Extracellular Electron Transfer via Outer Membrane Cytochromes in a Methanotrophic Bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Electron exchange reactions between microbial cells and solid materials, referred to as extracellular electron transfer (EET), have attracted attention in the fields of microbial physiology, microbial ecology, and biotechnology. Studies of model species of iron-reducing, or equivalently, current-generating bacteria such as Geobacter spp. and Shewanella spp. have revealed that redox-active proteins, especially outer membrane c-type cytochromes (OMCs), play a pivotal role in the EET process. Recent (meta)genomic analyses have revealed that diverse microorganisms that have not been demonstrated to have EET ability also harbor OMC-like proteins, indicating that EET via OMCs could be more widely preserved in microorganisms than originally thought. A methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) was reported to harbor multiple OMC genes whose expression is elevated by Cu starvation. However, the physiological role of these genes is unknown. Therefore, in this study, we explored whether M. capsulatus (Bath) displays EET abilities via OMCs. In electrochemical analysis, M. capsulatus (Bath) generated anodic current only when electron donors such as formate were available, and could reduce insoluble iron oxides in the presence of electron donor compounds. Furthermore, the current-generating and iron-reducing activities of M. capsulatus (Bath) cells that were cultured in a Cu-deficient medium, which promotes high levels of OMC expression, were higher than those cultured in a Cu-supplemented medium. Anodic current production by the Cu-deficient cells was significantly suppressed by disruption of MCA0421, a highly expressed OMC gene, and by treatment with carbon monoxide (CO) gas (an inhibitor of c-type cytochromes). Our results provide evidence of EET in M. capsulatus (Bath) and demonstrate the pivotal role of OMCs in this process. This study raises the possibility that EET to solid compounds is a novel survival strategy of methanotrophic bacteria

RNA-binding protein ptbp1 regulates alternative splicing and transcriptome in spermatogonia and maintains spermatogenesis in concert with nanos3

Manami SENOO, Hiroshi HOZOJI, Yu ISHIKAWA-YAMAUCHI, Takashi TAKIJIRI, Sho OHTA, Tomoyo UKAI, Mio KABATA, Takuya YAMAMOTO, Yasuhiro YAMADA, Masahito IKAWA, Manabu OZAWA, RNA-binding protein Ptbp1 regulates alternative splicing and transcriptome in spermatogonia and maintains spermatogenesis in concert with Nanos3, Journal of Reproduction and Development, 2020, Volume 66, Issue 5, Pages 459-467, Released October 13, 2020, [Advance publication] Released July 06, 2020, Online ISSN 1348-4400, Print ISSN 0916-8818, https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.2020-060, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jrd/66/5/66_2020-060/_article/-char/e

Chiroptical Studies on Anisotropic Condensed Matter: Principle and Recent Applications of the Generalized-High Accuracy Universal Polarimeter

Chiroptics is the study of the changes in circular polarization states of light transmitted through analytes typically dissolved in isotropic solutions. However, experimental challenges have long prevented chiroptical measurements of anisotropic media such as single crystals of low symmetry, liquid crystals, or structured films. The high accuracy universal polarimeter (HAUP) was introduced in 1983 to investigate the differential refraction of left and right circular polarization states, circular birefringence (CB), and even in anisotropic media that are dominated by the differential refraction of orthogonal linear polarization states, linear birefringence (LB). In this century, the HAUP was extended to also measure not only the dispersive optical effects (CB and LB) but also the corresponding dissipative effects, circular dichroism (CD) and linear dichroism (LD), differences in light absorption. The improved device is the generalized-HAUP (G-HAUP). Not only can it deliver all the linear optical properties of dissymmetric, anisotropic, and absorbing media, but it can also do so in the ultraviolet as well as the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this review, characteristic features of the G-HAUP and its applications to crystals of photomechanical salicylidenephenylethylamines, alanine, benzil, and magneto-optical CeF3 are described

Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha SpectroPolarimeter (CLASP)

Chromosphere, the transition layer of the sun is a region to switch to the magnetic pressure dominated from plasma pressure dominated, simultaneous observation of the detailed magnetic field measurement and plasma of dynamic phenomenon here is what is the frontier of the next solar physics. As This is a challenge that has just mentioned, even the next solar observation satellite plan SOLAR-C, in the experiments we had used a NASA sounding rocket for the first time in the SOLAR-C plan, will address the chromosphere-transition layer magnetic field measurement there. It is, is a Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP) plan, the linear polarization of Lyman emission lines chromosphere-transition layer shoots (121.6nm) were detected in 0.1 percent of high accuracy, a new technique called Hanre effect I get the magnetic field information of chromosphere-transition layer. In Japan, the US and Europe joint observation in November 2012 as a rocket experiment is adopted to NASA this plan that full-scale start-up, start from assembly work is 2014 spring flight observation device, currently, it is where the alignment of the optical elements have been implemented. After this, it is planned to continue with the performance evaluation towards the observation implementation of summer 2015. In addition to once again explain the contents of the plan In this presentation, we report an overview of the entire development and preparation current status

Muscle-specific deletion of BDK amplifies loss of myofibrillar protein during protein undernutrition

Ishikawa, T., Kitaura, Y., Kadota, Y. et al. Muscle-specific deletion of BDK amplifies loss of myofibrillar protein during protein undernutrition. Sci Rep 7, 39825 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep3982

Solar Lyman-Alpha Polarization Observation of the Chromosphere and Transition Region by the Sounding Rocket Experiment CLASP

We are planning an international rocket experiment Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP) is (2015 planned) that Lyman line (Ly(alpha) line) polarization spectroscopic observations from the sun. The purpose of this experiment, detected with high accuracy of the linear polarization of the Ly(alpha) lines to 0.1% by using a Hanle effect is to measure the magnetic field of the chromosphere-transition layer directly. For polarization photometric accuracy achieved that approx. 0.1% required for CLASP, it is necessary to realize the monitoring device with a high throughput. On the other hand, Ly(alpha) line (vacuum ultraviolet rays) have a sensitive characteristics that is absorbed by the material. We therefore set the optical system of the reflection system (transmission only the wavelength plate), each of the mirrors, subjected to high efficiency of the multilayer coating in accordance with the role. Primary mirror diameter of CLASP is about 30 cm, the amount of heat about 30,000 J is about 5 minutes of observation time is coming mainly in the visible light to the telescope. In addition, total flux of the sun visible light overwhelmingly large and about 200 000 times the Ly(alpha) line wavelength region. Therefore, in terms of thermal management and 0.1% of the photometric measurement accuracy achieved telescope, elimination of the visible light is essential. We therefore, has a high reflectivity (> 50%) in Ly line, visible light is a multilayer coating be kept to a low reflectance (<5%) (cold mirror coating) was applied to the primary mirror. On the other hand, the efficiency of the polarization analyzer required chromospheric magnetic field measurement (the amount of light) Conventional (magnesium fluoride has long been known as a material for vacuum ultraviolet (MgF2) manufactured ellipsometer; Rs = 22%) about increased to 2.5 times were high efficiency reflective polarizing element analysis. This device, Bridou et al. (2011) is proposed "that is coated with a thin film of the substrate MgF2 and SiO2 fused silica." As a result of the measurement, Rs = 54.5%, to achieve a Rp = 0.3%, high efficiency, of course, capable of taking out only about s-polarized light. Other reflective optical elements (the secondary mirror, the diffraction gratingcollector mirror), subjected to high-reflection coating of Al + MgF2 (reflectance of about 80%), less than 5% in the entire optical system by these (CCD Science was achieved a high throughput as a device for a vacuum ultraviolet ray of the entire system less than 5% (CCD of QE is not included)

Simulation and Measurement of Stray Light in the CLASP

We are planning an international rocket experiment Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP) is (2015 planned) that Lyman Alpha line polarization spectroscopic observations from the sun. The purpose of this experiment, detected with high accuracy of the linear polarization of the Ly lines to 0.1% by using a Hanle effect is to measure the magnetic field of the chromosphere-transition layer directly. For total flux of the sun visible light overwhelmingly larger and about 200 000 times the Ly line wavelength region, also hinder to 0.1% of the polarization photometric accuracy achieved in the stray light of slight visible light. Therefore we were first carried out using the illumination design analysis software called stray light simulation CLASP Light Tools. Feature of this simulation, using optical design file (ZEMAX format) and structural design file (STEP format), to reproduce realistic CLASP as possible to calculate machine is that it was stray study. And, at the stage in the actual equipment that made the provisional set of CLASP, actually put sunlight into CLASP using coelostat of National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, was subjected to measurement of stray light (San test). Pattern was not observed in the simulation is observed in the stray light measurement results need arise that measures. However, thanks to the stray light measurement and simulation was performed by adding, it was found this pattern is due to the diffracted light at the slit. Currently, the simulation results is where you have taken steps to reference. In this presentation, we report the stray light simulation and stray light measurement results that we have implemente

High-Reflectivity Multi-Layer Coatings for the CLASP Sounding Rocket Project

We are planning an international rocket experiment Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP) is (2015 planned) that Lyman alpha line (Ly alpha line) polarization spectroscopic observations from the sun. The purpose of this experiment, detected with high accuracy of the linear polarization of the Ly alpha lines to 0.1% by using a Hanle effect is to measure the magnetic field of the chromosphere-transition layer directly. For polarization photometric accuracy achieved that approximately 0.1% required for CLASP, it is necessary to realize the monitoring device with a high throughput. On the other hand, Ly alpha line (vacuum ultraviolet rays) have a sensitive characteristics that is absorbed by the material. We therefore set the optical system of the reflection system (transmission only the wavelength plate), each of the mirrors, subjected to high efficiency of the multilayer coating in accordance with the role. Primary mirror diameter of CLASP is about 30 cm, the amount of heat about 30,000 J is about 5 minutes of observation time is coming mainly in the visible light to the telescope. In addition, total flux of the sun visible light overwhelmingly large and about 200 000 times the Ly alpha line wavelength region. Therefore, in terms of thermal management and 0.1% of the photometric measurement accuracy achieved telescope, elimination of the visible light is essential. We therefore, has a high reflectivity (greater than 50%) in Ly alpha line, visible light is a multilayer coating be kept to a low reflectance (less than 5%) (cold mirror coating) was applied to the primary mirror. On the other hand, the efficiency of the polarization analyzer required chromospheric magnetic field measurement (the amount of light) Conventional (magnesium fluoride has long been known as a material for vacuum ultraviolet (MgF2) manufactured ellipsometer; Rs = 22%) about increased to 2.5 times were high efficiency reflective polarizing element analysis. This device, Bridou et al. (2011) is proposed "that is coated with a thin film of the substrate MgF2 and SiO2 fused silica." As a result of the measurement, Rs = 54.5%, to achieve a Rp = 0.3%, high efficiency, of course, capable of taking out only about spolarized light. Other reflective optical elements (the secondary mirror, the diffraction grating-collector mirror), subjected to high-reflection coating of Al + MgF2 (reflectance of about 80%), less than 5% in the entire optical system by these (CCD Science was achieved a high throughput as a device for a vacuum ultraviolet ray of the entire system less than 5% (CCD of QE is not included)

Transforming somatic mutations of mammalian target of rapamycin kinase in human cancer

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine-threonine kinase that acts downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway and regulates a wide range of cellular functions including transcription, translation, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Whereas genetic alterations that result in mTOR activation are frequently present in human cancers, whether the mTOR gene itself becomes an oncogene through somatic mutation has remained unclear. We have now identified a somatic non-synonymous mutation of mTOR that results in a leucine-to-valine substitution at amino acid position 2209 in a specimen of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The mTOR(L2209V) mutant manifested marked transforming potential in a focus formation assay with mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, and it induced the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase, S6 ribosomal protein, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 in these cells. Examination of additional tumor specimens as well as public and in-house databases of cancer genome mutations identified another 28 independent non-synonymous mutations of mTOR in various cancer types, with 12 of these mutations also showing transforming ability. Most of these oncogenic mutations cluster at the interface between the kinase domain and the FAT (FRAP, ATM, TRRAP) domain in the 3-D structure of mTOR. Transforming mTOR mutants were also found to promote 3T3 cell survival, and their oncogenic activity was sensitive to rapamycin. Our data thus show that mTOR acquires transforming activity through genetic changes in cancer, and they suggest that such tumors may be candidates for molecularly targeted therapy with mTOR inhibitors

Clinical preferences for DME in Japan

Aims/Introduction: To determine the current clinical preferences of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment protocols for diabetic macular edema (DME) in Japan. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study. Answers to a questionnaire consisting of 16 questions were obtained from 176 of 278 (63.3%) surveyed ophthalmologists. Results: The results showed that 81.2% preferred intravitreal injections of anti‐VEGF antibodies as the first‐line therapy. The most important indicators for beginning anti‐VEGF therapy were: the best‐corrected visual acuity in 44.3% and the retinal thickness in 30.7%. In the loading phase, 53.4% preferred a single injection, and in the maintenance phase, 75.0% preferred the pro re nata regimen. Financial limitation (85.8%) was reported as the most important difficulty in the treatment. For combination therapy with anti‐VEGF treatment, panretinal photocoagulation, focal photocoagulations and a sub‐Tenon steroid injection were preferred. The contraindications for anti‐VEGF therapy were: prior cerebral infarction (72.7%). Regarding the use of both approved anti‐VEGF agents in Japan, ranibizumab and aflibercept, 39.8% doctors used them appropriately. Conclusions: Our results present the current clinical preferences of anti‐VEGF treatment for DME in Japan. The best‐corrected visual acuity and the retinal thickness are important indicators to institute this therapy. The majority of the ophthalmologists use anti‐VEGF treatment as first‐line therapy and prefer the 1 + pro re nata regimen