Search

A largely extended experimental knowledge of the 61 29Cu32 nucleus has been obtained from three experiments. Excited states in 61Cu were produced via the fusion-evaporation reaction 28Si(36Ar, 3p)61Cu . In addition to the Ge array GAMMASPHERE, neutron and charged-particle detectors placed around the target position were used for high-performance particle spectroscopy. The constructed level scheme includes more than 160 energy levels and 320 γ -ray transitions belonging to both normally deformed as well as superdeformed rotational structures. The multipolarities have been determined for the γ -ray transitions and as a result spin-parity assignments are given for nearly all energy levels. Experimental results in the normally deformed region are compared with predictions from large-scale shell model calculations. The collective structures are compared with results from cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations. The results reveal the need to modify the standard Nilsson parameters in the mass A ∼ 60 region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In angiosperms, pollen tube reception by the female gametophyte is required for sperm release and double fertilization. In Arabidopsis thaliana lorelei (lre) mutants, pollen tube reception fails in most female gametophytes, which thus remain unfertilized. LRE encodes a putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface protein with a modified eight-cysteine motif (M8CM). LRE fused to citrine yellow fluorescent protein (LRE-cYFP) remains functional and localizes to the synergid plasma membrane-rich filiform apparatus, the first point of contact between the pollen tube and the female gametophyte. Structure-function analysis using LRE-cYFP showed that the role of LRE in pollen tube reception requires the M8CM, but not the domains required for GPI anchor addition. Consistently, LRE-cYFP-TM, where GPI anchor addition domains were replaced with a single-pass transmembrane domain, fully complemented the pollen tube reception defect in lre-7 female gametophytes. Ectopically expressed and delivered LRE-cYFP from pollen tubes could non-cell-autonomously complement the pollen tube reception defect in lre female gametophytes, only if they expressed FERONIA. Additionally, pollen tube-expressing LRE variants lacking domains critical for GPI anchor addition also rescued lre female gametophyte function. Therefore, LRE and FERONIA jointly function in pollen tube reception at the interface of the synergid cell and pollen tube., (© 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.) more...

N-terminal acetylation is a major and vital protein modification catalyzed by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). NatF, or Nα-acetyltransferase 60 (Naa60), was recently identified as a NAT in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we find that Naa60 differs from all other known NATs by its Golgi localization. A new membrane topology assay named PROMPT and a selective membrane permeabilization assay established that Naa60 faces the cytosolic side of intracellular membranes. An Nt-acetylome analysis of NAA60-knockdown cells revealed that Naa60, as opposed to other NATs, specifically acetylates transmembrane proteins and has a preference for N termini facing the cytosol. Moreover, NAA60 knockdown causes Golgi fragmentation, indicating an important role in the maintenance of the Golgi's structural integrity. This work identifies a NAT associated with membranous compartments and establishes N-terminal acetylation as a common modification among transmembrane proteins, a thus-far poorly characterized part of the N-terminal acetylome., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Two patients with intermittent locking, mimicking a meniscal lesion or a loose body and with a palpable tumour in the knee joint are described. X-ray examinations were normal. Athroscopy revealed pedunculated tumours in both knees. The tumours were removed arthroscopically in one patient and by an arthrotomy in the other patient. The histological diagnosis was localized villonodular synovitis (giant-cell tumour) in both patients. This is a benign but very rare condition. more...