Conformational changes in the muscle proteins of cured beef during heating

Structural changes caused by heating in the proteins of cured beef longissimus dorsi muscle were examined by fluorescence and differential scanning calorimetry. Denaturation occurred in four temperature ranges—40–55°C, 55–61°C, 62–70°C and above 70°C, in contrast to the three endothermic transitions reported for non-cured meats.     

Determination of the thermophysical characteristics of alternatively freezing and thawing dispersed media by the method of solving inverse problems of heat conduction

The article explains an algorithm for determining the thermophysical characteristics of dispersed media with phase transitions based on the method of solving inverse problems of heat conduction.Notation r space coordinate - time - T temperature of the specimen - T₀ initial temperature - c_i, c_w, c_sk specific heat of ice, water, and of the organic-mineral skeleton, respectively - c_f, c_m, _f, _m specific heat and thermal conductivity in the frozen and melted zones, respectively - c effective heat capacity - thermal conductivity - p density - ₀, _sb bound and strongly bound moisture, respectively - (T) amount of nonfrozen water - R radius of the cylinder - q() heat flux - I functional - u₁(), U₂() measured temperatures of the specimen at the points r = 0 and r = R, respectively, at the instant - ₁, ₂ degree of confidence of the supplementary information - final instant of time - a, b, k, _s positive constants - L specific heat of melting - N number of grid nodes over space - n number of grid nodes over time - h grid step over space - grid step over time - solution of the conjugate system - s number of iteration Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 292–297, August, 1980.     

Interactions of (Ala*Ala*Lys*Pro)n and (Lys*Lys*Ser*Pro)n with DNA. Proposed coiled-coil structure of AlgR3 and AlgP from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The proteins, AlgR3 and AlgP, are involved in the regulationof alginate synthesis in Pseudomonas. They contain multiplerepeats of Ala^*Ala^*Lys^*Pro as do several other proteins thatresemble histones. The interactions of synthesis oligopeptidescomposed of repeated Ala^*Ala^*Lys^*Pro or Lys^*Lys^*Ser^*Pro unitswith DNA were studied by fluorescence of the Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl)group attached to the N-termini of the peptides. DNA quenchingof the Fmoc fluorescence of the peptides was used to estimatethe apparent association constants for the interaction of Fmoc(AAKP)_nOH(n = 2, 4, 8, 18, 32) and of Fmoc(KKSP)_nOH (n = 2, 4, 8, 16,20, 32) with DNA. The Fmoc(AAKP)_nOH peptides bind to DNA onlyat low ionic strength; the Fmoc(KKSP)_n OH peptides interactwith DNA at both low (0.05 M KCl) and high (0.2 M KCl) saltAt low ionic strength an increase in the number of the repeatunits causes an increase in the apparent association constantup to {small tilde}2 x 10⁶ M^–1 for both types of peptidesat N 24. The insertion of an AAKTA unit into the middle ofthe Fmoc(AAKP)₈OH peptide increases its affinity to DNA. Wepropose a model of (AAKP)_n and of its interaction with DNA.The repeat unit consists of a single turn of -helix followedby a bend necessitated by Pro. The resultant coiled-coil formsa right-handed superhelix with 10 AAKPs per repeat distanceof {small tilde}33 Å. With only slight modification ofthe canonical parameters of this model the AAKP super helixfits into the major groove of B-form DNA with one AAKP tetramerper base pair repeat of 3.4 Å. The -amine nitrogen ofLys can form a polar hydrogen bond with a phosphate oxygen atomof the DNA backbone. A better fit is obtained when the modelis modified to accommodate [(AAKP)₅AAKTA]_n as actually observedin AlgR3. We suggest that this coiled-coil represents a generalmotif for other protein–DNA interactions.     

Mitochondrial rRNA Methylation by Mettl15 Contributes to the Exercise and Learning Capability in Mice

Mitochondrial translation is a unique relic of the symbiotic origin of the organelle. Alterations of its components cause a number of severe human diseases. Hereby we report a study of mice devoid of Mettl15 mitochondrial 12S rRNA methyltransferase, responsible for the formation of m⁴C839 residue (human numbering). Homozygous Mettl15^−/− mice appeared to be viable in contrast to other mitochondrial rRNA methyltransferase knockouts reported earlier. The phenotype of Mettl15^−/− mice is much milder than that of other mutants of mitochondrial translation apparatus. In agreement with the results obtained earlier for cell cultures with an inactivated Mettl15 gene, we observed accumulation of the RbfA factor, normally associated with the precursor of the 28S subunit, in the 55S mitochondrial ribosome fraction of knockout mice. A lack of Mettl15 leads to a lower blood glucose level after physical exercise relative to that of the wild-type mice. Mettl15^−/− mice demonstrated suboptimal muscle performance and lower levels of Cox3 protein synthesized by mitoribosomes in the oxidative soleus muscles. Additionally, we detected decreased learning capabilities in the Mettl15^−/− knockout mice in the tests with both positive and negative reinforcement. Such properties make Mettl15^−/− knockout mice a suitable model for mild mitochondriopathies.     

Technological Distortions of Topology Optimized Parts in Additive Manufacturing

Russian Engineering Research - Prediction of part technological distortions on the basis of the computer simulation of additive manufacturing (selective laser melting) is considered. The modeling...     

Generic Structures of Cytotoxic Liprotides: Nano‐Sized Complexes with Oleic Acid Cores and Shells of Disordered Proteins

The cytotoxic complex formed between α‐lactalbumin and oleic acid (OA) has inspired many studies on protein–fatty acid complexes, but structural insight remains sparse. After having used small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) to obtain structural information, we present a new, generic structural model of cytotoxic protein–oleic acid complexes, which we have termed liprotides (lipids and partially denatured proteins). Twelve liprotides formed from seven structurally unrelated proteins and prepared by different procedures all displayed core–shell structures, each with a micellar OA core and a shell consisting of flexible, partially unfolded protein, which stabilizes the OA micelle. The common structure explains similar effects exerted on cells by different liprotides and is consistent with a cargo off‐loading of the OA into cell membranes.     

Tribological behavior of polyoxymethylene in water-lubricated friction against steel

The paper presents the results of testing of block specimens of polyoxymethylene in water-lubricated sliding boundary friction against steel. Under these testing conditions, the polymer shows a combination of good antiwear and antifriction properties. With the addition of 1 wt % of fullerene soot to the polyoxymethylene, its wear rate declines considerably, while its friction coefficient remains quite low; its carrying capacity is high and the wear process is stable. The friction coefficient, wear rate, and carrying capacity of modified pilyoxymethylene are compared to those of carbon plastics under similar testing conditions.