Inhibition of HCV Replication in HCV Replicon by shRNAs

We show that the vector-derived long dsRNA specifically inhibits the replication of HCV RNA in HCV replicon. We designed a long dsRNA targeted to the full-length HCV IRES/core elements (1-to 377-nt). Our results revealed that the replication of HCV RNA was reduced to near background levels in a sequence-specific manner by the long dsRNAs in the HCV replicon. We also designed four shRNAs against several regions (120- to 139-nt, 260- to 279-nt, 330- to 349-nt, and 340- to 359-nt) of the HCV IRES/Core elements. The two HCV IRES/core-specific shRNAs, 330- to 349-nt and 340- to 359-nt, containing the AUG initiation codon sequence showed stronger HCV inhibitory effects than the other two shRNAs, 120- to 139-nt and 260- to 279-nt.     

Genome-Wide Association Studies Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers Developed by Re-Sequencing of the Genomes of Cultivated Tomato

With the aim of understanding relationship between genetic and phenotypic variations in cultivated tomato, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers covering the whole genome of cultivated tomato were developed and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed. The whole genomes of six tomato lines were sequenced with the ABI-5500xl SOLiD sequencer. Sequence reads covering ∼13.7× of the genome for each line were obtained, and mapped onto tomato reference genomes (SL2.40) to detect ∼1.5 million SNP candidates. Of the identified SNPs, 1.5% were considered to confer gene functions. In the subsequent Illumina GoldenGate assay for 1536 SNPs, 1293 SNPs were successfully genotyped, and 1248 showed polymorphisms among 663 tomato accessions. The whole-genome linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis detected highly biased LD decays between euchromatic (58 kb) and heterochromatic regions (13.8 Mb). Subsequent GWAS identified SNPs that were significantly associated with agronomical traits, with SNP loci located near genes that were previously reported as candidates for these traits. This study demonstrates that attractive loci can be identified by performing GWAS with a large number of SNPs obtained from re-sequencing analysis.     

Rapid and accurate quantitative analysis of fermentation gases by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy was employed for the precise quantitative analysis of a gaseous mixture. The band ratio between the Raman band of the target gas and that of the external standard was calculated and found to be proportional to the pressure of the target gas. The linearity of the calibration curves was very good (higher than 0.999). The mole fractions of atmospheric nitrogen and atmospheric oxygen were determined from their partial pressures. The average molar fraction of atmospheric nitrogen was calculated to be 0.790, similar to the literature value. Those of methane, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, which are produced by fermentation, were also determined from the Raman spectrum. The values were identical to those obtained from the measured volume of each gas. The possibility of quantifying gas molecules by Raman spectroscopy is demonstrated.     

Development of simple sequence repeat markers and construction of a high-density linkage map of Capsicum annuum

To facilitate marker-assisted breeding and genetic analyses of pepper (Capsicum annuum), we developed non-redundant 2- or 3-base simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from enriched C. annuum genomic libraries and from C. annuum cDNA sequences in public databases. The SSR-enriched libraries were constructed using combinations of three restriction enzymes (AluI, HaeIII, and RsaI) and two biotinylated oligonucleotides [b(GA)₁₅ and b(CA)₁₅]. Ultimately, we obtained 1,736 genomic SSR markers and 1,344 cDNA-derived SSR markers from 6,528 clones and 13,003 sequences, respectively. We mapped 597 markers, including 265 of the newly developed SSR markers, onto a linkage map by using doubled-haploid (DH) lines derived from an intraspecific cross of two pure lines of C. annuum (K9-11 × MZC-180). The map, designated as the KL-DH map, consisted of 12 linkage groups. The map covered a genetic distance of 2,028 cM, and the average distance between markers was less than 4 cM. The frame structure of the KL-DH map was compared with the published standard conserved ortholog set II (COSII) map, which was derived from an interspecific F₂ population (C. frutescens × C. annuum), by using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) chromosomal sequences to bridge the two maps. The intraspecific KL-DH map constructed in this study and the interspecific COSII map were similar in map length and marker distribution, suggesting that the KL-DH map covers nearly the whole genome of C. annuum.     

Infectivity of Cryptosporidium andersoni Kawatabi type relative to the small number of oocysts in immunodeficient and immunocompetent neonatal and adult mice

Cryptosporidium andersoni is a protozoan parasite found in many countries that invades the stomachs of primarily adult cattle. Unlike the isolates of C. andersoni in cattle from other countries, C. andersoni isolates from Japanese cattle can infect mice and were identified as a novel type and later defined as C. andersoni Kawatabi type. The biological characteristics of C. andersoni Kawatabi type have not yet been well documented. In the present study, we assess the infectivity of this type isolate in mice with different immune competence status and age. We found that inoculation of more than 1 × 10⁴ oocysts is needed to establish infection in mature mice irrespective of immune status. All of the infected immunocompetent mice recovered after a patent period of approximately 20 days. In immunodeficient mice, the pre-patent period was prolonged compared with that of 1 × 10⁶ oocysts, but the pattern and the maximum shedding measured by the number of oocysts per day were almost identical. In neonatal immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, inoculation with 1 × 10⁴ to 10⁵ oocysts was also needed to establish infection. Our results indicate that there is a threshold of oocysts needed to establish patent infection in the acidic conditions of the stomach.     

Estimation of carbon biomass and community structure of planktonic bacteria in Lake Biwa using respiratory quinone analysis

The relationship between bacterial respiratory quinone (RQ) concentration and biomass was assessed for Lake Biwa bacterial assemblages to evaluate the utility of bacterial RQ concentration as an indicator of bacterial carbon. The biomass estimated from the RQ concentration correlated well with that from cell volume, indicating that RQ concentration is an appropriate indicator of bacterial biomass. The estimated carbon content per unit of RQ (carbon conversion factor) of bacteria was 0.67 mg C nmol RQ^?1. Bacterial carbon biomass, which was estimated from the RQ concentration using the conversion factor, ranged between 0.008 and 0.054 mg C L^?1 (average 0.025 mg C L^?1) at 5 m depth and between 0.010 and 0.024 mg C L^?1 (average 0.015 mg C L^?1) at 70 m depth. Ubiquinone-8-containing bacteria dominated the epilimnion and hypolimnion. Compared to conventional image analysis, bacterial RQ analysis is a less laborious method of simultaneously determining bacterial biomass and community.     

Human Cdc14A becomes a cell cycle gene in controlling Cdk1 activity at the G2/M transition

Cdc14 belongs to a dual-specificity phosphatase family highly conserved through evolution that preferentially reverses CDK (Cyclin dependent kinases) –dependent phosphorylation events. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cdc14 is an essential regulator of late mitotic events and exit from mitosis by counteracting CDK activity at the end of mitosis. However, many studies have shown that Cdc14 is dispensable for exiting mitosis in all other model systems analyzed. In fission yeast, the Cdc14 homologue Flp1/Clp1 regulates the stability of the mitotic inducer Cdc25 at the end of mitosis to ensure Cdk1 inactivation before cytokinesis. We have recently reported that human Cdc14A, the Cdc14 isoform located at the centrosomes during interphase, down-regulates Cdc25 activity at the G2/M transition to prevent premature activation of Cdk1-Cyclin B1 complexes and untimely entry into mitosis. Here we speculate about new molecular mechanisms for Cdc14A and discuss the current evidence suggesting that Cdc14 phosphatase plays a role in cell cycle control in higher eukaryotes.     

The Role of NF-κB Signaling in the Maintenance of Pluripotency of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

NF-κB signaling plays an essential role in maintaining the undifferentiated state of embryonic stem (ES) cells. However, opposing roles of NF-κB have been reported in mouse and human ES cells, and the role of NF-κB in human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has not yet been clarified. Here, we report the role of NF-κB signaling in maintaining the undifferentiated state of human iPS cells. Compared with differentiated cells, undifferentiated human iPS cells showed an augmentation of NF-κB activity. During differentiation induced by the removal of feeder cells and FGF2, we observed a reduction in NF-κB activity, the expression of the undifferentiation markers Oct3/4 and Nanog, and the up-regulation of the differentiated markers WT-1 and Pax-2. The specific knockdown of NF-κB signaling using p65 siRNA also reduced the expression of Oct3/4 and Nanog and up-regulated WT-1 and Pax-2 but did not change the ES-like colony formation. Our results show that the augmentation of NF-κB signaling maintains the undifferentiated state of human iPS and suggest the importance of this signaling pathway in maintenance of human iPS cells.