De Novo Pathway (de + novo_pathway)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Centrioles to basal bodies in the spermiogenesis of Mastotermes darwiniensis (Insecta, Isoptera)

CYTOSKELETON, Issue 5 2009
Maria Giovanna Riparbelli
Abstract In addition to their role in centrosome organization, the centrioles have another distinct function as basal bodies for the formation of cilia and flagella. Centriole duplication has been reported to require two alternate assembly pathways: template or de novo. Since spermiogenesis in the termite Mastotermes darwiniensis lead to the formation of multiflagellate sperm, this process represents a useful model system in which to follow basal body formation and flagella assembly. We present evidence of a possible de novo pathway for basal body formation in the differentiating germ cell. This cell also contains typical centrosomal proteins, such as centrosomin, pericentrin-like protein, ,-tubulin, that undergo redistribution as spermatid differentiation proceeds. The spermatid centrioles are long structures formed by nine doublet rather than triplet microtubules provided with short projections extending towards the surrounding cytoplasm and with links between doublets. The sperm basal bodies are aligned in parallel beneath the nucleus. They consist of long regions close to the nucleus showing nine doublets in a cartwheel array devoid of any projections; on the contrary, the short region close to the plasma membrane, where the sperm flagella emerge, is characterized by projections similar to those observed in the centrioles linking the basal body to the plasma membrane. It is hypothesized that this appearance is in connection with the centriole elongation and further with the flagellar axonemal organization. Microtubule doublets of sperm flagellar axonemes are provided with outer dynein arms, while inner arms are rarely visible. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide formation in Pseudomonas reptilivora

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
T.P. West
Abstract Aims:, To study the regulation of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas reptilivora ATCC 14836. Methods and Results:, The pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzymes were assayed in extracts of Ps. reptilivora ATCC 14836 cells and of cells from an auxotroph lacking aspartate transcarbamoylase activity. Pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzyme activities in ATCC 14836 were influenced by the addition of pyrimidine bases to the culture medium with orotic acid addition inducing dihydroorotase activity. Pyrimidine starvation of the transcarbamoylase mutant strain increased its de novo enzyme activities suggesting that the de novo pathway was also subject to repression by a pyrimidine-related compound. Aspartate transcarbamoylase activity in ATCC 14836 was inhibited in vitro by pyrophosphate and ATP. Conclusions:, Regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis in Ps. reptilivora was observed at the level of enzyme synthesis and at the level of activity for aspartate transcarbamoylase. Its regulation of enzyme synthesis seemed to be more highly controlled than what was observed in the related species Ps. fluorescens. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This investigation found that pyrimidine biosynthesis is controlled in Ps. reptilivora. This could prove helpful to future studies exploring its pathogenicity. [source]


Pyrimidine nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis in embryos and megagametophytes of white spruce (Picea glauca) during germination

PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 1 2002
Claudio Stasolla
Pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis was investigated in isolated germinating zygotic embryos and separated megagametophytes of white spruce by following the metabolic fate of 14C-labelled orotic acid, uridine, and uracil, as well as by measuring the activities of the major enzymes participating in nucleotide synthesis. The rate of nucleic acid synthesis in these tissues was also examined by tracer experiments and autoradiographic studies conducted with labelled thymidine, and by conventional light microscopy. From our results, it emerges that changes in the contribution of the de novo and salvage pathways of pyrimidines play an important role during the initial stages of zygotic embryo germination. Preferential utilization of uridine for nucleic acid synthesis, via the salvage pathway, was observed at the onset of germination, before the restoration of a fully functional de novo pathway. Similar metabolic changes, not observed in the gametophytic tissue, were also documented in somatic embryos previously. These alterations of the overall pyrimidine metabolism may represent a strategy for ensuring the germinating embryos with a large nucleotide pool. Utilization of 14C-thymidine for nucleic acid synthesis increased in both dissected embryos and megagametophytes during germination. Autoradiographic and light microscopic studies indicated that soon after imbibition, DNA synthesis was preferentially initiated along the embryonic axis, especially in the cortical cells. Apical meristem reactivation was a later event, and the root meristem became activated before the shoot meristem. Taken together, these results indicate that precise changes in nucleotide and nucleic acid metabolism occur during the early phases of embryo germination. [source]


Mapping of the bovine genes of the de novo AMP synthesis pathway,

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2004
T. Bønsdorff
Summary The purine nucleotides adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP) are critical for energy metabolism, cell signalling and cell reproduction. Despite their essential function, little is known about the regulation and in vivo expression pattern of the genes involved in the de novo purine synthesis pathway. The complete coding region of the bovine phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase gene (PAICS), which catalyses steps 6 and 7 of the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway, as well as bovine genomic sequences of the six other genes in the pathway producing inosine monophosphate (IMP) and AMP [phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PPAT), phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase (GART), phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine synthase (PFAS), adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (ATIC) and adenylosuccinate synthase (ADSS)], were identified. The genes were mapped to segments of six different bovine chromosomes using a radiation hybrid (RH) cell panel. The gene PPAT, coding for the presumed rate-limiting enzyme of the purine de novo pathway was closely linked to PAICS on BTA6. These, and the other bovine locations i.e. GART at BTA1, PFAS at BTA19, ADSL at BTA5, ATIC at BTA2 and ADSS at BTA16, are in agreement with published comparative maps of cattle and man. PAICS and PPAT genes are known to be closely linked in human, rat and chicken. Previously, an expressed sequence fragment of PAICS (Bos taurus corpus luteum, BTCL9) was mapped to BTA13. By isolation and characterization of a BAC clone, we have now identified a PAICS processed pseudogene sequence (,PAICS) on BTA13. Processed pseudogene sequences of PAICS and other genes of the purine biosynthesis pathway were identified in several mammalian species, indicating that the genes of this pathway have been susceptible to retrotransposition. The seven bovine genes are expressed at a higher level in testicular and ovary tissues compared with skeletal muscle. [source]