Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIIb (PI4KB) is a host factor required for genome RNA replication of enteroviruses, small non-enveloped viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae. Here, we demonstrated that PI4KB is also essential for genome replication of another picornavirus, Aichi virus (AiV), but is recruited to the genome replication sites by a different strategy from that utilized by enteroviruses. AiV non-structural proteins, 2B, 2BC, 2C, 3A, and 3AB, interacted with a Golgi protein, acylcoenzyme A binding domain containing 3 (ACBD3). Furthermore, we identified previously unknown interaction between ACBD3 and PI4KB, which provides a novel manner of Golgi recruitment of PI4KB. Knockdown of ACBD3 or PI4KB suppressed AiV RNA replication. The viral proteins, ACBD3, PI4KB, and phophatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) localized to the viral RNA replication sites. AiV replication and recruitment of PI4KB to the RNA replication sites were not affected by brefeldin A, in contrast to those in enterovirus infection. These results indicate that a viral protein/ACBD3/PI4KB complex is formed to synthesize PI4P at the AiV RNA replication sites and plays an essential role in viral RNA replication.

Appropriate resources and expression technology necessary for human proteomics on a whole-proteome scale are being developed. We prepared a foundation for simple and efficient production of human proteins using the versatile Gateway vector system. We generated 33,275 human Gateway entry clones for protein synthesis, developed mRNA expression protocols for them and improved the wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis system. We applied this protein expression system to the in vitro expression of 13,364 human proteins and assessed their biological activity in two functional categories. Of the 75 tested phosphatases, 58 (77%) showed biological activity. Several cytokines containing disulfide bonds were produced in an active form in a nonreducing wheat germ cell-free expression system. We also manufactured protein microarrays by direct printing of unpurified in vitro-synthesized proteins and demonstrated their utility. Our 'human protein factory' infrastructure includes the resources and expression technology for in vitro proteome research.

Summary:The optimal treatment for natural killer (NK) cell leukemia after chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection has not been determined. A 15-yearold boy presented with NK cell leukemia following CAEBV infection for 5 years. The peripheral blood and BM had an increased number of CD3 À CD56 + large granular lymphocytes and a monoclonal integration of the EBV genome was detected. Chemotherapy was not sufficiently effective to control the disease. Allogeneic BMT from an HLA-identical sister was performed using a conditioning regimen consisting of total body irradiation, cyclophosphamide and thiotepa. The patient is diseasefree with a perfect performance status 24 months after BMT. This is the first report to show that allogeneic BMT is potentially able to cure NK cell leukemia after CAEBV infection.

The purpose of this study was to establish optimal conditions for recording multifocal visual evoked potentials (mVEPs) in Japanese individuals, whose skull frame presumably differs from Caucasians. The scalp point that was extended from the calcarine fissure was identified using magnetic resonance imaging scans of 200 subjects. MVEPs were recorded from 56 individuals using three single channels and combinations of vertical and horizontal channels. Five electrodes were placed at the inion, 4 cm above the inion, 2.5 cm below the inion, 4 cm to the left or 4 cm to the right of the inion. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was obtained by measuring the root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude of a signal window (45-150 ms) from each of 60-local responses that was divided by the average of the 60 RMS amplitudes of the noise window (325-430 ms). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed based on the proportion of mVEP responses that exceeded a specific SNR criterion, calculated for both the signal window and the noise window. The position of the calcarine fissure relative to the inion was significantly lower than the value reported for Caucasians. The ROC analyses disclosed that bi-channel combinations (one vertical and one horizontal) had significantly better performance to discriminate signal from noise in 60-local mVEP responses compared to any single channel and performed similarly to the tri-channel combination. Two sets of perpendicular channels should be simultaneously used in recording mVEP responses from Japanese people, among whom skull frame characteristics differ from those observed in Caucasians.

Viral infection may be present in two thirds of children with newly diagnosed JMML, but it does not constitute a basis for revising clinical management. The possibility that EBV or other viruses contribute to JMML pathogenesis by stimulating pre-exiting malignant clones warrants further investigation.

Introduction:We investigated the mechanisms underlying immobilization-induced muscle pain in rats. Methods:In rat skeletal muscle, pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured, and nerve growth factor (NGF) level, peripheral nerve fiber density, macrophage number, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression were examined. An NGF receptor inhibitor was injected intramuscularly to assess the relationship between PPT and NGF levels.Results: Immobilization resulted in a decrease in PPT and increases in NGF level, C-fiber density, M1 macrophage number, and IL-1β mRNA expression. Injection of NGF receptor inhibitor reversed the decrease in PPT.Discussion: NGF upregulation may be a major contributor to immobilization-induced muscle pain. The increases in C-fiber density, M1 macrophage number, and IL-1β mRNA expression may be related to immobilization-induced muscle pain. K E Y W O R D SC fiber, immobilization, M1 macrophage, muscle pain, NGF

Kinesin Eg5 is a plus-end-directed microtubule-based motor that is essential for bipolar spindle formation during eukaryotic cell division. Loop L5 of mitotic kinesin Eg5 is a key region determining ATPase activity and motor function. Photochromic molecules undergo reversible isomerization in response to ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. We introduced three kinds of photochromic molecules, 4-phenylazomaleinanil (PAM), 4-(N-(2-iodoacetyl)amino)-4'-(N-(2-(N-(triphenylmethyl)amino)acetyl)amino)azobenzene (IATAB) and 3,3-dimethyl-1-(2-(2-iodoacetoxy)ethyl)-3H-1,2-dihydroindole-2-spiro-2'-(2H)-6'-nitrochromene (IASP) into L5 to control the Eg5 ATPase activity using light irradiation. We prepared five kinesin Eg5 motor domain mutants, E116C, E118C, Y125C, W127C and D130C, which contained a single reactive cysteine residue in loop L5. The ability of S-trityl-l-cysteine (STLC), a specific Eg5 inhibitor, to inhibit E116C, W127C and D130C was significantly reduced. The photochromic molecules were stoichiometrically incorporated into the cysteine residues in L5 of mutants. W127C and D130C modified with IASP exhibited reversible ATPase activity alterations when subjected to light irradiation-induced photoisomerization. The two IASP modified mutants also demonstrated photocontrolled alterations following treatment with STLC. Additionally, the ATPase activity of the mutant D130C modified with PAM could be photocontrolled. Our findings demonstrate that incorporation of photochromic molecules into the key region of loop L5 facilitates the photocontrol of the function of kinesin Eg5.

Summary:The prognosis for blastic natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma is generally dismal. We report a patient who was successfully treated with unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT). A 15-year-old boy was diagnosed as having blastic NK cell lymphoma in the cervical lymph nodes. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was performed on achieving a complete remission. However, the disease recurred in the bone marrow 6 months later. Chemotherapy induced a second remission and the patient received UCBT with a conditioning regimen consisting of total body irradiation, thiotepa and cyclophosphamide. Chronic GVHD of the lung occurred, but it was well controlled with steroids. At the time of writing, he remains in remission 18 months after UCBT with an excellent performance status. UCBT may be an option for patients with blastic NK cell lymphoma. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2002) 30, 41-44. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1703597 Keywords: blastic natural killer cell lymphoma; unrelated cord blood transplantation; bone marrow relapse Natural killer (NK) cell leukemia was first characterized as a CD3 Ϫ /CD56 + subtype of large granular lymphocyte leukemia.1 Subsequently, other investigators proposed two NK precursor cell malignancies: myeloid/NK precursor cell acute leukemia and blastic NK cell leukemia/lymphoma. 2-4The cells of blastic NK cell leukemia/lymphoma are considered to be more mature than those of myeloid/NK precursor cell acute leukemia.5 Blastic NK cell leukemia/ lymphoma may be identical to lymphoblastic lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a CD56 + , surface CD3(sCD3) Ϫ , non B and non-myeloid phenotype. 5 The prognosis for blastic NK cell leukemia/lymphoma is very poor with standard chemotherapy. There have been few reports describing the outcome of patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation.3,6-17 We report a favorable clinical course of a patient with blastic NK cell lymphoma who received unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) during the second complete remission (CR). Case reportA 15-year-old boy received medical attention for large cervical lymph nodes and weight loss in December 1998. Physical examination was unrevealing apart from the palpable cervical, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes. Leukocyte, red blood cell and platelet counts were within normal limits. Results of blood chemistry and a coagulation test were also within the normal range. A biopsy of a cervical lymph node was performed and a diagnosis of blastic NK cell leukemia/lymphoma was made based on histological and immunohistochemical examination (Figure 1). A flow cytometric analysis of the surface antigens demonstrated Figure 1 Blastic NK cell lymphoma of the cervical node. Picture shows a diffuse monotonous infiltrate of medium-sized cells with fine chromatin and scanty cytoplasm, resembling lymphoblasts (H&E, ϫ400).