Many LEA proteins were considered as basic character (26 SC79 inhibitor members, 72.2%), while 10 proteins (27.8%) were in acidic form. Moreover, GRAVY index revealed that 19 of the 36 sequences were considered hydrophobic (52.8%) while others were hydrophilic (47.2%). Comparative phylogenetic analysis revealed that BdLEA proteins fall into eight subgroups. They were basically divided into two main groups. Chromosomal distribution of LEA genes was determined and segmental and tandem duplications were found in eight genes which may cause expansions of LEA genes through the Brachypodium genome. These results can be helpful for the further functional analysis of LEA proteins in Brachypodium.”
“The synthesis and characterisation

of cellulose sulfates

were reported. Various cellulose sulfates with diverse degrees of substitution ascribed to sulfate groups (DS(S)) between 0.21 and 2.59 were prepared through acetosulfation or direct sulfation of two celluloses. The number-average degrees of polymerisation DAPT manufacturer (DP(n)) of these cellulose sulfates were determined to be in the range of 59 and 232 via size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Accordingly, the molecular weight of cellulose was remarkably decreased during the sulfation. The use of high amount of sulfating agent and high sulfation temperature led to stronger reduction of the DP(n) in comparison to low amount of sulfating agent and low temperature. The morphology of cellulose sulfate was analysed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). Obtained cellulose sulfates demonstrated different surface properties from cellulose and became more amorphous than starting celluloses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The

survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein forms a multiprotein complex (SMN complex) with Gemin proteins. The complex is known to play a crucial role in RNA metabolism. Several lines of evidence show that SMN is phosphorylated at serine and/or find more threonine residues. In this study, we hypothesized that SMN is phosphorylated at two kinds of serine residues, the Q(28)SDD(31)SD site and two SQ sites ((80)SQ and (163)SQ). A FLAG-tagged wild-type construct (SMNfull) and three FLAG-tagged mutant constructs were made: an SMNAQ mutant with two AQ sites instead of two SQ sites at residues 80 and 163, an SMNQADDAD mutant with QADDAD instead of Q(28)SDD(31)SD, and an SMNAQ/QADDAD mutant with the two AQ sites and QADDAD. We expressed these mutants in He La cells and analyzed their phosphorylated bands by immunoblotting, the protein stability using cycloheximide, binding to Gemin 2 and foci formation. Mutations in Q(28)SDD(31)SD, but not in two SQ sites reduced the intensity of phosphorylation bands, indicating that Q(28)SDD(31)SD is the major phosphorylation site in SMN. Mutations in the two SQ sites and Q(28)SDD(31)SD did not affect protein stability and binding to Gemin 2.