Chromaffin granules and clathrin-coated vesicles are major sources for V-ATPases of mammalian cells. Studies of these organelles have helped us to understand the structure and function of the enzyme. It was shown that V-ATPases are composed of distinct catalytic and membrane sectors containing several subunits. The subunit stoichiometry was determined to be 3A, 3B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 6c (proteolipids), 1Ac115 and ?Ac39. Additional subunits are likely to be discovered. Resolution and reconstitution of the enzyme revealed that the catalytic and membrane sectors are interdependent for their partial activity. The catalytic sector has no ATPase activity when detached from the membrane sector, and the membrane sector when depleted of the catalytic sector does not conduct protons. The mechanistic significance of these properties is discussed.
In the field: an interview with Harald Wolf
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In our new Conversation, Harald Wolf talks about his fieldwork experiences working with desert ants in Tunisia to understand their navigation.
Propose a new Workshop
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Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Julian Dow steps down and John Terblanche joins the JEB team
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After 15 years with the journal, Julian Dow from University of Glasgow, UK, is stepping down as a Monitoring Editor. We wish Julian all the best for the future and welcome John Terblanche, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, who is joining the team. Julian talks about his long association with The Company of Biologists and the journal and John tells us about his life and career in this News article.
Ecotourism affecting iguana glucose tolerance
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Ecotourists feeding grapes on skewers to north Bahamian rock iguanas may be doing the reptiles more harm than good as the sugar charged diet is giving the animals high blood sugar.
Evolution of metabolic plasticity
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In their Commentary, Frank Seebacher and Julian Beaman propose that metabolic plasticity originated in prebiotic protocells and that it was a pre-requisite for effective transfer of genetic material across generations – the hallmark of Darwinian evolution.
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