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At least 325 records · Page 18

By-Pass Diode Temperature Tests of a Solar Array Coupon Under Space Thermal Environment Conditions

Tests were performed on a 56-cell Advanced Triple Junction solar array coupon whose purpose was to determine margin available for bypass diodes integrated with new, large multi-junction solar cells that are manufactured from a 4-inch wafer. The tests were performed under high vacuum with cold and ambient coupon back-side. The bypass diodes were subjected to a sequence of increasing discrete current steps from 0 Amp to 2.0 Amp in steps of 0.25 Amp. At each current step, a temperature measurement was obtained via remote viewing by an infrared camera. This paper discusses the experimental methodology, including the calibration of the thermal imaging system, and the results.

Wright, Kenneth H., Jr.↗

GT SUITE Fuel Cell Model Validation with Power Module Test Data

The AES Modular Power Systems (AMPS) Fuel Cell team at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has created a Microsoft Excel model of a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system for potential lunar and Martian applications. Due to some limitations of this model, including the ability to predict transient effects in the thermal and fluidic performance of the system, a system-level transient thermal/fluids model was desired. GT-SUITE is a transient multi-physics simulation tool that is popular in the automotive industry and has a built in template for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. However, terrestrial fuel cells used in the automotive industry vary significantly from aerospace fuel cells. A validation effort was undertaken to compare GT SUITE model results to actual data collected during the 2015 AMPS Power Module Demonstration in which the AMPS team used a PEM fuel cell system to power a 478 kg rover assembly at the Dunes test site located at GRC. The purpose of the model was to evaluate the efficacy of using GT SUITE to model a non-flow through PEM fuel cell system. The validation effort examined electrochemical performance including fuel cell stack voltage and power supplied, the thermal performance of the stack namely stack temperature and heat rejection rates, and the fluidic performance of the system including pressures, reactant consumption, and water production rates.

Gilligan, Ryan↗

Fuel Cell Model Validation with Power Module Test Data

The AES Modular Power Systems (AMPS) Fuel Cell team at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has created a Microsoft Excel model of a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system for potential lunar and Martian applications. Due to some limitations of this model, including the ability to predict transient effects in the thermal and fluidic performance of the system, a system-level transient thermal/fluids model was desired. GT-SUITE is a transient multi-physics simulation tool that is popular in the automotive industry and has a built-in template for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. However, terrestrial fuel cells used in the automotive industry vary significantly from aerospace fuel cells. A validation effort was undertaken to compare GT SUITE model results to actual data collected during the 2015 AMPS (Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Modular Power Systems) Power Module Demonstration in which the AMPS team used a PEM fuel cell system to power a 478 kilogram rover assembly at the Dunes test site located at GRC. The purpose of the model was to evaluate the efficacy of using GT SUITE to model a non-flow through PEM fuel cell system. The validation effort examined electrochemical performance including fuel cell stack voltage and power supplied, the thermal performance of the stack namely stack temperature and heat rejection rates, and the fluidic performance of the system including pressures, reactant consumption, and water production rates.

Model Validation↗

Supply-noise-rejecting current source

Various technologies pertaining to a high-impedance current source are described herein. The current source outputs a substantially constant current by way of a first transistor that draws current from a supply. The current source is configured to feed back noise from the supply to a feedback resistor at an input of an operational amplifier (op-amp) by way of a second transistor. The feedback resistor and the op-amp are configured such that responsive to receiving the supply noise feedback, the op-amp drives a gate voltage of the first transistor to cause the first transistor to reject the supply noise and cause the output of the current source to remain substantially constant.

Wessendorf, Kurt O.↗

Supply-noise-rejecting current source

Various technologies pertaining to a high-impedance current source are described herein. The current source outputs a substantially constant current by way of a first transistor that draws current from a supply. The current source is configured to feed-back noise from the supply to a feedback resistor at an input of an operational amplifier (op-amp) by way of a second transistor. The feedback resistor and the op-amp are configured such that responsive to receiving the supply noise feedback, the op-amp drives a gate voltage of the first transistor to cause the first transistor to reject the supply noise and cause the output of the current source to remain substantially constant.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NUHOMS{sup R} EOS (Extended Optimized Storage): Robust, Advanced, and Dual Purpose Dry Storage System - 16472

AREVA TN has completed the design, analysis, and US NRC license submittal for the NUHOMS{sup R} Extended Optimized Storage (EOS) system. NUHOMS{sup R} EOS offers a large capacity and high heat load dry storage and transportation solution for UNF. EOS is not a new system, but an evolution of the already-proven safe and low-risk horizontal NUHOMS{sup R} storage system, which is one of the most widely used UNF dry storage systems in the United States. The EOS system features a 37PTH dry shielded canister (DSC) for 37 PWR UNF assemblies and an 89BTH DSC for the 89 BWR UNF assemblies. The EOS DSCs will be stored inside a horizontal storage module (HSM) that is a robust, fortress-like concrete storage overpack. Designed with the lessons learned from the Fukushima event in Japan in mind, EOS has robust margins for beyond design basis (BDB) events and offers the lowest risk and highest safety margin of any dry storage system design for recovery from BDB events. EOS also offers innovative aging management features with an aging management program (AMP) to assure safe and low dose long-term storage at the utility sites. EOS incorporates ports for AMP inspections and offers the option of using duplex stainless steel (DSS) for the DSC shell in order to negate corrosion issues. EOS is stored horizontally and above ground, making it easy and quick to access for visual inspection, monitoring, and mitigating actions during AMP. NUHOMS{sup R} EOS is optimized for high capacity, high burnup, high enrichments, and very low cooling times for UNF assemblies. It enables the highest heat load per canister (50 kW) and low dose rates. Even with high heat loads, EOS has significant margins to design basis limits. As the future of used fuel disposition will require the need to move fuel off-site to interim or consolidated storage, EOS is the ideal solution as it enables on-site loading and unloading operations that mitigate risk when transferring fuel on-site or transporting fuel off-site. The EOS design can be safely located in a traditional outdoor setting with fortress-like concrete reinforced modules that offer superior resistance to attack or can be safely operated inside of a building enclosure for those utilities desiring a more discreet siting for its used fuel storage systems. EOS has an innovative basket design that is made of high strength low alloy (HSLA) material and is easy to fabricate due to its non-welded design. Its innovative inlet and outlet air vent design, which incorporates dose reduction hardware, allows for optimal ambient airflow for highly efficient heat transfer with minimal radiation dose. The NUHOMS{sup R} EOS storage modules are interlocked in a side-by-side configuration offering superior and robust seismic performance. The license application for NUHOMS{sup R} EOS is currently under US NRC review and this system will be available for deployment in 2017. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Systems and Tools to Facilitate Aging Management Inspections of Used Nuclear Fuel Dry Storage Systems - 18382

The Used Nuclear Fuel (UNF) dry storage systems (DSSs) are currently used at almost all the nuclear plants in the USA for the storage of their UNF as the spent fuel pools are running out of capacity to store any additional discharged fuel. Even though these DSSs are supposed to be at the reactor site for a short amount of time, they are expected to be at the reactor sites for an extended duration due to the unavailability of Interim Storage Facilities (ISF) or a permanent disposal sites like Yucca Mountain. Maintaining the integrity of the DSS canisters and storage overpacks so they can safely protect the fuel and maintain the integrity of UNF is of utmost importance during storage at reactor site ISFSI or at the ISF. Comprehensive and robust Aging Management Program (AMP) is an important aspect for DSSs to satisfy these requirements. In order to address this industry need, TN Americas have developed an enhanced NUHOMS{sup R} DSS licensed by NRC under 10 CFR Part 72 regulations and a comprehensive AMP development which includes prevention, inspection, monitoring and mitigation of any corrosion or degradation of DSS components. For DSC and HSM inspection, two remotely operating delivery systems have been developed using non-destructive examination (NDE) methods including robotic crawler and inspection ring system. This paper describes details of these developments and status of their deployment for implementation at various utility ISFSI sites. TN Americas completed the detailed design of the DSC inspection system and conducted functional tests of the inspection system on a DSC mockup and the system is ready for deployment at any NUHOMS{sup R} ISFSI site. TN Americas is committed to offer the most robust and comprehensive AMP systems, tools and services to the industry to assure the safety of the deployed DSS at the utility sites. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Strain activation of bovine aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and alignment: study of strain dependency and the role of protein kinase A and C signaling pathways

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype can be altered by physical forces as demonstrated by cyclic strain-induced changes in proliferation, orientation, and secretion of macromolecules. However, the magnitude of strain required and the intracellular coupling pathways remain ill defined. To examine the strain requirements for SMC proliferation, we selectively seeded bovine aortic SMC either on the center or periphery of silastic membranes which were deformed with 150 mm Hg vacuum (0-7% center; 7-24% periphery). SMC located in either the center or peripheral regions showed enhanced proliferation compared to cells grown under the absence of cyclic strain. Moreover, SMC located in the center region demonstrated significantly (P < 0.005) greater proliferation as compared to those in the periphery. In contrast, SMC exposed to high strain (7-24%) demonstrated alignment perpendicular to the strain gradient, whereas SMC in the center (0-7%) remained aligned randomly. To determine the mechanisms of these phenomena, we examined the effect of cyclic strain on bovine aortic SMC signaling pathways. We observed strain-induced stimulation of the cyclic AMP pathway including adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP accumulation. In addition, exposure of SMC to cyclic strain caused a significant increase in protein kinase C (PKC) activity and enzyme translocation from the cytosol to a particulate fraction. Further study was conducted to examine the effect of strain magnitude on signaling, particularly protein kinase A (PKA) activity as well as cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein levels. We observed significantly (P < 0.05) greater PKA activity and CRE binding protein levels in SMC located in the center as compared to the peripheral region. However, inhibition of PKA (with 10 microM Rp-cAMP) or PKC (with 5-20 ng/ml staurosporine) failed to alter either the strain-induced increase in SMC proliferation or alignment. These data characterize the strain determinants for activation of SMC proliferation and alignment. Although strain activated both the AC/cAMP/PKA and the PKC pathways in SMC, singular inhibition of PKA and PKC failed to prevent strain-induced alignment and proliferation, suggesting either their lack of involvement or the multifactorial nature of these responses.

Non-NASA Center↗

Malondialdehyde inhibits an AMPK-mediated nuclear translocation and repression activity of ALDH2 in transcription

Research highlights: {yields} ALDH2 is an MDA-modified protein in old rat kidney tissues. {yields} AMPK associates with ALDH2 and triggers the nuclear localization of ALDH2. {yields} ALDH2 serves as a general transcriptional repressor by associating with HDACs. {yields} MDA inhibits the AMPK-mediated translocation of ALDH2 and its repression activity. -- Abstract: Aging process results from deleterious damages by reactive oxygen species, in particular, various metabolic aldehydes. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is one of metabolic enzymes detoxifying various aldehydes under oxidative conditions. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a key role in controlling metabolic process. However, little was known about the relationship of ALDH2 with AMPK under oxidative conditions. Here, we, by using MDA-specific monoclonal antibody, screened the tissues of young and old rats for MDA-modified proteins and identified an ALDH2 as a prominent MDA-modified protein band in the old rat kidney tissue. ALDH2 associates with AMPK and is phosphorylated by AMPK. In addition, AICAR, an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase, induces the nuclear translocation of ALDH2. ALDH2 in nucleus is involved in general transcription repression by association with histone deacetylases. Furthermore, MDA modification inhibited the translocation of ALDH2 and the association with AMPK, and ultimately led to de-repression of transcription in the reporter system analysis. In this study, we have demonstrated that ALDH2 acts as a transcriptional repressor in response to AMPK activation, and MDA modifies ALDH2 and inhibits repressive activity of ALDH2 in general transcription. We thus suggest that increasing amount of MDA during aging process may interrupt the nuclear function of ALDH2, modulated by AMPK.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Characterization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca{sup 2+} ATPase nucleotide binding domain mutants using NMR spectroscopy

Research highlights: {yields} Structural consequence by substitution mutations on the isolated SERCA-nucleotide binding (SERCA-N) domain was studied. {yields} The study fills a gap between the previous clinical, physiological, and biochemical data and the molecular basis of SERCA-N. {yields} The E412G mutation, known to be seen in patients with Darier's disease, was found to maintain the active conformation but exhibit reduced protein stability. -- Abstract: Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca{sup 2+} ATPase (SERCA) is essential for muscle function by transporting Ca{sup 2+} from the cytosol into the sarcoplasmic reticulum through ATP hydrolysis. In this report, the effects of substitution mutations on the isolated SERCA-nucleotide binding domain (SERCA-N) were studied using NMR. {sup 15}N-{sup 1}H HSQC spectra of substitution mutants at the nucleotide binding site, T441A, R560V, and C561A, showed chemical shift changes, primarily in residues adjacent to the mutation sites, indicating only local effects. Further, the patterns of chemical shift changes upon AMP-PNP binding to these mutants were similar to that of the wild type SERCA-N (WT). In contrast to these nucleotide binding site mutants, a mutant found in patients with Darier's disease, E412G, showed small but significant chemical shift changes throughout the protein and rapid precipitation. However, the AMP-PNP dissociation constant ({approx}2.5 mM) was similar to that of WT ({approx}3.8 mM). These results indicate that the E412G mutant retains its catalytic activity but most likely reduces its stability. Our findings provide molecular insight into previous clinical, physiological, and biochemical observations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Atrial natriuretic peptide regulates lipid mobilization and oxygen consumption in human adipocytes by activating AMPK

Highlights: {yields} Treatment of differentiated human adipocytes with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased lipolysis and oxygen consumption by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). {yields} ANP stimulated lipid mobilization by selective activation of the alpha2 subunit of AMPK and increased energy utilization through activation of both the alpha1 and alpha2 subunits of AMPK. {yields} ANP enhanced adipocyte mitochondrial oxidative capacity as evidenced by induction of oxidative mitochondrial genes and increase in oxygen consumption. {yields} Exposure of human adipocytes to fatty acids and (TNF{alpha}) induced insulin resistance and decreased expression of mitochondrial genes which was restored to normal by ANP. -- Abstract: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism providing a possible link between cardiovascular function and metabolism by mediating the switch from carbohydrate to lipid mobilization and oxidation. ANP exerts a potent lipolytic effect via cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK)-I mediated-stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Activation of the ANP/cGK signaling cascade also promotes muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and fat oxidation. Here we demonstrate that ANP regulates lipid metabolism and oxygen utilization in differentiated human adipocytes by activating the alpha2 subunit of AMPK. ANP treatment increased lipolysis by seven fold and oxygen consumption by two fold, both of which were attenuated by inhibition of AMPK activity. ANP-induced lipolysis was shown to be mediated by the alpha2 subunit of AMPK as introduction of dominant-negative alpha2 subunit of AMPK attenuated ANP effects on lipolysis. ANP-induced activation of AMPK enhanced mitochondrial oxidative capacity as evidenced by a two fold increase in oxygen consumption and induction of mitochondrial genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1a) by 1.4-fold, cytochrome C (CytC) by 1.3-fold, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-{gamma} coactivator-1{alpha} (PGC-1{alpha}) by 1.4-fold. Treatment of human adipocytes with fatty acids and tumor necrosis factor {alpha} (TNF{alpha}) induced insulin resistance and down-regulation of mitochondrial genes, which was restored by ANP treatment. These results show that ANP regulates lipid catabolism and enhances energy dissipation through AMPK activation in human adipocytes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Relevance of the OCT1 transporter to the antineoplastic effect of biguanides

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer siRNA knockdown of OCT1 reduced sensitivity of EOC cells to metformin, but not to another biguanide, phenformin. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Suppression of OCT1 also affects the activation of AMP kinase in response to metformin, but not to phenformin. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Direct actions of metformin may be limited by low OCT1 expression in EOC tumors. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Phenformin could be used as an alternative biguanide. -- Abstract: Epidemiologic and laboratory data suggesting that metformin has antineoplastic activity have led to ongoing clinical trials. However, pharmacokinetic issues that may influence metformin activity have not been studied in detail. The organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) is known to play an important role in cellular uptake of metformin in the liver. We show that siRNA knockdown of OCT1 reduced sensitivity of epithelial ovarian cancer cells to metformin, but interestingly not to another biguanide, phenformin, with respect to both activation of AMP kinase and inhibition of proliferation. We observed that there is heterogeneity between primary human tumors with respect to OCT1 expression. These results suggest that there may be settings where drug uptake limits direct action of metformin on neoplastic cells, raising the possibility that metformin may not be the optimal biguanide for clinical investigation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Chlorogenic acid ameliorates endotoxin-induced liver injury by promoting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Acute or chronic hepatic injury is a common pathology worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction and the depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) play important roles in liver injury. Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are some of the most abundant phenolic acids in human diet. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that CGA may protect against chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury by modulating mitochondrial energy generation. CGA decreased the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The contents of ATP and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), as well as the ratio of AMP/ATP, were increased after CGA supplementation. The activities of enzymes that are involved in glycolysis were reduced, while those of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation were increased. Moreover, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mRNA levels of AMPK-α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial DNA transcription factor A were increased after CGA supplementation. Collectively, these findings suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of CGA might be associated with enhanced ATP production, the stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the inhibition of glycolysis. - Highlights: • Dietary supplementation with chlorogenic acid (CGA) improved endotoxin-induced liver injury. • Chlorogenic acid enhances ATP increase and shifts energy metabolism, which is correlated with up-regulation AMPK and PGC-1α. • The possible mechanism of CGA on mitochondrial biogenesis was correlated with up-regulation AMPK and PGC-1α.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Unexpected role of the IMD pathway in Drosophila gut defense against Staphylococcus aureus

Highlights: • Drosocrystallin (Dcy) is involved in resistance against oral infection with S. aureus in adult Drosophila. • The presence of S. aureus does not trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the gut. • The IMD pathway is required for the clearance of ingested S. aureus. In this study, fruit fly of the genus Drosophila is utilized as a suitable model animal to investigate the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity. To combat orally transmitted pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, the Drosophila gut is armed with the peritrophic matrix, which is a physical barrier composed of chitin and glycoproteins: the Duox system that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn sterilize infected microbes, and the IMD pathway that regulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which in turn control ROS-resistant pathogens. However, little is known about the defense mechanisms against Gram-positive bacteria in the fly gut. Here, we show that the peritrophic matrix protects Drosophila against Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus. We also define the few roles of ROS in response to the infection and show that the IMD pathway is required for the clearance of ingested microbes, possibly independently from AMP expression. These findings provide a new aspect of the gut defense system of Drosophila, and helps to elucidate the processes of gut-microbe symbiosis and pathogenesis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

5-Aminoimidazole-4-Carboxamide Riboside Enhances Effect of Ionizing Radiation in PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells

Purpose: The nucleoside 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) is a low-energy mimetic and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist that can affect the phenotype of malignant cells by diminishing their anabolism. It does this by being converted to 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide (ZMP), an AMP analog. We combined this promising antineoplastic agent with ionizing radiation in an attempt to increase its efficacy. Methods and Materials: The effect of AICAR on cell proliferation, cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, radiosensitivity, and AMPK activation was determined in the human prostate cancer cell line PC3. To elucidate the radiosensitizing mechanism, clonogenic survival assays in the presence of a drug agonist or antagonist or with small interfering RNA targeting AMPK were done, as well as measurements of ZMP production and double strand break repair. Moreover, immunoblot analysis of the radiation response signaling pathways after AICAR treatment was performed. Results: The incubation of human PC3 prostate cancer cells with AICAR-activated AMPK inhibited cell proliferation, decreased viability, increased apoptosis, and generated reactive oxygen species in a dose- and time-dependent manner. None of these endpoints gave more than additive effects when radiation was added. Radiosensitization was observed but only after 72 hours of treatment with 250 {mu}M AICAR, suggesting that it was independent of AMPK activation. This finding was confirmed by small interfering RNA knockdown of AMPK. The mechanism of radiosensitization was associated with imbalanced deoxynucleotide pools owing to ZMP accumulation after AICAR administration that interfered with DNA repair. Conclusions: Our findings on the favorable interaction between low doses of AICAR and ionizing radiation in PC3 cells could open new perspectives for the clinical use of this or similar compounds. However, additional research is still required to establish the ZMP pathway as being of general applicability.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Inhibition of chlorine-induced lung injury by the type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram

Chlorine is a highly toxic respiratory irritant that when inhaled causes epithelial cell injury, alveolar-capillary barrier disruption, airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and pulmonary edema. Chlorine is considered a chemical threat agent, and its release through accidental or intentional means has the potential to result in mass casualties from acute lung injury. The type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram was investigated as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury. Rolipram inhibits degradation of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic AMP. Potential beneficial effects of increased cyclic AMP levels include inhibition of pulmonary edema, inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. Mice were exposed to chlorine (whole body exposure, 228–270 ppm for 1 h) and were treated with rolipram by intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intramuscular (either aqueous or nanoemulsion formulation) delivery starting 1 h after exposure. Rolipram administered intraperitoneally or intranasally inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema. Minor or no effects were observed on lavage fluid IgM (indicative of plasma protein leakage), KC (Cxcl1, neutrophil chemoattractant), and neutrophils. All routes of administration inhibited chlorine-induced airway hyperreactivity assessed 1 day after exposure. The results of the study suggest that rolipram may be an effective rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury and that both systemic and targeted administration to the respiratory tract were effective routes of delivery. -- Highlights: ► Chlorine causes lung injury when inhaled and is considered a chemical threat agent. ► Rolipram inhibited chlorine-induced pulmonary edema and airway hyperreactivity. ► Post-exposure rolipram treatments by both systemic and local delivery were effective. ► Rolipram shows promise as a rescue treatment for chlorine-induced lung injury.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

RNA quaternary structure and global symmetry

Many proteins associate into symmetric multisubunit complexes. Structural analyses suggested that, by contrast, virtually all RNAs with complex 3D structures function as asymmetric monomers. Recent crystal structures revealed that several biological RNAs exhibit global symmetry at the level of their tertiary and quaternary structures. Here we survey known examples of global RNA symmetry, including the true quaternary symmetry of the bacteriophage Φ29 prohead RNA (pRNA) and the internal pseudosymmetry of the single-chain flavin mononucleotide (FMN), glycine, and cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) riboswitches. For these RNAs, we report global symmetry stabilizes the RNA fold, coordinates ligand–RNA interactions, and facilitates association with symmetric binding partners.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structure and two-metal mechanism of a eukaryal nick-sealing RNA ligase

ATP-dependent RNA ligases are agents of RNA repair that join 3'-OH and 5'-PO 4 RNA ends. Naegleria gruberi RNA ligase (NgrRnl) exemplifies a family of RNA nick-sealing enzymes found in bacteria, viruses, and eukarya. Crystal structures of NgrRnl at three discrete steps along the reaction pathway—covalent ligase-(lysyl-Nζ)–AMP•Mn 2+ intermediate; ligase•ATP•(Mn 2+ ) 2 Michaelis complex; and ligase•Mn 2+ complex—highlight a two-metal mechanism of nucleotidyl transfer, whereby ( i ) an enzyme-bound “catalytic” metal coordination complex lowers the p K a of the lysine nucleophile and stabilizes the transition state of the ATP α phosphate; and ( ii ) a second metal coordination complex bridges the β- and γ-phosphates. The NgrRnl N domain is a distinctively embellished oligonucleotide-binding (OB) fold that engages the γ-phosphate and associated metal complex and orients the pyrophosphate leaving group for in-line catalysis with stereochemical inversion at the AMP phosphate. The unique domain architecture of NgrRnl fortifies the theme that RNA ligases have evolved many times, and independently, by fusions of a shared nucleotidyltransferase domain to structurally diverse flanking modules. In conclusion, the mechanistic insights to lysine adenylylation gained from the NgrRnl structures are likely to apply broadly to the covalent nucleotidyltransferase superfamily of RNA ligases, DNA ligases, and RNA capping enzymes.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗