The tumor suppressor protein p53 is known to undergo cytoplasmic dynein-dependent nuclear translocation in response to DNA damage. However, the molecular link between p53 and the minus end-directed microtubule motor dynein complex has not been described. We report here that the 8-kDa light chain (LC8) of dynein binds to p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1). The LC8-binding domain was mapped to a short peptide segment immediately N-terminal to the kinetochore localization region of 53BP1. The LC8-binding domain is completely separated from the p53-binding domain in 53BP1. Therefore, 53BP1 can potentially act as an adaptor to assemble p53 to the dynein complex. Unlike other known LC8-binding proteins, 53BP1 contains two distinct LC8-binding motifs that are arranged in tandem. We further showed that 53BP1 can directly associate with the dynein complex. Disruption of the interaction between LC8 and 53BP1 in vivo prevented DNA damageinduced nuclear accumulation of p53. These data illustrate that LC8 is able to function as a versatile acceptor to link a wide spectrum of molecular cargoes to the dynein motor.

Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains play diverse roles in cytoskeletal dynamics and signal transduction. Split PH domains represent a unique subclass of PH domains that have been implicated in interactions with complementary partial PH domains 'hidden' in many proteins. Whether partial PH domains exist as independent structural units alone and whether two halves of a split PH domain can fold together to form an intact PH domain are not known. Here, we solved the structure of the PH N -PDZ-PH C tandem of a-syntrophin. The split PH domain of a-syntrophin adopts a canonical PH domain fold. The isolated partial PH domains of a-syntrophin, although completely unfolded, remain soluble in solution. Mixing of the two isolated domains induces de novo folding and yields a stable PH domain. Our results demonstrate that two complementary partial PH domains are capable of binding to each other to form an intact PH domain. We further showed that the PH N -PDZ-PH C tandem forms a functionally distinct supramodule, in which the split PH domain and the PDZ domain function synergistically in binding to inositol phospholipids.

This is a repository copy of Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars suppress herbivore-induced volatile emissions in maize.

Heliothis viriplaca (Hüfnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is worldwide an important economic pest of major agricultural crops. The effect of temperature on the biology, in particular the duration of the different developmental stages, of this insect pest was examined. The development, survival, and fecundity of H. viriplaca at five different temperatures (22, 25, 28, 31, and 34°C) were investigated, and experimental population life tables calculated. The results show that the developmental time of larvae, pupae, pre-oviposition, adults, and the entire generation decreases with increasing temperature. Larvae emerged fastest from the eggs at 28°C. The percentage of larvae that reached the seventh instar stage was 32.69, 38.60, 19.67, 3.61, and 20.88% at 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34°C, respectively. The developmental threshold temperature of the eggs, larvae, pupae, pre-oviposition and total pre-oviposition period was 10.53, 12.34, 5.60, 11.47, and 10.01°C, respectively. The effective accumulative temperature was 42.90, 239.68, 309.19, 77.72, and 767.64 degree-days, respectively. The population trend index (I) and the intrinsic rate of increase (r) of H. viriplaca were the highest at 31°C (133.97 and 0.12 d−1, respectively). The results of this study may be useful for predicting the population dynamics of H. viriplaca and thus provides information on this important insect pest that may assist in its management.

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Additive manufacturing has been used to develop a variety of scaffold designs for clinical and industrial applications. Mechanical properties (i.e., compression, tension, bending, and torsion response) of these scaffolds are significantly important for load-bearing orthopaedic implants. In this study, we designed and additively manufactured porous metallic biomaterials based on two different types of triply periodic minimal surface structures (i.e., gyroid and diamond) that mimic the mechanical properties of bone, such as porosity, stiffness, and strength. Physical and mechanical properties, including compressive, tensile, bending, and torsional stiffness and strength of the developed scaffolds, were then characterised experimentally and numerically using finite element method. Sheet thickness was constant at 300 μm, and the unit cell size was varied to generate different pore sizes and porosities. Gyroid scaffolds had a pore size in the range of 600–1200 μm and a porosity in the range of 54–72%, respectively. Corresponding values for the diamond were 900–1500 μm and 56–70%. Both structure types were validated experimentally, and a wide range of mechanical properties (including stiffness and yield strength) were predicted using the finite element method. The stiffness and strength of both structures are comparable to that of cortical bone, hence reducing the risks of scaffold failure. The results demonstrate that the developed scaffolds mimic the physical and mechanical properties of cortical bone and can be suitable for bone replacement and orthopaedic implants. However, an optimal design should be chosen based on specific performance requirements.