A HAP complex, which consists of three subunits, namely HAP2 (also called NF-YA or CBF-B), HAP3 (NF-YB/CBF-A) and HAP5 (NF-YC/CBF-C), binds to CCAAT sequences in a promoter to control the expression of target genes. We identified 10 HAP2 genes, 11 HAP3 genes and 7 HAP5 genes in the rice genome. All the three HAP family genes encode a protein with a conserved domain in each family and various non-conserved regions in both length and amino acid sequence. These genes showed various expression patterns depending on genes, and various combinations of overlapped expression of the HAP2, HAP3 and HAP5 genes were observed. Furthermore, protein interaction analyses showed interaction of OsHAP3A, a ubiquitously expressed HAP3 subunit of rice, with specific members of HAP5. These results indicate that the formation of specific complex with various HAP subunits combinations can be achieved by both tissue specific expression of three subunit genes and specific interaction of three subunit proteins. This may suggest that the HAP complexes may control various aspects of rice growth and development through tissue specific expression and complex formation of three subunit members.

SummaryWe have isolated three genes that potentially encode a HAP3/nuclear factor-YB (NF-YB)/CCAAT binding factor-A (CBF-A) subunit of a CCAAT-box binding complex in rice (Oryza sativa), and named them OsHAP3A, OsHAP3B and OsHAP3C. These genes were expressed in various organs including leaves. In the transgenic rice plants with antisense or RNAi construct of OsHAP3A, reduced expression of not only OsHAP3A but also OsHAP3B and OsHAP3C was observed. These plants had pale green leaves, in which the amount of chlorophyll was reduced and chloroplasts were degenerated. Lamella was not well developed and accumulation of starch was not detected. The degenerated chloroplast formation was accompanied by reduced expression of nuclear-encoded photosynthesis genes such as RBCS and CAB, while expression of chloroplast-encoded genes was not affected or rather increased. These results suggest that one or more OsHAP3 genes regulate the expression of nuclear-encoded chloroplast-targeted genes and normal development of chloroplasts.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: In Japan, the standard treatment for stage II or III gastric cancer is D2 gastrectomy followed by administration of S-1 for one year. However, patients with stage III disease have unsatisfactory survival rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the e cacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of S-1 and oxaliplatin for advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with cT4 or cN2-3 gastric cancer were scheduled to receive two courses of chemotherapy (130 mg/m 2 oxaliplatin on Day 1, 80 mg/m 2 S-1 per day twice daily for 14 days) followed by surgery. The primary endpoint was the R0 resection rate. The secondary endpoints were rates of completion of protocol treatment, pathological response, and adverse events; and 3-year overall survival, 5-year overall survival, and 5-year recurrence-free survival.Results: Between May 2016 and March 2019, 30 patients were enrolled in the study, all of whom completed the protocol treatment. The R0 resection rate (primary endpoint) was 93.3% (95% con dence interval: 77.9-99.2). The pathological response rate was 63.3%. Grade 3-4 toxicities included anemia (3.3%), anorexia (6.7%), and fatigue (3.3%). Relative dose intensities were 91.2% and 94.2% for S-1 and oxaliplatin, respectively.Conclusions: Neoadjuvant S-1 and oxaliplatin is highly effective, achieving an acceptable R0 resection rate with relatively few severe toxicities and good compliance. Trial registration information:Registry name: A prospective intervention study on the availability of preoperative SOX therapy for T4 or N2-3 gastric cancer