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.

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses as it affects more than 350 million people globally. Major depressive disorder is etiologically complex and disabling. Genetic factors play a role in the etiology of major depression. However, identical twin studies have shown high rates of discordance, indicating non‐genetic mechanisms as well. For instance, stressful life events increase the risk of depression. Environmental stressors also induce stable changes in gene expression within the brain that may lead to maladaptive neuronal plasticity in regions implicated in disease pathogenesis. Epigenetic events alter the chromatin structure and thus modulate expression of genes that play a role in neuronal plasticity, behavioral response to stress, depressive behaviors, and response to antidepressants. Here, we review new information regarding current understanding of epigenetic events that may impact depression. In particular, we discuss the roles of histone acetylation, DNA methylation, and non‐coding RNA. These novel mechanisms of action may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating major depression.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play key roles in all cellular processes and hence are useful as potential targets for new drug development. To facilitate the screening of PPI inhibitors as anticancer drugs, the authors have developed a highthroughput screening (HTS) system using an in vitro protein fragment complementation assay (PCA) with monomeric Kusabira-Green fluorescent protein (mKG). The in vitro PCA system was established by the topological formation of a functional complex between 2 split inactive mKG fragments fused to target proteins, which fluoresces when 2 target proteins interact to allow complementation of the mKG fragments. Using this assay system, the authors screened inhibitors for TCF7/β-catenin, PAC1/PAC2, and PAC3 homodimer PPIs from 123,599 samples in their natural product library. Compound TB1 was identified as a specific inhibitor for PPI of PAC3 homodimer. TB1 strongly inhibited the PPI of PAC3 homodimer with an IC 50 value of 0.020 µM and did not inhibit PPI between TCF7/β-catenin and PAC1/PAC2 even at a concentration of 250 µM. The authors thus demonstrated that this in vitro PCA system applicable to HTS in a 1536-well format is capable of screening for PPI inhibitors from a huge natural product library. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2009:970-979)

CaMKIIb activity is differentially modulated in a depression/resilience GxE model CaMKIIb activity is critical for determining stress susceptibility and resilience CaMKIIb-mediated TARPg-8 activation exerts pro-resilience effects TARPg-8-mediated synaptic expression of GluA1 confers chronic stress resiliency