Characterization of bacteria associated with lichens found in cold environment

第6回極域科学シンポジウム分野横断セッション：[IB2] 地球環境変動の解析と地球生命システム学の構築11月19日（木）　統計数理研究所 セミナー室1（D305

Sh3bp2 Gain-Of-Function Mutation Ameliorates Lupus Phenotypes in B6.MRL-Faslpr Mice

SH3 domain-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) is an adaptor protein that is predominantly expressed in immune cells, and it regulates intracellular signaling. We had previously reported that a gain-of-function mutation in SH3BP2 exacerbates inflammation and bone loss in murine arthritis models. Here, we explored the involvement of SH3BP2 in a lupus model. Sh3bp2 gain-of-function (P416R knock-in; Sh3bp2KI/+) mice and lupus-prone B6.MRL-Faslpr mice were crossed to yield double-mutant (Sh3bp2KI/+Faslpr/lpr) mice. We monitored survival rates and proteinuria up to 48 weeks of age and assessed renal damage and serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels. Additionally, we analyzed B and T cell subsets in lymphoid tissues by flow cytometry and determined the expression of apoptosis-related molecules in lymph nodes. Sh3bp2 gain-of-function mutation alleviated the poor survival rate, proteinuria, and glomerulosclerosis and significantly reduced serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels in Sh3bp2KI/+Faslpr/lpr mice. Additionally, B220+CD4-CD8- T cell population in lymph nodes was decreased in Sh3bp2KI/+Faslpr/lpr mice, which is possibly associated with the observed increase in cleaved caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor levels. Sh3bp2 gain-of-function mutation ameliorated clinical and immunological phenotypes in lupus-prone mice. Our findings offer better insight into the unique immunopathological roles of SH3BP2 in autoimmune diseases

Taxonomic revision of Japanese Lingula anatina with L. reevii (Brachiopoda: Lingulata)

日本周辺海域より得られたミドリシャミセンガイLingula anatina Lamarck, 1801，および，ウスバシャミセンガイLingula reevii Davidson, 1880の外部形態，殻構造，分子生物学的な比較検討を行った。試料は奄美大島より得られたミドリシャミセンガイ，および，有明海より得られたウスバシャミセンガイを用いた。これら2種類は，殻の形態および，生時の肉茎の色彩により外部形態で明瞭に区分される。 ミドリシャミセンガイの殻には，ウスバシャミセンガイの殻に比べ，硫黄（S），フッ素（F），鉄（Fe）が多く含まれている。一方，ウスバシャミセンガイの殻には，リン（P），カルシウム（Ca），マンガン（Mn），マグネシウム（Mg）が，ミドリシャミセンガイの殻よりも多く含まれていた。また，両種の殻に見られるリン酸カルシウム層の間の有機質部分に，特徴的に臭素（Br）とヨウ素（I）が検出され，それぞれ臭素（Br）はウスバシャミセンガイに多く，ヨウ素（I）はミドリシャミセンガイに多く検出された。 また，ミドリシャミセンガイ（奄美大島産）とウスバシャミセンガイ（有明海産）の18S rRNA遺伝子の塩基配列を比較した両種は異なるクレードに属することがわかり，両種は分子系統的にも離れた分類群として扱われるべきであることが示唆された。Two brachiopod Lingula species, L. anatina Lamarck 1801 and L. reevii Davidson, 1880, collected from Japanese waters were compared morphologically and phylogenetically in terms of shell morphology, shell elemental compositions, and 18S rRNA gene sequences. Specimens of L. anatine and L. reevii were collected from Amami-Ohshima Island and Ariake Sea, respectively, and used for comparison. Shells of these species were distinguied by allometric morphology and fresh tissue coloration. Elemental compositions, as revealed by electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA), of the shells were distinct, too. Higher amounts of sulfur, fluorine and iron were found in the shells of L. anatine, while the L. reevii shells were more enriched with phosphorus, calcium, manganese and magnesium. Layers of calcium phosphate were commonly found in the shell cross-sections of both species, and bromine and iodine were specifically detected in the inter-layer organic matrix. More bromine were present in the L. anatine shells, while more iodine was found in the L. reevii shells. Comparison of the 18S rRNA gene sequences of L. anatine and L. reevii, along with those from other species registered in a DNA database, resulted in construction of a phylogenetic tree. The two brachiopod Lingula species were placed in two separate clades, which suggests that they be regarded as not-closely related species

Hydrotalcite-Supported Ag/Pd Bimetallic Nanoclusters Catalyzed Oxidation and One-Pot Aldol Reaction in Water

A highly active hydrotalcite-supported Ag/Pd bimetallic nanocluster catalyst has been developed by a simple, easy and safe chemical reduction method. The catalyst was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), which revealed very small (3.2 ± 0.7 nm) nanoclusters with a narrow size distribution. The bimetallic Ag/Pd catalyst showed strong cooperation between Ag and Pd for the alcohol oxidation reaction. The developed catalyst provided an efficient and environmentally friendly method for alcohol oxidation and one-pot cross-aldol condensation in water. A broad scope of α,β-unsaturated ketones with good to excellent yields were obtained under very mild conditions. This catalytic system offers an easy preparation method with a simple recovery process, good activity and reusability of up to five cycles without significant loss in the catalytic activity

Record of the Smilium scorpio Aurivillius 1892 (Thoracica: Calanticidae) Collected from Off –Omi-shima, the Central Part of Seto Inland Sea, Japan

瀬戸内海中央部の大三島沖より採取したトゲヒメミョウガSmilium scorpio Aurivillius,1892は，ミョウガガイ科の一種であり，日本周辺海域において鹿島灘以南の水深35～100m に分布するとされている（Utinomi, 1958; 内海，1965）。このうち瀬戸内海では，大阪湾友ヶ島沖と神戸東垂水沖からの記録しかないため（稲葉，1988），瀬戸内海内における分布の記録としてここに報告する。また，採取したトゲヒメミョウガからDNA 抽出を行い，18S rRNA 遺伝子の塩基配列を決定し，得られた塩基配列を基に分子系統的な考察を行った。Three specimens of Smilium scorpio Aurivillius, 1892, family Pollicipedidae, was collected from off-Ohmi-shima Island at the depths ranging from 42 m to 44 m, and the species has been known to distribute at the depths of 35-100 m in and south of Kashima-nada Sea, Japan. Collection of the species in the Seto Inland Sea has been reported only from eastern parts of the Seto Inland Sea, i.e., off-Tomogashima, Osaka Bay, and off-Tarumi, Kobe. We hereby report the collection of this species from western part of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as the 18S rRNA gene sequence of the species to be placed in a phylogenetic tree

Phylogenetic analysis of lichen-associated bacteria from Antarctica

第3回極域科学シンポジウム/第34回極域生物シンポジウム 11月27日（火） 国立極地研究所 ３階ラウン

SH3BP2 Deficiency Ameliorates Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: The adaptor protein Src homology 3 domain-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) is widely expressed in immune cells. It controls intracellular signaling pathways. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of SH3BP2 in a murine systemic lupus erythematosus model. Methods: For the lupus model, we used Faslpr/lpr mice. Clinical and immunological phenotypes were compared between Faslpr/lpr and SH3BP2-deficient Faslpr/lpr mice. Splenomegaly and renal involvement were assessed. Lymphocyte subsets in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. To examine the role of SH3BP2 in specific cells, B cell-specific SH3BP2-deficient lupus mice were analyzed; T cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages were analyzed in vitro. Results: SH3BP2 deficiency significantly reduced lupus-like phenotypes, presented as splenomegaly, renal involvement, elevated serum anti-dsDNA antibody, and increased splenic B220+CD4−CD8− T cells. Notably, SH3BP2 deficiency in B cells did not rescue the lupus-like phenotypes. Furthermore, SH3BP2 deficiency did not substantially affect the characteristics of T cells and macrophages in vitro. Interestingly, SH3BP2 deficiency suppressed the differentiation of dendritic cells in vitro and reduced the number of dendritic cells in the spleen of the lupus-prone mice. Conclusions: SH3BP2 deficiency ameliorated lupus-like manifestations. Modulating SH3BP2 expression could thus provide a novel therapeutic approach to autoimmune diseases

Physical interaction of junctophilin and the Ca V

Close physical association of CaV1.1 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) at the sarcolemmal junctional membrane (JM) with ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is crucial for excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the JM targeting of LTCCs is unexplored. Junctophilin 1 (JP1) and JP2 stabilize the JM by bridging the sarcolemmal and SR membranes. Here, we examined the roles of JPs in localization and function of LTCCs. Knockdown of JP1 or JP2 in cultured myotubes inhibited LTCC clustering at the JM and suppressed evoked Ca2+ transients without disrupting JM structure. Coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays demonstrated that JPs physically interacted with 12-aa residues in the proximal C terminus of the CaV1.1. A JP1 mutant lacking the C terminus including the transmembrane domain (JP1ΔCT) interacted with the sarcolemmal/T-tubule membrane but not the SR membrane. Expression of this mutant in adult mouse muscles in vivo exerted a dominant-negative effect on endogenous JPs, impairing LTCC-RyR coupling at triads without disrupting JM morphology, and substantially reducing Ca2+ transients without affecting SR Ca2+ content. Moreover, the contractile force of the JP1ΔCT-expressed muscle was dramatically reduced compared with the control. Taken together, JPs recruit LTCCs to the JM through physical interaction and ensure robust ECC at triads in skeletal muscle.ArticleProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 115(17) : 4507-4512(2018)journal articl

Physical interaction of junctophilin and the CaV1.1 C terminus is crucial for skeletal muscle contraction

Close physical association of CaV1.1 L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) at the sarcolemmal junctional membrane (JM) with ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is crucial for excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in skeletal muscle. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the JM targeting of LTCCs is unexplored. Junctophilin 1 (JP1) and JP2 stabilize the JM by bridging the sarcolemmal and SR membranes. Here, we examined the roles of JPs in localization and function of LTCCs. Knockdown of JP1 or JP2 in cultured myotubes inhibited LTCC clustering at the JM and suppressed evoked Ca2+ transients without disrupting JM structure. Coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays demonstrated that JPs physically interacted with 12-aa residues in the proximal C terminus of the CaV1.1. A JP1 mutant lacking the C terminus including the transmembrane domain (JP1ΔCT) interacted with the sarcolemmal/T-tubule membrane but not the SR membrane. Expression of this mutant in adult mouse muscles in vivo exerted a dominant-negative effect on endogenous JPs, impairing LTCC-RyR coupling at triads without disrupting JM morphology, and substantially reducing Ca2+ transients without affecting SR Ca2+ content. Moreover, the contractile force of the JP1ΔCT-expressed muscle was dramatically reduced compared with the control. Taken together, JPs recruit LTCCs to the JM through physical interaction and ensure robust ECC at triads in skeletal muscle.ArticleProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 115(17) : 4507-4512(2018)journal articl