Functional analysis of differences in transcriptional activity conferred by genetic variants in the 5' flanking region of the IL12RB2 gene.

Interleukin 12 receptor β chain (IL12RB2) is a crucial regulatory factor involved in cell-mediated immune responses, and genetic variants of the gene encoding IL12RB2 are associated with susceptibility to various immune-related diseases. We previously demonstrated that haplotypes with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' flanking region of IL12RB2, including -1035A>G (rs3762315) and -1023A>G (rs3762316), affect the expression of IL12RB2, thereby altering susceptibility to leprosy and periodontal diseases. In the present study, we identified transcription factors associated with the haplotype-specific transcriptional activity of IL12RB2 in T cells and NK cells.

Transition metal ions induce carnosinase activity in PepD-homologous protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Aminoacylhistidine dipeptidase (EC 3.4.13.

Complete genome sequence of the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis TDC60, which causes periodontal disease.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a black-pigmented asaccharolytic anaerobe and a major causative agent of periodontitis. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of P. gingivalis strain TDC60, which was recently isolated from a severe periodontal lesion in a Japanese patient.

Acute application of cisplatin affects methylation status in neuroblastoma cells.

The pharmacological mechanism of the anti-cancer effect of cisplatin is well known to be DNA intercalation, but the direct or indirect effects of cisplatin on protein expression in cancer cells remain to be explained. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to clarify the early impact of cisplatin on protein expression. In a 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis proteomic experiment, the application of cisplatin for 24 h increased the expression of four proteins and decreased the levels of one protein in neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells.

Oxidative stress induces phosphorylation of the ABC transporter, ATP-binding protein, in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontal disease. Although P. gingivalis is an anaerobic bacterium, it exhibits aerotolerance and can survive in periodontal pockets, indicating that it must possess a mechanism for protection against oxidative stress, although the precise details are still unclear.

Functional analysis of the thioredoxin domain in Porphyromonas gingivalis HBP35.

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral diseases in humans. This caused by infection by the oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis. Our strategy to prevent this infection is to establish a passive immunization system in which endogenous antibodies can be applied directly to neutralize virulent factors associated with this bacterium.

Proteomic analysis of apoptosis induced by xanthoangelol, a major constituent of Angelica keiskei, in neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in children. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with advanced neuroblastoma is still very poor. Our recent study showed that xanthoangelol, a major chalcone constituent of the stem exudates of Angelica keiskei, induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells.

Proteomics-based analysis of a counter-oxidative stress system in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative anaerobic pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis. Although anaerobic, P. gingivalis exhibits a high degree of aerotolerance, which enables it to survive within periodontal pockets.

High production of methyl mercaptan by L-methionine-alpha-deamino-gamma-mercaptomethane lyase from Treponema denticola.

Methyl mercaptan is derived from l-methionine by the action of l-methionine-alpha-deamino-gamma-mercaptomethane lyase (METase) and is a major component of oral malodor. This compound is highly toxic and is thought to play an important role in periodontal disease. We found that Treponema denticola, a member of the subgingival biofilm at periodontal disease sites, produced a large amount of methyl mercaptan even at low concentration of l-methionine.