Determination of hATG8 Binding Selectivity of AIM (Autophagy-Interacting Motif) Peptides Using Native Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Establishing the hATG8 binding selectivity of AIM (autophagy-interacting motif) sequences found within autophagy system proteins provides insights into their biological roles, and in the case of disease-associated AIM mutations, potential pathophysiological mechanisms. Given the sometimes small differences in affinity for an individual AIM amongst the six hATG8 proteins, establishing AIM preferences can be experimentally challenging. We describe a native mass spectrometry method that is suitable for detecting such differences, using synthetic AIM peptides and recombinant hATG8 proteins, to probe hATG8-AIM interactions in the gas phase.

Perifollicular Melanocyte Regeneration in Bullous Pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disorder that causes fluid-filled blisters to appear on various body parts, often preceded by urticaria and pruritis. This case report describes the perifollicular melanocyte regeneration within diseased areas in a skin of color patient with BP. By reviewing the various pathologies that can result in melanocyte destruction and the basic science of melanocyte regeneration, we can better identify and explain this phenomenon to patients and lead to earlier diagnoses.

Native ESI-MS and Collision-Induced Unfolding (CIU) of the Complex between Bacterial Elongation Factor-Tu and the Antibiotic Enacyloxin IIa.

Collision-induced unfolding (CIU) of protein ions, monitored by ion mobility-mass spectrometry, can be used to assess the stability of their compact gas-phase fold and hence provide structural information. The bacterial elongation factor EF-Tu, a key protein for mRNA translation in prokaryotes and hence a promising antibiotic target, has been studied by CIU. The major [M + 12H] ion of EF-Tu unfolded in collision with Ar atoms between 40 and 50 V, corresponding to an energy of 480-500 eV.

Structure and Properties of NaS-SiS-PS-NaPO Glassy Solid Electrolytes.

In the development of sodium all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), research efforts have focused on synthesizing highly conducting and electrochemically stable solid-state electrolytes. Glassy solid electrolytes (GSEs) have been considered very promising due to their tunable chemistry and resistance to dendrite growth. For these reasons, we focus here on the atomic-level structures and properties of GSEs in the compositional series (0.

A diterpene synthase from the sandfly produces the pheromone sobralene.

The phlebotomine sandfly, , a major vector of the parasite, uses terpene pheromones to attract conspecifics for mating. Examination of the genome revealed a putative terpene synthase (TPS), which-upon heterologous expression in, and purification from, -yielded a functional enzyme. The TPS, termed TPS, converted geranyl diphosphate (GPP) into a mixture of monoterpenes with low efficiency, of which β-ocimene was the major product.