microPublication biology最新文献

Bacteriophage WestPM is a siphoviral-like phage infecting Microbacterium foliorum isolated from environmental samples collected on Pensacola Beach, FL. The genome of this phage is 39,693 bp long and contains 59 predicted protein-coding genes and zero tRNA genes. Based on gene content similarity, WestPM is grouped in the actinobacteriophage EA11 subcluster.

Gordonia phage Petito is a newly discovered siphovirus that infects Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540. The double-stranded DNA genome of this phage is 60,447 bp long with 93 predicted protein-coding genes and no tRNAs. Petito is a Cluster DJ phage.

Mutations in the collagen-modifying enzyme lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) cause Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS) in horses. We investigated the impact of this mutation on collagen structure and function. Our results show that LH1 deficiency leads to reduced lysine hydroxylation, altered collagen fibril organization, and tissue abnormalities resembling human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These findings highlight the critical role of LH1 in collagen biosynthesis and provide insights into the pathogenesis of WFFS.

RNA toehold switches are powerful tools that can be used as biosensors to detect nearly any RNA sequence. In the presence of a specific RNA trigger, the toehold switch allows translation of a reporter protein. Toehold switches expressed in cell-free expression systems have been used as biosensors for several viruses and bacterial RNAs. Here we explore the use of the NanoLuc complementation reporter NanoBiT and found that it provides improved sensitivity over sfGFP. This reporter can be applied broadly across other RNA toehold switch applications.

In Xenopus laevis , axial elongation beyond the tailbud stage requires gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). However, the role of GABA synthesized during early development in this process remains unclear. In this study, by treating embryos with allylglycine (AG), an inhibitor of GABA synthesis, we observed a significant reduction in axial elongation. This inhibition was rescued by exogenous GABA, demonstrating that GABA synthesis via glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is essential for axial elongation after the tailbud stage. Our findings suggest that GABA-dependent elongation functions independently of mechanisms like convergent extension, which are crucial during early development.

This study explores potential small animal models for the dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum , a parasitic nematode which has repeatedly exhibited the ability to develop resistance to a range of anthelmintics. Immunomodulated hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice were infected with A. caninum. Despite varying degrees of immunosuppression, and in some cases, total adaptive immunodeficiency, no adult worms were recovered, and larval arrest (L3 stage) occurred in muscle tissue of mice and hamsters. This highlights the strict host specificity of A. caninum and emphasizes the challenges of developing rodent models usable for anthelmintic testing with a strict specialist parasite.

GV-58 is known to increase the opening time of the mammalian P-type calcium channel in presynaptic motor nerve terminals. GV-58 is suggested as a therapeutic agent for dampening the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To further understand the mechanisms of GV-58 actions, the Drosophila and crayfish neuromuscular junctions were used as models. Their presynaptic calcium channels are a P-type based on pharmacology profiles. However, exposure of GV-58 (1mM) did not produce any consistent alteration in synaptic transmission in these two preparations. It is possible that the molecular structure of the P-type channels is different in the Drosophila and crayfish.

The heart of larval Drosophila serves as a model preparation in addressing cardiac function, as known genetic mutations can be mimicked to examine therapies. Pharmacological agents and function of proteins, like TRPA1, which affect ionic transport and ion concentrations can be investigated for their action on cardiac function in this model. To maintain in-situ function, the larval heart tube needs to remain viable; thus, a physiological saline is required. It was found that a reduced Mg ²⁺ level from the standard saline provides a more stable heartbeat, even in stressful conditions such as heat and increased expression levels of TRPA1 proteins.

Cholinergic transmission fundamentally modulates information processing in the brain via muscarinic receptors. Using in vitro electrophysiological recordings of population spikes from the CA1 region, we found that the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol (CCh, 1 μM) enhances the basal excitation level in the dorsal but not ventral hippocampus. Using a frequency stimulation protocol, we found that CCh transforms depression of neuronal output into facilitation (at 3-30 Hz) in the ventral hippocampus while only lessening depression in the dorsal hippocampus, suggesting that muscarinic transmission boosts basal neuronal activation in the dorsal hippocampus and strongly facilitates the output of the ventral hippocampus in a frequency-dependent manner.

Gene model for the ortholog of glycogen synthase ( Glys ) 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.