Secondary structure of 16S ribosomal RNA

A secondary structure model for 16S ribosomal RNA which is based on available chemical, enzymatic, and comparative sequence data shows good agreement between constraints dictated by the model and a wide variety of experimental observations. The four major structural domains created by the base-pairing scheme correspond closely to RNA fragments isolated after nuclease digestion in the presence of bound ribosomal proteins. Functionally important sites appear to be located in unpaired regions and are phylogenetically highly conserved.     

Crystal structure of the ribosome at 5.5 A resolution

We describe the crystal structure of the complete Thermus thermophilus 70S ribosome containing bound messenger RNA and transfer RNAs (tRNAs) at 5.5 angstrom resolution. All of the 16S, 23S, and 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) chains, the A-, P-, and E-site tRNAs, and most of the ribosomal proteins can be fitted to the electron density map. The core of the interface between the 30S small subunit and the 50S large subunit, where the tRNA substrates are bound, is dominated by RNA, with proteins located mainly at the periphery, consistent with ribosomal function being based on rRNA. In each of the three tRNA binding sites, the ribosome contacts all of the major elements of tRNA, providing an explanation for the conservation of tRNA structure. The tRNAs are closely juxtaposed with the intersubunit bridges, in a way that suggests coupling of the 20 to 50 angstrom movements associated with tRNA translocation with intersubunit movement.     

Controlling factors for the brittle-to-ductile transition in tungsten single crystals

Materials performance in structural applications is often restricted by a transition from ductile response to brittle fracture with decreasing temperature. This transition is currently viewed as being controlled either by dislocation mobility or by the nucleation of dislocations. Fracture experiments on tungsten single crystals reported here provide evidence for the importance of dislocation nucleation for the fracture toughness in the semibrittle regime. However, it is shown that the transition itself, in general, is controlled by dislocation mobility rather than by nucleation.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate on Sow Performance and mRNA Expression of Myogenic Markers in Skeletal Muscle of Neonatal Piglets

The effects of dietary β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during gestation on reproductive performance of sows and the mRNA expression of myogenic markers in skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs were determined. At day 35 of gestation, a total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, at third parity) were randomly assigned to two groups, with each group receiving either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 4 g/day β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate calcium (HMB‐Ca) until parturition. At parturition, the total and live litter size were not markedly different between treatments, however, the sows fed HMB diet had a decreased rate of stillborn piglets compared with the sows fed the control (CON) diets (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets from the sows fed HMB diet tended to have an increased birth weight (p = 0.08), and a reduced rate of low birth weight piglets (p = 0.05) compared with piglets from the CON sows. Nevertheless, lower feed intake during lactation was observed in the sows fed the HMB diet compared with those on the CON diet (p < 0.01). The relative weights of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in neonatal pigs from the HMB than the CON sows. Furthermore, maternal HMB treatment increased the mRNA levels of the myogenic genes, including muscle regulatory factor‐4 (MRF4, p < 0.05), myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary HMB supplementation to sows at 4 g/day from day 35 of gestation to term significantly improves pregnancy outcomes and increases the expression of myogenic genes in skeletal muscle of neonatal piglets, but reduces feed intake of sows during lactation.     

Catalysis of ribosomal translocation by sparsomycin

During protein synthesis, transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are translocated from the aminoacyl to peptidyl to exit sites of the ribosome, coupled to the movement of messenger RNA (mRNA), in a reaction catalyzed by elongation factor G (EF-G) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Here, we show that the peptidyl transferase inhibitor sparsomycin triggers accurate translocation in vitro in the absence of EF-G and GTP. Our results provide evidence that translocation is a function inherent to the ribosome and that the energy to drive this process is stored in the tRNA-mRNA-ribosome complex after peptide-bond formation. These findings directly implicate the peptidyl transferase center of the 50S subunit in the mechanism of translocation, a process involving large-scale movement of tRNA and mRNA in the 30S subunit, some 70 angstroms away.     

RNA structure: reading the ribosome

The crystal structures of the ribosome and its subunits have increased the amount of information about RNA structure by about two orders of magnitude. This is leading to an understanding of the principles of RNA folding and of the molecular interactions that underlie the functional capabilities of the ribosome and other RNA systems. Nearly all of the possible types of RNA tertiary interactions have been found in ribosomal RNA. One of these, an abundant tertiary structural motif called the A-minor interaction, has been shown to participate in both aminoacyl-transfer RNA selection and in peptidyl transferase; it may also play an important role in the structural dynamics of the ribosome.     

Pathological and Bacteriological Studies of Hydrosalpinx in Buffaloes

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the bacteria accompanying hydrosalpinx of the buffalo cow and investigate the correlation between bacterial infection of the uterus and hydrosalpinx. Buffalo cows’ reproductive tracts were collected from Mosul abattoir. A total 385 uterine samples were examined of which 25 were having hydrosalpinx. Swabs for bacteriology, fluid for cytology and biopsies for histopathology were collected from the hydrosalpinx and the uterus from each samples included in this study. Results of this study indicated high prevalence of hydrosalpinx (6.5%) including unilateral (n = 19; 76%) and bilateral (n = 6; 24%) hydrosalpinx. Although 16 samples (64%) of the hydrosalpinx samples had no bacterial growth, the most prevalent bacteria recovered from hydrosalpinx were Corynebacterium hemolyticum and Actinomyces bovis, 42.8% and 28.6%, respectively. The most prevalent bacteria in the uterus were Archanobacterium pyogenes (18.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.8%), and Listeria monocytogenes (11.0%). Higher rates of leukocytes infiltration (p < 0.01) were observed in the uterine discharge than hydrosalpinx. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in lymphocytes was found in uterine discharge. Microscopic examination of the hydrosalpinx showed mucosal atrophy and dilatation of oviductal lumen without any signs of inflammation. It could be concluded that there is no correlation between bacteria isolated from uterus and hydrosalpinx. No association was found between bacteriological cultures and hydrosalpinx. Inflammation of the uterine tissue could be extended to utero‐tubal junction producing local inflammation resulting in fibrosis and tubal obstruction. The obstruction in the lumen of the oviducts resulted in accumulation of fluid.