microPublication biology最新文献

We report the isolation and characteristics of phages JuneStar and Pumpkins, siphoviruses isolated from soil in Bismarck, ND using Arthrobacter globiformis B2979-SEA. Based on gene content similarity, both phages are assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster AZ1. They encode a putative serine integrase that is conserved across cluster AZ1 phages, suggesting a temperate lifestyle.

Gene model for the ortholog of Density regulated protein ( DENR ) in the May 2011 (WUGSC dyak_caf1/DyakCAF1) Genome Assembly (GenBank Accession: GCA_000005975.1 ) of Drosophila yakuba . This ortholog was characterized as part of a developing dataset to study the evolution of the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS) across the genus Drosophila using the Genomics Education Partnership gene annotation protocol for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences.

We report here the discovery and characterization of three novel bacteriophages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis . These siphoviruses were isolated from soil collected in urban areas around Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Mycobacteriphages Idergollasper, FoulBall, and Schuy are assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster O based on gene content similarity, and have prolate capsids typical for this cluster.

Gene model for the ortholog of Thor ( Thor ) in the D. yakuba May 2011 (WUGSC dyak_caf1/DyakCAF1) Genome Assembly (GenBank Accession: GCA_000005975.1 ) of Drosophila yakuba . This ortholog was characterized as part of a developing dataset to study the evolution of the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS) across the genus Drosophila using the Genomics Education Partnership gene annotation protocol for Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences.

A widely used genetic tool in Drosophila melanogaster is the GAL4/UAS system. This bipartite system allows for tissue and cell-specific expression and is used for both overexpression and RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown studies. Here we provide evidence that c306 GAL4 expression is not restricted to somatic ovarian cells but is also expressed in cells giving rise to adult bristles. Future work is needed to fully define the cell-specific expression pattern c306 GAL4.

The integration of fluorescent protein tags (GFP, mScarlet, mNeon, etc) by CRISPR is often inefficient due to the size of the tags (hundreds of base pairs). To facilitate fluorescent tagging, the split-GFP and split-Scarlet systems have been optimized for use in C. elegans (Goudeau et al., 2021). In C. elegans , glh-1 ::T2A::wrmScarlet(1-10) allows germline gene expression of red fusion proteins. While initial studies reported wild-type broods at both permissive and non-permissive temperatures, we report here that at least one such transgene confers sterility after continuous culturing at 25.5 °C. This serves as a cautionary tale for use of the glh-1 driver and/or T2A::mScarlet fusions to this protein.

Transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 KDa (TDP-43) is important for RNA metabolism in all animals and in humans is involved in neuromuscular diseases. Full-length TDP-43 is prone to oligomerization and misfolding what renders difficult its characterization. We report that TDP-43 domains are structurally similar to lipid binding protein FARP1 and protein chaperons BAG6 and CYP33. Sequence analysis suggests putative lipid binding sites throughout TDP-43 and in vitro thioflavin T fluorescence assays show that cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine affect fibrillation of recombinant TDP-43 fragments. Our findings suggest that TDP-43 can bind lipids directly and it may contribute to its own chaperoning.

To facilitate investigations of the microtubule severing protein spastin and its specific role in neurons, we aimed to create a C. elegans strain in which the spastin homolog SPAS-1 is visible and can be degraded with spatial and temporal precision. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to fuse an auxin-inducible degron and mScarlet to the endogenous SPAS-1 protein, enabling degradation of SPAS-1 in neurons during desired life stages. DNA sequencing confirmed in-frame insertion with the SPAS-1 N-terminus and fluorescence microscopy revealed endogenous SPAS-1 throughout the CRISPR-edited worms. Auxin treatment in rgef-1::TIR1; mScarlet::AID*::3xFLAG::spas-1 animals reduced mScarlet::SPAS-1 fluorescence in neuronal ganglia.

Seaweeds, particularly the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis , produce and sequester bromomethanes, which are known for mitigating methane emissions in ruminants when used as a feed supplement. Bromomethane synthesis requires hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ). We developed a staining assay utilizing 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) for identifying H ₂ O ₂ in three groups of seaweeds (red, brown, and green), including intensely pigmented species. Our findings indicate the previously identified "gland cell" in Asparagopsis taxiformis , responsible for bromoform synthesis and retention, is a specialized large organelle rich in H ₂ O ₂ . Our study introduces an effective survey tool to identify promising seaweed species abundant in bromoform from diverse marine habitats.

The distal tip cell niche uses GLP-1 /Notch signaling to maintain C. elegans germline stem cells. The RAM domain, which resides within the intracellular portion of the GLP-1 /Notch receptor, is integral to formation of a signaling-dependent transcription activation complex. Here we report the generation of a mutation in the GLP-1 RAM domain, created in a GLP-1 /Notch receptor with a C-terminal V5 tag. The phenotype of glp-1 (RAM ^mut ) ^V5 homozygotes is similar to that of glp-1 null mutants, but expression of the GLP-1 (RAM ^mut ) ^V5 protein was normal in the glp-1 (RAM ^mut ) ^V5 heterozygotes. We conclude that the RAM mutation abolishes receptor activity.