MAST4 promotes primary ciliary resorption through phosphorylation of Tctex-1.

The primary cilium undergoes cell cycle-dependent assembly and disassembly. Dysregulated ciliary dynamics are associated with several pathological conditions called ciliopathies. Previous studies showed that the localization of phosphorylated Tctex-1 at Thr94 (T94) at the ciliary base critically regulates ciliary resorption by accelerating actin remodeling and ciliary pocket membrane endocytosis.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Enhance Procoagulant Activity.

Obesity is associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism. Thrombi are constantly formed via the coagulation cascade and degraded by the fibrinolytic system, so they tend to form in obese individuals. Adipocytes are involved in thrombus formation in obesity, but it is not clear whether bioactive factors from adipocytes directly initiate or enhance coagulation and thrombosis.

Exposure to Stearate Activates the IRE1α/XBP-1 Pathway in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), accumulation of abnormal proteins with malformed higher-order structures activates signaling pathways (inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)/X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) pathway, protein kinase RNA-activated-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) pathway and activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) pathway) that result in a cellular response suppressing the production of abnormal proteins or inducing apoptosis. These responses are collectively known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). Recently, it has been suggested that the UPR induced by saturated fatty acids in hepatocytes and pancreatic β cells is involved in the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

Virus-Mediated Targeted DNA Methylation Illuminates the Dynamics of Methylation in an Endogenous Plant Gene.

DNA methylation maintains genome stability and regulates gene expression in plants. RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is critical for appropriate methylation. However, no efficient tools are available for the investigation of the functions of specific DNA methylation.

Elaidate, a trans fatty acid, suppresses insulin signaling for glucose uptake in a manner distinct from that of stearate.

The dietary intake of elaidate (elaidic acid), a trans-fatty acid, is associated with the development of various diseases. Since elaidate is a C18 unsaturated fatty acid with a steric structure similar to that of a C18 saturated fatty acid (stearate), we previously revealed that insulin-dependent glucose uptake was impaired in adipocytes exposed to elaidate prior to and during differentiation similar to stearate. However, it is still unknown whether the mechanism of impairment of insulin-dependent glucose uptake due to elaidate is similar to that of stearate.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the RDR6 gene in Nicotiana benthamiana for efficient transient expression of recombinant proteins.

RDR6 gene knockout Nicotiana benthamiana plant was successfully produced using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The production of recombinant proteins in plants has many advantages, such as safety and reduced costs. However, there are several problems with this technology, especially low levels of protein production.

Elevated Expression of Vascular Adhesion Molecule-1, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, Cyclooxygenase-2, and Thrombomodulin in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells from Hospitalized Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is a useful indicator of maternal condition and the intrauterine environment during pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated protein expression in HUVECs obtained from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). HUVECs were prepared from the umbilical cords of GDM patients and controls who underwent planned cesarean section between 2013 and 2014 at Teikyo University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan).

Recessive Resistance Governed by a Major Quantitative Trait Locus Restricts Clover Yellow Vein Virus in Mechanically but Not Graft-Inoculated Cultivated Soybeans.

Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV) infects and causes disease in legume plants. However, here, we found that ClYVV isolate No. 30 (ClYVV-No.

Analysis of the mechanisms regulating the expression of isoprenoid biosynthesis genes in hydroponically-grown Nicotiana benthamiana plants using virus-induced gene silencing.

Secondary metabolites in plants play important roles in defence against biotic and abiotic stresses. Although the biosynthesis pathways of secondary metabolites have been extensively studied, the regulatory mechanism of gene expression involved in these pathways remains poorly understood. In this study, we develop a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system that enables a rapid analysis of the regulatory mechanism of genes involved in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, one of the largest groups in secondary metabolites, using hydroponically-grown Nicotiana benthamiana.

Possible antithrombotic effects of (Ashitaba).

Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (Ashitaba) is a large perennial herb that is native to the Pacific coast of Japan, and it has recently become popular as herbal medicine, dietary supplement and health food in Asian countries. The structures of various constituents isolated from Ashitaba such as chalcones, flavanones and coumarins have been precisely characterized, and many of them have bioactivities. A recent study clarified that Angelica keiskei exerts actions that lead to the prevention of thrombosis.

Xylosylation of proteins by expression of human xylosyltransferase 2 in plants.

Through the years, the post-translational modification of plant-made recombinant proteins has been a considerable problem. Protein glycosylation is arguably the most important post-translational modification; thus, for the humanization of protein glycosylation in plants, the introduction, repression, and knockout of many glycosylation-related genes has been carried out. In addition, plants lack mammalian-type protein O-glycosylation pathways; thus, for the synthesis of mammalian O-glycans in plants, the construction of these pathways is necessary.

rgs-CaM Detects and Counteracts Viral RNA Silencing Suppressors in Plant Immune Priming.

Primary infection of a plant with a pathogen that causes high accumulation of salicylic acid in the plant typically via a hypersensitive response confers enhanced resistance against secondary infection with a broad spectrum of pathogens, including viruses. This phenomenon is called systemic acquired resistance (SAR), which is a plant priming for adaption to repeated biotic stress. However, the molecular mechanisms of SAR-mediated enhanced inhibition, especially of virus infection, remain unclear.

Activation of PPARγ at an Early Stage of Differentiation Enhances Adipocyte Differentiation of MEFs Derived from Type II Diabetic TSOD Mice and Alters Lipid Droplet Morphology.

Type 2 diabetic Tsumura, Suzuki, obese, diabetes (TSOD) mice gradually gain weight as compared to corresponding Tsumura, Suzuki, non-obesity (TSNO) control mice, and develop insulin resistance. Although development of type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with dysfunction of adipocytes, little is known about the properties of adipocytes from TSOD mice. Therefore, we attempted to remove intracorporeal factors and elucidate inherent properties of adipocytes of TSOD mice using adipocytes differentiated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) in vitro.

Positions of Hydroxyl Groups in Chrysin are Critical for Inhibiting Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Release from Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Chrysin suppresses the TNFα-induced increase in the secretion of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAl-1), a risk factor for thrombotic diseases, from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The present study aimed to determine the association between the location of the hydroxyl groups in chrysin.to levels of-PAI-1.

Regulatory Functions of Phospholipase A2.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays crucial roles in diverse cellular responses, including phospholipid digestion and metabolism, host defense and signal transduction. PLA2 provides precursors for generation of eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs), when the cleaved fatty acid is arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor (PAF) when the sn-1 position of the phosphatidylcholine contains an alkyl ether linkage and some bioactive lysophospholipids, such as lysophosphatidic acid (lysoPA). As overproduction of these lipid mediators causes inflammation and tissue disorders, it is extremely important to understand the mechanisms regulating the expression and functions of PLA2.

Trade-Offs for Viruses in Overcoming Innate Immunities in Plants.

Plants recognize viral infection via an immune receptor, i.e., nucleotide-binding site (NB)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins.

Anti-platelet effects of chalcones from Koidzumi (Ashitaba) .

Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (Ashitaba) is a traditional folk medicine that is also regarded in Japan as a health food with potential antithrombotic properties. The ability of the major chalcones, xanthoangelol (XA) and 4-hydroxyderricin (4-HD) extracted from Ashitaba roots to inhibit platelet aggregation activity in vitro was recently determined. However, the anti-platelet activities of Ashitaba chalcones in vivo have remained unclear.

Effects of a diet containing Brazilian propolis on lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels in mice.

Background: Brazilian propolis has many biological activities including the ability to help prevent thrombotic diseases, but this particular effect has not been proven. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, increase under inflammatory conditions such as infection, obesity and atherosclerosis and such elevated levels predispose individuals to a risk of developing thrombotic diseases.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of a diet containing Brazilian propolis on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increases in plasma PAI-1 levels.

Trade-Offs for Viruses in Overcoming Innate Immunities in Plants.

Plants recognize viral infection via an immune receptor, i.e., nucleotide-binding site (NB)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins.

P3N-PIPO, a Frameshift Product from the P3 Gene, Pleiotropically Determines the Virulence of Clover Yellow Vein Virus in both Resistant and Susceptible Peas.

Unlabelled: Peas carrying the cyv1 recessive resistance gene are resistant to clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV) isolates No.30 (Cl-No.30) and 90-1 (Cl-90-1) but can be infected by a derivative of Cl-90-1 (Cl-90-1 Br2).

Combined DECS Analysis and Next-Generation Sequencing Enable Efficient Detection of Novel Plant RNA Viruses.

The presence of high molecular weight double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) within plant cells is an indicator of infection with RNA viruses as these possess genomic or replicative dsRNA. DECS (dsRNA isolation, exhaustive amplification, cloning, and sequencing) analysis has been shown to be capable of detecting unknown viruses. We postulated that a combination of DECS analysis and next-generation sequencing (NGS) would improve detection efficiency and usability of the technique.

Truncated yet functional viral protein produced via RNA polymerase slippage implies underestimated coding capacity of RNA viruses.

RNA viruses use various strategies to condense their genetic information into small genomes. Potyviruses not only use the polyprotein strategy, but also embed an open reading frame, pipo, in the P3 cistron in the -1 reading frame. PIPO is expressed as a fusion protein with the N-terminal half of P3 (P3N-PIPO) via transcriptional slippage of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp).