D-AKAP2, a novel protein kinase A anchoring protein with a putative RGS domain

Subcellular localization directed by specific A kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) is a mechanism for compartmentalization of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Using a two-hybrid screen, a novel AKAP was isolated. Because it interacts with both the type I and type II regulatory subunits, it was defined as a dual specific AKAP or D-AKAP1. Here we report the cloning and characterization of another novel cDNA isolated from that screen. This new member of the D-AKAP family, D-AKAP2, also binds both types of regulatory subunits. A message of 5 kb pairs was detected for D-AKAP2 in all embryonic stages and in all adult tissues tested. In brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, and testis, a 10-kb mRNA was identified. In testis, several small mRNAs were observed. Therefore, D-AKAP2 represents a novel family of proteins. cDNA cloning from a mouse testis library identified the full length D-AKAP2. It is composed of 372 amino acids which includes the R binding fragment, residues 333-372, at its C-terminus. Based on coprecipitation assays, the R binding domain interacts with the N-terminal dimerization domain of RIalpha and RIIalpha. A putative RGS domain was identified near the N-terminal region of D-AKAP2. The presence of this domain raises the intriguing possibility that D-AKAP2 may interact with a Galpha protein thus providing a link between the signaling machinery at the plasma membrane and the downstream kinase.     

Filter matrix estimation in automated DNA sequencing

In four-color fluorescence-based automated DNA sequencing, a 4×4 filter matrix parameterizes the relationship between the dye-intensity signals of interest and the data collected by an optical imaging system. The filter matrix is important because the estimated DNA sequence is based on the dye intensities that can only be recovered via inversion of the matrix. Here, the authors present a calibration method for the estimation of the columns of this matrix, using data generated through a special experiment in which DNA samples are labeled with only one fluorescent dye at a time. Simulations and applications of the method to real data are provided, with promising results     

Identification of cysteine pairs within the amino-terminal 5% of apolipoprotein B essential for hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion

There is growing evidence that the amino-terminal globular domain of apolipoprotein B (apoB) is essential for lipoprotein particle formation in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. To identify the structural requirements for its function in lipoprotein assembly, cysteine (Cys) pairs required to form the seven disulfide bonds within the amino-terminal 21% of apoB were replaced in groups or individually by serine. Substitution of Cys pairs required for formation of disulfide bonds 1-3 or 4-7 (numbered from amino to carboxyl terminus) completely blocked the secretion of apoB28 in transfected HepG2 cells. To identify the specific disulfide bonds required for secretion, Cys pairs were mutated individually. Substitution of Cys pairs required for disulfide bonds 1, 3, 5, 6, or 7 had little or no impact on apoB28 secretion or buoyant density. In contrast, individual substitution of Cys pair 2 (amino acid residues 51 and 70) or 4 (218 and 234) severely inhibited apoB28 secretion and its capacity to undergo intracellular assembly with lipid. The same assembly and secretion defects were observed when these mutations were expressed as part of apoB50. These studies provide direct evidence that the ability of the internal lipophilic regions of apoB to engage in the recruitment and sequestration of lipid during translation is critically dependent upon a structural configuration contained within or affected by the amino-terminal 5% of the protein.     

Magnetization and rotation of MTG HTSC ring in magnetic field

The magnetization of a melt-texture growth (MTG) HTSC ring has been studied. It is shown that the magnetic field inside the ring is larger than the external field under a certain range of external magnetic fields. We have also investigated the magnetic field dependence of the response of a detective coil near a rotating superconducting ring. The responses of the MTG sample are different for different cooling methods.     

Using motion from orthographic views to verify 3-D point matches

The specific problem addressed by the authors is how to detect the true match of a fourth point from among candidate matches in a situation in which three points have already been matched. The two sets of points to be matched are both subject to measurement errors. The depth error is more dominant than errors in the other two coordinates; however, the exact statistical distribution of the measurement errors is not known. The authors present a new method for solving the problem. The method is based on the technique of motion analysis using orthographic views. It discards the noisy z (depth) coordinates and uses only the x and y coordinates of the points to verify the match. The effect of depth errors on the motion estimate is completely prevented. Results show that this method is substantially more effective than previous methods that use all three coordinates     

钨合金废料的资源再生利用技术

钨是一种稀有金属，钨合金具有高的强度、硬度，较好的耐高温性、耐密性和良好的电性能。广泛应用于航空航天工业、兵器工业、核工业、信息产业、汽车工业和钢铁工业等行业。目前，钨资源短缺，钨合金价格高、用量大，因此各国都把废弃的钨合金作为宝贵的第二钨资源加以再生利用。本文综述了钨合金的再生利用现状，分别总结了硬质合金、高比重合金、钨铜合金和钨材的再生利用技术，并利用生态环境材料的观点。对每种再生利用技术作了简单的评价。     

基于DICOM标准全方向M型心动图的软件系统设计

本文介绍了基于DICOM标准全方向M型心动图软件系统的设计方案,详细分析了系统结构及各个模块功能.通过该系统可以直接准确地定量检测分析心脏各结构的舒、缩、形变过程及其数据,同时可以生成多个任意方向且互相同步的M型心动图.各个模块设计完全遵循DICOM标准,同时结合数据库管理,方便查询索引.该系统分析的影像数据可以来自PACS服务器,也可以来自本地系统,分析结果数据可以回传PACS服务器,也可以保存本地.该系统实现了国家发明专利"全方向M型心动图方法及其系统98 125713.5"系统数据和国际医学图像传递标准的接口.     

Influence of ethyl methacrylate content on the volume‐phase transition of temperature‐sensitive poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐(ethyl methacrylate)] microgels

A novel series of temperature‐sensitive poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐(ethyl methacrylate)] (p(NIPAM‐co‐EMA)) microgels was prepared by the surfactant‐free radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) with ethyl methacrylate (EMA). The shape, size dispersity and volume‐phase transition behavior of the microgels were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The transmission electron micrographs and DLS results showed that microgels with narrow distributions were prepared. It was shown from UV–Vis, DLS and DSC measurements that the volume‐phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the p(NIPAM‐co‐EMA) microgels decreased with increasing incorporation of EMA, but the temperature‐sensitivity was impaired when more EMA was incorporated, causing the volume‐phase transition of the microgels to become more continuous. It is noteworthy that incorporation of moderate amounts of EMA could not only lower the VPTT but also enhance the temperature‐sensitivity of the microgels. The reason for this phenomenon could be attributed to changes in the complicated interactions between the various molecules. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry