;We cloned a cDNA for matrix-attachment region (MAR)-binding protein from Nicotiana tabacum cells to elucidate the structure and function of the nuclear matrix. The cDNA encodes a protein of 555 amino acids (61,050 Da) with an isoelectric point of 9.4. We named the protein NtMARBP61. The sequence is 45% identical to yeast Nop58p, which is involved in rRNA processing. The Cterminal part is unique and rich in lysine residues. The recombinant C-terminal part had the ability to bind double-stranded DNAs of 12 tobacco MARs. The intracellular localization was determined to be in the nucleolus by fluorescent microscopy using the antibody to the recombinant NtMARBP61. The mRNA level was high in the lag and early-log phases of cultured cells but low in the stationary phase. The protein was accumulated only in the middleand late-log phases, suggesting that NtMARBP61 is essential for growing cells. The results suggest at least the structural and regulatory function of NtMARBP61 in the nucleolus as a MAR-binding protein in a growth-stage specific manner.

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), protein kinase R (PKR), and endosomal Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) sense viral non-self RNA and are involved in cell fate determination. However, the mechanisms by which intracellular RNA induces apoptosis, particularly the role of each RNA sensor, remain unclear. We performed cytoplasmic injections of different types of RNA and elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA-induced apoptosis. The results obtained revealed that short 5′-triphosphate dsRNA, the sole ligand of RIG-I, induced slow apoptosis in a fraction of cells depending on IRF-3 transcriptional activity and IFN-I production. However, intracellular long dsRNA was sensed by PKR and TLR3, which activate distinct signals, and synergistically induced rapid apoptosis. PKR essentially induced translational arrest, resulting in reduced levels of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein and functioned in the TLR3/TRIF-dependent activation of caspase 8. The present results demonstrated that PKR and TLR3 were both essential for inducing the viral RNA-mediated apoptosis of infected cells and the arrest of viral production.

In the practical use for the production of the α-olefins, it is highly desired to develop a novel heterogeneous catalyst system. The metal complexes immobilized into the clay interlayers show a great potential as heterogeneous catalysts due to their excellent processability. In this study, nine types of heterogeneous procatalyst Ln/Ni 2+ -micas were synthesized via a one-pot preparation method, . A high catalyst activity was obtained when the substituent having a larger steric bulk than that of a methyl substituent was introduced at the ortho-position of the aryl rings. The introduction of the fluorine substituent as a strong electron-withdrawing group to the para-position also increased the catalytic activity. The L2, L4, L5, and L6/Ni 2+ -micas showed moderate selectivities to oligomers consisting of C 4 -C 20 in the range of 19.9 -41.6 wt% at 50˚C. The calculated Schulz-Flory constants α based on the mole fraction of C 12 and C 14 were within 0.61 -0.78.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is widely used as a topical drug for acne vulgaris, 1 and has keratolytic/comedolytic, anti-inflammatory effects 1 and antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes. 2,3 We also previously demonstrated the rapid and potent bactericidal activity of BPO against C. acnes. 4 BPO is rapidly degraded to benzoic acid to generate free radicals, 5 and it is thought to cause damage to the bacterial cell walls. 6 Therefore, BPO may be effective against microorganisms other than C. acnes. Akaza et al. reported the possibility that not only C. acnes but also other cutaneous resident microorganisms such as Staphylococcus species and Malassezia species are related to acne. 7 In this study, we investigated the in vitro microbicidal activity of BPO against various bacteria and fungi.

Protein crystallization is usually conducted by using precipitants, although the “salting-out” phenomenon is still unclear and complex. Moreover, the addition of precipitants sometimes results in irreversible disordered precipitation of protein molecules. Although precipitant-free lysozyme crystals obtained by centrifugal concentration showed significant changes in three-dimensional structure compared to the structure of salted-out crystals, it was rather difficult to mount crystals from a viscous dense liquid phase after centrifugal concentration, and the quality of the crystals often deteriorated during the mounting process. Here we present novel precipitant-free crystallization methods, which were effective for lysozyme and glucose isomerase. Tetragonal lysozyme crystals were successfully crystallized in a glass capillary simply by drying highly concentrated lysozyme solution in the presence of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid without using any precipitants. Glucose isomerase dissolved in ultra-pure water was also successfully crystallized in hanging drops by drying highly concentrated solution under low-humidity conditions. Oscillation images of the obtained crystals were safely collected without handling; they clearly indicated the crystals had a tetragonal form for lysozyme and an orthorhombic form for glucose isomerase, and their lattice parameters are similar to those of previously reported crystals obtained by salting-out methods.

This case report describes a case of spontaneous pancreatic islet cell carcinoma with vascular invasion in a 110-week-old male F344 rat. Histologically, a pancreatic nodule consisting of tumor cells and many blood-rich vessels, and covered with a fibrous capsule showed local invasion in the capsule and adjacent acinar tissues, encircling a large duct-like structure (DS). The tumor was composed of well-differentiated tumor cells resembling normal pancreatic islet cells, which had small round nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures were rare. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for insulin. Although endothelial cells were not detected, the DS wall showed cells positive for -smooth muscle actin and elastic fibers, suggesting that the DS is the pancreatic artery. This is a rare case of islet cell carcinoma consisting of well-differentiated tumor cells with invasion of the pancreatic artery in a rat.

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