Multiple transformation with the crtYB gene of the limiting enzyme increased carotenoid synthesis and generated novel derivatives in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous.

Xanthophyllomces dendrorhous (in asexual state named as Phaffia rhodozyma) is a fungus which produces astaxanthin, a high value carotenoid used in aquafarming. Genetic pathway engineering is one of several steps to increase the astaxanthin yield. The limiting enzyme of the carotenoid pathway is phytoene synthase.

Isolation and identification of 4, 4'-diapolycopene-4,4'-dioic acid produced by Bacillus firmus GB1 and its singlet oxygen quenching activity.

We succeeded in purifying the carotenoid produced by Bacillus firmus GB1 using chromatography on polystyrenic synthetic adsorbents, and identified it as 4,4'-diapolycopene-4,4'-dioic acid by HRESI-MS and NMR analyses of it and its dimethylester. In addition, we clarified the singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quenching activities of 4,4'-diapolycopene-4,4'-dioic acid and its methyl esters (mono and dimethyl ester). Their IC₅₀ values were 5.

Efficient functional analysis system for cyanobacterial or plant cytochromes P450 involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis.

Tractable plasmids (pAC-Mv-based plasmids) for Escherichia coli were constructed, which carried a mevalonate-utilizing gene cluster, towards an efficient functional analysis of cytochromes P450 involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis. They included genes coding for a series of redox partners that transfer the electrons from NAD(P)H to a P450 protein. The redox partners used were ferredoxin reductases (CamA and NsRED) and ferredoxins (CamB and NsFER), which are derived from Pseudomonas putida and cyanobacterium Nostoc sp.

Morphometric studies in human pancreatic cancer argues against the etiological role of type 2 diabetes in pancreatic cancer.

Background: To understand the role of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in type 2 diabetes and pancreatic cancer (PC), we investigated the patterns of its expression and its ratio to insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide cells by morphometry in tissues from these two diseases in comparison to the normal pancreas.

Materials And Methods: Pancreatic tissues from 11 donors (five without pancreatic disease and six with type 2 diabetes) and 11 surgical specimens from PC patients obtained from the cancer area (zone A) and the adjacent tumor-free area (zone B) were examined immunohistochemically. The size of islets, the number on beta-, alpha-, delta- pp- and IAPP-expressing cells and their ratios in the islets of these tissues were determined.

[Results of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU and leucovorin for unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer].

Purpose: Hepaticarterial infusional(HAI)5-FU chemotherapy, which involves the use of interventional radiology technique, has matured technically in Japan in the 1990's. The antitumor effect of 5-FU is enhanced by combination with leucovorin. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of HAI 5-FU and leucovorin chemotherapy for patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.