The canonical antiviral protein oligoadenylate synthetase 1 elicits antibacterial functions by enhancing IRF1 translation.

An important property of the host innate immune response during microbial infection is its ability to control the expression of antimicrobial effector proteins, but how this occurs post-transcriptionally is not well defined. Here, we describe a critical antibacterial role for the classic antiviral gene 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1). Human OAS1 and its mouse ortholog, Oas1b, are induced by interferon-γ and protect against cytosolic bacterial pathogens such as Francisella novicida and Listeria monocytogenes in vitro and in vivo.

Oligoadenylate synthetase 1 displays dual antiviral mechanisms in driving translational shutdown and protecting interferon production.

In response to viral infection, how cells balance translational shutdown to limit viral replication and the induction of antiviral components like interferons (IFNs) is not well understood. Moreover, how distinct isoforms of IFN-induced oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) contribute to this antiviral response also requires further elucidation. Here, we show that human, but not mouse, OAS1 inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication through its canonical enzyme activity via RNase L.

The Many Faces of Oligoadenylate Synthetases.

2'-5' Oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) are interferon-stimulated genes that are most well-known to protect hosts from viral infections. They are evolutionarily related to an ancient family of Nucleotidyltransferases, which are primarily involved in pathogen-sensing and innate immune response. Classical function of OAS proteins involves double-stranded RNA-stimulated polymerization of adenosine triphosphate in 2'-5' oligoadenylates (2-5A), which can activate the latent RNase (RNase L) to degrade RNA.

Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern including Delta and Omicron in subjects receiving mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have contributed to the control of COVID-19 in some parts of the world. However, the constant emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) challenges the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines over time. In particular, Omicron contains a high number of mutations in the spike (S) protein gene, on which most vaccines were developed.

Endomembrane targeting of human OAS1 p46 augments antiviral activity.

Many host RNA sensors are positioned in the cytosol to detect viral RNA during infection. However, most positive-strand RNA viruses replicate within a modified organelle co-opted from intracellular membranes of the endomembrane system, which shields viral products from cellular innate immune sensors. Targeting innate RNA sensors to the endomembrane system may enhance their ability to sense RNA generated by viruses that use these compartments for replication.

Larvicidal and ovicidal activities of Artocarpus blancoi extracts against Aedes aegypti.

Context: Dengue control may be done by targeting its vector. In this study, we used Artocarpus blancoi (Elm.) Merr.

Classroom sound can be used to classify teaching practices in college science courses.

Active-learning pedagogies have been repeatedly demonstrated to produce superior learning gains with large effect sizes compared with lecture-based pedagogies. Shifting large numbers of college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty to include any active learning in their teaching may retain and more effectively educate far more students than having a few faculty completely transform their teaching, but the extent to which STEM faculty are changing their teaching methods is unclear. Here, we describe the development and application of the machine-learning-derived algorithm Decibel Analysis for Research in Teaching (DART), which can analyze thousands of hours of STEM course audio recordings quickly, with minimal costs, and without need for human observers.

Systematic identification of functional modules and cis-regulatory elements in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Several large-scale gene co-expression networks have been constructed successfully for predicting gene functional modules and cis-regulatory elements in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, these networks are usually constructed and analyzed in an ad hoc manner. In this study, we propose a completely parameter-free and systematic method for constructing gene co-expression networks and predicting functional modules as well as cis-regulatory elements.

Biobased grease with improved oxidation performance for industrial application.

Vegetable oils have significant potential as a base fluid and a substitute for mineral oil for grease formulation. This paper describes the preparation of biobased grease with high oxidative stability and a composition useful for industrial, agriculture/farming equipment, and forestry applications. The process utilizes more oxidatively stable epoxy vegetable oils as the base fluid, metal-soap thickener, and several specialty chemicals identified to address specific applications.

Soybean oil based greases: influence of composition on thermo-oxidative and tribochemical behavior.

The biodegradable properties and lubricating ability of greases depend on both the base oil and the thickener. Mineral oils are the most widely used lubricant base fluids due to their inherent lubricity and low cost, but recent environmental awareness has forced consideration of the use of biodegradable fluids such as vegetable oils and certain synthetic fluids in grease formulations. This study presents data on the thermo-oxidation behavior and tribology of biodegradable greases formulated with soybean oil and different compositions of metal soap thickener.

Preparation of soybean oil-based greases: effect of composition and structure on physical properties.

Vegetable oils have significant potential as a base fluid and a substitute for mineral oil in grease formulation. Preparation of soybean oil-based lithium greases using a variety of fatty acids in the soap structure is discussed in this paper. Soy greases with lithium-fatty acid soap having C12-C18 chain lengths and different metal to fatty acid ratios were synthesized.