Differing SAGA module requirements for NCR-sensitive gene transcription in yeast

Abstract Nitrogen Catabolite repression is a means for yeast to adapt its transcriptome to changing nitrogen sources in its environment. In conditions of derepression (under poor nitrogen condition, upon rapamycin treatment, or when glutamine production is inhibited), two transcriptional activators of the GATA family are recruited to NCR-sensitive promoters and activate transcription of NCR-sensitive genes. Earlier observations have involved the SAGA chromatin remodelling complex in these transcriptional regulations. In this report, we provide an illustration of the varying NCR-sensitive responses and question whether differing SAGA recruitment could explain this diversity of responses.</jats:p

Clinical outcomes of a new self-help booklet for premature ejaculation

INTRODUCTION. Premature ejaculation (PE) is quite common. Although effective treatments do exist, only a few affected people consult a practitioner in order to overcome their problem. At the same time, studies have shown that reading didactical documents about their PE problem (bibliotherapy) can be useful to men. AIM. The aim of this study was to improve the bibliotherapy approach using up to date knowledge and techniques. The expected benefits were: (1) an effective manual shorter than previous ones, (2) easier to assimilate therapeutic principles and (3) a method thereby made accessible to a broad population most of whom usually do not consult for this type of sexual problem. METHOD. A short bibliotherapy titled The Practical Guide of PE [in French] was tested among PE subjects who were diagnosed with PE according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Assessments were made at baseline (N = 421), at 4-8 months (N = 120) and at 10-14 months (N = 79) after they read The Practical Guide. A control group of 66 subjects was left on a waiting list and was assessed two months after baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Self-reported ejaculatory latency time, feeling of control upon ejaculation, sexual satisfaction, distress related to PE, anxiety experienced during sexual intercourse and sexual cognitions (SIQ). RESULTS. Significant improvements were found for all the self-reported parameters, both at 4-8 and at 10-14 months after the bibliotherapy. The improvements were associated with an adjustment of sexual cognitions. The response to treatment seemed better for those subjects with moderate PE. Although the severity criteria used in this study did not precisely meet the ISSM criteria for lifelong PE, they were likely related. The response did not seem to be affected by variables such as age, education or personality. CONCLUSION. Its cost/benefit ratio makes The Practical Guide a valuable therapeutic tool.BibliothE

The Yeast GATA Factor Gat1 Occupies a Central Position in Nitrogen Catabolite Repression-Sensitive Gene Activation▿

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are able to adapt their metabolism according to the quality of the nitrogen sources available in the environment. Nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR) restrains the yeast's capacity to use poor nitrogen sources when rich ones are available. NCR-sensitive expression is modulated by the synchronized action of four DNA-binding GATA factors. Although the first identified GATA factor, Gln3, was considered the major activator of NCR-sensitive gene expression, our work positions Gat1 as a key factor for the integrated control of NCR in yeast for the following reasons: (i) Gat1 appeared to be the limiting factor for NCR gene expression, (ii) GAT1 expression was regulated by the four GATA factors in response to nitrogen availability, (iii) the two negative GATA factors Dal80 and Gzf3 interfered with Gat1 binding to DNA, and (iv) Gln3 binding to some NCR promoters required Gat1. Our study also provides mechanistic insights into the mode of action of the two negative GATA factors. Gzf3 interfered with Gat1 by nuclear sequestration and by competition at its own promoter. Dal80-dependent repression of NCR-sensitive gene expression occurred at three possible levels: Dal80 represses GAT1 expression, it competes with Gat1 for binding, and it directly represses NCR gene transcription

Database of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteins

Bronchoalveolar lavage during fiberoptic bronchoscopy is extensively used for investigating cellular and biochemical alterations of the epithelial lining fluid in various lung disorders. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) offers the possibility to simultaneously display and analyze proteins contained in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We present the current status of 2-DE of BALF samples with an updated listing of the proteins already identified and of their level and/or posttranslational alterations in lung disorders. Alternatives to 2-DE of BALF samples and future prospects of proteomics to unravel lung functions and pathologies are discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved