The continuously forming fin bony rays of zebrafish represent a simple bone model system in which mineralization is temporally and spatially resolved. mineralized collagen fibrils the bones are identical structure to those found all known materials. We study continuous process within tissue by using synchrotron microbeam x-ray diffraction small-angle scattering, combined with cryo-scanning electron microscopy. former provides information on mineral phase particles size shape, whereas latter...

Lipid transport between intracellular organelles is mediated by vesicular and nonvesicular mechanisms critical for maintaining the identities of different cellular membranes. Nonvesicular lipid endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Golgi complex has been proposed to affect composition Here, we show that integral ER-membrane proteins VAP-A VAP-B structural functional integrity complex. Depletion VAPs RNA interference reduces levels phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P), diacylglycerol, sphingomyelin...

Slippery surfaces using lipids In engineered systems, a reduction in friction can come from the use of lubricants or through surface coatings that are inherently slippery. For most hydrogels, which cross-linked polymers heavily swelled with water, lubrication typically comes trapped liquids help to form slippery surface. Drawing inspiration articular cartilage part uses lipid boundary layer, Lin et al. designed hydrogels small concentrations continuously exuded toward make layer (see...

The machinery that conducts the light-driven reactions of oxygenic photosynthesis is hosted within specialized paired membranes called thylakoids. In higher plants, thylakoids are segregated into two morphological and functional domains grana stroma lamellae. A large fraction luminal volume granal occupied by oxygen-evolving complex photosystem II. Electron microscopy data we obtained on dark- light-adapted Arabidopsis indicate thylakoid lumen significantly expands in light. Models generated...

Communication between organelles is crucial for eukaryotic cells to function as one coherent unit. An important means of communication through membrane contact sites, where two come into close proximity allowing the transport lipids and small solutes them. Contact sites are dynamic in size can change response environmental or cellular stimuli; however, how this regulated has been unclear. Here, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Lam6 resides several central sites: ERMES (ER/mitochondria...

Abstract The light-harvesting and energy-transducing functions of the chloroplast are performed within an intricate lamellar system membranes, called thylakoid which differentiated into granum stroma domains. Using dual-axis electron microscope tomography, we determined three-dimensional organization membranes cryo-immobilized, freeze-substituted lettuce (Lactuca sativa) leaves. We found that grana built repeating units consist paired layers formed by bifurcations sheets, fuse body. These...

Amylose-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) complexes were produced by water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and KOH/HCl complexation methods. The formation of amylose V form was confirmed X-ray diffraction (XRD), formed at 30, 60, 90 degrees C exhibit melting temperatures exceeding 88 C. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed distinct difference in complex organization, with water/DMSO showing spherical shape typical diameter 150 nm. Complexes elongated structure width 43-160 Water/DMSO superior...

The bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans survives ionizing irradiation and other DNA-damaging assaults at doses that are lethal to all organisms. How D . accurately reconstructs its genome from hundreds of radiation-generated fragments in the absence an intact template is unknown. Here we show D. assumes unusual toroidal morphology may contribute radioresistance. We propose that, because restricted diffusion within tightly packed laterally ordered DNA toroids, free ends held together, which...

This research characterized flour and raw starches isolated from red white sweet potato cultivars. Their composition, determined by proximate analysis, is typical of These cultivars have high amylose content (32−34%) exhibit a Ca-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Similar gelatinization characteristics were detected for both with onset temperature 67 °C enthalpy 10.5−11.0 J/g. Starches had well-correlated (r 2 = 0.982) solubilization swelling temperatures, starting at 80 °C. Pasting properties...

Design of an extensive supramolecular three-dimensional network that is both robust and adaptive represents a significant challenge. The molecular system PP2b based on perylene diimide chromophore (PDI) decorated with polyethylene glycol groups self-assembles in aqueous media into extended fibers form resulting gelation. self-assembled systems were characterized by cryo-TEM, cryo-SEM, rheological measurements. gel possesses exceptional robustness multiple stimuli-responsiveness. Reversible...

Abstract Adaptability of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms to fluctuations in light spectral composition and intensity is conferred by state transitions, short-term regulatory processes that enable the apparatus rapidly adjust variations quality. In green algae higher plants, these are accompanied reversible structural rearrangements thylakoid membranes. We studied changes membranes Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts using atomic force microscopy, scanning transmission electron confocal...

Abstract Functionality of conventional fat spreads can be achieved without hydrogenation by the formation stable network structures upon cooling mixtures monoglycerides (MGs) and vegetable oils from melt. Such are healthy substitutes for margarine butter. The effects MG content, rate shear on temperature ramp, mechanical spectra hardness olive oil/MG gel networks were investigated. A minimum volume fraction was necessary a gelled network, but this concentration less than that needed...

Icosahedral double-stranded DNA viruses use a single portal for genome delivery and packaging. The extensive structural similarity revealed by such portals in diverse viruses, as well their invariable positioning at unique icosahedral vertex, led to the consensus that particular, highly conserved vertex-portal architecture is essential viral translocations. Here we present an exception this paradigm demonstrating packaging virus Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus occur through two distinct...

The scope of this study is the effect ohmic heating thermal treatment on liquid fruit juice made oranges. Effects quality orange were examined and compared to those heat pasteurization at 90 °C for 50 s. Orange was treated temperatures 90, 120, 150 1.13, 0.85, 0.68 s in an system. Microbial counts showed complete inactivation bacteria, yeast, mold during conventional treatments. reduced pectin esterase activity by 98%. reduction vitamin C 15%. Ohmic-heated maintained higher amounts five...

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) serve as the first line of defense innate immune system against invading microbial pathogens. Gram-positive bacteria can resist CAMPs by modifying their anionic teichoic acids (TAs) with D-alanine, but exact mechanism resistance is not fully understood. Here, we utilized various functional and biophysical approaches to investigate interactions human pathogen Group B Streptococcus (GBS) a series having different properties. The data reveal that: (i)...