V. Yeast sequencing reports. Identification of a gene encoding a new Ypt/Rab-like monomeric G-protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae sequence cloned by serendipity was found to encode a protein that is a new member of the Ypt/Rab monomeric G-protein family. This sequence shows high homology to the yeast genes SEC4 and YPT1 and, like SEC4 and YPT1, is essential for viability. The sequence was localized to chromosome V based upon hybridization to pulse-field gel-separated yeast chromosomes. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L17070.     

Properties of Edible Films from Total Milk Protein

The mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of edible films made from various total milk proteins (TMPs) were investigated. Two TMPs obtained from nonfat dry milk (NDM) by removing lactose and three TMPs obtained from a commercial source were studied. Lactose was extracted from NDM by ultrafiltration or suspension in ethanol followed by filtration. TMP concentrate obtained by ultrafiltration (UF) produced films with the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) and the highest tensile strength at break. Commercial TMP concentrates produced films more ductile than those from the UF-TMP or retentate from ethanol extraction. Further research is needed to improve mechanical properties of UF-TMP films without increasing the WVP.     

A new family of yeast genes implicated in ergosterol synthesis is related to the human oxysterol binding protein

We have identified three yeast genes, KES1, HES1 and OSH1, whose products show homology to the human oxysterol binding protein (OSBP). Mutations in these genes resulted in pleiotropic sterol-related phenotypes. These include tryptophan-transport defects and nystatin resistance, shown by double and triple mutants. In addition, mutant combinations showed small but apparently cumulative reductions in membrane ergosterol levels. The three yeast genes are also functionally related as overexpression of HES1 or KES1 alleviated the tryptophan-transport defect in kes1Δ or osh1Δ mutants, respectively. Our study implicates this new yeast gene family in ergosterol synthesis and provides comparative evidence of a role for human OSBP in cholesterol synthesis.     

XV. Yeast sequencing reports. Isolation and DNA sequence of the STE13 gene encoding dipeptidyl aminopeptidase

We have isolated a mutant which exhibits partial constitutivity for a -specific gene expression in α cells. The wild-type gene was cloned and demonstrated to be allelic to the STE13 gene, which encodes the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase involved in processing of the α-factor prepropheromone. Thus, the mating defect of the ste13 mutations in α cells may result both from the production of incompletely processed α-factor and from the increased expression of a -specific genes. The STE13 open reading frame of 931 amino acids contains a putative membrane-spanning segment near its amino terminus and is 31% identical to a second yeast dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP2). A null mutant of STE13 has been constructed: it is viable and sporulation-proficient. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L21944.     

An SS1-SS2 {beta}-barrel structure for the voltage-activated potassium channel

To examine the feasibility of a ß structure for thepore-lining region of the voltage-gated potassium channel, wehave characterized a family of 12 antiparallel ß-barrels.Each is comprised of four identical pairs of ß-strandsorganized with approximate 4-fold symmetry about a channel axis.The Cand N-termini of the ß-strand pairs are assumedto be at the extracellular end of the channel, and each pairis connected by a hairpin turn at the intracellular end of thechannel. The models differ in the residues located in the hairpinturn and in the orientation of the two strands of each pairin the barrel, i.e. whether the C-terminus of a pair is clockwise(CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) from the N-terminus when thechannel is viewed from outside the cell. Following known structureprecedents and potential energy predictions, the barrel is assumedto be right-twisting in all cases. All models have crowded layersof inward-projecting aromatic sidechains near the center ofthe channel which could regulate channel selectivity. The modelswith an odd number of amino acids in the hairpin turn have theadvantage of predicting that F433 points into the barrel, butthe disadvantage that V438 does not. Of these models, two ofthe models are most consistent with the external tetraethylanunonhim(TEA) block data, and of those, one (T439 CCW 3:5) is most consistentwith the internal TEA block data.     

Applications of confocal microscopy to the study of myelin development and neuron structure

Confocal laser scanning microscopy has been used to study the localization of myelin basic proteins expressed in nonglial cells, and to probe the three-dimensional structure of central auditory neurons in the lateral superior olive. The paper focuses on the techniques used to obtain the results. The key roles of confocal microscopy and computer image processing of the images obtained are emphasized as they relate to the discovery of essential structural information about these specimens.     

Storage stability of a high protein food beverage powder prepared from the Nigerian ‘red skin’ groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) protein concentrates

A high protein, groundnut-based powder reconstitutable into a milk-like beverage was packed in polyethylene bags and in lacquered tin cans, and stored at both room temperature (25 ± 2°C) and in a domestic refrigerator (5 ± 2°C) for 60 days. Storage stability was evaluated by analysing periodically for changes in physical characteristics, proximate composition, and development of browning and rancidity, and assessing moisture sorption characteristics. Protein, lipid, total soluble sugars, peroxide value, total carbonyls and extinction values of the ethanolic extract remained practically constant during storage. The isotherm curves exhibited the characteristic sigmoidal shape typical of high protein foods. There was a greater increase in density, hygroscopicity and wettability in polyethylene-packed samples at both temperatures suggesting that the lacquered tin can leads to better keeping quality for this product.     

The influence of hydroelectric power generation on the body composition of juvenile Atlantic salmon

The fat and protein content, and thus energy resources of young (parr) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were examined in a temperate river. Juvenile salmon exhibited distinct seasonal patterns of energy storage and use. The lowest levels of energy were found towards the end of winter (mean mass specific energy about 4.3 kJ·g^?1). There was a rapid accumulation of fat in spring/early summer in spite of low‐water temperatures (highest mean content of mass specific energy of about 5.0 kJ·g^?1 in June). By early autumn (August) there was a rapid depletion of fat and energy resources. The decline in specific energy during late summer was of the same magnitude as the corresponding winter decline. Furthermore, total fat and protein content, and thus energy resources of juveniles below a hydroelectric power plant (hydrostation (HS)) differed from those at a (lower) reference station (RS). The younger fish exhibited higher gains, but also larger losses of energy resources compared to corresponding values at the RS. Specifically during the summer, young of year (YOY) had 31% lower total energy content at the regulated site (mean 1.27 kJ per individual) than the RS (mean 1.84 kJ). Higher mortality may occur at the site most affected by the hydroelectric plant, where energy resources on average were higher, but where depletion was also most severe. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Emulsifying Capacity and Emulsion Stability of Soy Proteins Compared with Corn Germ Protein Flour

Both emulsifying capacity (EC) and emulsion stability (ES) increased with increasing concentrations from 0.4% to 0.8% of soy flour (SF), soy concentrate (SC), soy isolate (SI) and corn germ protein flour (CGPF) when studied by response surface methodology. EC and ES increased as pH increased from 6 to 8 in all samples. Increasing incubation temperatures of protein solutions from 20–70°C or from 4–20°C did not affect EC or ES, respectively. SF had the highest EC, followd by SI, SC, and CGPF.