C9orf72-derived arginine-rich poly-dipeptides impede phase modifiers

Nuclear import receptors (NIRs) not only transport RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) but also modify phase transitions of RBPs by recognizing nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Toxic arginine-rich poly-dipeptides from C9orf72 interact with NIRs and cause nucleocytoplasmic transport deficit. However, the molecular basis for the toxicity of arginine-rich poly-dipeptides toward NIRs function as phase modifiers of RBPs remains unidentified. Here we show that arginine-rich poly-dipeptides impede the ability of NIRs to modify phase transitions of RBPs. Isothermal titration calorimetry and size-exclusion chromatography revealed that proline:arginine (PR) poly-dipeptides tightly bind karyopherin-β2 (Kapβ2) at 1:1 ratio. The nuclear magnetic resonances of Kapβ2 perturbed by PR poly-dipeptides partially overlapped with those perturbed by the designed NLS peptide, suggesting that PR poly-dipeptides target the NLS binding site of Kapβ2. The findings offer mechanistic insights into how phase transitions of RBPs are disabled in C9orf72-related neurodegeneration

High-Resolution Imaging of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Normal Eyes Using Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

To conduct high-resolution imaging of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in normal eyes using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO).AO-SLO images were obtained in 20 normal eyes at multiple locations in the posterior polar area and a circular path with a 3-4-mm diameter around the optic disc. For each eye, images focused on the RNFL were recorded and a montage of AO-SLO images was created.AO-SLO images for all eyes showed many hyperreflective bundles in the RNFL. Hyperreflective bundles above or below the fovea were seen in an arch from the temporal periphery on either side of a horizontal dividing line to the optic disc. The dark lines among the hyperreflective bundles were narrower around the optic disc compared with those in the temporal raphe. The hyperreflective bundles corresponded with the direction of the striations on SLO red-free images. The resolution and contrast of the bundles were much higher in AO-SLO images than in red-free fundus photography or SLO red-free images. The mean hyperreflective bundle width around the optic disc had a double-humped shape; the bundles at the temporal and nasal sides of the optic disc were narrower than those above and below the optic disc (P<0.001). RNFL thickness obtained by optical coherence tomography correlated with the hyperreflective bundle widths on AO-SLO (P<0.001)AO-SLO revealed hyperreflective bundles and dark lines in the RNFL, believed to be retinal nerve fiber bundles and Müller cell septa. The widths of the nerve fiber bundles appear to be proportional to the RNFL thickness at equivalent distances from the optic disc

Integrated Report of the Project "Market Prospects of Upland Crop Products and Policy Analysis in Selected Asian Countries"

This integrated report is a compilation of data and trends generated by the project "Market Prospects of Upland Crop Products and Policy Analysis in Selected Asian Countries." It analyzes the current status of demand and supply of selected agricultural commodities in seven countries in Asia, namely China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The report by Titapiwatanakun and Inoue is a very useful reference which identifies trends in groups of agricultural consumer goods and provides projections in demand

Integrated Report of the Project "Market Prospects of Upland Crop Products and Policy Analysis in Selected Asian Countries"

This integrated report is a compilation of data and trends generated by the project "Market Prospects of Upland Crop Products and Policy Analysis in Selected Asian Countries." It analyzes the current status of demand and supply of selected agricultural commodities in seven countries in Asia, namely China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The report by Titapiwatanakun and Inoue is a very useful reference which identifies trends in groups of agricultural consumer goods and provides projections in demand.food consumption, upland crops, markets, demand, Crop Production/Industries, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Creating A More Coordinated Agro-Food System for Non-GM Grains - A Case Study of Japanese Mandatory Labeling System

n August 1999, the Japanese government decided to introduce mandatory labeling for genetically modified (GM) food starting from April 2001. Under the labeling system, certain types of processed food such as oil and sweeteners from corn are exempted from labeling, since scientific verification tests detecting GMO ingredient cannot be applied persuasively. The result of the introduction of labeling system was contrary to the initial expectation of the Japanese government. That is, the shift from conventional grain, which might contain GMO, to Non-GMO has been observed very rapidly among various actors consisting of the US-Japanese agro-food system. Those actors made a major effort to create an identity preserved (IP) handling system to procure Non-GM grains from the US. The establishment of IP handling system, however, has raised various socio-economic issues, such as the distribution of additional costs among actors, further coordination among trading partners, liability issues for certification, and so on. In this paper, we would like to focus on two major crops, soybean and corn, which represent strong relationships between the US-Japanese agro-food system and, try to understand what kind of outcomes are observed from the major shift to Non-GMO and what kind of factors are working behind those outcomes. The shift to Non-GMO forces all actors of the agro-food system to engage in IP handling, and vertical coordination will be much more typical among them as they move to procure Non-GM grains. This means that the US-Japanese agro-food system becomes a more coordinated one than before

Creating A More Coordinated Agro-Food System for Non-GM Grains - A Case Study of Japanese Mandatory Labeling System

n August 1999, the Japanese government decided to introduce mandatory labeling for genetically modified (GM) food starting from April 2001. Under the labeling system, certain types of processed food such as oil and sweeteners from corn are exempted from labeling, since scientific verification tests detecting GMO ingredient cannot be applied persuasively. The result of the introduction of labeling system was contrary to the initial expectation of the Japanese government. That is, the shift from conventional grain, which might contain GMO, to Non-GMO has been observed very rapidly among various actors consisting of the US-Japanese agro-food system. Those actors made a major effort to create an identity preserved (IP) handling system to procure Non-GM grains from the US. The establishment of IP handling system, however, has raised various socio-economic issues, such as the distribution of additional costs among actors, further coordination among trading partners, liability issues for certification, and so on. In this paper, we would like to focus on two major crops, soybean and corn, which represent strong relationships between the US-Japanese agro-food system and, try to understand what kind of outcomes are observed from the major shift to Non-GMO and what kind of factors are working behind those outcomes. The shift to Non-GMO forces all actors of the agro-food system to engage in IP handling, and vertical coordination will be much more typical among them as they move to procure Non-GM grains. This means that the US-Japanese agro-food system becomes a more coordinated one than before.Agribusiness, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Production Economics,