Troop composition data of wild Japanese macaques reviewed by multivariate methods

The troop composition (numbers of adult males,X ₁, adult females,X ₂, juveniles,X ₃, and infants,X ₄) of the Japanese macaque,Macaca fuscata, was examined using principal component analysis and discriminant analysis with 35 data sets from its entire distribution range.X ₂,X ₃ andX ₄ showed an equally high, positive correlation with one another. The variations of the troop composition variables were reinterpreted by a component representing the troop “size” and those representing “shape.” The data sets were sorted into three habitat zone groups from north to south. The functions discriminating between the habitat zone groups indicated thatX ₂ andX ₄ largely suffice for the discrimination. Examination ofX ₂ andX ₄ revealed that the troops in the south have a greaterX ₄/X ₂ ratio; however, further examination of this result indicated a relatively high offspring/female ratio only in the disturbed middle habitat zone but no conclusive latitudinal difference of birth rate. The results were discussed in relation to socioecology of the species. Order of authorship determined by a flip of a coin.     

The first detection of the insertion sequence ISW1 in the intracellular reproductive parasite Wolbachia.

Wolbachia are maternally inherited intracellular rickettsia-like bacteria known to infect a wide range of arthropods. They are associated with a number of different reproductive phenotypes in their hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, and feminization. We report on a novel insertion sequence (IS), ISW1, which was identified in the region downstream of groEL of a Wolbachia strain, wTai. The 573-bp-long ISW1 sequence is the first IS element observed in this organism, displays significant similarity to IS200, and lacks terminal inverted repeats. There were more than 20 copies of ISW1 on the chromosome of wTai. Sequence analysis of nine distinct ISW1 copies and their flanking regions showed that the copies were identical and suggested that ISW1 has no preference for its insertion sites. Possible roles of ISW1 in the adaptation of Wolbachia to intracellular environments and in various reproductive alterations caused by this bacterium are discussed.     

Synthesis of the mating factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its truncated peptides : the structure-activity relationship.

The mating factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr, has been synthesized to confirm the structure of the natural mating factor. The tridecapeptide has the same biological activity as the natural mating factor. From the studies on the biological activity of its truncated peptide synthesized the minimum sequence of the peptide require for the mating factor was deduced to be as His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln.     

Discovery of NR2B-selective antagonists via scaffold hopping and pharmacokinetic profile optimization

Selective N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) antagonists show potential as analgesic drugs, and do not cause side effects associated with non-selective N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. Using a scaffold-hopping approach, we previously identified isoxazole derivative 4 as a potent selective NR2B antagonist. In this study, further scaffold hopping of isoxazole derivative 4 and optimization of its pharmacokinetic profile led to the discovery of the orally bioavailable compound 6v. In a rat study of analgesia, 6v demonstrated analgesic effects against neuropathic pain.     

Persistent trefoil factor 1 expression imprinted on mouse vaginal epithelium by neonatal estrogenization

Exposure of female mice to estrogenic substances during the neonatal period induces developmental defects in the reproductive tract such as estrogen-independent persistent proliferation of the vaginal epithelium, which often leads to carcinogenesis in adulthood. In this study, several estrogen-regulated genes have been identified in the neonatal mouse vagina by DNA microarray hybridization analysis. Among the genes up-regulated in the developing vagina by a high dose of estrogen, trefoil factor 1 (TFF1), a mucin-associated gastrointestinal growth factor, showed a unique expression pattern in accordance with the irreversible changes induced by neonatal estrogenization in the vagina. Vaginal expression of TFF1 mRNA was markedly increased by estrogen in neonatal mice but not in adults, and pronouncedly intensified expression of the gastrointestinal gene was observed in the vagina of neonatally estrogenized mice even at adulthood. The specific localization of TFF1 protein in the epithelium of neonatally estrogenized vagina was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, without any obvious alteration in the expression of gel-forming mucin genes, the lumen of the neonatally estrogenized vagina became filled with periodic-acid-Schiff-stained mucinous gel, which was possibly caused by the overexpression of TFF1. Thus, estrogen acts directly on the developing vagina in the permanent induction of TFF1 gene expression, and the gene induction does not appear to be related to hypermethylation of the cis-promoter of the TFF1 gene. TFF1 may be a useful marker for developmental estrogenization syndrome of the mouse vagina. This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture, Japan, and grants from the University of Tsukuba to M. M.