A glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, inhibited the production of a leukocyte chemotactic cytokine, interleukin 8 (IL-8), as well mRNA expression by glioblastoma cell line, T98G, stimulated with 1 (IL-1). Dexamethasone also IL-8 promoter-driven chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activities induced IL-1, suggesting that dexamethasone mainly at transcriptional level. Moreover, CAT assay revealed nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding site was crucial cis-element required for conferring...

Plexins are cell surface receptors for semaphorin molecules, and their interaction governs adhesion migration in a variety of tissues. We report that the Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) receptor Plexin-B1 directly stimulates intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity R-Ras, member Ras superfamily small GTP-binding proteins has been implicated promoting neurite outgrowth. This required with Rnd1, protein Rho family. Down-regulation R-Ras by Plexin-B1-Rnd1 complex was essential Sema4D-induced...

The Krüppel homolog 1 gene ( Kr-h1 ) has been proposed to play a key role in the repression of insect metamorphosis. is assumed be induced by juvenile hormone (JH) via JH receptor, methoprene-tolerant (Met), but mechanism induction unclear. To elucidate molecular induction, we first cloned cDNAs encoding BmKr-h1 and Met BmMet1 BmMet2 homologs from Bombyx mori . In B. cell line, was rapidly subnanomolar levels natural JHs. Reporter assays identified response element k JHRE), comprising 141...

FK506, an immunosuppressant, inhibits the production of several cytokines in T lymphocytes. We observed that FK506 suppressed transcription a chemotactic cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8) human cell line, Jurkat cells, activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium (Ca2+) ionophore (ionomycin). By deleted mutated analysis IL-8 promoters, AP-1 kappa B-like sites were identified as responsive elements for PMA ionomycin. transcriptions through or induced plus Ca(2+)-mobilizing...

Pheromones are central to the mating systems of a wide range organisms, and reproductive isolation between closely related species is often achieved by subtle differences in pheromone composition. In insects moths particular, use structurally similar components different blend ratios usually sufficient impede gene flow taxa. To date, genetic changes associated with variation divergence signals remain largely unknown. Using emerging model system Ostrinia , we show functional consequences...

Significance Worker ants are responsible for various tasks their colony. In chemical communication, odorant-binding proteins and chemosensory proteins, which accumulate in the sensillum lymph antennae, play roles transporting semiochemicals to receptors. However, number of these is not sufficient interact with a large semiochemicals. Niemann–Pick type C2 protein was identified from antenna worker Japanese carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus (CjapNPC2). CjapNPC2 accumulated cavity basiconic...

Endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia induce diverse reproductive alterations in their insect hosts. (wSca) infecting moth Ostrinia scapulalis causes unusual male killing, which males (genotype: ZZ) selectively die during embryonic and larval development, whereas females ZW), turn, when cured infection. To gain insight into interaction between wSca host, we analysed phenotypic genetic sexes embryos larvae normal, wSca-infected, infected-and-cured O. by diagnosing sex-specifically...

Abstract To contribute to the understanding of genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in Japan, we collected larvae spp. from known host plants and not recorded as hosts, examined morphology sex pheromones adults obtained. Consequently, plant ranges 7 Japan were clarified, 5 species O. scapulalis, zealis, zaguliaevi, palustralis latipennis identified addition that Asian corn borer furnacalis . The phylogenetic relationships Japanese spp., with reference European nubilalis , are discussed...

Insects have evolved a marked diversity of mechanisms to produce loud conspicuous sounds for efficient communication. However, the risk eavesdropping by competitors and predators is high. Here, we describe mechanism producing extremely low-intensity ultrasonic songs (46 dB sound pressure level at 1 cm) adapted private sexual communication in Asian corn borer moth, Ostrinia furnacalis . During courtship, male rubs specialized scales on wing against those thorax songs, with membrane underlying...

In lepidopteran insects, odorant receptors are involved in the perception of sex pheromones and general odorants. Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, although several pheromone have been identified, no receptor has reported. this study, an RNA sequencing analysis was carried out to identify whole repertoire expressed antennae O. furnacalis. Among 12 million reads obtained from male female moths, 52 candidate were including 45 novel ones. Expression levels estimated by read mapping...

The expansion of tension cracks, step-like terrain, and other features associated with landslide reactivation is prominent phenomena within the area, making investigation their temporal development essential for understanding dynamics. In this study, we aim to examine an NW-SE trending counter scarp a height up approximately 3 m Kamitokitozawa in Akita prefecture, Japan, using combination multiple approaches. approaches include dendrogeomorphological analyses, such as analyzing tree-ring...

Phosphodiesterase 9 (PDE9) plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function by modulating cyclic GMP (cGMP). Many reports have shown that PDE9 inhibition improves rodents. Several studies found the NO/cGMP/PKG pathway is downregulated patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia Lewy bodies (DLB) older individuals. A inhibitor could therefore be potential therapeutic approach for improving dysfunction dementia, including AD DLB. We previously discovered novel...

In the course of screening for novel naturally occurring insecticides from Chinese crude drugs, an MeOH extract Alpinia oxyphylla was found to possess insecticidal activity against larvae Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. From extract, compound isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation and identified as nootkatone (1) GC, GC-MS, (1)H (13)C NMR spectroscopy. bioassays activity, 1 showed LC(50) value 11.5 micromol/mL diet D. LD(50) 96 microg/adult adults. Epinootkatol (1A), however, slight in...

Rho family GTPases are central regulators of neuronal morphology. Recently, Rnd proteins, Rnd1, Rnd2, and Rnd3/RhoE, have been identified as new members GTPases. Of these, Rnd2 is specifically expressed in neurons brain; however, the signaling pathways not known. Here we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using bait novel Rnd2-effector protein, predominantly brain. We named it Rapostlin (apostle Rnd2). has two functional domains, Fer-CIP4 homology (FCH) domain at amino terminus SH3 (Src 3)...

Abstract The full‐length Hsp90 cDNA in Delia antiqua was cloned and sequenced. deduced polypeptide comprised 717 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 82 140 Da. Summer‐ winter‐diapauses both elevated HSP90 transcript levels D. pupae. Levels gradually increased time summer diapausing pupae whereas fluctuated winter Cold‐ heat‐stressing summer‐ winter‐diapausing individuals further expression. mRNA decreased after an initial increase expression also up‐regulated following cold‐...

Insecticidal activity of Angelica acutiloba extract and its constituents was investigated compared with that rotenone. Bioassay-guided isolation the chloroform A. against larvae Drosophila melanogaster afforded two phthalides, (Z)-butylidenephthalide (1) (Z)-ligustilide (2), furanocoumarins, xanthotoxin (3) isopimpinellin (4). The structures these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. isolated 1, 2, 3, 4 exhibited LC(50) values 0.94, 2.54, 3.35, 0.82 micromol/mL diet...

In many moths, mate-finding communication is mediated by the female sex pheromones.Since differentiation of pheromones often associated with speciation, it intriguing to know how changes in pheromone have been tracked recognition system males.A male-specific odorant receptor was found conserved through evolution systems genus Ostrinia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).In an effort characterize receptors O. scapulalis, which uses a mixture (E)-11-and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetates as pheromone, we...