Safety evaluation of the excessive intake of C-3102 in healthy Japanese adults: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, comparison trial.

Objective: Continuous intake of C-3102 ( C-3102) has been reported to modulate the gut microbiota and increase the bone mineral density of the femur in healthy adults. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of excessive C-3102 intake through a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study.

Method: A total of 69 individuals provided an informed consent, and 44 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were allocated to either the C-3102 (C-3102 group,  = 22) or the placebo group (P group,  = 22).

Morphological analysis on the distribution of membrane lipids and a membrane protein, NAP-22, during neuronal development in vitro.

Specific localization of membrane proteins based on the interactions with membrane lipids at various microdomains (MDs) is under active investigation, since the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of the interactions could reveal a novel concept of cell organization. Due to the strong interactions not only between lipids but also between lipids and proteins, these MDs are considered to be recovered in a detergent-resistant low-density membrane fraction (DRM) after detergent extraction and density-gradient centrifugation. Neurons take well-developed membrane systems during maturation and specific localization of various membrane components, not only proteins but also lipids, is essential for the establishment of the nervous system.

Immunoglobulin E-independent activation of mast cell is mediated by Mrg receptors.

Mast cells play a central role in inflammatory and allergic reactions by releasing inflammatory mediators through two main pathways, immunoglobulin E-dependent and -independent activation. In the latter, mast cells are activated by a diverse range of basic molecules, including peptides and amines such as substance P, neuropeptide Y, and compound 48/80. These secretagogues are thought to activate the G proteins in mast cells through a receptor-independent mechanism.

Molecular basis of non-self recognition by the horseshoe crab lectins.

The target molecules of innate immunity are not proteins of direct gene products but the molecular arrays or patterns on pathogens, called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The self/non-self discrimination by innate immunity through simple ligands universally expressed both on pathogens and hosts, such as monosaccharides and the acetyl group, probably depends on the density or clustering patterns of the ligands. The specific recognition by the horseshoe crab lectins, named tachylectins, with a propeller-like fold or a propeller-like oligomeric arrangement is reinforced by the short distance between the individual binding sites that interact with PAMPs.

Molecular basis of non-self recognition by the horseshoe crab tachylectins.

The self/non-self discrimination by innate immunity through simple ligands universally expressed both on pathogens and hosts, such as monosaccharides and acetyl group, depends on the density or clustering patterns of the ligands. The specific recognition by the horseshoe crab tachylectins with a propeller-like fold or a propeller-like oligomeric arrangement is reinforced by the short distance between the individual binding sites that interact with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). There is virtually no conformational change in the main or side chains of tachylectins upon binding with the ligands.