Regulation of adipocyte differentiation by PEGylated all-trans retinoic acid: reduced cytotoxicity and attenuated lipid accumulation.

Obesity is major risk factor for many disorders, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of therapeutic agents available to clinicians for the treatment of obesity. The principal aim of this study was to investigate whether PEGylated all-trans retinoic acid (PRA) can have favorable stability and biological activity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as an antiobesity drug.

AphB influences acid tolerance of Vibrio vulnificus by activating expression of the positive regulator CadC.

A mutant of Vibrio vulnificus that was more sensitive to low pH was screened from a library of mutants constructed by random transposon mutagenesis. By use of a transposon-tagging method, an open reading frame encoding a LysR homologue, AphB, was identified and cloned from V. vulnificus.

A food-grade expression/secretion vector for Lactococcus lactis that uses an alpha-galactosidase gene as a selection marker.

A new food-grade expression/secretion vector for lactococci, pFMN30, was developed using an alpha-galactosidase gene (melA) of Lactobacillus plantarum as a selection marker. The 4.9-kb pFMN30 is a derivative of the lactococcal vector pMG36e containing a broad-host-range replicon of pWV01.

Isolation and characterization of promoters from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris LM0230.

DNA fragments showing promoter activity were obtained from the chromosomal DNA of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris LM0230 by using a promoter-screening vector pBV5030, which contains a promoterless chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Ten fragments were identified based on their ability to confer resistance against chloramphenicol in Escherichia coli.

The barley ERF-type transcription factor HvRAF confers enhanced pathogen resistance and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis.

We isolated HvRAF (Hordeum vulgare root abundant factor), a cDNA encoding a novel ethylene response factor (ERF)-type transcription factor, from young seedlings of barley. In addition to the most highly conserved APETALA2/ERF DNA-binding domain, the encoded protein contained an N-terminal MCGGAIL signature sequence, a putative nuclear localization sequence, and a C-terminal acidic transcription activation domain containing a novel mammalian hemopexin domain signature-like sequence. Their homologous sequences were found in AAK92635 from rice and RAP2.

Selective utilization of fructose to glucose by Candida magnoliae, an erythritol producer.

Candida magnoliae isolated from honeycomb is an industrially important yeast with high erythritol-producing ability. Erythritol has been used as functional sugar substitute for various foods. In order to analyze the physiological properties of C.

Molecular, biochemical and histochemical characterization of two acetylcholinesterase cDNAs from the German cockroach Blattella germanica.

Full length cDNAs encoding two acetylcholinesterases (AChEs; Bgace1 and Bgace2) were cloned and characterized from the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Sequence analyses showed that both genes possess all the typical features of ace, and that Bgace1 is orthologous to the insect ace1 whereas Bgace2 is to the insect ace2. Transcript level of Bgace1 was significantly higher (c.

Mannosylated chitosan nanoparticle-based cytokine gene therapy suppressed cancer growth in BALB/c mice bearing CT-26 carcinoma cells.

Cancer immunotherapy relies on the ability of the immune system to destroy tumor cells selectively and to elicit a long-lasting memory of such activity. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is an immunomodulatory cytokine produced primarily by antigen-presenting cells, which play an important role in promoting Th1-type immune response and cell-mediated immunity. To augment the antitumor immune action by in vivo IL-12 gene delivery, mannosylated chitosan (MC) was prepared to induce mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis of IL-12 gene directly into dendritic cells which reside within the tumor.

Crystal structure of D-psicose 3-epimerase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and its complex with true substrate D-fructose: a pivotal role of metal in catalysis, an active site for the non-phosphorylated substrate, and its conformational changes.

D-psicose, a rare sugar produced by the enzymatic reaction of D-tagatose 3-epimerase (DTEase), has been used extensively for the bioproduction of various rare carbohydrates. Recently characterized D-psicose 3-epimerase (DPEase) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens was found to belong to the DTEase family and to catalyze the interconversion of D-fructose and D-psicose by epimerizing the C-3 position, with marked efficiency for D-psicose. The crystal structures of DPEase and its complex with the true substrate D-fructose were determined; DPEase is a tetramer and each monomer belongs to a TIM-barrel fold.

Enhancing thermostability of maltogenic amylase from Bacillus thermoalkalophilus ET2 by DNA shuffling.

DNA shuffling was used to improve the thermostability of maltogenic amylase from Bacillus thermoalkalophilus ET2. Two highly thermostable mutants, III-1 and III-2, were generated after three rounds of shuffling and recombination of mutations. Their optimal reaction temperatures were all 80 degrees C, which was 10 degrees C higher than that of the wild-type.

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of vancomycin-resistant enterococci from hospitalized humans and from poultry in Korea.

Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) isolates from humans (23 isolates) and poultry (20 isolates) were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility, vancomycin resistance transferability, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and structural analysis of Tn1546-like elements. VRE isolates from humans and poultry showed different resistance patterns, transferability, and transfer rate. In addition to these phenotypic differences between humans and poultry VRE, PFGE and the structure of Tn1546-like elements were also distinct.

Cloning and functional characterization of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidyltransferase (GbMECT) gene from Ginkgo biloba.

2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidyltransferase (MECT), the third enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, catalyzes formation of 4-(cytidine 5'-diphospho)-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol from MEP. GbMECT, presumably involved in ginkgolide biosynthesis, was cloned and characterized from Ginkgo biloba embryonic roots. The protein containing the N-terminal chloroplast transit peptide consisted of 327 amino acid residues.

The roles of polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention.

Oxidative stress imposed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology associated with neoplasia, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. The ROS-induced development of cancer involves malignant transformation due to altered gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms as well as DNA mutations. Considerable attention has been focused on identifying naturally occurring antioxidative phenolic phytochemicals that are able to decrease ROS levels, but the efficacies of antioxidant therapies have been equivocal at best.

Plastid transformation in the monocotyledonous cereal crop, rice (Oryza sativa) and transmission of transgenes to their progeny.

The plastid transformation approach offers a number of unique advantages, including high-level transgene expression, multi-gene engineering, transgene containment, and a lack of gene silencing and position effects. The extension of plastid transformation technology to monocotyledonous cereal crops, including rice, bears great promise for the improvement of agronomic traits, and the efficient production of pharmaceutical or nutritional enhancement. Here, we report a promising step towards stable plastid transformation in rice.

Bee venom injection significantly reduces nociceptive behavior in the mouse formalin test via capsaicin-insensitive afferents.

Unlabelled: Peripheral bee venom (BV) administration produces 2 contrasting effects, nociception and antinociception. This study was designed to evaluate whether the initial nociceptive effect induced by BV injection into the Zusanli acupoint is involved in producing the more prolonged antinociceptive effect observed in the mouse formalin test, and whether capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents are involved in these effects. BV injection into the Zusanli point increased spinal Fos expression but not spontaneous nociceptive behavior.

Multiple resistance and biochemical mechanisms of pyridaben resistance in Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

A field colony of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae) resistant to pyridaben was selected with pyridaben successively for 20 generations to produce the PR-20 strain. Resistance and multiple resistance levels of the PR-20 strain to 15 acaricides were determined using a spray bioassay. The PR-20 strain was extremely resistant to pyridaben (resistance ratio [RR] = 240].

Toxicity of spray and fumigant products containing cassia oil to Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae).

The toxicity of formulations of oil of cassia, Cinnamomum cassia Blume, (20 and 50 g L(-1) sprays and 100% oil-based fumigant) to adult Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes and D. pteronyssinus Trouessart was examined using contact and vapour-phase toxicity bioassays. Results were compared with the lethal activity of three commercial acaricides: benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate and diethyl-m-toluamide (deet).

Structural and functional analysis of PucM, a hydrolase in the ureide pathway and a member of the transthyretin-related protein family.

The ureide pathway, which produces ureides from uric acid, is an essential purine catabolic process for storing and transporting the nitrogen fixed in leguminous plants and some bacteria. PucM from Bacillus subtilis was recently characterized and found to catalyze the second reaction of the pathway, hydrolyzing 5-hydroxyisourate (HIU), a product of uricase in the first step. PucM has 121 amino acid residues and shows high sequence similarity to the functionally unrelated protein transthyretin (TTR), a thyroid hormone-binding protein.

Decreased activity of brush border membrane-bound digestive enzymes in small intestines from pigs experimentally infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.

Brush border membrane-bound digestive enzymes such as disaccharidases (lactase, sucrase, and maltase), leucine aminopeptidase N, and alkaline phosphatase were measured in jejunum from pigs experimentally infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Three piglets from the infected and control groups were euthanized by electrocution and subjected to necropsy at 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours post-inoculation (hpi). The infection of PEDV to jejunum resulted in significant decreases in brush border membrane-bound digestive enzymes such as disaccharidases (lactase, sucrase, and maltase), leucine aminopeptidase N, and alkaline phosphatase.

Bases of biocontrol: sequence predicts synthesis and mode of action of agrocin 84, the Trojan horse antibiotic that controls crown gall.

Agrobacterium radiobacter K84, used worldwide to biocontrol crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, produces an antiagrobacterial compound called agrocin 84. We report the nucleotide sequence of pAgK84, a 44.42-kb plasmid coding for production of this disubstituted adenine nucleotide antibiotic.

Cyclization mechanism of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, a key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthesis.

Cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene by amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) initiates biosynthesis of artemisinin, a clinically important antimalarial drug precursor. Three possible ring-closure mechanisms, two involving a bisabolyl carbocation intermediate followed by either a 1,3-hydride shift or two successive 1,2-shifts, and one involving a germacrenyl carbocation, were proposed and tested by analyzing the fate of farnesyl diphosphate H-1 hydrogen atoms through (1)H and (2)H NMR spectroscopy. Migration of one deuterium atom of [1,1-(2)H(2)]farnesyl diphosphate to H-10 of amorpha-4,11-diene singled out the bisabolyl carbocation mechanism with a 1,3-hydride shift.

H-Ras selectively up-regulates MMP-9 and COX-2 through activation of ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB: an implication for invasive phenotype in rat liver epithelial cells.

One of the most frequent events in carcinogenesis is uncontrolled activation of Ras signaling pathway. A previous study demonstrated that the introduction of H-Ras into the normal WB-F344 rat liver epithelial (WB) cell line and adult male F344 rats resulted in tumorigenicity. The present study investigated whether H-Ras induced the invasive and migrative phenotypes in WB cells, and subsequently aimed at characterizing the underlying mechanisms.

Toxicity of bisabolangelone from Ostericum koreanum roots to Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae).

The acaricidal activity of materials derived from the roots of Ostericum koreanum (Apiaceae) toward adults of Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was examined by direct contact and vapor phase toxicity bioassays. Results were compared with those of three acaricides: benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). The active principle was identified as the sesquiterpenoid bisabolangelone by spectroscopic analysis.

Poly (4-vinylimidazole) as nonviral gene carrier: in vitro and in vivo transfection.

We explored poly(4-vinylimidazole) (P4V) as a nonviral gene carrier. We show that P4V can form DNA condensates of small size (<110 nm) using a dye-exclusion assay with ethidium bromide and dynamic light scattering, and that the complexes form in a pH-sensitive manner, due to the amphotericity of the polymer. P4V was demonstrated to lead to transfection in vitro as effectively as polyethyleneimine (PEI), but at lower cytotoxicity, under conditions where higher amounts of either polymer are required, using luciferase and green fluorescent protein as examples.

Comparative analysis of three indigenous plasmids from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines.

The complete nucleotide sequences of three representative plasmids, pAG1 from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines strain AG1, and pXAG81 and pXAG82 from strain 8ra, were determined. The sizes of pAG1, pXAG81, and pXAG82 are 15143, 26721, and 1315 base pairs, respectively.