Aberrant overexpression of 53BP2 mRNA in lung cancer cell lines

The p53-binding protein 2 (53BP2) was identified as a binding protein to a tumor suppressor p53. We examined the genetic aberrations of 53BP2 gene in various human cancer cell lines. Although no gross genomic alteration or mutation of 53BP2 gene was observed, 53BP2 mRNA levels were highly variable. There was no association between the 53BP2 mRNA level and the p53 status. When we examined sensitivities of these cell lines to DNA-damaging agents including UV irradiation, X-ray irradiation and cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum (CDDP), we found that higher 53BP2 mRNA expression was correlated with the sensitivity to these agents.     

Mass transport of proform of a KDEL-tailed cysteine proteinase (SH-EP) to protein storage vacuoles by endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicle is involved in protein mobilization in germinating seeds

A vacuolar cysteine proteinase, designated SH-EP, is expressed in the cotyledon of germinated Vigna mungo seeds and is responsible for the degradation of storage proteins. SH-EP is a characteristic vacuolar proteinase possessing a COOH-terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention sequence, KDEL. In this work, immunocytochemical analysis of the cotyledon cells of germinated V. mungo seeds was performed using seven kinds of antibodies to identify the intracellular transport pathway of SH-EP from ER to protein storage vacuoles. A proform of SH-EP synthesized in ER accumulated at the edge or middle region of ER where the transport vesicle was formed. The vesicle containing a large amount of proSH-EP, termed KV, budded off from ER, bypassed the Golgi complex, and was sorted to protein storage vacuoles. This massive transport of SH-EP via KV was thought to mediate dynamic protein mobilization in the cotyledon cells of germinated seeds. We discuss the possibilities that the KDEL sequence of KDEL-tailed vacuolar cysteine proteinases function as an accumulation signal at ER, and that the mass transport of the proteinases by ER-derived KV-like vesicle is involved in the protein mobilization of plants.     

Life history and demography of wild moor macaques (Macaca maurus): summary of ten years of observations

Data on the life history and demography of individual species are indispensable when we discuss social behavior from an evolutionary perspective, and when we attempt to make adequate conservation plans. This is the first report on the life history and demography of moor macaques in their natural habitat. Moor macaques (Macaca maurus) in the Karaenta Nature Reserve, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been observed since 1981. Individual identification of group members began in 1988. The size of the study group increased continuously, from 20 to 43, over this 10-year period of observation (1988-1998). The average population growth rate was 8.0%, and 45 births were confirmed during this period. They were categorized as moderately seasonal breeders. Mortality rate within one year after birth was 17.1%. Average inter-birth interval following surviving infants was 24.1 months, while that following early infant death was 15.0 months. As is the case in other species of macaques, males moved between groups while females stayed in their natal groups. Females seemed to exhibit their first perineal swelling at 4-6 years of age, and to have their first infant at 6-7 years. Males left their natal group at 7-9 years. Solitary males were seldom observed around the study group. The late dispersal of males from their natal groups and their infrequent movement between groups contrast with patterns in well-known macaque species such as Japanese macaques. Recently, differences in social characteristics among macaque species have attracted the attention of researchers. Our findings would be useful to further understanding of such social differences.     

Synthesis and properties of 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine and oligoribonucleotides containing 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine

A new method for the synthesis of 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine (s2Um) found in thermophilic bacterial tRNA was developed. Structural properties of s2Um and s2Um(p)U were studied by using 1H NMR spectroscopy. A modified nonaribonucleotide (RNA*: 5'-CGUUs2UmUUGC-3') was synthesized to study the base-recognition ability of s2Um in formation of RNA-RNA and RNA DNA duplexes. The UV melting experiments revealed that RNA*-RNA and RNA*-DNA duplexes having an s2U-A base pair are more stable than those having a U-A base pair. On the contrary, the thermal stability of RNA*-RNA and RNA*-DNA duplexes having an s2U-G wobble base pair was much lower than that of the unmodified duplexes having a natural U-G base pair. It is concluded that s2Um has higher selectivity toward A over G than unmodified U.