Crystal structures of phosphatidyl serine synthase PSS reveal the catalytic mechanism of CDP-DAG alcohol O-phosphatidyl transferases.

Phospholipids are the major components of the membrane in all type of cells and organelles. They also are critical for cell metabolism, signal transduction, the immune system and other critical cell functions. The biosynthesis of phospholipids is a complex multi-step process with high-energy intermediates.

Enzymatic properties and substrate specificity of a bacterial phosphatidylcholine synthase.

Unlabelled: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a rare membrane lipid in bacteria, but is crucial for virulence of the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens and various other pathogens. Agrobacterium tumefaciens uses two independent PC biosynthesis pathways. One is dependent on the integral membrane protein PC synthase (Pcs), which catalyzes the conversion of cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) and choline to PC, thereby releasing a cytidine monophosphate (CMP).

The bacterial protein-translocation complex: SecYEG dimers associate with one or two SecA molecules.

In bacteria, the Sec-protein transport complex facilitates the passage of most secretory and membrane proteins across and into the plasma membrane. The core complex SecYEG forms the protein channel and engages either ribosomes or the ATPase SecA, which drive translocation of unfolded polypeptide chains through the complex and into the periplasmic space. Escherichia coli SecYEG forms dimers in membranes, but in detergent solution the population of these dimers is low.

Risky sexual behavior in relation to marijuana and alcohol use among African-American, male adolescent detainees and their female partners.

This study examined substance use and risky sexual behavior (RSB) in a specific incident among 210 African-American, male adolescents who were being held in juvenile detention facilities. The participants completed a questionnaire that included four measures of substance use (i.e.