Paramecium decaurelia and Paramecium dodecaurelia from the P. aurelia spp. complex in Japan

The presence of Paramecium decaurelia (three strains) and Paramecium dodecaurelia (two strains) were recorded in Japan, for the first time in this country and outside the USA.     

Examination of molar-based distribution of A,B and C chains of amylopectin by fluorescent labeling with 2-aminopyridine

A method for determination of a molar-based distribution of A, B and C chains of amylopectin was developed. Labeling with fluorescent 2-aminopyridine was proportional to the number-average degree of polymerization (dp(n)) of the chains in the range of 6-440. Number-average chain lengths (cl(n)) of amylopectins from six different plant sources (rice, maize, wheat, potato, sweet potato and yam) determined by the labeling method were in good agreement with values obtained by determination of non-reducing residues. The molar-based distributions were polymodal (A, B(1) and B(2)+B(3) fractions) and characteristic to botanical sources. Amylopectins from starches with A-crystalline type had higher amount of A+B(1) chains (90-93% by mole) than starches with B-type (68-87%). Molar ratios of (A+B(1))/(B(2)+B(3)) were 8.9-12.9 for the A-type starches and 2.1-6.5 for the B-type starches, suggesting that amylopectins of A-type starches had 1.5-2 times more branches per cluster than B-type. The distributions of C chains, except for amylomaize, showed a broad, asymmetrical profile from dp approximately 10 to approximately 130 with a peak at dp approximately 40 and were very similar among botanical sources, suggesting that the biosynthetic process for C chains is similar in different plant species.     

Crystal structure and nucleotide sequence of an anionic trypsin from chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in comparison with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and bovine trypsin

The nucleotide sequence and crystal structure of chum salmon trypsin (CST) are now reported. The cDNA isolated from the pyloric caeca of chum salmon encodes 222 amino acid residues, the same number of residues as the anionic Atlantic salmon trypsin (AST), but one residue less than bovine beta-trypsin (BT). The net charge on CST determined from the sum of all charged amino acid side-chains is -3. There are 79 sequence differences between CST and BT, but only seven sequence differences between CST and AST. Anionic CST isolated from pyloric caeca has also been purified and crystallized; the structure of the CST-benzamidine complex has been determined to 1.8A resolution. The overall tertiary structure of CST is similar to that of AST and BT, but some differences are observed among the three trypsins. The most striking difference is at the C terminus of CST, where the expected last two residues are absent. The absence of these residues likely increases the flexibility of CST by the loss of important interactions between the N and C-terminal domains. Similarly, the lack of Tyr151 in CST (when compared with BT) allows more space for Gln192 in the active site thereby increasing substrate accessibility to the binding pocket. Lys152 in CST also adopts the important role of stabilizing the loop from residue 142 to 153. These observations on CST provide a complementary view of a second cold-adapted trypsin, which in comparison with the structures of AST and BT, suggest a structural basis for differences in enzymatic activity between enzymes from cold-adapted species and mammals.     

Identification of the sex pheromone components secreted by female moths of Peridroma saucia (Noctuidae: Noctuinae)

The variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia Hübner, is a lepidopteran pest to a large number of crops in Canada, the United States, and Europe. It was probably naturalized in Japan in the 1970s. The pheromone glands of the female moth include two components with electroantennographic activity in a ratio of 3:1. GC-MS analyses of pheromone extracts untreated and treated with dimethyl disulfide revealed the major component to be (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate and the minor component to be (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate. The synthetic pheromone was used to attract a large number of males in a vegetable field in Tokyo, which suggests that this species has already become a harmful pest in Japan.     

Examination of morphological changes in the first formed protoxylem in Arabidopsis seedlings

We examined morphological changes in the first-formed protoxylem vessels in Arabidopsis seedlings. Between 2.5 and 8 days after imbibition, mean hypocotyl and root length increased 1.52 and 23.3 times, respectively. In the 2.5-day-old seedlings, two continuous protoxylem vessels were present in the hypocotyl-root axis. In the 8-day-old upper hypocotyls, six protoxylem vessels were observed, and in the lower hypocotyls, four protoxylem vessels and one or two metaxylem vessels were observed. In the 8-day-old roots, there were two protoxylem vessels and two or three metaxylem vessels. Two protoxylem vessels in the hypocotyls connected to two metaxylem vessels in the roots of 8-day-old seedlings. At the 0.3-mm part below the hypocotyl-root boundary, the mean intervals of neighboring annular secondary wall thickenings in protoxylem vessels in 8-day-old roots were 12.9% larger than those in 2.5-day-old roots. In more apical parts of 8-day-old roots, the mean intervals fluctuated between 1.71 and 2.29 microm. In 8-day-old seedlings, metaxylem vessels were formed between 0.4 mm above the hypocotyl-root boundary and 17 mm below the boundary. The intervals in these regions were not extended so much as protoxylem vessels were collapsed. The first-formed protoxylem vessels presumably retain their water-conductive function after metaxylem formation.     

Synthesis and testing of 2alpha-modified 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) analogues with a double side chain: marked cell differentiation activity

The 2alpha-methyl-, 2alpha-(3-hydroxypropyl)-, and 2alpha-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-derivatives of the 'double side chain' analogue of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) were synthesized using Trost A-ring/CD-ring connective strategy. Regarding the requisite A-ring building blocks, a new, high yield and stereoselective route to the 2alpha-methyl compound starting from D-glucose was developed. All three new analogues showed potent HL-60 cancer cell differentiation activity.     

Effect of metformin on adipose tissue resistin expression in db/db mice

Resistin, a novel adipose-derived protein, has been proposed to cause insulin-resistant states in obesity. To evaluate whether an insulin-sensitizing drug, metformin, regulates adipose tissue resistin expression, murine models of obesity and diabetes, db/db mice, were treated with metformin (metformin group), insulin (insulin group), and vehicle (control group) for 4 weeks, followed by analyzing resistin protein expression in their adipose tissues. Unexpectedly, resistin protein expression was increased by 66% in the metformin group relative to the control group, while it did not differ between the insulin and control groups. Hyperinsulinemia was improved in the metformin group, while the insulin group exhibited severe hyperinsulinemia, similar to the control group. Furthermore, in comparison between obese mice (db/db mice) and age-matched lean controls, resistin protein expression was reduced by 58% in the obese mice with severe hyperinsulinemia. These data collectively suggest that resistin expression may be suppressed by hyperinsulinemia and that metformin may upregulate resistin expression via the improvement of hyperinsulinemia in obesity.     

Dual abnormal effects of mutant MITF encoded by Mi(wh) allele on mouse mast cells: decreased but recognizable transactivation and inhibition of transactivation

Structural localization of a peptide region, KRQPRNPKTDKLVNE, in the catalytic subunit of (Na(+) + K(+))-ATPase was investigated using a specific antibody directed against this peptide in cultured African green monkey kidney CV-1 cells. Immunofluorescence staining of frozen cell sections shows that an anti-KRQPRNPKTDKLVNE antibody (SSA95) interacts with its antigenic site and binds to the extracellular side of the cell membrane. Indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analyses confirmed the presence of this epitope on intact cell surfaces. These results suggest that the KRQPRNPKTDKLVNE region of the (Na(+) + K(+))-ATPase is expressed on the cellular membrane surface.