Ligand-induced changes in T box antiterminator RNA stability.

The T box antiterminator RNA element is an important component of the T box riboswitch that controls the transcription of vital genes in many Gram-positive bacteria. A series of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles was screened in a fluorescence-monitored thermal denaturation assay to identify ligands that altered the stability of antiterminator model RNA. Several ligands were identified that significantly increased or decreased the melting temperature (T(m) ) of the RNA.

rRNA pseudouridylation defects affect ribosomal ligand binding and translational fidelity from yeast to human cells.

How pseudouridylation (Ψ), the most common and evolutionarily conserved modification of rRNA, regulates ribosome activity is poorly understood. Medically, Ψ is important because the rRNA Ψ synthase, DKC1, is mutated in X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (X-DC) and Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson (HH) syndrome. Here, we characterize ribosomes isolated from a yeast strain in which Cbf5p, the yeast homolog of DKC1, is catalytically impaired through a D95A mutation (cbf5-D95A).

Computer literacy, skills and knowledge among dentists and professionals complementary to dentistry in Scotland.

The study objective was to gain a better understanding of the level of literacy in information technology across the dental team within Scotland, thus allowing appropriate planning of education and training for effective use of information technology. In May 2004 a postal questionnaire survey was undertaken of all dentists (2679) and professionals complementary to dentistry (2861) within primary care in Scotland, in both general dental practice and the salaried dental service. Online reply was also an option.

Computer literacy, skills and knowledge among dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) within primary care in Scotland.

Objective: To gain a better understanding of the level of literacy in information technology (IT) across the dental team working within primary care in Scotland, thus allowing appropriate planning of education and training for effective use of IT.

Design: A postal questionnaire survey of all dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) within primary care in Scotland; online reply was also an option.

Setting: General dental practice and the salaried dental service, May 2004.

In vitro selection to identify determinants in tRNA for Bacillus subtilis tyrS T box antiterminator mRNA binding.

The T box transcription antitermination regulatory system, found in Gram-positive bacteria, is dependent on a complex set of interactions between uncharged tRNA and the 5'-untranslated mRNA leader region of the regulated gene. One of these interactions involves the base pairing of the acceptor end of cognate tRNA with four bases in a 7 nt bulge of the antiterminator RNA. In vitro selection of randomized tRNA binding to Bacillus subtilis tyrS antiterminator model RNAs was used to determine what, if any, sequence trends there are for binding beyond the known base pair complementarity.