Distinct Interaction Mechanism of RNA Polymerase and ResD at Proximal and Distal Subsites for Transcription Activation of Nitrite Reductase in Bacillus subtilis.

The ResD-ResE signal transduction system plays a pivotal role in anaerobic nitrate respiration in Bacillus subtilis. The operon encoding nitrite reductase is essential for nitrate respiration and is tightly controlled by the ResD response regulator. To understand the mechanism of ResD-dependent transcription activation of the operon, we explored ResD-RNA polymerase (RNAP), ResD-DNA, and RNAP-DNA interactions required for transcription.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Is Necessary for Ovulation in Female Rhesus Macaques.

Although the requirement of pituitary-derived LH for ovulation is well documented, the intrafollicular paracrine and autocrine processes elicited by LH necessary for follicle rupture are not fully understood. Evaluating a published rhesus macaque periovulatory transcriptome database revealed that mRNA encoding leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its downstream signaling effectors are up-regulated in the follicle after animals receive an ovulatory stimulus (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]). Follicular LIF mRNA and protein levels are below the limit of detection before the administration of hCG but increase significantly 12 hours thereafter.