Cerebral blood flow during rest associates with general intelligence and creativity

Recently, much scientific attention has been focused on resting brain activity and its investigation through such methods as the analysis of functional connectivity during rest (the temporal correlation of brain activities in different regions). However, investigation of the magnitude of brain activity during rest has focused on the relative decrease of brain activity during a task, rather than on the absolute resting brain activity. It is thus necessary to investigate the association between cognitive factors and measures of absolute resting brain activity, such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), during rest (rest-CBF). In this study, we examined this association using multiple regression analyses. Rest-CBF was the dependent variable and the independent variables included two essential components of cognitive functions, psychometric general intelligence and creativity. CBF was measured using arterial spin labeling and there were three analyses for rest-CBF; namely mean gray matter rest-CBF, mean white matter rest-CBF, and regional rest-CBF. The results showed that mean gray and white matter rest-CBF were significantly and positively correlated with individual psychometric intelligence. Furthermore, mean white matter rest-CBF was significantly and positively correlated with creativity. After correcting the effect of mean gray matter rest-CBF the significant and positive correlation between regional rest-CBF in the perisylvian anatomical cluster that includes the left superior temporal gyrus and insula and individual psychometric intelligence was found. Also, regional rest-CBF in the precuneus was significantly and negatively correlated with individual creativity. Significance of these results of regional rest-CBF did not change when the effect of regional gray matter density was corrected. The findings showed mean and regional rest-CBF in healthy young subjects to be correlated with cognitive functions. The findings also suggest that, even in young cognitively intact subjects, resting brain activity (possibly underlain by default cognitive activity or metabolic demand from developed brain structures) is associated with cognitive functions.     

In situ enzyme activity in the dissolved and particulate fraction of the fluid from four pitcher plant species of the genus Nepenthes

The genus Nepenthes, a carnivorous plant, has a pitcher to trap insects and digest them in the contained fluid to gain nutrient. A distinctive character of the pitcher fluid is the digestive enzyme activity that may be derived from plants and dwelling microbes. However, little is known about in situ digestive enzymes in the fluid. Here we examined the pitcher fluid from four species of Nepenthes. High bacterial density was observed within the fluids, ranging from 7×10(6) to 2.2×10(8) cells ml(-1). We measured the activity of three common enzymes in the fluid: acid phosphatases, β-D-glucosidases, and β-D-glucosaminidases. All the tested enzymes detected in the liquid of all the pitcher species showed activity that considerably exceeded that observed in aquatic environments such as freshwater, seawater, and sediment. Our results indicate that high enzyme activity within a pitcher could assist in the rapid decomposition of prey to maximize efficient nutrient use. In addition, we filtered the fluid to distinguish between dissolved enzyme activity and particle-bound activity. As a result, filtration treatment significantly decreased the activity in all enzymes, while pH value and Nepenthes species did not affect the enzyme activity. It suggested that enzymes bound to bacteria and other organic particles also would significantly contribute to the total enzyme activity of the fluid. Since organic particles are themselves usually colonized by attached and highly active bacteria, it is possible that microbe-derived enzymes also play an important role in nutrient recycling within the fluid and affect the metabolism of the Nepenthes pitcher plant.     

A Carboxy-Terminally Truncated Human CPSF6 Lacking Residues Encoded by Exon 6 Inhibits HIV-1 cDNA Synthesis and Promotes Capsid Disassembly

Since HIV-1 replication is modulated at multiple stages by host cell factors, identification and characterization of those host cell factors are expected to contribute to the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutics. Previous studies showed that a C-terminally truncated cytosolic form of cleavage and polyadenylation-specific factor 6 (CPSF6-358) inhibits HIV-1 infection through interference with HIV-1 trafficking to the nucleus. Here we identified and characterized a different configuration of C-terminally truncated human CPSF6 (hCPSF6-375) through cDNA expression cloning coupled with ganciclovir-mediated lethal selection. Notably, hCPSF6-375, but not mouse CPSF6-358 (mCPSF6-358) as previously reported, remarkably interfered with viral cDNA synthesis after HIV-1 infection. Moreover, we found that hCPSF6-375 aberrantly accelerated the disassembly of the viral capsid in target cells, while CPSF6-358 did not. Sequence comparison of CPSF6-375 and CPSF6-358 cDNAs showed a lack of exon 6 and additional coding sequence for 54 amino acid residues in the C terminus of hCPSF6-375. Mutational analyses revealed that the residues encoded by exon 6, but not the C-terminal 54 residues in hCPSF6-375, is responsible for impaired viral cDNA synthesis by hCPSF6-375. This is the first report demonstrating a novel mode of HIV-1 inhibition by truncated forms of CPSF6 that involves rapid capsid disassembly and inhibition of viral cDNA synthesis. These findings could facilitate an increased understanding of viral cDNA synthesis in light of the viral capsid disassembly.     

Distribution of prosaposin in rat lymphatic tissues

Prosaposin (PSAP) is as a trophic factor and an activator protein for sphingolipid hydrolase in lysosomes. We generated a specific antibody to PSAP and examined the spatiotemporal distribution of PSAP-immunoreactive (PSAP-IR) cells in the lymphatic tissues of Wistar rats. Immunoblots of tissue homogenates separated electrophoretically showed a single band for PSAP in brain but two bands in spleen. PSAP-IR cells were distributed in both the red and white pulp of the spleen, in both the cortex and medulla of the thymus and in mesenteric lymph nodes. Many PSAP-IR cells were found in the dome portion of Peyer’s patches and the number of PSAP-IR cells increased with the age of the rat. To identify the PSAP-IR cells, double- and triple-immunostainings were performed with antibodies against PSAP, CD68 and CD1d. The large number of double- and triple-positive cells suggested that antigen-presenting cells contained much PSAP in these lymphatic tissues. Intense expression of PSAP mRNA, examined by in situ hybridisation, was observed in the red pulp and corona of the spleen. In rats, the PSAP gene generates two alternative splicing forms of mRNA: Pro+9 containing a 9-base insertion and Pro+0 without the insertion. We examined the expression patterns of the alternative splicing forms of PSAP mRNA in the spleen. The presence of both types of mRNA (Pro+9 and Pro+0) indicated that the spleen contains various types of prosaposin-producing and/or secreting cells. These findings suggest diverse functions for PSAP in the immune system.     

Human G-proteins,ObgH1 and Mtg1, associate with the large mitochondrial ribosome subunit and are involved in translation and assembly of respiratory complexes

The bacterial homologues of ObgH1 and Mtg1, ObgE and RbgA, respectively, have been suggested to be involved in the assembly of large ribosomal subunits. We sought to elucidate the functions of ObgH1 and Mtg1 in ribosome biogenesis in human mitochondria. ObgH1 and Mtg1 are localized in mitochondria in association with the inner membrane, and are exposed on the matrix side. Mtg1 and ObgH1 specifically associate with the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome in GTP-dependent manner. The large ribosomal subunit stimulated the GTPase activity of Mtg1, whereas only the intrinsic GTPase activity was detectable with ObgH1. The knockdown of Mtg1 decreased the overall mitochondrial translation activity, and caused defects in the formation of respiratory complexes. On the other hand, the depletion of ObgH1 led to the specific activation of the translation of subunits of Complex V, and disrupted its proper formation. Our results suggested that Mtg1 and ObgH1 function with the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome, and are also involved in both the translation and assembly of respiratory complexes. The fine coordination of ribosome assembly, translation and respiratory complex formation in mammalian mitochondria is affirmed.     

Possible steps of complete disassembly of post-termination complex by yeast eEF3 deduced from inhibition by translocation inhibitors

Ribosomes, after one round of translation, must be recycled so that the next round of translation can occur. Complete disassembly of post-termination ribosomal complex (PoTC) in yeast for the recycling consists of three reactions: release of tRNA, release of mRNA and splitting of ribosomes, catalyzed by eukaryotic elongation factor 3 (eEF3) and ATP. Here, we show that translocation inhibitors cycloheximide and lactimidomycin inhibited all three reactions. Cycloheximide is a non-competitive inhibitor of both eEF3 and ATP. The inhibition was observed regardless of the way PoTC was prepared with either release factors or puromycin. Paromomycin not only inhibited all three reactions but also re-associated yeast ribosomal subunits. On the other hand, sordarin or fusidic acid, when applied together with eEF2/GTP, specifically inhibited ribosome splitting without blocking of tRNA/mRNA release. From these inhibitor studies, we propose that, in accordance with eEF3’s known function in elongation, the release of tRNA via exit site occurs first, then mRNA is released, followed by the splitting of ribosomes during the disassembly of post-termination complexes catalyzed by eEF3 and ATP.     

YB-1 suppression induces STAT3 proteolysis and sensitizes renal cancer to interferon-α

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 80–95 % of kidney tumors, and approximately 30 % of RCC patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. Conventional chemotherapy is not effective in patients with metastatic RCC (MRCC); therefore, immunotherapy with interferon-α (IFN-α) has been employed to improve survival. However, the response rate of MRCC to IFN-α therapy is low. We previously reported that a signal transducer and activator 3 (STAT3) polymorphism was a useful diagnostic marker to predict the response to IFN-α therapy in patients with MRCC. Therefore, we hypothesized the inhibition of STAT3 in the addition of IFN-α therapy might be useful. Moreover, the blockage of STAT3 itself has been reported to enhance the antitumor effects. However, because IFN-α is thought to elicit its therapeutic effect via enhancement of an antitumor immune response mediated by lymphocytes that can be activated by IFN-α administrations, it is probable that the suppression of STAT3 in vivo relates to autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we found Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) was poorly expressed in T lymphocytes, as compared with cancer tissues. YB-1 was reported to have an important effect on the STAT3 pathway. Suppression of STAT3 by YB-1 inhibition did not seem to enhance the potential risk for autoimmune disorders. Moreover, we found sensitivity to IFN-α was increased by YB-1 suppression, and this suppression did not down-regulate IFN-α activation of T lymphocytes.     

Visualization of the Penetrative and Mucoadhesive Properties of Chitosan and Chitosan-Coated Liposomes Through the Rat Intestine

The objectives of this study were to observe the penetrative and mucoadhesive behavior of polymer-coated liposomes into the intestinal mucosa of rats. Chitosan (CS) and negatively charged liposomes were chosen as model polymer-coated liposomes. In order to observe their behavior, chitosan was labeled with Fluorescence Isothiocyanate (FITC) via chemical reaction at the isothiocyanate group of FITC and the primary amino group of chitosan; the liposomes (Lips) were marked by incorporation of DiI into the liposomal formulation. FITC-labeled chitosan (FITC-CS), Non-Lips, and FITC-labeled CS-coated Liposomes (FITC-CS-Lips) were intragastrically administered into male Wistar rats, and the behavior of the molecules was subsequently visualized by CLSM (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy). The results demonstrated that the chitosan molecules themselves, as well as the liposomes, could penetrate across the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, the CLSM images demonstrated a lack of separation of the chitosan molecules from the surface of the liposomes after the administration of chitosan-coated liposomes.     

Abrogation of neutral cholesterol ester hydrolytic activity causes adrenal enlargement

We have previously demonstrated that neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 (Nceh1) regulates foam cell formation and atherogenesis through the catalytic activity of cholesterol ester hydrolysis, and that Nceh1 and hormone-sensitive lipase (Lipe) are responsible for the majority of neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase activity in macrophages. There are several cholesterol ester-metabolizing tissues and cells other than macrophages, among which adrenocortical cells are also known to utilize the intracellular cholesterol for steroidogenesis. It has been believed that the mobilization of intracellular cholesterol ester in adrenal glands was facilitated solely by Lipe. We herein demonstrate that Nceh1 is also involved in cholesterol ester hydrolysis in adrenal glands. While Lipe deficiency remarkably reduced the neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase activity in adrenal glands as previously reported, additional inactivation of Nceh1 gene completely abrogated the activity. Adrenal glands were enlarged in proportion to the degree of reduced neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase activity, and the enlargement of adrenal glands and the accumulation of cholesterol esters were most pronounced in the Nceh1/Lipe double-deficient mice. Thus Nceh1 is involved in the adrenal cholesterol metabolism, and the cholesterol ester hydrolytic activity in adrenal glands is associated with the organ enlargement.