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Trichome patterning in Arabidopsis is regulated by R2R3MYB , bHLH and WDR (MBW) genes. These are considered to form a trimeric MBW protein complex that promotes trichome formation. The MBW proteins are engaged in a regulatory network to select trichome cells among epidermal cells through R3MYB proteins that can move between cells and repress the MBW complex by competitive binding with the R2R3MYB to the bHLHL protein. We use quantitative pull-down assays to determine the relative dissociation constants for the protein-protein interactions of the involved genes. We find similar binding strength between the trichome promoting genes and weaker binding of the R3MYB inhibitors. We used the dissociation constants to calculate the relative percentage of all possible complex combinations and found surprisingly low fractions of those complexes that are typically considered to be relevant for the regulation events. Finally, we predict an increased robustness in patterning as a consequence of higher ordered complexes mediated by GL3 dimerization.

Levulinic acid (LA), a carboxylic acid with a keto-acid structure, has recently been gaining increasing attention as a promising biorefinery platform chemical due to its potential to be feasible and sustainable. This work focuses on using trioctylamine (TOA) to separate LA from an aqueous solution by liquid–liquid extraction. For that, binodal curves and tie lines were determined at T  = (293.15, 313.15, and 333.15) K under atmospheric pressure. The slope of the determined tie lines demonstrates that higher extraction efficiencies are possible with higher acid concentrations. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was applied to better understand the behavior of phase diagrams. This study detected the acid-extractant complex formation between (LA) and (TOA). Finally, the experimental data were successfully correlated with the NRTL model at all the measured temperatures. The obtained parameters were applied using a decanter model.

In the vast majority of biologically relevant cases of receptor-ligand complex formation, the binding site of the receptor is a small part of its surface, and moreover, formation of a biologically active complex often requires a specific orientation of the ligand relative to the binding site. Before the formation of the initial form of the complex, only long-range, electrostatic and hydrodynamic interactions can act between the ligand approaching the binding site and the receptor. In this context, the question arises whether as a result of these interactions, there is a pre-orientation of the ligand towards the binding site, which to some extent would accelerate the formation of the complex. The role of electrostatic interactions in the orientation of the ligand relative to the binding site of the receptor is well documented. The analogous role of hydrodynamic interactions, although assessed as very significant by Brune and Kim (PNAS 91, 2930–2934, (1994)), is still debatable. In this article, I present the current state of knowledge on this subject and consider the possibilities of demonstrating the orienting effect of hydrodynamic interactions in the processes of receptor–ligand association, in an experimental way supported by computer simulations.

Potentiometric and calorimetric study on mixed-ligand complexes of nickel(II) ion with histidine (His) and cysteine (Cys) has been carried out in aqueous solution at 298 K and the ionic strength of I  = 0.5 mol·dm −3 (KNO 3 ). Possible coordination modes of amino acid residues in ternary complexes are discussed using comparative analysis of thermodynamic parameters of complex formation.

A large number of the thin-film organic structures (polyimides, 2-cyclooctylarnino-5-nitropyridine, N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol, 2-(n-Prolinol)-5-nitropyridine) sensitized with the different types of the nano-objects (fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, shungites, reduced graphene oxides) are presented, which are studied using the holographic technique under the Raman–Nath diffraction conditions. Pulsed laser irradiation testing of these materials predicts a dramatic increase of the laser-induced refractive index, which is in several orders of the magnitude greater compared to pure materials. The estimated nonlinear refraction coefficients and the cubic nonlinearities for the materials studied are close to or larger than those known for volumetric inorganic crystals. The role of the intermolecular charge transfer complex formation is considered as the essential in the refractivity increase in nano-objects-doped organics. As a new idea, the shift of charge from the intramolecular donor fragment to the intermolecular acceptors can be proposed as the development of Janus particles. The energy losses via diffraction are considered as an additional mechanism to explain the nonlinear attenuation of the laser beam.

The involvement of host factors is critical to our understanding of underlying mechanisms of transposition and the applications of transposon-based technologies. Modified piggyBac (PB) is one of the most potent transposon systems in mammals. However, varying transposition efficiencies of PB among different cell lines have restricted its application. We discovered that the DNA–PK complex facilitates PB transposition by binding to PB transposase (PBase) and promoting paired-end complex formation. Mass spectrometry analysis and coimmunoprecipitation revealed physical interaction between PBase and the DNA–PK components Ku70, Ku80, and DNA-PKcs. Overexpression or knockdown of DNA–PK components enhances or suppresses PB transposition in tissue culture cells, respectively. Furthermore, germ-line transposition efficiency of PB is significantly reduced in Ku80 heterozygous mutant mice, confirming the role of DNA–PK in facilitating PB transposition in vivo. Fused dimer PBase can efficiently promote transposition. FRET experiments with tagged dimer PBase molecules indicated that DNA–PK promotes the paired-end complex formation of the PB transposon. These data provide a mechanistic explanation for the role of DNA–PK in facilitating PB transposition and suggest a transposition-promoting manipulation by enhancing the interaction of the PB ends. Consistent with this, deletions shortening the distance between the two PB ends, such as PB vectors with closer ends (PB-CE vectors), have a profound effect on transposition efficiency. Taken together, our study indicates that in addition to regulating DNA repair fidelity during transposition, DNA–PK also affects transposition efficiency by promoting paired-end complex formation. The approach of CE vectors provides a simple practical solution for designing efficient transposon vectors.

Landslides are among the most important and frequent natural calamities that cause severe socio-economic and human losses. After earthquakes, landslides are responsible for the greatest number of casualties and the largest amount of damage to man-made structures. On average, southern Italy is affected by a high spatial density of landslides due to its complex geological setting, which often predisposes it to slope instability phenomena under both natural and anthropogenic influences. Structurally complex formations are widespread in the southern Apennines and are characterized by high heterogeneity and very poor mechanical properties. Thus, these formations represent one of the main factors contributing to the predisposition of slopes to landsliding. In this paper, landslide-induced damage was investigated and analyzed in an area within the municipality of Agnone (Molise region), which is affected by a complex landslide that involves a structurally complex formation. The approaches used were based on six different methods that have previously been described in the literature, and a comparison of the results was made. Data regarding the damage, which consists largely of cracks observed in buildings and at the ground, were compiled through field surveys. The results were critically analyzed to note the advantages and constraints of each classification scheme. The aim of the work was to apply and compare different approaches in order to test the best and most accurate procedures for assessing damage due to landslides at the scale of individual buildings as well as to provide an objective assessment of the degree of landslide damage to structures and facilities.

The composition of gels and xerogels, as well as their transformation during heating and dehydration, determine the thermochemistry of solution combustion synthesis reactions. An improved descriptive thermodynamic model of combustion processes was formulated on the basis of the investigated formation of complex compounds of metal ions with organic fuel (glycine, citric acid, urea, and PVA) in nitrate solutions. The intensity of SCS reactions was found to depend on the strength of Ni 2+ –ligand complexes. The effect of heat loss during combustion on the ΔT max value was analyzed for the model system Ni(NO 3 ) 2 · n H 2 O–Fuel–H 2 O. It was found the heat loss occurs due to the presence of various amounts of structurally-bound water in gels and xerogels before the combustion. The temperature profiles of combustion during the synthesis of NiO with different types of fuel at φ  = 1.0. Highlights Nitrate/fuel ratios affect the formation of a hypergolic mixture of gases. The intensity of SCS reactions depends on the strength of Ni 2+ –ligand complexes. Water in the xerogel has a great impact on the maximal thermal effect.

The stability constants of some of the binary and ternary system involving Nickel(II) have been studied. Bis-(pyridyl) benzilidene acts as a primary ligand. Glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-leucine and L-valine were acts as a secondary ligand. The stability constants of complex are calculated by SCOGS computer program. The reported values are ± 0.02 log unit accuracy. The protonation constants values increase with an increasing percentage of dimethyl sulphoxide. Protanation constants values for the glycine, L-valine ternary complexes higher stability constants indicate that inductive effect is predominant than steric effect. Whereas L-Phenylalanine ternary system has high stability constants than other ternary complexes due to stacking interaction between phenyl ring of phenylalanine and phenyl ring of primary ligand. The order of stability constant of ternary systems is Ni(bpb)(phe)2 > Ni(bpb)(leu)2 > Ni(bpb)(val)2 > Ni(bpb)(gly)2.

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone which is essential in eukaryotes. It is required for the activation and stabilization of a wide variety of client proteins and many of them are involved in important cellular pathways. Since Hsp90 affects numerous physiological processes such as signal transduction, intracellular transport, and protein degradation, it became an interesting target for cancer therapy. Structurally, Hsp90 is a flexible dimeric protein composed of three different domains which adopt structurally distinct conformations. ATP binding triggers directionality in these conformational changes and leads to a more compact state. To achieve its function, Hsp90 works together with a large group of cofactors, termed co-chaperones. Co-chaperones form defined binary or ternary complexes with Hsp90, which facilitate the maturation of client proteins. In addition, posttranslational modifications of Hsp90, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, provide another level of regulation. They influence the conformational cycle, co-chaperone interaction, and inter-domain communications. In this review, we discuss the recent progress made in understanding the Hsp90 machinery.