We describe recent developments of the public computer code HiggsBounds. In particular, these include the incorporation of LHC Higgs search results from Run 2 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, ...and an updated and extended framework for the theoretical input that accounts for improved Higgs cross section and branching ratio predictions and new search channels. We furthermore discuss an improved method used in HiggsBounds to approximately reconstruct the exclusion likelihood for LHC searches for non-standard Higgs bosons decaying to
τ
τ
final states. We describe in detail the new and updated functionalities of the new version HiggsBounds-5.
The program HiggsSignals confronts the predictions of models with arbitrary Higgs sectors with the available Higgs signal rate and mass measurements, resulting in a likelihood estimate. A new version ...of the program, HiggsSignals-2, is presented that contains various improvements in its functionality and applicability. In particular, the new features comprise improvements in the theoretical input framework and the handling of possible complexities of beyond-the-SM Higgs sectors, as well as the incorporation of experimental results in the form of simplified template cross section (STXS) measurements. The new functionalities are explained, and a thorough discussion of the possible statistical interpretations of the HiggsSignals results is provided. The performance of HiggsSignals is illustrated for some example analyses. In this context the importance of public information on certain experimental details like efficiencies and uncertainty correlations is pointed out. HiggsSignals is continuously updated to the latest experimental results and can be obtained at
https://gitlab.com/higgsbounds/higgssignals
.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbioses contribute to global carbon cycles as plant hosts divert up to 20% of photosynthate to the obligate biotrophic fungi. Previous studies suggested carbohydrates as ...the only form of carbon transferred to the fungi. However,
fatty acid (FA) synthesis has not been observed in AM fungi in absence of the plant. In a forward genetic approach, we identified two
mutants defective in AM-specific paralogs of lipid biosynthesis genes (
and
). These mutants perturb fungal development and accumulation of emblematic fungal 16:1ω5 FAs. Using isotopolog profiling we demonstrate that
C patterns of fungal FAs recapitulate those of wild-type hosts, indicating cross-kingdom lipid transfer from plants to fungi. This transfer of labelled FAs was not observed for the AM-specific lipid biosynthesis mutants. Thus, growth and development of beneficial AM fungi is not only fueled by sugars but depends on lipid transfer from plant hosts.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. ALS patients suffer from a progressive loss of motor neurons, leading to respiratory failure within 3 to 5 years after ...diagnosis. Available therapies only slow down the disease progression moderately or extend the lifespan by a few months. Epigenetic hallmarks have been linked to the disease, creating an avenue for potential therapeutic approaches. Interference with one class of epigenetic enzymes, histone deacetylases, has been shown to affect neurodegeneration in many preclinical models. Consequently, it is crucial to improve our understanding about histone deacetylases and their inhibitors in (pre)clinical models of ALS. We conclude that selective inhibitors with high tolerability and safety and sufficient blood–brain barrier permeability will be needed to interfere with both epigenetic and non‐epigenetic targets of these enzymes.
LINKED ARTICLES
This article is part of a themed issue on Neurochemistry in Japan. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc
The common idea of typical cell wall architecture in archaea consists of a pseudo-crystalline proteinaceous surface layer (S-layer), situated upon the cytoplasmic membrane. This is true for the ...majority of described archaea, hitherto. Within the crenarchaea, the S-layer often represents the only cell wall component, but there are various exceptions from this wall architecture. Beside (glycosylated) S-layers in (hyper)thermophilic cren- and euryarchaea as well as halophilic archaea, one can find a great variety of other cell wall structures like proteoglycan-like S-layers (Halobacteria), glutaminylglycan (Natronococci), methanochondroitin (Methanosarcina) or double layered cell walls with pseudomurein (Methanothermus and Methanopyrus). The presence of an outermost cellular membrane in the crenarchaeal species Ignicoccus hospitalis already gave indications for an outer membrane similar to Gram-negative bacteria. Although there is just limited data concerning their biochemistry and ultrastructure, recent studies on the euryarchaeal methanogen Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis, cells of the ARMAN group, and the SM1 euryarchaeon delivered further examples for this exceptional cell envelope type consisting of two membranes.
Determining exact viral titers in a given sample is essential for many environmental and clinical applications, e.g., for studying viral ecology or application of bacteriophages for food safety. ...However, virus quantification is not a simple task, especially for complex environmental samples. While clonal viral isolates can be quantified with relative high accuracy using virus-specific methods, i.e., plaque assay or quantitative real-time PCR, these methods are not valid for complex and diverse environmental samples. Moreover, it is not yet known how precisely laser-based methods, i.e., epifluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, quantify environmental viruses. In the present study, we compared five state-of-the-art viral quantification methods by enumerating four model viral isolates of different genome and size characteristics as well as four different environmental water samples. Although Nanoparticle tracking analysis combined with gentle staining at 30 °C could be confirmed by this study to be a reliable quantification technique for tested environmental samples, environmental samples still lack an universally applicable and accurate quantification method. Special attention has to be put on optimal sample concentrations as well as optimized sample preparations, which are specific for each method. As our results show the inefficiency when enumerating small, or single-stranded DNA or RNA viruses, the global population of viruses is presumably higher than expected.
Many bacteria use extracellular signaling molecules to coordinate group behavior, a process referred to as quorum sensing (QS). However, some QS molecules are hydrophobic in character and are ...probably unable to diffuse across the bacterial cell envelope. How these molecules are disseminated between bacterial cells within a population is not yet fully understood. Here we show that the marine pathogen
packages the hydrophobic QS molecule CAI-1, a long-chain amino ketone, into outer membrane vesicles. Electron micrographs indicate that outer membrane vesicles of variable size are predominantly produced and released into the surroundings during stationary phase of
, which correlates with the timing of CAI-1-dependent signaling. The large vesicles (diameter < 55 nm) can trigger a QS phenotype in CAI-1 non-producing
and
cells. Packaging of CAI-1 into outer membrane vesicles might stabilize the molecule in aqueous environments and facilitate its distribution over distances.
Formation of membrane vesicles is ubiquitous among bacteria. These vesicles are involved in protein and DNA transfer and offer new approaches for vaccination. Gram-negative bacteria use among others hydrophobic signaling molecules for cell-cell communication, however due to their hydrophobic character it is unclear how these molecules are disseminated between bacterial cells. Here we show that the marine
packages one of its quorum sensing molecules, the long-chain ketone CAI-1, into outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Isolated CAI-1-containing vesicles trigger a quorum sensing phenotype in CAI-1 non-producing
and also in
cells. Packaging of CAI-1 into OMVs not only solubilize, stabilize and concentrate this class of molecules, but facilitate their distribution between bacteria that live in aqueous environments.
The recently discovered seventh order of methanogens, the Methanomassiliicoccales (previously referred to as “Methanoplasmatales”), so far consists exclusively of obligately hydrogen-dependent ...methylotrophs. We sequenced the complete genome of “Candidatus Methanoplasma termitum” from a highly enriched culture obtained from the intestinal tract of termites and compared it with the previously published genomes of three other strains from the human gut, including the first isolate of the order. Like all other strains, “Ca. Methanoplasma termitum” lacks the entire pathway for CO2 reduction to methyl coenzyme Mand produces methane by hydrogen-dependent reduction of methanol or methylamines, which is consistent with additional physiological data. However, the shared absence of cytochromes and an energy-converting hydrogenase for the reoxidation of the ferredoxin produced by the soluble heterodisulfide reductase indicates that Methanomassiliicoccales employ a new mode of energy metabolism, which differs from that proposed for the obligately methylotrophic Methanosphaera stadtmanae. Instead, all strains possess a novel complex that is related to the F420:methanophenazine oxidoreductase (Fpo) of Methanosarcinales butlacks an F420-oxidizing module, resembling the apparently ferredoxin-dependent Fpo-like homolog in Methanosaeta thermophila. Since all Methanomassiliicoccales also lack the subunit E of the membrane-bound heterodisulfide reductase (HdrDE), wepropose that the Fpo-like complex interacts directly with subunit D, forming an energy-converting ferredoxin: heterodisulfideoxidoreductase. The dual function of heterodisulfide in Methanomassiliicoccales, which serves both in electron bifurcation and as terminal acceptor in a membrane-associated redox process, may be a unique characteristic of the novel order.
The continental subsurface houses a major portion of life's abundance and diversity, yet little is known about viruses infecting microbes that reside there. Here, we use a combination of metagenomics ...and virus-targeted direct-geneFISH (virusFISH) to show that highly abundant carbon-fixing organisms of the uncultivated genus Candidatus Altiarchaeum are frequent targets of previously unrecognized viruses in the deep subsurface. Analysis of CRISPR spacer matches display resistances of Ca. Altiarchaea against eight predicted viral clades, which show genomic relatedness across continents but little similarity to previously identified viruses. Based on metagenomic information, we tag and image a putatively viral genome rich in protospacers using fluorescence microscopy. VirusFISH reveals a lytic lifestyle of the respective virus and challenges previous predictions that lysogeny prevails as the dominant viral lifestyle in the subsurface. CRISPR development over time and imaging of 18 samples from one subsurface ecosystem suggest a sophisticated interplay of viral diversification and adapting CRISPR-mediated resistances of Ca. Altiarchaeum. We conclude that infections of primary producers with lytic viruses followed by cell lysis potentially jump-start heterotrophic carbon cycling in these subsurface ecosystems.
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a polyester with thermoplastic properties that is naturally occurring and produced by such bacteria as Ralstonia eutropha H16 and Bacillus megaterium. In contrast to ...currently utilized plastics and most synthetic polymers, PHB is biodegradable, and its production is not dependent on fossil resources making this bioplastic interesting for various industrial applications.
In this study, we report on introducing the bacterial PHB pathway of R. eutropha H16 into the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, thereby demonstrating for the first time that PHB production is feasible in a microalgal system. Expression of the bacterial enzymes was sufficient to result in PHB levels of up to 10.6% of algal dry weight. The bioplastic accumulated in granule-like structures in the cytosol of the cells, as shown by light and electron microscopy.
Our studies demonstrate the great potential of microalgae like the diatom P. tricornutum to serve as solar-powered expression factories and reveal great advantages compared to plant based production systems.
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