Nanoscale intracellular ultrastructures affected by osmotic pressure using small-angle X-ray scattering.

Although intracellular ultrastructures have typically been studied using microscopic techniques, it is difficult to observe ultrastructures at the submicron scale of living cells due to spatial resolution (fluorescence microscopy) or high vacuum environment (electron microscopy). We investigate the nanometer scale intracellular ultrastructures of living CHO cells in various osmolality using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and especially the structures of ribosomes, DNA double helix, and plasma membranes in-cell environment are observed. Ribosomes expand and contract in response to osmotic pressure, and the inter-ribosomal correlation occurs under isotonic and hyperosmolality.

Disaggregation and fibrillation during sol-gel transition of alginate hydrogels.

The rheological and morphological characteristics of Ca-crosslinked alginate hydrogels with two different M/G ratios, α-L-guluronate (G)-rich and β-D-mannuronate (M)-rich, each with one alginic acid concentration, were investigated. It was found that the stiffness and elasticity of alginate hydrogels are derived from the thickness and density of the fibril network structures. In aqueous alginate solution, ball-like aggregates of alginates are present.

Identification of the growth cone as a probe and driver of neuronal migration in the injured brain.

Axonal growth cones mediate axonal guidance and growth regulation. We show that migrating neurons in mice possess a growth cone at the tip of their leading process, similar to that of axons, in terms of the cytoskeletal dynamics and functional responsivity through protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type sigma (PTPσ). Migrating-neuron growth cones respond to chondroitin sulfate (CS) through PTPσ and collapse, which leads to inhibition of neuronal migration.

Transcriptomic comparison between populations selected for higher and lower mobility in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum.

Movement is an important behavior observed in a wide range of taxa. Previous studies have examined genes controlling movement using wing polymorphic insects and genes controlling wing size. However, few studies have investigated genes controlling movement activity rather than morphological traits.

Massive horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of nematomorph-driven behavioral manipulation of mantids.

To complete their life cycle, a wide range of parasites must manipulate the behavior of their hosts. This manipulation is a well-known example of the "extended phenotype," where genes in one organism have phenotypic effects on another organism. Recent studies have explored the parasite genes responsible for such manipulation of host behavior, including the potential molecular mechanisms.

Parallel evolution of opsin visual pigments in hawkmoths by tuning of spectral sensitivities during transition from a nocturnal to a diurnal ecology.

Light environments differ dramatically between day and night. The transition between diurnal and nocturnal visual ecology has happened repeatedly throughout evolution in many species. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the evolution of vision in recent diurnal-nocturnal transition is poorly understood.

Mutations in a β-group of solute carrier gene are responsible for egg and eye coloration of the brown egg 4 (b-4) mutant in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

The brown egg 4 (b-4) is a recessive mutant in the silkworm (Bombyx mori), whose egg and adult compound eyes exhibit a reddish-brown color instead of normal purple and black, respectively. By double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) analysis, we narrowed down a region linked to the b-4 phenotype to approximately 1.1 Mb that contains 69 predicted gene models.

Identification of an antiviral component from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae using transcriptomic and mass spectrometric analyses.

Scorpion venom contains a variety of biologically active peptides. Among them, neurotoxins are major components in the venom, but it also contains peptides that show antimicrobial activity. Previously, we identified three insecticidal peptides from the venom of the Liocheles australasiae scorpion, but activities and structures of other venom components remained unknown.

Development of 49 novel microsatellite markers from Next-generation sequencing data and a robust method for parentage tests in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

The emu is a useful and new breed of poultry, but their genetic improvement has not advanced yet due to their very recent domestication. Pedigree information is difficult to record because of their complex reproduction system (polyandry). To identify parent-offspring relationships in the emu, parentage test based on polymorphic DNA markers have to be developed.

Comparative analysis of enteroendocrine cells and their hormones between mouse intestinal organoids and native tissues.

Endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract secrete multiple hormones to maintain homeostasis in the body. In the present study, we generated intestinal organoids from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of Neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)-EGFP mice and examined how enteroendocrine cells (EECs) within organoid cultures resemble native epithelial cells in the gut. Transcriptome analysis of EGFP-positive cells from Ngn3-EGFP organoids showed gene expression pattern comparable to EECs o.

Transcriptomic comparison between beetle strains selected for short and long durations of death feigning.

The molecular basis of death feigning, an antipredator behavior that has received much attention recently, was analyzed. We compared the gene expression profiles of strains with different behaviors, i.e.

Interspecies Comparative Analyses Reveal Distinct Carbohydrate-Responsive Systems among Drosophila Species.

During evolution, organisms have acquired variable feeding habits. Some species are nutritional generalists that adapt to various food resources, while others are specialists, feeding on specific resources. However, much remains to be discovered about how generalists adapt to diversified diets.

Global Liver Gene Expression Analysis on a Murine Hepatic Steatosis Model Treated with Mulberry ( L.) Leaf Powder.

Background/aim: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves (ML) contain many functional components, such as 1-deoxynojirimycin, flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol). It is well known that 1-deoxynojirimycin functions to suppress increases in blood glucose level by α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Evolution of Gustatory Receptor Gene Family Provides Insights into Adaptation to Diverse Host Plants in Nymphalid Butterflies.

The host plant range of herbivorous insects is a major aspect of insect-plant interaction, but the genetic basis of host range expansion in insects is poorly understood. In butterflies, gustatory receptor genes (GRs) play important roles in host plant selection by ovipositing females. Since several studies have shown associations between the repertoire sizes of chemosensory gene families and the diversity of resource use, we hypothesized that the increase in the number of genes in the GR family is associated with host range expansion in butterflies.

Elevenin regulates the body color through a G protein-coupled receptor NlA42 in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.

The neuropeptide elevenin and similar neuropeptide precursors are common in some invertebrates but their physiological function in most species has not been explored. The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) has an elevenin-like peptide and a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) NlA42 that is homologous to the elevenin receptor of the annelid Platynereis dumerilii. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of either Nl-elevenin or the NlA42 gene resulted in cuticle melanization.

Transcriptome Analysis of Skin from SMP30/GNL Knockout Mice Reveals the Effect of Ascorbic Acid Deficiency on Skin and Hair.

Background/aim: Senescence marker protein-30/gluconolactonase knockout mice (SMP-30/GNL-KO) are a very useful model for clarifying the involvement of vitamin C (VC) in aging-related diseases. In this study, the effects of VC deficiency on skin and hair growth were investigated using SMP-30/GNL-KO mice by RNA sequencing.

Materials And Methods: SMP-30/GNL-KO mice were given water containing 1.

Transcriptome analyses of taste organoids reveal multiple pathways involved in taste cell generation.

Taste cells undergo constant turnover throughout life; however, the molecular mechanisms governing taste cell generation are not well understood. Using RNA-Seq, we systematically surveyed the transcriptome landscape of taste organoids at different stages of growth. Our data show the staged expression of a variety of genes and identify multiple signaling pathways underlying taste cell differentiation and taste stem/progenitor cell proliferation.

Expression analysis of Egr-1 ortholog in metamorphic brain of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.): Possible evolutionary conservation of roles of Egr in eye development in vertebrates and insects.

Specific genes quickly transcribed after extracellular stimuli without de novo protein synthesis are known as immediate early genes (IEGs) and are thought to contribute to learning and memory processes in the mature nervous system of vertebrates. A recent study revealed that the homolog of Early growth response protein-1 (Egr-1), which is one of the best-characterized vertebrate IEGs, shared similar properties as a neural activity-dependent gene in the adult brain of insects. With regard to the roles of vertebrate Egr-1 in neural development, the contribution to the development and growth of visual systems has been reported.

Global Liver Gene Expression Analysis on a Murine Metabolic Syndrome Model Treated by Low-molecular-weight Lychee Fruit Polyphenol (Oligonol®).

Background/aim: Oligonol® (OLG) is a low-molecular-weight lychee fruit polyphenol mainly containing catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins. Dietary OLG supplementation reportedly improves lipid metabolism disorder and lowers the visceral fat level in animal and human studies. Thus, we investigated the mechanism behind the protective and beneficial effects of OLG on a Western diet (WD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) of a murine model.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese honeybee, (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae).

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese honeybee . The mitochondrial genome of is a circular molecule of 15 917 bp and is similar to that of . It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one A + T-rich control region.

Rough eyes of the Northeast-Asian wood white, Leptidea amurensis.

The northeast-Asian wood white, Leptidea amurensis (Lepidoptera, Pieridae), belongs to the Dismorphiinae, a subfamily of the family Pieridae. We studied the structure of the compound eye in this species through a combination of anatomy, molecular biology and intracellular electrophysiology, with a particular focus on the evolution of butterfly eyes. We found that their eyes consist of three types of ommatidia, with a basic set of one short-, one middle- and one long-wavelength-absorbing visual pigment.

Assisting control for attendant propelled wheelchair based on force velocity relationship.

There is a need to develop an assisting device which can be adapted to the individual capabilities of elderly attendants, which would allow them to maintain a level of fitness when pushing a wheelchair, while minimising the risk of injury to them. Furthermore there is a need to reduce the overall energy consumption of the device in keeping with the current trends of reducing carbon emissions. The control system for attendants pushing wheelchairs that reduces the energy needed by the assisting device is an increasing trend of optimisation of assistive technology devices to individual capabilities to ensure less energy expenditure of the attendant.

Mechanical power of ankle plantar flexion and subjective pain by monophasic electrical stimulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical power of the ankle plantar flexion. The investigated power of the ankle plantar flexion would help to improve effectively the FES walking system using the ankle plantar flexion for patients and aged people in slow walking. The subjective pain by electrical stimulation sometimes becomes the burden to use the FES system.