Cas5d Protein Processes Pre-crRNA and Assembles into a Cascade-like Interference Complex in Subtype I-C/Dvulg CRISPR-Cas System

Nam, K.,Haitjema, C.,Liu, X.,Ding, F.,Wang, H.,DeLisa, Matthew P.,Ke, A. Current Biology 2012 Structure Vol.20 No.9

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), together with an operon of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, form an RNA-based prokaryotic immune system against exogenous genetic elements. Cas5 family proteins are found in several type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, we report the molecular function of subtype I-C/Dvulg Cas5d from Bacillus halodurans. We show that Cas5d cleaves pre-crRNA into unit length by recognizing both the hairpin structure and the 3' single stranded sequence in the CRISPR repeat region. Cas5d structure reveals a ferredoxin domain-based architecture and a catalytic triad formed by Y46, K116, and H117 residues. We further show that after pre-crRNA processing, Cas5d assembles with crRNA, Csd1, and Csd2 proteins to form a multi-sub-unit interference complex similar to Escherichia coli Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense) in architecture. Our results suggest that formation of a crRNA-presenting Cascade-like complex is likely a common theme among type I CRISPR subtypes.

Annealing Dependence of Solution-Processed Ultra-Thin ZrOx Films for Gate Dielectric Applications.

Liu, G X,Liu, A,Meng, Y,Shan, F K,Shin, B C,Lee, W J,Cho, C R American Scientific Publishers 2015 Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology Vol.15 No.3

<P>Ultra-thin ZrOx thin films on Si substrates were prepared by sol-gel technique and processed with different methods (baked on hot plate at 150 °C, annealed at 500 °C in furnace, and photo-annealed under UV light). The decomposition of the organic groups and the formation of Zr-O bonding in the ZrOx thin films were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the ZrOx thin film annealed under UV light shows decent characteristics, including an ultra-small surface roughness, a low leakage current density of 10(-9) A/cm2 at 1 MV/cm, a large breakdown electric field of 9.5 MV/cm, and a large areal capacitance of 775 nF/cm2.</P>

Chemical composition of giants from two moving groups

Liu, F.,Chen, Y. Q.,Zhao, G.,Han, I.,Lee, B. C.,Kim, K. M.,Zhao, Z. S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2012 Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol.422 No.4

<P><B>ABSTRACT</B></P><P>We present the stellar parameters of 19 K‐type giants and their abundances for 13 chemical elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sc, Si, Ti and V), selected from two moving groups, covering the metallicity range of −0.6 < [Fe/H] < 0.2, based on high‐resolution spectra. Most of the elemental abundances show similar trends as in previous studies, except for Al, Na and Ba, which are seriously affected by evolution. The abundance ratios of [Na/Mg] increase smoothly with higher [Mg/H], and those of [Al/Mg] decrease slightly with increasing [Mg/H]. The abundance ratios of [Mg/Ba] show a distinction between these two moving groups, which is mainly induced by chemical evolution and also partly by kinematic effects. The inhomogeneous metallicity of each star from the moving groups demonstrates that these stars had different chemical origins before they were kinematically aggregated. This favours a dynamical resonant theory.</P>

Prediction of Digestible and Metabolizable Energy Content of Rice Bran Fed to Growing Pigs

Shi, C.X.,Liu, Z.Y.,Shi, M.,Li, P.,Zeng, Z.K.,Liu, L.,Huang, C.F.,Zhu, Z.P.,Li, D.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.5

Two experiments were conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 19 rice bran samples and to develop prediction equations for DE and ME based on their chemical composition. The 19 rice bran samples came from different rice varieties, processing methods and regions. The basal diet was formulated using corn and soybean meal (74.43% corn and 22.91% soybean meal and 2.66% vitamins and minerals). The 19 experimental diets based on a mixture of corn, soybean meal and 29.2% of each source of rice bran, respectively. In Exp. 1, 108 growing barrows ($32.1{\pm}4.2kg$) were allotted to 1 of 18 treatments according to a completely randomized design with 6 pigs per treatment. The treatment 1 was the control group which was fed with basal diet. The treatments 2 to 18 were fed with experimental diets. In Exp. 2, two additional rice bran samples were measured to verify the prediction equations developed in Exp. 1. A control diet and two rice bran diets were fed to 18 growing barrows ($34.6{\pm}3.5kg$). The control and experimental diets formulations were the same as diets in Exp. 1. The results showed that the DE ranged from 14.48 to 16.85 (mean 15.84) MJ/kg of dry matter while the ME ranged from 12.49 to 15.84 (mean 14.31) MJ/kg of dry matter. The predicted values of DE and ME of the two additional samples in Exp. 2 were very close to the measured values.

Prediction of Digestible and Metabolizable Energy Content of Rice Bran Fed to Growing Pigs

C.X. Shi,Z.Y. Liu,M. Shi,P. Li,Z.K. Zeng,L. Liu,C.F. Huang,Z.P. Zhu,D.F. Li 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.5

Two experiments were conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 19 rice bran samples and to develop prediction equations for DE and ME based on their chemical composition. The 19 rice bran samples came from different rice varieties, processing methods and regions. The basal diet was formulated using corn and soybean meal (74.43% corn and 22.91% soybean meal and 2.66% vitamins and minerals). The 19 experimental diets based on a mixture of corn, soybean meal and 29.2% of each source of rice bran, respectively. In Exp. 1, 108 growing barrows (32.1±4.2 kg) were allotted to 1 of 18 treatments according to a completely randomized design with 6 pigs per treatment. The treatment 1 was the control group which was fed with basal diet. The treatments 2 to 18 were fed with experimental diets. In Exp. 2, two additional rice bran samples were measured to verify the prediction equations developed in Exp. 1. A control diet and two rice bran diets were fed to 18 growing barrows (34.6±3.5 kg). The control and experimental diets formulations were the same as diets in Exp. 1. The results showed that the DE ranged from 14.48 to 16.85 (mean 15.84) MJ/kg of dry matter while the ME ranged from 12.49 to 15.84 (mean 14.31) MJ/kg of dry matter. The predicted values of DE and ME of the two additional samples in Exp. 2 were very close to the measured values.

The Metabolizable Energy Value, Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Soybean Meal, Soy Protein Concentrate and Fermented Soybean Meal, and the Application of These Products in Early-weaned Piglets

Zhang, H.Y.,Yi, J.Q.,Piao, X.S.,Li, P.F.,Zeng, Z.K.,Wang, D.,Liu, L.,Wang, G.Q.,Han, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.5

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the metabolizable energy (ME) value, standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) of soybean meal (SBM), soy protein concentrate (SPC) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM), and the application of these products in early-weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, four barrows with initial body weight (BW) of $14.2{\pm}1.4$ kg were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. The diet 1 contained corn as the only energy source. The other three diets replaced 25% of corn in diet 1 with one of the three soybean products, and the digestable energy (DE) and ME contents were determined by difference. In Exp. 2, four barrows (initial BW of $18.2{\pm}1.5$ kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and allotted to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Three cornstarch-based diets were formulated using each of the soybean products as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also formulated to measure endogenous losses of AA. In Exp. 3, ninety six piglets (initial BW of $5.6{\pm}0.9$ kg) weaned at $21{\pm}2$ d were blocked by weight and assigned to one of three treatments for a 21-d growth performance study. The control diet was based on corn and SBM, the two treatments' diets contained either 10% SPC or FSBM and were formulated to same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal. The results showed that the ME content of SPC was greater than SBM (p<0.05). The SID of most AA in SPC was greater than the SID of AA in SBM (p<0.05). For the essential AA, the SID of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and threonine in FSBM were greater than in SBM (p<0.05). Even though they were fed same SID lysine to ME ratio of 3.6 g/Mcal diets, pigs fed SPC and FSBM diets had greater weight gain, G:F (p<0.05) and better fecal score (p<0.05) than pigs fed SBM diet. In conclusion, SPC showed a higher ME content and SID of AA than the SBM. SID of some essential AA in FSBM was higher than SBM and was similar with SPC. But the lower antigenic proteins and anti-nutritional factors content in SPC and FSBM may be the main factors affecting the performance of early-weaned piglets rather than the increased ME content and SID of AA.

Full Length cDNA, Genomic Organizations and Expression Profiles of the Porcine Proteasomal ATPases PSMC5 Gene

Wang, Y.F.,Yu, M.,Liu, B.,Fan, B.,Wang, H.,Zhu, M.J.,Li, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.7

PSMC5 subunit, which belongs to the 26S proteasomal subunit family, plays an important role in the antigen presentation mediated by MHC class I molecular. Full-length cDNA of porcine PSMC5 was isolated using the in silico cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Amino acid was deduced and the primary structure was analyzed. Results revealed that the porcine PSMC5 gene shares the high degree of sequence similarity with its mammalian counterparts at both the nucleotide level and the amino acid level. The RT-PCR was performed to detect the porcine PSMC5 expression pattern in seven tissues and the result showed that high express level was observed in spleen, lung, marrow and liver while the low express level was in muscle. The full-length genomic DNA sequence of porcine PSMC5 gene was amplified by PCR and the genomic structure revealed that this gene was comprised by 12 exons and 11 introns. Best alignment of the cDNA and genomic exon DNA sequence presents 4 mismatches and this information potentially bears further study in gene polymorphisms.

Structural, electrical, and optical properties of Na-doped ZnO thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition.

Shan, F K,Liu, G X,Lee, W J,Bae, K R,Shin, B C,Kim, H S American Scientific Publishers 2008 Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology Vol.8 No.10

<P>Na-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on quartz substrates at various temperatures by using pulsed laser deposition technique. An X-ray diffractometer and an atomic force microscope were used to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the thin films. A Hall effect measurement system was used to investigate the electrical properties of the thin films. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the transmittances of the thin films. The band gap energies of the thin films were calculated by linear fitting the sharp absorption edge for high-quality thin film. The band gap energies of the Na-doped ZnO thin films are nearly the same as the pure ZnO. A spectrometer was used to investigate the luminescent properties of the thin films. The thin film deposited at 200 degrees C had no near band edge emission and no deep-level emission. The NBE emission appeared and increased with increasing the growth temperature.</P>

Investigation of PCR-RFLPs within Major Histocompatibility Complex B-G Genes Using Two Restriction Enzymes in Eight Breeds of Chinese Indigenous Chickens

R. F. Xu,K. Li,G. H. Chen,B. Y. Z. Qiang,D. L. Mo,B. Fan,C. C. Li,M. Yu,M. J. Zhu,T. A. Xiong,B. Liu 아세아·태평양축산학회 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.7

New polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex B-G genes was investigated by amplification and digestion of a 401bp fragment including intron 1 and exon 2 using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) technique with two restriction enzymes of Msp I and Tas I in eight breeds of Chinese indigenous chickens and one exotic breed. In the fragment region of the gene, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected at the two restriction sites. We found the transition of two nucleotides of A294G and T295C occurred at Tas I restriction site, and consequently led to a nonsynonymous substitution of asparagine into serine at position 54 within the deduced amino acid sequence of immunoglobulin variableregion- like domain encoded by the exon 2 of B-G gene. It was observed at rare frequency that a single mutation of A294G occurring at the site, also caused an identical substitution of amino acid, asparagine 54-to-serine, to that we described previously. And the transversion of G319C at Msp I site led to a non-synonymous substitution, glutamine 62-to-histidine. The new alleles and allele frequencies identified by the PCR-RFLP method with the two enzymes were characterized, of which the allele A and B frequencies at Msp I and Tas I loci were given disequilibrium distribution either in the eight Chinese local breeds or in the exotic breed. By comparison, allele A at Msp I locus tended to be dominant, while, the allele B at Tas I locus tended to be dominant in all of the breeds analyzed. In Tibetan chickens, the preliminary association analysis revealed that no significant difference was observed between the different genotypes identified at the Msp I and Tas I loci and the laying performance traits, respectively.

Pulsed Laser Deposition and Characterization of InZnO Alloyed Thin Film

Shan, F.K.,Liu, G.X.,Shin, Byoung Chul,Lee, Won Jae,Oh, W.T. Trans Tech Publications, Ltd. 2008 Key Engineering Materials Vol.368 No.-

<P>High-quality In2O3 powder and ZnO powder had been used to make the ceramic target and the atomic ratio of 1 to 1 of indium and zinc had been prepared in this study. The alloyed thin films had been deposited on sapphire (001) substrates at different temperatures (100-600°C) by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. An x-ray diffractometer and an atomic force microscope were used to investigate the structural and morphological properties of the alloyed thin films. It was observed that the alloyed thin films deposited at the temperatures lower than 300°C were amorphous, and the alloyed thin films deposited at high temperatures were crystallized. A spectrophotometer was used to investigate the transmittances of the alloyed thin films. It was found that the alloyed thin films were of high quality. The band gap energies of the alloys were calculated by linear fitting the sharp absorption edges of the transmittance spectra. The Hall measurements were also carried out to identify the electrical properties of the thin films.</P>