Fine structures of wing scales in Sasakia charonda butterflies as photonic crystals.

We investigate the microstructure of scales in the wings of male Sasakia charonda charonda butterflies by scanning electron microscopy with the aid of optical microscopy. Six types of scales are identified: B1, W1 and R1 in brown background yellow spots and red spots, respectively; B2 in iridescent purple-blue and W2 in white pearl, both of which characterize the male and B3 in the wing edges. The B1, W1 and R1 scales are almost the same in structure and the B2 and W2 scales are almost the same.

Functional gene screening system identified TRPV4 as a regulator of chondrogenic differentiation.

Sox9 is a transcription factor that is essential for chondrocyte differentiation and chondrocyte-specific gene expression. However, the precise mechanism of Sox9 activation during chondrogenesis is not fully understood. To investigate this mechanism, we performed functional gene screening to identify genes that activate SOX9-dependent transcription, using full-length cDNA libraries generated from a murine chondrogenic cell line, ATDC5.

Virtual screening leads to the discovery of an effective antagonist of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1.

The binding of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) to its ligand on endothelial cells, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), is a crucial step in the migration of leukocytes during the early stages of inflammation and is also involved in T-cell activation. In this paper, we report the identification of a series of novel antagonists of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction using ligand-based virtual screening (VS), analogue design, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. Candidate compounds were evaluated in protein binding and cell adhesion assays.

Induction of osteoclast differentiation by Runx2 through receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin regulation and partial rescue of osteoclastogenesis in Runx2-/- mice by RANKL transgene.

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage-colony stimulating factor play essential roles in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Runx2-deficient (Runx2-/-) mice showed a complete lack of bone formation because of maturational arrest of osteoblasts and disturbed chondrocyte maturation. Further, osteoclasts were absent in these mice, in which OPG and macrophage-colony stimulating factor were normally expressed, but RANKL expression was severely diminished.

Identification, characterization, and cloning of TIP-B1, a novel protein inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-induced lysis.

Some cancer cells evade elimination by virtue of their insensitivity to agents that induce apoptosis. Conversely, the side effects of anticancer agents could be diminished if normal cells were more resistant. To further elucidate the factors that contribute to the susceptibility of a cell to apoptosis, these investigations were designed to identify proteins isolated from cells exposed to low concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that, when incubated with normally TNF-sensitive cells, protect these cells from TNF-induced cytotoxicity.

Age-related changes in the proportion of amyloid precursor protein mRNAs in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

In the human brain, alternative splicing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene transcript generates at least three types of mRNA coding for APP770, APP751 and APP695. The former two types harbor, but the latter one lacks a domain of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (KPI). We studied, by using the RNase protection technique, the expression of APP mRNAs in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological disorders with special reference to aging.

Immunohistochemical localization of the proteinase inhibitor region of amyloid precursor proteins in the neocortex of Alzheimer's disease and aged controls.

The immunohistochemical localization of the proteinase inhibitor region of amyloid protein precursors (APPI) in the postmortem human neocortex was studied using a polyclonal antibody raised against a purified recombinant human APPI derivative produced by COS-1 cells. APPI-like immunoreactivity (APPI-LI) was found diffusely in the human neocortex. APPI-LI appeared as irregularly shaped granular structures.

Enzyme specificity of proteinase inhibitor region in amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease: different properties compared with protease nexin I.

Senile plaques, often surrounded by abnormally grown neurites, are characteristic of Alzheimer's diseased brain. The core of the plaque is mainly composed of amyloid beta protein (beta-AP), two of whose three precursors (APP) have serine proteinase inhibitor regions (APPI). APPI derivatives containing 60, 72 or 88 amino-acid fragments (APPI-60, APPI-72 and APPI-88, respectively) of the longest APP were produced in COS-1 cell culture medium, with the APPI cDNA ligated to the signal sequence of tissue plasminogen activator.

Determination of amyloid beta protein precursors harboring active form of proteinase inhibitor domains in cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients by trypsin-antibody sandwich ELISA.

beta-Amyloid protein precursors (APP) having proteinase inhibitor domains (APPI) were quantified by a new sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detection of active (free) form of proteinase inhibitors by using trypsin in place of the first antibody and by denaturation of APPI-trypsin complex in the microtiterplate. The concentration of APPs having APPI in cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients was found, by this method, to be significantly elevated compared with those of multi-infarct dementia.

Tissue-specific expression of three types of beta-protein precursor mRNA: enhancement of protease inhibitor-harboring types in Alzheimer's disease brain.

Expression of three types of mRNA encoding amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP) in various tissues was analysed, using a ribonuclease protection assay, with special reference to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The total content and the proportion of APP mRNAs were specific to each tissue. Among eight tissues examined, the brain was distinct in that the expression level was highest and APP695 mRNA was expressed in abundance.

Three types of amyloid protein precursor mRNA in human brain: their differential expression in Alzheimer's disease.

Three types of amyloid protein precursor (APP) mRNA, produced by alternative splicing, were detected by Northern blotting in human brains, both control and Alzheimer's disease. These mRNAs encode APP695 consisting of 695 amino acids, APP751 harboring a 56 amino acid insert homologous to a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor inside APP695, and APP770 containing an additional 19 amino acid insert. Another possible APP mRNA which encodes "APP714" containing a 19 amino acid insert was not found in brain samples tested.

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene for mouse tumor necrosis factor.

The mouse tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene was isolated from a mouse genomic library. The entire sequence of the gene was determined using both an automated DNA sequencer with improved primer extension reaction conditions as well as the standard radioisotopic method. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the gene with that of mouse TNF cDNA showed that the mouse gene consists of four exons, like rabbit and human TNF genes.

Novel precursor of Alzheimer's disease amyloid protein shows protease inhibitory activity.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by cerebral deposits of amyloid beta-protein (AP) as senile plaque core and vascular amyloid, and a complementary DNA encoding a precursor of this protein (APP) has been cloned from human brain. From a cDNA library of a human glioblastoma cell line, we have isolated a cDNA identical to that previously reported, together with a new cDNA which contains a 225-nucleotide insert. The sequence of the 56 amino acids at the N-terminal of the protein deduced from this insert is highly homologous to the basic trypsin inhibitor family, and the lysate from COS-1 cells transfected with the longer APP cDNA showed an increased inhibition of trypsin activity.

Gene structure of human thrombomodulin, a cofactor for thrombin-catalyzed activation of protein C.

The gene coding for human thrombomodulin, a thrombin receptor on endothelial cells and a cofactor for the activation of anticoagulant protein C zymogen, was isolated from a human genomic library by employing human thrombomodulin cDNA as a probe. The nucleotide sequences of the gene and the adjacent 5' and 3' flanking regions were then determined. The nucleotide sequence of this gene with approximately 3.

Structure and expression of a cloned cDNA for human (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase.

17S poly(A)+RNA, which hybridized to an oligonucleotide complementary to a part of the partial cDNA (E1cDNA) (Merlin et al. (1983) Proc. Natl.