Sequence or structure: using bioinformatics and homology modeling to understand functional relationships in cAMP/cGMP binding domains.

The relationship between sequence, structure, and function is examined by comparing nineteen cyclic nucleotide monophosphate binding domains of known structure from six different functional families. Comparisons are made by structure and sequence alignment and through the generation of 3610 homology models. This analysis suggests there are only weak relationships between functional families, sequence, and/or structure.

Direct printing of trichlorosilanes on glass for selective protein adsorption and cell growth.

Here we describe new methodology that allows for direct microcontact printing of octadecyltrichlorosilane onto glass coverslips followed by backfilling with an ethylene glycol terminated trichloroalkane silane; this produces patterns with regions that promote and prevent protein adsorption and allow for control of cell growth.

Nearest neighbor parameters for inosine x uridine pairs in RNA duplexes.

An enzyme family known as adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs) catalyzes adenosine deamination in RNA. ADARs act on RNA that is largely double-stranded and convert adenosine to inosine, resulting, in many cases, in an I x U pair. Thermodynamic parameters derived from optical melting studies are reported for a series of 14 oligoribonucleotides containing single I x U pairs adjacent to Watson-Crick pairs.