SUMMARYRice (Oryza sativa) produces diterpenoid phytoalexins (DPs), momilactones and phytocassanes as major phytoalexins. Accumulation of DPs is induced in rice by blast fungus infection, copper chloride or UV light. Here, we describe a rice transcription factor named diterpenoid phytoalexin factor (DPF), which is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. The gene encoding DPF is expressed mainly in roots and panicles, and is inducible in leaves by blast infection, copper chloride or UV. Expression of all DP biosynthetic genes and accumulation of momilactones and phytocassanes were remarkably increased and decreased in DPF over-expressing and DPF knockdown rice, respectively. These results clearly demonstrated that DPF positively regulates DP accumulation via transcriptional regulation of DP biosynthetic genes, and plays a central role in the biosynthesis of DPs in rice. Furthermore, DPF activated the promoters of COPALYL DIPHO-SPHATE SYNTHASE2 (CPS2) and CYTOCHROME P450 MONOOXYGENASE 99A2 (CYP99A2), whose products are implicated in the biosynthesis of phytocassanes and momilactones, respectively. Mutations in the Nboxes in the CPS2 upstream region, to which several animal bHLH transcription factors bind, decreased CPS2 transcription, indicating that DPF positively regulates CPS2 transcription through the N-boxes. In addition, DPF partly regulates CYP99A2 through the N-box. This study demonstrates that DPF acts as a master transcription factor in DP biosynthesis.

The relationship between proximal function of the upper extremity on the paralyzed side and upper extremity skills in daily life of subacute stroke patients. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2017; 8: 44-50. Objectives: The effects of proximal function of the upper extremity on the paralyzed side on daily life skills were examined in stroke patients. Methods: One hundred and forty-seven stroke patients were evaluated using the Functional Skills Measure After Paralysis (FSMAP), the Finger-Function test (FF), and the Knee-Mouth test (KM) of the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS). The FSMAP score for each subgroup of the SIAS-KM level was compared.Results: The FSMAP score was significantly higher in patients with a KM score of 2/3 compared to patients with a KM score of 0/1 when SIAS-FF was 0/1A; in patients with a KM score of 2/3 compared to patients with a KM score of 0/1 and in patients with a KM score of 4/5 compared to patients with a KM score of 2/3 when SIAS-FF was 1B, 1C, or 2; and in patients with a KM score of 4/5 compared to patients with a KM score of 2/3 when SIAS-FF was 3, 4, or 5. Conclusion:The cross-sectional study indicated that differences in the level of proximal function affect the upper extremity skills when the level of distal function is equivalent.

No abstract