Ophiocordyceps sessilis sp. nov., a new species of Ophiocordyceps on Camponotus ants in Japan

Ophiocordyceps sessilis, a new species of Ophiocordycipitaceae, Hypocreales, was found on Camponotus obscuripes ants, where the ants were primarily infected by another close relative, O. pulvinata. Morphological observation clearly indicated that O. sessilis and O. pulvinata are distinct species. Ophiocordyceps sessilis exhibited superficial development of perithecia and ascospore disarticulation into part-spores, not known in O. pulvinata. Nucleotide sequence data suggested that O. sessilis belongs in Ophiocordyceps, Ophiocordycipitaceae. Molecular data also indicated that O. sessilis is a close relative of O. cuboidea, O. prolifica, O. paracuboidea, and O. ryogamiensis, which are all known to produce part-spores. Since O. sessilis is always associated with ants infected by O. pulvinata, O. sessilis may be a hyperparasite of O. pulvinata.     

Mutations in SERPINB7, Encoding a Member of the Serine Protease Inhibitor Superfamily,Cause Nagashima-type Palmoplantar Keratosis

“Nagashima-type” palmoplantar keratosis (NPPK) is an autosomal recessive nonsyndromic diffuse palmoplantar keratosis characterized by well-demarcated diffuse hyperkeratosis with redness, expanding on to the dorsal surfaces of the palms and feet and the Achilles tendon area. Hyperkeratosis in NPPK is mild and nonprogressive, differentiating NPPK clinically from Mal de Meleda. We performed whole-exome and/or Sanger sequencing analyses of 13 unrelated NPPK individuals and identified biallelic putative loss-of-function mutations in SERPINB7, which encodes a cytoplasmic member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily. We identified a major causative mutation of c.796C>T (p.Arg266^∗) as a founder mutation in Japanese and Chinese populations. SERPINB7 was specifically present in the cytoplasm of the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum (SC) of the epidermis. All of the identified mutants are predicted to cause premature termination upstream of the reactive site, which inhibits the proteases, suggesting a complete loss of the protease inhibitory activity of SERPINB7 in NPPK skin. On exposure of NPPK lesional skin to water, we observed a whitish spongy change in the SC, suggesting enhanced water permeation into the SC due to overactivation of proteases and a resultant loss of integrity of the SC structure. These findings provide an important framework for developing pathogenesis-based therapies for NPPK.     

Discovery of TAK-960: An orally available small molecule inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1)

Using structure-based drug design, we identified and optimized a novel series of pyrimidodiazepinone PLK1 inhibitors resulting in the selection of the development candidate TAK-960. TAK-960 is currently undergoing Phase I evaluation in adult patients with advanced solid malignancies.     

Isolation and Identification of Native Auxins in Marine Algae

Endosperm cell walls were isolated from rice grains and their chemical composition was analyzed. The cell walls were composed of cellulose microfibrils and matrix phase which consisted of hemicellulose and pectic substances. Hemicellulose mainly comprised arabinoxylan, accompanied by a small amount of glucose-containing polysaccharide. Pectic substances contained polygalacturonides, some of which had side chains containing neutral sugars such as galactose and arabinose. Amino acid analysis of these fractions suggested that hydroxyproline-containing glycoproteins were contained in these cell walls and firmly bound to cellulose microfibrils.     

Relative Cytokinin Activity of 3-Methyl Substituted Adenylate Cytokinins

More than 100 multi-component lures consisting of primary straight chain alkenols, their acetates and alkenals were prepared and tested as attractants of male lepidopterous insects. In field trials, male moths of 52 species were specifically attracted to two- or three-component lures. Further 35 lepidopterous species were found to be attracted to single component lures used as control. The main families captured by the multi-component lures were Tortricidae (24 species), Noctuidae (11 species) and Acrolepiidae (3 species). This successful attraction of so many species indicates the usefulness of systematic field tests using multi-component lures of selected synthetic chemicals.     

Separation of Lepidopterous Sex Pheromones by Reversed-phase Thin Layer Chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Bis(4-chloro-2-ethylphenyl) phenylphosphonate was metabolically transformed into the cor-responding cyclic ester, i.e., 6-chloro-4-methyl-2-phenyl-4/f-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin 2-oxide, in houseflies in vivo. In a p-unsubstituted analog, hydroxylation at the para-position of an ester linkage occurred preferably to alpha-hydroxylation with subsequent cyclization. The cyclization was diastereomerically selective, giving predominantly the cis ester. The biological activities of synthesized and related cyclic esters were similar to but weaker than saligenin cyclic phosphorus esters lacking a methyl group at the 4-position.     

Isolation of a Spore Germination Inhibitor from a Cellular Slime Mold Dictyostelium discoideum

The functional properties of gluten obtained by treating with chymotrypsin at alkali pH were investigated. The gluten was treated by chymotrypsin at pH 10.0 and 20°C, and was found to be deamidated to a state that was scarcely subject to proteolysis by chymotrypsin. The degree of deamidation of the gluten reached about 25% by this treatment for 2 hr. The functional properties of the gluten thus obtained were investigated in regard to deamidation. The enzymatically deamidated gluten greatly improved such functional properties as solubility and emulsifying ability. In particular, the solubility of the treated gluten was remarkably high in the pH range of 5 to 8, in which native gluten is insoluble. It was apparent that the improvement in functional properties of gluten was mainly due to the deamidation induced by treating with chymotrypsin at pH 10.0 and 20°C.     

Generation of the antioxidant yellow pigment derived from 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate in salted radish roots (takuan-zuke)

2-[3-(2-Thioxopyrrolidin-3-ylidene)methyl]-tryptophan (TPMT) is a yellow pigment of salted radish roots (takuan-zuke) derived from 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBITC), the pungent component of radish roots. Here, we prepared salted radish and analyzed the behavior of the yellow pigment and related substances in the dehydration process and long-term salting process. All salted radish samples turned yellow, and their b^* values increased with time and temperature. The salted radish that was sun-dried and pickled at room temperature turned the brightest yellow, and the generation of TPMT was clearly confirmed. These results indicate that tissue shrinkage due to dehydration, salting temperature, and pH play important roles in the yellowing of takuan-zuke.     

An Archaeal Homolog of Proteasome Assembly Factor Functions as a Proteasome Activator

Assembly of the eukaryotic 20S proteasome is an ordered process involving several proteins operating as proteasome assembly factors including PAC1-PAC2 but archaeal 20S proteasome subunits can spontaneously assemble into an active cylindrical architecture. Recent bioinformatic analysis identified archaeal PAC1-PAC2 homologs PbaA and PbaB. However, it remains unclear whether such assembly factor-like proteins play an indispensable role in orchestration of proteasome subunits in archaea. We revealed that PbaB forms a homotetramer and exerts a dual function as an ATP-independent proteasome activator and a molecular chaperone through its tentacle-like C-terminal segments. Our findings provide insights into molecular evolution relationships between proteasome activators and assembly factors.     

Effects of different silvicultural systems on the genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea parvifolia</Emphasis> populations in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia

Selective logging systems have been used to prevent the rapid decline of forest resources in Southeast Asia, but little is known about the impacts of selective logging on the genetic diversity of Southeast Asian rainforests. We evaluated the effects of silvicultural systems with differing cutting rotations and enrichment planting regimes on the genetic diversity of Shorea parvifolia, an abundant and ecologically important tree in Southeast Asian rainforests. Our result showed that in most respects the genetic diversity is not significantly different between primary forest and the other silvicultural systems; however, the proportion of private alleles is significantly different between them. Intensive second-rotation (L3) harvesting of individuals >40 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) resulted in a sizable reduction in the number of reproductive trees and a dramatic decrease in the numbers of rare and private alleles, suggesting a negative impact on the genetic diversity of the remaining tree population. Enrichment planting with S. parvifolia in the logged forest improved some genetic parameters, significantly increasing the number of rare alleles in L3 in particular. We conclude that the genetic diversity of logged tropical forests gradually decreases depending on logging rotation times, especially with respect to sensitive genetic parameters such as the numbers of rare and private alleles, and that enrichment planting with native dipterocarps can maintain or even increase the genetic diversity of logged tropical forests in Southeast Asia.