtsY, EngA and YchF). Investigations aimed at understanding the function of GTPases indicate that a second conserved feature of these proteins is that they elicit their function through interaction with RNA and/or ribosomes. An emerging concept suggests that the 11 universal GTPases are either necessary for ribosome function or transmitting information from the ribosome to downstream targets for the purpose of generating specific cellular responses. Furthermore, it is suggested that ...

2001-07-01

58

Altering the ribosomal subunit ratio in yeast maximizes recombinant protein yield  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe production of high yields of recombinant proteins is an enduring bottleneck in the post-genomic sciences that has yet to be addressed in a truly rational manner. Typically...Full Text Available

59

A functional peptide encoded in the Escherichia coli 23S rRNA.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A pentapeptide open reading frame equipped with a canonical ribosome-binding site is present in the Escherichia coli 23S rRNA. Overexpression of 23S rRNA fragments containing the mini-gene renders cells...Full Text Available

1996-05-28

60

Characterization of the major phosphoprotein and its kinase on the surface of the rat adipocyte  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Intact rat fat cell exposed to 12.5 ..mu..M (..gamma..-32P)ATP incorporate label into specific proteins within minutes. By solubilizing the reaction mixture with SDS which bypasses the subcellular fractionation steps, the labeled proteins can be identified in autoradiographs of SDS-PAGE gels. The most prominently labeled protein has an M/sub r/ of 42,000. Localization of this component to the cell surface can be made on the basis of inhibition of phosphorylation by addition of a protein derived from the rat brain with protein kinase inhibitory property, susceptibility of the phosphorylated protein to the tryptic digestion, inhibition of phosphorylation of this protein after brief exposure to melittin. To rule out the possibility that the cell surface protein might be a mitochondrial contaminant from broken cells, /sup 32/Pi-labeled and (..gamma..-/sup 32/P)ATP-labeled cells were chromatographed on a rabbit anti-pyruvate dehydrogenase antibody-Sepharose 4B column. A single labeled peak ...

1986-12-01

 
 
 
 
61

T Cell Responses to the RTS,S/AS01E and RTS,S/AS02D Malaria Candidate Vaccines Administered According to Different Schedules to Ghanaian Children  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic stage candidate vaccine RTS,S is being developed for protection of young children against...Full Text Available

62

Evaluation of the rapid diagnostic test SDFK40 (Pf-pLDH/pan-pLDH) for the diagnosis of malaria in a non-endemic setting  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe present study evaluated the SD Bioline Malaria Ag 05FK40 (SDFK40), a three-band RDT detecting Plasmodium falciparum-specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase...Full Text Available

63
64

Nucleomorph Ribosomal DNA and Telomere Dynamics in Chlorarachniophyte Algae  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT. Chlorarachniophytes are enigmatic marine unicellular algae that acquired photosynthesis by secondary endosymbiosis. Chlorarachniophytes are unusual in that the nucleus of the engulfed algal cell (a green alga) persists in a miniaturized form, termed a nucleomorph. The nucleomorph genome of the model chlorarachniophyte, Bigelowiella natans CCMP621, is 373 kilobase pairs (kbp) in size, the smallest nuclear genome characterized to date. The B. natans nucleomorph genome is composed of three chromosomes, each with canonical eukaryotic telomeres and sub telomeric ribosomal DNA (rDNA) operons transcribed away from the chromosome end. Here we present the complete rDNA operon and telomeric region from the nucleomorph genome of Lotharella oceanica CCMP622, a newly characterized chlorarachn...

2010-01-01

65

Molecular characterization of Fasciola spp. from the endemic area of northern Iran based on nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola spp. (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) is considered as the most important helminth infection of ruminants in tropical countries, causing considerable socioeconomic problems. In the endemic regions of the North of Iran, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica have been previously characterized on the basis of morphometric differences, but the use of molecular markers is necessary to distinguish exactly between species and intermediate forms. Samples from buffaloes and goats from different localities of northern Iran were identified morphologically and then genetically characterized by sequences of the first (ITS-1) and second (ITS-2) Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Comparison of the ITS of the northern Iranian samples ...

2011-01-01

66

Modeling protein synthesis from a physicist's perspective: a toy model  

CERN Document Server

Proteins are polymers of amino acids. These macromolecules are synthesized by intracellular machines called {\\it ribosome}. Although, traditionally, the experimental investigation of protein synthesis has been an active area of research in molecular cell biology, important quantitative models of this phenomenon have been reported mostly in the research journals devoted to statistical physics and related interdisciplinary topics. From the perspective of a physicist, protein synthesis is a phenomenon of {\\it classical transport of interacting ribosomes on a messenger RNA (mRNA) template} that dictates the sequence of the amino acids on the protein. Here we bring this frontier area of contemporary research into the classroom by appropriate simplification of the models and methods. In particular, we develope a simple toy model and analyze it by some elementary techniques of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to predict the average rate of ...

2007-01-01

67

Phosphorylation of proteins in Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cell extracts of the thermophile Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum catalyzed the phosphorylation by (..gamma..-/sup 32/P)ATP of several endogenous proteins with M/sub r/s between 13,000 and 100,000. Serine and tyrosine were the main acceptors. Distinct substrate proteins were found in the soluble (e.g., proteins p66, p63, and p53 of M/sub r/s 66,000, 63,000, and 53,000, respectively) and particulate (p76 and p30) fractions, both of which contained protein kinase and phosphatase activity. The soluble fraction suppressed the phosphorylation of particulate proteins and contained a protein kinase inhibitor. Phosphorylation of p53 was promoted by 10..mu..M fructose 1,6-bisphosphate or glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and suppressed by hexose monophosphates, whereas p30 and p13 were suppressed by 5 ..mu..M brain (but not spinach) calmodulin. Polyamines, including the odd polyamines characteristic of thermophiles, modulated the labeling of most of the phosphoproteins. Apart from ...

1986-02-01

68

Extraribosomal functions associated with the C terminus of the 37/67?kDa laminin receptor are required for maintaining cell viability  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The 37/67 kDa laminin receptor (LAMR) is a multifunctional protein, acting as an extracellular receptor, localizing to the nucleus, and playing roles in rRNA processing and ribosome assembly....Full Text Available

2010-05-01

69

Crystal structures of the N-terminal kinase domain of human RSK1 bound to three different ligands: Implications for the design of RSK1 specific inhibitors  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) also known as MAPKAP-Ks are serine/threonine protein kinases that are activated by ERK or PDK1 and act as downstream effectors of mitogen-activated protein kinase...Full Text Available

2007-12-01

70

Adenine and guanine recognition of stop codon is mediated by different N domain conformations of translation termination factor eRF1  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Positioning of release factor eRF1 toward adenines and the ribose-phosphate backbone of the UAAA stop signal in the ribosomal decoding site was studied using messenger RNA (mRNA) analogs containing...Full Text Available

2011-09-01

71

Localization of sites of photoaffinity labeling of the large subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes by arylazide derivative of puromycin  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Previous work showed that (TH)p-azidopuromycin photoaffinity labeled 70 S Escherichia coli ribosomes and that photoincorporation into 50 S subunit proteins was in the order L23 greater than L18/22 greater than L15. In the present work the authors report on immunoelectron microscopic studies of the complexes formed by p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of the antibiotic. The p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits appear to be identical to unmodified control subunits in electron micrographs. Complexes of modified subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of p-azidopuromycin were visualized in micrographs. Two regions of p-azidopuromycin photoincorporation were identified. The primary site, seen in about 75% of the complexes, is between the central protuberance and small projection, on the side away from the L7/L12 arm, in a region thought to contain the peptidyltransferase center. The ...

1985-08-25

72

Localization of sites of photoaffinity labeling of the large subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes by arylazide derivative of puromycin  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Previous work showed that ["3H]p-azidopuromycin photoaffinity labeled 70 S Escherichia coli ribosomes and that photoincorporation into 50 S subunit proteins was in the order L23 greater than L18/22 greater than L15. In the present work the authors report on immunoelectron microscopic studies of the complexes formed by p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of the antibiotic. The p-azidopuromycin-modified 50 S subunits appear to be identical to unmodified control subunits in electron micrographs. Complexes of modified subunits with antibodies to the N6,N6-dimethyladenosine moiety of p-azidopuromycin were visualized in micrographs. Two regions of p-azidopuromycin photoincorporation were identified. The primary site, seen in about 75% of the complexes, is between the central protuberance and small projection, on the side away from the L7/L12 arm, in a region thought to contain the peptidyltransferase center. The ...

73

The nucleotide sequence and organization of nuclear 5S rRNA genes in yellow lupine  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have isolated a genomic clone containing 'Lupinus luteus' 5S ribosomal RNA genes by screening with 5S rDNA probe clones that were hybridized previously with the initiator methionine tRNA preparation (contaminated) with traces of rRNA or its degradation products). The clone isolated contains ten repeat units of 342 bp with 119 bp fragment showing 100% homology to the 5S rRNA from yellow lupine. Sequence analysis indicates only point heterogeneities among the flanking regions of the genes. (author). 6 refs, 3 figs.

1993-01-01

74

Source tracking of Escherichia coli by 16S-23S intergenic spacer region denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the rrnB ribosomal operon.  

Science.gov (United States)

This research validates a novel approach for source tracking based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of DNA extracted from Escherichia coli isolates. Escherichia coli from different animal sources and from river samples upstream from, at, and downstream of a combined sewer overflow were subjected to DGGE to determine sequence variations within the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the rrnB ribosomal operon. The ISR was analyzed to determine if E. coli isolates from various animal sources could be differentiated from each other. DNA isolated from the E. coli animal sources was PCR amplified to isolate the rrnB operon. To prevent amplification of all 7 E. coli ribosomal operons by PCR amplification using universal primers, sequence-specific primers were utilized for the rrnB operon. Another primer set was then used to prepare samples of the 16S-23S ISR for DGGE. Comparison of PCR-DGGE results between human and ...

2007-10-01

75

The ATG1/ATG13 Protein Kinase Complex Is Both a Regulator and a Target of Autophagic Recycling in Arabidopsis.  

Science.gov (United States)

Autophagy is an intracellular recycling route in eukaryotes whereby organelles and cytoplasm are sequestered in vesicles, which are subsequently delivered to the vacuole for breakdown. The process is induced by various nutrient-responsive signaling cascades converging on the Autophagy-Related1 (ATG1)/ATG13 kinase complex. Here, we describe the ATG1/13 complex in Arabidopsis thaliana and show that it is both a regulator and a target of autophagy. Plants missing ATG13 are hypersensitive to nutrient limitations and senesce prematurely similar to mutants lacking other components of the ATG system. Synthesis of the ATG12-ATG5 and ATG8-phosphatidylethanolamine adducts, which are essential for autophagy, still occurs in ATG13-deficient plants, but the biogenesis of ATG8-decorated autophagic bodies does not, indicating that the complex regulates downstream events required for autophagosome enclosure and/or vacuolar delivery. Surprisingly, levels of the ATG1a and ATG13a ...

2011-10-01

76

Antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activities in vitro of Colombian Annonaceae  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ethnobotanical and chemotaxonomical studies for antiparasitic activity of Colombian Annonaceae were carried out. In vitro antiprotozoal activity of 36 extracts obtained from six different species was determined against promastigotes of three Leishmania species, epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and both chloroquine sensitive (F32) and resistant (W2) Plasmodium falciparum. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in U-937 cells. Active extracts were selected according their selectivity index (SI). Extracts from Annona muricata, Rollinia exsucca, Rollinia pittieri and Xylopia aromatica were active against Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi showing IC50 values lower than 25mg/ml. Hexane extract from Rollinia pittieri leaves was the most selective against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. (IS=...

2007-01-01

77

Anti-plasmodial activity and toxicity of extracts of plants used in traditional malaria therapy in Meru and Kilifi Districts of Kenya  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The methanol and aqueous extracts of 10 plant species (Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Carissa edulis, Fagaropsis angolensis, Harrissonia abyssinica, Myrica salicifolia, Neoboutonia macrocalyx, Strychnos heningsii, Withania somnifera and Zanthoxylum usambarensis) used to treat malaria in Meru and Kilifi Districts, Kenya, were tested for brine shrimp lethality and in vitro anti-plasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (NF54 and ENT30). Of the plants tested, 40% of the methanol extracts were toxic to the brine shrimp (LD5050N. macrocalyx had the highest toxicity to brine shrimp nauplii (LD50 21.04+-1.8mg/ml). Methanol extracts of the rest of the plants exhibited mild or no brine shrimp toxicity (LD50>50mg/ml). The aqueo...

2006-01-01

78

Species in the genus Turritopsis (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa): a molecular evaluation:  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Mitochondrial ribosomal gene sequences were used to investigate the status of several populations of hydromedusae belonging to the genus Turritopsis (family Oceaniidae). Several nominal species have been described for this genus, but most of them had been synonymized and attributed to one cosmopolitan species, Turritopsis nutricula. A recent revision based on morphological and reproductive characters, however, has shown that many different populations can be distinguished and that several of the nominal Turritopsis species are likely valid biological species. Our investigation using molecular sequence data of 16S mitochondrial gene confirms these results. The Mediterranean Turritopsis must be attributed to Turritopsis dohrnii and the Turritopsis of New Zealand must be referred to ...

2007-01-01

79

Molecular prospecting for cryptic species in Phyllodistomum lacustri (Platyhelminthes, Gorgoderidae)  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Rosas-Valdez, R., Choudhury, A. & Prez-Ponce de Len, G. (2011). Molecular prospecting for cryptic species in Phyllodistomum lacustri (Platyhelminthes, Gorgoderidae). -Zoologica Scripta, 40, 296-305. Partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes were compared among populations of a widely distributed and morphologically uniform digenean species in North America, Phyllodistomum lacustri, a parasite characteristically associated with ictalurid catfishes. Specimens were collected from the urinary bladder of ictalurid hosts in six localities of North America, spanning most of the latitudinal range of this freshwater fish group. Sequences of other congeneric species, including a potentially close relative, P.-staffordi, were also obtained and used for comparis...

2011-01-01

80

Identification of pork derivatives in food products by species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for halal verification  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Pork identification in four types of food products, which are sausages and the casings, bread and biscuits, using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of a conserved region in the mitochondrial (mt) 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was developed. Genomic DNA of the food products were successfully extracted except for the casing samples, where no genomic DNA was detected. The extracted genomic DNA was then subjected to PCR amplification targeting the specific regions of the 12S rRNA gene. The genomic DNA from the food products were found to be of good quality and produced clear PCR products on the amplification of 12S rRNA gene of 387 base pairs (bp) from pork species. The species-specific PCR identification yielded excellent results for identification of pork derivatives...

2007-01-01

 
 
 
 
81

Feeding ecology of Xenoturbella bocki (phylum Xenoturbellida) revealed by genetic barcoding  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract The benthic marine worm Xenoturbella is frequently contaminated with molluscan DNA, which had earlier caused confusion resulting in a suggested bivalve relationship. In order to find the source of the contaminant, we have used molluscan sequences derived from Xenoturbella and compared them to barcodes obtained from several individuals of the nonmicroscopic molluscs sharing the same environment as Xenoturbella. Using cytochrome oxidase 1, we found the contaminating sequences to be 98% similar to the bivalve Ennucula tenuis. Using the highly variable D1-D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit in Xenoturbella, we found three distinct species of contaminating molluscs, one of which is 99% similar to the bivalve Abra nitida, one of the most abundant bivalves in the Gullmarsfjord where...

2008-01-01

82

Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae as active fermenters in earthworm gut content  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The earthworm gut provides ideal in situ conditions for ingested heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of anaerobiosis. High amounts of mucus- and plant-derived saccharides such as glucose are abundant in the earthworm alimentary canal, and high concentrations of molecular hydrogen (H2) and organic acids in the alimentary canal are indicative of ongoing fermentations. Thus, the central objective of this study was to resolve potential links between fermentations and active fermenters in gut content of the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-based stable isotope probing, with [13C]glucose as a model substrate. Glucose consumption in anoxic gut content microcosms was rapid and yielded soluble organic compounds (acetate, butyrate, formate, lactate, propionate, succi...

2011-01-01

83

Single protein omission reconstitution studies of tetracycline binding to the 30S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosomes  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In previous work the authors showed that on photolysis of Escherichia coli ribosomes in the presence of ({sup 3}H)tetracycline (TC) the major protein labeled is S7, and they presented strong evidence that such labeling takes place from a high-affinity site related to the inhibitory action of TC. In this work they use single protein omission reconstitution (SPORE) experiments to identify those proteins that are important for high-affinity TC binding to the 30S subunit, as measured by both cosedimentation and filter binding assays. With respect to both sedimentation coefficients and relative Phe-tRNA{sup Phe} binding, the properties of the SPORE particles they obtain parallel very closely those measured earlier, with the exception of the SPORE particle lacking S13. A total of five proteins, S3, S7, S8, S14, and S19, are shown to be important for TC binding, with the largest effects seen on omission of proteins S7 and S14. Determination of the protein compositions of ...

1990-06-05

84

Zoonotic Bartonella Species in Fleas and Blood from Red Foxes in Australia.  

Science.gov (United States)

Abstract Bartonella are arthropod-borne, fastidious, Gram-negative, and aerobic bacilli distributed by fleas, lice, sand flies, and, possibly, ticks. The zoonotic Bartonella species, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, which are the causes of cat scratch disease and endocarditis in humans, have been reported from cats, cat fleas, and humans in Australia. However, to date, there has been no report of B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae in Australian wild animals and their ectoparasites. B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae were detected in fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), an introduced pest animal species in Australia, and only B. clarridgeiae was detected in blood from one red fox. Phylogenetic analysis of the ribosomal intergenic spacer region revealed that the B. henselae detected in the current study were related to B. henselae strain Houston-1, a major pathogenic strain in humans in Australia, and confirmed the genetic ...

2011-09-15

85

Regulation of human ribosomal RNA transcription.  

Science.gov (United States)

We have used a cell-free polymerase I transcription system derived from HeLa cells to study the regulation of human rRNA synthesis. Analysis of deletion mutants spanning the start site of transcription at nucleotide +1 indicates that the control region affecting initiation of human rRNA synthesis is contained within sequences from nucleotides -158 to +18. This promoter region can be subdivided into (i) a central segment of approximately 40 base pair that is required for transcription and (ii) flanking sequences that influence the efficiency of transcription in vitro. We have examined the in vitro transcriptional activity of the human extract under various conditions that are thought to modulate rRNA synthesis in vivo. Cell-free extracts prepared from HeLa cells infected with adenovirus 2 synthesize human rRNA at levels greatly decreased relative to uninfected cell extracts. By contrast, in vitro transcription of human rRNA is stimulated 2- to 3-fold by the addition of purified simian ...

1983-06-01

86

Genomic analysis of the symbiotic marine crenarchaeon, Cenarchaeumsymbiosum  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crenarchaea are ubiquitous and abundant microbial constituents of soils, sediments, lakes and ocean waters, yet relatively little is known about their fundamental evolutionary, ecological, and physiological properties. To better describe the ubiquitous nonthermophilic Crenarchaea, we analyzed the genome sequence of one representative, the uncultivated sponge symbiont, Cenarchaeum symbiosum. C. symbiosum genotypes coinhabiting the same host partitioned into two dominant populations, corresponding to previously described a- and b-type ribosomal RNA variants. Although synthetic, overlapping a- and b-type ribotypes harbored significant genetic variability. A single tiling path comprising the dominant a-type genotype was assembled, and used to explore the biological properties of C. symbiosum and its planktonic relatives. Out of a total of 2,066 predicted open reading frames, 36% were more highly conserved with other Archaea. The remainder partitioned between bacteria ...

2006-06-24

87

Expression of bacterial luciferase in eukaryotic cells  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Expression of Bacterial luciferase enzyme (lux) in mammalian cells would be a powerful bioreporter protein system for in vivo imaging because eukaryotic luciferases need expensive substrates. However, only a few efforts have been made to express bacterial luciferase enzyme in mammalian cells. As the result of this, we attempted to construct bicistronic vector including two bacterial luciferase genes (LuxA and LuxB) for assessing the potential to be visualized in vitro or in vivo by optical imaging system after transfection to mammalian cells. We designed and synthesized luxA and luxB genes from Photorhabdus Luminescens. To co-express both luxA and luxB genes from a single promoter, we cloned as a bicistronic transcript fused with an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). This bicistronic transcript was transfected by Superfect to HEK 293T cell line. We also transfected lux A and lux B vector to HEK 293T cells separately. To evaluate gene expression, n-decanal and ...

2005-11-18

88

Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis sp. nov., an anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium isolated from Obsidian Pool, Yellowstone National Park  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel, obligately anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium, designated OB47T, was isolated from Obsidian Pool, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA. The isolate was a non-motile, non-spore forming, Gram-positive rod approximately 2 m long by 0.2 m wide and grew at temperatures between 55-85oC with the optimum at 78oC. The pH range for growth was 6.0-8.0 with values of near 7.0 being optimal. Growth on cellobiose produced the fastest specific growth rates at 0.75 hr-1. The organism also displayed fermentative growth on glucose, maltose, arabinose, fructose, starch, lactose, mannose, sucrose, galactose, xylose, arabinogalactan, Avicel, xylan, filter paper, processed cardboard, pectin, dilute acid-pretreated switchgrass and Populus. OB47T was unable to grow on mannitol, fucose, lignin, Gelrite, acetate, glycerol, ribose, sorbital, carboxymethylcellulose and casein. Yeast extract stimulated growth and thiosulfate, sulfate, nitrate, and sulfur were not reduced. Fermentation ...

2010-02-01

89

Alteration of nucleoside diphosphate binding specificity of E. coli elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) by single amino acid substitution at position 138  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A single amino acid substitution (Asp #-># Asn) at position 138 of E. coli EF-Tu was induced in the tufA gene by an M13 phage oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis protocol. The mutated tufA gene was then subcloned in a plasmid vector and expressed in maxicells. The properties of ["3"5S]methionine labelled mutant and wild type EF-Tu's were compared by in vitro assays. Mutant and wild-type EF-Tu's bound EF-Ts with approximately equal affinities. The 138-Asn mutation greatly reduced the protein's affinity for GDP; however, this mutation dramatically increased the proteins affinity for XDP. The mutant protein forms a stable complex with phe-tRNA and XTP, which binds to ribosomes; whereas, it does not form a complex with phe-tRNA and GTP. These results suggest that in EF-Tu x NDP complexes amino acid residue 138 must interact with the substituent on C-2 of the purine ring. Thus in wild-type EF-Tu Asp-138 would H-bond to 2-NH_2 of GDP, and in the mutant EF-Tu ...

1987-06-07

90

Antimalarial activity of selected Sudanese medicinal plants with emphasis to Maytenus senegalensis  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of the present study is to identify and characterize the antimalrial agents from traitional Sudanese medicinal plants. 49 plants parts representing 26 species from 15 families were extracted and screened for their in vitro antimalrial activity using P. falciparum strain 3D7 which is chloroquine sensitive and Dd2 strain which is chloroquine resistant and pyrimethamine sensitive.The plant species investigated exhibited diverse botanical families. They includes Annonaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asteraceae, Balantiaceae, Caesalpiniceae, Celasteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Graminae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Polygonaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, and simaroubaceae. The evaluation of these plants for their antimalarial activity and their effect on lymphocyte proliferation was carried out. 57 extracts were tested on the chloroquine sensitive strain (3D7). Where 34 extracts (59%) exhibited significant activity against 3D7 with IC_5_0 values #100 #mu# g/ml), where as ...

91

Local chromatin structure of heterochromatin regulates repeatedDNA stability, nucleolus structure, and genome integrity  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Heterochromatin constitutes a significant portion of the genome in higher eukaryotes; approximately 30% in Drosophila and human. Heterochromatin contains a high repeat DNA content and a low density of protein-encoding genes. In contrast, euchromatin is composed mostly of unique sequences and contains the majority of single-copy genes. Genetic and cytological studies demonstrated that heterochromatin exhibits regulatory roles in chromosome organization, centromere function and telomere protection. As an epigenetically regulated structure, heterochromatin formation is not defined by any DNA sequence consensus. Heterochromatin is characterized by its association with nucleosomes containing methylated-lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me), heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) that binds H3K9me, and Su(var)3-9, which methylates H3K9 and binds HP1. Heterochromatin formation and functions are influenced by HP1, Su(var)3-9, and the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. My thesis project investigates how ...

2007-05-05