Transcription elongation factor Brd4-P-TEFb accelerates intestinal differentiation-associated gene expression.

Background: Expression of the fructose transporter gene and histone acetylation in the transcribed region are induced by differentiation associated-signals such as glucocorticoids and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition in small intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Methods: We co-treated with glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone (Dex) and p44/42 MAPK inhibitor PD98059 (PD) in Caco-2 cells with or without Brd4 small hairpin (sh) RNA expression vector, and the cells were analyzed by qRT-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The small intestine of wild-type mice and mice during weaning period were analyzed by qRT-PCR.

Competitive regulation of human intestinal β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 (BCMO1) gene expression by hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1α and HNF-4α.

Aim: Among the pro-vitamin A carotenoids, β-carotene is an excellent source of vitamin A. β-Carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 (BCMO1) is a critical enzyme involved in the conversion of β-carotene into vitamin A (retinal) in the small intestine of many vertebrates. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of human BCMO1 gene expression using human intestinal Caco-2 BBe cells.

Resistant starch improves insulin resistance and reduces adipose tissue weight and CD11c expression in rat OLETF adipose tissue.

Objective: CD11s/CD18 dimers induce monocyte/macrophage infiltration into many tissues, including adipose tissues. In particular, it was reported that β2-integrin CD11c-positive macrophages in adipose tissues are closely associated with the development of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to determine whether intake of resistant starch (RS) reduces macrophage accumulation in adipose tissues and inhibits the development of insulin resistance at an early stage in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats.

Histone code of genes induced by co-treatment with a glucocorticoid hormone agonist and a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor in human small intestinal Caco-2 cells.

Background: Inactivation of glucocorticoid hormones and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is thought to be important in small intestinal maturation and expression of genes related to intestinal differentiation and functions.

Methods: We investigated target genes induced by co-treatment for 48h with a glucocorticoid hormone agonist, dexamethasone (Dex), and a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor, PD98059 (PD), in a small intestine-like cell line (Caco-2) using microarray analysis. We also investigated whether expression changes of the target genes induced by the co-treatment are associated with histone modifications around these genes.

Induction of the BCMO1 gene during the suckling-weaning transition in rats is associated with histone H3 K4 methylation and subsequent coactivator binding and histone H3 acetylation to the gene.

The cells involved in nutrient absorption in the small intestine of rats undergo rapid maturation during the suckling-weaning transition period, i.e., 2-4 wk after birth.

Change in mutagenic activity of genistein after a nitrite treatment.

This study examined the mutagenic activity of genistein after a nitrite treatment under acidic conditions. Nitrite-treated genistein exhibited mutagenic activity toward Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 100 and TA 98 with or without S9 mix. Nitrite-treated genistein was demonstrated by electron spin resonance to generate radicals.

Trimethylation of histone H3K4 is associated with the induction of fructose-inducible genes in rat jejunum.

We previously reported that fructose force-feeding rapidly induces jejunal Slc2a5 gene expression in rats. In this study, we conducted microarray analyses using total RNA to identify genes upregulated in rat jejunum by fructose force-feeding. Rats were force-fed fructose, glucose or distilled water for 6h.

Analysis of N(ε) -ethyllysine in human plasma proteins by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry as a biomarker for exposure to acetaldehyde and alcohol.

Background: N(ε) -ethyllysine (NEL) is a major stable adduct formed by the reaction of acetaldehyde (AA) with lysine residues in proteins. However, its occurrence and levels in biological specimens and its relationship with AA/alcohol exposure-associated disorders have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we have developed a sensitive and specific method to quantitate NEL levels in human plasma proteins.

Effects of Lens culinaris agglutinin on gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the mouse intestine.

Background: Lectins are proteins that bind specifically to the carbohydrate moiety of glyco-conjugates. Japanese mistletoe lectin given intragastrically affected cytokine gene expression in the mouse intestine. This study examines the actions of Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) on the gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the intestine.

Synthesis of stable isotope-labeled precursors for the biosyntheses of capsaicinoids, capsinoids, and capsiconinoids.

Stable isotope-labeled precursors were synthesized for an analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to elucidate the biosynthetic flow of capsaicinoids, capsinoids, and capsiconinoids. [1'-(13)C][5-(2)H]-Vanillin was prepared by the condensation of guaiacol with [(13)C]-chloroform and a D(2)O treatment. Labeled vanillylamine, vanillyl alcohol, ferulic acid, and coniferyl alcohol were prepared from the labeled vanillin.

Jejunal induction of SI and SGLT1 genes in rats by high-starch/low-fat diet is associated with histone acetylation and binding of GCN5 on the genes.

The intestinal expression of genes involved in carbohydrate digestion and absorption, such as sucrase-isomaltase (SI) and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT1), is higher in rodents fed a high-starch/low-fat (HS) diet than in those fed a low-starch/high-fat (LS) diet. In the present study, we investigated whether the HS diet-induced induction of SI and SGLT1 in the rat jejunum is coordinately regulated by nuclear transcription factors, histone acetylation, or histone acetyltransferases. HS diet intake induced jejunal expression of a histone acetyltransferase, general control of amino acid synthesis (GCN5), concurrently with the SI and SGLT1 genes; however, gene expression of nuclear transcription factors such as hepatocyte nuclear factor-1, caudal type homeobox-2, and GATA-binding protein-4 was unaffected by the HS diet.

Novel concentration method for the detection of norovirus and sapovirus from water using minute particles of amorphous calcium phosphate.

A novel concentration method using minute particles of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was developed for the detection of caliciviruses including norovirus and sapovirus, agents of human gastroenteritis, from water. In seeding experiments with feline calicivirus (FCV), ACP particles were able to adsorb efficiently the viruses in water, and the FCV-concentrated solution was obtained by dissolution of the virus-adsorbing ACP particles with citric acid after centrifugation. By quantitative real-time RT-PCR, the recovery efficiencies from 300 ml ultrapure water seeded with 10³, 10⁴ and >10⁵ copies of FCV were 48, 68 and >100 %, respectively.

Reduced expression of β2 integrin genes in rat peripheral leukocytes by inhibiting postprandial hyperglycemia.

β(2) integrins (CD11s/CD18) promote the attachment of leukocytes to vascular endothelial cells. We performed in this study sucrose loading to rats with moderate postprandial hyperglycemia with/without once-daily dosing of the α-glucosidase inhibitor, miglitol, for 4 days under 4-h fasting conditions. The streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats showed moderate postprandial hyperglycemia on days 1 and 4.

Induction effect of coadministration of soybean isoflavones and sodium nitrite on DNA damage in mouse stomach.

We have already found that nitrite-treated isoflavones exhibit genotoxic activities toward Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 and 98 strains (submitted: nitrite-treated genistein). However, we have not demonstrated genotoxic activity induced by simultaneous treatment with isoflavones and NaNO(2)in vivo. In the present study, we examined whether coadministration of isoflavones (such as daidzein and genistein) and NaNO(2) induces DNA damage in the stomach of ICR male mice.

Changes in mucosal alpha-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis by an Hm-HACS diet intake are associated with decreased lipogenic enzyme activity in epididymal adipose tissue.

Heat-moisture (hm)-high-amylose corn starch (HACS), which includes a larger amount of resistant starch than HACS or regular cornstarch (CS), is more indigestible in the small intestine than HACS or CS. An hm-HACS diet was also shown to ameliorate glucose intolerance and lipid abnormalities. This study examined the effects of feeding rats an hm-HACS diet for 14 days on the activities of mucosal alpha-glucosidase along the jejunal-ileal axis and lipogenic enzymes in epididymal adipose tissue.

The regulation of jejunal induction of the maltase-glucoamylase gene by a high-starch/low-fat diet in mice.

Maltase and glucoamylase are derived from the same mRNA and are responsible for digestion of starch in the small intestine. Their jejunal activities in rodents are induced by a high-starch/low-fat (HS)-diet. However, it is unknown whether jejunal expression of the maltase-glucoamylase (Mgam) gene is enhanced by the HS-diet.

Proteomic identification of serum proteins associated with stress-induced gastric ulcers in fasted rats.

Several physical and psychological stresses frequently become triggers for gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcer. In this study, we tried to identify serum proteins as potential biomarkers for the evaluation of stress-induced gastric ulcer. By proteomic analysis using rats with gastric ulcer induced by water immersion and restraint (WIR) stress as an animal model, we found quantitative changes in several serum proteins, including creatine kinase muscle M chain (CK-M) and apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA4) in the stressed rats.

Feeding rats a high fat/carbohydrate ratio diet reduces jejunal S/I activity ratio and unsialylated galactose on glycosylated chain of S-I complex.

Aims: We examined whether decreasing jejunal sucrase/isomaltase (S/I) activity ratio by feeding rats a high fat/carbohydrate ratio diet is regulated by changing glycosylated chains on the S-I complex.

Main Methods: Jejunal activities of sucrase, isomaltase and beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase were examined in rats fed a high fat/carbohydrate or a low fat/carbohydrate ratio diet. The amount of galactose and mannose in the glycosylated chain on the S-I complex in rats fed both diets was determined using RCA(120) and Con A lectins, respectively.

Changes in α-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis of normal rats by the α-glucosidase inhibitor miglitol.

Miglitol, an α-glucosidase inhibitor that inhibits postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption along the jejunal-ileal axis, has recently been approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Miglitol treatment may lead to increased α-glucosidase activities toward the ileum because carbohydrate flow toward the ileum increases. However, it is not yet known if miglitol treatment alters the α-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis.

Histone H3 methylation at lysine 4 on the SLC2A5 gene in intestinal Caco-2 cells is involved in SLC2A5 expression.

Histone H3 methylation at lysine 4 (K4) is associated with euchromatic regions and is thought to be important for the transcriptional activation of genes during differentiation. In this study, we found that di- and tri-methylation of histone H3 at K4 and acetylation of histones H3 and H4 from the promoter/enhancer to the transcribed region close to the transcription initiation site of the solute carrier family 2, member 5 (SLC2A5) gene, and its expression, were induced by differentiation of intestine-like Caco-2 cells. These effects were accompanied by contact inhibition of cell growth of these cells.

Dietary supplementation with alpha-amylase inhibitor wheat albumin to high-fat diet-induced insulin-resistant rats is associated with increased expression of genes related to fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue.

It is well-known that insulin resistance induces lipid abnormalities by decreasing insulin actions in adipose tissue. This study examined the effects of inhibiting postprandial hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia, using the alpha-amylase inhibitor wheat albumin (WA), on the expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism in the adipose tissue of high-fat diet-induced insulin-resistant rats. Postprandial glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower after oral starch loading with WA than with inactivated WA in insulin-resistant rats.

Feeding rats dietary resistant starch shifts the peak of SGLT1 gene expression and histone H3 acetylation on the gene from the upper jejunum toward the ileum.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) participates in the incorporation of glucose from the lumen to enterocytes in the small intestine. We examined whether dietary resistant starch (RS), an autoclaved high amylose starch that is digested more slowly than regular cornstarch in the small intestine, alters SGLT1 mRNA levels along the jejunum-ileum of rats. The SGLT1 mRNA level was lower in the upper jejunum in rats fed an RS diet than in those fed a regular cornstarch diet, whereas it was higher in the lower jejunum/upper ileum.

Localized expression of genes related to carbohydrate and lipid absorption along the crypt-villus axis of rat jejunum.

Background: Enterocytes of the jejunum express several genes related to digestion/absorption of nutrients and ions when these cells rapidly differentiate from crypt to villus cells. However, it is unknown whether the distribution of extensive gene expression along the villus-crypt axis of the jejunum is altered during differentiation.

Methods: We investigated the changes in jejunal gene expression during differentiation from crypt to villus cells in rats using DNA microarray analysis on cryostat sections of the villus-crypt columns.

Gene expression changes in the jejunum of rats during the transient suckling-weaning period.

It is well-known that the small intestine of rodents rapidly undergoes differentiation and maturation during the transient suckling-weaning period from postnatal days 13 to 27. In the present study, we examined the gene expression changes in the jejunum of rats during the transient suckling-weaning period by microarray analysis. In the microarray data, we found that the expressions of many genes related to digestion/absorption/excretion of nutrients/ions, such as members of the solute carrier (Slc) family and ATP-binding cassette (Abc) subfamily, were rapidly induced during this period.

Modifications of histone H3 at lysine 9 on the adiponectin gene in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Modification of histone H3 at lysine 9 from methylations to acetylation is important for transactivation of genes. In this study, we found that all methylations (mono-, di-, tri-) of histone H3 at lysine 9 on the adiponectin gene decreased by stimulating adipocyte differentiation prior to increases in adiponectin gene expression and acetylation of histone H3 at the same residue on the gene during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, we revealed that decrease of adiponectin gene expression by treatment with TNFalpha, an inducer of insulin resistance in adipocytes, was associated with decreased acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 on the gene, but not methylations.