PNAS - RSS feed of Early Edition articles

[Profile] Profile of Claudio Bunster

2008-07-02

[Letters] Reply to Hupe et al.: The predictive correlation of pupil dilation and relative dominance durations in rivalry is not a statistical artifact

Einhauser, W., Stout, J., Koch, C., Carter, O. — 2008-07-02

[Letters] Pupil dilation does not predict subsequent stability in perceptual rivalry

Hupe, J.-M., Lamirel, C., Lorenceau, J. — 2008-07-02

[Biochemistry] Atomic resolution structural characterization of recognition of histo-blood group antigens by Norwalk virus

Choi, J.-M., Hutson, A. M., Estes, M. K., Prasad, B. V. V. — 2008-07-02

Members of Norovirus, a genus in the family Caliciviridae, are causative agents of epidemic diarrhea in humans. Susceptibility to several...

[Genetics] A comprehensive assay for targeted multiplex amplification of human DNA sequences

Krishnakumar, S., Zheng, J., Wilhelmy, J., Faham, M., Mindrinos, M., Davis, R. — 2008-07-02

We developed a robust and reproducible methodology to amplify human sequences in parallel for use in downstream multiplexed sequence analyses....

[Immunology] Programmed death 1 ligand signaling regulates the generation of adaptive Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells

2008-07-02

Although mature dendritic cells (DCs) are potent initiators of adaptive immune response, immature steady-state DCs contribute to immune tolerance. In...

[Commentary] Another step toward quantifying spontaneous mutation

Kondrashov, A. S. — 2008-07-01

[Commentary] Immune surveillance obstructed by viral mRNA

Starck, S. R., Cardinaud, S., Shastri, N. — 2008-07-01

[Microbiology] Gene 1.7 of bacteriophage T7 confers sensitivity of phage growth to dideoxythymidine

Tran, N. Q., Rezende, L. F., Qimron, U., Richardson, C. C., Tabor, S. — 2008-07-01

Bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase efficiently incorporates dideoxynucleotides into DNA, resulting in chain termination. Dideoxythymidine (ddT) present in the medium at...

[Genetics] Complementary functions of ATM and H2AX in development and suppression of genomic instability

Zha, S., Sekiguchi, J., Brush, J. W., Bassing, C. H., Alt, F. W. — 2008-07-01

Upon DNA damage, histone H2AX is phosphorylated by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and other phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinases. To elucidate further...

[Letters] Reply to Jacobs and Manfredo: More support for a pervasive decline in nature-based recreation

Pergams, O. R. W., Zaradic, P. A. — 2008-07-01

[Neuroscience] Transcription factor MEF2C influences neural stem/progenitor cell differentiation and maturation in vivo

2008-07-01

Emerging evidence suggests that myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors act as effectors of neurogenesis in the brain, with...

[Neuroscience] MEF2C, a transcription factor that facilitates learning and memory by negative regulation of synapse numbers and function

2008-07-01

Learning and memory depend on the activity-dependent structural plasticity of synapses and changes in neuronal gene expression. We show that...

[Letters] Decline in nature-based recreation is not evident

Jacobs, M. H., Manfredo, M. J. — 2008-07-01

[Pharmacology] Agonist-selective signaling is determined by the receptor location within the membrane domains

Zheng, H., Chu, J., Qiu, Y., Loh, H. H., Law, P.-Y. — 2008-07-01

The basis for agonist-selective signaling was investigated by using the µ-opioid receptor (MOR) as a model. In the absence of...

[Immunology] Dependence of antibody-mediated presentation of antigen on FcRn

2008-07-01

The neonatal Fc receptor for IgG (FcRn) is a distant member of the MHC class I protein family. It binds...

[Biophysics] Special Feature: Mass spectrometry reveals modularity and a complete subunit interaction map of the eukaryotic translation factor eIF3

2008-07-01

The eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) plays an important role in translation initiation, acting as a docking site for several...

[Microbiology] An in vivo gene deletion system for determining temporal requirement of bacterial virulence factors

Liu, Y., Gao, P., Banga, S., Luo, Z.-Q. — 2008-07-01

Analysis of phenotypes associated with specific mutants has been instrumental in determining the roles of a bacterial gene in a...

[Chemistry] A unified view of ligand-protected gold clusters as superatom complexes

2008-07-01

Synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of self-assembled, ligand-stabilized gold nanoparticles are long-standing issues in the chemistry of nanomaterials. Factors driving the...

[Chemistry] Atomic level computational identification of ligand migration pathways between solvent and binding site in myoglobin

2008-07-01

Myoglobin is a globular protein involved in oxygen storage and transport. No consensus yet exists on the atomic level mechanism...

[Psychology] The natural order of events: How speakers of different languages represent events nonverbally

Goldin-Meadow, S., So, W. C., Ozyurek, A., Mylander, C. — 2008-07-01

To test whether the language we speak influences our behavior even when we are not speaking, we asked speakers of...

[Environmental_Sciences] Optimal vein density in artificial and real leaves

2008-07-01

The long evolution of vascular plants has resulted in a tremendous variety of natural networks responsible for the evaporatively driven...

[Biochemistry] Two different mitotic checkpoint inhibitors of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome antagonize the action of the activator Cdc20

2008-06-30

The mitotic checkpoint system ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation by preventing the completion of mitosis in the presence of...

[Sustainability_Science] Humid tropical forest clearing from 2000 to 2005 quantified by using multitemporal and multiresolution remotely sensed data

2008-06-30

Forest cover is an important input variable for assessing changes to carbon stocks, climate and hydrological systems, biodiversity richness, and...

[Applied_Biological_Sciences] Four-color DNA sequencing with 3'-O-modified nucleotide reversible terminators and chemically cleavable fluorescent dideoxynucleotides

2008-06-30

DNA sequencing by synthesis (SBS) on a solid surface during polymerase reaction can decipher many sequences in parallel. We report...

[Neuroscience] Synaptojanin 1-linked phosphoinositide dyshomeostasis and cognitive deficits in mouse models of Down's syndrome

2008-06-30

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P₂] is a signaling phospholipid implicated in a wide variety of cellular functions. At synapses, where normal PtdIns(4,5)P₂ balance...

[Biochemistry] Spatiotemporal activation of Rac1 for engulfment of apoptotic cells

Nakaya, M., Kitano, M., Matsuda, M., Nagata, S. — 2008-06-30

The engulfment of apoptotic cells requires phagocytes to coordinately activate Rho family GTPases that regulate actin dynamics. Here, we used...

[Plant_Biology] PIF1 directly and indirectly regulates chlorophyll biosynthesis to optimize the greening process in Arabidopsis

Moon, J., Zhu, L., Shen, H., Huq, E. — 2008-06-30

Plants depend on light signals to modulate many aspects of their development and optimize their photosynthetic capacity. Phytochromes (phys), a...

[Pharmacology] Detrimental effects of Bartonella henselae are counteracted by L-arginine and nitric oxide in human endothelial progenitor cells

2008-06-30

The recruitment of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) might have a beneficial effect on the clinical course of several diseases....

[Biophysics] A stringent test for hydrophobicity scales: Two proteins with 88% sequence identity but different structure and function

Kister, A. E., Phillips, J. C. — 2008-06-30

Protein–protein interactions (protein functionalities) are mediated by water, which compacts individual proteins and promotes close and temporarily stable large-area protein–protein...

[Environmental_Sciences] The environmental impact of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) use in dairy production

Capper, J. L., Castaneda-Gutierrez, E., Cady, R. A., Bauman, D. E. — 2008-06-30

The environmental impact of using recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) in dairy production was examined on an individual cow, industry-scale adoption,...

[Cell_Biology] Tyrosine phosphorylation regulates the partitioning of STAT1 between different dimer conformations

Wenta, N., Strauss, H., Meyer, S., Vinkemeier, U. — 2008-06-30

The activation/inactivation cycle of STAT transcription factors entails their transition between different dimer conformations. Unphosphorylated STATs can dimerize in an...

[Immunology] Regulation of protein translation through mRNA structure influences MHC class I loading and T cell recognition

2008-06-30

Many viruses avoid immune surveillance during latent infection through reduction in the synthesis of virally encoded proteins. Although antigen presentation...

[Ecology] Functional diversity in coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis

Stat, M., Morris, E., Gates, R. D. — 2008-06-30

Symbioses are widespread in nature and occur along a continuum from parasitism to mutualism. Coral–dinoflagellate symbioses are defined as mutualistic...

[Medical_Sciences] Syntrophin mutation associated with long QT syndrome through activation of the nNOS-SCN5A macromolecular complex

2008-06-30

Mutations in 11 genes that encode ion channels or their associated proteins cause inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) and account...

[Genetics] Coexpression of Argonaute-2 enhances RNA interference toward perfect match binding sites

2008-06-30

RNAi is widely applied to inhibit expression of specific genes, but it is limited by variable efficiency and specificity of...

[Biochemistry] Structural basis of Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein stimulation of exonuclease I

Lu, D., Keck, J. L. — 2008-06-30

Bacterial single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding proteins (SSBs) play essential protective roles in genome biology by shielding ssDNA from damage and preventing...

[Sustainability_Science] Field evidence that ecosystem service projects support biodiversity and diversify options

Goldman, R. L., Tallis, H., Kareiva, P., Daily, G. C. — 2008-06-30

Ecosystem service approaches to conservation are being championed as a new strategy for conservation, under the hypothesis that they will...

[Cell_Biology] Critical regulation of TGF{beta} signaling by Hsp90

Wrighton, K. H., Lin, X., Feng, X.-H. — 2008-06-30

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) controls a diverse set of cellular processes by activating TGFβ type I (TβRI) and type...

[Microbiology] Cytoplasmic lipid droplets are translocated into the lumen of the Chlamydia trachomatis parasitophorous vacuole

Cocchiaro, J. L., Kumar, Y., Fischer, E. R., Hackstadt, T., Valdivia, R. H. — 2008-06-30

The acquisition of host-derived lipids is essential for the pathogenesis of the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Current models of...

[Medical_Sciences] A sonic hedgehog signaling domain in the arterial adventitia supports resident Sca1+ smooth muscle progenitor cells

2008-06-30

We characterize a sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling domain restricted to the adventitial layer of artery wall that supports resident Sca1-positive...

[Immunology] CD73 is required for efficient entry of lymphocytes into the central nervous system during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

2008-06-30

CD73 is a cell surface enzyme of the purine catabolic pathway that catalyzes the breakdown of AMP to adenosine. Because...

[Biochemistry] Role of hybrid tRNA-binding states in ribosomal translocation

Walker, S. E., Shoji, S., Pan, D., Cooperman, B. S., Fredrick, K. — 2008-06-30

During translation, tRNAs must move rapidly to their adjacent sites in the ribosome while maintaining precise pairing with mRNA. This...

[Evolution] Egg size variation among tropical and temperate songbirds: An embryonic temperature hypothesis

Martin, T. E. — 2008-06-30

Species with "slow" life history strategies (long life, low fecundity) are thought to produce high-quality offspring by investing in larger,...

[Immunology] Mast cells inhibit intramacrophage Francisella tularensis replication via contact and secreted products including IL-4

2008-06-30

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of pulmonary tularemia. The pathogenesis and mechanisms related...

[Biophysics] Measuring molecular rupture forces between single actin filaments and actin-binding proteins

2008-06-30

Actin-binding proteins (ABPs) regulate the assembly of actin filaments (F-actin) into networks and bundles that provide the structural integrity of...

[Immunology] Flexibility accompanies commitment of memory CD4 lymphocytes derived from IL-4 locus-activated precursors

Adeeku, E., Gudapati, P., Mendez-Fernandez, Y., Van Kaer, L., Boothby, M. — 2008-06-30

Differentiation of T helper (Th) subset 2 effector lymphocytes is thought to foreclose on IFN- gene expression. Using an IL-4...

[Biochemistry] Mammalian mitochondria have the innate ability to import tRNAs by a mechanism distinct from protein import

2008-06-27

Mitochondrial genomes generally encode a minimal set of tRNAs necessary for protein synthesis. However, a number of eukaryotes import tRNAs...

[Cell_Biology] Disruption of Tsc2 in pancreatic {beta} cells induces {beta} cell mass expansion and improved glucose tolerance in a TORC1-dependent manner

2008-06-27

Regulation of pancreatic β cell mass and function is a major determinant for the development of diabetes. Growth factors and...

[Biophysics] Interplay among side chain sequence, backbone composition, and residue rigidification in polypeptide folding and assembly

Horne, W. S., Price, J. L., Gellman, S. H. — 2008-06-27

The extent to which polypeptide conformation depends on side-chain composition and sequence has been widely studied, but less is known...

[Biophysics] High-resolution mass spectrometry of viral assemblies: Molecular composition and stability of dimorphic hepatitis B virus capsids

2008-06-27

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen. In addition to its importance in human health, there is growing...

[Evolution] A genome-wide view of the spectrum of spontaneous mutations in yeast

2008-06-26

The mutation process ultimately defines the genetic features of all populations and, hence, has a bearing on a wide range...

[Genetics] Chromosomal transposition of PiggyBac in mouse embryonic stem cells

2008-06-26

Transposon systems are widely used for generating mutations in various model organisms. PiggyBac (PB) has recently been shown to transpose...

[Evolution] Geometric constraints on neuronal connectivity facilitate a concise synaptic adhesive code

Itzkovitz, S., Baruch, L., Shapiro, E., Segal, E. — 2008-06-26

The nervous system contains trillions of neurons, each forming thousands of synaptic connections. It has been suggested that this complex...

[Microbiology] Drosophila melanogaster as a model host to dissect the immunopathogenesis of zygomycosis

2008-06-26

Zygomycosis is an emerging frequently fatal opportunistic mycosis whose immunopathogenesis is poorly understood. We developed a zygomycosis model by injecting...

[Biophysics] Light-dependent regulation of structural flexibility in a photochromic fluorescent protein

2008-06-23

The structural basis for the photochromism in the fluorescent protein Dronpa is poorly understood, because the crystal structures of the...

[Neuroscience] PET and MRI show differences in cerebral asymmetry and functional connectivity between homo- and heterosexual subjects

Savic, I., Lindstrom, P. — 2008-06-16

Cerebral responses to putative pheromones and objects of sexual attraction were recently found to differ between homo- and heterosexual subjects....

[Biophysics] Colloquium Paper: Ion exclusion by sub-2-nm carbon nanotube pores

2008-06-06

Biological pores regulate the cellular traffic of a large variety of solutes, often with high selectivity and fast flow rates....

[Biophysics] Colloquium Paper: A DNA-based nanomechanical device with three robust states

Chakraborty, B., Sha, R., Seeman, N. C. — 2008-05-12

DNA has been used to build a variety of devices, ranging from those that are controlled by DNA structural transitions...