Multiple interactions mediate the localization of BLTP2 at ER-PM contacts to control plasma membrane dynamics.

BLTP2/KIAA0100, a bridge-like lipid transfer protein, was reported to localize at contacts of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with either the plasma membrane (PM) or recycling tubular endosomes depending on the cell type. Our findings suggest that mediating bulk lipid transport between the ER and the PM is a key function of this protein as BLTP2 tethers the ER to tubular endosomes only after they become continuous with the PM and that it also tethers the ER to macropinosomes in the process of fusing with the PM. We further identify interactions underlying binding of BLTP2 to the PM, including phosphoinositides, the adaptor proteins FAM102A and FAM102B, and also N-BAR domain proteins at membrane-connected tubules.

Aesthetic judgment of architecture for Chinese observers.

Architects should consider the aesthetic experience of potential users when designing architectures. Previous studies have shown that subjective aesthetic judgment of architectures is influenced by structure features, and Western observers prefer structures that have curvilinear contours, high ceilings, and open space. The building styles, however, vary across cultures, and it remains unclear whether the preference for contours, ceiling height, and openness exist across cultures.

The Influence of Viewing Time and Color on Architectural Aesthetic Judgment.

Understanding the factors influencing the aesthetic experience of architectures is an important topic in empirical aesthetics. In this study, we examined the effect of three architectural factors, i.e.

Numerical Study on Surface Roughness Measurement Based on Nonlinear Ultrasonics in Through-Transmission and Pulse-Echo Modes.

Ultrasonic is one of the well-known methods for surface roughness measurement, but small roughness will only lead to a subtle variation of transmission or reflection. To explore sensitive techniques for surfaces with small roughness, nonlinear ultrasonic measurement in through-transmission and pulse-echo modes was proposed and studied based on an effective unit-cell finite element (FE) model. Higher harmonic generation in solids was realized by applying the Murnaghan hyperelastic material model.

Synaptotagmin-7 deficiency induces mania-like behavioral abnormalities through attenuating GluN2B activity.

Synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7) probably plays an important role in bipolar-like behavioral abnormalities in mice; however, the underlying mechanisms for this have remained elusive. Unlike antidepressants that cause mood overcorrection in bipolar depression, -methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-targeted drugs show moderate clinical efficacy, for unexplained reasons. Here we identified Syt7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with bipolar disorder and demonstrated that mice lacking Syt7 or expressing the SNPs showed GluN2B-NMDAR dysfunction, leading to antidepressant behavioral consequences and avoidance of overcorrection by NMDAR antagonists.

WHAMM initiates autolysosome tubulation by promoting actin polymerization on autolysosomes.

WHAMM, a member of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family, is an actin nucleation promoting factor (NPF) that also associates with membranes and microtubules. Here we report that WHAMM is required for autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR). WHAMM knockout causes impairment of autolysosome tubulation, which results in accumulation of enlarged autolysosomes during prolonged starvation.

The Balance between Actin-Bundling Factors Controls Actin Architecture in Pollen Tubes.

How actin-bundling factors cooperatively regulate shank-localized actin bundles remains largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate that FIM5 and PLIM2a/PLIM2b decorate shank-localized actin bundles and that loss of function of PLIM2a and/or PLIM2b suppresses phenotypes associated with fim5 mutants. Specifically, knockout of PLIM2a and/or PLIM2b partially suppresses the disorganized actin bundle and intracellular trafficking phenotype in fim5 pollen tubes.

Structural Insights of WHAMM's Interaction with Microtubules by Cryo-EM.

WASP homolog associated with actin, membranes, and microtubules (WHAMM) is a vertebrate protein functioning in membrane tubulation for intracellular membrane trafficking and specific organelle formation. Composed of multiple domains, WHAMM can bind to membrane and microtubule (MT) and promote actin polymerization nucleation. Previous work revealed that WHAMM's activity to promote actin nucleation is repressed upon binding to MTs.

Cataract-causing mutation R233H affects the stabilities of βB1- and βA3/βB1-crystallins with different pH-dependence.

Disease-causing mutations can be stabilizing or destabilizing. Missense mutations of structural residues are generally destabilizing, while stabilizing mutations are usually linked to alterations in protein functions. Stabilizing mutations are rarely identified in mutations linked to congenital cataract, a disease caused by the opacification of the lens.

Cataract-linked mutation R188H promotes βB2-crystallin aggregation and fibrillization during acid denaturation.

Cataract is characterized by the formation of light-scattering protein aggregates in the lens. β/γ-Crystallins are the predominant structural proteins in the cytosol of lens fiber cells, and more than fifty β/γ-crystallin mutations have been linked to autosomal dominant congenital cataract. However, the structural role of these mutations in the formation of the core structures of amorphous aggregates or amyloid-like fibrils has not been elucidated yet.

[Clinical analysis of prognostic factors for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Methods: From 2000 to 2003, clinical data of 41 cases with GIST were reviewed retrospectively. The clinicopathologic diagnosis was determined by immunochemistry.

Study of hydrolytic kinetics of the hexachlorostannate anion by two-dimensional Sn exchange spectroscopy.

Two-dimensional Sn exchange spectroscopy was applied to study the hydrolytic kinetics of the hexachloro-stannate anion, SnCl . Two Sn exchange spectra for SnCl · 5H O solutions with various HCl concentrations are presented. Magnetization exchanges, which are related to the hydrolysis processes, occur in the SnCl hydrolysis series.