The strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, the causative agent of citrus canker, are historically classified based on bacteriophage (phage) sensitivity. Nearly all X. axonopodis pv. citri strains isolated from different regions in Japan are lysed by either phage Cp1 or Cp2; Cp1-sensitive (Cp1 s ) strains have been observed to be resistant to Cp2 (Cp2 r ) and vice versa. In this study, genomic and molecular characterization was performed for the typing agents Cp1 and Cp2. Morphologically, Cp1 belongs to the Siphoviridae. Genomic analysis revealed that its genome comprises 43,870-bp double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), with 10-bp 3=-extruding cohesive ends, and contains 48 open reading frames. The genomic organization was similar to that of Xanthomonas phage phiL7, but it lacked a group I intron in the DNA polymerase gene. Cp2 resembles morphologically Escherichia coli T7-like phages of Podoviridae. The 42,963-bp linear dsDNA genome of Cp2 contained terminal repeats. The Cp2 genomic sequence has 40 open reading frames, many of which did not show detectable homologs in the current databases. By proteomic analysis, a gene cluster encoding structural proteins corresponding to the class III module of T7-like phages was identified on the Cp2 genome. Therefore, Cp1 and Cp2 were found to belong to completely different virus groups. In addition, we found that Cp1 and Cp2 use different molecules on the host cell surface as phage receptors and that host selection of X. axonopodis pv. citri strains by Cp1 and Cp2 is not determined at the initial stage by binding to receptors.

In this study, we examined the distribution and metabolism of refined sesame oil lignans (sesamin and episesamin) in rat. For 8 wk rats were fed the diet including 0.5% (w/w) sesame lignans (sesamin and episesamin) with 5% (w/w) corn oil or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich oil. The concentrations of sesamin and episesamin in rat liver after their administration for 8 wk were very low; both of them were less than 0.5 microgram/g liver. These were observed in both oil groups although the fatty acid compositions of dietary oils were completely different. No significant difference existed in lymphatic absorption between sesamin and episesamin. To investigate the distribution of sesamin and episesamin in rats, the concentrations of sesamin and episesamin were determined in tissues and serum within 24 h after administration to rats. Sesamin and episesamin may be, at first, incorporated into the liver and then transported to the other tissues (lung, heart, kidney, and brain). They are lost from the body within 24 h after administration. There was no significant difference in lymphatic absorption between sesamin and episesamin, but the amount of sesamin was significantly lower than that of episesamin in all tissues and serum. These results suggest that sesamin is absorbed in lymph the same as episesamin, but that sesamin is subsequently metabolized faster by the liver.

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We established a diagnostic system for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and peroxisomal disorders (PD) over 35 years ago in Japan, and have diagnosed 237 families with ALD and more than 100 cases of PD other than ALD using biochemical and molecular analyses. In particular, since the only treatment for the cerebral form of ALD is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at an early stage of onset, we have developed a protocol for the rapid diagnosis of ALD that can provide the measurements of the levels of very-long-chain fatty acids in the serum and genetic analysis within a few days. In addition, to improve the prognosis of patients with ALD, we are working on the detection of pre-symptomatic patients by familial analysis from the proband, and the introduction of newborn screening. In this review, we introduce the diagnostic and newborn screening approaches for ALD and PD in Japan.