Three-dimensional structure of interleukin-2

Interleukin-2 is an effector protein that participates in modulating the immune response; it has become a focal point for the study of lymphokine structure and function. The three-dimensional structure of the interleukin molecule has been solved to 3.0 angstrom resolution. Interleukin-2 has a novel alpha-helical tertiary structure that suggests one portion of the molecule forms a structural scaffold, which underlies the receptor binding facets of the molecule.     

Three-dimensional structure of human serum albumin

The three-dimensional structure of human serum albumin has been solved at 6.0 angstrom (A) resolution by the method of multiple isomorphous replacement. Crystals were grown from solutions of polyethylene glycol in the infrequently observed space group P42(1)2 (unit cell constants a = b = 186.5 +/- 0.5 A and c = 81.0 +/- 0.5 A) and diffracted x-rays to lattice d-spacings of less than 2.9 A. The electron density maps are of high quality and revealed the structure as a predominantly alpha-helical globin protein in which the course of the polypeptide can be traced. The binding loci of several organic compounds have been determined.     

Three-dimensional structure of recombinant human interferon-gamma

The x-ray crystal structure of recombinant human interferon-gamma has been determined with the use of multiple-isomorphous-replacement techniques. Interferon-gamma, which is dimeric in solution, crystallizes with two dimers related by a noncrystallographic twofold axis in the asymmetric unit. The protein is primarily alpha helical, with six helices in each subunit that comprise approximately 62 percent of the structure; there is no beta sheet. The dimeric structure of human interferon-gamma is stabilized by the intertwining of helices across the subunit interface with multiple intersubunit interactions.     

Three-dimensional structure identified from single sections

Errors in the identification of objects have been made frequently because of faulty interpretation of their flat images or sections. Such errors are perpetuated through a strange psychological chain reaction. 1) The first author who observes sections of an object, although presenting faithful pictures of sections of it, identifies its shape incorrectly. Such an initial mistake may be due to identification of the flat image with the object itself or to failure to consider the shape of the image as a function of the shape of the real object and the angle and level of cutting. 2) The first author describes verbally his personal concept of the object. 3) The reader reads the text of a publication before or without examining the pictorial evidence. 4) The reader's belief in the authority of the printed word immunizes him against critical evaluation of the evidence. 5) The reader regards a published opinion as a "fact." 6) A mechanism of suppression of new evidence is set up in the brain of the reader in favor of previously published, verbalized concepts. His brain unconsciously rejects new concepts that might arise intracerebrally. The printed word supersedes visual evidence. 7) A secondary mechanism parallels steps 3 to 6. An observer notices an unfamiliar figure in the microscope. Following established procedures for scientific investigations, he refrains from forming an opinion about his observation. Instead he rushes to the library searching for similar, published observations. If he finds a previous report about a similar shape, he accepts it as a "fact" and he "confirms" the previously printed viewpoint. Let me interject a personal experience concerning this mechanism. I investigated the arrangement of blood vessels in the human liver by means of corrosion preparations. The work was divided between an assistant and me. He was assigned the task of preparing drawings of two specimens. In his drawings he showed a structure which was absent from the specimens but had been described in a previous publication. This article shows simple ways for correct initial identification of shape and structure and for the breaking of the reverberating circuit of erroneous thinking.     

Three-dimensional structure of Hayabusa samples: origin and evolution of Itokawa regolith

Regolith particles on the asteroid Itokawa were recovered by the Hayabusa mission. Their three-dimensional (3D) structure and other properties, revealed by x-ray microtomography, provide information on regolith formation. Modal abundances of minerals, bulk density (3.4 grams per cubic centimeter), and the 3D textures indicate that the particles represent a mixture of equilibrated and less-equilibrated LL chondrite materials. Evidence for melting was not seen on any of the particles. Some particles have rounded edges. Overall, the particles' size and shape are different from those seen in particles from the lunar regolith. These features suggest that meteoroid impacts on the asteroid surface primarily form much of the regolith particle, and that seismic-induced grain motion in the smooth terrain abrades them over time.     

Three-dimensional tertiary structure of yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA

The 3-angstrom electron density map of crystalline yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA has provided us with a complete three-dimensional model which defines the positions of all of the nucleotide residues in the moleclule. The overall features of the molecule are virtually the same as those seen at a resolution of 4 angstroms except that many additional details of tertiary structure are now visualized. Ten types of hydrogen bonding are identified which define the specificity of tertiary interactions. The molecule is also stabilized by considerable stacking of the planar purines and pyrimidines. This tertiary structure explains, in a simple and direct fashion, chemical modification studies of transfer RNA. Since most of the tertiary interactions involve nucleotides which are common to all transfer RNA 's, it is likely that this three-dimensional structure provides a basic pattern of folding which may help to clarify the three-dimensional structure of all transfer RNA's.     

Three-dimensional structure of cellobiohydrolase II from Trichoderma reesei

The enzymatic degradation of cellulose is an important process, both ecologically and commercially. The three-dimensional structure of a cellulase, the enzymatic core of CBHII from the fungus Trichoderma reesei reveals an alpha-beta protein with a fold similar to but different from the widely occurring barrel topology first observed in triose phosphate isomerase. The active site of CBHII is located at the carboxyl-terminal end of a parallel beta barrel, in an enclosed tunnel through which the cellulose threads. Two aspartic acid residues, located in the center of the tunnel are the probable catalytic residues.     

Three-dimensional structure of poliovirus at 2.9 A resolution

The three-dimensional structure of poliovirus has been determined at 2.9 A resolution by x-ray crystallographic methods. Each of the three major capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, and VP3) contains a "core" consisting of an eight-stranded antiparallel beta barrel with two flanking helices. The arrangement of beta strands and helices is structurally similar and topologically identical to the folding pattern of the capsid proteins of several icosahedral plant viruses. In each of the major capsid proteins, the "connecting loops" and NH2- and COOH-terminal extensions are structurally dissimilar. The packing of the subunit "cores" to form the virion shell is reminiscent of the packing in the T = 3 plant viruses, but is significantly different in detail. Differences in the orientations of the subunits cause dissimilar contacts at protein-protein interfaces, and are also responsible for two major surface features of the poliovirion: prominent peaks at the fivefold and threefold axes of the particle. The positions and interactions of the NH2- and COOH-terminal strands of the capsid proteins have important implications for virion assembly. Several of the "connecting loops" and COOH-terminal strands form prominent radial projections which are the antigenic sites of the virion.     

Three-dimensional structure of yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA: folding of the polynucleotide chain

At 4 A resolution the polynucleotides in yeast phenylalanine transfer RNA are seen in a series of electron dense masses about 5.8 A apart. These peaks are probably associated with the phosphate groups, while lower levels of electron density between segments of adjacent polynucleotide chains are interpreted as arising from hydrogen-bonded purine-pyrimidine base pairs. It is possible to trace the entire polynucleotide chain with only two minor regions of ambiguity. The polynucleotide chain has a secondary structure consistent with the cloverleaf conformation; however, its folding is different from that proposed in any model. The molecule is made of two double-stranded helical regions oriented at right angles to each other in the shape of an L. One end of the L has the CCA acceptor; the anticodon loop is at the other end, and the dihydrouridine and TpsiC loops form the corner.     

Three-dimensional structure of cholera toxin penetrating a lipid membrane

Two-dimensional crystals of cholera toxin bound to receptors in a lipid membrane give diffraction extending to 15 A resolution. Three-dimensional structure determination reveals a ring of five B subunits on the membrane surface, with one-third of the A subunit occupying the center of the ring. The remaining mass of the A subunit appears to penetrate the hydrophobic interior of the membrane. Cleavage of a disulfide bond in the A subunit, which activates the toxin, causes a major conformational change, with the A subunit mostly exiting from the B ring.     

Three-dimensional structure of the adenovirus major coat protein hexon

The three-dimensional crystal structure of the adenovirus major coat protein is presented. Adenovirus type 2 hexon, at 967 residues, is now the longest polypeptide whose structure has been determined crystallographically. Taken with our model for hexon packing, which positions the 240 trimeric hexons in the capsid, the structure defines 60% of the protein within the 150 X 10(6) dalton virion. The assembly provides the first details of a DNA-containing animal virus that is 20 times larger than the spherical RNA viruses previously described. Unexpectedly, the hexon subunit contains two similar beta-barrels whose topology is identical to those of the spherical RNA viruses, but whose architectural role in adenovirus is very different. The hexon structure reveals several distinctive features related to its function as a stable protective coat, and shows that the type-specific immunological determinants are restricted to the virion surface.     

Three-dimensional structure of herpes simplex virus from cryo-electron tomography

Herpes simplex virus, a DNA virus of high complexity, consists of a nucleocapsid surrounded by the tegument-a protein compartment-and the envelope. The latter components, essential for infectivity, are pleiomorphic. Visualized in cryo-electron tomograms of isolated virions, the tegument was seen to form an asymmetric cap: On one side, the capsid closely approached the envelope; on the other side, they were separated by approximately 35 nanometers of tegument. The tegument substructure was particulate, with some short actin-like filaments. The envelope contained 600 to 750 glycoprotein spikes that varied in length, spacing, and in the angles at which they emerge from the membrane. Their distribution was nonrandom, suggesting functional clustering.     

豆科植物IPI基因密码子偏好性

异戊烯基焦磷酸异构酶（isopentenyl diphosphate isomerases,IPI）作为2-C-甲基-D-赤藓糖醇-4-磷酸（2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate,MEP）和甲羟戊酸（mevalonate,MVA）途径的关键酶,参与植物萜类化合物的生物合成。豆科植物含多种萜类物质,研究豆科植物IPI基因密码子偏好性对促进豆科植物IPI基因表达、增加萜类物质产率具有重要意义。运用Codon W、EMBOSS等程序分析32个IPI基因的碱基组成、相对密码子使用度（RSCU）、有效密码子数（ENc）、密码子适应指数（CAI）等参数,并结合ENC-GC3s与PR2-plot方法确定豆科植物IPI基因的密码子偏好性。结果表明,豆科植物IPI基因偏好性较强（RSCU>1）的密码子有7个,最优密码子是GGU,第3位碱基的GC含量（GC3s）[落花生2 (Arachis hypogaea 2)除外]与同义密码子GC含量（GC）<0.5,密码子偏好以A/U结尾。ENc为46.69~55.00,CAI为0.23~0.27,IPI基因表达水平偏低。ENc-GC3s与PR2-plot分析结果表明,自然选择是形成豆科植物IPI基因密码子偏好性的主要原因。相较于RSCU聚类树,基于编码序列的系统进化树更能反映物种真实的系统发育关系。大肠埃希菌、烟草与拟南芥可以作为豆科植物IPI基因外源表达的宿主,研究结果将为开展IPI基因的密码子改造与遗传工程操作奠定基础。     

Three-dimensional structure of a recombinant gap junction membrane channel

Gap junction membrane channels mediate electrical and metabolic coupling between adjacent cells. The structure of a recombinant cardiac gap junction channel was determined by electron crystallography at resolutions of 7.5 angstroms in the membrane plane and 21 angstroms in the vertical direction. The dodecameric channel was formed by the end-to-end docking of two hexamers, each of which displayed 24 rods of density in the membrane interior, which is consistent with an alpha-helical conformation for the four transmembrane domains of each connexin subunit. The transmembrane alpha-helical rods contrasted with the double-layered appearance of the extracellular domains. Although not indicative for a particular type of secondary structure, the protein density that formed the extracellular vestibule provided a tight seal to exclude the exchange of substances with the extracellular milieu.     

Three-dimensional structure of an oncogene protein: catalytic domain of human c-H-ras p21

The crystal structure at 2.7 A resolution of the normal human c-H-ras oncogene protein lacking a flexible carboxyl-terminal 18 residue reveals that the protein consists of a six-stranded beta sheet, four alpha helices, and nine connecting loops. Four loops are involved in interactions with bound guanosine diphosphate: one with the phosphates, another with the ribose, and two with the guanine base. Most of the transforming proteins (in vivo and in vitro) have single amino acid substitutions at one of a few key positions in three of these four loops plus one additional loop. The biological functions of the remaining five loops and other exposed regions are at present unknown. However, one loop corresponds to the binding site for a neutralizing monoclonal antibody and another to a putative "effector region"; mutations in the latter region do not alter guanine nucleotide binding or guanosine triphosphatase activity but they do reduce the transforming activity of activated proteins. The data provide a structural basis for understanding the known biochemical properties of normal as well as activated ras oncogene proteins and indicate additional regions in the molecule that may possibly participate in other cellular functions.     

几种豆科牧草饲喂草鱼效果研究

以184桂花草、羽叶决明和圆叶决明鲜草及草粉配合饲料饲喂草鱼，试验结果表明：桂花草与羽叶决明初花期鲜草的适口性较好，桂花草草粉代替20％精饲料饲喂草鱼不影响其增重和饵料系数，羽叶决明草粉代替20％精饲料饲喂草鱼增重量稍逊于桂花草但不影响其饵料系数。     

云南丽江参与东北参糖类物质的含量比较

以3,5-二硝基水杨酸为显色剂,采用紫外分光光度法对云南丽江及东北人参、红参、西洋参的总糖、还原糖、粗多糖和粗淀粉的含量进行了测定.其中,总糖云南丽江人参比东北人参高8.67%,红参比东北红参高1.00%,西洋参比东北西洋参低2.33%;还原糖云南丽江人参比东北人参低0.72%,红参比东北红参高1.54%,西洋参比东北西洋参高2.25%;粗淀粉云南丽江人参比东北人参高9.39%,红参比东北红参低0.54%,西洋参比东北西洋参低4.58%;粗多糖云南丽江西洋参比东北西洋参高9.50%.     

Three-dimensional structure of an antigen-antibody complex at 2.8 A resolution

The 2.8 A resolution three-dimensional structure of a complex between an antigen (lysozyme) and the Fab fragment from a monoclonal antibody against lysozyme has been determined and refined by x-ray crystallographic techniques. No conformational changes can be observed in the tertiary structure of lysozyme compared with that determined in native crystalline forms. The quaternary structure of Fab is that of an extended conformation. The antibody combining site is a rather flat surface with protuberances and depressions formed by its amino acid side chains. The antigen-antibody interface is tightly packed, with 16 lysozyme and 17 antibody residues making close contacts. The antigen contacting residues belong to two stretches of the lysozyme polypeptide chain: residues 18 to 27 and 116 to 129. All the complementarity-determining regions and two residues outside hypervariable positions of the antibody make contact with the antigen. Most of these contacts (10 residues out of 17) are made by the heavy chain, and in particular by its third complementarity-determining region. Antigen variability and antibody specificity and affinity are discussed on the basis of the determined structure.