Activation of ATPase Activity in the Chromatin Fraction of Pea Nuclei by Calcium and Calmodulin

ATPase, especially the Ca^2$-dependent enzyme, in the chromatinfraction isolated from nuclei of pea seedlings was activatedby bovine brain calmodulin and by protein that was judged tobe calmodulin from its Ca^2$-dependent activation of NAD kinase.This calmodulin-dependent ATPase activity was blocked by calmodulin-specificinhibitors. (Received July 11, 1983; Accepted October 24, 1983)     

Binding of aluminium to DNA of DNP in pea root nuclei

The association of absorbed aluminium (Al) with nuclei in Alaskapea roots was shown by zonal centrifugation of isolated nuclei.In nuclei, 73% of the total incorporated Al was detected inthe DNP fraction. Furthermore, Al in DNP was found to be boundspecifically to DNA by gel filtration of dissociated DNP. (Received March 19, 1977; )     

Microbial asymmetric hydrolysis of N-acetyl-1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine to optically active 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine

Summary The asymmetric hydrolysis of N-acetyl-1-methyl-3-phenypropylamine (MPAc) by microorganisms was investigated. Various bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Agrobacterium, Corynebacterium, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Cellulomonas, Acinetobacter, Nocardia and Rhodococcus showed this hydrolysing activity and yielded (S)-1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (MPPA). Using washed cells of N. erythropolis IAM 1440, 15.1 mg/ml of (S)-MPPA was formed, with a 38.8% conversion yield and high stereoselectivity (97.9% enantiomeric excess), in an organic solvent-water diphase system. The same (S)-amine and (S)-1-phenylethylamine were also produced in good yields from the valeryl and isovaleryl derivatives of MPPA, and N-acetyl-1-phenylethylamine, respectively.     

Stereospecific Reduction of Ethyl 2′ -Ketopantothenate to Ethyl D-(+)-Pantothenate with Microbial Cells as a Catalyst

A novel enzymatic process for the synthesis of D-(+)-pantothenic acid through the asymmetric reduction of the 2′ -ketopantothenate ester is described. Candida macedoniensis AKU 4588 was found to convert ethyl 2′ -ketopantothenate (80 mg/ml) almost specifically to ethyl D-(+)-pantothenate (>98% enantiomeric excess), with a molar yield of 97.2%.     

Increase in Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Cucumber Roots during Calcium Starvation

Alkaline phosphatase activity in cucumber roots increased withcalcium deficiency. However, acid phosphatase was scarcely affectedby the treatment. Re-addition of calcium not only suppressedthe continuous increase in alkaline phosphatase activity butalso reduced the already formed activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased with a deficiency ofcalcium, phosphate, minor elements and iron in this order. Eithercycloheximide or actinomycin D completely suppressed the increasein the activity caused by calcium deficiency. (Received April 16, 1981; Accepted July 17, 1981)     

Synthesis of D-cysteine from 3-chloro-D-alanine and hydrogen sulfide by 3-chloro-D-alanine hydrogen chloride-lyase (deaminating) of Pseudomonasputida

Synthesis of D-cysteine from 3-chloro-D-alanine and hydrogen sulfide is catalyzed by highly purified 3-chloro-D-alanine hydrogen chloride-lyase from $\text{Pseudomonas}\text{putida}$. The synthetic reaction proceeds optimally at pH 8.5, as a function of enzyme concentration and incubation time. The enzymatically synthesized D-cysteine was isolated from the large scale reaction mixture and identified by physicochemical means.     

Clinical relevance of oncogenic driver mutations identified in endometrial carcinoma

PurposeEndometrial carcinoma (EC) is a clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by a number of different histological subtypes, and its heterogeneity may be involved in the accumulation of multiple genetic alterations. The aim of this work was to investigate the comprehensive mutational profile of EC tumors, and examine the associations between somatic mutations and clinicopathological features or survival in EC patients.MethodsA total of 100 surgical tumors were obtained from EC patients who had previously undergone surgery. Genomic DNA samples extracted from fresh-frozen tissues were analyzed using the Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 Kit, covering 50 tumor-related genes.ResultsValidated mutations were detected in 91 of the 100 tumors (91%) and identified in eight of the most frequently mutated genes, namely PTEN (57%), PIK3CA (51%), TP53 (30%), KRAS (23%), CTNNB1 (21%), FBFR2 (13%), FBXW7(10%) and RB1 (9%). PTEN mutations were found to associated with young age (< 60), early-stage, endometrioid histology, non-recurrence and better overall survival (OS). CTNNB1 mutations were associated with young age, endometrioid histology and better OS. On the other hands, TP53 mutations were associated with late-stage, non-endometrioid histology, high-grade, recurrence and worse OS. FBWX7 mutations were associated with late-stage, vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. FGFR2 mutations correlated with deep (≥ 1/2) myometrial invasion.ConclusionOur comprehensive mutational profile will be useful for understanding and evaluating the molecular characteristics of EC tumors, and may lead to the establishment of novel treatment strategies that improve the survival of patients with EC in the future.