Effect of Microenvironment on the Geometrical Structure of d(A) d(T) and d(G) d(C) DNA Mini-Helixes and the Dickerson Dodecamer: A Density Functional Theory Study.

We report a comprehensive quantum-chemical study on d(A)·d(T) and d(G)·d(C) DNA mini-helixes and the Dickerson dodecamer d[CGCGAATTCGCG]. The research was performed to model the evolution of the spatial structure of d(A)·d(T) and d(G) d(C) DNA mini-helixes all the way from vacuum to water bulk. The influence of external factors such as the presence of counterions and the extent of hydration was included.

Structure and Binding Energy of Double-Stranded A-DNA Mini-helices: Quantum-Chemical Study.

A-DNA is thought to play a significant biological role in gene expression due to its specific conformation and binding features. In this study, double-stranded mini-helices (dA:dT)3 and (dG:dC)3 in A-like DNA conformation were investigated. M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) method has been utilized to identify the optimal geometries and predict physicochemical parameters of these systems.

Bioinformatic search of plant microtubule-and cell cycle related serine-threonine protein kinases.

A bioinformatic search was carried for plant homologues of human serine-threonine protein kinases involved in regulation of cell division and microtubule protein phosphorylation (SLK, PAK6, PAK7, MARK1, MAST2, TTBK1, TTBK2, AURKA, PLK1, PLK4 and PASK). A number of SLK, MAST2 and AURKA plant homologues were identified. The closest identified homologue of human AURKA kinase was a protein of unknown function, A7PY12/GSVIVT00026259001 from Vitis vinifera (herein named as "STALK", Serine-Threonine Aurora-Like Kinase).

Exposure of beta-tubulin regions defined by antibodies on an Arabidopsis thaliana microtubule protofilament model and in the cells.

Background: The function of the cortical microtubules, composed of alphabeta-tubulin heterodimers, is linked to their organizational state which is subject to spatial and temporal modulation by environmental cues. The role of tubulin posttranslational modifications in these processes is largely unknown. Although antibodies against small tubulin regions represent useful tool for studying molecular configuration of microtubules, data on the exposure of tubulin epitopes on plant microtubules are still limited.