The plastid genome in photosynthetic higher plants encodes subunits of an Escherichia coli-like RNA polymerase (PEP) which initiates transcription from E.coli sigma70-type promoters. We have previously established the existence of a second nuclear-encoded plastid RNA polymerase (NEP) in photosynthetic higher plants. We report here that many plastid genes and operons have at least one promoter e...

Based on an extensive review of the needle exchange program (NEP) literature, the author sought to identify weaknesses in NEP evaluations published to date. Surprisingly, it was apparent that NEP researchers often fail to: (1) collect comparison/change data; (2) agree on appropriate and consistent dependent variables to measure; (3) use valid and reliable measurement instruments; (4) present cl...

Neprilysin (NEP), a member of the M13 subgroup of the zinc-dependent endopeptidase family is a membrane bound peptidase capable of cleaving a variety of physiological peptides. We have generated a series of neprilysin variants containing mutations at either one of two active site residues, Phe(563) and Ser(546). Among the mutants studied in detail we observed changes in their activity towards l...

Background Receptors for the natriuretic peptides (NPs) ANP, BNP and CNP are highly expressed in lung, suggesting that this organ is an important physiological target for NP signalling. By stimulating vasoand bronchodilation and inhibiting cell proliferation and fibrotic processes, NPs may have therapeutic potential in various lung diseases. Mechanisms responsible for the relatively short half-...

Neprilysin, also known as neutral endopeptidase (NEP), endopeptidase 24.11, CD10, enkephalinase, and common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), is a membrane-bound metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11) that has recently sprung to renewed prominence as a target in cardiovascular therapeutics. Numbered among the many substrates to NEP are multiple vasoactive peptides, including the cardia...

Understanding the dynamics and underlying mechanism of carbon exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere is one of the key issues in global change research. In this study, we quantified the carbon fluxes in different terrestrial ecosystems in China, and analyzed their spatial variation and environmental drivers based on the long-term observation data of ChinaFLUX sites and the p...

G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists such as neuropeptides activate the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-IR) or the serine-threonine protein kinase Akt, suggesting that neuropeptides-GPCR signaling can cross-communicate with IGF-IR-Akt signaling pathways. Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) is a cell-surface peptidase that cleaves and inactivates the neuropeptides endothelin-1 (ET...

The nuclear export protein (NEP) (NS2) of the highly pathogenic human-derived H5N1 strain A/Thailand/1(KAN-1)/2004 with the adaptive mutation M16I greatly enhances the polymerase activity in human cells in a concentration-dependent manner. While low NEP levels enhance the polymerase activity, high levels are inhibitory. To gain insights into the underlying mechanism, we analyzed the effect of N...

We developed an adjoint version of a process-based biogeochemistry model, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model (TEM). The adjoint model of TEM was then used to: (1) conduct sensitivity studies of net ecosystem production (NEP) for three terrestrial ecosystems: grassland, deciduous broadleaf forest and evergreen needle-leaf forest; (2) rank the importance of parameters in controlling NEP; (3) optimiz...