Human Saposin B Ligand Binding and Presentation to α-Galactosidase A.

Sphingolipid activator protein B (saposin B; SapB) is an essential activator of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) catabolism by α-galactosidase A. However, the manner by which SapB stimulates α-galactosidase A activity remains unknown. To uncover the molecular mechanism of SapB presenting Gb3 to α-galactosidase A, we subjected the fluorescent substrate globotriaosylceramide-nitrobenzoxidazole (Gb3-NBD) to a series of biochemical and structural assays involving SapB.

A domain-swapped CaMKII conformation facilitates linker-mediated allosteric regulation.

Ca signaling plays a key role in physiological processes such as memory formation and cardiac function. Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is the primary kinase that responds to Ca inputs in these cells. There are four CaMKII paralogs in mammals which are alternatively spliced in the variable linker region to create upwards of 70 different variants.

Composite estimation to combine spatially overlapping environmental monitoring surveys.

Long-term environmental monitoring surveys are designed to achieve a desired precision (measured by variance) of resource conditions based on natural variability information. Over time, increases in resource variability and in data use to address issues focused on small areas with limited sample sizes require bolstering of attainable precision. It is often prohibitive to do this by increasing sampling effort.

Ca2+/CaM dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)α and CaMKIIβ hub domains adopt distinct oligomeric states and stabilities.

Ca /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multidomain serine/threonine kinase that plays important roles in the brain, heart, muscle tissue, and eggs/sperm. The N-terminal kinase and regulatory domain is connected by a flexible linker to the C-terminal hub domain. The hub domain drives the oligomeric organization of CaMKII, assembling the kinase domains into high local concentration.

Magnetic field coupling with lunar soil simulants.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) using magnetically coupled resonators is being integrated into space vehicles destined for the lunar surface. The dusty soil on the Moon, called lunar regolith, is known to adhere to surfaces and is also known to contain iron, including iron oxides and metallic iron. Regolith samples are limited, and lunar soil simulants are commonly used in space science research for efforts in surface vehicle navigation, in-situ resource utilization, and power infrastructure.