Damped Oscillating Phosphoryl Transfer Reaction in the Cyanobacterial Circadian Clock.

Most organisms have circadian clocks to ensure the metabolic cycle to resonate with the rhythmic environmental changes without "damping," or losing robustness. Cyanobacteria is the oldest and simplest form of life that is known to harbor this biological intricacy. Its KaiABC-based central oscillator proteins can be reconstituted inside a test tube, and the post-translational modification cycle occurs with 24 h periodicity.

Shift in Conformational Equilibrium Underlies the Oscillatory Phosphoryl Transfer Reaction in the Circadian Clock.

Oscillatory phosphorylation/dephosphorylation can be commonly found in a biological system as a means of signal transduction though its pivotal presence in the workings of circadian clocks has drawn significant interest: for example in a significant portion of the physiology of PCC 7942. The biological oscillatory reaction in the cyanobacterial circadian clock can be visualized through its reconstitution in a test tube by mixing three proteins-KaiA, KaiB and KaiC-with adenosine triphosphate and magnesium ions. Surprisingly, the oscillatory phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the hexameric KaiC takes place spontaneously and almost indefinitely in a test tube as long as ATP is present.

The Circadian Clock-A Molecular Tool for Survival in Cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic organisms that are known to be responsible for oxygenating Earth's early atmosphere. Having evolved to ensure optimal survival in the periodic light/dark cycle on this planet, their genetic codes are packed with various tools, including a sophisticated biological timekeeping system. Among the cyanobacteria is PCC 7942, the simplest clock-harboring organism with a powerful genetic tool that enabled the identification of its intricate timekeeping mechanism.

The leucine-rich repeat signaling scaffolds Shoc2 and Erbin: cellular mechanism and role in disease.

Leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (LRR proteins) are involved in supporting a large number of cellular functions. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in understanding functions of the LRR proteins as signaling scaffolds. In particular, we explore what we have learned about the mechanisms of action of the LRR scaffolds Shoc2 and Erbin and their roles in normal development and disease.

Anti-biofilm and anti-virulence effects of zerumbone against .

is a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen that affects patients with a compromised immune system and is becoming increasingly important as a hospital-derived infection. This pathogen is difficult to treat owing to its intrinsic multidrug resistance and ability to form antimicrobial-tolerant biofilms. In the present study, we aimed to assess the potential use of zerumbone as a novel anti-biofilm and/or anti-virulence agent against .

Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of α-humulene against .

The rapid increase in antibiotic resistance has prompted the discovery of drugs that reduce antibiotic resistance or new drugs that are an alternative to antibiotics. Plant extracts have health benefits and may also exhibit antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against pathogens. This study determined the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of α-humulene extracted from plants against enterotoxigenic , which causes inflammatory bowel disease.

Single-domain antibodies for functional targeting of the signaling scaffold Shoc2.

The accurate transmission of signals by the canonical ERK1/2 kinase pathway critically relies on the proper assembly of an intricate multiprotein complex by the scaffold protein Shoc2. However, the details of the mechanism by which Shoc2 guides ERK1/2 signals are not clear, in part, due to the lack of research tools targeting specific protein binding moieties of Shoc2. We report generation and characterization of single domain antibodies against human Shoc2 using a universal synthetic library of humanized nanobodies.

Antibiofilm and antibacterial activities of repurposing auranofin against Bacteroides fragilis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibiofilm and antibacterial effects of auranofin against WT-ETBF, rETBF, WT-NTBF and clinically isolated Bacteroides fragilis strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration and biofilm inhibitory concentration of 0.25 μg/ml for auranofin against B.

Magnesium Regulates the Circadian Oscillator in Cyanobacteria.

The circadian clock controls 24-h biological rhythms in our body, influencing many time-related activities such as sleep and wake. The simplest circadian clock is found in cyanobacteria, with the proteins KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC generating a self-sustained circadian oscillation of KaiC phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. KaiA activates KaiC phosphorylation by binding the A-loop of KaiC, while KaiB attenuates the phosphorylation by sequestering KaiA from the A-loop.

VCP/p97 controls signals of the ERK1/2 pathway transmitted via the Shoc2 scaffolding complex: novel insights into IBMPFD pathology.

Valosin-containing protein (VCP), also named p97, is an essential hexameric AAA+ ATPase with diverse functions in the ubiquitin system. Here we demonstrate that VCP is critical in controlling signals transmitted via the essential Shoc2-ERK1/2 signaling axis. The ATPase activity of VCP modulates the stoichiometry of HUWE1 in the Shoc2 complex as well as HUWE1-mediated allosteric ubiquitination of the Shoc2 scaffold and the RAF-1 kinase.

Hematopoietic and neural crest defects in zebrafish shoc2 mutants: a novel vertebrate model for Noonan-like syndrome.

The extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway is a highly conserved signaling cascade with numerous essential functions in development. The scaffold protein Shoc2 amplifies the activity of the ERK1/2 pathway and is an essential modulator of a variety of signaling inputs. Germline mutations in Shoc2 are associated with the human developmental disease known as the Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair.

Catamenial hemoptysis accompanied by subcutaneous endometriosis treated with combination therapy.

Extra pelvic endometriosis is considered to be rare. This paper reports a case of catamenial hemoptysis accompanied by subcutaneous endometriosis in 26-year-old woman. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a focal ground-glass opacity lesion in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe.

Perioperative administration of propranolol to women undergoing ovarian cancer surgery: A pilot study.

Objective: This study was done to evaluate whether perioperative propranolol (ß-blocker) in ovarian cancer patients undergoing debulking surgery reduced perioperative tumor growth induced by surgical stress.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized single institution analysis. The primary objective was to compare the changes in CA 125 level (changes between preoperation day 2 and postoperative day 7).

Inositol phosphates and phosphoinositides activate insulin-degrading enzyme, while phosphoinositides also mediate binding to endosomes.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) hydrolyzes bioactive peptides, including insulin, amylin, and the amyloid β peptides. Polyanions activate IDE toward some substrates, yet an endogenous polyanion activator has not yet been identified. Here we report that inositol phosphates (InsPs) and phosphatdidylinositol phosphates (PtdInsPs) serve as activators of IDE.

Clinical outcomes and neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed agenesis of corpus callosum in single center of Korea.

Objective: With recent advances and frequent use of prenatal ultrasound, the antenatal diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is not rare in obstetrics practices. However, information regarding the long-term neurological outcome remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes of prenatally diagnosed ACC and to analyze postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes of ACC neonates born in our single center.

Korean translation and validation of the WHOQOL-DIS for people with spinal cord injury and stroke.

Background: The QOL assessment to measure disabilities has needed to survey studies for a variety of fields. Until now, no Korean translation of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-disability (WHOQOL-DIS) module existed.

Objective/hypothesis: We translated and cross-culturally adapted the WHOQOL-DIS module into Korean, testing its reliability and validity with Korean spinal cord injury and stroke patients.

Spatial control of Shoc2-scaffold-mediated ERK1/2 signaling requires remodeling activity of the ATPase PSMC5.

The scaffold protein Shoc2 accelerates activity of the ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK1/2, also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1) pathway. Mutations in Shoc2 result in Noonan-like RASopathy, a developmental disorder with a wide spectrum of symptoms. The amplitude of the ERK1/2 signals transduced through the complex is fine-tuned by the HUWE1-mediated ubiquitylation of Shoc2 and its signaling partner RAF-1.

Primary ovarian carcinoid tumor showing unusual histology and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin.

Carcinoid tumor of the ovary is uncommon. We herein report a very rare case of primary ovarian carcinoid tumor with aggressive histology and an unusual immunophenotype. A 21-year-old woman presented with a palpable abdominal mass.

HUWE1 is a molecular link controlling RAF-1 activity supported by the Shoc2 scaffold.

Scaffold proteins play a critical role in controlling the activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Shoc2 is a leucine-rich repeat scaffold protein that acts as a positive modulator of ERK1/2 signaling. However, the precise mechanism by which Shoc2 modulates the activity of the ERK1/2 pathway is unclear.

Anti-wrinkle activity of Platycarya strobilacea extract and its application as a cosmeceutical ingredient.

In order to investigate the potential of Platycarya strobilacea fruit extract as an active ingredient for cosmetics, we measured their free-radical scavenging activity, elastase inhibitory activity, the expression of MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1), and type I collagen synthesis in normal human fibroblast cells. To isolate the main component compounds from P. strobilacea fruit extract, we purified the extract through solvent fractionation, column chromatography, and recrystallization.

Prevalence and classification of pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from fresh beef, poultry, and pork in Korea.

Foodborne diseases occur worldwide, including through the consumption of contaminated meat. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Escherichia coli contamination in fresh beef, poultry, and pork, and to determine whether any isolated E. coli possessed genes associated with pathogenicity.

Inhibitory effect of caprylic acid and mild heat on Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) in reconstituted infant formula and determination of injury by flow cytometry.

The combined effects of caprylic acid and mild heat were investigated to ascertain their impact on Cronobacter spp. (E. sakazakii) in reconstituted infant formula.

Effect of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) on barrier functions of epithelial cell membranes: opening of tight junctions and competitive inhibition of P-gp-mediated efflux.

The effect of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) on selected barrier functions of biological membranes, such as tight junction and P-gp efflux pump of epithelial membranes, against the transport of xenobiotics was examined. The Caco-2 cell line was used to evaluate the transport of mannitol and daunomycin across the cell monolayer as well as the cellular uptake of daunomycin. In the presence of NPEs, the transport of mannitol was increased, with NP-9 showing a maximal effect, and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was reduced.