Fusion of biological membranes is mediated by distinct integral membrane proteins, e.g., soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors and viral fusion proteins. Previous... Show moreFusion of biological membranes is mediated by distinct integral membrane proteins, e.g., soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors and viral fusion proteins. Previous work has indicated that the transmembrane segments (TMSs) of such integral membrane proteins play an important role in fusion. Furthermore, peptide mimics of the transmembrane part can drive the fusion of liposomes, and evidence had been obtained that fusogenicity depends on their conformational flexibility. To test this hypothesis, we present a series of unnatural TMSs that were designed de novo based on the structural properties of hydrophobic residues. We find that the fusogenicity of these peptides depends on the ratio of alpha-helix-promoting Leu and beta-sheet-promoting Val residues and is enhanced by helix-destabilizing Pro and Gly residues within their hydrophobic cores. The ability of these peptides to refold from an alpha-helical state to a beta-sheet conformation and backwards was determined under different conditions. Membrane fusogenic peptides with mixed Leu/ Val sequences tend to switch more readily between different conformations than a nonfusogenic peptide with an oligo-Leu core. We propose that structural flexibility of these TMSs is a prerequisite of fusogenicity. Show less
Pure-tone song is a common and widespread phenomenon in birds. The mechanistic origin of this type of phonation has been the subject of long-standing discussion. Currently, there are three... Show more Pure-tone song is a common and widespread phenomenon in birds. The mechanistic origin of this type of phonation has been the subject of long-standing discussion. Currently, there are three hypotheses. (i) A vibrating valve in the avian vocal organ, the syrinx, generates a multifrequency harmonic source sound, which is filtered to a pure tone by a vocal tract filter (“source-filter” model, analogous to human speech production). (ii) Vocal tract resonances couple with a vibrating valve source, suppressing the normal production of harmonic overtones at this source (“soprano” model, analogous to human soprano singing). (iii) Pure-tone sound is produced as such by a sound-generating mechanism that is fundamentally different from a vibrating valve. Here we present direct evidence of a source-filter mechanism in the production of pure-tone birdsong. Using tracheal thermistors and air sac pressure cannulae, we recorded sound signals close to the syringeal sound source during spontaneous, pure-tone vocalizations of two species of turtledove. The results show that pure-tone dove vocalizations originate through filtering of a multifrequency harmonic sound source. Show less
The FIN1 gene from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a basic protein with putative coiled-coil regions. Here we show that in large-budded cells a green fluorescent protein-Fin1 fusion... Show moreThe FIN1 gene from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a basic protein with putative coiled-coil regions. Here we show that in large-budded cells a green fluorescent protein-Fin1 fusion protein is visible as a filament between the two spindle pole bodies. In resting cells the protein is undetectable, and in small-budded cells it is localized in the nucleus. During late mitosis it localizes on the spindle pole bodies. Filaments of cyano fluorescent protein-tagged Fin1 colocalize with filaments of green fluorescent protein-tagged Tub1 only in large-budded cells. By electron and atomic force microscopy we showed that purified recombinant Fin1p self-assembles into filaments with a diameter of ≈10 nm. Our results indicate that the Fin1 protein forms a cell cycle-specific filament, additional to the microtubules, between the spindle pole bodies of dividing yeast cells. Show less
Derivatives of chitin oligosaccharides have been shown to play a role in plant organogenesis at nanomolar concentrations. Here we present data which indicate that chitin oligosaccharides are... Show moreDerivatives of chitin oligosaccharides have been shown to play a role in plant organogenesis at nanomolar concentrations. Here we present data which indicate that chitin oligosaccharides are important for embryogenesis in vertebrates. We characterize chitin oligosaccharides synthesized in vitro by zebrafish and carp embryos in the late gastrulation stage by incorporation of radiolabeled N-acetyl-D-[(UC)-C-14]glucosamine and by HPLC in combination with enzymatic conversion using the Bradyrhizobium NodZ alpha-1,6-fucosyltransferase and chitinases. A rapid and sensitive bioassay for chitin oligasaccharides was also used employing suspension-cultured plant cells of Catharanthus roseus. We show that chitin oligosaccharide synthase activity is apparent only during late gastrulation and can be inhibited by anti-serum raised against the Xenopus DG42 protein. The DG42 protein, a glycosyltransferase, is transiently expressed between midblastula and neurulation in Xenopus and zebrafish embryogenesis. Microinjection of the DG42 antiserum or the Bradyrhizobium NodZ enzyme in fertilized eggs of zebrafish led to severs defects in trunk and tail development. Show less
During development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, cAMP induces chemotaxis and expression of different classes of genes by means of interaction with surface cAMP receptors. We... Show moreDuring development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, cAMP induces chemotaxis and expression of different classes of genes by means of interaction with surface cAMP receptors. We describe a cAMP derivative, 8-p-chlorophenylthioadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cAMP), which inhibits cAMP-induced chemotaxis at low concentrations but induces chemotaxis at supersaturating concentrations. This compound, moreover, selectively activates expression of aggregative genes but not of postaggregative genes. 8-CPT-cAMP induces normal cGMP and cAMP accumulation but in contrast to cAMP, which increases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels, 8-CPT-cAMP decreases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate levels. The derivative induces reduced activation of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, which may cause its defective activation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production. Our data suggest that disruption of inositolphospholipid signaling impairs chemotaxis and expression of a subclass of cAMP-regulated genes. Show less
Pleij, C.W.A.; Neeleman, A.; Vloten-Doting, L. van; Bosch, L. 1976
