A comprehensive approach for establishment of the platform to analyze functions of KIAA proteins II: public release of inaugural version of InGaP database containing gene/protein expression profiles for 127 mouse KIAA genes/proteins.

The inaugural version of the InGaP database (Integrative Gene and Protein expression database; http://www.kazusa.or.jp/ingap/index.html) is a comprehensive database of gene/protein expression profiles of 127 mKIAA genes/proteins related to hypothetical ones obtained in our ongoing cDNA project. Information about each gene/protein consists of cDNA microarray analysis, subcellular localization of the ectopically expressed gene, and experimental data using anti-mKIAA antibody such as Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. KIAA cDNAs and their mouse counterparts, mKIAA cDNAs, were mainly isolated from cDNA libraries derived from brain tissues, thus we expect our database to contribute to the field of neuroscience. In fact, cDNA microarray analysis revealed that nearly half of our gene collection is predominantly expressed in brain tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of the mouse brain provides functional insight into the specific area and/or cell type of the brain. This database will be a resource for the neuroscience community by seamlessly integrating the genomic and proteomic information about the mouse KIAA genes/proteins.     

The Triplet of Lysine Residues (Lys724-Lys725-Lys726) of Alzheimer's Amyloid Precursor Protein Plays an Important Role in Membrane Anchorage and Processing

Abstract: One of the pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease is the deposit of β/A4 protein, which is derived from Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (APR). In the secretory pathway, APR is cleaved at an internal region of β/A4 protein by a hypothetical enzyme “secretase.” Our previous study showed that the site of cleavage of APR by secretase is determined by the length from the membrane-spanning region. To investigate the role of the transmem- brane region in APR secretion, we constructed the mutations of triplet lysine residues (Lys⁷²⁴-Lys⁷²⁵-Lys⁷²⁶), which are located just in the carboxyl region after the proposed membrane domain. The mutations were as follows: VVK, Val⁷²⁴-Val⁷²⁵-Lys⁷²⁶; LLI, Leu⁷²⁴-Leu⁷²⁵-lle⁷²⁶; and EEE, Glu⁷²⁴-Glu⁷²⁵-Glu⁷²⁶. Wild-type APR and mutant APPs were expressed transiently in COS-1 cells by cDNA trans-fection. The hydrophobic mutant VVK and LLI were processed and secreted in a way similar to that of the wild- type APR, although the rate of secretion was decreased. The acidic mutant EEE was not secreted into medium. Proteinase K treatment and cell surface biotinylation of the COS-1 cells expressing APR revealed that APR was located in the plasma membrane with a short intracellular carboxyl region. However, EEE was completely digested by proteinase K treatment, which suggested that the whole residues of this mutant are located at the outer surface of the cell, including its proposed membrane domain and carboxyl region. This mutant was not cleaved at all by secretase. These findings suggested that the triplet lysine residues of APR after the predicted membrane spanning domain play an important role in the membrane anchorage. In addition, the membrane anchorage was also important for the normal processing by secretase.     

Hepatoprotective activity of tocha, the stems and leaves of Ampelopsis grossedentata, and ampelopsin

Hepatoprotective effect of the leaves and stems of Ampelopsis grossedentata together with its main constituent, ampelopsin, were examined on D-galactosamine induced liver injury in rats. The diet containing 50% ethanolic extract (1%) and ampelopsin (0.1%) markedly suppressed the increase of LDH, ALT, AST, alpha-tocopherol levels and GSG/GSSH caused by GalN treatment. These results suggested that ampelopsin from Tocha acted to prevent the oxidative stress in vivo that may have been due to active oxygen species formed by a macrophage by the action of GalN.     

Utilization of mammalian cells for efficient and reliable evaluation of specificity of antibodies to unravel the cellular function of mKIAA proteins

Complementary DNA (cDNA) clones for human KIAA genes have been isolated as long cDNAs (>4 kb) with unknown functions. To facilitate the functional analysis of these human clones, we have isolated and determined the structures of their respective mouse homologues (mKIAA genes). Furthermore, we have comprehensively raised antibodies against the translated mKIAA proteins in order to establish a platform for their functional analysis. Since the specificity of these antibodies is critical for subsequent analyses of protein function, here we introduce two assays utilizing mammalian cells to improve their evaluation. First, we have established a semi-high-throughput production of C-terminally FLAG epitope-tagged proteins for Western blotting using specially designed mammalian expression vectors. Secondly, we have utilized immunofluorescence staining of mouse cells to analyze the subcellular localization of endogenous mKIAA proteins. Importantly, these methods allow us to detect potential posttranslational modification of the mKIAA/KIAA proteins and to predict their biological function based on their subcellular localization.     

Total synthesis of both enantiomers of dictyochromenol and their (Z)-isomers

Total syntheses of both enantiomers of dictyochromenol (1) and its (Z)-stereoisomer (2) were achieved with high enantiomeric purity. The results of this study reveal the relationship between the optical rotation of the resolved 1 enantiomers.     

Enhanced antibody production of human-human hybridomas by retinoic acid

The enhancement of human monoclonal antibody production by retinoic acid (RA) was evaluated usingthe human-human hybridoma cell line BD9 underserum-free culture condition. The amount of humanIgG secreted by BD9 hybriodmas was enhanced abouteight-fold by treatment with 10^-7 M of RA for 4days. Northern blot analysis showed that both mRNAlevels of the IgG light and heavy chains were markedlyincreased by RA when compared with control without RAtreatment. On the other hand, it was found thatcontinuous treatment of cells with RA was not alwaysrequired to exhibit the enhancing effect, suggestingthat RA may act as a trigger for IgG gene expression. The comparison between extra- and intracellular IgGamounts by immunoblot analysis suggests that thesecretion rate of IgG may be accelerated by RAtreatment. These results suggest that RA may be aneffective culture additive for efficient production ofhuman monoclonal antibody using human-humanhybridomas.     

Lecanicillium primulinum,a new hyphomycete (Cordycipitaceae) from soils in the Okinawa's main island and the Bonin Islands,Japan

Lecanicillium primulinum, a new hyphomycete classified in the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales, Ascomycota), was isolated from soils collected from the Okinawa's main island and the Bonin Islands, Japan. Using a combination of micro-morphological characteristics and sequences of the ribosomal RNA genes and ITS regions, the isolates were identified as a species of Lecanicillium which was previously undescribed. Phylogenetically the species is close to L. acerosum and Lecanicillium sp. 1 and morphologically it is similar to L. longisporum, L. psalliotae and Lecanicillium sp. 1, but its microconidia differ and it is clearly separated phylogenetically.     

Interactions between normal and transformed epithelial cells: Their contributions to tumourigenesis

During the initial stages of carcinogenesis, neoplastic transformation occurs in single epithelial cells and the transformed cells proliferate while being surrounded by normal epithelia. In Drosophila, normal and transformed epithelial cells compete with each other for survival, a process called cell competition. However, it was not known whether comparable phenomena also occur in mammals. Recently, several reports have shown that the interaction between normal and transformed epithelial cells causes various phenomena in mammals. For example, with elaborate cell culture systems that express oncoproteins or knockdown tumour suppressor proteins in an inducible manner, certain types of transformed cells have been shown to be apically eliminated from normal epithelial layers in an apoptosis-dependent or -independent manner. During the process of apical extrusion, various signalling pathways are modulated in transformed cells located within the normal epithelium, indicating that the presence of surrounding normal epithelial cells affects the behaviour and fate of transformed cells. Recent studies in mice have also shown that normal and transformed cells can compete with each other for survival during several processes such as liver regeneration. In this review, we will introduce these recent publications on interactions between normal and transformed mammalian epithelial cells. Furthermore, we will discuss how these studies can potentially lead to identification of biomarkers for precancerous cells and to invention of novel types of cancer prevention and treatment.     

Integumental reddish-violet coloration owing to novel dichromatic chromatophores in the teleost fish, Pseudochromis diadema

In the reddish-violet parts of the skin of the diadema pseudochromis Pseudochromis diadema, we found novel dichromatic chromatophores with a reddish pigment and reflecting platelets. We named these novel cells 'erythro-iridophores'. In standard physiological solution, erythro-iridophores displayed two hues, red and dark violet when viewed with an optical microscope under ordinary transmission light and epi-illumination optics, respectively. Under transmission electron microscopy, however, we observed no typical red chromatosomes, i.e., erythrosomes, in the cytoplasm. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the pigment eluted from the erythro-iridophores indicated that carotenoid is the main pigment generating the reddish color. Furthermore, when the irrigating medium was a K(+)-rich saline solution, the color reflected from the erythro-iridophores changed from dark violet to sky blue, but the red coloration remained. The motile activities of the erythro-iridophores may participate in the changes in the reddish-violet shades of the pseudochromis fish.