Activity, specificity and structure of I-Bth0305I: a representative of a new homing endonuclease family

Novel family of putative homing endonuclease genes was recently discovered during analyses of metagenomic and genomic sequence data. One such protein is encoded within a group I intron that resides in the recA gene of the Bacillus thuringiensis 0305ϕ8–36 bacteriophage. Named I-Bth0305I, the endonuclease cleaves a DNA target in the uninterrupted recA gene at a position immediately adjacent to the intron insertion site. The enzyme displays a multidomain, homodimeric architecture and footprints a DNA region of ∼60 bp. Its highest specificity corresponds to a 14-bp pseudopalindromic sequence that is directly centered across the DNA cleavage site. Unlike many homing endonucleases, the specificity profile of the enzyme is evenly distributed across much of its target site, such that few single base pair substitutions cause a significant decrease in cleavage activity. A crystal structure of its C-terminal domain confirms a nuclease fold that is homologous to very short patch repair (Vsr) endonucleases. The domain architecture and DNA recognition profile displayed by I-Bth0305I, which is the prototype of a homing lineage that we term the ‘EDxHD’ family, are distinct from previously characterized homing endonucleases

Protein Crystal Based Nanomaterials

This is the final report on a NASA Grant. It concerns a description of work done, which includes: (1) Protein crystals cross-linked to form fibers; (2) Engineering of protein to favor crystallization; (3) Better knowledge-based potentials for protein-protein contacts; (4) Simulation of protein crystallization

The effects of gamma-irradiation of pilsner beer

A commercial Belgian Pilsner beer was irradiated with 0, 40, 80 and 120 krad of Cesium137 gamma‐rays. Analysis of the resultant beers showed that the analytical data for polyphenolics to a great extent had remained unaffected, that the treatment had no impact upon the liability to haze formation, the pH, the foam stability and the levels of dimethyl sulphide, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and diacetyl. There was an increase in the concentration of acetaldehyde, and a small decrease in the concentration of iso‐alpha‐acids and n‐propanol, the changes being roughly proportional to the dosage applied. The sum of the fast and the moderately fast reducing agents increases with increasing irradiation dosages and in the same way the concentration of slow reducing agents diminishes. The treatment at the same time leads to a drastic loss of colour. The flavour of irradiated beer is totally unacceptable, even at the lowest dosages, the odour reminding one of hydrogen sulphide. 1986 The Institute of Brewing & Distillingstatus: publishe

Supplementary Figure Legend from Relaxin-Expressing, Fiber Chimeric Oncolytic Adenovirus Prolongs Survival of Tumor-Bearing Mice

Supplementary Figure Legend from Relaxin-Expressing, Fiber Chimeric Oncolytic Adenovirus Prolongs Survival of Tumor-Bearing Mice</jats:p

Data from Relaxin-Expressing, Fiber Chimeric Oncolytic Adenovirus Prolongs Survival of Tumor-Bearing Mice

&lt;div&gt;Abstract&lt;p&gt;Selective replication of oncolytic viruses in tumor cells provides a promising approach for the treatment of human cancers. One of the limitations observed with oncolytic viruses currently used in the treatment of solid tumors is the inefficient spread of virus throughout the tumor mass following intratumoral injection. Data are presented showing that oncolytic adenoviruses expressing the &lt;i&gt;relaxin&lt;/i&gt; gene and containing an Ad5/Ad35 chimeric fiber showed significantly enhanced transduction and increased virus spread throughout the tumor when compared with non–relaxin-expressing, Ad5-based viruses. The increased spread of such viruses throughout tumors correlated well with improved antitumor efficacy and overall survival in two highly metastatic tumor models. Furthermore, nonreplicating viruses expressing relaxin did not increase metastases, suggesting that high level expression of relaxin will not enhance metastatic spread of tumors. In summary, the data show that relaxin may play a role in rearranging matrix components within tumors, which helps recombinant oncolytic adenoviruses to spread effectively throughout the tumor mass and thereby increase the extent of viral replication within the tumor. Expressing relaxin from Ad5/Ad35 fiber chimeric adenoviruses may prove a potent and novel approach to treating patients with cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(9):4399–406]&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</jats:p