Cloning and Characterization of Two Novel Human cDNAs (NELL1 and NELL2) Encoding Proteins with Six EGF-like Repeats

From a human fetal-brain cDNA library we isolated two novel genes encoding peptides containing six EGF-like repeats. Both showed significant homologies with nel, a gene strongly expressed in neural tissues of chicken. The cDNAs, designated NELL1 (nel-like, type 1) and NELL2 (nel-like, type 2), contained open reading frames encoding 810 and 816 amino acids, respectively. NELL2 is strongly expressed in brain of adult and fetus but only weakly in fetal kidney. NELL1 and NELL2 were mapped by FISH to chromosomal bands 11p15.1–p15.2 and 12q13.11–q13.12, respectively.     

EcoBalance 2018—Nexus of ideas: innovation by linking through life cycle thinking (9–12 October 2018, Tokyo,Japan)

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment -     

Genetic determinants of plasma triglyceride levels in (OLETF x BN) x OLETF backcross rats

Altered lipid metabolism is closely associated with diabetes in humans, although predisposing genetic factors that affect hyperlipidemia have not yet been clarified. Our previously established OLETF strain is an obese rat model of type II diabetes, exhibiting hypertriglycemia as well as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and abundant abdominal fat. To identify genetic factors responsible for dyslipidemic phenotypes in OLETF rats, we performed a whole-genome scan using 293 male (OLETF x BN) x OLETF backcross rats. Our analysis identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), on rat chromosomes 1 and 8, that are related to fasting triglyceride levels. The chromosome 1 QTL colocalized with Dmo1 (diabetes mellitus, OLETF type 1), a locus previously shown to associate strongly with both fat levels and body weight. The other significant QTL localizes to the chromosome 8 marker D8Mit2, in a region where several apo-lipoprotein genes are clustered.     

Identification and characterization of TMEFF2, a novel survival factor for hippocampal and mesencephalic neurons

We have identified a novel mammalian gene, TMEFF2, that encodes a putative transmembrane protein containing two follistatin-like domains and one epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain. The TMEFF2 gene is predominantly expressed in the brain. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that TMEFF2 is widely expressed in the brain, including hippocampal cornu ammonis, dentate gyrus, and substantia nigra pars compacta. We evaluated the survival effect of TMEFF2 using primary cultured neurons from several regions of fetal rat brain following treatment with a recombinant TMEFF2 protein fragment consisting of the putative extracellular domain. TMEFF2 increased survival of neurons from the hippocampus and midbrain, but not from the cerebral cortex, indicating that the survival effects of TMEFF2 are specific to certain cell types. Recombinant TMEFF2 also promoted survival of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Together, these findings suggest that TMEFF2 may be a novel survival factor for hippocampal and mesencephalic, but not for cortical, neurons.