Characterization of a member of the AN subfamily, IAN, from Ipomoea nil

ANGUSTIFOLIA (AN) is the first C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) gene from plants and controls leaf width and pattern of trichome branching in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. We characterized an ortholog of AN from Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth (Japanese morning glory) and designated it Ipomoea nil's AN (IAN). IAN is a single-copy gene in the genome and is expressed ubiquitously in various organs of I. nil. IAN contains not only a D2-HDH motif, which is highly conserved within the CtBP family, but also LXCXE, NLS and PEST motifs, which are specific to the AN subfamily. The expression of IAN cDNA driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter restored a defect in leaf expansion in the leaf width direction in the angustifolia-1 (an-1) mutant of Arabidopsis, suggesting that IAN retains a common function with AN. In contrast, the complementation by IAN of a defect in the trichome branching pattern on the leaf surface of the an-1 mutant was less effective than that observed for leaf shape. These results suggest that the mechanisms by which AN regulates leaf width and trichome branching are separable.     

The IL-27 receptor chain WSX-1 differentially regulates antibacterial immunity and survival during experimental tuberculosis

IL-12 is a potent inducer of IFN-gamma production and promotes a protective cell-mediated immune response after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Recently, the IL-12-related cytokine IL-27 was discovered, and WSX-1 was identified as one component of the IL-27R complex. To determine the functional significance of IL-27/WSX-1 during tuberculosis, we analyzed the course of infection and the immune response in WSX-1-KO mice after aerosol infection with M. tuberculosis. In the absence of WSX-1, an increased production of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-12p40 resulted in elevated CD4+ T cell activation and IFN-gamma production, which enhanced macrophage effector functions and reduced bacterial loads. This is the first occasion of a selectively gene-deficient mouse strain showing higher levels of protective immunity against M. tuberculosis infection than wild-type mice. However, a concomitantly increased chronic inflammatory response also accelerated death of infected WSX-1-KO mice. In vitro, IL-27 induced STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibited TNF and IL-12 production in activated peritoneal macrophages, indicating a novel feedback mechanism by which IL-27 can modulate excessive inflammation. In conclusion, IL-27 both prevents optimal antimycobacterial protection and limits the pathological sequelae of chronic inflammation.     

Effect of dentures wearing on motor reaction time and balance function in elderly people

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of dentures wearing on the parameters of physical fitness, particularly on agility and balance function in elderly people. DESIGN: A case control study.Setting: Motohachiohjimachi, Hachiohji, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Motor reaction time was measured in the presence and absence of dentures in the subjects who were 1) in a sitting position and lifted the lower limbs as fast as possible in response to a stimulus (Sitting Group) and those who were 2) in a standing position and jumped upright as fast as possible in response to a light stimulus (Jumping Group). The effects of dentures wearing on balance function were investigated by comparing the measured values of static and dynamic body sway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Light-reaction time was not significantly influenced by dentures wearing in Sitting Group performing a light body movement that required little muscular force.In a relatively heavy body movement that required agility (i.e., jumping from the standing position), the reactivity changed depending on the muscular force; which might result in the difference of the reactivity due to dentures wearing (i.e., t-test showed a significant difference in the light-reaction time under clenching posture between with and without wearing dentures (p < 0.01)).No significant difference was observed in body sway under clenching posture between with and without wearing dentures.Therefore, we assumed that reaction speed varied depending upon dentures wearing.     

Perceptual organization of onsets and offsets of sounds

Several illusory phenomena in auditory perception are accounted for by using the event construction model presented by Nakajima et al. (2000) in order to explain the gap transfer illusion. This model assumes that onsets and offsets of sounds are detected perceptually as if they were independent auditory elements. They are connected to one another according to the proximity principle to constitute auditory events. This model seems to contribute to a general cross-modal theory of perception where the idea of edge integration plays an important role. Potential directions in which we can connect the present paradigm with speech perception are indicated, and possibilities to improve artificial auditory environments are suggested.     

Direct and indirect impacts of predation by fish on the zooplankton community: an experimental analysis using tanks

The impact of Pseudorasbora parva, a common zooplanktivorous fish species in Japan, on a zooplankton community was analyzed in experimental tanks, half of which were stocked with the fish. Different zooplankton species showed different responses to the introduction of the fish. In the presence of the fish, the populations of the large cladoceran Ceriodaphnia and the predatory copepod Mesocyclops were reduced, but the population of the herbivorous copepod Eodiaptomus and the small cladocerans Bosmina fatalis and Bosminopsis deitersi increased relative to the controls. The increase of Mesocyclops seen in the control tanks might have suppressed the populations of the small cladocerans, which are vulnerable to invertebrate predation. The results suggest that the population densities of the large prey items preferred by the fish, Ceriodaphnia and Mesocyclops, were controlled directly by fish predation, but the population densities of the smaller and less preferred zooplankton were controlled indirectly through the food-web cascade.     

Phosphorylation of cytokeratin 17 by herpes simplex virus type 2 US3 protein kinase

We previously reported the establishment of an HEp2 cell line which expresses the US3 protein kinase (PK) of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) upon induction with IPTG. Here we report that expression, phosphorylation and ubiquitination of cytokeratin 17 (CK17) are enhanced in US3-expressing HEp2 cells. In vitro kinase and co-immunoprecipitation assays provided evidence that US3 PK directly phosphorylates CK17. Expression of US3 PK caused a significant decrease in filamentous staining of CK17, suggesting that phosphorylation of CK17 by US3 PK causes a disruption of intermediate filaments. Our observations suggest a role for US3 in the regulation of CKs and intermediate filaments in cells. Moreover, we found that infection of a keratinocyte-derived cell line, A431, with a US3-deficient virus, results in cytopathic effects that are morphologically distinct from those induced by wild-type and revertant viruses, suggesting that US3 PK may be important for interaction between HSV-2 and peripheral epithelial cells.     

Preparation of N-substituted aryl and alkyl carbamates and their inhibitory effect on oat seed germination

A series of N-substituted aryl and alkyl carbamates (RNHCOOR'; R: aryl, alkyl; R': aryl, alkyl) was prepared and screened for inhibitory activity toward the germination of oat seeds. The activity of each compound was compared with that of chlorpropham (isopropyl 3-chlorocarbanilate). Some of the synthetic carbamates possessing the N-(phenylthio)methyl group, PhSCH2NHCOOR', showed inhibitory activity close or comparable to that of chlorpropham.     

Predicting the impact of climatic warming on the carbon balance of the moss Sanionia uncinata on a maritime Antarctic island

The effects of climatic factors, especially those of temperature, on the carbon balance of the moss Sanionia uncinata were examined on King George Island in the maritime Antarctic. Net photosynthesis (P(n)) and dark respiration rates of two colonies (A and B) were measured with a portable infrared gas analyzer. Colony A showed small P(n) compared with its dark respiration rates throughout the growing season. Colony B showed much higher net photosynthetic rates, but the dark respiration rates of the two colonies did not differ significantly. Net photosynthetic rate determined at light saturation was almost constant over a wide temperature range, from 5 degrees to 15 degrees C, while the dark respiration was strongly affected by temperature. To assess the impact of warming on the carbon balance of the moss, cumulative carbon gain of the moss was calculated using a simulation model for the main part of the growing season. The results suggest that climatic warming may cause a reduction of carbon gain in some relatively photosynthetically inactive moss colonies.