Kyushu University

About: Kyushu University is a education organization based out in Fukuoka, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 68284 authors who have published 135190 publications receiving 3055928 citations. The organization is also known as: Kyūshū Daigaku.

A giant nucleopore protein that binds Ran/TC4.

Abstract: RAN/TC4 is a small nuclear G protein1 that forms a complex with the chromatin-bound guanine nucleotide release factor RCC1 (ref. 2). Loss of RCC1 causes defects in cell cycle progression3,4, RNA export5-7 and nuclear protein import8. Some of these can be suppressed by overexpression of Ran/TC4 (ref. 1), suggesting that Ran/TC4 functions downstream of RCC1. We have searched for proteins that bind Ran/TC4 by using a two-hybrid screen, and here we report the identification of RanBP2, a novel protein of 3,224 residues. This giant protein comprises an amino-terminal 700-residue leucine-rich region, four RanBPl-homologous (refs 9, 10) domains, eight zinc-finger motifs similar to those of NUP153 (refs 11, 12), and a carboxy terminus with high homology to cyclophilin13. The molecule contains the XFXFG pentapeptide motif characteristic of nuclear pore complex (NPC) proteins14, and immunolocalization suggests that RanBP2 is a constituent of the NPC. The fact that NLS-mediated nuclear import can be inhibited by an antibody directed against RanBP2 supports a functional role in protein import through the NPC.

The changing prevalence and incidence of dementia over time — current evidence

Abstract: Dementia is an increasing focus for policymakers, civil organizations and multidisciplinary researchers. The most recent descriptive epidemiological research into dementia is enabling investigation into how the prevalence and incidence are changing over time. To establish clear trends, such comparisons need to be founded on population-based studies that use similar diagnostic and research methods consistently over time. This narrative Review synthesizes the findings from 14 studies that investigated trends in dementia prevalence (nine studies) and incidence (five studies) from Sweden, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, France, the USA, Japan and Nigeria. Besides the Japanese study, these studies indicate stable or declining prevalence and incidence of dementia, and some provide evidence of sex-specific changes. No single risk or protective factor has been identified that fully explains the observed trends, but major societal changes and improvements in living conditions, education and healthcare might have favourably influenced physical, mental and cognitive health throughout an individual's life course, and could be responsible for a reduced risk of dementia in later life. Analytical epidemiological approaches combined with translational neuroscientific research could provide a unique opportunity to explore the neuropathology that underlies changing occurrence of dementia in the general population.

Establishment and characterization of a steroidogenic human granulosa-like tumor cell line, KGN, that expresses functional follicle-stimulating hormone receptor.

Abstract: We established a steroidogenic human ovarian granulosa-like tumor cell line, designated KGN, from a patient with invasive ovarian granulosa cell carcinoma. KGN had a relatively long population doubling time of about 46.4 h and had an abnormal karyotype of 45,XX, 7q-, -22. A steroid analysis of the cultured medium by RIA performed 5 yr after the initiation of culture showed that KGN was able to secrete pregnenolone and progesterone, and both dramatically increased after stimulation with (Bu)(2)cAMP. However, little or no secretion of 17alpha-hydroxylated steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, or estradiol was observed. The aromatase activity of KGN was relatively high and was further stimulated by (Bu)(2)cAMP or FSH. These findings showed a pattern similar to that of steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells, thus allowing analysis of naturally occurring steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells. Fas-mediated apoptosis of KGN was also observed, which mimicked the physiological regulation of apoptosis in normal human granulosa cells. Based on these findings, this cell line is considered to be a very useful model for understanding the regulation of steroidogenesis, cell growth, and apoptosis in human granulosa cells.

Detection of pathogenic intestinal bacteria by Toll-like receptor 5 on intestinal CD11c+ lamina propria cells.

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize distinct microbial components and induce innate immune responses. TLR5 is triggered by bacterial flagellin. Here we generated Tlr5-/- mice and assessed TLR5 function in vivo. Unlike other TLRs, TLR5 was not expressed on conventional dendritic cells or macrophages. In contrast, TLR5 was expressed mainly on intestinal CD11c+ lamina propria cells (LPCs). CD11c+ LPCs detected pathogenic bacteria and secreted proinflammatory cytokines in a TLR5-dependent way. However, CD11c+ LPCs do not express TLR4 and did not secrete proinflammatory cytokines after exposure to a commensal bacterium. Notably, transport of pathogenic Salmonella typhimurium from the intestinal tract to mesenteric lymph nodes was impaired in Tlr5-/- mice. These data suggest that CD11c+ LPCs, via TLR5, detect and are used by pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal lumen.

Regulation of Toll/IL-1-receptor-mediated gene expression by the inducible nuclear protein IκBζ

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial components and trigger the inflammatory and immune responses against pathogens. IkappaBzeta (also known as MAIL and INAP) is an ankyrin-repeat-containing nuclear protein that is highly homologous to the IkappaB family member Bcl-3 (refs 1-6). Transcription of IkappaBzeta is rapidly induced by stimulation with TLR ligands and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Here we show that IkappaBzeta is indispensable for the expression of a subset of genes activated in TLR/IL-1R signalling pathways. IkappaBzeta-deficient cells show severe impairment of IL-6 production in response to a variety of TLR ligands as well as IL-1, but not in response to tumour-necrosis factor-alpha. Endogenous IkappaBzeta specifically associates with the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB, and is recruited to the NF-kappaB binding site of the IL-6 promoter on stimulation. Moreover, NF-kappaB1/p50-deficient mice show responses to TLR/IL-1R ligands similar to those of IkappaBzeta-deficient mice. Endotoxin-induced expression of other genes such as Il12b and Csf2 is also abrogated in IkappaBzeta-deficient macrophages. Given that the lipopolysaccharide-induced transcription of IkappaBzeta occurs earlier than transcription of these genes, some TLR/IL-1R-mediated responses may be regulated in a gene expression process of at least two steps that requires inducible IkappaBzeta.