Antioxidative and Prooxidative Abilities of some Biological Substances and Physiologically Active Substances on the Oxidation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Some biological substances and physiologically active substances such as amino acids, hormones, vitamins, medicines and the other substances were added into the linoleic acid solution; and antioxidative and prooxidative abilities of these substances, the abilities to act as electron donors or acceptors, were tested. Many substances were effective as the antioxidant and some others showed prooxidative effects. These facts suggested the possibility of the occurrence of many reactions involving the transfer of an electron among biological processes.     

Ribonuclease in Bovine Milk

The RNase (EC 2.7.7.16) in bovine milk was partially purified from milk whey. The basic properties and the hydrolyzing specificity of this enzyme were studied. This enzyme was heat stable. When RNA was used as the substrate, the pH optimum was 7.5 and 3′- nucleotides were produced, but the extent of the hydrolysis stopped at 31 per cent and core was left. C! and U! were hydrolyzed but purine cyclic nucleotides were not. Poly U was digested to 3′-uridylic acid passing through U! but poly A was not. These properties are quite similar to pancreatic RNase.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of 1- and 2-O-α-d-Cellotriosyl-3-deoxy-2(R)- and 2(S)-glycerols Related to Rhynchosporoside

The stereoselective synthesis of 1- and 2-O-α-d-cellotriosyl-3-deoxy-2(R)- and 2(S)-glycerols, which determined the structure of rhynchosporoside produced by Rhynchosporium secalis, and their phytotoxicity toward the host plant (Hordeum vulgare) are described in detail.     

In vitro anticancer activity of loquat tea by inducing apoptosis in human leukemia cells

Fresh loquat leaves have been used as folk health herb in Asian countries for long time, although the evidence supporting their functions is still minimal. This study aimed to clarify the chemopreventive effect of loquat tea extract (LTE) by investigating the inhibition on proliferation, and underlying mechanisms in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). LTE inhibited proliferation of HL-60 in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular data showed that the isolated fraction of LTE induced apoptosis of HL-60 as characterized by DNA fragmentation; activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9; and inactivation of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase. Moreover, LTE fraction increased the ratio of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/anti-apoptotic myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) that caused mitochondrial membrane potential loss and cytochrome c released to cytosol. Thus, our data indicate that LTE might induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells through a mitochondrial dysfunction pathway. These findings enhance our understanding for chemopreventive function of loquat tea.     

Plant Growth-regulating Activities of 4-Methoxydiphenylmethanes and Their Related Compounds

The discovery that anisomycin showed plant growth-regulating activity led to the investigation of compounds having p-methoxyphenyl group; the p-anisole derivatives. 4-Methoxydiphenylmethanes and related compounds inhibited the growth of both shoots and roots in test plants. Growth-inhibitory activity in the series of 4-methoxydiphenylmethanes was lowered by an increase in the electron donating or withdrawing ability of the substituent and was parabolically dependent on the Hammett’s σ. Selective actions of these compounds in their growth inhibition are discussed based on correlations between their activities against barnyard grass and other test plants.

Some 4-methoxydiphenylmethanes induced chlorosis, a disturbance in phototropism or geotropism, and root hypertrophy.     

Characterization of Ribonucleic Acids Contained in the Soluble Fraction from Soybean Seeds

The RNAs having template activities were extracted from soluble fraction of the cotyledons of soybean seeds. These were consisted of two major components, 9 s and 18 s (High molecular weight RNA, H-RNA). Both components have template activities in the E. coli S-30 system. H-RNA was found in the precipitate fraction when the so-called soluble fraction was centrifuged for 2 hr at 198,000×ɡ. H-RNA increased remarkably in kernels during ripening process and seems to be preserved in the seeds.     

Molecular discrimination and phylogeographic patterns of clones of the parthenogenetic gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris in the Japanese Archipelago

Vertebrates usually reproduce sexually in which males and females contribute their offspring genome and produce genetically diverse offspring. However, some of them are asexual without genetic contribution from males. The nocturnal gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, is all females and reproduces parthenogenetically. This gecko is known to consist of diploid and triploid clones in the tropical and subtropical regions, which can be identified by their dorsal marking patterns, ploidy, and protein polymorphism. This gecko is also distributed in the southern parts of Japan, and several clones have been reported. In this study, we investigated the origins and genetic diversity of Japanese L. lugubris by clonal discrimination using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses. A total of 748 individuals were collected from 21 islands of five island groups (Ogasawara, Okinawa, Miyako, Yaeyama and Daito Islands) and 17 clones were distinguished genetically. Mitochondrial cyt b sequences of these clones suggested that they were all closely related and differentiated recently. Clonal diversity was much higher (14 clones) in the Daito Islands than in the other island groups in which only one or two clones coexisted. Judging from the dorsal marking patterns and ploidy known so far, six clones were cosmopolitan and may be colonized from the outside of Japan. However, other 11 clones were endemic to the Daito Islands and explained by possible hybridization between the one female diploid clone and one male diploid clone because other 9 clones were triploid and all had the combinations of polymorphic microsatellite alleles of these female and male diploid clones. Although the males have never been recorded in the Daito Islands, males might appear in the past. These findings contribute to understanding of clonal diversity and dynamics of asexually reproducing animals. If diploid parthenogenetic geckos can produce triploid clones by mating with the diploid males, clonal diversity would increase rapidly in a small island, and such newly produced triploid clones would expand widely.     

A second proliferating cell nuclear antigen loader complex, Ctf18-replication factor C, stimulates DNA polymerase eta activity

Replication factor C (RFC) loads the clamp protein PCNA onto DNA structures. Ctf18-RFC, which consists of the chromosome cohesion factors Ctf18, Dcc1, and Ctf8 and four small RFC subunits, functions as a second proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) loader. To identify potential targets of Ctf18-RFC, human cell extracts were assayed for DNA polymerase activity specifically stimulated by Ctf18-RFC in conjunction with PCNA. After several chromatography steps, an activity stimulated by Ctf18-RFC but not by RFC was identified. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of two DNA polymerases, eta and lambda, in the most purified fraction, but experiments with purified recombinant proteins demonstrated that only polymerase (pol) eta was responsible for activity. Ctf18-RFC alone stimulated pol eta, and the addition of PCNA cooperatively increased stimulation. Furthermore, Ctf18-RFC interacted physically with pol eta, as indicated by co-precipitation in human cells. We propose that this novel loader-DNA polymerase interaction allows DNA replication forks to overcome interference by various template structures, including damaged DNA and DNA-protein complexes that maintain chromosome cohesion.