XIV. Yeast sequencing reports. Sequence of MKT1, needed for propagation of M2 satellite dsRNA of the L-A virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MKT1 is required for m aintenance of K₂ above 30°C in strains with the L-A-HN variant of the L-A double-stranded RNA virus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We report that MKT1 encodes a 92 979 Da protein with serine-rich regions and the retroviral protease signature, DTG, but with no substantial homology to proteins presently in the databases. This sequence is available from GenBank under Accession Number U09129.     

Yeast sequencing reports. Isolation and sequence analysis of a gene from the linear DNA plasmid pPAC1–2 of Pichia acaciae that shows similarity to a killer toxin gene of Kluyveromyces lactis

The toxin-encoding linear plasmid systems found in Pichia acaciae and Kluyveromyces lactis yeasts appear to be quite similar, both in function and structural organization. By Southern hybridization, a linear plasmid of P. acaciae, pPac1–2, was found to hybridize to the second open reading frame (ORF2) of K. lactis plasmid pGKL1, known to encode the α and β subunits of the K. lactis toxin. A 1·7 kbp segment of pPac1–2 DNA was cloned, sequenced and shown to contain four regions of strong homology to four similarly oriented regions of K. lactis ORF2. This 1·7 kbp fragment also contained an ORF of 1473 bp that could encode a protein of ～ 55·8 kDa. Like the α subunit gene of K. lactis ORF2, a very hydrophobic region occurs at the N-terminus, perhaps representing a signal sequence for transport out of the cell. Unlike K. lactis ORF2, however, the encoded polypeptide is much smaller and lacks a recognizable domain common to chitinases. The structure of a toxin that includes the translation product of this P. acaciae ORF would likely be quite different from that of the K. lactis toxin. Analysis of the upstream region of the P. acaciae ORF revealed an upstream conserved sequence identical to that found before ORFs 8 and 9 of pGKL2. A possible hairpin loop structure, as has been described for each of the four K. lactis pGKL1 ORFs, was found just upstream of the presumed start codon. The similarity of the promoter-like elements found in the linear plasmid genes of these diverse yeasts reinforces the idea of the existence of a unique, but highly conserved, expression system for these novel plasmids. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number U02596.     

Analysis of the MSS51 region on chromosome XII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have localized gene MSS51 on chromosome XII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae between the RDN1 and CDC42 loci. 'Head to head' with MSS51 is another gene, QRI5, the function of which is unknown. However, the proximity of these genes, the structure of the intergenic region and the presence of an ABF1 binding site right in the middle of this region suggest that the MSS51 and QRI5 expressions are submitted to a common regulatory process.     

包装发展需要环境友好包装材料

环境友好包装材料是一类具有环境意识特征的概念.环境友好包装材料依据“4R 1D“原则,注重包装材料与环境的协调性,指导包装材料的研发,一是有利于保护自然资源;二是对生态环境损害最少化.运用环境友好包装材料的概念,实现包装的可持续发展.     

Antioxidant activity of anacardic acids

Anacardic acids, 6-pentadec(en)ylsalicylic acids isolated from the cashew Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae) nut and apple, were found to possess preventive antioxidant activity while salicylic acid did not show this activity. These anacardic acids prevent generation of superoxide radicals by inhibiting xanthine oxidase (EC 1.1.3.22, Grade IV) without radical-scavenging activity. Notably, the inhibition kinetics of anacardic acids do not follow hyperbolic dependence of enzyme inhibition on inhibitor contents (Michaelis–Menten equation) but follow the Hill equation instead. Anacardic acid (C_15:1) inhibited the soybean lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12, Type 1) catalyzed oxidation of linoleic acid with an IC₅₀ of 6.8 μM. The inhibition is a slow and reversible reaction without residual enzyme activity. The inhibition kinetics indicate that anacardic acid (C_15:1) is a competitive inhibitor and the inhibition constant, K_I, was 2.8 μM. Anacardic acids act as antioxidants in a variety ways, including inhibition of various prooxidant enzymes involved in the production of the reactive oxygen species and chelate divalent metal ions such as Fe²⁺ or Cu²⁺, but do not quench reactive oxygen species. The C₁₅-alkenyl side chain is largely associated with the activity.     

FTIR investigation of ethylene coordination and polymerization on reduced Cr/SiO2 catalyst

FTIR spectroscopy was applied to study the initial steps of ethylene polymerization on reduced chromia-silica (0.5 wt% Cr/SiO₂). To decrease the speed of the reaction small doses of gas were introduced to the catalyst in each run and C₂D₄ was used to confirm band assignments. At the initial steps of the reaction only ethylene molecules coordinated to probably Cr _A ²⁺ cations were observed. The concentration of such complexes was estimated to be about 50% of the total amount of Cr atoms in the sample. The FTIR spectrum of the polymer formed at the initial doses of C₂H₄ (when [C₂H₄] [Cr]) was found to be slightly different from that formed after excess ethylene was introduced onto the catalyst ([C₂H₄] > [Cr]).     

Coking kinetics of a Cr2O3/Al2O3 catalyst during 1-butene dehydrogenation: Effect of H2 partial pressure

The influence has been studied of the partial pressure of hydrogen (0–30 kPa) upon the coking rate of a Cr₂O₃/Al₂O₃ commercial catalyst during 1-butene dehydrogenation. Coke deposition has been analysed using a monolayer-multilayer reversible coke growth model (MMRC model). This model provides good fits to the experimental data, within the range of partial pressure of H₂ studied, and allows us to estimate the main kinetic parameters involved in the coking-deactivation process. The results obtained reveal a dual effect of hydrogen: competition against 1-butene for the active sites and the removal of coke precursors from the catalyst surface. Bom effects diminish the coking rate as the H₂ partial pressure is increased.     

Preparation of Titanium Nitride/Alumina Laminate Composites

A preparation route for TiN/Al₂O₃ laminate composites has been described. A water-based process using Al₂O₃ and TiN slurries with solids contents of 40 and 35 vol%, respectively, was used to make TiN and Al₂O₃ tapes. The removal of the binder was monitored by weight-loss measurements in a thermogravimetry unit. Bodies composed of Al₂O₃ and TiN tapes were densified at temperatures of 1400° and 1500°C using the Spark Plasma Sintering^® (SPS) technique. Densities of >98% of the theoretical densities were approached. Crack-free and almost fully densified TiN/Al₂O₃ compacts were prepared by heating the burned-out green bodies to the final sintering temperature (1500°C) at a rate of 100°C/min, and with a holding time of 5–10 min, under a pressure of 75 MPa. The microstructures of the obtained compacts were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Grain sizes in the sintered Al₂O₃ and TiN compacts were similar to those of the precursor powders. Hardness and indentation fracture toughness were measured at room temperature, and the monolithic compacts as well as the laminate composites exhibited anisotropic mechanical behavior; i.e., the cracks propagated much more easily in a direction parallel to the laminas than perpendicular to them.