Characterization of RyDEN (C19orf66) as an Interferon-Stimulated Cellular Inhibitor against Dengue Virus Replication

Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most important arthropod-borne pathogens that cause life-threatening diseases in humans. However, no vaccine or specific antiviral is available for dengue. As seen in other RNA viruses, the innate immune system plays a key role in controlling DENV infection and disease outcome. Although the interferon (IFN) response, which is central to host protective immunity, has been reported to limit DENV replication, the molecular details of how DENV infection is modulated by IFN treatment are elusive. In this study, by employing a gain-of-function screen using a type I IFN-treated cell-derived cDNA library, we identified a previously uncharacterized gene, C19orf66, as an IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) that inhibits DENV replication, which we named Repressor of yield of DENV (RyDEN). Overexpression and gene knockdown experiments revealed that expression of RyDEN confers resistance to all serotypes of DENV in human cells. RyDEN expression also limited the replication of hepatitis C virus, Kunjin virus, Chikungunya virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, and human adenovirus. Importantly, RyDEN was considered to be a crucial effector molecule in the IFN-mediated anti-DENV response. When affinity purification-mass spectrometry analysis was performed, RyDEN was revealed to form a complex with cellular mRNA-binding proteins, poly(A)-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1), and La motif-related protein 1 (LARP1). Interestingly, PABPC1 and LARP1 were found to be positive modulators of DENV replication. Since RyDEN influenced intracellular events on DENV replication and, suppression of protein synthesis from DENV-based reporter construct RNA was also observed in RyDEN-expressing cells, our data suggest that RyDEN is likely to interfere with the translation of DENV via interaction with viral RNA and cellular mRNA-binding proteins, resulting in the inhibition of virus replication in infected cells.     

Genome-wide expression analysis of yeast response during exposure to 4°C

Adaptation to temperature fluctuation is essential for the survival of all living organisms. Although extensive research has been done on heat and cold shock responses, there have been no reports on global responses to cold shock below 10°C or near-freezing. We examined the genome-wide expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, following exposure to 4°C. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the gene expression profile following 4°C exposure from 6 to 48 h was different from that at continuous 4°C culture. Under 4°C exposure, the genes involved in trehalose and glycogen synthesis were induced, suggesting that biosynthesis and accumulation of those reserve carbohydrates might be necessary for cold tolerance and energy preservation. The observed increased expression of phospholipids, mannoproteins, and cold shock proteins (e.g., TIP1) is consistent with membrane maintenance and increased permeability of the cell wall at 4°C. The induction of heat shock proteins and glutathione at 4°C may be required for revitalization of enzyme activity, and for detoxification of active oxygen species, respectively. The genes with these functions may provide the ability of cold tolerance and adaptation to yeast cells.     

Role of mitochondrial phosphate carrier in metabolism-secretion coupling in rat insulinoma cell line INS-1

In pancreatic β-cells, glucose-induced mitochondrial ATP production plays an important role in insulin secretion. The mitochondrial phosphate carrier PiC is a member of the SLC25 (solute carrier family 25) family and transports Pi from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix. Since intramitochondrial Pi is an essential substrate for mitochondrial ATP production by complex V (ATP synthase) and affects the activity of the respiratory chain, Pi transport via PiC may be a rate-limiting step for ATP production. We evaluated the role of PiC in metabolism-secretion coupling in pancreatic β-cells using INS-1 cells manipulated to reduce PiC expression by siRNA (small interfering RNA). Consequent reduction of the PiC protein level decreased glucose (10 mM)-stimulated insulin secretion, the ATP:ADP ratio in the presence of 10 mM glucose and elevation of intracellular calcium concentration in response to 10 mM glucose without affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in INS-1 cells. In experiments using the mitochondrial fraction of INS-1 cells in the presence of 1 mM succinate, PiC down-regulation decreased ATP production at various Pi concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 10 mM, but did not affect Δψm at 3 mM Pi. In conclusion, the Pi supply to mitochondria via PiC plays a critical role in ATP production and metabolism-secretion coupling in INS-1 cells.     

A Src-Tks5 pathway is required for neural crest cell migration during embryonic development

In the adult organism, cell migration is required for physiological processes such as angiogenesis and immune surveillance, as well as pathological events such as tumor metastasis. The adaptor protein and Src substrate Tks5 is necessary for cancer cell migration through extracellular matrix in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. However, a role for Tks5 during embryonic development, where cell migration is essential, has not been examined. We used morpholinos to reduce Tks5 expression in zebrafish embryos, and observed developmental defects, most prominently in neural crest-derived tissues such as craniofacial structures and pigmentation. The Tks5 morphant phenotype was rescued by expression of mammalian Tks5, but not by a variant of Tks5 in which the Src phosphorylation sites have been mutated. We further evaluated the role of Tks5 in neural crest cells and neural crest-derived tissues and found that loss of Tks5 impaired their ventral migration. Inhibition of Src family kinases also led to abnormal ventral patterning of neural crest cells and their derivatives. We confirmed that these effects were likely to be cell autonomous by shRNA-mediated knockdown of Tks5 in a murine neural crest stem cell line. Tks5 was required for neural crest cell migration in vitro, and both Src and Tks5 were required for the formation of actin-rich structures with similarity to podosomes. Additionally, we observed that neural crest cells formed Src-Tks5-dependent cell protrusions in 3-D culture conditions and in vivo. These results reveal an important and novel role for the Src-Tks5 pathway in neural crest cell migration during embryonic development. Furthermore, our data suggests that this pathway regulates neural crest cell migration through the generation of actin-rich pro-migratory structures, implying that similar mechanisms are used to control cell migration during embryogenesis and cancer metastasis.     

Copper(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-derived ligands: studies on DNA binding properties and nuclease activity

A series of copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L)]2+, where L = N,N'-dialkyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dimethanamine and R = methyl (L1), n-propyl (L2), isopropyl (L3), sec-butyl (L4), or tert-butyl (L5) group, have been synthesized. The interaction of the complexes with DNA has been studied by DNA fiber electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, emission, viscosity and electrochemical measurements and agarose gel electrophoresis. In the X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(HL2)Cl2]NO3, copper(II) is coordinated to two ring nitrogens and one of the two secondary amine nitrogens of the side chains and two chloride ions as well and the coordination geometry is best described as trigonal bipyramidal distorted square based pyramidal (TBDSBP). Electronic and EPR spectral studies reveal that all the complexes in aqueous solution around pH 7 possess CuN3O2 rather than CuN4O chromophore with one of the alkylamino side chain not involved in coordination. The structures of the complexes in aqueous solution around pH 7 change from distorted tetragonal to trigonal bipyramidal as the size of the alkyl group is increased. The observed changes in the physicochemical features of the complexes on binding to DNA suggest that the complexes, except [Cu(L5)]2+, bind to DNA with partial intercalation of the derivatised phen ring in between the DNA base pairs. Electrochemical studies reveal that the complexes prefer to bind to DNA in Cu(II) rather than Cu(I) oxidation state. Interestingly, [Cu(L5)]2+ shows the highest DNA cleavage activity among all the present copper(II) complexes suggesting that the bulky N-tert-butyl group plays an important role in modifying the coordination environment around the copper(II) center, the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potential and hence the formation of activated oxidant responsible for the cleavage. These results were compared with those for bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II), [Cu(phen)2]2+.     

Particle inflow gun-mediated transformation of multiple-shoot clumps in rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)

Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) is one of the most important warm-season forage grasses. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical parts of the world and is mostly used for grazing and hay production. We have established a particle-bombardment transformation protocol for rhodes grass using multiple-shoot clumps (MSCs) as the target tissue. A vector pAHC25 containing a herbicide-resistance gene (bar) together with the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene was used in transformation experiments. The most efficient recovery of bialaphos-resistant tissue was achieved when the bombarded MSCs were first cultured for 15 d on bialaphos-free medium before being subjected to selection pressure. The resistant tissues regenerated transgenic plants that displayed GUS gene expression. Under optimized conditions, 251 target pieces yielded 46 transgenic plants from 4 independent transgenic lines.     

Oxidized low density lipoprotein inhibits the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus

We have examined the effect of chemically modified human low density lipoproteins (LDLs) , acetylated LDL and oxidized LDL, on the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin. Oxidized LDL, but not acetylated LDL, inhibited the hemolytic activity of this toxin. The inhibitory effects of oxidized LDL increased with the time of Cu²⁺-induced LDL oxidation. Similar inhibition was observed in the filtrate which was separated from the incubation mixture of Asp-hemolysin with oxidized LDL (for 2 h of oxidation) following ultrafiltration through a membrane with a molecular mass cutoff of 100 000. However, at longer LDL oxidation times, the inhibition by the filtrates was less than the control mixture without ultrafiltration. We suggest that the inhibition by oxidized LDL was due to the binding of oxidized LDL to Asp-hemolysin at shorter LDL oxidation times .     

An ocular cysticercosis in Bali, Indonesia caused by Taenia solium Asian genotype

An ocular cysticercosis case of a nine-year-old Balinese girl in Indonesia is reported. She presented with redness and pain in the left eye and showed a cysticercus in the anterior chamber in December 2010. Morphological feature of the cysticercus removed from the anterior chamber indicated that it was an immature cysticercus of Taenia species with no hooklets. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis using a piece of histopathological specimen revealed it a cysticercus of Taenia solium Asian genotype. Serology by immunoblot and ELISA highly specific to cysticercosis was negative.     

Brünnich's guillemots (Uria lomvia) maintain high temperature in the body core during dives

A major challenge for diving birds, reptiles, and mammals is regulating body temperature while conserving oxygen through a reduction in metabolic processes. To gain insight into how these needs are met, we measured dive depth and body temperatures at the core or periphery between the skin and abdominal muscles simultaneously in freely diving Brünnich's guillemots (Uria lomvia), an arctic seabird, using an implantable data logger (16-mm diameter, 50-mm length, 14-g mass, Little Leonardo Ltd., Tokyo). Guillemots exhibited increased body core temperatures, but decreased peripheral temperatures, during diving. Heat conservation within the body core appeared to result from the combined effect of peripheral vasoconstriction and a high wing beat frequency that generates heat. Conversely, the observed tissue hypothermia in the periphery should reduce metabolic processes as well as heat loss to the water. These physiological effects are likely one of the key physiological adaptations that makes guillemots to perform as an efficient predator in arctic waters.     

Ionic mechanisms and Ca2+ dynamics underlying the glucose response of pancreatic β cells: a simulation study

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the pancreatic β-cell response to varying glucose concentrations ([G]), electrophysiological findings were integrated into a mathematical cell model. The Ca(2+) dynamics of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were also improved. The model was validated by demonstrating quiescent potential, burst-interburst electrical events accompanied by Ca(2+) transients, and continuous firing of action potentials over [G] ranges of 0-6, 7-18, and >19 mM, respectively. These responses to glucose were completely reversible. The action potential, input impedance, and Ca(2+) transients were in good agreement with experimental measurements. The ionic mechanisms underlying the burst-interburst rhythm were investigated by lead potential analysis, which quantified the contributions of individual current components. This analysis demonstrated that slow potential changes during the interburst period were attributable to modifications of ion channels or transporters by intracellular ions and/or metabolites to different degrees depending on [G]. The predominant role of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K(+) current in switching on and off the repetitive firing of action potentials at 8 mM [G] was taken over at a higher [G] by Ca(2+)- or Na(+)-dependent currents, which were generated by the plasma membrane Ca(2+) pump, Na(+)/K(+) pump, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, and TRPM channel. Accumulation and release of Ca(2+) by the ER also had a strong influence on the slow electrical rhythm. We conclude that the present mathematical model is useful for quantifying the role of individual functional components in the whole cell responses based on experimental findings.