Trans-endocytosis of CD80 and CD86: a molecular basis for the cell-extrinsic function of CTLA-4

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is an essential negative regulator of T cell immune responses whose mechanism of action is the subject of debate. CTLA-4 shares two ligands (CD80 and CD86) with a stimulatory receptor, CD28. Here, we show that CTLA-4 can capture its ligands from opposing cells by a process of trans-endocytosis. After removal, these costimulatory ligands are degraded inside CTLA-4-expressing cells, resulting in impaired costimulation via CD28. Acquisition of CD86 from antigen-presenting cells is stimulated by T cell receptor engagement and observed in vitro and in vivo. These data reveal a mechanism of immune regulation in which CTLA-4 acts as an effector molecule to inhibit CD28 costimulation by the cell-extrinsic depletion of ligands, accounting for many of the known features of the CD28-CTLA-4 system.     

From a single-band metal to a high-temperature superconductor via two thermal phase transitions

The nature of the pseudogap phase of cuprate high-temperature superconductors is a major unsolved problem in condensed matter physics. We studied the commencement of the pseudogap state at temperature T* using three different techniques (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, polar Kerr effect, and time-resolved reflectivity) on the same optimally doped Bi2201 crystals. We observed the coincident, abrupt onset at T* of a particle-hole asymmetric antinodal gap in the electronic spectrum, a Kerr rotation in the reflected light polarization, and a change in the ultrafast relaxational dynamics, consistent with a phase transition. Upon further cooling, spectroscopic signatures of superconductivity begin to grow close to the superconducting transition temperature (T(c)), entangled in an energy-momentum-dependent manner with the preexisting pseudogap features, ushering in a ground state with coexisting orders.     

Splice variants of the alpha subunit of the G protein Gs activate both adenylyl cyclase and calcium channels

Signal transducing guanine nucleotide binding (G) proteins are heterotrimers with different alpha subunits that confer specificity for interactions with receptors and effectors. Eight to ten such G proteins couple a large number of receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters to at least eight different effectors. Although one G protein can interact with several receptors, a given G protein was thought to interact with but one effector. The recent finding that voltage-gated calcium channels are stimulated by purified Gs, which stimulates adenylyl cyclase, challenged this concept. However, purified Gs may have four distinct alpha-subunit polypeptides, produced by alternative splicing of messenger RNA. By using recombinant DNA techniques, three of the splice variants were synthesized in Escherichia coli and each variant was shown to stimulate both adenylyl cyclase and calcium channels. Thus, a single G protein alpha subunit may regulate more than one effector function.     

Function of WW domains as phosphoserine- or phosphothreonine-binding modules

Protein-interacting modules help determine the specificity of signal transduction events, and protein phosphorylation can modulate the assembly of such modules into specific signaling complexes. Although phosphotyrosine-binding modules have been well-characterized, phosphoserine- or phosphothreonine-binding modules have not been described. WW domains are small protein modules found in various proteins that participate in cell signaling or regulation. WW domains of the essential mitotic prolyl isomerase Pin1 and the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 bound to phosphoproteins, including physiological substrates of enzymes, in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The Pin1 WW domain functioned as a phosphoserine- or phosphothreonine-binding module, with properties similar to those of SRC homology 2 domains. Phosphoserine- or phosphothreonine-binding activity was required for Pin1 to interact with its substrates in vitro and to perform its essential function in vivo.     

生物农药防治西瓜枯萎病的田间药效

开展生物农药防治西瓜枯萎病田间药效试验。结果表明:安地粉剂、菌病一针净防治效果优于甲霜灵、敌克松,防治效果分别为73.3%、68.71%。方差分析结果表明,处理间差异达显著水平。     

The genome of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana: ecology, evolution, and metabolism

Diatoms are unicellular algae with plastids acquired by secondary endosymbiosis. They are responsible for approximately 20% of global carbon fixation. We report the 34 million-base pair draft nuclear genome of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana and its 129 thousand-base pair plastid and 44 thousand-base pair mitochondrial genomes. Sequence and optical restriction mapping revealed 24 diploid nuclear chromosomes. We identified novel genes for silicic acid transport and formation of silica-based cell walls, high-affinity iron uptake, biosynthetic enzymes for several types of polyunsaturated fatty acids, use of a range of nitrogenous compounds, and a complete urea cycle, all attributes that allow diatoms to prosper in aquatic environments.     

不同水管理模式下稻田对养殖肥水的净化效果研究

利用配有相对独立的供、排水系统的测坑研究间歇灌排、间歇灌连续排、灌排平衡3种水管理方式下稻田对养殖肥水的净化效果。研究结果表明：①3种水管理方式下稻田对养殖肥水中养分均有显著的去除率,其中,对不同形态的氮而言,NH4^＋-N的去除率优于NO3^--N;对不同物质而言,对氮、磷的去除率优于CODMn;②对不同的水管理方式...     

弧齿锥齿轮齿面闪温分布特性分析

在Blok闪温公式的基础上,计算混合弹流润滑下的齿面平均摩擦因数,修正了公式中的齿面平均摩擦因数,提高了计算精度。同时,通过计算弧齿锥齿轮沿齿面啮合点的切向速度、赫兹接触带半宽和载荷分配系数,提出了混合弹流润滑下弧齿锥齿轮沿接触轨迹和全齿面的闪温公式。经算例分析表明,非正交弧齿锥齿轮副沿接触轨迹闪温的最大值位于啮出轨迹中部,全齿面闪温的最大值在大轮节锥与齿根之间的齿面中部,这些部位最容易发生胶合。