University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute

About: University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gene & Population. The organization has 1565 authors who have published 2458 publications receiving 171434 citations. The organization is also known as: UMBI.

Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence from Gold Surfaces: Angular Dependent Emission

Abstract: The first observation of Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) from large gold colloids is presented. Gold colloids, 40 and 200 nm diameter, were deposited onto glass substrates in a homogeneous fashion. The angular-dependent fluorescence emission of FITC-HSA, adsorbed onto gold colloids, was measured on a rotating stage which was used to evaluate MEF at all spatial angles. The emission intensity of FITC-HSA was found to be up to 2.5-fold brighter than the emission on bare glass substrates at an angle of 270 degrees. This is explained by the Radiating Plasmon Model, whereby the combined system, composed of the fluorophore and the metal colloids, emits with the photophysical characteristics of the fluorophore, after the excitation and the partial radiationless energy transfer between the excited states of the fluorophore and the surface plasmons of the gold colloids. The fluorescence enhancement was found to be higher with 200 nm gold colloids as compared to 40 nm colloids due to the increased contribution of the scattering portion of the 200 nm gold colloid extinction spectrum. These observations suggest that gold colloids could be used in MEF applications, offering more stable surfaces than the commonly used silvered surfaces, for applications requiring longer term storage and use.

Preparation and Administration of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRHa) Implants for the Artificial Control of Reproductive Maturation in Captive-Reared Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus)

Abstract: Mature migrating Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus) were captured in the Mediterranean Sea with a purse seine and reared in floating cages for 2 to 3 years. During the natural spawning period (June–July) of two consecutive years, fish were randomly implanted underwater with a controlled-release delivery system (implant) loaded with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), in order to induce final oocyte maturation (FOM), ovulation/spermiation, and spawning. At the time of sampling, males were significantly larger than females (ANOVA, P < 0.001), having a mean (± SE) fork length and body weight of 190 ± 3 cm and 122 ± 5 kg, compared to 176 ± 3 cm and 94 ± 4 kg of females, respectively. All fish were reproductively mature, with their age ranging between 5 and 12 years and males being a year older, on average. After GnRHa implantation, fish were monitored for spawning and the release of eggs, and were sacrificed at different times after hormone treatment in order to examine the p...

A unifold, mesofold, and superfold model of protein fold use

Abstract: As more and more protein structures are determined, there is increasing interest in the question of how many different folds have been used in biology. The history of the rate of discovery of new folds and the distribution of sequence families among known folds provide a means of estimating the underlying distribution of fold use. Previous models exploiting these data have led to rather different conclusions on the total number of folds. We present a new model, based on the notion that the folds used in biology fall naturally into three classes: unifolds, that is, folds found only in a single narrow sequence family; mesofolds, found in an intermediate number of families; and the previously noted superfolds, found in many protein families. We show that this model fits the available data well and has predicted the development of SCOP over the past 2 years. The principle implications of the model are as follows: (1) The vast majority of folds will be found in only a single sequence family; (2) the total number of folds is at least 10,000; and (3) 80% of sequence families have one of about 400 folds, most of which are already known.

Interaction of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus Replicase Protein with a NAC Domain Transcription Factor Is Associated with the Suppression of Systemic Host Defenses

Abstract: An interaction between the helicase domain of the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) 126-/183-kDa replicase protein(s) and the Arabidopsis thaliana NAC domain transcription factor ATAF2 was identified via yeast two-hybrid and in planta immunoprecipitation assays. ATAF2 is transcriptionally induced in response to TMV infection, and its overexpression significantly reduces virus accumulation. Proteasome inhibition studies suggest that ATAF2 is targeted for degradation during virus infection. The transcriptional activity of known defense-associated marker genes PR1, PR2, and PDF1.2 significantly increase within transgenic plants overexpressing ATAF2. In contrast, these marker genes have reduced transcript levels in ATAF2 knockout or repressor plant lines. Thus, ATAF2 appears to function in the regulation of host basal defense responses. In response to TMV infections, ATAF2 and PR1 display increased transcript accumulations in inoculated tissues but not in systemically infected tissues. ATAF2 and PR1 transcript levels also increase in response to salicylic acid treatment. However, the salicylic acid treatment of systemically infected tissues did not produce a similar increase in either ATAF2 or PR1 transcripts, suggesting that host defense responses are attenuated during systemic virus invasion. Similarly, noninfected ATAF2 knockout or ATAF2 repressor lines display reduced levels of PR1 transcripts when treated with salicylic acid. Taken together, these findings suggest that the replicase-ATAF2 interaction suppresses basal host defenses as a means to promote systemic virus accumulation.

ZapA, the IgA-degrading metalloprotease of Proteus mirabilis, is a virulence factor expressed specifically in swarmer cells.

Abstract: The IgA-degrading metalloprotease, ZapA, of the urinary tract pathogen Proteus mirabilis is co-ordinately expressed along with other proteins and virulence factors during swarmer cell differentiation. In this communication, we have used zapA to monitor IgA protease expression during the differentiation of vegetative swimmer cells to fully differentiated swarmer cells. Northern blot analysis of wild-type cells and beta-galactosidase measurements using a zapA:lacZ fusion strain indicate that zapA is fully expressed only in differentiated swarmer cells. Moreover, the expression of zapA on nutrient agar medium is co-ordinately regulated in concert with the cycles of cellular differentiation, swarm migration and consolidation that produce the bull's-eye colonies typically associated with P. mirabilis. ZapA activity is not required for swarmer cell differentiation or swarming behaviour, as ZapA- strains produce wild-type colony patterns. ZapA- strains fail to degrade IgA and show decreased survival compared with the wild-type cells during infection in a mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection (UTI). These data underscore the importance of the P. mirabilis IgA-degrading metalloprotease in UTI. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences adjacent to zapA reveals four additional genes, zapE, zapB, zapC and zapD, which appear to possess functions required for ZapA activity and IgA proteolysis. Based on homology to other known proteins, these genes encode a second metalloprotease, ZapE, as well as a ZapA-specific ABC transporter system (ZapB, ZapC and ZapD). A model describing the function and interaction of each of these five proteins in the degradation of host IgA during UTI is presented.