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Based on the statistical data of land use change, friom the perspective of sustainable use, we use literiaturie inquiriy, statistical analysis, GIS spatial analysis and dynamic degriee model of land use, to analyze the land use change chariacteristics, land use amount ad spatial distribution chariacteriistics in Guangzhou City during 1996 - 2012, and furitheri elaboriate the driving forices of land use change to get the basic law of land use change in Guangzhou City. The riesults show that the constriction land was riapidly expanded, causing a significant rieduction in ariable land (friom 129286 ha in 1996 to 84567 ha in 2012); in construction land, the land fori riesidential, industrial and mining use and triasporiation land driamatically incrieased, and the single dynamic degriee of triansporitation land was close to 7.1%. In comparison with otheri developed cities, it is found that economic factoris a d policy factoris arie imporiant factoris afecting land use chage in Guangzhou City, and the griowth riate of economic density of land was high in Tianhe District and Yuexiu District. Friom the perispective of sustainable use, the futurie land use in Guagzhou City needs to betteri cooridinate the rielationship between various types of land, between socio-economic development and cooridinated land use development, between envirionmental priotection a d land development and utilization. Thriough a seriies of land consolidation activities, it is necessariy to strengthen the priotection of farmland, impriove the intensive and economical use of constriction land, impriove the ecological envirionment, and cooridinate development of uriban and riurial areas, to ultimately achieve sustainUe land use in Guangzhou City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting associations between human genetic variants and their phenotypic effects is a significant problem in understanding genetic bases of human-inherited diseases. The focus is on a typical type of genetic variants called nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs), whose occurrence may potentially alter the structures of proteins, affecting functions of proteins, and thereby causing diseases. Most of the existing methods predict associations between nsSNPs and diseases based on features derived from only protein sequence and/or structure information, and give no information about which specific disease an nsSNP is associated with. To cope with these problems, the identification of nsSNPs that are associated with a specific disease from a set of candidate nsSNPs as a binary classification problem has been formulated. A new approach has been adopted for predicting associations between nsSNPs and diseases based on multiple nsSNP similarity networks and disease phenotype similarity networks. With a series of comprehensive validation experiments, it has been demonstrated that the proposed method is effective in both recovering the nsSNP-disease associations and inferring suspect disease-associated nsSNPs for both diseases with known genetic bases and diseases of unknown genetic bases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HIV-1 accessory factor Vif is necessary for efficient viral infection in non-permissive cells. Vif antagonizes the antiviral activity of human cytidine deaminase APOBEC3 proteins that confer the non-permissive phenotype by tethering them (APOBEC3DE/3F/3G) to the Vif-CBF-β-ElonginB-ElonginC-Cullin5-Rbx (Vif-CBF-β-EloBEloC- Cul5-Rbx) E3 complex to induce their proteasomal degradation. EloB and EloC were initially reported as positive regulatory subunits of the Elongin (SIII) complex. Thereafter, EloB and EloC were found to be components of Cul-E3 complexes, contributing to proteasomal degradation of specific substrates. CBF-β is a newly identified key regulator of Vif function, and more information is needed to further clarify its regulatory mechanism. Here, we comprehensively investigated the functions of EloB (together with EloC) in the Vif-CBF-β-Cul5 E3 ligase complex. Results: The results revealed that: (1) EloB (and EloC) positively affected the recruitment of CBF-β to Vif. Both knockdown of endogenous EloB and over-expression of its mutant with a 34-residue deletion in the COOH-terminal tail (EloBΔC34/EBΔC34) impaired the Vif-CBF-β interaction. (2) Introduction of both the Vif SLQ→AAA mutant (VifΔSLQ, which dramatically impairs Vif-EloB-EloC binding) and the Vif PPL→AAA mutant (VifΔPPL, which is thought to reduce Vif-EloB binding) could reduce CBF-β binding. (3) EloB-EloC but not CBF-β could greatly enhance the folding of full-length Vif in Escherichia coli. (4) The over-expression of EloB or the N-terminal ubiquitin-like (UbL) domain of EloB could significantly improve the stability of Vif/VifΔSLQ/VifΔPPL through the region between residues 9 and 14. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the Vif interaction with EloB-EloC may contribute to recruitment of CBF-β to Vif, demonstrating that the EloB C-teminus may play a role in improving Vif function and that the over-expression of EloB results in Vif stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor (TP) is known to mediate platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. The receptor predominantly interacts with the Gq protein, thereby activating phospholi- pase C and increasing the intracellular calcium level. In this study, we synthesized a IS-residue peptide corresponding to the C-terminal domain of the Gq protein a subunit (Gαq-Ct peptide) and characterized its Interaction with recombinant TP purified from a baculovirus expression system in the presence and absence of an agonist using fluorescence and NMR spectroscopic studies. With fluorescence binding assays, we demonstrated that the Gαq-Ct peptide was bound to TP, in the absence of the agonist, with a Kd value of approximately 17 μM. Interestingly, upon addition of the agonist, U46619, the Gαq-Ct peptide's binding affinity for this activated TP was reduced, thereby increasing the Kd value to approximately 240 μM. NMR experiments demonstrated that the TP-bound Gαq-Ct peptide shows a different affinity and conformation, in the absence and presence of the agonist, U46619. This suggested there is the possibility of ligand-free constitutive TP signaling through Gα binding. Thus, an H EK293 cell line that stably expresses human TP and lacks the ability to produce TXA2 was created by gene transfer and G418 selection. In comparison with the control cells, the stable cell line showed significant Ga-mediated ligand-free calcium signaling. The study indicates a promising new outlook for the examination of prostanoid receptor-G-protein interactions in greater detail using integrated NMR spectroscopy, the purified receptor, and the stable cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A topological model of prostaglandin I[sub 2] synthase (PGIS) was created by homology modeling. This model, along with site-specific antibodies and other topology studies, has suggested that the residue(s) within helix F/G loop of PGIS may be involved in forming the substrate access channel and located in a position that influences the membrane-bound PGIS catalytic function (1). To test this hypothesis, we have explored an approach to identify the residues of the helix F/G loop important to enzyme activity of the membrane-bound PGIS by a combination of 2-D NMR experiment and mutagenesis methods. Using the distance measured from the model as a guide, the helix F/G loop was mimicked in a synthetic peptide by introducing a spacer to maintain a distance of about 7 Å between the N- and the C-termini (PGIS residues 208 and 230). The peptide was used to interact with the enzyme substrate analogue, U46619. High-resolution 2-D NMR experiments were performed to determine the contacts between the peptide and U46619. The interaction between the constrained F/G loop peptide and U46619 was confirmed by the observation of the conformational changes of the peptide and U46619 using the comparison of the cross-peaks between the NOESY spectra of U46619 with the peptide, without the peptide, and the peptide alone. Through the combination of the 2-D NMR experiments, completed ¹H NMR assignments of the F/G loop segment in the presence and absence of U46619 were obtained, and these data were used to predict the contact residues (Leu214 and Pro215) of the F/G loop with PGIS substrate. The predicted influence of residues on enzyme catalytic activity in membrane-bound environments was confirmed by the mutagenesis of the F/G loop residues of human PGIS. These observations support that the F/G loop is involved in forming the substrate access channel for membrane-bound PGIS and suggests that the NMR experiment-based mutagenesis approach may be applied to study structure and... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifies residues important for ligand binding of thromboxane A[sub 2] receptor in the second extracellular loop using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment-guided mutagenesis approach. NMR experiments performed for the peptide, SQ29,548, and peptide with SQ29,548; Contacts between residues; Ligand binding activity.

Anisotropic 2D layered materials with distinctive anisotropic electronic band structures and optical response are promising for practical applications in polarization imaging and sensors. Nonetheless, many of the currently reported polarized photodetectors based on anisotropic 2D materials are constrained by the low polarization responsivity and low linear dichroism ratio. Here a high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetector based on the novel in-plane anisotropy 2D violet phosphorus (VP) crystal is reported. The angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy (ARPRS) study and the anisotropic electrical transport measurements revealed the highly in-plane anisotropy phonon vibration and electrical properties of VP crystal. The anisotropic ratio of electron mobility is calculated to be 2.7 at room temperature. Moreover, a polarization-sensitive photodetector based on the VP nanosheet shows high photoresponsivity of up to 341 A W-1 and a linearly dichroic ratio of up to 3.9, which is much larger than most other anisotropic 2D materials. These results indicate that the anisotropic VP crystal would be suitable for polarization-sensitive photodetectors, which leads to a promising perspective for future novel electronic and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are preparing to introduce long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAP). Amid multiple pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options and constrained funding, decision-makers could benefit from systematic implementation planning and aligned costs. We reviewed national costed implementation plans (CIPs) to describe relevant implementation inputs and activities (domains) for informing the costed rollout of LAP. We assessed how primary costing evidence aligned with those domains. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of CIPs for oral PrEP and family planning (FP) to develop a consensus of implementation domains, and a scoping review across nine electronic databases for publications on PrEP costing in LMICs between January 2010 and June 2022. We extracted cost data and assessed alignment with the implementation domains and the Global Health Costing Consortium principles. Results: We identified 15 implementation domains from four national PrEP plans and FP-CIP template; only six were in all sources. We included 66 full-text manuscripts, 10 reported LAP, 13 (20%) were primary cost studies-representing seven countries, and none of the 13 included LAP. The 13 primary cost studies included PrEP commodities (n = 12), human resources (n = 11), indirect costs (n = 11), other commodities (n = 10), demand creation (n = 9) and counselling (n = 9). Few studies costed integration into non-HIV services (n = 5), above site costs (n = 3), supply chains and logistics (n = 3) or policy and planning (n = 2), and none included the costs of target setting, health information system adaptations or implementation research. Cost units and outcomes were variable (e.g. average per person-year). Discussion: LAP planning will require updating HIV prevention policies, technical assistance for logistical and clinical support, expanding beyond HIV platforms, setting PrEP achievement targets overall and disaggregated by method, extensive supply chain and logistics planning and support, as well as updating health information systems to monitor multiple PrEP methods with different visit schedules. The 15 implementation domains were variable in reviewed studies. PrEP primary cost and budget data are necessary for new product introduction and should match implementation plans with financing. Conclusions: As PrEP services expand to include LAP, decision-makers need a framework, tools and a process to support countries in planning the systematic rollout and costing for LAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-like 3 family members (APOBEC3s) are host restriction factors that inhibit viral replication. Viral infectivity factor (Vif), a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein, mediates the degradation of APOBEC3s by forming the Vif-E3 complex, in which core-binding factor beta (CBFb) is an essential molecular chaperone. Here, we screened nonfunctional Vif mutants with high affinity for CBFb to inhibit HIV-1 in a dominant negative manner. We applied the yeast surface display technology to express Vif random mutant libraries, and mutants showing high CBFb affinity were screened using flow cytometry. Most of the screened Vif mutants containing random mutations of different frequencies were able to rescue APOBEC3G (A3G). In the subsequent screening, three of the mutants restricted HIV-1, recovered G-to-A hypermutation, and rescued APOBEC3s. Among them, Vif-6M showed a crossprotection effect toward APOBEC3C, APOBEC3F, and African green monkey A3G. Stable expression of Vif-6M in T lymphocytes inhibited the viral replication in newly HIV-1-infected cells and the chronically infected cell line H9/HXB2. Furthermore, the expression of Vif-6M provided a survival advantage to T lymphocytes infected with HIV-1. These results suggest that dominant negative Vif mutants acting on the Vif-CBFb target potently restrict HIV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV remains a health challenge worldwide, partly because of the continued development of resistance to drugs. Therefore, it is urgent to find new HIV inhibitors and targets. Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-like 3 family members (APOBEC3) are important host restriction factors that inhibit HIV-1 replication by their cytidine deaminase activity. HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) promotes proteasomal degradation of APOBEC3 proteins by recruiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, in which core-binding factor β (CBFβ) is a necessary molecular chaperone. Interrupting the interaction between Vif and CBFβ can release APOBEC3 proteins to inhibit HIV-1 replication and may be useful for developing new drug targets for HIV-1. In this study, we identified a potent small molecule inhibitor CBFβ/Vif-3 (CV-3) of HIV-1 replication by employing structure-based virtual screening using the crystal structure of Vif and CBFβ (PDB: 4N9F) and validated CV-3's antiviral activity. We found that CV-3 specifically inhibited HIV-1 replication (IC50 = 8.16 µM; 50% cytotoxic concentration >100 µM) in nonpermissive lymphocytes. Furthermore, CV-3 treatment rescued APOBEC3 family members (human APOBEC3G (hA3G), hA3C, and hA3F) in the presence of Vif and enabled hA3G packaging into HIV-1 virions, which resulted in Gly-to-Ala hypermutations in viral genomes. Finally, we used FRET to demonstrate that CV-3 inhibited the interaction between Vif and CBFβ by simultaneously forming hydrogen bonds with residues Gln-67, Ile-102, and Arg-131 of CBFβ. These findings demonstrate that CV-3 can effectively inhibit HIV-1 by blocking the interaction between Vif and CBFβ and that this interaction can serve as a new target for developing HIV-1 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SAM and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) is a host factor that restricts reverse transcription of lentiviruses such as HIV in myeloid cells and resting T cells through its dNTP triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) activity. Lentiviruses counteract this restriction by expressing the accessory protein Vpx or Vpr, which targets SAMHD1 for proteasomal degradation. SAMHD1 is conserved among mammals, and the feline and bovine SAMHD1 proteins (fSAM and bSAM) restrict lentiviruses by reducing cellular dNTP concentrations. However, the functional regions offSAMandbSAMthat are required for their biological functions are not well-characterized. Here, to establish alternative models to investigate SAMHD1 in vivo, we studied the restriction profile of fSAM and bSAM against different primate lentiviruses. We found that both fSAM and bSAM strongly restrict primate lentiviruses and that Vpx induces the proteasomal degradation of both fSAM and bSAM. Further investigation identified one and five amino acid sites in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of fSAM and bSAM, respectively, that are required for Vpx-mediated degradation. We also found that the CTD of bSAM is directly involved in mediating bSAM's antiviral activity by regulating dNTPase activity, whereas the CTD of fSAM is not. Our results suggest that the CTDs of fSAM and bSAM have important roles in their antiviral functions. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanism of fSAM- and bSAM-mediated viral restriction and might inform strategies for improving HIV animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor suppressor protein p53, our most critical defense against tumorigenesis, can be made powerless by mechanisms such as mutations and inhibitors. Fortilin, a 172-amino acid polypeptide with potent anti-apoptotic activity, is up-regulated in many human malignancies. However, the exact mechanism by which fortilin exerts its anti-apoptotic activity remains unknown. Here we present significant insight. Fortilin binds specifically to the sequence-specific DNA binding domain of p53. The interaction of fortilin with p53 blocks p53-induced transcriptional activation of Bax. In addition, fortilin, but not a double point mutant of fortilin lacking p53 binding, inhibits p53-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, cells with wild-type p53 and fortilin, but not cells with wild-type p53 and the double point mutant of fortilin lacking p53 binding, fail to induce Bax gene and apoptosis, leading to the formation of large tumor in athymic mice. Our results suggest that fortilin is a novel p53-interacting molecule and p53 inhibitor and that it is a logical molecular target in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) protein is essential for viral replication. Vif recruits cellular ElonginB/C-Cullin5 E3 ubiquitin ligase to target the host antiviral protein APOBEC3G (A3G) for proteasomal degradation. In the absence of Vif, A3G is packaged into budding HIV-1 virions and introduces multiple mutations in the newly synthesized minus-strand viral DNA to restrict virus replication. Thus, the A3G-Vif-E3 complex represents an attractive target for development of novel anti-HIV drugs. In this study, we identified a potent small molecular compound (VEC-5) by virtual screening and validated its anti-Vif activity through biochemical analysis. We show that VEC-5 inhibits virus replication only in A3G-positive cells. Treatment with VEC-5 increased cellular A3G levels when Vif was coexpressed and enhanced A3G incorporation into HIV-1 virions to reduce viral infectivity. Coimmunoprecipitation and computational analysis further attributed the anti-Vif activity of VEC-5 to the inhibition of Vif from direct binding to the ElonginC protein. These findings support the notion that suppressing Vif function can liberate A3G to carry out its antiviral activity and demonstrate that regulation of the Vif-ElonginC interaction is a novel target for small-molecule inhibitors of HIV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enramycin is a polypeptide antibiotic and new, safe animal feed additive. A new purification process was developed, based on pre-purification by macroporous resin and refining by reversed phase chromatography. AB-8 macroporous resin was used for the pre-purification process of enramycin, with an elution buffer of 0.012 mol/L aqueous HCl solution-methanol (50: 50, V/V). Then, enramycin a and enramycin b were separated effectively by C18 reversed phase chromatography, with a elution buffer of 0.05 mol/L aqueous KH2PO4 solution-acetonitrile (70: 30, V/V, pH 4.5). The purities of enramycin a and enramycin b were up to 98.5% and 98.0%, respectively. The yield reached 29.2%. This study would provide a useful reference for the preparation of enramycin a and enramycin b with a high purity.