Plasma ApoE4 Levels Are Lower than ApoE2 and ApoE3 Levels, and Not Associated with Plasma Aβ40/42 Ratio as a Biomarker of Amyloid-β Amyloidosis in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: APOE4 is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, limited information is currently available on APOE4 and the pathological role of plasma apolipoprotein E (ApoE) 4 remains unclear.

Objective: The aims of the present study were to measure plasma levels of total ApoE (tE), ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4 using mass spectrometry and elucidate the relationships between plasma ApoE and blood test items.

Development of Electrochemical Oxygen Demand Measurement Cells Using a Diamond Electrode.

Electrolytic cells for electrochemical oxygen demand (ECOD) measurements based on total electrolytic decomposition at a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode were developed for rapid measurement of organic pollutants at low concentrations. Using improved electrolytic cells designed for efficient mass transfer, the ECOD for 10 μM potassium hydrogen phthalate (theoretical ECOD: 2.3 mg-O L) was determined in a relatively short electrolysis time.

Inhibition of MEK1 Signaling Pathway in the Liver Ameliorates Insulin Resistance.

Although mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) is a key signaling molecule and a negative regulator of insulin action, it is still uncertain whether MEK can be a therapeutic target for amelioration of insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in vivo. To clarify whether MEK inhibition improves T2D, we examined the effect of continuous MEK inhibition with two structurally different MEK inhibitors, RO5126766 and RO4987655, in mouse models of T2D. RO5126766 and RO4987655 were administered via dietary admixture.

Direct determination of chemical oxygen demand by anodic decomposition of organic compounds at a diamond electrode.

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was measured directly with a simple electrochemical method using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode. By applying a highly positive potential (+2.5 V vs Ag/AgCl) to an aqueous electrolyte containing potassium hydrogen phthalate, glucose, and lactic acid or sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate using a BDD electrode, an anodic current corresponding to the electrolytic decomposition of these organic compounds was observed.

Role of Src-family kinases in formation of the cortical actin cap at the dorsal cell surface.

Protein-tyrosine phosphorylation is regulated by protein-tyrosine kinases and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) participate in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin filaments can be accumulated in a cap at the dorsal cell surface, which is called the cortical actin cap.

Differential mitotic activation of endogenous c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn in HeLa cells.

Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) play an important role in mitosis. Despite overlapping expression of multiple SFK members, little is known about how individual SFK members are activated in M phase. Here, we examined mitotic activation of endogenous c-Src, c-Yes, and Lyn, which are co-expressed in HeLa cells.

Role of Src-family kinases in formation and trafficking of macropinosomes.

Src-family kinases that localize to the cytoplasmic side of cellular membranes through lipid modification play a role in signaling events including membrane trafficking. Macropinocytosis is an endocytic process for solute uptake by large vesicles called macropinosomes. Although macropinosomes can be visualized following uptake of fluorescent macromolecules, little is known about the dynamics of macropinosomes in living cells.

Stereochemical course in water addition during LUP1-catalyzed triterpene cyclization.

Arabidopsis thaliana LUP1 (At1g78970) catalyzes the cyclization of oxidosqualene into lupeol and 3beta,20-dihydroxylupane (lupanediol). The stereochemical course of water addition to the lupanyl cation was studied. The X-ray crystal structure of lupanylepoxide 3,5-dinitrobenzoate established the configuration of epoxide as 20S.

Identification of beta-amyrin and sophoradiol 24-hydroxylase by expressed sequence tag mining and functional expression assay.

Triterpenes exhibit a wide range of structural diversity produced by a sequence of biosynthetic reactions. Cyclization of oxidosqualene is the initial origin of structural diversity of skeletons in their biosynthesis, and subsequent regio- and stereospecific hydroxylation of the triterpene skeleton produces further structural diversity. The enzymes responsible for this hydroxylation were thought to be cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase, although their cloning has not been reported.