Radical-Mediated Nucleophilic Peptide Cross-Linking in Dynobactin Biosynthesis.

Dynobactins are recently discovered ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) antibiotics that selectively kill Gram-negative pathogens by inhibiting the β-barrel assembly machinery (Bam) located on their outer membranes. Such activity of dynobactins derives from their unique cross-links between Trp1-Asn4 and His6-Tyr8. In particular, the His6-Tyr8 cross-link is formed between N of His6 and C of Tyr8, an unprecedented type of cross-link in RiPP natural products.

Protamine 2 deficiency results in Septin 12 abnormalities.

There is a well-established link between abnormal sperm chromatin states and poor motility, however, how these two processes are interdependent is unknown. Here, we identified a possible mechanistic insight by showing that Protamine 2, a nuclear DNA packaging protein in sperm, directly interacts with cytoskeletal protein Septin 12, which is associated with sperm motility. Septin 12 has several isoforms, and we show, that in the sperm, the short one (Mw 36 kDa) is mis-localized, while two long isoforms (Mw 40 and 41 kDa) are unexpectedly lost in sperm chromatin-bound protein fractions.

Dairy cows' responses to 2 separation methods after 3 months of cow-calf contact.

Weaning and separation remain among some of the biggest challenges for cow-calf contact systems, making the development of practical and low-stress separation methods mandatory for future success of these systems. This study aimed to compare behavioral and physiological responses of dairy cows to separation from their calves after 3 mo of full-time contact, with either the 2-step method (NF, 2 wks full-time contact while calves wore a nose flap, 1 wk fence-line contact before total separation, n = 18) or by gradual reduction of contact time between cow and calf (GR, 1 wk half day contact, 1 wk morning contact, 1 wk fence-line contact before total separation, n = 18). Vocalizations and searching behavior were observed on 4 d/wk from 1 wk before separation until 1 wk after total separation.

Robotic surgery of the urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract single surgeon initial experience, 66 consecutive cases.

Purpose: Robotic surgery is increasingly utilized in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC). This study investigates the advantages and burden of robot-assisted surgical treatment of the urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract in a referral urological department, along with their functional and oncological results.

Methods: The study included 66 prospectively enrolled patients who were surgically treated by a single, robotically specialized surgeon between July 2019 and December 2023.

Push-Pull Intercropping Increases the Antiherbivore Benzoxazinoid Glycoside Content in Maize Leaf Tissue.

Push-pull technology refers to a promising mixed cropping practice for sustainable agricultural intensification, which uses properties of intercrop and border crop species to defend a focal crop against pests. Currently, the most widely practiced system uses spp. as intercrop and Brachiaria or Napier grass as border crops to protect maize () against both insect pests and parasitic weeds.

Structure-Activity Relationships and Target Selectivity of Phenylsulfonylamino-Benzanilide Inhibitors Based on S1647 at the SLC10 Carriers ASBT, NTCP, and SOAT.

The intestinal bile acid carrier ASBT (), the hepatic bile acid carrier NTCP (), and the steroid sulfate carrier SOAT (), all members of the solute carrier family SLC10, are established drug targets. The ASBT inhibitors odevixibat, maralixibat, and elobixibat are used to treat intrahepatic cholestasis, cholestatic pruritus, and obstipation. The peptide drug bulevirtide blocks binding of the hepatitis B and D viruses to NTCP and thereby inhibits the virus's entry into hepatocytes.

Crocetin Delays Brain and Body Aging by Increasing Cellular Energy Levels in Aged C57BL/6J Mice.

Aging is usually accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced energy levels, and cell death in the brain and other tissues. Mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining cellular energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). However, OXPHOS is impaired as the mitochondrial oxygen supply decreases with age.

The interplay of personality pathology and treatment outcome in psychosomatic psychotherapy: A longitudinal analysis using latent change score modelling.

Introduction: While ample data demonstrate the effectiveness of inpatient psychosomatic treatment, clinical observation and empirical evidence demonstrate that not all patients benefit equally from established therapeutic methods. Especially patients with a comorbid personality disorder often show reduced therapeutic success compared to other patient groups. Due to the heterogeneous and categorical personality assessment, previous studies indicated no uniform direction of this influence.

Inflammation indices in association with periodontitis and cancer.

Inflammation is a complex physiological process that plays a pivotal role in many if not all pathological conditions, including infectious as well as inflammatory diseases, like periodontitis and autoimmune disorders. Inflammatory response to periodontal biofilms and tissue destruction in periodontitis is associated with the release of inflammatory mediators. Chronic inflammation can promote the development of cancer.

Pleiotropically activation of azaphilone biosynthesis by overexpressing a pathway-specific transcription factor in marine-derived Aspergillus terreus RA2905.

The genome sequencing of Aspergillus terreus reveals that the vast number of predicted biosynthetic gene clusters have not reflected by the metabolic profile observed under conventional culture conditions. In this study, a silent azaphilone biosynthetic gene cluster was activated by overexpressing a pathway-specific transcription factor gene2642 in marine-derived fungus A. terreus RA2905.

Enlightening the toxinological dark matter of spider venom enzymes.

Spiders produce highly adapted venoms featuring a complex mixture of biomolecules used mainly for hunting and defense. The most prominent components are peptidic neurotoxins, a major focus of research and drug development, whereas venom enzymes have been largely neglected. Nevertheless, investigation of venom enzymes not only reveals insights into their biological functions, but also provides templates for future industrial applications.