Mechanism of MRX inhibition by Rif2 at telomeres.

Specific proteins present at telomeres ensure chromosome end stability, in large part through unknown mechanisms. In this work, we address how the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ORC-related Rif2 protein protects telomere. We show that the small N-terminal Rif2 BAT motif (Blocks Addition of Telomeres) previously known to limit telomere elongation and Tel1 activity is also sufficient to block NHEJ and 5' end resection.

[Creation of an inter-sector COVID-19 care unit for psychiatric patients].

The COVID-19 health crisis forced Charles-Perrens General Hospital in Bordeaux to convert a conventional psychiatric unit into a specific unit to care for patients with mental disorders who are potentially infected with the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Resources and competences from across the hospital were mobilised to enable the unit's health professionals to accomplish this mission. This article looks back at the experience.

Discovery and Evolution of New Domains in Yeast Heterochromatin Factor Sir4 and Its Partner Esc1.

Sir4 is a core component of heterochromatin found in yeasts of the Saccharomycetaceae family, whose general hallmark is to harbor a three-loci mating-type system with two silent loci. However, a large part of the Sir4 amino acid sequences has remained unexplored, belonging to the dark proteome. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic profile of yet undescribed foldable regions present in Sir4 as well as in Esc1, an Sir4-interacting perinuclear anchoring protein.

Bioremediation of copper-contaminated soils by bacteria.

Although copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms, it can be toxic at low concentrations. Its beneficial effects are therefore only observed for a narrow range of concentrations. Anthropogenic activities such as fungicide spraying and mining have resulted in the Cu contamination of environmental compartments (soil, water and sediment) at levels sometimes exceeding the toxicity threshold.

Effect of pyoverdine supply on cadmium and nickel complexation and phytoavailability in hydroponics.

Siderophores are chelators with a high selectivity for Fe(III) and a good affinity for divalent metals, including Cd(II) and Ni(II). Inoculation with siderophore-producing bacteria (SPB) has thus been proposed as an alternative to chelator supply in phytoremediation. Accurate assessments of the potential of this association require a dissection of the interaction of siderophores with metals at the soil-root interface.