We previously found that the level of Fas, a cell surface receptor for an apoptosis signal, increases at the mRNA level in influenza virus-infected HeLa cells prior to their death by apoptosis. Here we investigated the mechanism of activation of the Fas-encoding gene expression upon influenza virus infection. Nucleotide sequences for the binding of nuclear factor for interleukin-6 expression (NF-IL6), also known as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta, were repeated 8 times in the 5'-end region of the human FAS gene, spanning from -1360 to +320. This region directed the expression of a downstream marker gene when introduced into HeLa cells and the activity of the FAS gene promoter was stimulated about 2-fold upon influenza virus infection. Gene expression driven by the FAS promoter was activated when human NF-IL6 was overproduced in a DNA when human NF-IL6 was overproduced in a DNA co-transfection study. Moreover, the DNA-binding activity of NF-IL6 increased after infection with the virus, whereas the amount of NF-IL6 seemed unchanged. The results suggest that NF-IL6 is activated upon influenza virus infection through post-translational modification and that the modified factor stimulates the transcription of the human FAS gene.

Since advance online publication, the legend to Fig 2 has been amended to remove an incorrect explanation for the KD abbreviation.The posttranslational regulation of mammalian clock proteins has been assigned a time-keeping function, but seems to have more essential roles. Here we show that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), identified by inhibitor screening of BMAL1 phosphorylation at Ser 520/Thr 527/Ser 592, confers dynamic regulation on the clock. Knockdown of JNK1 and JNK2 abrogates BMAL1 phosphorylation and lengthens circadian period in fibroblasts. Mice deficient for neuron-specific isoform JNK3 have altered behavioural rhythms, with longer free-running period and compromised phase shifts to light. The locomotor rhythms are insensitive to intensity variance of constant light, deviating from Aschoff's rule. Thus, JNK regulates a core characteristic of the circadian clock by controlling the oscillation speed and the phase in response to light.

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Glass substrates which realize high out‐coupling efficiency OLEDs were developed. A scattering layer whose matrix was made of high refractive index glass was formed on a glass substrate. The out‐coupling efficiency of an OLED using this substrate is 1.8 times higher compared with an OLED using an untreated glass substrate.

The atropisomeric properties of seven-membered-ring benzolactams (7a-c and 8a) [1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one (a), 1,5-benzothiazepin-4-one (b), and 1-benzazepin-2-one (c)] were examined. The atropisomers were isolated as the diastereomers with an (S)-phenethylamide moiety, which were characterized by X-ray crystallography, and the barriers to their interconversion were clarified.