Showing papers by "Novartis Foundation published in 2000"
TL;DR: The spatial expression patterns of the genes involved in myosin function by in situ hybridization at the tipped aggregate and early culmination stages of Dictyostelium suggest the existence of mechanisms responsible for the expression of particular genes.
22 citations
TL;DR: During this three-day symposium, researchers and clinicians discussed a wide-range of oestrogen-related subjects from novel mechanisms of action to the influence of Oestrogen on cognition and behaviour, and results from clinical studies that suggest oestrogens therapy after menopause may protect from Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract: Suspicions of the impact of oestrogen beyond its traditional role in sex maturation were confirmed with the discovery of oestrogen receptors in a great variety of tissues other than just in sex organs. Recently, research findings have indicated the central nervous system as one of the prime target organs – not only does oestrogen modulate the production and actions of serotonin, acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine, but it also encourages the growth of new synapses and enhances neuronal survival. Whether the many effects of oestrogen operate through classical oestrogen receptors or alternative channels remains under intense investigation. During this three-day symposium, researchers and clinicians discussed a wide-range of oestrogen-related subjects from novel mechanisms of action to the influence of oestrogen on cognition and behaviour, and results from clinical studies that suggest oestrogen therapy after menopause may protect from Alzheimer's disease.
15 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the sequence similarity between rho and F(1)-ATP synthase extends to a similar quaternary structure and an equivalent enzyme mechanism and the proposed mechanism of RNA translocation coupled with ATP hydrolysis changes the overall symmetry of rho from C6 to C6/C3.
Abstract: The antibiotic bicyclomycin inhibits rho-dependent termination processes by interfering with RNA translocation by preventing RNA binding at the translocation site or by uncoupling the translocation process from ATP hydrolysis. Previous studies have shown that bicyclomycin binds near the ATP hydrolysis pocket on rho. The hexameric structure of rho indicates that it is in a class of enzymes with strong sequence similarity to F(1)-ATP synthase. The bicyclomycin derivative 5a-formylbicyclomycin, an inhibitor comparable to bicyclomycin, was previously shown to form a stable imine with rho and when reduced to the amine with NaBH(4) to singly label five of the six rho subunits. Lysine-336 was identified by mass spectrometric analysis of trypsin-digested fragments as the site of 5a-formylbicyclomycin adduction. A model of rho was made by threading the rho sequence on the known crystal structure of the alpha and beta subunits of F(1)-ATP synthase. The model, along with information concerning the extent and site of 5a-formylbicyclomycin adduction, indicates an overall C6 symmetry for rho subunit organization. We propose that the sequence similarity between rho and F(1)-ATP synthase extends to a similar quaternary structure and an equivalent enzyme mechanism. The proposed mechanism of RNA translocation coupled with ATP hydrolysis changes the overall symmetry of rho from C6 to C6/C3.
11 citations
01 Nov 2000
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that herbivore-induced release of volatile compounds act as SOS signals, recruiting the insect's natural enemies to defend the plant from the constant threat of insect attack.
Abstract: Among the sophisticated means that plants use to defend themselves from the constant threat of insect attack, perhaps the most intriguing is the herbivore-induced release of volatile compounds. These compounds act as SOS signals, recruiting the insect's natural enemies to defend the plant.
1 citations