Evidence for an RNA binding region in the Escherichia coli processing endoribonuclease RNase E

The processing endoribonuclease RNase E (Rne), which is encoded by the rne gene, is involved in the maturation process of messenger RNAs and a ribosomal RNA. A number of deletions were constructed in order to assess functional domains of the rne gene product. The expression of the deletion constructs using a T7 promoter/RNA polymerase overproduction system led to the synthesis of truncated Rne polypeptides. The smallest gene fragment in this collection that was able to complement a temperature sensitive rnets mutation and to restore the processing of 9 S RNA was a 2.3-kilobase pair fragment with a 1.9-kilobase pair N-terminal coding sequence that mediated synthesis of a 70.8-kDa polypeptide. Antibodies raised against a truncated 110-kDa polypeptide cross-reacted with the intact rne gene product and with all of the shorter C-terminal truncated polypeptides, indicating that the N-terminal part of the molecule contained strong antigenic determinants. Furthermore, by analyzing the Rne protein and the truncated polypeptides for their ability to bind substrate RNAs, we were able to demonstrate that the central part of the Rne molecule encodes an RNA binding region. Binding to substrate RNAs correlated with the endonucleolytic activity. RNAs that are not substrates for RNase E did not bind to the protein. The two mutated Rne polypeptides expressed from the cloned gene containing either the rne-3071 or ams1 mutation also had the ability to bind 9 S RNA, while their enzymatic function was completely abolished. The data presented here suggest that the endonucleolytic activity is encoded by the N-terminal part of the Rne protein molecule and that the central part of it possesses RNA binding activity.     

Sialons — Promising Refractory and Ceramic Materials

Available data on the chemical composition and structure of sialon phases are reviewed. Properties of the phases and their potential applications are discussed.     

Aggregation stability of mixtures of vacuum distillate and mazut

Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Oils -     

Surface crystallization of melt-spun Pd40Ni40P20 glass

The crystallization of Pd₄₀Ni₄₀P₂₀ glass, produced by melt-spinning in air, has been studied by optical metallography. Crystallization is predominantly from the surface and is more prevalent on the wheel-side. The non-uniformity is attributed to variation in quench rate during production. A three-stage anneal permits crystals which have nucleated at the surface to be identified and their size distribution to be analysed. The surface nucleation is heterogeneous and appears to be hindered by mild oxidation. The annealing atmosphere markedly affects the surface crystallization behaviour, as does removal of the original ribbon surface. When nucleation is sparse, partial crystallization causes the development of noticeable relief on the sample surfaces.     

Undesirable sensory properties of the dried pea (Pisum sativum). The rôle of saponins

The rôle of saponins in the undesirable sensory properties of the dried pea P sativum is reported. The sensory properties of isolated soyasaponin I are defined and described as bitter, astringent and metallic. The distribution of saponin in various air-classified pea flour fractions shows that the protein-rich fraction may contain sufficient saponin to cause undesirable tastes.     

Influence and adjustment goals: Sources of cultural differences in ideal affect.

Previous studies have found that in American culture high-arousal positive states (HAP) such as excitement are valued more and low-arousal positive states (LAP) such as calm are valued less than they are in Chinese culture. What specific factors account for these differences? The authors predicted that when people and cultures aimed to influence others (i.e., assert personal needs and change others' behaviors to meet those needs), they would value HAP more and LAP less than when they aimed to adjust to others (i.e., suppress personal needs and change their own behaviors to meet others' needs). They test these predictions in 1 survey and 3 experimental studies. The findings suggest that within and across American and Chinese contexts, differences in ideal affect are due to specific interpersonal goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diffusivities of volatiles in concentrated solutions

Concentration profiles obtained by slicing a cylindrical gel were used to measure diffusion of volatiles in viscous aqueous dextrose solutions. The column length, slice thickness and diffusion time were optimized to maximize the repeatability of measurements, the results being very sensitive to small changes in variables. Coefficients of variation between 5 and 10% were obtained. In the presence of different concentrations of dextrose, the diffusivity of acetone decreased markedly as dextrose concentration increased. However, when the acetone concentration was varied within the range 0·6 to 13·7%, at a constant 50% (w/w) dextrose concentration, its diffusivity did not change significantly. The sliced gel system gave values of diffusivity in close agreement with those obtained by other techniques.