Showing papers by "Osaka University published in 2011"
TL;DR: The role played by TLRs in mounting protective immune responses against infection and their crosstalk with other PRRs with respect to pathogen recognition is focused on.
3,113 citations
TL;DR: Oral inoculation of Clostridium during the early life of conventionally reared mice resulted in resistance to colitis and systemic immunoglobulin E responses in adult mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach to autoimmunity and allergy.
Abstract: CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), which express the Foxp3 transcription factor, play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Here, we show that in mice, Tregs were most abundant in the colonic mucosa. The spore-forming component of indigenous intestinal microbiota, particularly clusters IV and XIVa of the genus Clostridium, promoted Treg cell accumulation. Colonization of mice by a defined mix of Clostridium strains provided an environment rich in transforming growth factor–β and affected Foxp3+ Treg number and function in the colon. Oral inoculation of Clostridium during the early life of conventionally reared mice resulted in resistance to colitis and systemic immunoglobulin E responses in adult mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach to autoimmunity and allergy.
3,096 citations
TL;DR: The molecular mechanism of autophagosome formation is described with particular focus on the function of Atg proteins and the long-standing discussion regarding the origin of the autophagous membrane membrane.
Abstract: Macroautophagy is mediated by a unique organelle, the autophagosome, which encloses a portion of cytoplasm for delivery to the lysosome. Autophagosome formation is dynamically regulated by starvation and other stresses and involves complicated membrane reorganization. Since the discovery of yeast Atg-related proteins, autophagosome formation has been dissected at the molecular level. In this review we describe the molecular mechanism of autophagosome formation with particular focus on the function of Atg proteins and the long-standing discussion regarding the origin of the autophagosome membrane.
2,522 citations
TL;DR: In this review, a comprehensively review the recent progress in the field of PAMP recognition by PRRs and the signaling pathways activated byPRRs.
Abstract: Microbial infection initiates complex interactions between the pathogen and the host. Pathogens express several signature molecules, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are essential for survival and pathogenicity. PAMPs are sensed by evolutionarily conserved, germline-encoded host sensors known as pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Recognition of PAMPs by PRRs rapidly triggers an array of anti-microbial immune responses through the induction of various inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and type I interferons. These responses also initiate the development of pathogen-specific, long-lasting adaptive immunity through B and T lymphocytes. Several families of PRRs, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), and DNA receptors (cytosolic sensors for DNA), are known to play a crucial role in host defense. In this review, we comprehensively review the recent progress in the field of PAMP recognition by PRRs and the signaling pathways activated by PRRs.
1,896 citations
TL;DR: A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function, and these findings suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Abstract: Blood pressure is a heritable trait(1) influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (>= 140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or >= 90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure)(2). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events(3). This genome-wide association study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which used a multi-stage design in 200,000 individuals of European descent, identified sixteen novel loci: six of these loci contain genes previously known or suspected to regulate blood pressure (GUCY1A3-GUCY1B3, NPR3-C5orf23, ADM, FURIN-FES, GOSR2, GNAS-EDN3); the other ten provide new clues to blood pressure physiology. A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function. We also observed associations with blood pressure in East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry individuals. Our findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of blood pressure, and suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention.
1,829 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that acetate produced by protective bifidobacteria improves intestinal defence mediated by epithelial cells and thereby protects the host against lethal infection.
Abstract: The human gut is colonized with a wide variety of microorganisms, including species, such as those belonging to the bacterial genus Bifidobacterium, that have beneficial effects on human physiology and pathology. Among the most distinctive benefits of bifidobacteria are modulation of host defence responses and protection against infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have barely been elucidated. To investigate these mechanisms, we used mice associated with certain bifidobacterial strains and a simplified model of lethal infection with enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7, together with an integrated 'omics' approach. Here we show that genes encoding an ATP-binding-cassette-type carbohydrate transporter present in certain bifidobacteria contribute to protecting mice against death induced by E. coli O157:H7. We found that this effect can be attributed, at least in part, to increased production of acetate and that translocation of the E. coli O157:H7 Shiga toxin from the gut lumen to the blood was inhibited. We propose that acetate produced by protective bifidobacteria improves intestinal defence mediated by epithelial cells and thereby protects the host against lethal infection.
1,799 citations
TL;DR: The dynamic, autonomous formation of the optic cup (retinal primordium) structure from a three-dimensional culture of mouse embryonic stem cell aggregates is reported, demonstrating that optic-cup morphogenesis in this simple cell culture depends on an intrinsic self-organizing program involving stepwise and domain-specific regulation of local epithelial properties.
Abstract: Balanced organogenesis requires the orchestration of multiple cellular interactions to create the collective cell behaviours that progressively shape developing tissues. It is currently unclear how individual, localized parts are able to coordinate with each other to develop a whole organ shape. Here we report the dynamic, autonomous formation of the optic cup (retinal primordium) structure from a three-dimensional culture of mouse embryonic stem cell aggregates. Embryonic-stem-cell-derived retinal epithelium spontaneously formed hemispherical epithelial vesicles that became patterned along their proximal-distal axis. Whereas the proximal portion differentiated into mechanically rigid pigment epithelium, the flexible distal portion progressively folded inward to form a shape reminiscent of the embryonic optic cup, exhibited interkinetic nuclear migration and generated stratified neural retinal tissue, as seen in vivo. We demonstrate that optic-cup morphogenesis in this simple cell culture depends on an intrinsic self-organizing program involving stepwise and domain-specific regulation of local epithelial properties.
1,633 citations
TL;DR: The findings suggest that HOTAIR expression is associated with a genome-wide reprogramming of PRC2 function not only in breast cancer but also in CRC, where upregulation of this long ncRNA may be a critical element in metastatic progression.
Abstract: The functional impact of recently discovered long noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in human cancer remains to be clarified. One long ncRNA which has attracted attention is the Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA termed HOTAIR, a long ncRNA expressed from the developmental HOXC locus located on chromosome 12q13.13. In cooperation with Polycomb complex PRC2, the HOTAIR long ncRNA is reported to reprogram chromatin organization and promote breast cancer metastasis. In this study, we examined the status and function of HOTAIR in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) who have liver metastases and a poor prognosis. HOTAIR expression levels were higher in cancerous tissues than in corresponding noncancerous tissues and high HOTAIR expression correlated tightly with the presence of liver metastasis. Moreover, patients with high HOTAIR expression had a relatively poorer prognosis. In a subset of 32 CRC specimens, gene set enrichment analysis using cDNA array data revealed a close correlation between expression of HOTAIR and members of the PRC2 complex (SUZ12, EZH2, and H3K27me3). Our findings suggest that HOTAIR expression is associated with a genome-wide reprogramming of PRC2 function not only in breast cancer but also in CRC, where upregulation of this long ncRNA may be a critical element in metastatic progression.
1,160 citations
TL;DR: The formation of supramolecular hydrogels and their redox-responsive and self-healing properties due to host–guest interactions are reported and cyclodextrin is employed as a host molecule because it is environmentally benign and has diverse applications.
Abstract: Stimulus-responsive hydrogels have previously been developed that display heat-, light-, pH- or redox-induced sol–gel transitions. Nakahata et al. develop a self-healing supramolecular hydrogel based on host–guest polymers in which redox potential can induce a reversible sol–gel phase transition.
1,140 citations
TL;DR: The current progress of terahertz-wave technologies related to communications applications are examined and some issues that need to be considered for the future of THz communications are discussed.
Abstract: Recent changes in how people consume multimedia services are causing an explosive increase in mobile traffic. With more and more people using wireless networks, the demand for the ultra-fast wireless communications systems is increasing. To date, this demand has been accommodated with advanced modulation schemes and signal-processing technologies at microwave frequencies. However, without increasing the carrier frequencies for more spectral resources, it may be quite difficult to keep up with the needs of users. Although there are several alternative bands, recent advances in terahertz-wave (THz-wave) technologies have attracted attention due to the huge bandwidth of THz waves and its potential for use in wireless communications. The frequency band of 275 ~ 3000 GHz , which has not been allocated for specific uses yet, is especially of interest for future wireless systems with data rates of 10 Gb/s or higher. Although THz communications is still in a very early stage of development, there have been lots of reports that show its potential. In this review, we will examine the current progress of THz-wave technologies related to communications applications and discuss some issues that need to be considered for the future of THz communications.
1,072 citations
Marcos Daniel Actis1, G. Agnetta2, Felix Aharonian3, A. G. Akhperjanian +682 more•Institutions (109)
TL;DR: The ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes as mentioned in this paper, which is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100GeV and above 100 TeV.
Abstract: Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
Kyoto University1, Brookhaven National Laboratory2, KEK3, Nagoya University4, Université Paris-Saclay5, University of Washington6, University of Connecticut7, University of Bern8, Spanish National Research Council9, University of Southern Denmark10, University of Rome Tor Vergata11, University of Wuppertal12, Forschungszentrum Jülich13, Osaka University14, San Francisco State University15, Indiana University16, Graduate University for Advanced Studies17, American Physical Society18, University of Edinburgh19, University of Southampton20, Aix-Marseille University21, National Chiao Tung University22, Roma Tre University23, Columbia University24, Autonomous University of Madrid25, University of Mainz26
TL;DR: The determination of the light-quark masses, the form factor, and the decay-constant ratio arising in semileptonic $$K \rightarrow \pi $$K→π transition at zero momentum transfer are reported on.
Abstract: We review lattice results related to pion, kaon, D- and B-meson physics with the aim of making them easily accessible to the particle physics community. More specifically, we report on the determination of the light-quark masses, the form factor f+(0), arising in semileptonic K -> pi transition at zero momentum transfer, as well as the decay constant ratio fK/fpi of decay constants and its consequences for the CKM matrix elements Vus and Vud. Furthermore, we describe the results obtained on the lattice for some of the low-energy constants of SU(2)LxSU(2)R and SU(3)LxSU(3)R Chiral Perturbation Theory and review the determination of the BK parameter of neutral kaon mixing. The inclusion of heavy-quark quantities significantly expands the FLAG scope with respect to the previous review. Therefore, for this review, we focus on D- and B-meson decay constants, form factors, and mixing parameters, since these are most relevant for the determination of CKM matrix elements and the global CKM unitarity-triangle fit. In addition we review the status of lattice determinations of the strong coupling constant alpha_s.
TL;DR: An overview of emerging technologies and system research that might lead to ubiquitous THz communication systems in the future is given.
Abstract: The increasing demand of unoccupied and unregulated bandwidth for wireless communication systems will inevitably lead to the extension of operation frequencies toward the lower THz frequency range. Higher carrier frequencies will allow for fast transmission of huge amounts of data as needed for new emerging applications. Despite the tremendous hurdles that have to be overcome with regard to sources and detectors, circuit and antenna technology and system architecture to realize ultrafast data transmission in a scenario with extensive transmission loss, a new area of research is beginning to form. In this article we give an overview of emerging technologies and system research that might lead to ubiquitous THz communication systems in the future.
TL;DR: The data suggest an important role of 5hmC and Tet3 for DNA methylation reprogramming processes in the mammalian zygote, as detected in mouse, bovine and rabbit zygotes.
Abstract: The epigenomes of early mammalian embryos are extensively reprogrammed to acquire a totipotent developmental potential. A major initial event in this reprogramming is the active loss/demethylation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in the zygote. Here, we report on findings that link this active demethylation to molecular mechanisms. We detect 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) as a novel modification in mouse, bovine and rabbit zygotes. On zygotic development 5hmC accumulates in the paternal pronucleus along with a reduction of 5mC. A knockdown of the 5hmC generating dioxygenase Tet3 simultaneously affects the patterns of 5hmC and 5mC in the paternal pronucleus. This finding links the loss of 5mC to its conversion into 5hmC. The maternal pronucleus seems to be largely protected against this mechanism by PGC7/Dppa3/Stella, as in PGC7 knockout zygotes 5mC also becomes accessible to oxidation into 5hmC. In summary, our data suggest an important role of 5hmC and Tet3 for DNA methylation reprogramming processes in the mammalian zygote.
TL;DR: It is shown here that it is possible to reprogram mouse and human cells to pluripotency by direct transfection of mature double-stranded microRNAs (miRNAs) and it holds significant potential for biomedical research and regenerative medicine.
Purdue University1, Kanazawa University2, Graduate University for Advanced Studies3, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan4, University of California, Davis5, Monash University6, Pennsylvania State University7, University at Buffalo8, New York Botanical Garden9, University of Regina10, University of Arizona11, University of Georgia12, University of Potsdam13, Salk Institute for Biological Studies14, Charles University in Prague15, College of William & Mary16, University of California, San Diego17, École normale supérieure de Lyon18, Carnegie Institution for Science19, Hokkaido University20, University of Jena21, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg22, University of Copenhagen23, Nagoya University24, University of Tokyo25, Free University of Berlin26, University of Tsukuba27, University of Tübingen28, University of Rostock29, Nara Institute of Science and Technology30, Mayo Clinic31, University of California, Berkeley32, Rutgers University33, National Institute of Genetics34, Max Planck Society35, University of Tennessee Health Science Center36, University of Washington37, Dalhousie University38, University of Oxford39, University of Freiburg40, University of Los Andes41, University of Rhode Island42, Joint BioEnergy Institute43, Ruhr University Bochum44, Texas A&M University45, Osaka University46, Cornell University47, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory48, University of Burgundy49, Utah State University50, United States Department of Energy51
TL;DR: The genome sequence of the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii (Selaginella), the first nonseed vascular plant genome reported, is reported, finding that the transition from a gametophytes- to a sporophyte-dominated life cycle required far fewer new genes than the Transition from a non Seed vascular to a flowering plant.
Abstract: Vascular plants appeared ~410 million years ago, then diverged into several lineages of which only two survive: the euphyllophytes (ferns and seed plants) and the lycophytes. We report here the genome sequence of the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii (Selaginella), the first nonseed vascular plant genome reported. By comparing gene content in evolutionarily diverse taxa, we found that the transition from a gametophyte- to a sporophyte-dominated life cycle required far fewer new genes than the transition from a nonseed vascular to a flowering plant, whereas secondary metabolic genes expanded extensively and in parallel in the lycophyte and angiosperm lineages. Selaginella differs in posttranscriptional gene regulation, including small RNA regulation of repetitive elements, an absence of the trans-acting small interfering RNA pathway, and extensive RNA editing of organellar genes.
TL;DR: It is established that, in addition to oncogenic Kras(G12D), IL-6 transsignaling-dependent activation of Stat3/Socs3 is required to promote PanIN progression and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
TL;DR: It is reported that SHARPIN functions as a novel component of the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) and that the absence of SHARPin causes dysregulation of NF-κB and apoptotic signalling pathways, explaining the severe phenotypes displayed by chronic proliferative dermatitis (cpdm) in SHARPIn-deficient mice.
Abstract: SHARPIN is a ubiquitin-binding and ubiquitin-like-domain-containing protein which, when mutated in mice, results in immune system disorders and multi-organ inflammation. Here we report that SHARPIN functions as a novel component of the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) and that the absence of SHARPIN causes dysregulation of NF-κB and apoptotic signalling pathways, explaining the severe phenotypes displayed by chronic proliferative dermatitis (cpdm) in SHARPIN-deficient mice. Upon binding to the LUBAC subunit HOIP (also known as RNF31), SHARPIN stimulates the formation of linear ubiquitin chains in vitro and in vivo. Coexpression of SHARPIN and HOIP promotes linear ubiquitination of NEMO (also known as IKBKG), an adaptor of the IκB kinases (IKKs) and subsequent activation of NF-κB signalling, whereas SHARPIN deficiency in mice causes an impaired activation of the IKK complex and NF-κB in B cells, macrophages and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). This effect is further enhanced upon concurrent downregulation of HOIL-1L (also known as RBCK1), another HOIP-binding component of LUBAC. In addition, SHARPIN deficiency leads to rapid cell death upon tumour-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) stimulation via FADD- and caspase-8-dependent pathways. SHARPIN thus activates NF-κB and inhibits apoptosis via distinct pathways in vivo.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that well-defined molecular-recognition events can be used to direct the assembly of macroscopic objects into larger aggregated structures.
Abstract: Molecular recognition plays an important role in nature, with perhaps the best known example being the complementarity exhibited by pairs of nucleobases in DNA. Studies of self-assembling and self-organizing systems based on molecular recognition are often performed at the molecular level, however, and any macroscopic implications of these processes are usually far removed from the specific molecular interactions. Here, we demonstrate that well-defined molecular-recognition events can be used to direct the assembly of macroscopic objects into larger aggregated structures. Acrylamide-based gels functionalized with either host (cyclodextrin) rings or small hydrocarbon-group guest moieties were synthesized. Pieces of host and guest gels are shown to adhere to one another through the mutual molecular recognition of the cyclodextrins and hydrocarbon groups on their surfaces. By changing the size and shape of the host and guest units, different gels can be selectively assembled and sorted into distinct macroscopic structures that are on the order of millimetres to centimetres in size.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors showed that nanoparticles with diameters of 70 nm and 35 nm can cause pregnancy complications when injected intravenously into pregnant mice, and that these detrimental effects are linked to structural and functional abnormalities in the placenta on the maternal side, and are abolished when the surfaces of the silica nanoparticles are modified with carboxyl and amine groups.
Abstract: The increasing use of nanomaterials has raised concerns about their potential risks to human health Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles can cross the placenta barrier in pregnant mice and cause neurotoxicity in their offspring, but a more detailed understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on pregnant animals remains elusive Here, we show that silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with diameters of 70 nm and 35 nm, respectively, can cause pregnancy complications when injected intravenously into pregnant mice The silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were found in the placenta, fetal liver and fetal brain Mice treated with these nanoparticles had smaller uteri and smaller fetuses than untreated controls Fullerene molecules and larger (300 and 1,000 nm) silica particles did not induce these complications These detrimental effects are linked to structural and functional abnormalities in the placenta on the maternal side, and are abolished when the surfaces of the silica nanoparticles are modified with carboxyl and amine groups
TL;DR: Two types of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) having a porphyrin unit have been synthesized as discussed by the authors, and the two COFs have shown very high charge carrier mobility values (8.1 cm2 V−1 s−1).
Abstract: Two types (imine and boronate) of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) having a porphyrin unit have been synthesized. The two highly crystalline porphyrin COFs (COF-366 and COF-66) display excellent chemical and thermal stability and are permanently porous. Two-dimensional extended layered structures of the two COFs demonstrate very high charge carrier mobility values (8.1 cm2 V−1 s−1).
National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan1, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology2, Raman Research Institute3, Waseda University4, Osaka Institute of Technology5, Kyoto University6, Osaka City University7, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency8, University of Electro-Communications9, Kindai University10, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology11, Tokyo Institute of Technology12, Goddard Space Flight Center13, University of Tokyo14, Hiroshima University15, Ochanomizu University16, Liverpool John Moores University17, Nagoya University18, Nihon University19, Rikkyo University20, Tokyo Keizai University21, Yamanashi Eiwa College22, Rochester Institute of Technology23, Stanford University24, California Institute of Technology25, Hirosaki University26, Niigata University27, Tokai University28, Tohoku University29, Osaka University30, National Defense Academy of Japan31, University of Tübingen32, Hosei University33, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee34, Tokyo University of Science35, University of Birmingham36
University of Washington1, University of Wisconsin-Madison2, Texas A&M University3, National Taiwan University4, University of Genoa5, University of Notre Dame6, TRIUMF7, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory8, Yale University9, Hebrew University of Jerusalem10, University of Naples Federico II11, Colorado School of Mines12, Weizmann Institute of Science13, Osaka University14, University of South Carolina15, Goethe University Frankfurt16, University of Pisa17, Argonne National Laboratory18, Sungkyunkwan University19, Old Dominion University20, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility21, University of Catania22, Ruhr University Bochum23, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research24, Technische Universität München25
TL;DR: The available data on nuclear fusion cross sections important to energy generation in the Sun and other hydrogen-burning stars and to solar neutrino production are summarized and critically evaluated in this article.
Abstract: The available data on nuclear fusion cross sections important to energy generation in the Sun and other hydrogen-burning stars and to solar neutrino production are summarized and critically evaluated. Recommended values and uncertainties are provided for key cross sections, and a recommended spectrum is given for {sup 8}B solar neutrinos. Opportunities for further increasing the precision of key rates are also discussed, including new facilities, new experimental techniques, and improvements in theory. This review, which summarizes the conclusions of a workshop held at the Institute for Nuclear Theory, Seattle, in January 2009, is intended as a 10-year update and supplement to 1998, Rev. Mod. Phys. 70, 1265.
TL;DR: Under normal conditions, although CK deficiency increased the sensitivity of plants to exogenous ABA, it caused a downregulation of key ABA biosynthetic genes, leading to a significant reduction in endogenous ABA levels in CK-deficient plants relative to the wild type.
Abstract: Cytokinins (CKs) regulate plant growth and development via a complex network of CK signaling. Here, we perform functional analyses with CK-deficient plants to provide direct evidence that CKs negatively regulate salt and drought stress signaling. All CK-deficient plants with reduced levels of various CKs exhibited a strong stress-tolerant phenotype that was associated with increased cell membrane integrity and abscisic acid (ABA) hypersensitivity rather than stomatal density and ABA-mediated stomatal closure. Expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana ISOPENTENYL-TRANSFERASE genes involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive CKs and the majority of the Arabidopsis CYTOKININ OXIDASES/DEHYDROGENASES genes was repressed by stress and ABA treatments, leading to a decrease in biologically active CK contents. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism for survival under abiotic stress conditions via the homeostatic regulation of steady state CK levels. Additionally, under normal conditions, although CK deficiency increased the sensitivity of plants to exogenous ABA, it caused a downregulation of key ABA biosynthetic genes, leading to a significant reduction in endogenous ABA levels in CK-deficient plants relative to the wild type. Taken together, this study provides direct evidence that mutual regulation mechanisms exist between the CK and ABA metabolism and signals underlying different processes regulating plant adaptation to stressors as well as plant growth and development.
Proceedings Article•
27 Jul 2011TL;DR: It is described that Twitter texts reflect the real world, and that NLP techniques can be applied to extract only tweets that contain useful information.
Abstract: With the recent rise in popularity and scale of social media, a growing need exists for systems that can extract useful information from huge amounts of data. We address the issue of detecting influenza epidemics. First, the proposed system extracts influenza related tweets using Twitter API. Then, only tweets that mention actual influenza patients are extracted by the support vector machine (SVM) based classifier. The experiment results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach (0.89 correlation to the gold standard). Especially at the outbreak and early spread (early epidemic stage), the proposed method shows high correlation (0.97 correlation), which outperforms the state-of-the-art methods. This paper describes that Twitter texts reflect the real world, and that NLP techniques can be applied to extract only tweets that contain useful information.
TL;DR: Rice FT homologue Hd3a interacts with 14-3-3 proteins in the apical cells of shoots, yielding a complex that translocates to the nucleus and binds to the Oryza sativa transcription factor, a rice homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana FD.
Abstract: Florigen, a plant hormone that translocates from leaves to the shoot apex to induce flowering, is encoded by the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene. The detailed molecular mechanism for florigen action and the identity of its receptors remained unknown. Ko Shimamoto and colleagues show that in rice, florigen binds to 14-3-3 proteins, a type of regulatory molecule present in all eukaryotic cells, and to the transcription factor OsFD1. The crystal structure of the resulting florigen activation complex (FAC) has been determined, providing a mechanistic basis for florigen function in flowering. This work offers clues for improving agriculturally important traits by manipulating florigen and its regulators. ‘Florigen’ was proposed 75 years ago1 to be synthesized in the leaf and transported to the shoot apex, where it induces flowering. Only recently have genetic and biochemical studies established that florigen is encoded by FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), a gene that is universally conserved in higher plants2,3,4. Nonetheless, the exact function of florigen during floral induction remains poorly understood and receptors for florigen have not been identified. Here we show that the rice FT homologue Hd3a5 interacts with 14-3-3 proteins in the apical cells of shoots, yielding a complex that translocates to the nucleus and binds to the Oryza sativa (Os)FD1 transcription factor, a rice homologue of Arabidopsis thaliana FD. The resultant ternary ‘florigen activation complex’ (FAC) induces transcription of OsMADS15, a homologue of A. thaliana APETALA1 (AP1), which leads to flowering. We have determined the 2.4 A crystal structure of rice FAC, which provides a mechanistic basis for florigen function in flowering. Our results indicate that 14-3-3 proteins act as intracellular receptors for florigen in shoot apical cells, and offer new approaches to manipulate flowering in various crops and trees.
TL;DR: Deletion of SHARPIN drastically reduced the amount of LUBAC, which resulted in attenuated TNF-α- and CD40-mediated activation of NF-κB in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or B cells from cpdm mice, and strongly suggest the involvement of LubAC-induced NF-σκB activation in various disorders.
Abstract: Cpdm (chronic proliferative dermatitis) mice develop chronic dermatitis and an immunodeficiency with increased serum IgM, symptoms that resemble those of patients with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome and hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XHM-ED), which is caused by mutations in NEMO (NF-κB essential modulator; also known as IKBKG). Spontaneous null mutations in the Sharpin (SHANK-associated RH domain interacting protein in postsynaptic density) gene are responsible for the cpdm phenotype in mice. SHARPIN shows significant similarity to HOIL-1L (also known as RBCK1), a component of linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), which induces NF-κB activation through conjugation of linear polyubiquitin chains to NEMO. Here, we identify SHARPIN as an additional component of LUBAC. SHARPIN-containing complexes can linearly ubiquitinate NEMO and activated NF-κB. Thus, we re-define LUBAC as a complex containing SHARPIN, HOIL-1L, and HOIP (also known as RNF31). Deletion of SHARPIN drastically reduced the amount of LUBAC, which resulted in attenuated TNF-α- and CD40-mediated activation of NF-κB in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or B cells from cpdm mice. Considering the pleomorphic phenotype of cpdm mice, these results confirm the predicted role of LUBAC-mediated linear polyubiquitination in NF-κB activation induced by various stimuli, and strongly suggest the involvement of LUBAC-induced NF-κB activation in various disorders.
TL;DR: A single-molecule, single-particle fluorescence approach is reported to elucidate the inherent photocatalytic activity of exposed surfaces of anatase TiO(2), a promising photocatalyst, using redox-responsive fluorogenic dyes.
Abstract: According to the concept of active sites, the activity of heterogeneous catalysts correlates with the number of available catalytic sites and the binding affinity of the substrates. Herein, we report a single-molecule, single-particle fluorescence approach to elucidate the inherent photocatalytic activity of exposed surfaces of anatase TiO2, a promising photocatalyst, using redox-responsive fluorogenic dyes. A single-molecule imaging and kinetic analysis of the fluorescence from the products shows that reaction sites for the effective reduction of the probe molecules are preferentially located on the {101} facets of the crystal rather than the {001} facets with a higher surface energy. This surprising discrepancy can be explained in terms of face-specific electron-trapping probability. In situ observation of the catalytic events occurring at the solid/solution interfaces reveals the hidden role of the crystal facets in chemical reactions and their impact on the efficiency and selectivity of heterogeneous ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the point-contact spectra on the cleaved surface of superconducting Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) present a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP), which signifies unconventional superconductivity.
Abstract: A topological superconductor (TSC) is characterized by the topologically protected gapless surface state that is essentially an Andreev bound state consisting of Majorana fermions. While a TSC has not yet been discovered, the doped topological insulator Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3), which superconducts below ∼3 K, has been predicted to possess a topological superconducting state. We report that the point-contact spectra on the cleaved surface of superconducting Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) present a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) which signifies unconventional superconductivity. Theoretical considerations of all possible superconducting states help us conclude that this ZBCP is due to Majorana fermions and gives evidence for a topological superconductivity in Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3). In addition, we found an unusual pseudogap that develops below ∼20 K and coexists with the topological superconducting state.
Ehime University1, Tulane University2, National University of Singapore3, Singapore National Eye Center4, Academia Sinica5, China Medical University (Taiwan)6, Shanghai Jiao Tong University7, Kyushu University8, Osaka University9, Aichi Gakuin University10, Shimane University11, Peking Union Medical College12, Chinese National Human Genome Center13, Mukogawa Women's University14, Nagoya University15, National Institutes of Health16, University of California, San Francisco17, University of Texas at Austin18, Tsinghua University19, Agency for Science, Technology and Research20, Washington University in St. Louis21, University of Melbourne22
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in 19,608 subjects of east Asian ancestry followed up with de novo genotyping and further replication in east Asian samples provides new insights into blood pressure regulation and potential targets for intervention.
Abstract: We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in 19,608 subjects of east Asian ancestry from the AGEN-BP consortium followed up with de novo genotyping (n = 10,518) and further replication (n = 20,247) in east Asian samples. We identified genome-wide significant (P < 5 × 10(-8)) associations with SBP or DBP, which included variants at four new loci (ST7L-CAPZA1, FIGN-GRB14, ENPEP and NPR3) and a newly discovered variant near TBX3. Among the five newly discovered variants, we obtained significant replication in the independent samples for all of these loci except NPR3. We also confirmed seven loci previously identified in populations of European descent. Moreover, at 12q24.13 near ALDH2, we observed strong association signals (P = 7.9 × 10(-31) and P = 1.3 × 10(-35) for SBP and DBP, respectively) with ethnic specificity. These findings provide new insights into blood pressure regulation and potential targets for intervention.