Discovery of potent and specific inhibitors targeting the active site of MMP-9 from the engineered SPINK2 library.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to many physiological and pathological phenomena via the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components. Specific blocking of the active site of each MMP sheds light on its particular role. However, it remains difficult to acquire an active-site inhibitor with high specificity for only the target MMP due to the highly conserved structure around the active site of MMPs.

A protein scaffold, engineered SPINK2, for generation of inhibitors with high affinity and specificity against target proteases.

Proteases are one of attractive therapeutic targets to play key roles in pharmacological action. There are many protease inhibitors in nature, and most of them structurally have cystine knot motifs. Their structures are favorable for recognition of active pockets of proteases, leading to the potent inhibition.

Bacterial artificial chromosome library for genome-wide analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines are widely used for scientific research and biotechnology. A CHO genomic bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed from a mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene-amplified CHO DR1000L-4N cell line for genome-wide analysis of CHO cell lines. The CHO BAC library consisted of 122,281 clones and was expected to cover the entire CHO genome five times.

[Effectiveness of ability grouping in structured fall prevention exercise program for frail elderly people].

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of ability grouping in a fall prevention structured exercise program for elderly people.

Methods: We enrolled 124 subjects from among 2,582 elderly people aged 70 to 84 years living in the Tsurugaya district in Sendai City. Exclusion criteria were 1) motor fitness scale (MFS) score 9 points or more, 2) severe sensory, cognitive, or 3) physical disorders, and 4) nursing care grade 2 or more.