Chronological analysis of canine parvovirus type 2 isolates in Japan.

Fifty-five canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV) samples, 12 fecal specimens and 43 cell culture isolates, were examined for their genetic characteristics of VP2 gene. They were collected from the diseased dogs at various districts of Japan during 27 years from 1980 to 2006. A fragment of VP2 gene was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and DNA sequencing.

Chlamydophila felis CF0218 is a novel TMH family protein with potential as a diagnostic antigen for diagnosis of C. felis infection.

Chlamydophila felis is a causative agent of acute and chronic conjunctivitis and pneumonia in cats (feline chlamydiosis). Also, C. felis is a suspected zoonotic agent of such diseases as non-Chlamydia trachomatis conjunctivitis in humans, although this is controversial.

Optical cross-sectional imaging with pulse ultrasound wave assistance.

We have developed an optical cross-sectional imaging method for turbid media with the aid of a pulse ultrasound wave. Observation of deep regions in turbid media, such as tissue samples, is difficult owing to the rapid dispersion of an incoming laser beam by scattering. A pulse ultrasound wave, which is less scattered in tissues, can indicate the measuring point on the basis of the change of the optical scattering properties in a localized region.

Involvement of the switch 2 domain of Ras in its interaction with guanine nucleotide exchange factors.

While Ras proteins are activated by stimulated GDP release, which enables acquisition of the active GTP-bound state, little is known about how guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) interact with Ras to promote this exchange reaction. Here we report that mutations within the switch 2 domain of Ras (residues 62-69) inhibit activation of Ras by the mammalian GEFs, Sos1, and GRF/CDC25Mm. While mutations in the 62-69 region blocked upstream activation of Ras, they did not disrupt Ras effector functions, including transcriptional activation and transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.

Expression of activated RAF accelerates cell differentiation and RB protein down-regulation but not hypophosphorylation.

Expression of an activated raf transgene accelerated the terminal myeloid differentiation of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells induced by retinoic acid. A similar result was obtained when 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was used to induce monocytic differentiation. The stable transfectants were derived by transfecting HL-60 cells with DNA encoding an N-terminal truncated raf-1 protein.