Molecular ushers

PapD and PapC appear to act as molecular escorts, regulating the interactions of each pilus protein. As a molecular chaperone, PapD prevents nonproductive interactions of the subunits and allows the subunits to fold properly. We propose that PapC is a member of a new class of proteins that we have named molecular ushers. The PapC usher acts as... 

This approach of using 2D and 3D monodisperse nanoparticles in catalytic reaction studies ushers in a new era that will permit the identification of the molecular and structural features of selectivity [4,9]. Metal particle size, nanoparticle surface-structure, oxide-metal interface sites, selective site blocking, and hydrogen pressure have been implicated as important factors influencing reaction selectivity. We believe additional molecular ingredients of selectivity will be uncovered by coupling the synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles with simultaneous studies of catalytic reaction selectivity as a function of the structural properties of these model nanoparticle catalyst systems. 

Reiners, J., Nagel-Wolfrum, K., Jurgens, K., Marker, T. and Wolfmm, U. (2006) Molecular basis of human Usher syndrome deciphering the meshes of the Usher protein network provides insights into the pathomechanisms of the Usher disease. Exp. Eye Res. 83, 97-119. 

Reiners, J., van Wijk, E., Marker, X, Zimmermann, U., Jurgens, K., te, B.H., Overlack, N., Roepman, R., Knipper, M., Kremer, H. and Wolfmm, U. (2005b) Scaffold protein harmonin (USHIC) provides molecular links between Usher syndrome type 1 and type 2. Hum. Mol. Genet. 14, 3933-3943. 

The development of instrumentation capable of studying and manipulating matter on a molecular scale has ushered in new opportunities to explore surfaces in relative motion (Fig. 1). The field of nanotribology has emerged from the belief that a more... 

---