Promoter characterization of relZ-bifunctional (pp)pGpp synthetase in mycobacteria.

The second messenger guanosine 3',5'-bis(diphosphate)/guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-triphosphate/guanosine pentaphosphate (pppGpp) ((p)ppGpp) has been shown to be crucial for the survival of mycobacteria under hostile conditions. Unexpectedly, deletion of primary (p)ppGpp synthetase-Rel did not completely diminish (p)ppGpp levels leading to the discovery of novel bifunctional enzyme-RelZ, which displayed guanosine 5'-monophosphate,3'-diphosphate (pGpp), ppGpp, and pppGpp ((pp)pGpp) synthesis and RNAseHII activity. What conditions does it express itself under, and does it work in concert with Rel? The regulation of its transcription and whether the Rel enzyme plays a role in such regulation remain unclear.

Coupling and uncoupling of midline morphogenesis and cell flow in amniote gastrulation.

Large-scale cell flow characterizes gastrulation in animal development. In amniote gastrulation, particularly in avian gastrula, a bilateral vortex-like counter-rotating cell flow, called 'polonaise movements', appears along the midline. Here, through experimental manipulations, we addressed relationships between the polonaise movements and morphogenesis of the primitive streak, the earliest midline structure in amniotes.

Bilateral cellular flows display asymmetry prior to left-right organizer formation in amniote gastrulation.

A bilateral body plan is predominant throughout the animal kingdom. Bilaterality of amniote embryos becomes recognizable as midline morphogenesis begins at gastrulation, bisecting an embryonic field into the left and right sides, and left-right asymmetry patterning follows. While a series of laterality genes expressed after the left-right compartmentalization has been extensively studied, the laterality patterning prior to and at the initiation of midline morphogenesis has remained unclear.

Tale of Twin Bifunctional Second Messenger (p)ppGpp Synthetases and Their Function in Mycobacteria.

, an etiological agent of tuberculosis, requires a long treatment regimen due to its ability to respond to stress and persist inside the host. The second messenger (p)ppGpp-mediated stress response plays a critical role in such long-term survival, persistence, and antibiotic tolerance which may also lead to the emergence of multiple drug resistance. In mycobacteria, (pp)pGpp molecules are synthesized predominantly by two bifunctional enzymes-long RSH-Rel and short SAS-RelZ.

Coupling and uncoupling of midline morphogenesis and cell flow in amniote gastrulation.

Large-scale cell flow characterizes gastrulation in animal development. In amniote gastrulation, particularly in avian gastrula, a bilateral vortex-like counter-rotating cell flow, called 'polonaise movements', appears along the midline. Here, through experimental manipulations, we addressed relationships between the polonaise movements and morphogenesis of the primitive streak, the earliest midline structure in amniotes.

Insights into established and emerging roles of SR protein family in plants and animals.

Splicing of pre-mRNA is an essential part of eukaryotic gene expression. Serine-/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are highly conserved RNA-binding proteins present in all metazoans and plants. SR proteins are involved in constitutive and alternative splicing, thereby regulating the transcriptome and proteome diversity in the organism.

Driving chemical reactions with polariton condensates.

When molecular transitions strongly couple to photon modes, they form hybrid light-matter modes called polaritons. Collective vibrational strong coupling is a promising avenue for control of chemistry, but this can be deterred by the large number of quasi-degenerate dark modes. The macroscopic occupation of a single polariton mode by excitations, as observed in Bose-Einstein condensation, offers promise for overcoming this issue.

Solidification of liquid Modified Apple Polysaccharide by its adsorption on solid porous carriers through spray drying and evaluation of its potential as binding agent for tablets.

In the present study application of Modified Apple Polysaccharide (MAP) as tablet binder was evaluated. Liquid MAP was extracted from apple and solidified by adsorbing it on porous surface of Aerosil-200 and trehalose and this dispersion was dried using spray dryer. The concentration of excipients as well as spray drying conditions was optimised by using Box Behnken Design to achieve desirable powder characteristics.