Cataract-causing Y204X mutation of crystallin protein CRYβB1 promotes its C-terminal degradation and higher-order oligomerization.

Crystallin proteins are a class of main structural proteins of the vertebrate eye lens, and their solubility and stability directly determine transparency and refractive power of the lens. Mutation in genes that encode these crystallin proteins is the most common cause for congenital cataracts. Despite extensive studies, the pathogenic and molecular mechanisms that effect congenital cataracts remain unclear.

Development of a prediction model to identify undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in primary care settings in China.

Background: At present, a large number of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are undiagnosed in China. Thus, this study aimed to develop a simple prediction model as a screening tool to identify patients at risk for COPD.

Methods: The study was based on the data of 22,943 subjects aged 30 to 79 years and enrolled in the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank during 2012 and 2013 in China.

Discovery of a New Microbial Origin Cold-Active Neopullulanase Capable for Effective Conversion of Pullulan to Panose.

Panose is a type of functional sugar with diverse bioactivities. The enzymatic conversion bioprocess to produce high purity panose with high efficiency has become increasingly important. Here, a new neopullulanase (NPase), Amy117 from 703, was identified and characterized.

An induced-fit de novo initiation mechanism suggested by a pestivirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) play central roles in the genome replication and transcription processes of RNA viruses. RdRPs initiate RNA synthesis either in primer-dependent or de novo mechanism, with the latter often assisted by a 'priming element' (PE) within the RdRP thumb domain. However, RdRP PEs exhibit high-level structural diversity, making it difficult to reconcile their conserved function in de novo initiation.

A Type I-F Anti-CRISPR Protein Inhibits the CRISPR-Cas Surveillance Complex by ADP-Ribosylation.

CRISPR-Cas systems are bacterial anti-viral systems, and phages use anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) to inactivate these systems. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which AcrIF11 inhibits the type I-F CRISPR system. Our structural and biochemical studies demonstrate that AcrIF11 functions as a novel mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (mART) to modify N250 of the Cas8f subunit, a residue required for recognition of the protospacer-adjacent motif, within the crRNA-guided surveillance (Csy) complex from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Contributions of Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics to Understanding -Host Interactions.

As a model pathogen, invades both phagocytic and non-phagocytic host cells and adopts an intracellular lifestyle in a membrane-bound compartment during infection. Therefore, a systemic overview of adaptations to distinct host cells together with host remodeling will assist us in charting the landscape of host-pathogen interactions. Central to the -host interplay are bacterial virulence factors (effectors) that are injected into host cells by type III secretion systems (T3SSs).

Phosphoproteomics Reveals Novel Targets and Phosphoprotein Networks in Cell Cycle Mediated by Dsk1 Kinase.

As the ortholog of human SR protein kinase 1 in fission yeast , Dsk1 specifically phosphorylates SR proteins (serine/arginine-rich proteins) and promotes splicing of nonconsensus introns. The SRPK (SR protein-specific kinase) family performs highly conserved functions in eukaryotic cells including cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. Although Dsk1 was originally identified as a mitotic regulator, its specific targets involved in cell cycle have yet been unexplored.

Identification of novel genes that promote persister formation by repressing transcription and cell division in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objectives: Bacterial persisters are a small subpopulation of cells that are highly tolerant of antibiotics and contribute to chronic and recalcitrant infections. Global gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells and genes contributing to persister formation remain largely unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the gene expression profiles of the persister cells and those that regained growth in fresh medium, as well as to identify novel genes related to persister formation.

Acetylation of PHF5A Modulates Stress Responses and Colorectal Carcinogenesis through Alternative Splicing-Mediated Upregulation of KDM3A.

Alternative pre-mRNA-splicing-induced post-transcriptional gene expression regulation is one of the pathways for tumors maintaining proliferation rates accompanying the malignant phenotype under stress. Here, we uncover a list of hyperacetylated proteins in the context of acutely reduced Acetyl-CoA levels under nutrient starvation. PHF5A, a component of U2 snRNPs, can be acetylated at lysine 29 in response to multiple cellular stresses, which is dependent on p300.

Proteomic Profiling during Infection Distinguishes the Intracellular Environment of Host Cells.

Essential to bacterial pathogenesis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ( Typhimurium) has evolved the capacity to quickly sense and adapt to specific intracellular environment within distinct host cells. Here we examined Typhimurium proteomic remodeling within macrophages, allowing direct comparison with our previous studies in epithelial cells. In addition to many shared features, our data revealed proteomic signatures highly specific to one type of host cells.

Regulator SlyA Controls Bacterial Acid Resistance by Directly Activating the Glutamate Decarboxylation System.

is an important foodborne bacterial pathogen with infectious dose as low as 10-100 cells. SlyA, a transcriptional regulator of the MarR family, has been shown to regulate virulence in a closely related bacterial pathogen, Typhimurium. However, the regulatory role of SlyA in is less understood.