Small integral membrane protein of the lysosome/late endosome (SIMPLE) is a 161-amino acid cellular protein that contains a characteristic C-terminal domain known as the SIMPLE-like domain (SLD), which is well conserved among species. Several studies have demonstrated that SIMPLE localizes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), early endosomes, lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, aggresomes and the plasma membrane. However, the amino acid regions responsible for its subcellular localization have not yet been identified. The SLD resembles the FYVE domain, which binds phosphatidylinositol (3)-phosphate (PI3P) and determines the subcellular localization of FYVE domain-containing proteins. In the present study, we have found that SIMPLE binds specifically to PI4P through its SLD. SIMPLE co-localized with PI4P and Rab11, a marker for recycling endosomes (REs, organelles enriched in PI4P) in both the IMS32 mouse Schwann cell line and Hela cells. Sucrose density-gradient centrifugation revealed that SIMPLE co-fractionated with syntaxin-6 (a TGN marker) and Rab11. We have also found that SIMPLE knockdown impeded recycling of transferrin and of transferrin receptor. Our overall results indicate that SIMPLE may regulate protein trafficking physiologically by localizing to the TGN and/or REs by binding PI4P.

studies have reported the addition poly merization of [3]dendralene derivatives. [10] Previously, our group has reported the anionic polymerization of 2phenyl [3]den dralene (P3D) and 2(4methoxyphenyl) [3]dendralene (MP3D). [11] In both cases, anionic polymerization smoothly pro ceeds in polar solvents at low tempera ture, affording a polymer with a narrow mole cular weight distribution and a conjugate addition chain structure com prising conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds in the polymer chain, as shown in Scheme 1. However, a bimodal molecular weight distribution was observed when the poly merization mixture was stand still for a long duration after the monomer was completely consumed, presumably because of the nucleophilic addition of the propagating carbanion to the conjugated double bond in the polymer chain, as shown in Scheme 2. Hence, it is crucial to select the polymerization conditions to obtain polymers with controlled chain structures.This side reactions, nucleophilic addition of propagating chain end to the polymer chain, can also be prevented via the lowering of the reactivity of conjugated carbon-carbon double bond in the polymer chain by changing the double bond sub stituent. The carbon-carbon double bond in the polymer chain is conjugated by the phenyl group (Scheme 2), which facilitates easier nucleophilic attack of the propagating carbanion to the double bond compared with the case of an unsubstituted double bond. Hence, the polymerization behavior of [3]den dralene derivatives with a nonconjugating substituent on the C2 carbon of the [3]dendralene framework is interesting. Hence, 2(nhexyl)[3]dendralene (H3D) is selected as a candi date to compare the effect of substituents on its polymerization behavior with that of P3D.Notably, the microstructure of the resulting polymers is also interesting. As expected, the 2substituted[3]dendralene Dendralene In this study, the polymerization behavior of 2-hexyl[3]dendralene (H3D), which is an alkyl-group-derived [3]dendralene, is examined. The polymerization of H3D in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C with potassium naphthalenide as the initiator affords poly(H3D) with a narrow molecular weight distribution, although a small shoulder peak is observed at a high molecular weight even before the monomer is completely consumed. The molecular weight distribution of poly(H3D) prepared in heptane is broader than that prepared in THF, indicating that the nucleophilic addition of a propagating carbanion to the carbon-carbon double bond in the polymer chain occurs in addition to polymerization. Furthermore, the microstructure of poly(H3D) is investigated by NMR. Signals corresponding to the conjugate addition structure, that is, 1,4-and 4,6-structures, are exclusively observed. Poly(H3D) prepared in heptane contains a higher content of the 4,6-structures compared with those prepared in THF.

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In this study, knocking over a wide range of engine speeds was visualized using an optically acssessible engine. In addition, knock under a high compression ratio and supercharged, lean combustion was investigated. The results revealed that under high-speed knock, the flame propagation velocity declined when low-temperature oxidation reactions occurred. Subsequently, autoignition began locally and expanded gradually. Eventually, it was observed that a highly brilliant autoignited flame appeared and propagated through the unburned end gas at a high speed of approximately 1700-1800 m/s. This suggests that high-speed knock causes "developing detonation" in which combustion proceeds at a supersonic speed while pressure waves and the reaction front mutually interact. It was also found that strong knock occurred under supercharged, ultra-lean conditions (Compression Ratio: CR=14, Equivalence Ratio:  =0.5, Intake Pressure: Pin = 140 kPa). In addition, the application of exhaust gas recirculation markedly reduced strong pressure oscillations.

An investigation was made of the fundamental combustion characteristics of a supercharged Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine operating on a gaseous fuel blend of dimethyl ether and methane. Besides measuring the in-cylinder pressure, spectroscopic techniques were used to measure light absorbance and light emission intensity. Exhaust gas samples were also analyzed with a Fourier transform infrared gas analyzer. The experimental results revealed that varying the input heat energy and the mixing ratios of the gaseous fuels caused the in-cylinder pressure to rise sharply, making stable engine operation difficult. However, it was found that applying supercharging while keeping the input heat energy constant moderated the pressure rise during combustion, though the in-cylinder pressure rose overall. As a result, that made it possible to avoid knocking and also to obtain cleaner exhaust emissions. Consequently, the results of this study demonstrate that applying supercharging according to the engine load is a key factor in controlling HCCI combustion.