;We cloned a cDNA for matrix-attachment region (MAR)-binding protein from Nicotiana tabacum cells to elucidate the structure and function of the nuclear matrix. The cDNA encodes a protein of 555 amino acids (61,050 Da) with an isoelectric point of 9.4. We named the protein NtMARBP61. The sequence is 45% identical to yeast Nop58p, which is involved in rRNA processing. The Cterminal part is unique and rich in lysine residues. The recombinant C-terminal part had the ability to bind double-stranded DNAs of 12 tobacco MARs. The intracellular localization was determined to be in the nucleolus by fluorescent microscopy using the antibody to the recombinant NtMARBP61. The mRNA level was high in the lag and early-log phases of cultured cells but low in the stationary phase. The protein was accumulated only in the middleand late-log phases, suggesting that NtMARBP61 is essential for growing cells. The results suggest at least the structural and regulatory function of NtMARBP61 in the nucleolus as a MAR-binding protein in a growth-stage specific manner.

RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), protein kinase R (PKR), and endosomal Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) sense viral non-self RNA and are involved in cell fate determination. However, the mechanisms by which intracellular RNA induces apoptosis, particularly the role of each RNA sensor, remain unclear. We performed cytoplasmic injections of different types of RNA and elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA-induced apoptosis. The results obtained revealed that short 5′-triphosphate dsRNA, the sole ligand of RIG-I, induced slow apoptosis in a fraction of cells depending on IRF-3 transcriptional activity and IFN-I production. However, intracellular long dsRNA was sensed by PKR and TLR3, which activate distinct signals, and synergistically induced rapid apoptosis. PKR essentially induced translational arrest, resulting in reduced levels of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein and functioned in the TLR3/TRIF-dependent activation of caspase 8. The present results demonstrated that PKR and TLR3 were both essential for inducing the viral RNA-mediated apoptosis of infected cells and the arrest of viral production.

In the practical use for the production of the α-olefins, it is highly desired to develop a novel heterogeneous catalyst system. The metal complexes immobilized into the clay interlayers show a great potential as heterogeneous catalysts due to their excellent processability. In this study, nine types of heterogeneous procatalyst Ln/Ni 2+ -micas were synthesized via a one-pot preparation method, . A high catalyst activity was obtained when the substituent having a larger steric bulk than that of a methyl substituent was introduced at the ortho-position of the aryl rings. The introduction of the fluorine substituent as a strong electron-withdrawing group to the para-position also increased the catalytic activity. The L2, L4, L5, and L6/Ni 2+ -micas showed moderate selectivities to oligomers consisting of C 4 -C 20 in the range of 19.9 -41.6 wt% at 50˚C. The calculated Schulz-Flory constants α based on the mole fraction of C 12 and C 14 were within 0.61 -0.78.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is widely used as a topical drug for acne vulgaris, 1 and has keratolytic/comedolytic, anti-inflammatory effects 1 and antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes. 2,3 We also previously demonstrated the rapid and potent bactericidal activity of BPO against C. acnes. 4 BPO is rapidly degraded to benzoic acid to generate free radicals, 5 and it is thought to cause damage to the bacterial cell walls. 6 Therefore, BPO may be effective against microorganisms other than C. acnes. Akaza et al. reported the possibility that not only C. acnes but also other cutaneous resident microorganisms such as Staphylococcus species and Malassezia species are related to acne. 7 In this study, we investigated the in vitro microbicidal activity of BPO against various bacteria and fungi.