ラット下肢骨格筋における新しい神経性血流調節機構

Thesis (Ph.D. in Medical Sciences)--University of Tsukuba, (A), no. 1727, 1997.3.2

Interplay between Transcription and RNA Degradation

Amount of mRNA depends on the both the rates of mRNA transcription in the nucleus and mRNA degradation in the cytoplasm. Although each of the processes was studied independently, recent studies demonstrated the interplay between transcription and mRNA degradation in various cellular processes, such as cell-cycle, cellular differentiation, and stress responses. In this review, we discuss the benefit of the interplay in the gene expressions and the mechanisms how these two processes are coupled. We also review recent genome-wide methods to measure the rates of transcription and degradation

Organic Carbon Accumulation in Andosols: (2) Contribution of Aluminum-humus Complexes to Carbon Accumulation in Non-allophanic Andosols

Symposium Pape

Dynamin 2 Cooperates with Amphiphysin 1 in Phagocytosis in Sertoli Cells

Testicular Sertoli cells highly express dynamin 2 and amphiphysin 1. Here we demonstrate that dynamin 2 is implicated in phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent phagocytosis in Sertoli cells. Immunofluorescence and dual-live imaging revealed that dynamin 2 and amphiphysin 1 accumulate simultaneously at ruffles. These proteins are specifically bound in vitro. Over-expression of dominant negative dynamin 2 (K44A) inhibits liposome-uptake and leads to the mis-localization of amphiphysin 1. Thus, the cooperative function of dynamin 2 and amphiphysin 1 in PS-dependent phagocytosis is strongly suggested.</p

Specific binding of okadaic acid, a new tumor promoter in mouse skin

AbstractThe tumor promoter okadaic acid binds specifically to a particulate as well as a cytosolic fraction of various mouse tissues, e.g., skin, brain, lung and colon. The KD value was 21.7 nM for receptors in the particulate fraction and 1.0 nM for those in the cytosolic fraction of mouse skin. The specific binding of [3H]okadaic acid to the particulate fraction of mouse skin was inhibited dose-dependently by okadaic acid, but not okaidaic acid tetramethyl ether, an inactive compound, or by other tumor promoters, such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and teleocidin. The results suggest a new pathway of tumor promotion mediated through the okadaic acid receptor(s)

Effectiveness of the Physical Structure for an Individual with Autism

This study examined the effectiveness of physical structure for an individual with autism. Physical structure is one of the main components of Structured Teaching based on TEACCH approach. To evaluate the efficacy of the physical structure, we compared the individual\u27s "leaving" behavior between pre- and post intervention by using physical structure. The results demonstrated that the intervention was effective for the individual. A decreased average of "leaving" was noted in each task. This suggests that individuals with autism can be helped to make more sense of physical environment and develop their attention by addressing physical structure

Development of Novel Synthetic Amine Absorbents for CO2 Capture

AbstractIn the present paper, we investigated five synthetic amine based absorbents, including three formulated solvents. Aqueous solutions of the amines (mass fraction; 30% for single amine and >30% for blended solvents) were used to evaluate the performance for CO2 capture. Gas scrubbing, vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE), and reaction calorimetry experiments were conducted in the laboratory to obtain the absorption rate, the amount of CO2 absorbed, cyclic CO2 capacity, and heat of reaction for each absorbent. The results of these absorbents were compared with the conventional absorbent monoethanolamine (MEA). Three high performing synthetic absorbents (IPAE, IPAP and IBAE) were found, and these had lower heats of reaction, higher cyclic capacities, and comparable absorption rates compared with MEA. All formulated absorbents showed excellent cyclic CO2 capacity and keeping moderately good absorption rate and lower heats of absorption. Some blended solvents were already demonstrated with real blast furnace gas at pilot test plants with capacities of 1 ton-CO2/day and 30 ton-CO2/day and showed promising results in terms of reducing absorbent regeneration energy

cAMP-responsive element in TATA-less core promoter is essential for haploid-specific gene expression in mouse testis

Promoters, including neither TATA box nor initiator, have been frequently found in testicular germ cell-specific genes in mice. These investigations imply that unique forms of the polymerase II transcription initiation machinery play a role in selective activation of germ cell-specific gene expression programs during spermatogenesis. However, there is little information about testis-specific core promoters, because useful germ cell culture system is not available. In this study, we characterize the regulatory region of the haploid-specific Oxct2b gene in detail by using in vivo transient transfection assay in combination with a transgenic approach, with electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Expression studies using mutant constructs demonstrate that a 34 bp region, which extends from −49 to −16, acts as a core promoter in an orientation-dependent manner. This promoter region includes the cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-like sequence TGACGCAG, but contains no other motifs, such as a TATA box or initiator. The CRE-like element is indispensable for the core promoter activity, but not for activator in testicular germ cells, through the binding of a testis-specific CRE modulator transcription factor. These results indicate the presence of alternative transcriptional initiation machinery for cell-type-specific gene expression in testicular germ cells

Absence of germline mono-allelic promoter hypermethylation of the CDH1 gene in gastric cancer patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Germline mono-allelic promoter hypermethylation of the <it>MLH1 </it>or <it>MSH2 </it>gene in families with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer has recently been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if germline promoter hypermethylation of the tumor suppressor gene <it>CDH1 </it>(<it>E-cadherin</it>) might cause predisposition to gastric cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We prepared two groups of samples, a group of blood samples from 22 patients with familial gastric cancer or early-onset gastric cancer selected from among 39 patients, and a group of non-cancerous gastric tissue samples from 18 patients with sporadic gastric cancer showing loss of CDH1 expression selected from among 159 patients. We then investigated the allele-specific methylation status of the <it>CDH1 </it>promoter by bisulfite sequencing of multiple clones.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although there was a difference between the methylation level of the two alleles in some samples, there was no mono-allelic promoter hypermethylation in any of the samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that germline mono-allelic hypermethylation of the <it>CDH1 </it>promoter is not a major predisposing factor for gastric cancer.</p