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A new approach to the synthesis of the (-)-205B alkaloid is described in this paper. This work is characterised by the development of an efficient chirality transfer through a silyl tethered intramolecular alkylation reaction, an unprecedented tandem highly selective iridium catalyzed partial reduction of lactam coupled with an acid promoted aza-Prins reaction, and an almost complete stereochemical control in Shenvi's radical hydrogen atom transfer on an exocyclic methylene. The second part of this work demonstrates the positive allosteric behavior of this natural alkaloid toward α7 nAChRs, in contrast to the reported inhibitory effect of the unnatural enantiomer.

Spermaceti is a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus and P. catodon). This substance had a variety of commercial applications from the end of the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century, such as candles, soap, cosmetics and other compounds. Spermaceti was also occasionally used as wax for modeling sculptures. In order to date such artworks the marine reservoir effect (MRE) has to be considered. The chemical library of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris, France) contains samples of spermaceti studied by the French chemist M. E. Chevreul (1786–1889) at the beginning of the 19th century. Eight samples of substances preserved in their original containers were 14C dated. According to the whaling practices and the publications of Chevreul, we estimated that the spermaceti samples came from whales caught between 1805 and 1815. AMS 14C dating results are from 550 to 1180 ± 30 BP, R values between 393 and 1023 (± 34) 14C yr and ΔR between –168 and 504 (± 60) 14C yr. The values presented here are the first ever obtained for spermaceti. However, being based on museum specimens, further measurements on crude material would be necessary to refine these results.

Summary Ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) are natural biosensors generating electrical signals in response to the binding of specific ligands. Creating de novo LGICs for biosensing applications is technically challenging. We have previously designed modified LGICs by linking G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to the Kir6.2 channel. In this article, we extrapolate these design concepts to other channels with different structures and oligomeric states, namely a tetrameric viral Kcv channel and the dimeric mouse TREK-1 channel. After precise engineering of the linker regions, the two ion channels were successfully regulated by a GPCR fused to their N-terminal domain. Two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings showed that Kcv and mTREK-1 fusions were inhibited and activated by GPCR agonists, respectively, and antagonists abolished both effects. Thus, dissimilar ion channels can be allosterically regulated through their N-terminal domains, suggesting that this is a generalizable approach for ion channel engineering., Graphical abstract, Highlights • GPCR regulation of diverse potassium channels through N-terminal fusions • Fusion to the viral PBCV-1 Kcv channel requires a specific linker and receptor • Tetrameric Kcv and dimeric mTREK-1 channels fusions respond to GPCR ligands • The engineered fusions broaden the properties of the channels' electrical signals, Motivation For biosensing applications, electrical signals are attractive since they can be recorded by micro- or nano-electronic systems for developing miniaturized detection devices in biomedical or environmental fields. One of the main limiting steps is the design of sensing elements that specifically recognize ligands such as biomarkers or chemical compounds. Ligand-gated ion channels are natural biosensors that specifically recognize ligands and generate an electrical signal. They have naturally evolved to be finely tuned by regulatory domains or proteins resulting in an appropriate electrical signal. The objective of this work is to leverage these natural biosensors by engineering diverse artificial ion channels that have the desired properties for biosensing or basic research applications. The main challenge is to design de novo allosteric regulations between ion channels and physiologically unrelated membrane proteins. Previously, different G protein-coupled receptors were successfully coupled to a specific ion channel, Kir6.2. In this work, we demonstrate that other ion channels (viral and murine) with distinct oligomerization properties can also be fused to GPCRs via their N-terminal domains. These results open avenues for diversifying engineered ligand-gated ion channels., Ligand-gated ion channels are natural biosensors that generate highly sensitive and fast electrical signals. García-Fernández et al. broaden the regulatory properties of electrical signal output by fusing different potassium channels to GPCRs. Functional fusion to tetrameric and dimeric channels demonstrates the versatility of this approach.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has shown that vaccine preparedness is critical to anticipate a fast response to emergent pathogens with high infectivity. To rapidly reach herd immunity, an affordable, easy to store and versatile vaccine platform is thus desirable. We previously designed a non-infectious adenovirus-inspired nanoparticle (ADDomer), and in the present work, we efficiently decorated this original vaccine platform with glycosylated receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. Cryo-Electron Microscopy structure revealed that up to 60 copies of this antigenic domain were bound on a single ADDomer particle with the symmetrical arrangements of a dodecahedron. Mouse immunization with the RBD decorated particles showed as early as the first immunization a significant anti-coronavirus humoral response, which was boosted after a second immunization. Neutralization assays with spike pseudo-typed-virus demonstrated the elicitation of strong neutralization titers. Remarkably, the existence of pre-existing immunity against adenoviral-derived particles enhanced the humoral response against SARS-CoV-2. This plug and play vaccine platform revisits the way of using adenovirus to combat emergent pathogens while potentially taking advantage of the adenovirus pre-immunity.

National audience; In this paper, we present how education can be involved in innovative CAS-based solutions and precision agriculture. We focus on a student project dedicated to plant growth monitoring using the Internet of Things (IoT). The objective was to make the students aware of the need for electronic solutions to sustain food production. They were proposed to design and deploy a network of connected devices using LoRa technology to monitor plants in our engineering school, ENSEIRB-MATMECA. We choose a deployment in LoRa technology in order to master the deployment of the network from the beginning to the end. Their work was divided into 3 parts: sensors, radiofrequency circuitry and data management.

9èmes Journées techniques Ovines; National audience

EnglishThrough this article, we present the first elements of knowledge resulting from an experiment on the school climate that takes place in 10 junior high schools of the Nantes agglomeration, from 2017 to 2021. We present the experimentation which is currently in course in Loire-Atlantique (1). We present our questions about the school climate under the particular prism of the living spaces in the schools and the well-being of the students (2). Then we present the findings that emerge in terms of the layout of reception and living spaces for schoolchildren, and the educational experience of adolescents in these spaces (3). An analysis addresses the various issues (educational, pedagogical and social) to which it refers, and describes some tools, approaches and inspiring practices in the direction of improving the quality of school climate and the well-being of junior high schools students (4). francaisA travers cet article, nous presentons les premiers elements de connaissance issus d’une experimentation sur le climat scolaire qui a lieu dans 10 colleges de l’agglomeration nantaise, de 2017 a 2021. Nous revenons en introduction sur l’experimentation qui est actuellement en cours en Loire-Atlantique (1). Nous presentons nos questionnements autour du climat scolaire sous le prisme particulier des espaces de vie dans les etablissements et du bien-etre des eleves (2). Sont ensuite presentes les constats qui ressortent en termes d’amenagement des espaces d’accueil et de vie des collegiens, et concernant le vecu scolaire des adolescents au sein de ces espaces (3). Une analyse sur l’appropriation des lieux d’accueil et de vie par les adolescents aborde les differents enjeux (educatifs, pedagogiques et sociaux) auquel elle fait reference, et decrit quelques outils, demarches et pratiques inspirantes dans le sens d’une amelioration du climat scolaire et du bien-etre des collegiens (4).

The present work deals with the study of the electrical behavior of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) used for HVDC cable insulation. The aim is to better understand the influences of electrical and thermal stresses on the insulating material in order to provide useful information for designing HVDC cables. This study was carried out on Rogowski samples made of XLPE insulation with semiconductive electrodes, aged for more than 3 years (1220 days) at three different temperatures (70, 80 and 90 °C) under two DC electric fields (30 and 60 kV/mm). Dielectric loss factor, volume resistivity and space charge accumulation were measured. Results are analyzed and cross-correlated, in order to propose possible ageing kinetics.

The absolute dating of paintings is crucial for tackling the problem of fake art. Investigations to authenticate paintings rely on an advanced knowledge of art history and a collection of scientific techniques. Radiocarbon dating is the only technique that gives access to an absolute time scale, but its application is limited to organic materials such as wood, canvas or natural binder. Extending absolute dating to inorganic pigments would make it possible to overcome the lack of available materials for dating easel and mural paintings. Here, we present a novel technique permitting paintings that contain inorganic pigment to be radiocarbon dated. We report results obtained on lead white that was the major white pigment used from Antiquity to the 20th century. We demonstrate that its manufacture is the key point for an absolute and reliable dating. We report an unprecedented use of 14C to date 14th to 16th century wall paintings. Since lead white was extensively used by the greatest artists, we anticipate that this study will open new avenues for detecting forgeries on the art market and for museums.

International audience; Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are flexible biomolecules whose essential functions are defined by their dynamic nature. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is ideally suited to the investigation of this behavior at atomic resolution. NMR relaxation is increasingly used to detect conformational dynamics in free and bound forms of IDPs under conditions approaching physiological, although a general framework providing a quantitative interpretation of these exquisitely sensitive probes as a function of experimental conditions is still lacking. Here, measuring an extensive set of relaxation rates sampling multiple-time-scale dynamics over a broad range of crowding conditions, we develop and test an integrated analytical description that accurately portrays the motion of IDPs as a function of the intrinsic properties of the crowded molecular environment. In particular we observe a strong dependence of both short-range and long-range motional time scales of the protein on the friction of the solvent. This tight coupling between the dynamic behavior of the IDP and its environment allows us to develop analytical expressions for protein motions and NMR relaxation properties that can be accurately applied over a vast range of experimental conditions. This unified dynamic description provides new insight into the physical behavior of IDPs, extending our ability to quantitatively investigate their conformational dynamics under complex environmental conditions, and accurately predicting relaxation rates reporting on motions on time scales up to tens of nanoseconds, both in vitro and in cellulo.

International audience

International audience; There is growing interest in the use of mammalian protein expression systems, and in the use of antibody-derived chaperones, for structural studies. Here, we describe protocols ranging from the production of recombinant membrane proteins in stable inducible cell lines to biophysical characterization of purified membrane proteins in complex with llama antibody domains. These protocols were used to solve the structure of the mouse 5-HT3 serotonin receptor but are of broad applicability for crystallization or cryo-electron microscopy projects.

Herbovore livestock farming systems and climatic changes in france : conclusions from a series of studies from 2006 to 2009 (the acta/ mires project). Four partners are involved in the ACTA project called “Study of the sensitiveness to climatic changes of the large scale farms and herbivore livestock farming systems” ; these are Arvalis, Inra (national institute for agronomic research), the French Livestock Institute and Meteo France. As part of this programme, simulations based on the STICS farming model were achieved in order to estimate consequences of climatic changes on biomass production of lucerne, corn and grasses. Mid-term (2020-2049) and long-term (2070-2099) basic climatic data to implement such simulations were transmitted by Meteo France according to two socio-demographic scenari (A2 and B1) provided by the 4th report of the GIEC 4 group (government experts). Those simulations include the C0² enrichment effect of atmosphere on photosynthesis and transpiration. Moreover, through the calculation of numerous agro-climatic indicators, we looked into the availability and accessibility to those fodder resources and into the frequency of some climatic risks. Leaning on livestock systems having features of rather different areas regarding the extent and the impact of climatic change, we took into consideration direct consequences of climatic change on fodder farming achieved in those systems, in order to explore the evolution of those particular systems’ balances and to evaluate adapting ways enabling to come back to satisfying and secure balances. These works underline adaptability of those systems to have production levels steady in a near future but put forward less favorable breaking downs in a distant future., Dans le cadre du projet ACTA «Étude de la sensibilité des systèmes de grandes cultures et d’élevages herbivores aux changements climatiques», associant quatre partenaires : ARVALIS, l’INRA, l’Institut de l’Élevage et Météo France, et à partir des données climatiques simulées par Météo-France à moyen (2020-2049) et long terme (2070-2099) selon deux scénarios socio-démographiques (A2 et B1) issus du 4ème rapport du Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental (GIEC 4), des simulations utilisant le modèle de culture STICS (Simulateur multidisciplinaire pour les cultures standard) ont été réalisées pour évaluer les conséquences du changement climatique sur la production de biomasse de la luzerne, du maïs et de prairies à base de graminées. Ces simulations intègrent l’effet de l’enrichissement de l’atmosphère en CO2 sur la photosynthèse et la transpiration. Par ailleurs, au travers du calcul de nombreux indicateurs agro-climatiques, l’étude s’est penchée sur la disponibilité et l’accessibilité à ces ressources fourragères, et sur la fréquence de certains aléas climatiques. En prenant appui sur des systèmes d’élevage caractéristiques de zones bien différentes quant à l’ampleur et l’impact du changement climatique, les conséquences directes du changement climatique sur les cultures fourragères pratiquées dans ces systèmes ont été intégrées afin d’explorer l’évolution des équilibres propres à ces systèmes et évaluer les voies d’adaptation permettant de revenir à des équilibres satisfaisants et sécurisés. Ces travaux soulignent les capacités adaptatives de ces systèmes à maintenir leurs niveaux de production dans le futur proche mais ils mettent en avant des ruptures moins favorables à plus long terme., Moreau Jean-Christophe. Les systèmes d’élevage d’herbivores face au changement climatique en France : quelques conclusions d’une série d’études menées de 2006 à 2009 (projet Acta/Mires). In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 168 n°2, 2015. pp. 133-138.

Ion channel-coupled receptors (ICCRs) are original man-made ligand-gated ion channels created by fusion of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to the inward-rectifier potassium channel Kir6.2. GPCR conformational changes induced by ligand binding are transduced into electrical current by the ion channel. This functional coupling is closely related to the length of the linker region formed by the GPCR C-terminus (C-ter) and Kir6.2 N-terminus (N-ter). Manipulating the GPCR C-ter length allows to finely tune the channel regulation, both in amplitude and sign (opening or closing Kir6.2). In this work, we demonstrate that the primary sequence of the channel N-terminal domain is an additional parameter for the functional coupling with GPCRs. As for all Kir channels, a cluster of basic residues is present in the N-terminal domain of Kir6.2 and is composed of 5 arginines which are proximal to the GPCR C-ter in the fusion proteins. Using a functional mapping approach, we demonstrate the role of specific arginines (R27 and R32) for the function of ICCRs, indicating that the position and not the cluster of positively-charged arginines is critical for the channel regulation by the GPCR. Following observations provided by molecular dynamics simulation, we explore the hypothesis of interaction of these arginines with acidic residues, and using site-directed mutagenesis, we identified aspartate D307 and glutamate E308 residues as critical for the function of ICCRs. These results demonstrate the critical role of the N-terminal and C-terminal charged residues of Kir6.2 for its allosteric regulation by the fused GPCR.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are the most widely used system of communication used by cells. They sense external signals and translate them into intracellular signals. The information is carried mechanically across the cell membrane, without perturbing its integrity. Agonist binding on the extracellular side causes a change in receptor conformation which propagates to the intracellular side and causes release of activated G-proteins, the first messengers of a variety of signaling cascades.Permitting access to powerful electrophysiological techniques, ion channels can be employed to monitor precisely the most proximal steps of GPCR signaling, receptor conformational changes, and G-protein release. The former is achieved by physical attachment of a potassium channel to the GPCR to create an Ion-Channel Coupled Receptor (ICCR). The latter is based on the use of G-protein-regulated potassium channels (GIRK). We describe here how these two systems may be used in the Xenopus oocyte heterologous system with a robotic system for increased throughput.

International audience; G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are the most widely used system of communication used by cells. They sense external signals and translate them into intracellular signals. The information is carried mechanically across the cell membrane, without perturbing its integrity. Agonist binding on the extracellular side causes a change in receptor conformation which propagates to the intracellular side and causes release of activated G-proteins, the first messengers of a variety of signaling cascades.Permitting access to powerful electrophysiological techniques, ion channels can be employed to monitor precisely the most proximal steps of GPCR signaling, receptor conformational changes, and G-protein release. The former is achieved by physical attachment of a potassium channel to the GPCR to create an Ion-Channel Coupled Receptor (ICCR). The latter is based on the use of G-protein-regulated potassium channels (GIRK). We describe here how these two systems may be used in the Xenopus oocyte heterologous system with a robotic system for increased throughput.

International audience; Bacterial pathogens recruit circulating proteins to their own surfaces, coopting the host protein functions as a mechanism of virulence. Particular attention has focused on the binding of plasminogen (Plg) to bacterial surfaces, as it has been shown that this interaction contributes to bacterial adhesion to host cells, invasion of host tissues and evasion of the immune system. Several bacterial proteins are known to serve as receptors for Plg including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a cytoplasmic enzyme that appears on the cell surface in this moonlighting role. Although Plg typically binds to these receptors via several lysine-binding domains, the specific interactions that occur have not been documented in all cases. However, identification of the relevant residues could help define strategies for mitigating the virulence of important human pathogens, like Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp). To shed light on this question, we have described a combination of peptide-spot array screening, competition and SPR assays, high-resolution crystallography and mutational analyses to characterize the interaction between SpGAPDH and Plg. We identified three SpGAPDH lysire residues that were instrumental in defining the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the interaction. Altogether, the integration of the data presented in this work allows us to propose a structural model for the molecular interaction of the SpGAPDH-Plg complex.

Ligand-gated ion channels enable intercellular transmission of action potential through synapses by transducing biochemical messengers into electrical signal. We designed artificial ligand-gated ion channels by coupling G protein-coupled receptors to the Kir6.2 potassium channel. These artificial channels called ion channel-coupled receptors offer complementary properties to natural channels by extending the repertoire of ligands to those recognized by the fused receptors, by generating more sustained signals and by conferring potassium selectivity. The first artificial channels based on the muscarinic M2 and the dopaminergic D2L receptors were opened and closed by acetylcholine and dopamine, respectively. We find here that this opposite regulation of the gating is linked to the length of the receptor C-termini, and that C-terminus engineering can precisely control the extent and direction of ligand gating. These findings establish the design rules to produce customized ligand-gated channels for synthetic biology applications.

International audience; Power transmission through power cables installed in ventilated tunnels is increasingly used worldwide and offers a complex thermal environment. Established correlations currently in use have been deduced from a nonfully developed turbulent flow and the effect of the proximity to a tunnel wall is not accounted for. This paper details the experimental and numerical investigations conducted on a mock-up of the heat transfer from a single cable in a fully developed turbulent airflow, with emphasis on the effect of the cable spacing from the tunnel wall. Nusselt numbers have been compared for different spacing and Reynolds numbers. The overall heat transfer is found to be meaningfully lower than in previous studies as only a third of the heat transfer is found, possible explanation of these differences are given in this paper. A threshold value is observed for the heat transfer while the cable rating depreciation is more gradual. The radiative heat exchange is found to be up to 30% of the total heat loss. An improved cooling law for the case of a single cable in tunnel taking into account the proximity of the wall has been developed from this study and confronted to the experimental and simulated data.

Absolute dating of mortars is crucial when trying to pin down construction phases of archaeological sites and historic stone buildings to a certain point in time or to confirm, but possibly also challenge, existing chronologies. To evaluate various sample preparation methods for radiocarbon (14C) dating of mortars as well as to compare different dating methods, i.e.14C and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), a mortar dating intercomparison study (MODIS) was set up, exploring existing limits and needs for further research. Four mortar samples were selected and distributed among the participating laboratories: one of which was expected not to present any problem related to the sample preparation methodologies for anthropogenic lime extraction, whereas all others addressed specific known sample preparation issues. Data obtained from the various mortar dating approaches are evaluated relative to the historical framework of the mortar samples and any deviation observed is contextualized to the composition and specific mineralogy of the sampled material.

Michel Fontugne *, Christine Hatte , Helene Valladas , Nadine Tisnerat-Laborde , Antoine Zazzo , Christine Oberlin , Emmanuelle Delque-Kolic , Christophe Moreau , Bernard Berthier d a Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE) UMR 8212 CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, Domaine du CNRS, avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France b CNRS, UMR 7209, Archeozoologie, archeobotanique : societes, pratiques et environnements. Museum national d’histoire naturelle, Departement EGB, 55, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France c Centre de datation par le radiocarbone (CDRC), UMR 5138 CNRS, universite Claude-Bernard, Lyon-I, 40, boulevard Niels-Bohr, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France d Laboratoire de mesure du carbone 14 (LMC14), bâtiment 450 porte 4E, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, France

Ion channel-coupled receptors (ICCR) are artificial proteins built from a G protein-coupled receptor and an ion channel. Their use as molecular biosensors is promising in diagnosis and high-throughput drug screening. The concept of ICCR was initially validated with the combination of the muscarinic receptor M2 with the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir6.2. A long protein engineering phase has led to the biochemical characterization of the M2-Kir6.2 construct. However, its molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. In particular, it is important to determine how the activation of M2 by its agonist acetylcholine triggers the modulation of the Kir6.2 channel via the M2-Kir6.2 linkage. In the present study, we have developed and validated a computational approach to rebuild models of the M2-Kir6.2 chimera from the molecular structure of M2 and Kir6.2. The protocol was first validated on the known protein complexes of the μ-opioid Receptor, the CXCR4 receptor and the Kv1.2 potassium channel. When applied to M2-Kir6.2, our protocol produced two possible models corresponding to two different orientations of M2. Both models highlights the role of the M2 helices I and VIII in the interaction with Kir6.2, as well as the role of the Kir6.2 N-terminus in the channel opening. Those two hypotheses will be explored in a future experimental study of the M2-Kir6.2 construct.

New insights into calreticulins are obtained by studying parasite species and combining a dissection strategy, X-ray crystallography and SAXS., Calreticulin (CRT) is a multifaceted protein, initially discovered as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone protein, that is essential in calcium metabolism. Various implications in cancer, early development and immunology have been discovered more recently for CRT, as well as its role as a dominant ‘eat-me’ prophagocytic signal. Intriguingly, cell-surface exposure/secretion of CRT is among the infective strategies used by parasites such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Entamoeba histolytica, Taenia solium, Leishmania donovani and Schistosoma mansoni. Because of the inherent flexibility of CRTs, their analysis by X-ray crystallography requires the design of recombinant constructs suitable for crystallization, and thus only the structures of two very similar mammalian CRT lectin domains are known. With the X-ray structures of two distant parasite CRTs, insights into species structural determinants that might be harnessed to fight against the parasites without affecting the functions of the host CRT are now provided. Moreover, although the hypothesis that CRT can exhibit both open and closed conformations has been proposed in relation to its chaperone function, only the open conformation has so far been observed in crystal structures. The first evidence is now provided of a complex conformational transition with the junction reoriented towards P-domain closure. SAXS experiments also provided additional information about the flexibility of T. cruzi CRT in solution, thus complementing crystallographic data on the open conformation. Finally, regarding the conserved lectin-domain structure and chaperone function, evidence is provided of its dual carbohydrate/protein specificity and a new scheme is proposed to interpret such unusual substrate-binding properties. These fascinating features are fully consistent with previous experimental observations, as discussed considering the broad spectrum of CRT sequence conservations and differences.

International audience

International audience; Power transmission through power cables installed in ventilated tunnels has been increasingly used worldwide and offers a complex thermal environment. Established correlations currently in use have been deduced from a non-fully developed turbulent flow. This paper details the experimental investigation of the heat transfer from a single cable in a fully developed turbulent air flow, with emphasis on the effect of the cable spacing from the tunnel wall. Nusselt numbers have been compared for different spacing and velocities. The overall heat transfer is found to be meaningfully lower than in previous studies and no threshold spacing value for the average heat transfer to decrease is clearly found. Thermal radiation is found to greatly impact the cable cooling profile.

International audience; Complement C1q is a soluble pattern recognition molecule comprising six heterotrimeric subunits assembled from three polypeptide chains (A-C). Each heterotrimer forms a collagen-like stem prolonged by a globular recognition domain. These recognition domains sense a wide variety of ligands, including pathogens and altered-self components. Ligand recognition is either direct or mediated by immunoglobulins or pentraxins. Multivalent binding of C1q to its targets triggers immune effector mechanisms mediated via its collagen-like stems. The induced immune response includes activation of the classical complement pathway and enhancement of the phagocytosis of the recognized target. We report here, the first production of a single-chain recombinant form of human C1q globular region (C1q-scGR). The three monomers have been linked in tandem to generate a single continuous polypeptide, based on a strategy previously used for adiponectin, a protein structurally related to C1q. The resulting C1q-scGR protein was produced at high yield in stably transfected 293-F mammalian cells. Recombinant C1q-scGR was correctly folded, as demonstrated by its X-ray crystal structure solved at a resolution of 1.35 Å. Its interaction properties were assessed by surface plasmon resonance analysis using the following physiological C1q ligands: the receptor for C1q globular heads, the long pentraxin PTX3, calreticulin, and heparin. The 3D structure and the binding properties of C1q-scGR were similar to those of the three-chain fragment generated by collagenase digestion of serum-derived C1q. Comparison of the interaction properties of the fragments with those of native C1q provided insights into the avidity component associated with the hexameric assembly of C1q. The interest of this functional recombinant form of the recognition domains of C1q in basic research and its potential biomedical applications are discussed.

The Grotte Cosquer (southeastern France) is a Paleolithic painted cave only accessible by a deep-water dive. The cave has yielded numerous Paleolithic engravings and drawings, which were produced from wood charcoal. This article presents new radiocarbon dates obtained on samples collected in 2012 directly on 17 parietal representations and at the soil surface, and discusses the 14C results obtained since the discovery of the cave in 1992. A total of 41 samples were dated with ages ranging from 33,000 to 20,000 cal BP. They show that the cave was intermittently decorated over about 10,000 yr.

ResumeCet article explore deux registres de causalite qui peuvent eclairer les conduites d’exces des jeunes generations : d’une part, il fait etat de l’allongement de la jeunesse, des mutations identitaires et du deficit de ritualisation qui ne permet plus d’entendre les langages traditionnels du corps et d’agreger les jeunes generations au monde adulte. D’autre part, il s’interesse aux mutations profondes qui affectent la fonction sociale de la fete : affaiblissement des pratiques ceremonielles, perte de sens des dynamiques emotionnelles, moindre vocation matrimoniale, marchandisation de l’urbain… Finalement, on pose que les facteurs identitaires, relationnels, et la capacite a reguler les emotions sont au cœur du mecanisme des « consommations festives », et une typologie est proposee pour dissocier les comportements des jeunes adultes a partir de ces deux axes d’analyse.

Endostatin is an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. Although several endothelial cell surface molecules have been reported to interact with endostatin, its molecular mechanism of action is not fully elucidated. We used surface plasmon resonance assays to characterize interactions between endostatin, integrins, and heparin/heparan sulfate. alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3 integrins form stable complexes with immobilized endostatin (KD=approximately 1.8x10(-8) M, two-state model). Two arginine residues (Arg27 and Arg139) are crucial for the binding of endostatin to integrins and to heparin/heparan sulfate, suggesting that endostatin would not bind simultaneously to integrins and to heparan sulfate. Experimental data and molecular modeling support endostatin binding to the headpiece of the alphavbeta3 integrin at the interface between the beta-propeller domain of the alphav subunit and the betaA domain of the beta3 subunit. In addition, we report that alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3 integrins bind to heparin/heparan sulfate. The ectodomain of the alpha5beta1 integrin binds to haparin with high affinity (KD=15.5 nM). The direct binding between integrins and heparin/heparan sulfate might explain why both heparan sulfate and alpha5beta1 integrin are required for the localization of endostatin in endothelial cell lipid rafts.

K(ATP) channels are metabolic sensors and targets of potassium channel openers (KCO; e.g., diazoxide and pinacidil). They comprise four sulfonylurea receptors (SUR) and four potassium channel subunits (Kir6) and are critical in regulating insulin secretion. Different SUR subtypes (SUR1, SUR2A, SUR2B) largely determine the metabolic sensitivities and the pharmacological profiles of K(ATP) channels. SUR1- but not SUR2-containing channels are highly sensitive to metabolic inhibition and diazoxide, whereas SUR2 channels are sensitive to pinacidil. It is generally believed that SUR1 and SUR2 are incompatible in channel coassembly. We used triple tandems, T1 and T2, each containing one SUR (SUR1 or SUR2A) and two Kir6.2Delta26 (last 26 residues are deleted) to examine the coassembly of different SUR. When T1 or T2 was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, small whole-cell currents were activated by metabolic inhibition (induced by azide) plus a KCO (diazoxide for T1, pinacidil for T2). When coexpressed with any SUR subtype, the activated-currents were increased by 2- to 13-fold, indicating that different SUR can coassemble. Consistent with this, heteromeric SUR1+SUR2A channels were sensitive to azide, diazoxide, and pinacidil, and their single-channel burst duration was 2-fold longer than that of the T1 channels. Furthermore, SUR2A was coprecipitated with SUR1. Using whole-cell recording and immunostaining, heteromeric channels could also be detected when T1 and SUR2A were coexpressed in mammalian cells. Finally, the response of the SUR1+SUR2A channels to azide was found to be intermediate to those of the homomeric channels. Therefore, different SUR subtypes can coassemble into K(ATP) channels with distinct metabolic sensitivities and pharmacological profiles.

Cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are metabolic sensors formed by the association of the inward rectifier potassium channel Kir6.2 and the sulphonylurea receptor SUR2A. SUR2A adjusts channel gating as a function of intracellular ATP and ADP and is the target of pharmaceutical openers and blockers which, respectively, up- and down-regulate Kir6.2. In an effort to understand how effector binding to SUR2A translates into Kir6.2 gating modulation, we examined the role of a 65-residue SUR2A fragment linking transmembrane domain TMD2 and nucleotide-binding domain NBD2 that has been shown to interact with Kir6.2. This fragment of SUR2A was replaced by the equivalent residues of its close homologue, the multidrug resistance protein MRP1. The chimeric construct was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and characterized using the patch-clamp technique. We found that activation by MgADP and synthetic openers was greatly attenuated although apparent affinities were unchanged. Further chimeragenetic and mutagenetic studies showed that mutation of three residues, E1305, I1310 and L1313 (rat numbering), was sufficient to confer this defective phenotype. The same mutations had no effects on channel block by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide or by ATP, suggesting a role for these residues in activatory – but not inhibitory – transduction processes. These results indicate that, within the KATP channel complex, the proximal C-terminal of SUR2A is a critical link between ligand binding to SUR2A and Kir6.2 up-regulation.

Procollagen C-proteinase enhancers (PCPE-1 and -2) are extracellular glycoproteins that can stimulate the C-terminal processing of fibrillar procollagens by tolloid proteinases such as bone morphogenetic protein-1. They consist of two CUB domains (CUB1 and -2) that alone account for PCPE-enhancing activity and one C-terminal NTR domain. CUB domains are found in several extracellular and plasma membrane-associated proteins, many of which are proteases. We have modeled the structure of the CUB1 domain of PCPE-1 based on known three-dimensional structures of CUB-containing proteins. Sequence alignment shows conserved amino acids, notably two acidic residues (Asp-68 and Asp-109) involved in a putative surface-located calcium binding site, as well as a conserved tyrosine residue (Tyr-67). In addition, three residues (Glu-26, Thr-89, and Phe-90) are found only in PCPE CUB1 domains, in putative surface-exposed loops. Among the conserved residues, it was found that mutations of Asp-68 and Asp-109 to alanine almost completely abolished PCPE-1 stimulating activity, whereas mutation of Tyr-67 led to a smaller reduction of activity. Among residues specific to PCPEs, mutation of Glu-26 and Thr-89 had little effect, whereas mutation of Phe-90 dramatically decreased the activity. Changes in activity were paralleled by changes in binding of different PCPE-1 mutants to a mini-procollagen III substrate, as shown by surface plasmon resonance. We conclude that PCPE-stimulating activity requires a calcium binding motif in the CUB1 domain that is highly conserved among CUB-containing proteins but also that PCPEs contain specific sites that could become targets for the development of novel anti-fibrotic therapies.

Artificial media are used in physiological studies of microalgae to maintain consistent conditions from one experiment to another and these media must be adapted to the needs of the organism studied. The artificial medium, in this case named diatom artificial medium (DAM), was designed to maintain long-term cultures of Haslea ostrearia and 19 other planktonic microalgae, and to allow physiological studies related to metal metabolism. The biomass and biochemical composition of H. ostrearia grown in the DAM and in a modified Provasoli medium were compared to assess the suitability of this new artificial medium for the culture of this diatom. The DAM provided sufficient nutrients to allow H. ostrearia to grow as efficiently as in the enriched seawater medium, without negative impact on metabolism. The DAM was tested with 19 other microalgae in order to widen its potential use, and 18 of the 19 showed a good adaptation to this medium. The chemical speciation of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) was assessed using a speciation mathematical model. The presence of EDTA resulted in the total complexation of the trace metals implying that they were present in a sole chemical species in the DAM.