Site-specific glycosylation analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2): exploring structure and function toward therapeutic targeting.

Glycans found on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have emerged as promising targets for cancer chemotherapy, aiming to address issues such as drug resistance. However, to effectively select the target glycans, it is crucial to define the structure and function of candidate glycans in advance. Through mass spectrometric analysis, this study presents a "glycoform atlas" of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2), an RTK targeted for the treatment of ErbB2-positive cancers.

Integrated Structural Analysis of -Glycans and Free Oligosaccharides Allows for a Quantitative Evaluation of ER Stress.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported in a variety of diseases. Although ER stress can be detected using specific markers, it is still difficult to quantitatively evaluate the degree of stress and to identify the cause of the stress. The ER is the primary site for folding of secretory or transmembrane proteins as well as the site where glycosylation is initiated.

Longitudinal observation of ten family members with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification: A case report.

Background: Familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (FIBGC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that causes bilateral calcification of the basal ganglia and/or cerebellar dentate nucleus, among other locations.

Case Summary: The aim of this study is to report 10 cases of FIBGC observed in a single family. Seven patients showed calcification on their computed tomography scan, and all of these patients carried the mutation.

Proteomics analysis of site- and stage-specific protein expression after peripheral nerve injury.

Background: The peripheral nervous system has greater regenerative potential than the CNS. This fact suggests the existence of molecules that act as key factors in nerve regeneration during molecular changes in the peripheral nervous system.

Methods: The right sciatic nerve of female Sprague-Dawley rats was exposed and transected at the mid-thigh level.

Effects of dietary supplementation with milk fat globule membrane on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to elucidate the effects of dietary milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults. For this 24-week study, 115 middle-aged subjects (range 50-70 years old) were invited, of whom 113 (seventy-two women, forty-one men) completed the trial. Participants were then divided into either the placebo control or MFGM group.

Reduction of HbA1c levels by fucoxanthin-enriched akamoku oil possibly involves the thrifty allele of uncoupling protein 1 (): a randomised controlled trial in normal-weight and obese Japanese adults.

Lifestyle-related problems are becoming a major health threat in East Asian countries. Therefore, finding an efficacious nutraceutical for this population is important. One candidate is fucoxanthin (Fx), a carotenoid abundantly found in edible brown seaweed that has been associated with a number of valuable health-promoting benefits.

Surfactant Protein A Inhibits Growth and Adherence of Uropathogenic To Protect the Bladder from Infection.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is a multifunctional host defense collectin that was first identified as a component of pulmonary surfactant. Although SP-A is also expressed in various tissues, including the urinary tract, its innate immune functions in nonpulmonary tissues are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that adherence of uropathogenic (UPEC) to the bladder was enhanced in SP-A-deficient mice, which suggests that SP-A plays an important role in innate immunity against UPEC.

Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in hypertensive patients may be increased by olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed in the kidney and converts angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1-7), a renoprotective peptide. Urinary ACE2 has been shown to be elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the effects of antihypertensive agents on urinary ACE2 remain unclear.

Metallothionein deficiency in the injured peripheral nerves of complex regional pain syndrome as revealed by proteomics.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by persistent and severe pain after trauma or surgery; however, its molecular mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system are poorly understood. Using proteomics, we investigated whether injured peripheral nerves of CRPS patients have altered protein profiles compared with control nerves. We obtained nerve samples from 3 patients with CRPS-2 who underwent resection of part of an injured peripheral nerve.

A nested leucine rich repeat (LRR) domain: the precursor of LRRs is a ten or eleven residue motif.

Background: Leucine rich repeats (LRRs) are present in over 60,000 proteins that have been identified in viruses, bacteria, archae, and eukaryotes. All known structures of repeated LRRs adopt an arc shape. Most LRRs are 20-30 residues long.

Non-globular structures of tandem repeats in proteins.

There are two classes of tandem repeats in proteins - globular and non-globular. There are two subclasses of non-globular repeats. The first, such as collagen, form stable helices.

Analyses of non-leucine-rich repeat (non-LRR) regions intervening between LRRs in proteins.

Background: Many proteins have LRR (leucine-rich repeat) units interrupted by non-LRRs which we call IR (non-LRR island region).

Methods: We identified proteins containing LRR@IRs (LRRs having IR) by using a new method and then analyzed their natures and distributions.

Results: LRR@IR proteins were found in over two hundred proteins from prokaryotes and from eukaryotes.