Conformity Orientation Research Articles

Tilting and twirling as myosin V steps along actin filaments as detected by fluorescence polarization

The myosin superfamily of mechanoenzymes, more commonly referred to as molecular motors, converts chemical energy from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work through its cyclic interactions with actin, which serves as a cytoskeletal track for myosin. Various classes of myosin perform such basic cellular processes that range from muscle contraction to intracellular cargo transport and exocytosis. Class V myosins (myoV) are one of the most highly studied processive molecular motors, which have the ability to travel long distances (>1 µm) by taking multiple, 36-nm hand-over-hand steps without falling off their actin tracks (Forkey et al., 2003; Warshaw et al., 2005). This ability makes the motor well suited for directed intracellular cargo transport along the actin cytoskeleton, traveling from the cell center toward the cell periphery. However, the intracellular actin highway is extremely complex, consisting of a 3-D meshwork of intersecting actin filaments and cross-linked filaments (i.e., bundles) that present a physical challenge to efficient myoV transport. How myoV copes with these cytoskeletal challenges requires an understanding of how this molecular motor’s structure allows it to be adept at maneuvering through the cell’s actin meshwork. In this issue, Lewis et al. paint an elegant 3-D picture of how myoV motors engage their actin track using state-of-the-art single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, providing molecular structure and function in real time as the myoV molecule walks step by step in vitro along a single actin filament adhered to a glass microscope slide (Figs. 1 and ​and2).2). By placing rigidly coupled fluorescent probes at specific locations on the myoV motor (Fig. 1), fluorescence polarization (pol) measurements in a total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscope provided high temporal (80 ms) and angular (10°) resolution, polTIRF readouts of the myoV’s conformational orientation relative to its actin track for each step taken by the motor. Knowing the limits of myoV’s structural flexibility and how it contributes to its processive motion in vitro are critical pieces of information that must be defined before appreciating how in vivo myoV deals with the complexity of the actin cytoskeleton.

Family Communication Patterns Moderate the Relationship Between Psychological Reactance and Willingness to Talk About Organ Donation

Considerable research has investigated how psychological reactance affects individuals' responses to health promotion messages, but little is known about how family processes might moderate the reactance process. In this study, 301 participants were exposed to a persuasive message about organ donation. The moderating role of family communication patterns in the reactance process was tested using hierarchical regression. We found that family conversation orientation had a direct effect on willingness to talk with family members about being an organ donor and that family conformity orientation and family conversation orientation each interacted with reactance to predict willingness to communicate with family about donation. Theoretically, these results extend psychological reactance theory by considering how interpersonal factors affect the reactance process. Practically, the findings suggest that for optimal impact, family processes should be considered in the design of messages promoting organ donation.

Trait Verbal Aggressiveness as a Function of Family Communication Patterns

This study examined the degree to which family communication patterns (i.e., conversation and conformity orientations) predict young adults' trait verbal aggressiveness (VA). Participants included 474 young adult children from the Southwestern region of the United States. Results indicated that conversation orientation is inversely associated with trait VA, whereas conformity orientation is positively associated with trait VA. When combined, both family orientations emerged as significant predictors of young adults' trait VA, accounting for 9% of the variance. Post hoc analyses revealed that young adults from pluralistic families (i.e., high conversation, low conformity) reported lower levels of trait VA than young adults from consensual, protective, and laissez-faire families. Reasons for the post hoc results are offered.

Ras Isoform-Specific Membrane Interactions: A Molecular Mechanism for Isoform-Specific Ras Signaling

The existence of membrane subdomains with different lipid composition and the relationship between lipid-domain formation and the conformation and functional properties of membrane-associated proteins is one of the central questions in the fields of membrane biochemistry and biophysics. Raft domains are suggested to play a role in signal transduction processes by acting as “signaling platforms”.In the present study, a well established zwitterionic and anionic model raft membrane system has been used to analyze the lateral segregation in and conformational orientation at heterogeneous membranes of two different, fully lipidated Ras isoforms, namely N-Ras and K-Ras4B. The results show that membrane microdomain localization of Ras is mediated by the isoform-specific, posttranslationally modified C-terminal sequence. Whereas a time-dependent diffusion and subsequent clustering in the lo/ld phase boundary region of phase separated membranes was observed for N-Ras [1], formation of new fluid, protein-enriched domains was detected for K-Ras4B by time-lapse atomic force microscopy [2]. Corresponding IRRA and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy experiments revealed an isoform-specific orientation of the Ras G-domain at the membrane interface that is also dependent on GDP/GTP-loading. Altogether, the results of this study lead to the postulation of a molecular mechanism for isoform-specific Ras signaling from separate membrane microdomains that could potentially operate as an effective, high fidelity signaling platform with distinct signal outputs for the Ras isoforms: minimization of the line energy (N-Ras) versus lipid sorting through electrostatic interactions (K-Ras4B) [2].References1) Weise K et al. (2009) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131: 1557-1564.2) Weise K et al. (2011) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 133: 880-887.

Personality Antecedents of Self-Other Rating Discrepancy

Multi-rater feedback systems are increasingly being used in organizations for assessment and development. Research suggests self-ratings are often uncorrelated with other-ratings, which has implications for ratee receptivity to feedback. Prior research suggests ratee personality may offer insight into selfother rating discrepancy. We explored the extent to which five work-related personality dimensions offer explanatory variance in self-other rating discrepancy using archival data of 527 employees from a large financial organization. Analyses of 487 self-peer dyads and 501 self-supervisor dyads revealed low agreement among self-, supervisor-, and peer-ratings of performance. Self-raters high on extraversion, dominance, cultural conformity, cynicism, and detail orientation were somewhat likely to over-rate their performance as compared to peer ratings. Cynical and detail-oriented raters were likely to over-rate their performance as compared with supervisor ratings. Detail orientation and cultural conformity interacted to predict self-other rating discrepancies for both supervisors and peers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The Relationships Between Parent Communication Patterns and Sons' and Daughters' Intimate Partner Violence Involvement: Perspectives From Parents and Young Adult Children

This study examined the communication patterns of parents and how they related to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization among young adult children. One hundred and ninety-three undergraduate students and 287 parents participated in this study. Hypothesis One predicted that parental conformity orientation would predict sons' and daughters' reports of IPV perpetration and victimization, whereas Hypothesis Two predicted that parental conversation orientation would predict sons and daughters reports of their own use of and an intimate partner's use of negotiation tactics. Both hypotheses received partial support. The results suggest that parent communication patterns have the potential to be both a risk and protective factor for young adult children's involvement in IPV. The findings also draw attention to important differences in the relationships that mothers and fathers have with their children, and differences between parent and child perspectives on parent communication.

High School Students' Buying Attitudes toward School Uniform Brands according to Clothing Conformity

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate high school students' buying attitudes toward school uniform brands according to clothing conformity orientation. For this research, a survey was carried out to 418 boy and girl students in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. The data analysis of this study was verified by descriptive analysis, factor analysis, reliability tests, cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA with Duncan-test, and χ 2 -test. The results are as follows. First, high school students preferred and had strong intentions to buy school uniforms of famous leading brands although they were not satisfied with famous brands. Especially, respondents tended to have favorable attitudes toward sophisticated and luxurious designs of famous school uniform brands. Second, respondents who had a conformity to parents tended to follow parents' opinions by purchasing famous brand uniforms. The conformity group of mass media preferred famous brands, and acquired the information about uniforms from various mass media such as television or magazines. A peer conformity group also preferred leading brands. Based on results of this study, curriculum of home education department should consist of contents for inducing rational consumption of uniforms by considering students' inclination of conformity. In terms of marketing perspectives, school uniforms firms need to reinforce strategies to improve products' quality and value for money. Key words: clothing conformity orientation(의복 동조 성향), brand attitude(브랜드 태도), buying behavior(구매행동), school uniform(학생 교복).

Concomitant polymorphism in the stereoselective of a ß-benzyl-ß-hydroxyaspartate analogue

Two concomitant polymorphs, (I) and (II), of a -benzyl- -hydroxyaspartate analogue [systematic name: dibenzyl 2-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)succinate], C32H31NO7S, crystallize from a mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane at ambient temperature. The structure of (I) has triclinic (P1) symmetry and that of (II) monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry. Both crystal structures are made up of a stacking of homochiral racemic dimers (2S,3S and 2R,3R) which are internally connected by a similar R2 2(9) hydrogen-bonding pattern consisting of intermolecular N--H O andO--H O hydrogen bonds. The centroid of the racemic dimer lies on an inversion centre. The main structural difference between the two polymorphs is the conformational orientation of two of the four aromatic rings present in the molecule. Polymorph (II) is found to be twinned by reticular merohedry with twin index 3 and twin fractions 0.854 (1) and 0.146 (1).

Concomitant polymorphism in the stereoselective synthesis of a β-benzyl-β-hydroxyaspartate analogue

Two concomitant polymorphs, (I) and (II), of a β-benzyl-β-hydroxyaspartate analogue [systematic name: dibenzyl 2-benzyl-2-hydroxy-3-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)succinate], C(32)H(31)NO(7)S, crystallize from a mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane at ambient temperature. The structure of (I) has triclinic (P-1) symmetry and that of (II) monoclinic (P2(1)/c) symmetry. Both crystal structures are made up of a stacking of homochiral racemic dimers (2S,3S and 2R,3R) which are internally connected by a similar R(2)(2)(9) hydrogen-bonding pattern consisting of intermolecular N-H...O and O-H...O hydrogen bonds. The centroid of the racemic dimer lies on an inversion centre. The main structural difference between the two polymorphs is the conformational orientation of two of the four aromatic rings present in the molecule. Polymorph (II) is found to be twinned by reticular merohedry with twin index 3 and twin fractions 0.854 (1) and 0.146 (1).

Type 5 G Protein β Subunit (Gβ5) Controls the Interaction of Regulator of G Protein Signaling 9 (RGS9) with Membrane Anchors

The R7 family of regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins, comprising RGS6, RGS7, RGS9, and RGS11, regulate neuronal G protein signaling pathways. All members of the R7 RGS form trimeric complexes with the atypical G protein β subunit, Gβ5, and membrane anchor R7BP or R9AP. Association with Gβ5 and membrane anchors has been shown to be critical for maintaining proteolytic stability of the R7 RGS proteins. However, despite its functional importance, the mechanism of how R7 RGS forms complexes with Gβ5 and membrane anchors remains poorly understood. Here, we used protein-protein interaction, co-localization, and protein stability assays to show that association of RGS9 with membrane anchors requires Gβ5. We further establish that the recruitment of R7BP to the complex requires an intact interface between the N-terminal lobe of RGS9 and protein interaction surface of Gβ5. Site-directed mutational analysis reveals that distinct molecular determinants in the interface between Gβ5 and N-terminal Dishevelled, EGL-10, Pleckstrin/DEP Helical Extension (DEP/DHEY) domains are differentially involved in R7BP binding and proteolytic stabilization. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that Gβ5 contributes to the formation of the binding site to the membrane anchors and thus is playing a central role in the assembly of the proteolytically stable trimeric complex and its correct localization in the cell.

QM and QM/MM Studies of Uranyl Fluorides in the Gas and Aqueous Phases and in the Hydrophobic Cavities of Tetrabrachion

The structural properties and electronic structures of pentacoordinated uranyl complexes belonging to the [UO(2)F(n)(H(2)O)(5-n)](2-n) series have been studied in the gas and aqueous phases using density functionals with relativistic pseudopotentials and all-electron basis sets in the gas-phase calculations in combination with COSMO in the aqueous phase. In addition, the conformational orientation and structural and electronic properties of [UO(2)F(5)](3-) in the hydrophobic cavities of the right-handed coiled-coil (RHCC) protein of tetrabrachion have been determined using the hybrid QM/MM method. Although there is good agreement between the available experimental geometrical parameters and the values obtained in the aqueous phase using pseudopotentials or all-electron basis sets, variation of the uranyl U═O bond with the number of fluoride ligands is only truly captured after the inclusion of five water molecules in the second coordination sphere around the molecules. The docking procedure used in this work shows that there are only two possible orientations of the uranyl group of [UO(2)F(5)](3-) embedded in the hydrophobic cavities of the RHCC protein. The two orientations are exclusively along the axes perpendicular to the protein axial channel with no possible orientation of the uranyl group along the axial channel because of both steric effects and interaction with the alkyl chain of the isoleucine residues pointing into the axial channel. In addition, the embedded complex is always positioned nearer to the isoleucine residues at the N-terminal ends of the hydrophobic cavities. Energy analysis, however, reveals that both conformations can only be observed in cavity 2, the largest hydrophobic cavity. The structural and electronic properties of the ligand embedded in this cavity are very similar to those of the gas-phase structure. A comparable study of [Pt(CN)(6)](2-) and the anticancer drug cisplatin, [PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)], in cavity 2, revealed the existence of just two orientations for the former, similar to the uranyl complex, and multiple orientations for the latter.

P01-281 - Relationship between family communication patterns with locus of control, self esteem, shyness and communication skills in adolescents

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to investigation the relationship between the dimensions of Family communication patterns (conversation orientation and conformity orientation) with adolescents’ locus of control, self esteem, Shyness and communication patterns.MethodThe participant in this study includes 367 students (232 girls and 135 boys) of first and second graders in high school in the first region of Tehran, that were chosen by available sampling method and filled the Revised family communication patterns questionnaire (RFCP), Levenson locus of control scale (IPC), Rosenberg self esteem questionnaire, shyness questionnaire of Cheeck and Buss and communication skills questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to predict each of the criterion variables by Dimensions of family communication patterns.ResultThe regression analysis result revealed that the Family conversation orientation has a positive and significant relationship with internal locus of control, high self esteem and communication skills and predicts them positively. Also Family conformity orientation has a positive and significant relationship with external locus of control and shyness and predicts them positively. And has a significant negative relationship with self esteem and predicts it negatively.ConclusionThe finding of present research show that the families with conversation orientation, who have the free, comfortable and rich relationships as a need of joyful family life, lead to the formation of internal locus of control, higher self esteem, less shyness and more communication patterns in children in comparison with the families with conformity orientation.

Perceived and Ideal Family Communication Patterns and Family Satisfaction for Parents and their College-Aged Children

A sample of 120 dyads consisting of a parent and their college-aged child provided reports of perceived and ideal family communication patterns (FCP) in addition to indicating their satisfaction with the family. Results indicated high correlations between perceived and ideal FCP dimensions for both parents and their children. Parents reported higher scores than children did on perceived conversation orientation, ideal conversation orientation, and ideal conformity orientation. Children reported a larger gap between perceived and ideal conformity orientation, the result of a perceived excess of conformity orientation in the family. For both parents and children, unmet conversation ideals were largely the result of insufficient conversation orientation to meet desires. After controlling statistically for perceived conversation orientation, parent satisfaction was negatively predicted from the parent-child discrepancy on conversation orientation, and child satisfaction was negatively predicted from the parent-child discrepancy on conformity orientation. Several major substantive and methodological implications are discussed.

Rheo-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy: a new tool to study biopolymers

Whilst rheology is the reference technique to study the mechanical properties of unspun silk, we know little of the structure and the dynamics that generate them. By coupling infrared spectroscopy and shearing forces to study silk fibroin conversion, we are introducing a novel tool to address this gap in our knowledge. Here the silk conversion process has been studied dynamically using polarized attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy whilst applying shear, thus revealing silk protein conformation and molecular orientation in situ. Our results show that the silk conversion process starts with a pre-alignment of the proteins followed by a rapid growth of the β-sheet formation and then a subsequent deceleration of the growth. We propose that this tool will provide further insight into not only silk but any biopolymer solution, opening a new window into biological materials.

Topic Expansiveness and Family Communication Patterns

Conversational topic largely has been studied as an individual's binary decision to engage in disclosure or avoidance. The study complements this work by examining how various topics are engaged in parent-adolescent family communication. Specifically, it examines topical differences in dialogic expansiveness, conceptualized with Bakhtin's dialogism theory as the extent to which all interactants' viewpoints are encouraged and legitimated. Operationalized through topic-specific reports about conversation orientation and conformity orientation provided independently by 122 parents and their late-adolescent children, the study reconceptualized family communication patterns from a traitlike to a state-like feature of communication. Results identified four distinct clusters of topics, two of which were dialogically contractive: the single topical domain of sexual issues and the cluster consisting of the three topics of drinking/drugs/smoking, money matters, and educational progress. Topics related to adolescent friendships and everyday things occupied a dialogic expansive cluster. Four topics emerged with nondescript patterns: adolescent dating, family relationship rules, family relationship concerns, and traditions.

Microstructures of fiber suspensions in complex geometry

AbstractEvolutions of molecular conformation and fiber orientation in fiber suspensions are investigated by collocated finite volume method on unstructured triangular meshes. FENE-P (Finite Extensible Nonlinear Elastic Dumbbell model with Peterlin’s approximation) model which is microstructure-based is chosen to describe the polymeric matrix and TIF (transversely isotropic fluid) model is used to calculate the fiber contribution in order to realize the coupling of flow and fiber orientation. Microstructures of molecule and fiber are obtained by analyzing the information of molecular conformation tensor and second-order fiber orientation tensor respectively. Two numerical examples are considered, namely, a planar contraction flow and a planar flow past a confined cylinder. Present results are hoping to give more insight into the microscopic details of complex flows and thus be more helpful for industrial application.

Coupling of receptor conformation and ligand orientation determine graded activity.

SUMMARYSmall molecules stabilize specific protein conformations from a larger ensemble, enabling molecular switches that control diverse cellular functions. We show here that the converse also holds true, where the conformational state of the estrogen receptor can direct distinct orientations of the bound ligand. “Gain of allostery” mutations that mimic the effects of ligand in driving protein conformation allowed crystallization of the partial agonist ligand WAY-169916 with both the canonical active and inactive conformations of the estrogen receptor. The intermediate transcriptional activity induced by WAY169916 is associated with the ligand binding differently to the active and inactive conformations of the receptor. Analyses of a series of chemical derivatives demonstrated that altering the ensemble of ligand binding orientations changes signaling output. The coupling of different ligand binding orientations to distinct active and inactive protein conformations defines a novel mechanism for titrating allosteric signaling activity.

Family Communication Patterns and Willingness to Engage in Family Discussion about Organ Donation

While individuals may register as organ donors via state organ donor registries, it is important for people who wish to donate their organs in the future to engage in family discussion about these wishes as well because family members need to consent to the wishes of the deceased. In order to better understand possible reasons why young people may or may not engage in family discussions about organ donation, the current study examined two dimensions of family communication patterns, conformity and conversation orientations, as possible moderators for organ donation related attitudes and behaviors. Undergraduate participants (N = 461) in the United States of America responded to a questionnaire assessing general communication patterns in their family, altruism, attitudes about organ donation, intention to sign an organ donor card, and willingness to talk to family about organ donation. Findings showed that attitude toward organ donation was a stronger predictor of willingness to engage in family discussion among individuals whose family communication was lower on a conformity orientation (simple slopes, b = 0.28 versus b = 0.07) than among individuals whose family communication pattern was higher on a conformity orientation. On the other hand, intention to sign a donor card was a stronger predictor of willingness to engage in family discussion (simple slopes, b = 0.70 versus b = 0.45)) among individuals whose family communication was higher on a conversation orientation than among individuals whose family communication pattern was lower on a conversation orientation. Additionally, willingness to engage in family discussion was positively related to the self-reported behavior of family discussion about organ donation one week later.

Structures of Cytochrome P450 2B4 Complexed with the Antiplatelet Drugs Ticlopidine and Clopidogrel,

Prior X-ray crystal structures of rabbit cytochrome P450 2B4 (2B4) in complexes with various imidazoles have demonstrated markedly different enzyme conformations depending on the size of the inhibitor occupying the active site. In this study, structures of 2B4 were determined with the antiplatelet drugs clopidogrel and ticlopidine, which were expected to have greater freedom of movement in the binding pocket. Ticlopidine could be modeled into the electron density maps in two distinct orientations, both of which are consistent with metabolic data gathered with other mammalian P450 enzymes. Results of ligand docking and heme-induced NMR relaxation of drug protons showed that ticlopidine was preferentially oriented with the chlorophenyl group closest to the heme. Because of its stereocenter, clopidogrel was easier to fit in the electron density and exhibited a single orientation, which points the chlorophenyl ring toward the heme. The C(α) traces of both complexes aligned very well with each other and revealed a compact, closed structure that resembles the conformation observed in two previously determined 2B4 structures with the small molecule inhibitors 4-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole. The 2B4 active site is able to accommodate small ligands by moving only a small number of side chains, suggesting that ligand reorientation is energetically favored over protein conformational changes for binding of these similarly sized molecules. Adjusting both protein conformation and ligand orientation in the active site gives 2B4 the flexibility to bind to the widest range of molecules, while also being energetically favorable.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of lipophilic-tailed monocationic inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) have the potential to develop into new neurodegenerative therapeutics. Recently, we described the discovery of novel nNOS inhibitors ( 1a and 1b) based on a cis-pyrrolidine pharmacophore. These compounds and related ones were found to have poor blood–brain barrier permeability, presumably because of the basic nitrogens in the molecule. Here, a series of monocationic compounds was designed on the basis of docking experiments using the crystal structures of 1a, b bound to nNOS. These compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Despite the excellent overlap of these compounds with 1a, b bound to nNOS, they exhibited low potency. This is because they bound in the nNOS active site in the normal orientation rather than the expected flipped orientation used in the computer modeling. The biphenyl or phenoxyphenyl tail is disordered and does not form good protein–ligand interactions. These studies demonstrate the importance of the size and rigidity of the side chain tail and the second basic amino group for nNOS binding efficiency and the importance of the hydrophobic tail for conformational orientation in the active site of nNOS.