Stalled ribosome rescue factors exert different roles depending on types of antibiotics in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli possesses three stalled-ribosome rescue factors, tmRNA·SmpB (primary factor), ArfA (alternative factor to tmRNA·SmpB), and ArfB. Here, we examined the susceptibility of rescue factor-deficient strains from E. coli SE15 to various ribosome-targeting antibiotics.

Development of an environmentally responsive fluorescent ligand for vitamin D receptor.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a critical role in regulating multiple biological processes, including bone metabolism and cell differentiation, by mediating transcriptional activation in response to ligand binding. We have constructed an environmentally fluorescent probe 2 for VDR to facilitate real-time observation of its ligand-dependent conformational changes in living cells. This probe 2 was synthesized by introducing a dansyl fluorophore via an ethynyl group at the C11 position of 1α,25(OH)2D3.

Identification of three distinct cell populations for urate excretion in human kidneys.

In humans, uric acid is an end-product of purine metabolism. Urate excretion from the human kidney is tightly regulated by reabsorption and secretion. At least eleven genes have been identified as human renal urate transporters.

Alteration of serotonin release response in the central nucleus of the amygdala to noxious and non-noxious mechanical stimulation in a neuropathic pain model rat.

Previously, we found that serotonin (5-HT) release in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of anesthetized rats decreases in response to innocuous stroking of the skin, irrespective of stimulus laterality, but increases in response to noxious pinching applied to a hindlimb contralateral to the 5-HT measurement site. The aim of the present study was to determine whether intra-CeA 5-HT release responses to cutaneous stimulation were altered in an animal model of neuropathic pain induced by ligation of the left L5 spinal nerve. In anesthetized neuropathic pain model rats, stroking of the left hindlimb increased 5-HT release in the CeA, whereas stroking of the right hindlimb decreased it.

Diverse Cre recombinase expression pattern in Albumin-Cre driver rats.

Rats (Rattus norvegicus) have been widely utilized as model animals due to their physiological characteristics, making them suitable for surgical and long-term studies. They have played a crucial role in biomedical research, complementing studies conducted in mice. The advent of genome editing technologies has facilitated the generation of genetically modified rat strains, advancing studies in experimental animals.

Complex and Non-sequential Current Signatures of a β-Hairpin Peptide Confined in a Nanopore.

Nanopore sensing is widely used for single-molecule detection, originally applied to nucleic acids and now extended to protein sensing. Our study focuses on the complex conformational changes of peptides in nanopores, which may have implications for peptide fingerprinting and protein identification. Specifically, we investigated the interaction of a β-hairpin peptide (SV28) within an α-hemolysin (αHL) nanopore.

Optimization of canine sperm cryopreservation by focusing on glycerol concentration and freezing rate.

The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed canine spermatozoa through the optimization of glycerol concentration (GC) and freezing rate in the semen freezing protocol. Ejaculates from nine dogs were diluted with an extender containing 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 6%, or 9% glycerol.

Polymorphism and magnetism in a Kitaev honeycomb cobaltate KCoAsO.

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a new Kitaev honeycomb cobaltate, KCoAsO, which crystallizes in two distinct forms: P2/c and R[Formula: see text] space groups. Magnetic measurements reveal ordering temperatures of ~ 14 K for the P2/c structure and ~ 10.5 K for the R[Formula: see text] structure.

Comprehensive genome annotation of Trilocha varians, a new model species of Lepidopteran insects.

Trilocha varians is a member of the bombycid moths. Since T. varians has a considerably shorter generation period than the prevailing model species, Bombyx mori, this species would be a novel model insect in Lepidoptera.

A Structural Model of Truncated Gaussia princeps Luciferase Elucidating the Crucial Catalytic Function of No.76 Arginine towards Coelenterazine Oxidation.

Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc) is a renowned reporter protein that can catalyze the oxidation of coelenterazine (CTZ) and emit a bright light signal. GLuc comprises two consecutive repeats that form the enzyme body and a central putative catalytic cavity. However, deleting the C-terminal repeat only limited reduces the activity (over 30% residual luminescence intensity detectable), despite being a key part of the cavity.

Phenotypic simulation for fruit-related traits in F progenies of chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) using genomic prediction based solely on parental information.

Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruits are used as vegetables, spices, and ornamental plants, necessitating various fruit characteristics. However, their genetic improvement is challenging through conventional crossbreeding due to the quantitative traits, which makes it difficult to predict phenotypes in the progeny.

Hayai-Annotation: A functional gene prediction tool that integrates orthologs and gene ontology for network analysis in plant species.

Hayai-Annotation, an annotation tool powered by the R-shinydashboard browser interface, implements a workflow that integrates sequence alignment using DIAMOND against UniProtKB Plants and ortholog inference using OrthoLoger. We here propose a pipeline to explore genome evolution and adaptation from a different perspective, by creating a network considering orthologs and gene ontology as nodes, with edges based on the annotation for each gene. This approach aims to improve the visualization of conserved biological processes and functions, highlight species-specific adaptations, and enhance the ability to infer the functions of uncharacterized genes by comparing edge patterns across species.

SMTP-44D alleviates diabetic retinopathy by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress in in vivo and in vitro models.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults, and inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to DR development. However, no effective treatments are currently approved for DR. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of SMTP-44D-a Stachybotrys microspora-derived compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties-on DR in in vivo and in vitro models.

Development of Binding Ability Assay of Lactococcus lactis Isolated from Cucumber to Mycotoxins by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging Assay.

Some microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB), can bind to mycotoxins. Its binding ability is useful for mycotoxin mitigation. Conventionally, the binding assay for this ability of microorganisms to mycotoxins has been performed by the so-called in vitro assay.

Segment-specific promoter activity for RNA synthesis in the genome of Oz virus, genus Thogotovirus.

Oz virus (OZV), a tick-borne, six-segmented negative-strand RNA virus in the genus Thogotovirus, caused a fatal human infection in Japan in 2023. To study viral RNA synthesis, we developed an OZV minigenome assay using mammalian cells. This revealed variations in promoter activities among the six genome segments.

Surveillance and genetic diversity of bovine viral diarrhea virus in dairy herds across Taiwan.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) significantly impacts cattle worldwide, causing respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive disorders that lead to substantial economic losses. Despite its high global prevalence and various genotypes, the infection status of BVDV in Taiwan has not been reported. This study conducted large-scale surveillance in 2014, analyzing 460 bovine serum samples collected from 49 dairy herds across Taiwan.

MBGD: Microbial genome database for comparative analysis featuring enhanced functionality to characterize gene and genome functions through large-scale orthology analysis.

Microbial Genome Database for Comparative Analysis (MBGD) is a comprehensive ortholog database encompassing published complete microbial genomes. The ortholog tables in MBGD are constructed in a hierarchical manner. The top-level ortholog table is now constructed from 1,812 genus-level pan-genomes, 6,268 species-level pan-genomes, and 34,079 genomes in total.

Symbiosis and horizontal gene transfer promote herbivory in the megadiverse leaf beetles.

Beetles that feed on the nutritionally depauperate and recalcitrant tissues provided by the leaves, stems, and roots of living plants comprise one-quarter of herbivorous insect species. Among the key adaptations for herbivory are plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) that break down the fastidious polymers in the cell wall and grant access to the nutritious cell content. While largely absent from the non-herbivorous ancestors of beetles, such PCWDEs were occasionally acquired via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or by the uptake of digestive symbionts.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography for Cholangiopancreatic Duct Imaging in Dogs.

Ultrasonography is often used to diagnose biliary diseases in dogs; however, it is difficult to delineate the entire bile and pancreatic ducts. Various imaging techniques for bile and pancreatic ducts have been attempted to overcome this problem. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is often used to evaluate the bile and pancreatic ducts in humans with obstructive jaundice, but very few reports exist on its usage in dogs.

Propagation of neuronal micronuclei regulates microglial characteristics.

Microglia-resident immune cells in the central nervous system-undergo morphological and functional changes in response to signals from the local environment and mature into various homeostatic states. However, niche signals underlying microglial differentiation and maturation remain unknown. Here, we show that neuronal micronuclei (MN) transfer to microglia, which is followed by changing microglial characteristics during the postnatal period.

Seasonal activities, morphological characteristics, and veterinary importance of Haemaphysalis mageshimaensis in Ishigaki and Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan.

Ticks are of veterinary importance as they transmit various pathogens to animals. In Yaeyama, Okinawa, Japan, Haemaphysalis longicornis became the dominant tick species after the eradication of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the 1990s. However, any recent changes remained unclear due to lack of surveys.

Automated xeno-free chondrogenic differentiation from human embryonic stem cells: Enhancing efficiency and ensuring high-quality mass production.

Introduction: Repairing damaged cartilage poses significant challenges, particularly in cases of congenital cartilage defects such as microtia or congenital tracheal stenosis, or as a consequence of traumatic injury, as the regenerative potential of cartilage is inherently limited. Stem cell therapy and tissue engineering offer promising approaches to overcome these limitations in cartilage healing. However, the challenge lies in the size of cartilage-containing organs, which necessitates a large quantity of cells to fill the damaged areas.

First complete genome sequence of tulip mild mottle mosaic virus (Ophiovirus tulipae).

Tulip mild mottle mosaic disease, caused by tulip mild mottle mosaic virus (TMMMV, species Ophiovirus tulipae), was first reported in Japan in 1979. TMMMV has a negative-sense ssRNA genome and is closely related to ophioviruses such as Mirafiori lettuce big vein virus (MLBVV, Ophiovirus mirafioriense). However, its complete nucleotide sequence has not yet been reported.

Two reductases complete steroidal glycoalkaloids biosynthesis in potato.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are specialized metabolites primarily produced by Solanaceae plants such as potatoes and tomatoes. Notably, α-solanine and α-chaconine are recognized as toxic substances in potatoes. While the biosynthetic pathways of SGAs are largely understood, the final steps of α-solanine and α-chaconine biosynthesis remained elusive.