During endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis, over two dozen polypeptides are localized to the developing spore and coordinately assembled into a thick multilayered structure called the spore coat. Assembly of the coat is initiated by the expression of morphogenetic proteins SpoIVA, CotE, and SpoVID. These morphogenetic proteins appear to guide the assembly of other proteins into the spore c...

At a workshop to update the science linking saturated fatty acid (SAFA) consumption with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke, invited participants presented data on the consumption and bioavailability of SAFA and their functions in the body and food technology. Epidemiological methods and outcomes were related to the association between SAFA consumption and disease even...

Morphogenetic proteins such as SpoVID and SafA govern assembly of the Bacillus subtilis endospore coat by guiding the various protein structural components to the surface of the developing spore. Previously, a screen for peptides able to interact with SpoVID led to the identification of a PYYH motif present in the C-terminal half of the SafA protein and to the subsequent demonstration that SpoV...

Limiting the saturated fatty acid (SAFA) consumption forms the basis of dietary fat recommendations for heart health, despite several meta-analyses demonstrating no link between dietary SAFA and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Three experts on dietary fat and health discussed the evidence of reducing SAFA intake at a symposium of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies in Berli...

Torsade de pointes (TdP) is a potentially fatal arrhythmia that might be associated with systemic antifungal agent (SAFAs) administration. The objective of this study was to investigate all published reports on TdP induced by SAFAs in order to characterise this association. Each original report was analysed for the presence of risk factors for TdP: female gender, structural heart disease, elect...

Cellular senescence is a stable cell cycle arrest that limits the proliferation of pre-cancerous cells. Here we demonstrate that scaffold-attachment-factor A (SAFA) and the long noncoding RNA PANDA differentially interact with polycomb repressive complexes (PRC1 and PRC2) and the transcription factor NF-YA to either promote or suppress senescence. In proliferating cells, SAFA and PANDA recruit ...

OBJECTIVE To examine the acute effects of consumption of monounsaturated (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SAFAs) on endothelial function in subjects with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 33 participants were examined after consumption of two different isocaloric meals: one rich in MUFA and one rich in SAFA, in the form of extra-virgin olive oil and butter, respectivel...

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs), utilized extensively by bacteria and archaea, are involved in the rapid adaptation of the organisms to fluctuating environments. A typical TCS transduces the signal by a phosphorelay between the sensor histidine kinase and its cognate response regulator. Recently, small-sized proteins that link TCSs have been reported and are called "connectors....

Replacing SAFAs (saturated fatty acids) for vegetable PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) has a well documented positive effect on the lipoprotein pattern while the direct effect of dietary fatty acids composition on systemic inflammation remains to be proven. In well controlled randomised cross-over study with 15 overweight/obese postmenopausal women, the effect of dietary switch on systemic i...

In order to understand feeding ecology, habitat use and migration of coral reef fish, fatty acid composition was examined in damselfish species Abudefduf bengalensis and A. sexfasciatus collected in the Malaysian South China Sea. Proportions of saturated fatty acids (SAFA) ranged from 49.5% to 74.2%, with the highest proportions in fatty acids, the second highest was monounsaturated fatty acids...