Identification of CgeA as a glycoprotein that anchors polysaccharides to the spore surface in Bacillus subtilis.

The Bacillus subtilis spore is composed of a core, containing chromosomal DNA, surrounded by a cortex layer made of peptidoglycan, and a coat composed of concentric proteinaceous layers. A polysaccharide layer is added to the spore surface, and likely anchored to the crust, the coat outermost layer. However, the identity of the coat protein(s) to which the spore polysaccharides (SPS) are attached is uncertain.

dynamics of cyst and vegetative cell populations of the toxic dinoflagellate in Ago Bay, central Japan.

Temporal changes in the germination flux of cysts and the abundance of vegetative cells of the toxic dinoflagellate were investigated in Ago Bay, central Japan from July 2003 to December 2004. The germination flux (cells m day) was measured using 'plankton emergence trap/chambers (PET chambers)'. Germination of the cysts in the sediments occurred continuously during the study, ranging from 52 to 1753 cells m day, with no temporal trend.

Chronic vardenafil treatment improves erectile function via structural maintenance of penile corpora cavernosa in rats with acute arteriogenic erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Chronic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor treatment may be useful in reversing erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the mechanisms of this improvement remain unknown.

Aim: The aim of this article was to determine the mechanisms of the improvement by chronic vardenafil treatment for acute arteriogenic ED in rats.

Diastereomer-specific effects of double-stranded peptides conjugated with -L-Tyr-L-Phe- or -L-Tyr-D-Phe- residues on tyrosine phosphorylation and inhibition of src(ts)NRK, A431, MCF-7, and DU145 cell growth.

The interaction between growth inhibition and chirality, especially of diastereomers, has an important modifying effect on cancer cell proliferation. Previously, we have reported on the design, synthesis, and chemical properties of a series of novel, double-stranded peptides, (y-AA-x-AA)(2)-(CH(2))(12), with -y-AA-x-AA- and -z-AA-y-AA-x-AA- sequences conjugated to the spacer. Here, we extend those results by showing that (D-, L-) and (L-, D-) diastereomers are more potent inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation than (L-, L-).

Diastereomeric selective effects of double-stranded peptides conjugated with -Phe-Phe- residue for growth inhibition and permeability of Ca(2+) on A431, src(ts)NRK, and A549 cells proliferation.

Our aim in this study is to elucidate the correlations between inhibition and chirality, especially, diastereomer, against cell proliferation of double-stranded peptides. In previous studies, we reported on the design, synthesis, and chemical properties on a series of novel double-stranded peptides, (y-AA-x-AA)(2)-spacer(S) (AA=amino acid, S=spacer, symbols x and y represent L- or D-forms, and (y-, x-) as represent of the symbol) conjugated with -y-AA-x-AA- and -z-AA-y-AA-x-AA- sequences to a spacer of carbon number n. The inhibition of A431 and src(ts)NRK cells growth by four diastereomers of the N(1),N(12)-bis(y-Phe-x-Phe)dodecanediamines (n=12) increased in the following order: (L-, L-)<(D-, D-)<(L-, D-)<(D-, L-).