Subcellular Localization of Axl1, the Cell Type-Specific Regulator of Polarity

AbstractBud-site selection in yeast offers an attractive system for studying cell polarity and asymmetric division. Haploids divide in an axial pattern, whereas diploids divide in a bipolar pattern. AXL1 is expressed in haploids but not diploids, and ectopic expression of AXL1 in diploids converts their bipolar budding pattern to an axial pattern. How Axl1 acts as a switch between the bipolar and axial patterns is not understood. Here we report that Axl1 localizes to the mother-bud neck and division site remnants of haploids. Axl1 is absent from diploids. Axl1 colocalizes with Bud3, Bud4, and Bud10, components of the axial landmark structure. This localization suggests that Axl1 couples the axial landmark with downstream polarity establishment factors. Consistent with such a role, Axl1 associated biochemically with Bud4 and Bud5. Genetic evidence suggests that Axl1 works with Bud3 and Bud4 to promote the activity of the Bud10 membrane protein. Given Axl1's suggested role in morphogenesis and cell fusion during mating, we also examined its localization during this process. Axl1 redistributes independently of the axial landmark to a tight cell surface dot at the tip of each mating projection. These dots are rapidly lost as prezygotes form

Alliinase from Ensifer adhaerens and Its Use for Generation of Fungicidal Activity

A bacterium Ensifer adhaerens FERM P-19486 with the ability of alliinase production was isolated from a soil sample. The enzyme was purified for characterization of its general properties and evaluation of its application in on-site production of allicin-dependent fungicidal activity. The bacterial alliinase was purified 300-fold from a cell-free extract, giving rise to a homogenous protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The bacterial alliinase (96 kDa) consisted of two identical subunits (48 kDa), and was most active at 60°C and at pH 8.0. The enzyme stoichiometrically converted (-)-alliin ((-)-S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide) to form allicin, pyruvic acid, and ammonia more selectively than (+)-alliin, a naturally occurring substrate for plant alliinase ever known. The C-S lyase activity was also detected with this bacterial enzyme when S-alkyl-L-cysteine was used as a substrate, though such a lyase activity is absolutely absent in alliinase of plant origin. The enzyme generated a fungicidal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a time- and a dose-dependent fashion using alliin as a stable precursor. Alliinase of Ensifer adhaerens FERM P-19486 is the enzyme with a novel type of substrate specificity, and thus considered to be beneficial when used in combination with garlic enzyme with respect to absolute conversion of (±)-alliin to allicin

アソビ ニヨル ニンゲンケイセイ

論

Oral Administration of Red Ginseng Extract Promotes Neurorestoration after Compressive Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Red ginseng and its active ingredients have been shown to decrease neuron death after brain ischemia in experimental animals. However, little is known about the effects of orally administered ginseng extract on spinal cord injury. We orally gave red ginseng extract (RGE) to rats with compressed spinal cord injury (SCI). Open-field locomotor scores were measured as indices of motor function. Histopathological changes and cytokine expressions in situ after SCI were evaluated. Compared to vehicle treatment, RGE treatment (350 mg/kg/day) significantly improved locomotor score up to levels close to those pre-SCI, prevented neuron loss, and facilitated the restoration of white matter in the spinal cord at 14 days after SCI. Treatment with RGE caused less aggregation of Iba-1-positive microglia in grey and white matter at 7 days after SCI, upregulated the expression levels of VEGF and Bcl-xL, and reduced IL-1β and TNFα expressions in the spinal cord at 7 and 14 days after SCI. We concluded that oral administration of RGE facilitates almost complete functional recovery from motor and behavioral abnormalities in rats with SCI and prevents neuron death in situ, possibly through inhibition of inflammation and upregulation of neuroprotective factors in the injured spinal cord

幼児教育における児童文化 : 実習保育所における児童文化の現状について

近年の子ども・若い親・保育者志望学生を取り巻く生活文化環境を児童文化の視点から把握する目的のもとに、保育所における児童文化の現状(絵本・紙芝居・パネルシアター・テレビ)について保育者養成課程在学生(保育所実習を経ている学生)を対象に質問紙調査を行った。その結果、この4つの児童文化はどれも日常的な保育活動として活用されており、その方法、場面、子ども達の受け入れなどにそれぞれの違いや特徴が明らかになった。親世代が活字より映像を好む世代になるとともにテレビ・ビデオ利用への寛容度が増し、今後ますます子どもの生活に取り入れられ活用される児童文化になると予想される。現状でも各家庭でのテレビ・ビデオ視聴はきわめて早期から始まっており、視覚映像メディアが児童文化として利用される傾向が増大することはいまや否定できない潮流であろう。本来子どもたちは対面で接することにより安心感や暖かさ、居心地のよさを感じ、verbel-nonverbalのやりとりを通してコミュニケーション力、対人関係力、生きる力を学び高めていく。であれば子どもの生活や遊びの充実のためにも「対面文化」の重要性を見直し再認識することが肝要である。また、対面文化である絵本・紙芝居、パネルシアターを継承すべき対面文化として子どもの心に届く児童文化として与えられる表現力・技術力・支援力を持つ保育者の養成が求められる。さらに、親世代・保育者・保育者志望学生の児童文化観・メディア観の育成、児童文化の媒介者としての自覚、児童文化環境づくりがますます重要になると考える

Gender-Dependent Characteristics of Serum 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D/25-Hydroxyvitamin D Ratio for the Assessment of Bone Metabolism

Y Objectives Vitamin D deficiency, which is common worldwide, increases the risks of falls and fractures and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. However, the clinical utility and relevance of vitamin D activation remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical usefulness of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D)/25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) ratio for assessment of the extent of bone metabolism. Methods We retrospectively screened data for 87 patients whose serum 1,25D and 25D levels were measured. Eight patients who were taking vitamin D preparations were excluded, and data for 79 patients (33 males and 46 females) were analyzed. Since menopausal status can be associated with serum vitamin D level, we divided the patients by gender and divided the female patients into two groups at the age of 50 years. Results The median serum 1,25D/25D ratio was significantly lower in males than in females, with the most considerable difference in all males [4.1 (interquartile range: 2.3-5.8) x 10(-3)] versus elderly females (aged >= 50 years) [7.9 (3.3-10.1) x 10(-3)). Main disorders were endocrine (30.6%), inflammatory (18.5%), and bone related (16.7%) disorders. The ratios of serum 1,25D/25D had significant negative correlations with femoral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry % young adult mean (DEXA %YAM) (R=-0.35) and lumbar DEXA %YAM (R=-0.32). Significant correlations were found between the 1,25D/25D ratio and serum levels of inorganic phosphate (iP), parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The 1,25D/25D ratio had gender specific characteristics: the ratio was significantly correlated with age in males (R=-0.49), while it was significantly correlated with BMI in females (R=0.34). Conclusions The results of this study suggested that vitamin D activity is negatively correlated with bone mineral density, being reduced in aged males but enhanced in obese females

北海道石狩川河口のハンノキ林床のミズバショウ (Lysichiton camtschatcense (L.) Schott)個体群における展葉フェノロジーと光環境の関係

[論文

A newly developed snack effective for enhancing bone volume

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of primary osteoporosis is higher in Japan than in USA and European countries. Recently, the importance of preventive medicine has been gradually recognized in the field of orthopaedic surgery with a concept that peak bone mass should be increased in childhood as much as possible for the prevention of osteoporosis. Under such background, we have developed a new bean snack with an aim to improve bone volume loss. In this study, we examined the effects of a newly developed snack on bone volume and density in osteoporosis model mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Orchiectomy (ORX) and ovariectomy (OVX) were performed for C57BL/6J mice of twelve-week-old (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbar, ME, USA) were used in this experiment. We prepared and given three types of powder diet <it>e.g.</it>: normal calcium diet (NCD, Ca: 0.9%, Clea Japan Co., Tokyo, Japan), low calcium diet (LCD, Ca: 0.63%, Clea Japan Co.,) and special diet (SCD, Ca: 0.9%). Eighteen weeks after surgery, all the animals were sacrified and prepared for histomorphometric analysis to quantify bone density and bone mineral content.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As a result of histomorphometric examination, SCD was revealed to enhance bone volume irrespective of age and sex. The bone density was increased significantly in osteoporosis model mice fed the newly developmental snack as compared with the control mice. The bone mineral content was also enhanced significantly. These phenomena were revealed in both sexes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is shown that the newly developed bean snack is highly effective for the improvement of bone volume loss irrespective of sex. We demonstrated that newly developmental snack supplements may be a useful preventive measure for Japanese whose bone mineral density values are less than the ideal condition.</p