PDLIM7 Synergizes With PDLIM2 and p62/Sqstm1 to Inhibit Inflammatory Signaling by Promoting Degradation of the p65 Subunit of NF-κB.

Activation of NF-κB transcription factors is critical for innate immune cells to induce inflammation and fight against microbial pathogens. On the other hand, the excessive and prolonged activation of NF-κB causes massive inflammatory damage to the host, suggesting that regulatory mechanisms to promptly terminate NF-κB activation are important to prevent immunopathology. We have previously reported that PDLIM2, a PDZ-LIM domain-containing protein, is a nuclear ubiquitin E3 ligase that targets the p65 subunit of NF-κB for degradation, thereby suppressing NF-κB activation.

HSP70 mediates degradation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor κB to inhibit inflammatory signaling.

The nuclear PDZ-LIM domain protein PDLIM2 acts as a ubiquitin E3 ligase that targets the p65 subunit of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) for degradation, thus preventing excessive inflammatory responses. We found that the chaperone protein HSP70 (heat shock protein of 70 kD) was required for the PDLIM2-mediated degradation of p65 and suppression of NF-κB signaling in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated dendritic cells. In response to LPS, HSP70 translocated to the nucleus where it associated with PDLIM2 and the proteasome-associated protein BAG-1 (BCL2-associated athanogene 1) and promoted the transport of the NF-κB-PDLIM2 complex to the proteasome, thereby facilitating the degradation of p65.

Lectin-microarray technique for glycomic profiling of fungal cell surfaces.

Lectin microarrays are rows of lectins with different carbohydrate-binding specificities spotted on surfaces of glass slides. Lectin microarray technique enables glycomic analyses of carbohydrate composition of fungal cell walls. We will describe an application of the technique in analyzing cell surface glycome of yeast-form fungal cells in the living state.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are crucial for the initiation of inflammation and T cell immunity in vivo.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are characterized as type I interferon-producing cells that engage endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) and exclusively express sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec)-H. However, their role in vivo remains unclear. Here we report a critical role for pDCs in the regulation of inflammation and T cell immunity in vivo by using gene-targeted mice with a deficiency of Siglec-H and conditional ablation of pDCs.

Human ZG16p recognizes pathogenic fungi through non-self polyvalent mannose in the digestive system.

Human zymogen granule protein 16 (ZG16p) contains a Jacalin-like lectin domain, although its glycan-binding properties are not fully understood. Here, we screened the glycan-binding specificity of ZG16p by recently developed glycoconjugate microarray. ZG16p appeared to exhibit selective binding to α- and β-linked mannose-polyacrylamide-biotin probes.

Yojironins E-I, prenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum yojiroanum.

Five new prenylated acylphloroglucinols, yojironins E-Ι (1-5), were isolated from the whole plants of Hypericum yojiroanum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data. Yojironin E (1) exhibited antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Nakijinamines C-E, new heteroaromatic alkaloids from the sponge Suberites species.

Three new heteroaromatic alkaloids, nakijinamines C-E (1-3), which are a hybrid of the aaptamine-type and bromoindole alkaloids possessing a taurine- or histidine-derived residue, have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Suberites species. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversions. Nakijinamines C (1) and E (3) are the first natural products possessing a 1H-oxazolo[4',5':4,5]benzo[1,2,3-de][1,6]naphthyridine ring system.

Petiolins J-M, prenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum pseudopetiolatum var. kiusianum.

Four new prenylated acylphloroglucinols, petiolins J-M (1-4), were isolated from aerial parts of Hypericum pseudopetiolatum var. kiusianum, and the structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Petiolin J (1) exhibited antimicrobial activity.

Ceratinadins A-C, new bromotyrosine alkaloids from an Okinawan marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp.

Three new bromotyrosine alkaloids, ceratinadins A-C (1-3), were isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp. and the structures of 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Ceratinadin A (1) was a novel bromotyrosine alkaloid possessing an N-imidazolyl-quinolinone moiety.

Streptomyces coacervatus sp. nov., isolated from the intestinal tract of Armadillidium vulgare.

A Gram-staining-positive bacterium, designated AS-0823(T), which formed spiral spore chains on the aerial mycelium, was isolated from the intestinal tract of Armadillidium vulgare, a small terrestrial crustacean commonly found on the ground around houses in Japan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Streptomyces and was most closely related to Streptomyces longisporus ISP 5166(T) (98.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Streptomyces curacoi NBRC 12761(T) (98.