Buoyant Density Gradient Research Articles

A method for characterizing dissolved DNA and its application to the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

AbstractDissolved DNA (D‐DNA) is a ubiquitous component of dissolved organic matter in aquatic systems. It is operationally defined as the DNA that passes a membrane filter and thus includes pools of truly dissolved “free” DNA (F‐DNA), virion encapsidated DNA, DNA within membrane vesicles, and possibly other bound forms, each with different sources and lability. We investigated whether filtration (< 0.1 μm), concentration by tangential flow ultrafiltration (> 30 kDa), and fractionation in an equilibrium buoyant density gradient could be used to discriminate the mass contributions of the different pools of filterable DNA in seawater. Spike‐in experiments with a known range of DNA standards (75–20,000 bp) indicated that this method results in high recoveries of F‐DNA (68–86%) with minimal degradation. Application of the fractionation method to seawater samples collected from the oligotrophic North Pacific Ocean followed by analysis of fractions (epifluorescence and electron microscopy, DNase digestion) suggested that the low‐density fractions (1.30–1.35 g mL−1) were dominated by vesicle‐like particles, mid‐density fractions (1.45–1.55 g mL−1) by virus‐like particles, and high‐density fractions (1.60–1.70 g mL−1) by F‐DNA. The estimated concentration of DNA that is either F‐DNA, in viruses, or in vesicles was 0.13, 0.14, and 0.08 μg L−1, respectively in the euphotic zone and 0.09, 0.04, and 0.03 μg L−1, respectively in the mesopelagic zone. The approach described should be useful for more detailed investigations of the abundance, dynamics, and sources of DNA in the distinct pools that comprise filterable DNA in aquatic environments.

The “adductome”: A limited repertoire of adducted proteins in human cells

Proteins form adducts with nucleic acids in a variety of contexts, and these adducts may be cytotoxic if not repaired. Here we apply a proteomic approach to identification of proteins adducted to DNA or RNA in normally proliferating cells. This approach combines RADAR fractionation of proteins covalently bound to nucleic acids with quantitative mass spectrometry (MS). We demonstrate that “RADAR-MS” can quantify induction of TOP1- or TOP2-DNA adducts in cells treated with topotecan or etoposide, respectively, and also identify intermediates in physiological adduct repair. We validate RADAR-MS for discovery of previously unknown adducts by determining the repertoires of adducted proteins in two different normally proliferating human cell lines, CCRF-CEM T cells and GM639 fibroblasts. These repertoires are significantly similar with one another and exhibit robust correlations in their quantitative profiles (Spearman r = 0.52). A very similar repertoire is identified by the classical approach of CsCl buoyant density gradient centrifugation. We find that in normally proliferating human cells, the repertoire of adducted proteins — the “adductome” — is comprised of a limited number of proteins belonging to specific functional groups, and that it is greatly enriched for histones, HMG proteins and proteins involved in RNA splicing. Treatment with low concentrations of formaldehyde caused little change in the composition of the repertoire of adducted proteins, suggesting that reactive aldehydes generated by ongoing metabolic processes may contribute to protein adduction in normally proliferating cells. The identification of an endogenous adductome highlights the importance of adduct repair in maintaining genomic structure and the potential for deficiencies in adduct repair to contribute to cancer.

Viability assessment of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707 on non-dairy foods using quantitative fluorescence microscopy

This study demonstrates an effective technique for separating and purifying viable bacteria from samples that interfere with viability staining. The viability of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707 was assessed using Percoll Buoyant Density Gradient Centrifugation (PBDC) to separate bacteria from complex non-dairy food matrices and Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy (QFM) to determine individual cells using LIVE/DEAD BacLight bacterial viability staining. Water agar (3%) was used to retain cells of B. longum and offered a lower fluorescence background with BacLight viability staining, compared with fixation on polycarbonate (PC) black membrane. The effect of drying temperatures and non-dairy foods on viability of B. longum was assessed. B. longum coated on oat, peanut or raisin was separated by filtration, low- and high-speed centrifugation, flotation and sedimentation buoyant density centrifugation. Purified cells were subsequently deposited on water agar for rehydration followed by LIVE/DEAD BacLight viability staining and enumeration. Conventional plate counting was also conducted to compare viability results. Finally, this method was applied to assess cell membrane damages of B. longum incorporated onto non-dairy foods during 24 h drying. Furthermore, viability assessment of B. longum coated onto oat, peanut, or raisin was much lower by plate counting compared to viability staining. Drying appeared to have a greater impact when viability was assessed by plate counting compared to viability staining. ImportanceEnumeration of viable beneficial bacteria from function foods presents a significant bottleneck for product development and quality control. Interference with microscopic and/or fluorescent techniques by ingredients, time required to incubate plated microbes, and the transient nature of the colony forming unit make rapid assessment of viable bacteria difficult. Viability assessment of Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707 by Percoll Buoyant Density Gradient Centrifugation with LIVE/DEAD BacLight viability staining on water agar (3%) was in agreement with serial dilution enumeration. Without the need for incubation viability assessment by staining provided a more rapid means to assess the impact of drying on the viability of B. longum coated onto oat, peanut or raisin.

Extracellular Vesicle-Mimetic Ghost Nanovesicles for Delivering Anti-Inflammatory Drugs to Mitigate Gram-Negative Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicle-Induced Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

Sepsis is one of the major causes of death in hospital patients and is represented by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) associated with infection. Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli can provoke sepsis by stimulating the immune systems. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), nanosized vesicular structures derived from Gram-negative bacteria, contain several pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and are demonstrated to mediate SIRS. Here, extracellular vesicle-mimetic ghost nanovesicles loaded with dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, are developed using alkaline solution, sonication, and buoyant density gradient ultracentrifugation. These ghost nanovesicles have comparable physical features with naturally released extracellular vesicles but have 200-fold higher production yields than extracellular vesicles. Importantly, these ghost nanovesicles are devoid of potentially unwanted luminal cargos, including cytosolic proteins and nucleic acids. By maintaining the same topology as the parental cells, these dexamethasone-loaded ghost nanovesicles derived from human U937 monocytes reduce the release of interleukin-8 from OMV-treated endothelial cells in vitro, and mitigate the symptoms of OMV-induced SIRS in vivo. This study sheds light on using extracellular vesicle-mimetic ghost nanovesicles to deliver therapeutics to treat diseases such as bacterial sepsis.

Variance in bacterial communities, potential bacterial carbon sequestration and nitrogen fixation between light and dark conditions under elevated CO2 in mine tailings

This study is the first to show the response of bacterial communities with primary carbon and nitrogen fixers to elevated CO2 (eCO2) in light and dark conditions based on 6 months of culture growth. Carbon sequestration and nitrogen fixation were analyzed by 13C and 15N isotope labeling using 13C-labeled CO2 and 15N-labeled N2, followed by pyrosequencing and DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP) to identify carbon fixers and nitrogen fixers. The results indicated that eCO2 decreased the Chao 1 richness, and the eCO2-light treatment exhibited the highest Shannon diversity. In addition, eCO2 (in either light or dark conditions) greatly increased the relative abundances of bacteria belonging to the classes Betaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. The 13C atom % in the mine tailings increased from 1.108 to 1.84 ± 0.11 under light conditions and 1.52 ± 0.17 under dark conditions after 6 months of culture growth. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) form I-coding gene (cbbL) copy numbers were 164.30-fold and 40.36-fold higher than RubisCO form II-coding gene (cbbM) copy numbers in the heavy fractions with a buoyant density of 1.7388 g·mL−1 relative to the buoyant density gradients of DNA fractions obtained under eCO2-light and eCO2-dark treatment, respectively. The Proteobacteria-like cbbL genes were dominant in the carbon fixers. In addition, the 15N atom % in the mine tailings increased from 0.366 to 0.454 ± 0.021 in light conditions and 0.437 ± 0.018 in dark conditions. Furthermore, uncultured nitrogen-fixing bacteria were the dominant nitrogen fixers in light conditions, and bacteria harboring the Bradyrhizobium-like nifH and Leptospirillum-like nifH genes were the dominant nitrogen fixers in dark conditions. These first data for a mine tailing ecosystem are inconsistent with those obtained for a range of other ecosystems, in which the effects of CO2 were limited to several nonphotoautotrophic communities and different nitrogen fixers.

A method for the isolation and enrichment of purified bovine milk exosomes

Exosomes are nanovesicles that play important roles in intercellular communication as they carry information to target cells. Isolation of high purity exosomes will aid in studying the exosomal cargo and quantity as well as how cell-specific messages are carried. We describe a new method incorporating size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to enrich milk-derived exosomes from extracellular vesicles (EVs). This involved the initial isolation of EVs from bovine milk via milk processing and ultracentrifugation; followed by a new method to enrich exosomes using SEC. This method was compared to buoyant density gradient centrifugation, a widely used method of enrichment. Exosomes were characterised by particle concentration and size (nanoparticle tracking analysis, NTA), morphology (transmission electron microscopy, TEM), presence of exosomal markers (immunoblotting) and protein concentration (bicinchoninic acid assay, BCA). Proteomic profiles of exosomal fractions were analyzed by mass spectrometry using Information Dependant Acquisition. Milk exosomal fractions were shown to contain exosomal markers flotillin-1 (FLOT-1) and tumor susceptibility gene-101 (TSG-101). The new method produced a higher yield of exosomes compared to buoyant density gradient centrifugation. Pooled exosomal fractions exhibited intact morphology by TEM. The use of SEC confirmed the fractionation of exosomes based on size while minimizing the interference with proteins. Tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 were observed via mass spectrometry in exosomal fractions. This new and efficient method confirmed the signatures for exosomes derived from unpasteurized bovine milk. Purification of exosomes is a foundational technique in the study of biomarkers for pathological conditions and effective drug delivery systems.

Nocardioides, Sediminibacterium, Aquabacterium, Variovorax, and Pseudomonas linked to carbon uptake during aerobic vinyl chloride biodegradation.

Vinyl chloride (VC) is a frequent groundwater contaminant and a known human carcinogen. Bioremediation is a potential cleanup strategy for contaminated sites; however, little is known about the bacteria responsible for aerobic VC degradation in mixed microbial communities. In attempts to address this knowledge gap, the microorganisms able to assimilate labeled carbon ((13)C) from VC within a mixed culture capable of rapid VC degradation (120μmol in 7days) were identified using stable isotope probing (SIP). For this, at two time points during VC degradation (days 3 and 7), DNA was extracted from replicate cultures initially supplied with labeled or unlabeled VC. The extracted DNA was ultracentrifuged, fractioned, and the fractions of greater buoyant density (heavy fractions, 1.758 to 1.780gmL(-1)) were subject to high-throughput sequencing. Following this, specific primers were designed for the most abundant phylotypes in the heavy fractions. Then, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used across the buoyant density gradient to confirm label uptake by these phylotypes. From qPCR and/or sequencing data, five phylotypes were found to be dominant in the heavy fractions, including Nocardioides (∼40%), Sediminibacterium (∼25%), Aquabacterium (∼17%), Variovorax (∼6%), and Pseudomonas (∼1%). The abundance of two functional genes (etnC and etnE) associated with VC degradation was also investigated in the SIP fractions. Peak shifts of etnC and etnE gene abundance toward heavier fractions were observed, indicating uptake of (13)C into the microorganisms harboring these genes. Analysis of the total microbial community indicated a significant dominance of Nocardioides over the other label-enriched phylotypes. Overall, the data indicate Nocardioides is primarily responsible for VC degradation in this mixed culture, with the other putative VC degraders generating a small growth benefit from VC degradation. The specific primers designed toward the putative VC degraders may be of use for investigating VC degradation potential at contaminated sites.

DNA Composition and Mitotic Time Cycle Duration in the Evolution of Faba Bean and Its Wild Relatives

The composition of nuclear DNA and mitotic time cycle in Vicia faba, commonly known as Faba bean, and its close relatives grouped together in Narbonensis species complex are compared. The melting profile and buoyant density gradient analysis in the species, V. narbonensis, V. serratifolia, V. galilaea and V. hyaeniscyamus belonging to Narbonensis species complex and V. faba did not show any appreciable change in the base composition. The density gradient profiles in the species belonging to the complex showed the presence of a distinct satellite fraction in each species. This satellite fraction was absent in V. faba. The change in the total duration or the duration of different stages of mitotic cycle in the species belonging to the species complex was not significantly different. In comparison, V. faba had longer mitotic cycle duration.

Lipoprotein Receptors Redundantly Participate in Entry of Hepatitis C Virus.

Scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) are known to be involved in entry of hepatitis C virus (HCV), but their precise roles and their interplay are not fully understood. In this study, deficiency of both SR-B1 and LDLR in Huh7 cells was shown to impair the entry of HCV more strongly than deficiency of either SR-B1 or LDLR alone. In addition, exogenous expression of not only SR-B1 and LDLR but also very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) rescued HCV entry in the SR-B1 and LDLR double-knockout cells, suggesting that VLDLR has similar roles in HCV entry. VLDLR is a lipoprotein receptor, but the level of its hepatic expression was lower than those of SR-B1 and LDLR. Moreover, expression of mutant lipoprotein receptors incapable of binding to or uptake of lipid resulted in no or slight enhancement of HCV entry in the double-knockout cells, suggesting that binding and/or uptake activities of lipid by lipoprotein receptors are essential for HCV entry. In addition, rescue of infectivity in the double-knockout cells by the expression of the lipoprotein receptors was not observed following infection with pseudotype particles bearing HCV envelope proteins produced in non-hepatic cells, suggesting that lipoproteins associated with HCV particles participate in the entry through their interaction with lipoprotein receptors. Buoyant density gradient analysis revealed that HCV utilizes these lipoprotein receptors in a manner dependent on the lipoproteins associated with HCV particles. Collectively, these results suggest that lipoprotein receptors redundantly participate in the entry of HCV.

DNA 형태 적응을 거쳐 P2sir-관련 도움파지 비효율성을 극복하는 박테리오파지 P4 sid<sup>+</sup> 유도체 정성 연구

A certain size of DNA (28-29 kb long) to be packaged into P2-size head and the mutation in sid gene of bacteriophage P4 are the major factors to overcome sir-associated helper inefficiency. To clarify whether the presence of sid mutation is essential to overcome sir-associated helper inefficiency or not, we tested the P4 derivative, P4 delRI::kmr, which is and whose genome size supposed to be 28.5 kb long in the case of being packaged into -sized large head. As P4 delRI::kmr showed the low EOP with P2 sir3 lysogen, P4 delRI::kmr phage stock was prepared in P2 sir3 lysogen host to increase the EOP with P2 sir3 lysogen. Through this process, P4 delRI::kmr had been adapted for P2 sir3 lysogen. With a CsCl buoyant equilibrium density gradient experiment and gel electrophoresis of the isolated DNA, it was evident that the adaptation of P4 delRI::kmr for P2 sir3 lysogen was caused by the conformational change of DNA to be packaged into large head. The burst size determination experiments with P4 delRI::kmr phage stock adapted for P2 sir3 lysogen and normal P4 delRI::kmr phage stock showed that not the sid mutation but the size of DNA to be packaged (28-29 kb long) was essential to overcome sir-associated helper inefficiency.

P2 <sub>sir3</sub>-sized head에 packaging 되기 용이한 크기의 박테리오파지 P4 유도체 조성과 정성 연구

The term “P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency” has been used to define the inefficient helper capability of P2 sir mutants for their satellite bacteriophage P4. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors overcoming P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency. At first, we verified whether the P2 cos region containing P4 sid71 cosP2 could overcome P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency with P2 sir3. The result was that P4 sid71 cosP2 could not overcome P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency with P2 sir3. Instead of cos region of P2, the size of the DNA packaged into a P2 sir -sized head seems to be important for overcoming P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency. In the present work, three kinds of P4 derivatives with packaged DNA sizes between those of P4 ost1 and P4 ost2, were constructed through DNA manipulation. In one P4 derivative, P4 sid71 delRI::apr, the size of the packaged DNA was identified with a CsCl buoyant equilibrium density gradient experiment. According to the burst sizes of the P4 derivatives, they could overcome P2 sir3-associated helper inefficiency. The size of the P4 derivative DNA suitable for packaging into a P2 sir3 -sized head was 28-29 kb.

Transgressive, reiterative selection by continuous buoyant density gradient centrifugation of Dunaliella salina results in enhanced lipid and starch content

Microalgae can serve as useful feedstocks for biofuel production as they can be grown with fresh, brackish, or salt water and their lipid and starch contents can be manipulated to create customized feedstocks for different classes of biofuels. Continuous buoyant density gradient centrifugation (CBDGC) was used to perform reiterative, transgressive selection to isolate wildtype and ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized Dunaliella salina cells with enhanced lipid and starch production. Sixty rounds of transgressive selection resulted in the isolation of cell populations with significantly lower or higher buoyant densities. Lipid content in the low-density populations was enhanced by 1.2- to 2.9-fold in wildtype cells and 1.3- to 2.3-fold in mutagenized cells as measured by Nile Red dye staining, but the lipid content differences were not significant when quantified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy possibly due to the composition of the lipid pools measured by these contrasting techniques. In contrast, starch content in the high-density populations was increased by 2-fold in wild type cells and 1.4- to 1.6-fold in mutagenized cells, respectively. The observed alterations in lipid and starch contents appeared to be stable after more than 70weeks (392 cell generations). CBDGC-based selection provides a useful and accessible technological alternative to genetic engineering approaches for the customization of microbial biofuel feedstocks.

Detection of sialic acid-utilising bacteria in a caecal community batch culture using RNA-based stable isotope probing.

Sialic acids are monosaccharides typically found on cell surfaces and attached to soluble proteins, or as essential components of ganglioside structures that play a critical role in brain development and neural transmission. Human milk also contains sialic acid conjugated to oligosaccharides, glycolipids, and glycoproteins. These nutrients can reach the large bowel where they may be metabolised by the microbiota. However, little is known about the members of the microbiota involved in this function. To identify intestinal bacteria that utilise sialic acid within a complex intestinal community, we cultured the caecal microbiota from piglets in the presence of 13C-labelled sialic acid. Using RNA-based stable isotope probing, we identified bacteria that consumed 13C-sialic acid by fractionating total RNA in isopycnic buoyant density gradients followed by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Addition of sialic acid caused significant microbial community changes. A relative rise in Prevotella and Lactobacillus species was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the genera Escherichia/Shigella, Ruminococcus and Eubacterium. Inspection of isotopically labelled RNA sequences suggests that the labelled sialic acid was consumed by a wide range of bacteria. However, species affiliated with the genus Prevotella were clearly identified as the most prolific users, as solely their RNA showed significantly higher relative shares among the most labelled RNA species. Given the relevance of sialic acid in nutrition, this study contributes to a better understanding of their microbial transformation in the intestinal tract with potential implications for human health.

The Characterization of RNA Viruses in Tropical Seawater Using Targeted PCR and Metagenomics

ABSTRACTViruses have a profound influence on the ecology and evolution of plankton, but our understanding of the composition of the aquatic viral communities is still rudimentary. This is especially true of those viruses having RNA genomes. The limited data that have been published suggest that the RNA virioplankton is dominated by viruses with positive-sense, single-stranded (+ss) genomes that have features in common with those of eukaryote-infecting viruses in the order Picornavirales (picornavirads). In this study, we investigated the diversity of the RNA virus assemblages in tropical coastal seawater samples using targeted PCR and metagenomics. Amplification of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes from fractions of a buoyant density gradient suggested that the distribution of two major subclades of the marine picornavirads was largely congruent with the distribution of total virus-like RNA, a finding consistent with their proposed dominance. Analyses of the RdRp sequences in the library revealed the presence of many diverse phylotypes, most of which were related only distantly to those of cultivated viruses. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that there were hundreds of unique picornavirad-like phylotypes in one 35-liter sample that differed from one another by at least as much as the differences among currently recognized species. Assembly of the sequences in the metagenome resulted in the reconstruction of six essentially complete viral genomes that had features similar to viruses in the families Bacillarna-, Dicistro-, and Marnaviridae. Comparison of the tropical seawater metagenomes with those from other habitats suggests that +ssRNA viruses are generally the most common types of RNA viruses in aquatic environments, but biases in library preparation remain a possible explanation for this observation.

RNA–Stable-Isotope Probing Shows Utilization of Carbon from Inulin by Specific Bacterial Populations in the Rat Large Bowel

Knowledge of the trophisms that underpin bowel microbiota composition is required in order to understand its complex phylogeny and function. Stable-isotope ((13)C)-labeled inulin was added to the diet of rats on a single occasion in order to detect utilization of inulin-derived substrates by particular members of the cecal microbiota. Cecal digesta from Fibruline-inulin-fed rats was collected prior to (0 h) and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 h following provision of the [(13)C]inulin diet. RNA was extracted from these cecal specimens and fractionated in isopycnic buoyant density gradients in order to detect (13)C-labeled nucleic acid originating in bacterial cells that had metabolized the labeled dietary constituent. RNA extracted from specimens collected after provision of the labeled diet was more dense than 0-h RNA. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes amplified from cDNA obtained from these fractions showed that Bacteroides uniformis, Blautia glucerasea, Clostridium indolis, and Bifidobacterium animalis were the main users of the (13)C-labeled substrate. Culture-based studies of strains of these bacterial species enabled trophisms associated with inulin and its hydrolysis products to be identified. B. uniformis utilized Fibruline-inulin for growth, whereas the other species used fructo-oligosaccharide and monosaccharides. Thus, RNA-stable-isotope probing (RNA-SIP) provided new information about the use of carbon from inulin in microbiota metabolism.

Growth of hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens on substrate from rice plant callus cells in anaerobic soil: an estimation to the role of slough-off root cap cells to their growth

Flooded paddy fields are the major anthropogenic sources of methane (CH4) emission, and organic materials of rice plant origin were estimated to be important as its source. This study used rice (Oryza sativa L. cv, Yukihikari) callus cells as a model material for slough-off root cap cells, and carbon-13 (13C)-labelled callus cells were subjected to decomposition in aerobic and anaerobic soil microcosms for 56 days. DNA was extracted from a soil incubated with carbon-12 (12C)- and 13C-callus cells and subjected to buoyant density gradient centrifugation to identify methanogenic archaeal species that assimilated carbon from the callus cells. 13C-labelled 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) fragments from methanogenic archaea were not polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified in heavy fractions under aerobic soil conditions, while they were successfully done from day 3 onwards under anaerobic soil conditions. Eighty-four denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands in heavy fractions were sequenced, revealing that they were members of Methanosarcina spp. (20 clones), Methanosaeta spp. (18 clones), Methanocella spp. (25 clones), Methanomicrobiales (10 clones), Methanobacterium spp. (7 clones) and Cluster ZC-I (2 clones). They included hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens and were phylogenetically different from those residing in rice roots and, presumably, from those assimilating root exudate and mucilage-derived carbon. This study indicates that carbon of slough-off root cap cells propagates specific methanogenic species in rice rhizosphere under anaerobic soil conditions and thus augments the diversity of the total rhizospheric methanogenic community.

박테리오파지 P2의 cos 지역을 함유하는 박테리오파지 P4 유도체인 P4 sid71 cosP2의 In vitro 조성과 정성 연구

박테리오파지 P2 sir 변이체는 그것의 위성파지인 박테리오 파지 P4를 위해 비효율적인 도움파지로 알려졌다. 이러한 현상을 "P2 sir-관련 도움파지 비효율성"이라고 부르고 있으며, P2와 P4의 cos 지역에서의 DNA 염기배열 순서 차이가 이러한 현상을 나타나게 한다고 생각되었다. 이를 검증하기 위해, 여러 단계의 in vitro DNA 조작을 거쳐 P2의 cos 지역을 함유하는 유도체 P4인 P4 sid71 cosP2를 조성하였다. 일단계 생장 실험을 통해 그것의 후손 방출량을 결정하였다. 그 결과는, P4 sid71 cosP2에서 P4의 cos 지역을 P2의 cos 지역으로 대체한 것이 "P2 sir-관련 도움파지 비효율성"을 극복한 것으로 나타났다. P2 야생형과 P2 sir 돌연변이형을 도움파지로 삼아 준비한 P4 sid71 cosP2 파지 농축액들을 CsCl 부양 균등밀도 편차실험으로 분석하였다. 그 결과, 양 경우 모두 3개의 P4 유전체를 가진 파지 입자가 우세한 것으로 나타났다. Bacteriophage P2 sir mutants are inefficient helpers for their satellite bacteriophage P4. The term, "P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency" has been used to define this phenomenon and it has been suggested that the DNA sequence difference between the cos region of P2 and that of P4 is responsible. To test this hypothesis, P4 derivative phage, P4 sid71 cosP2, containing the cos region of P2 and sid71 allele was constructed through several in vitro DNA manipulation steps. Its burst size was determined using a one-step growth experiment. The results showed that the substitution of the cos region of P2 for the cos region of P4 in P4 sid71 cosP2 overcame "P2 sir-associated helper inefficiency". P4 sid71 cosP2 stock phages prepared with P2 wild type helper and P2 sir helper were analyzed using a CsCl buoyant equilibrium density gradient experiment. The results revealed that the phage particles containing three copies of the P4 genome were the predominant particles in both cases.

Bacterial communities that decompose root cap cells in an anaerobic soil: estimation by DNA-SIP method using rice plant callus cells

Root cap cells are an important substrate for rhizospheric microorganisms. In this study carbon (13C)-labelled callus cells of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv, Yukihikari) (84 atom % 13C) were used as a model material for root cap cells and subjected to decomposition in an anaerobic soil microcosm for 56 days. DNA was extracted from soils incubated with 13C-labelled and unlabelled callus cells and subjected to buoyant density (BD) gradient centrifugation to identify bacterial species that assimilated callus cells. Many denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands were detected in the heavy BD fractions in the soil with 13C-callus cells from day 3 onwards. Sequencing 13C-labelled DGGE bands revealed that they were mainly derived from Gram-negative bacteria and that Acidobacteria, δ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were predominant bacteria assimilating rice callus cells. Strictly anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium spp., Geothrix spp. and Holophaga spp. were predominant decomposers of callus cells. These species were phylogenetically distinct from the bacteria of rice callus assimilation in the aerobic soil and from the bacteria in rice roots. This study indicates that root cap cells are decomposed by different bacterial species during the upland nursery stage and after transplanting to flooded rice fields.

Munc13 Homology Domain-1 in CAPS/UNC31 Mediates SNARE Binding Required for Priming Vesicle Exocytosis

Neuropeptide and peptide hormone secretion from neural and endocrine cells occurs by Ca(2+)-triggered dense-core vesicle exocytosis. The membrane fusion machinery consisting of vesicle and plasma membrane SNARE proteins needs to be assembled for Ca(2+)-triggered vesicle exocytosis. The related Munc13 and CAPS/UNC31 proteins that prime vesicle exocytosis are proposed to promote SNARE complex assembly. CAPS binds SNARE proteins and stimulates SNARE complex formation on liposomes, but the relevance of SNARE binding to CAPS function in cells had not been determined. Here we identify a core SNARE-binding domain in CAPS as corresponding to Munc13 homology domain-1 (MHD1). CAPS lacking a single helix in MHD1 was unable to bind SNARE proteins or to support the Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis of either docked or newly arrived dense-core vesicles. The results show that MHD1 is a SNARE-binding domain and that SNARE protein binding is essential for CAPS function in dense-core vesicle exocytosis.

Identification of microbial communities that assimilate substrate from root cap cells in an aerobic soil using a DNA-SIP approach

Although root cap cells are an important substrate for microorganisms in the rhizosphere, little attention has been paid to the decomposition of sloughed root cap cells by microorganisms. This study used rice plant callus cells grown on medium containing 13C-labelled glucose as a model material for rice plant root cap cells. Harvested 13C-labelled callus cells (78 atom % 13C) were subjected to decomposition in an aerobic soil microcosm for 56 days. The low cellulose and lignin levels and the disaggregated nature of the callus cells indicated that these cells were an appropriate model material for root cap cells. DNA was extracted from a soil incubated with 12C- and 13C-callus cells and subjected to buoyant density gradient centrifugation to identify bacterial species that assimilated carbon from the callus cells. The stability of the total bacterial communities during the incubation was estimated. Many DGGE bands in light fractions of soil incubated with 13C-callus cells were weaker in intensity than those from soil incubated with 12C-callus cells, and those bands were shifted to heavier fractions after 13C-callus treatment. 13C-labelled DNA was detected from Day 3 onwards, and the DGGE bands in the heavy fractions were most numerous on Day 21. DGGE bands from heavy and light fractions were sequenced, revealing more than 70% of callus- C incorporating bacteria were Gram-negative, predominantly α- Proteobacteria, β- Proteobacteria, γ- Proteobacteria, Sphingobacteria and Actinobacteria. These species were phylogenetically distinct from the bacteria reported to be present during plant residue decomposition and resident in rice roots. This study indicates that root cap cells are decomposed by specific bacterial species in the rhizosphere, and that these species augment the diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities.