A DNA methylation site within the KLF13 gene is associated with orexigenic processes based on neural responses and ghrelin levels.

We investigated five methylation markers recently linked to body mass index, for their role in the neuropathology of obesity. In neuroimaging experiments, our analysis involving 23 participants showed that methylation levels for the cg07814318 site, which lies within the KLF13 gene, correlated with brain activity in the claustrum, putamen, cingulate gyrus and frontal gyri, some of which have been previously associated to food signaling, obesity or reward. Methylation levels at cg07814318 also positively correlated with ghrelin levels. Moreover, expression of KLF13 was augmented in the brains of obese and starved mice. Our results suggest the cg07814318 site could be involved in orexigenic processes, and also implicate KLF13 in obesity. Our findings are the first to associate methylation levels in blood with brain activity in obesity-related regions, and further support previous findings between ghrelin, brain activity and genetic differences.

Unstained and in vivo fluorescently stained bacterial nucleoids and plasmolysis observed by a new specimen preparation method for high-power light microscopy of metabolically active cells.

Microscope slides were coated with a layer of gelatin, the thickness of the gelatin increasing linearly along the long axis. The bacterial suspension is applied to the dried gelatin and covered by a coverslip. The medium is absorbed by the gelatin and thus the cells applied against the coverslip. By this method, cultures of concentrations below 10(8) cells/ml provide statistically relevant numbers for observation without prior concentration steps. It is easier to apply than the existing methods for the observation of bacterial nucleoids by phase contrast imaging. Because the cells are maintained in growing conditions the method is useful for the vital fluorescence DAPI-staining of various bacterial species and for observations of plasmolysis and its reversal at different physiological conditions and extracellular osmolalities. The previously generally assumed view that the plasmolytic changes of the cell morphology are immediate upon the hyperosmotic shock and are rapidly repaired when the cell is able to metabolize actively was confirmed; this is in contrast to some recent claims.

Gene 24-controlled osmotic shock resistance in bacteriophage T4: probable multiple gene functions.

By use of mixed infections with conditional lethal mutations in the head genes and an osmotic shock-resistant mutant we have demonstrated that osmotic shock resistance is controlled by gene 24. Using acrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with the "immune replicate" technique, we confirmed the positions of gene products 24 and 24* (P24 and P24*). In this paper we have still used the notation "P24," etc., for designating the product of gene 23, etc., although we prefer and use in general the designation "gp23" as introduced by Casjens and King (Annu. Rev. Biochem. 44:585, 1975). The reason for using the old notation is because the illustrations were prepared several years ago.) P24 ts showed a significantly slower mobility. Both osmotic shock-resistant and -sensitive mature phages contain 24*. Giants constructed with the Osr phage showed the same surface lattice as normal phage. Through temperature-shift experiments with 24(tsL90) alone and in combinations, we studied the phages which are matured after the shift to permissive temperature in the absence of new protein synthesis. Our results strongly suggest that only a fraction of the total phage complement of gene 24-controlled proteins is involved in determining the phenotype of shock resistance, and the remainder is necessary to mature the head.