The S-helix determines the signal in a Tsr receptor/adenylyl cyclase reporter.

A signaling or S-helix has been identified as a conserved, up to 50-residue-long segment in diverse sensory proteins. It is present in all major bacterial lineages and in euryarchea and eukaryotes. A bioinformatic analysis shows that it connects upstream receiver and downstream output domains, e.

Escherichia coli exports cyclic AMP via TolC.

In Escherichia coli more than 180 genes are regulated by the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) complex. However, more than 90% of cAMP that is made by intracellular adenylyl cyclases is found in the culture medium. How is cAMP exported from E.

Transmembrane signaling in chimeras of the Escherichia coli aspartate and serine chemotaxis receptors and bacterial class III adenylyl cyclases.

The Escherichia coli chemoreceptors for serine (Tsr) and aspartate (Tar) and several bacterial class III adenylyl cyclases (ACs) share a common molecular architecture; that is, a membrane anchor that is linked via a cytoplasmic HAMP domain to a C-terminal signal output unit. Functionality of both proteins requires homodimerization. The chemotaxis receptors are well characterized, whereas the typical hexahelical membrane anchor (6TM) of class III ACs, suggested to operate as a channel or transporter, has no known function beyond a membrane anchor.

Surface rheology and phase transitions of monolayers of phospholipid/cholesterol mixtures.

The dynamic surface elasticity and the surface dilational viscosity of three binary phospholipid/cholesterol mixtures were determined with axisymmetric drop shape analysis on a harmonically oscillating pendent drop. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, and dioleoylphosphatidylcholine were used to explore the rheological properties and phase transitions of mixtures of saturated and unsaturated phospholipids with cholesterol. The growth rates for surface dilational viscosity and dynamic elasticity are parallel for all film pressures studied.

Interactions of viscotoxins with vesicles of genuine plant membranes.

Extracts of Viscum album L. produced by a specific homogenization procedure contain viscotoxins (VT) and liposome-like membrane vesicles, formed from cellular membranes. Interactions between these membrane structures and viscotoxins are characterized in this work.

Solubility studies of oleanolic acid and betulinic acid in aqueous solutions and plant extracts of Viscum album L.

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) contains the triterpene acids oleanolic acid (OA) and betulinic acid (BA), which were found to have anti-tumour properties. In this study, the solubilities of OA and BA were studied in water (up to 0.

Characterization of membrane vesicles in plant extracts.

During the preparation of plant extracts by a press-slit technique, membranes of cell walls and cell organelles of the plant material form vesicles, which are colloidally dispersed. It was assumed that chlorophyll-containing green extracts enclose lipoidic structures. Vesicles in aqueous mistletoe extracts (extracts of Viscum album L.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Diamino Dicarboxylic Acids.

The preparation of alkyl diamino dicarboxylic acids with high optical purity (100% ee, >98.5% de) and high yields based on asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation is described. The required prochiral precursors are prepared from dialdehydes and Z-, Boc-, and acetyl-protected phosphonoglycines.