Information contained in the sequences of biological polymers such as DNA and protein is crucial to determining their function. Lipids are not generally thought of as information-containing molecules. However, from a supramolecular perspective, the number of possible combinations of lipids in a mixture is comparable to the complexity of DNA or proteins. Here, we test the idea that an organic composome can exhibit molecular recognition. We use water/octanol as a model two-phase system and investigate the effect of organic solutes in different combinations in the organic phase on selective partitioning of two water-soluble dyes (Brilliant Blue FCF and Allura Red AC) from the aqueous phase into the organic phase. We found that variation in the concentration of the surfactant cetyltrimethylamonium bromide (CTAB) in the octanol phase alone was sufficient to cause a switch in selectivity, with low CTAB concentrations being selective for the red dye and high CTAB concentrations being selective for the blue dye. Other organic components were added to the organic phase to introduce molecular diversity into the composome and directed evolution was used to optimize the relative concentrations of the solutes. An improvement of selective partitioning in the heterogeneous system over the pure CTAB solution was observed. The results indicate that supramolecular composomes are sufficient for molecular recognition processes in a way analogous to nucleic acid aptamers.
As of March 2021, the Family: Picornaviridae contained 158 species grouped into 68 different genera. We report the identification of a new Picornaviridae-like viral specie isolated from the Wild Lime Psyllid (WLP), Leuronota fagarae. Extraction and sequencing of nucleic acid from WLP adult salivary glands identified a 5554 nt sequence with 52.75% identity to Diaphorina citri (Asian Citrus Psyllid) picorna-like virus polyprotein and 59.61% identity to the Bemisia tabaci (Silverleaf Whitefly) picorna-like virus polyprotein, NCBI BLASTx and BLASTp analysis. Sequence comparisons of amino acids and nucleotides showed consistent similarity and motifs consistent with picorna-like virus polyproteins across 8 known species, with significant E-values of 7e-116 or less. Picornavirus genome polyproteins are around 2100-2400 aa in length, being cleaved into multiple active peptides to allow for viral replication. Phylogenetic comparisons using amino acid and nucleic acid polyprotein sequences showed a diverse radiant group of insect hosts. The discovery of a novel picorna-like virus in WLP whose niche overlaps with the Asian citrus psyllid in the state of Florida, USA, and which is strongly related to the D. citri picorna-like virus, provides an opportunity to examine virus host specificity, and modes of transmission between these two psyllid species. Ultimately, research will examine the potential to use these viral pathogens for the management of D. citri populations to reduce the transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the bacterial pathogen of citrus trees causing Huanglongbing.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.