J. Appl. Cryst.の発刊に際して

BIOE 402. Medical Technology Assessment. 2 or 3 hours. Bioentrepreneur course. Assessment of medical technology in the context of commercialization. Objectives, competition, market share, funding, pricing, manufacturing, growth, and intellectual property; many issues unique to biomedical products. Course Information: 2 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and consent of the instructor.

“Bioinformatics” 특집을 내면서

http://www.cs.duke.edu/courses/cps262/current/pdf/hafner.2010.pdf

Transcriptome-wide Identification of RNA-Binding Protein and MicroRNA Target Sites by PAR-CLIP

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing is a central mode of genetic regulation in higher eukaryotes. Variability in splicing patterns is a major source of protein diversity from the genome. In this review, I describe what is currently known of the molecular mechanisms that control changes in splice site choice. I start with the best-characterized systems from the Drosophila sex determination pathway, and then describe the regulators of other systems about whose mechanisms there is some data. How these regulators are combined into complex systems of tissue-specific splicing is discussed. In conclusion, very recent studies are presented that point to new directions for understanding alternative splicing and its mechanisms.

/pdf/mechanisms-of-alternative-pre-messenger-rna-splicing-3d5lzfbjvj.pdf

Mechanisms of Alternative Pre-Messenger RNA Splicing

Evidence accumulated over the past decade shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely expressed and have key roles in gene regulation. Recent studies have begun to unravel how the biogenesis of lncRNAs is distinct from that of mRNAs and is linked with their specific subcellular localizations and functions. Depending on their localization and their specific interactions with DNA, RNA and proteins, lncRNAs can modulate chromatin function, regulate the assembly and function of membraneless nuclear bodies, alter the stability and translation of cytoplasmic mRNAs and interfere with signalling pathways. Many of these functions ultimately affect gene expression in diverse biological and physiopathological contexts, such as in neuronal disorders, immune responses and cancer. Tissue-specific and condition-specific expression patterns suggest that lncRNAs are potential biomarkers and provide a rationale to target them clinically. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms of lncRNA biogenesis, localization and functions in transcriptional, post-transcriptional and other modes of gene regulation, and their potential therapeutic applications.

/pdf/gene-regulation-by-long-non-coding-rnas-and-its-biological-25d7y97amp.pdf

Gene regulation by long non-coding RNAs and its biological functions.

Modular recognition of rna by a human pumilio-homology domain

The evolution of lignin biosynthesis was critical in the transition of plants from an aquatic to an upright terrestrial lifestyle. Lignin is assembled by oxidative polymerization of two major monomers, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. Although two recently discovered laccases, LAC4 and LAC17, have been shown to play a role in lignin polymerization in Arabidopsis thaliana, disruption of both genes only leads to a relatively small change in lignin content and only under continuous illumination. Simultaneous disruption of LAC11 along with LAC4 and LAC17 causes severe plant growth arrest, narrower root diameter, indehiscent anthers, and vascular development arrest with lack of lignification. Genome-wide transcript analysis revealed that all the putative lignin peroxidase genes are expressed at normal levels or even higher in the laccase triple mutant, suggesting that lignin laccase activity is necessary and nonredundant with peroxidase activity for monolignol polymerization during plant vascular development. Interestingly, even though lignin deposition in roots is almost completely abolished in the lac11 lac4 lac17 triple mutant, the Casparian strip, which is lignified through the activity of peroxidase, is still functional. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that lignin laccase genes have no orthologs in lower plant species, suggesting that the monolignol laccase genes diverged after the evolution of seed plants.

Laccase is necessary and nonredundant with peroxidase for lignin polymerization during vascular development in Arabidopsis.

Glycosylation is a ubiquitous reaction controlling the bioactivity and storage of plant natural products. Glycosylation of small molecules is catalyzed by a superfamily of glycosyltransferases (GTs) in most plant species studied to date. We present crystal structures of the UDP flavonoid/triterpene GT UGT71G1 from Medicago truncatula bound to UDP or UDP-glucose. The structures reveal the key residues involved in the recognition of donor substrate and, by comparison with other GT structures, suggest His-22 as the catalytic base and Asp-121 as a key residue that may assist deprotonation of the acceptor by forming an electron transfer chain with the catalytic base. Mutagenesis confirmed the roles of these key residues in donor substrate binding and enzyme activity. Our results provide an initial structural basis for understanding the complex substrate specificity and regiospecificity underlying the glycosylation of plant natural products and other small molecules. This information will direct future attempts to engineer bioactive compounds in crop plants to improve plant, animal, and human health and to facilitate the rational design of GTs to improve the storage and stability of novel engineered bioactive compounds.

Crystal structures of a multifunctional triterpene/flavonoid glycosyltransferase from Medicago truncatula.

Streptokinase is a plasminogen activator widely used in treating blood-clotting disorders. Complexes of streptokinase with human plasminogen can hydrolytically activate other plasminogen molecules to plasmin, which then dissolves blood clots. A similar binding activation mechanism also occurs in some key steps of blood coagulation. The crystal structure of streptokinase complexed with the catalytic unit of human plasmin was solved at 2.9 angstroms. The amino-terminal domain of streptokinase in the complex is hypothesized to enhance the substrate recognition. The carboxyl-terminal domain of streptokinase, which binds near the activation loop of plasminogen, is likely responsible for the contact activation of plasminogen in the complex.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/281/5383/1662.full.pdf

Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Domain of Human Plasmin Complexed with Streptokinase

https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/pdf/S1097-2765(01)00229-5.pdf

Xiaoqiang Wang

Papers

Modular recognition of rna by a human pumilio-homology domain

Laccase is necessary and nonredundant with peroxidase for lignin polymerization during vascular development in Arabidopsis.

Crystal structures of a multifunctional triterpene/flavonoid glycosyltransferase from Medicago truncatula.

Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Domain of Human Plasmin Complexed with Streptokinase

Crystal structure of a Pumilio homology domain.