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- Webster, Christopher R., et al.
(author)
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Background levels of methane in Mars' atmosphere show strong seasonal variations
- 2018
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science. - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 360:6393, s. 1093-1096
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Variable levels of methane in the martian atmosphere have eluded explanation partly because the measurements are not repeatable in time or location. We report in situ measurements at Gale crater made over a 5-year period by the Tunable Laser Spectrometer on the Curiosity rover. The background levels of methane have a mean value 0.41 ± 0.16 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) (95% confidence interval) and exhibit a strong, repeatable seasonal variation (0.24 to 0.65 ppbv). This variation is greater than that predicted from either ultraviolet degradation of impact-delivered organics on the surface or from the annual surface pressure cycle. The large seasonal variation in the background and occurrences of higher temporary spikes (~7 ppbv) are consistent with small localized sources of methane released from martian surface or subsurface reservoirs.
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- Freissinet, C., et al.
(author)
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Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars
- 2015
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets. - 2169-9097 .- 2169-9100. ; 120:3, s. 495-514
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument [Mahaffy et al., 2012] onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover is designed to conduct inorganic and organic chemical analyses of the atmosphere and the surface regolith and rocks to help evaluate the past and present habitability potential of Mars at Gale Crater [Grotzinger et al., 2012]. Central to this task is the development of an inventory of any organic molecules present to elucidate processes associated with their origin, diagenesis, concentration and long-term preservation. This will guide the future search for biosignatures [Summons et al., 2011]. Here we report the definitive identification of chlorobenzene (150–300 parts per billion by weight (ppbw)) and C2 to C4 dichloroalkanes (up to 70 ppbw) with the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS), and detection of chlorobenzene in the direct evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, in multiple portions of the fines from the Cumberland drill hole in the Sheepbed mudstone at Yellowknife Bay. When combined with GCMS and EGA data from multiple scooped and drilled samples, blank runs and supporting laboratory analog studies, the elevated levels of chlorobenzene and the dichloroalkanes cannot be solely explained by instrument background sources known to be present in SAM. We conclude that these chlorinated hydrocarbons are the reaction products of martian chlorine and organic carbon derived from martian sources (e.g. igneous, hydrothermal, atmospheric, or biological) or exogenous sources such as meteorites, comets or interplanetary dust particles.
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- Lopez-Posadas, R., et al.
(author)
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Inhibiting PGGT1B Disrupts Function of RHOA, Resulting in T-cell Expression of Integrin alpha 4 beta 7 and Development of Colitis in Mice
- 2019
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In: Gastroenterology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-5085. ; 157:5, s. 1293-1309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is not clear how regulation of T-cell function is altered during development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We studied the mechanisms by which geranylgeranyltransferase-mediated prenylation controls T-cell localization to the intestine and chronic inflammation. METHODS: We generated mice with T-cell-specific disruption of the geranylgeranyltransferase type I, beta subunit gene (Pggt1b), called Pggt1b(Delta CD4) mice, or the ras homolog family member A gene (Rhoa), called Rhoa(Delta CD4) mice. We also studied mice with knockout of CDC42 or RAC1 and wild-type mice (controls). Intestinal tissues were analyzed by histology, multiphoton and confocal microscopy, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Activation of CDC42, RAC1, and RHOA were measured with G-LISA, cell fractionation, and immunoblots. T cells and lamina propria mononuclear cells from mice were analyzed by flow cytometry or transferred to Rag1(-/-) mice. Mice were given injections of antibodies against integrin alpha4beta7 or gavaged with the RORC antagonist GSK805. We obtained peripheral blood and intestinal tissue samples from patients with and without IBD and analyzed them by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Pggt1b(Delta CD4) mice developed spontaneous colitis, characterized by thickening of the intestinal wall, edema, fibrosis, accumulation of T cells in the colon, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. Compared with control CD4+ T cells, PGGT1B-deficient CD4+ T cells expressed significantly higher levels of integrin alpha4beta7, which regulates their localization to the intestine. Inflammation induced by transfer of PGGT1B-deficient CD4+ T cells to Rag1(-/-) mice was blocked by injection of an antibody against integrin alpha4beta7. Lamina propria of Pggt1b(Delta CD4) mice had increased numbers of CD4+ T cells that expressed RORC and higher levels of cytokines produced by T-helper 17 cells (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin [IL]17A, IL17F, IL22, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]). The RORC inverse agonist GSK805, but not antibodies against IL17A or IL17F, prevented colitis in Pggt1b(Delta CD4) mice. PGGT1B-deficient CD4+ T cells had decreased activation of RHOA. RhoA(Delta CD4) mice had a similar phenotype to Pggt1b(Delta CD4) mice, including development of colitis, increased numbers of CD4+ T cells in colon, increased expression of integrin alpha4beta7 by CD4+ T cells, and increased levels of IL17A and other inflammatory cytokines in lamina propria. T cells isolated from intestinal tissues from patients with IBD had significantly lower levels of PGGT1B than tissues from individuals without IBD. CONCLUSION: Loss of PGGT1B from T cells in mice impairs RHOA function, increasing CD4+ T-cell expression of integrin alpha4beta7 and localization to colon, resulting in increased expression of inflammatory cytokines and colitis. T cells isolated from gut tissues from patients with IBD have lower levels of PGGT1B than tissues from patients without IBD.
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- Lopez-Posadas, R., et al.
(author)
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Rho-A prenylation and signaling link epithelial homeostasis to intestinal inflammation
- 2016
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In: Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : American Society for Clinical Investigation. - 0021-9738 .- 1558-8238. ; 126:2, s. 611-626
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although defects in intestinal barrier function are a key pathogenic factor in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), the molecular pathways driving disease-specific alterations of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are largely unknown. Here, we addressed this issue by characterizing the transcriptome of IECs from IBD patients using a genome-wide approach. We observed disease-specific alterations in IECs with markedly impaired Rho-A signaling in active IBD patients. Localization of epithelial Rho-A was shifted to the cytosol in IBDs, and inflammation was associated with suppressed Rho-A activation due to reduced expression of the Rho-A prenylation enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-l). Functionally, we found that mice with conditional loss of Rhoa or the gene encoding GGTase-1, Pggtlb, in IECs exhibit spontaneous chronic intestinal inflammation with accumulation of granulocytes and CD4(+) T cells. This phenotype was associated with cytoskeleton rearrangement and aberrant cell shedding, ultimately leading to loss of epithelial integrity and subsequent inflammation. These findings uncover deficient prenylation of Rho-A as a key player in the pathogenesis of IBDs. As therapeutic triggering of Rho-A signaling suppressed intestinal inflammation in mice with GGTase-l-deficient IECs, our findings suggest new avenues for treatment of epithelial injury and mucosal inflammation in IBD patients.
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- G. Trainer, Melissa, et al.
(author)
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Seasonal Variations in Atmospheric Composition as Measured in Gale Crater, Mars
- 2019
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2169-9097 .- 2169-9100. ; 124:11, s. 3000-3024
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover measures the chemical composition of major atmospheric species (CO2, N2, 40Ar, O2, and CO) through a dedicated atmospheric inlet. We report here measurements of volume mixing ratios in Gale Crater using the SAM quadrupole mass spectrometer, obtained over a period of nearly 5 years (3 Mars years) from landing. The observation period spans the northern summer of MY 31 and solar longitude (LS) of 175° through spring of MY 34, LS = 12°. This work expands upon prior reports of the mixing ratios measured by SAM QMS in the first 105 sols of the mission. The SAM QMS atmospheric measurements were taken periodically, with a cumulative coverage of four or five experiments per season on Mars. Major observations include the seasonal cycle of CO2, N2, and Ar, which lags approximately 20–40° of LS behind the pressure cycle driven by CO2 condensation and sublimation from the winter poles. This seasonal cycle indicates that transport occurs on faster timescales than mixing. The mixing ratio of O2 shows significant seasonal and interannual variability, suggesting an unknown atmospheric or surface process at work. The O2 measurements are compared to several parameters, including dust optical depth and trace CH4 measurements by Curiosity. We derive annual mean volume mixing ratios for the atmosphere in Gale Crater: CO2 = 0.951 (±0.003), N2 = 0.0259 (±0.0006), 40Ar = 0.0194 (±0.0004), O2 = 1.61 (±0.09) x 10‐3, and CO = 5.8 (±0.8) x 10‐4.
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