Conferring the ability to utilize inorganic polyphosphate on ATP-specific NAD kinase

ATP特異性の獲得メカニズムの解明 : 新薬と新しい物質生産系の開発に期待. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2013-09-11.NAD kinase (NADK) is a crucial enzyme for production of NADP(+). ATP-specific NADK prefers ATP to inorganic polyphosphate [poly(P)] as a phosphoryl donor, whereas poly(P)/ATP-NADK utilizes both ATP and poly(P), and is employed in industrial mass production of NADP(+). Poly(P)/ATP-NADKs are distributed throughout Gram-positive bacteria and Archaea, whereas ATP-specific NADKs are found in Gram-negative α- and γ-proteobacteria and eukaryotes. In this study, we succeeded in conferring the ability to utilize poly(P) on γ-proteobacterial ATP-specific NADKs through a single amino-acid substitution; the substituted amino-acid residue is therefore important in determining the phosphoryl-donor specificity of γ-proteobacterial NADKs. We also demonstrate that a poly(P)/ATP-NADK created through this method is suitable for the poly(P)-dependent mass production of NADP(+). Moreover, based on our results, we provide insight into the evolution of bacterial NADKs, in particular, how NADKs evolved from poly(P)/ATP-NADKs into ATP-specific NADKs

Thermal and wind environment of Korean traditional house with Korean hanged door: field measurements and simulation

This paper deals with the field measurements and simulation on thermal and wind environment of traditional houses in Korea. Measurements were carried out on Korean traditional house with a Ondol (stone floor), Maru (Daecheong ; wooden floor), Bunhab(hanged door) in summer. Ondol rooms are recognized that those are suitable room for winter. And the Maru is recognized that it is the suitable space for summer. But according to the result of field measuring, we found Ondol rooms were also comfortable rooms for summer. The opened Ondol room were similar to the Maru’s environment. Therefore the most comfortable place is the opened Ondol room because of the temperature of the floor and the wind from the Maru in this survey, we find that the Korean traditional house is comfortable without air conditioners in summer be hanging doors. And when we use air conditioners we waste extra energy. We wonder that we should study from the Korean traditional house which not waste energy

Essential role of the cytochrome P450 CYP4F22 in the production of acylceramide, the key lipid for skin permeability barrier formation

A skin permeability barrier is essential for terrestrial animals, and its impairment causes several cutaneous disorders such as ichthyosis and atopic dermatitis. Although acylceramide is an important lipid for the skin permeability barrier, details of its production have yet to be determined, leaving the molecular mechanism of skin permeability barrier formation unclear. Here we identified the cytochrome P450 gene CYP4F22 as the long-sought fatty acid ω- hydroxylase gene required for acylceramide production. CYP4F22 has been identified as one of the autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis-causative genes. Ichthyosis mutant proteins exhibited reduced enzyme activity, indicating correlation between activity and pathology. Furthermore, lipid analysis of an ichthyosis patient showed a drastic decrease in acylceramide production. We determined that CYP4F22 was a type I membrane protein that locates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that the ω-hydroxylation occurs on the cytoplasmic side of the ER. The preferred substrate of the CYP4F22 was ?C28 fatty acids. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that CYP4F22 is an ultra long-chain fatty acid ω-hydroxylase responsible for acylceramide production and provides important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of skin permeability barrier formation. Furthermore, based on the results obtained here, we proposed a detailed reaction series for acylceramide production

Eosinophilic Enteritis: Efficiency of the 13C-Acetate Breath Test for Assessing the Disease Activity

Few clinical studies have so far focused on gastrointestinal motility in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. A 29-year-old man was evaluated for epigastralgia of unknown origin. A histopathological examination of biopsy specimens from the duodenum revealed numerous eosinophilic infiltrations. Eosinophilic enteritis was therefore diagnosed. The patient received oral prednisolone and his symptoms improved. Both at the onset and at relapse of the disease, the maximal 13CO 2 excretion time (T max) of 13C-acetate breath test was noted to have increased levels of excretion. Recovery of this parameter was observed in parallel with clinical improvements after treatments. This is the first report of a case of eosinophilic enteritis in which the 13C-acetate breath test was effective for assessing the disease activity and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment

Associations between alkaline phosphatase and hypertension in relation to circulating CD34-positive cell levels pertaining to elderly Japanese men

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) could be an indicator of osteoblastic activity, which initiates hematopoietic stem cell (CD34-positive cell) production in bone marrow. Since chronic inflammation, which is a known risk factor for hypertension and endothelium dysfunction, stimulates bone marrow activity, ALP could be positively associated with hypertension. To clarify those associations, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 479 elderly Japanese men aged 60-69. Circulating CD34-positive cell levels could influence associations between serum ALP and hypertension because CD34-positive cell production is also a factor known to contribute to endothelial repair. Therefore, participants were stratified by the median value of circulating CD34-positive cell levels (1.00 cells/μL). A low level of circulating CD34-positive cells was identified in 240 members of the study population. A significantly positive association of ALP with hypertension was detected among participants with low circulating CD34-positive cell levels (multivariable-OR (odds ratio) for hypertension resulting from a 1 standard deviation (SD) increment in serum ALP (58.3 IU/L) = 1.44 (1.06, 1.95)) but not among those with high CD34-positive cell levels (multivariable-OR=0.91 (0.67, 1.23)). We also observed a significant effect of the interaction of circulating CD34-positive cell levels on the association between serum ALP and hypertension (multivariable p=0.011). Serum ALP was found to be positively associated with hypertension among elderly participants with low but not with high circulating CD34-positive cell levels. Since CD34-positive cells are a factor known to contribute to endothelial repair, capability for endothelial repair can be expected to have an effect on the association between serum ALP and hypertension

Development of the Multidisciplinary Educational Materials on Locally-Caught Fish "Skipjack Tuna"

We developed the multidisciplinary educational materials on locally-caught fish "Skipjack tuna" and worked with 13-hour unit focusing on fisheries industry. Skipjack tuna is one of the most important fish as a food and fishery resource in Kochi. We focused on biology, distribution, and cuisine of Skipjack tuna, and translated multidisciplinary complex knowledge into appropriate levels for our target audience (fifth grader). Major element of the class practices was the learning cycle, which articulated three sequential instructional phases: introduction, cooperative learning, and overview. In introduction, students work with the materials to ask questions on Skipjack tuna (called "Katsuo Quiz"). In cooperative learning, students work in small groups to help one another and write what they have learnt in "Hidensho". In overview, teacher presents the overview to students to promote understandings. After one cycle is completed, the three phases are repeated with new material to revisit and encourage deep understandings of Skipjack tuna and fisheries industry. Collaborative and interactive relationships among university, industry, and learner (consumer) were also the central components in our study. It was suggested that the materials and practices in this study would promote deep understanding of Skipjack tuna. That might lead to promote fish consumption and revitalize local economy