Archaeal transcription: making up for lost time

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 356-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena N. Wojtas ◽  
Nicola G.A. Abrescia
Keyword(s):  
Structural Information ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Sulfolobus Shibatae ◽  
Lost Time ◽  
Archaeal Transcription ◽  
Dna Stabilization

In recent years, emerging structural information on the aRNAP (archaeal RNA polymerase) apparatus has shown its strong evolutionary relationship with the eukaryotic counterpart, RNA Pol (polymerase) II. A novel atomic model of SshRNAP (Sulfolobus shibatae RNAP) in complex with dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) constitutes a new piece of information helping the understanding of the mechanisms for DNA stabilization at the position downstream of the catalytic site during transcription. In Archaea, in contrast with Eukarya, downstream DNA stabilization is universally mediated by the jaw domain and, in some species, by the additional presence of the Rpo13 subunit. Biochemical and biophysical data, combined with X-ray structures of apo- and DNA-bound aRNAP, have demonstrated the capability of the Rpo13 C-terminus to bind in a sequence-independent manner to downstream DNA. In the present review, we discuss the recent findings on the aRNAP and focus on the mechanisms by which the RNAP stabilizes the bound DNA during transcription.

Direct visualization of phase-separated domains in lipid membranes

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-291
Author(s):  
S. W. Hui ◽  
T. P. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Membranes ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Vacuum Drying ◽  
Direct Visualization ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hydrocarbon Chains

Direct electron microscopic study of biological molecules has been hampered by such factors as radiation damage, lack of contrast and vacuum drying. In certain cases, however, the difficulties may be overcome by using redundent structural information from repeating units and by various specimen preservation methods. With bilayers of phospholipids in which both the solid and fluid phases co-exist, the ordering of the hydrocarbon chains may be utilized to form diffraction contrast images. Domains of different molecular packings may be recgnizable by placing properly chosen filters in the diffraction plane. These domains would correspond to those observed by freeze fracture, if certain distinctive undulating patterns are associated with certain molecular packing, as suggested by X-ray diffraction studies. By using an environmental stage, we were able to directly observe these domains in bilayers of mixed phospholipids at various temperatures at which their phases change from misible to inmissible states.

Characterizations of Synthetic 8mol% YSZ with Comparison to 3mol %YSZ for HT-SOFC

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4A) ◽  
pp. 491-500
Author(s):  
Abeer F. Al-Attar ◽  
Saad B. H. Farid ◽  
Fadhil A. Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Conductivity ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Impedance Analysis ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Stabilized Zirconia ◽  
Powder Morphology ◽  
X Ray

In this work, Yttria (Y2O3) was successfully doped into tetragonal 3mol% yttria stabilized Zirconia (3YSZ) by high energy-mechanical milling to synthesize 8mol% yttria stabilized Zirconia (8YSZ) used as an electrolyte for high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (HT-SOFC). This work aims to evaluate the densification and ionic conductivity of the sintered electrolytes at 1650°C. The bulk density was measured according to ASTM C373-17. The powder morphology and the microstructure of the sintered electrolytes were analyzed via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The chemical analysis was obtained with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Also, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to obtain structural information of the starting materials and the sintered electrolytes. The ionic conductivity was obtained through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the air as a function of temperatures at a frequency range of 100(mHz)-100(kHz). It is found that the 3YSZ has a higher density than the 8YSZ. The impedance analysis showed that the ionic conductivity of the prepared 8YSZ at 800°C is0.906 (S.cm) and it was 0.214(S.cm) of the 3YSZ. Besides, 8YSZ has a lower activation energy 0.774(eV) than that of the 3YSZ 0.901(eV). Thus, the prepared 8YSZ can be nominated as an electrolyte for the HT-SOFC.

scholarly journals Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of thePlasmodium falciparumapicoplast DNA polymerase

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan E. Milton ◽  
Jun-yong Choe ◽  
Richard B. Honzatko ◽  
Scott W. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Klenow Fragment ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Dna Polymerase I ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Polymerase I

Infection by the parasitePlasmodium falciparumis the leading cause of malaria in humans. The parasite has a unique and essential plastid-like organelle called the apicoplast. The apicoplast contains a genome that undergoes replication and repair through the action of a replicative polymerase (apPOL). apPOL has no direct orthologs in mammalian polymerases and is therefore an attractive antimalarial drug target. No structural information exists for apPOL, and the Klenow fragment ofEscherichia coliDNA polymerase I, which is its closest structural homolog, shares only 28% sequence identity. Here, conditions for the crystallization of and preliminary X-ray diffraction data from crystals ofP. falciparumapPOL are reported. Data complete to 3.5 Å resolution were collected from a single crystal (2 × 2 × 5 µm) using a 5 µm beam. The space groupP6522 (unit-cell parametersa=b= 141.8,c= 149.7 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°) was confirmed by molecular replacement. Refinement is in progress.

Determining the C60 molecular arrangement in thin films by means of X-ray diffraction

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Elschner ◽  
Alexandr A. Levin ◽  
Lutz Wilde ◽  
Jörg Grenzer ◽  
Christian Schroer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Grazing Incidence ◽  
Test Material ◽  
C60 Fullerene ◽  
Diffraction Measurement ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Molecular Arrangement ◽  
Diffraction Patterns

The electrical and optical properties of molecular thin films are widely used, for instance in organic electronics, and depend strongly on the molecular arrangement of the organic layers. It is shown here how atomic structural information can be obtained from molecular films without further knowledge of the single-crystal structure. C60 fullerene was chosen as a representative test material. A 250 nm C60 film was investigated by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and the data compared with a Bragg–Brentano X-ray diffraction measurement of the corresponding C60 powder. The diffraction patterns of both powder and film were used to calculate the pair distribution function (PDF), which allowed an investigation of the short-range order of the structures. With the help of the PDF, a structure model for the C60 molecular arrangement was determined for both C60 powder and thin film. The results agree very well with a classical whole-pattern fitting approach for the C60 diffraction patterns.

Periodically poled KTA crystal investigated using coherent X-ray beams

2000 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 1149-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pernot-Rejmánková ◽  
P. A. Thomas ◽  
P. Cloetens ◽  
F. Lorut ◽  
J. Baruchel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Difference ◽  
Domain Walls ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Periodically Poled ◽  
Synchrotron Source ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Diffracted Waves ◽  
Coherent Beams ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
The Difference

The distribution of inverted ferroelectric domains on the surface and within the bulk of a periodically poled KTA (KTiOAsO4) single crystal has been observed using a simple X-ray diffraction imaging setup which takes advantage of the highly coherent beams available at a third-generation synchrotron source, such as the ESRF. This technique allows one to reveal the phase difference between the waves that are Bragg diffracted from adjacent domainsviafree-space propagation (Fresnel diffraction). The phase difference of the diffracted waves is mainly produced by the difference in phases of the structure factors involved, and contains precise structural information about the nature of the domain walls.

Information retrieval from X-ray small-angle scattering with polychromatic (`white') synchrotron radiation

1983 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Glatter ◽  
P. Laggner
Keyword(s):  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Small Angle ◽  
Particle Shape ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Small Angle Scattering ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Angle Scattering ◽  
Slit Length ◽  
Hinge Bending

The possibilities of obtaining structural information from X-ray small-angle scattering experiments with `white' polychromatic synchrotron radiation using line collimation are investigated by numerical simulation. Theoretical scattering curves of geometrical models were smeared with the appropriate wavelength distributions and slit-length functions, afflicted by statistical noise, and then evaluated by identical methods as normally used for experimental data, as described previously [program ITP; Glatter (1977). J. Appl. Cryst. 10, 415–421]. It is shown that even for a wavelength distribution of 50% half width, the information content is not limited to the parameters derived from the central part of the scattering curves, i.e. the radius of gyration and the zero-angle intensity, but also allows qualitative information on particle shape via the distance distribution function p(r). By a `hinge-bending model' consisting of two cylinders linked together at different angles it is demonstrated that changes in the radius of gyration amounting to less than 5% can be detected and quantified, and the qualitative changes in particle shape be reproduced.

X-RAY TOMOGRAPHY STUDIES OF PREHISTORIC CERAMIC ARTIFACTS

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 1460135
Author(s):  
CARMEN PAVEL ◽  
FLORIN CONSTANTIN ◽  
COSMIN IOAN SUCIU ◽  
ROXANA BUGOI
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Nuclear Physics ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Visual Examination ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Computed ◽  
Internal Configuration ◽  
Non Destructive

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful non-destructive technique that can yield interesting structural information not discernible through visual examination only. This paper presents the results of the CT scans of four objects belonging to the Romanian cultural heritage attributed to the Vinča, Cucuteni and Cruceni-Belegiš cultures. The study was performed with an X-ray tomographic device developed at the Department for Applied Nuclear Physics from Horia Hulubei National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering in Măgurele, Romania. This apparatus was specially designed for archaeometric studies of low-Z artifacts: ceramic, wood, bone. The tomographic investigations revealed the internal configuration of the objects and provided information about the degree to which the previous manipulations affected the archaeological items. Based on the X-ray images resulting from the CT scans, hints about the techniques used in the manufacturing of the artifacts were obtained, as well as some indications useful for conservation/restoration purposes.

scholarly journals Structural Analysis of the Partially Disordered Protein EspK from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Abril Gijsbers ◽  
Nuria Sánchez-Puig ◽  
Ye Gao ◽  
Peter J. Peters ◽  
Raimond B. G. Ravelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Response ◽  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Maximal Dimension ◽  
Globular Domain ◽  
Saxs Data ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Disordered Protein ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
New Treatments

For centuries, tuberculosis has been a worldwide burden for human health, and gaps in our understanding of its pathogenesis have hampered the development of new treatments. ESX-1 is a complex machinery responsible for the secretion of virulence factors that manipulate the host response. Despite the importance of these secreted proteins for pathogenicity, only a few of them have been structurally and functionally characterised. Here, we describe a structural study of the ESX-secretion associated protein K (EspK), a 74 kDa protein known to be essential for the secretion of other substrates and the cytolytic effects of ESX-1. Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) data show that EspK is a long molecule with a maximal dimension of 228 Å. It consists of two independent folded regions at each end of the protein connected by a flexible unstructured region driving the protein to coexist as an ensemble of conformations. Limited proteolysis identified a 26 kDa globular domain at the C-terminus of the protein consisting of a mixture of α-helices and β-strands, as shown by circular dichroism (CD) and SAXS. In contrast, the N-terminal portion is mainly helical with an elongated shape. Sequence conservation suggests that this architecture is preserved amongst the different mycobacteria species, proposing specific roles for the N- and C-terminal domains assisted by the middle flexible linker.

Examining the structure of the mature amyloid fibril

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. S. Makin ◽  
L. C. Serpell
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fibre Diffraction ◽  
Complementary Techniques ◽  
Mature Fibril

The pathogenesis of the group of diseases known collectively as the amyloidoses is characterized by the deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils. These are straight, unbranching structures about 70–120 å (1 å = 0.1 nm) in diameter and of indeterminate length formed by the self-assembly of a diverse group of normally soluble proteins. Knowledge of the structure of these fibrils is necessary for the understanding of their abnormal assembly and deposition, possibly leading to the rational design of therapeutic agents for their prevention or disaggregation. Structural elucidation is impeded by fibril insolubility and inability to crystallize, thus preventing the use of X-ray crystallography and solution NMR. CD, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and light scattering have been used in the study of the mechanism of fibril formation. This review concentrates on the structural information about the final, mature fibril and in particular the complementary techniques of cryo-electron microscopy, solid-state NMR and X-ray fibre diffraction.

scholarly journals Structure of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase from Acinetobacter baumannii

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 765-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ping Ko ◽  
Chi-Hung Huang ◽  
Shu-Jung Lai ◽  
Yeh Chen
Keyword(s):  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Peptidoglycan Synthesis ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Dimeric Protein ◽  
Β Sheet

Undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (UPP) is an important carrier of the oligosaccharide component in peptidoglycan synthesis. Inhibition of UPP synthase (UPPS) may be an effective strategy in combating the pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, which has evolved to be multidrug-resistant. Here, A. baumannii UPPS (AbUPPS) was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized, and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. Each chain of the dimeric protein folds into a central β-sheet with several surrounding α-helices, including one at the C-terminus. In the active site, two molecules of citrate interact with the side chains of the catalytic aspartate and serine. These observations may provide a structural basis for inhibitor design against AbUPPS.

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