The hymenopteran parasitoid, Theocolax elegans (Westwood), and transgenic avidin maize powder were tested to determine if their individual or combined use would protect stored grain from infestation by both internal and external insect pests. Small-scale tests were conducted in plastic jars containing 3 kg of nontransgenic maize. We tested treatments of 0.3% powdered avidin maize, the parasitoi...

conclusions the growth rate of information in bioinformatics databases could facilitate studies of live organisms prior to observation studies. two different protein classes could be causative agents of one disease. however, two related diseases from one disease group could consist of different protein classes. future research in the field of proteomics could allow modern insight to reshuffling...

A simple microplate method was designed for rapid testing DNA-binding activity of proteins. The principle of the assay involves binding of tested DNA by his-tagged protein immobilized on a nickel-coated ELISA plate, following colorimetric detection of biotinylated DNA with avidin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The method was used to compare DNA mismatch binding activities of MutS protein...

The major cellulose-binding domain (CBD) from the cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum YS was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein was purified efficiently by a modification of a novel procedure termed affinity digestion. The properties of the purified polypeptide were compared with those of a related CBD derived from a cellulosome-like complex of a similar (bu...

A key determinant of the relationship between diet and longevity is the balance of protein to carbohydrate in the diet. Eating excess protein relative to carbohydrate shortens lifespan in solitary and social insects. Here we explored how lifespan and behavior in ants was affected by the quality of protein ingested and the presence of associated antinutrients (i.e. compounds that interfere with ...

The chicken egg resists most environmental microbes suggesting that it potentially contains efficient antimicrobial molecules. Considering that some heparin-binding proteins in mammals are antibacterial, we investigated the presence and the antimicrobial activity of heparin-binding proteins from chicken egg white. Mass spectrometry analysis of the proteins recovered after heparin-affinity chrom...