Using magnetic tweezers, we study in real time the condensation of single DNA molecules under tension. We find that DNA condensation occurs via discrete nucleated events. By measuring the influence of an imposed twist, we show that condensation is initiated by the formation of a plectonemic supercoil. This demonstrates a strong interplay between the condensation transition and externally impose...

Certain chromosome rearrangements display a significant delay in replication timing that is associated with a delay in mitotic chromosome condensation. Chromosomes with delay in replication timing/delay in mitotic chromosome condensation participate in frequent secondary rearrangements, indicating that cells with delay in replication timing/delay in mitotic chromosome condensation display chrom...

BACKGROUND The production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks is dependent on lignocellulosic biomass degradation by hydrolytic enzymes. The main component of lignocellulose is cellulose and different types of organisms are able to secrete cellulases. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans serves as a model organism to study cellulase production and the available tools allow expl...

Histochemical observations were carried out on various hydrolytic enzymes in the spontaneous mammary carcinoma of C3H-strain mice. Alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in the luminal border of the tubular structure and in the periluminal surface, which showed a cystic dilatation in ducts and papillae. Capillaries in the stroma showed a high enzymatic activity. Acid phosphatase activity wa...

Molecules containing carbon–nitrogen double bonds are prevalent in both chemical and biological contexts. The foundations for our current understanding of carbon–nitrogen double-bond formation and hydrolysis were laid by seminal work on hydrazone hydrolysis and formation, and by contributions from mechanistic studies on enzymes that utilize pyridoxal phosphate. In particular, the meticulous kin...

The foregoing experiments show that products of the hydrolysis of silk that consist of peptides having, from amino nitrogen determinations, molecular weights from about 600 to 1000 were capable of inhibiting the reactions of precipitin sera for silk. From the results it may reasonably be inferred that silk fibroin contains determinant structures not larger than the peptides examined, which prob...

A new Lewis acidic ionic liquid catalyst system with improved catalytic activity and hydrolytic stability has been developed for the synthesis of poly(butylene succinate). Improved thermal final polymer is an added advantage our system.