Fermentation Ability of Gut Microbiota of Wild Japanese Macaques in the Highland and Lowland Yakushima: In Vitro Fermentation Assay and Genetic Analyses.

Wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata Blyth) living in the highland and lowland areas of Yakushima are known to have different diets, with highland individuals consuming more leaves. We aim to clarify whether and how these differences in diet are also reflected by gut microbial composition and fermentation ability. Therefore, we conduct an in vitro fermentation assay using fresh feces from macaques as inoculum and dry leaf powder of Eurya japonica Thunb.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling via LPA and LPA regulates cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via G protein-coupled LPA receptors exhibits a variety of biological effects, such as cell proliferation, motility and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of LPA and LPA in cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells. LPA and LPA knockdown cells were generated from PANC-1 cells.

Diverse effects of G-protein-coupled free fatty acid receptors on the regulation of cellular functions in lung cancer cells.

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are dietary nutrients which mediate a variety of biological effects through binding to G-protein-coupled FFA receptors (FFARs). G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 are identified as FFARs for long- and medium-chain fatty acids. Here we investigated whether GPR120 and GPR40 are involved in the acquisition of malignant properties in lung cancer cells.

Different roles of GPR120 and GPR40 in the acquisition of malignant properties in pancreatic cancer cells.

Free fatty acids (FFAs) act as extracellular signaling molecules through binding to G-protein-coupled FFA receptors (FFARs). GPR120 and GPR40 are identified as FFARs for medium- and long-chain fatty acids. In the present study, we investigated roles of GPR120 and GPR40 in cellular functions of pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells, using GPR120 and GPR40 knockdown cells (PANC-sh120 and PANC-sh40 cells respectively).

Microbial communities on flower surfaces act as signatures of pollinator visitation.

Microbes are easily dispersed from one place to another, and immigrant microbes might contain information about the environments from which they came. We hypothesized that part of the microbial community on a flower's surface is transferred there from insect body surfaces and that this community can provide information to identify potential pollinator insects of that plant. We collected insect samples from the field, and found that an insect individual harbored an average of 12.

Modified leaves with disk-shaped nectaries of Macaranga sinensis (Euphorbiaceae) provide reward for pollinators.

Premise Of The Study: Nectar is the most common reward provided by animal-pollinated flowers. Diversity in position and structure of floral nectaries suggests that floral nectar production evolved repeatedly, but the evolutionary origins are not well known. Flowers of the genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) are apetalous and lack floral nectar.