[Situation and Problems of Activities for Cancer Cooperative Treatment in Kumamoto].

The Consultation Support and Information Providing Committee, which is a subsidiary organization of the Kumamoto Cancer Medical Cooperation Council, created a critical path called"my medical chart,"which is used in Kumamoto prefecture jointly. The path was implemented in 2009 at designated cancer hospitals. For promoting cancer consultation support centers and nurturing cancer counselors, the Cancer Special Counselor Working Group was formed, and activities were initiated.

Genetic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of tetrahydrobiopterin.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for various enzymes in mammals. In vivo, it is synthesized from GTP via the three-step pathway of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCHI), 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) and sepiapterin reductase (SPR). BH4 is a medicine used to treat atypical hyperphenylalaninemia.