Transfer of rice mitochondrial ribosomal protein L6 gene to the nucleus: acquisition of the 5'-untranslated region via a transposable element

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mitochondria of contemporary organisms contain fewer genes than the ancestral bacteria are predicted to have contained. Because most of the mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus, the genes would have been transferred from the mitochondrion to the nucleus at some stage of evolution and they must have acquired cis-regulatory elements compatible with eukaryotic gene expression. However, most of such processes remain unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ribosomal protein L6 gene (<it>rpl6</it>) has been lost in presently-known angiosperm mitochondrial genomes. We found that each of the two rice <it>rpl6 </it>genes (<it>OsRpl6-1 </it>and <it>OsRpl6-2</it>) has an intron in an identical position within the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), which suggests a duplication of the <it>rpl6 </it>gene after its transfer to the nucleus. Each of the predicted RPL6 proteins lacks an N-terminal extension as a mitochondrial targeting signal. Transient assays using green fluorescent protein indicated that their mature N-terminal coding regions contain the mitochondrial targeting information. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that <it>OsRpl6-2 </it>expresses considerably fewer transcripts than <it>OsRpl6-1</it>. This might be the result of differences in promoter regions because the 5'-noncoding regions of the two <it>rpl6 </it>genes differ at a point close to the center of the intron. There are several sequences homologous to the region around the 5'-UTR of <it>OsRpl6-1 </it>in the rice genome. These sequences have characteristics similar to those of the transposable elements (TE) belonging to the <it>PIF</it>/Harbinger superfamily.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The above evidences suggest a novel mechanism in which the 5'-UTR of the transferred mitochondrial gene was acquired via a TE. Since the 5'-UTRs and introns within the 5'-UTRs often contain transcriptional and posttranscriptional cis-elements, the transferred rice mitochondrial <it>rpl6 </it>gene may have acquired its cis-element from a TE.</p

Upper limb coordination differs among ages and between dominant and non-dominant hands utilizing digital trace test

Evaluation of motor coordination is carried out in the rehabilitation scene at the clinical site. However, most of the conventional evaluation methods are too subjective, or rather most are insufficiently elaborate to trace the target of diachronic change. Thus, we attempted evaluation of upper extremity motor coordination utilizing an originally developed ‘Digital trace method' on 65 persons of physically unimpaired status, ages 8 to 90. In this experiment, four types of measurement were tried for both the dominant and non-dominant hand for the large and small circle, and factors of age, sex and handedness were analyzed. As a result, the trace error of the dominant hand decreased significantly compared with that of the non-dominant hand. A change in the error value of the small circle was hardly observed in the dominant hand. However, it was admitted that the error value of the large circle was significantly smaller in the non-dominant hand. Observing this when separated by age, it was found that the error at trace testing indicated a drastic decrease from childhood period to adult age. In constant, it indicated a gradual increase from the thirties. From these observations, it was found that variations in motor coordination depend on age and thus have a bearing on the use status of the dominant hand and the non-dominant hand. Operability of the dominant hand and the supplement role of the non-dominant hand are considered to be affected by such conditions

原発性シェーグレン症候群患者における再生因子REG(regenerating gene)に対する自己免疫の関与

The regenerating gene (Reg) was isolated originally as a gene specifically over-expressed in regenerating pancreatic islets and constitute a growth factor family. Reg gene product (Reg) is important in the pathophysiology of various human inflammatory diseases. Recently, the possible involvement of human REG in the regeneration of salivary ductal epithelial cells of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) was reported. However, the expression of the REG family genes in minor salivary glands (MSG) and the occurrence of anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS patients were obscured. In this study, we examined the expression of REG family genes in the MSG of SS and screened anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in SS. The mRNA levels of REG family genes in MSG were quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and REG Iα expression in the MSG was analysed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA level of REG Iα in the MSG of SS patients was significantly higher than that of control. REG Iα protein was expressed highly in SS ductal epithelial cells. Anti-REG Iα autoantibodies in the sera were found in 11% of SS. All the MSG in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed REG Iα expression, whereas only 40% showed REG Iα expression in the anti-REG Iα autoantibody-negative group. The anti-REG Iα autoantibody-positive group showed significantly lower saliva secretion and a higher ratio of grade 4 (by Rubin-Holt) in sialography. These data suggest strongly that autoimmunity to REG Iα might play a role in the degeneration of MSG ductal epithelial cells in primary SS.博士（医学）・乙第1319号・平成25年11月27日The definitive version is available at " http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cei.12142

小笠原諸島におけるムニンカケザトウムシの形態学的および遺伝学的研究

To clarify the morphological and phylogenetic differentiation of Bandona boninensis Suzuki 1974 in Chichi-jima Island of the Bonin (Ogasawara) group of Islands, we studied the external morphological characters and performed sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and 28S rRNA of nuclear DNA (nrDNA). The sequences of COI and 28S rRNA were identical among the individuals of B. boninensis. These results suggest that B. boninensis experienced a rapid expansion of its distribution in Chichi-jima Island without undergoing any morphological and molecular differentiation.著者らは小笠原諸島の父島に生息するムニンカケザトウムシBandona boninensis の形態的および系統的分化を明らかにするために、父島の4 地点から採集を行い、体長、触肢腿節の長さ、背甲長および背甲幅、鋏角長、第1～4 脚の腿節長といった形態計測を実施し、ミトコンドリアDNA のCOI 領域および核DNA の28SrRNA 領域に基づく系統樹を作成した。その結果, ムニンカケザトウムシのCOI および28S において塩基置換は見られなかった。この結果は、ムニンカケザトウムシが父島内で系統的分化をほぼ起こしていないことを示す。また、採集を行った個体がすべて雌個体であったことから、これまでの報告の通り、父島においては単為生殖種として生息している可能性が高い

Insertable inductively coupled volumetric coils for MR microscopy in a human 7T MR system

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the capability of insertable inductively coupled volumetric coils for MR microscopy in a human 7T MR system. METHODS: Insertable inductively coupled volume coils with diameters of 26 and 64 mm (D26 and D64 coils) targeted for monkey and mouse brain specimen sizes were designed and fabricated. These coils were placed inside the imaging volume of a transmit/receive knee coil without wired connections to the main system. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) evaluations were conducted with and without the insertable coils, and the g-factor maps of parallel imaging (PI) were also calculated for the D64 coil. Brain specimens were imaged using 3D T 2 ∗ -weighted images with spatial resolution of isotropic 50 and 160 μm using D26 and D64 coils, respectively. RESULTS: Relative average (SD) SNRs compared with knee coil alone were 12.54 (0.30) and 2.37 (0.05) at the center for the D26 and D64 coils, respectively. The mean g-factors of PI with the D64 coil for the factor of 2 were less than 1.1 in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions, and around 1.5 in the superior-inferior direction or when the PI factor of 3 was used. Acceleration in two directions showed lower g-factors but suffered from intrinsic low SNR. Representative T 2 ∗ -weighted images of the specimen showed structural details. CONCLUSION: Inductively coupled small diameter coils insertable to the knee coil demonstrated high SNR and modest PI capability. The concept was successfully used to visualize fine structures of the brain specimen. The insertable coils are easy to handle and enable MR microscopy in a human whole-body 7T MRI system

Subregional 6-[18F]fluoro-ʟ-m-tyrosine Uptake in the Striatum in Parkinson's Disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) the clinical features are heterogeneous and include different predominant symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between subregional aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity in the striatum and the cardinal motor symptoms of PD using high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) with an AADC tracer, 6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-ʟ-<it>m</it>-tyrosine (FMT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We assessed 101 patients with PD and 19 healthy volunteers. PD was diagnosed based on the UK Brain Bank criteria by two experts on movement disorders. Motor symptoms were measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). FMT uptake in the subregions of the striatum was analyzed using semi-automated software for region-of-interest demarcation on co-registered magnetic resonance images.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all PD patients, FMT uptake was decreased in the posterior putamen regardless of predominant motor symptoms and disease duration. Smaller uptake values were found in the putamen contralateral to the side with more affected limbs. The severity of bradykinesia, rigidity, and axial symptoms was correlated with the decrease of FMT uptake in the putamen, particularly in the anterior part. No significant correlation was observed between tremors and FMT uptake.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Decrease of FMT uptake in the posterior putamen appears to be most sensitive in mild PD and uptake in the anterior putamen may reflect the severity of main motor symptoms, except for tremor.</p

The Japanese space gravitational wave antenna; DECIGO

DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO) is the future Japanese space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to open a new window of observation for gravitational wave astronomy especially between 0.1 Hz and 10 Hz, revealing various mysteries of the universe such as dark energy, formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and inflation of the universe. The pre-conceptual design of DECIGO consists of three drag-free spacecraft, whose relative displacements are measured by a differential Fabry– Perot Michelson interferometer. We plan to launch two missions, DECIGO pathfinder and pre- DECIGO first and finally DECIGO in 2024

DECIGO pathfinder

DECIGO pathfinder (DPF) is a milestone satellite mission for DECIGO (DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory) which is a future space gravitational wave antenna. DECIGO is expected to provide us fruitful insights into the universe, in particular about dark energy, a formation mechanism of supermassive black holes, and the inflation of the universe. Since DECIGO will be an extremely large mission which will formed by three drag-free spacecraft with 1000m separation, it is significant to gain the technical feasibility of DECIGO before its planned launch in 2024. Thus, we are planning to launch two milestone missions: DPF and pre-DECIGO. The conceptual design and current status of the first milestone mission, DPF, are reviewed in this article

Overexpression of Chitinase 3-Like 1/YKL-40 in Lung-Specific IL-18-Transgenic Mice, Smokers and COPD

We analyzed the lung mRNA expression profiles of a murine model of COPD developed using a lung-specific IL-18-transgenic mouse. In this transgenic mouse, the expression of 608 genes was found to vary more than 2-fold in comparison with control WT mice, and was clustered into 4 groups. The expression of 140 genes was constitutively increased at all ages, 215 genes increased gradually with aging, 171 genes decreased gradually with aging, and 82 genes decreased temporarily at 9 weeks of age. Interestingly, the levels of mRNA for the chitinase-related genes chitinase 3-like 1 (Chi3l1), Chi3l3, and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) were significantly higher in the lungs of transgenic mice than in control mice. The level of Chi3l1 protein increased significantly with aging in the lungs and sera of IL-18 transgenic, but not WT mice. Previous studies have suggested Chi3l3 and AMCase are IL-13-driven chitinase-like proteins. However, IL-13 gene deletion did not reduce the level of Chi3l1 protein in the lungs of IL-18 transgenic mice. Based on our murine model gene expression data, we analyzed the protein level of YKL-40, the human homolog of Chi3l1, in sera of smokers and COPD patients. Sixteen COPD patients had undergone high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination. Emphysema was assessed by using a density mask with a cutoff of −950 Hounsfield units to calculate the low-attenuation area percentage (LAA%). We observed significantly higher serum levels in samples from 28 smokers and 45 COPD patients compared to 30 non-smokers. In COPD patients, there was a significant negative correlation between serum level of YKL-40 and %FEV1. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of YKL-40 and LAA% in COPD patients. Thus our results suggest that chitinase-related genes may play an important role in establishing pulmonary inflammation and emphysematous changes in smokers and COPD patients