Laminin-based cell adhesion anchors microtubule plus ends to the epithelial cell basal cortex through LL5α/β

A newly discovered interaction between LL5s, laminins, and integrins reveals how the extracellular matrix directs microtubule polarity in epithelial tissues

Draft chloroplast genome of <i>Larix gmelinii</i> var. <i>japonica</i>: insight into intraspecific divergence

<p><i>Larix gmelinii</i> var. <i>japonica</i> is one of the major introduced coniferous species in Hokkaido, Japan, although the genetic origin of this species remains unknown. This is the first report that determined the draft chloroplast genome of <i>L. gmelinii</i> var. <i>japonica</i> and detected the genomic variations within species. Two geographically isolated lineages were assumed. Thus, DNA was isolated from purified intact chloroplasts of three representative strains, their origins covered the two assumed lineages, and their whole chloroplast genomes were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing techniques and compared. It was found that the circular complete chloroplast genomes were 122,553–122,598 bp in length. Among the 3 strains, 19 types of genomic variations were detected, which are: 11 single nucleotide variants, 1 multiple nucleotide variant, 2 insertions or deletions, and 5 simple sequence repeats. The genomic differentiation among two assumed lineages was larger than intra-lineage differentiation. These genome-wide variations would be informative for a phylogenic study of <i>L. gmelinii</i>.</p

Effect of Control-released Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Incorporated in β-Tricalcium Phosphate for Murine Cranial Model

Background: β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is used clinically as a bone substitute, but complete osteoinduction is slow. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is important in bone regeneration, but the biological effects are very limited because of the short half-life of the free form. Incorporation in gelatin allows slow release of growth factors during degradation. The present study evaluated whether control-released bFGF incorporated in β-TCP can promote bone regeneration in a murine cranial defect model. Methods: Bilateral cranial defects of 4 mm in diameter were made in 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats treated as follows: group 1, 20 μl saline as control; group 2, β-TCP disk in 20 μl saline; group 3, β-TCP disk in 50 μg bFGF solution; and group 4, β-TCP disk in 50 μg bFGF-containing gelatin hydrogel (n = 6 each). Histological and imaging analyses were performed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery. Results: The computed tomography value was lower in groups 3 and 4, whereas the rate of osteogenesis was higher histologically in group 4 than in the other groups. The appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphate–positive cells and osteocalcin-positive cells and disappearance of osteopontin-positive cells occurred earlier in group 4 than in the other groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that control-released bFGF incorporated in β-TCP can accelerate bone regeneration in the murine cranial defect model and may be promising for the clinical treatment of cranial defects