{"title":"Manipulation and analysis of large DNA molecules by controlling their dynamics using micro and nanogaps.","authors":"Naoki Azuma","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae179","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Manipulation and analysis methods for large DNAs are critical for epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and fundamental research on bacteria, membrane vesicles, plants, yeast, and human cells. However, the physical properties of large DNAs often challenge their manipulation and analysis with high accuracy and speed using conventional methods such as gel electrophoresis and column-based methods. This review presents the approaches that leverage micrometer- and nanometer-sized gaps within microchannels to control the dynamics and conformations of large DNAs, thereby overcoming these challenges. By designing gap structures and migration conditions based on the relationship between gap parameters and the physical characteristics of large DNAs-such as diameter and persistence length-these methods enable swifter and more precise manipulation and analysis of large DNAs, including size separation, concentration, purification, and single-molecule analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"508-514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Genetic mechanisms underlying diverse panicle architecture in rice.","authors":"Ayumi Agata","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae189","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rice panicle architecture exhibits remarkable diversity and is crucial in determining grain production. Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying panicle morphogenesis offer promising avenues for improving rice productivity. Here, I reviewed recent studies on the developmental regulatory genes responsible for panicle architecture and explored how these findings can be applied to crop breeding. I also discuss the potential of using wild Oryza genetic resources, highlighting their value not only for scientific exploration but also for breeding innovation. Isolating novel genes related to panicle development and understanding their function are essential for designing diverse panicle architectures by quantitative trait locus pyramiding or genome editing technology. The use of these genetic resources offers a sustainable means to improve rice plant architecture and their resilience to climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"502-507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142805609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Toward nanoscale structural and chemical analysis of microbial surfaces.","authors":"Ryo Kato, Keisuke Miyazawa, Takumi Imura, Takeo Minamikawa","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae176","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbial surfaces play a critical role in various biological processes, including cell adhesion and biofilm formation. Understanding these surfaces at the nanoscale is essential for both fundamental and applied microbiology. This review explores recent advancements in nanoscale structural and chemical analyses of microbial surfaces, with a focus on vibrational spectroscopy, such as Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The review also discusses current challenges of these techniques, including variability in sample preparation and the reproducibility of data, and highlights future directions in nanoscale analysis that could lead to new insights in microbial physiology, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm research.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"489-495"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142692736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hea Ry Oh, Yong Hyun Park, Hye Ryeong Hong, Hyun Jin Kim, Jinbong Park, Yohan Han, Seong-Gyu Ko, Eui Cheol Shin, Tae Gyun Kim, Hyung Taek Cho, Jeong Hoon Pan, Hyo Ri Shin, Youn Young Shim, Martin J T Reaney, Tae Jin Cho, Ji Youn Hong, Young Jun Kim, Bok Kyung Han, Geung-Joo Lee, Kangwook Lee, Seon Gil Do, Jae Kyeom Kim
{"title":"Tetragonia tetragonioides extract prevented high-fat-diet-induced obesity and changed hepatic and adipose transcriptomic signatures in C57BL/6J male mice.","authors":"Hea Ry Oh, Yong Hyun Park, Hye Ryeong Hong, Hyun Jin Kim, Jinbong Park, Yohan Han, Seong-Gyu Ko, Eui Cheol Shin, Tae Gyun Kim, Hyung Taek Cho, Jeong Hoon Pan, Hyo Ri Shin, Youn Young Shim, Martin J T Reaney, Tae Jin Cho, Ji Youn Hong, Young Jun Kim, Bok Kyung Han, Geung-Joo Lee, Kangwook Lee, Seon Gil Do, Jae Kyeom Kim","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf001","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity, often driven by high-fat diets (HFDs), is a major global health issue, necessitating effective preventive measures. Tetragonia tetragonoides, a plant with known medicinal properties, has not been extensively studied for its effects on HFD-induced obesity and related genetic changes in mice. This study explores the impact of T. tetragonoides extract (TTE; 300 mg/kg) on obesity-related traits in C57BL/6J male mice, with a focus on transcriptomic changes in the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT). Over 8 weeks, TTE supplementation led to significant reductions in obesity-related phenotypes and modulated gene expression altered by HFD. Key genes like Cd180 and MUPs, linked to immune responses and lipid metabolism, were notably influenced by TTE. The study highlighted TTE's effects on lipid metabolism pathways in the liver and immune processes in WAT, underscoring its potential as an anti-obesity agent, while advocating for further research into its bioactive components.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"599-611"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142969660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prokaryotic ATP-binding cassette type F proteins in overcoming ribosomal stalling: mechanisms, evolution, and perspective for applications in bio-manufacturing.","authors":"Hiraku Takada, Ryota Sugimoto, Taku Oshima","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae201","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae201","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ATP-binding cassette type F (ABCF) proteins are key components of prokaryotic translation systems, resolving ribosomal stalling. These adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) contain 2 ATPase domains and an interdomain linker, the length and composition of which are key determinants of their function. Antibiotic resistance ABCF proteins counteract ribosome-targeting antibiotics by binding to the E site of the 70S ribosome, promoting drug dissociation. In contrast, housekeeping ABCF proteins, such as YfmR and YkpA in Bacillus subtilis, resolve intrinsic translation challenges without conferring antibiotic resistance. YfmR addresses stalling at proline-rich motifs, while YkpA resolves stalling caused by charged motifs. This review draws on the work of Chadani, Boël, Fega, and our own studies to compare the structural and functional diversity of ABCF proteins across bacterial species. It highlights the key roles of antibiotic resistance/P site tRNA interaction motif domains in defining their specific functions and explores future research directions to further our understanding of ABCF proteins in translation control.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"481-488"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142881208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immunostimulatory effects of Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258.","authors":"Yuki Ikeda, Niya Yamashita, Naoto Ito, Natsuki Minamikawa, Hotaka Okamura, Takuya Yashiro, Masakazu Hachisu, Masanori Aida, Ryouichi Yamada, Kazuki Nagata, Chiharu Nishiyama","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae203","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Here, we examined the immunomodulating effects of Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 (SANK70258). Mouse splenocytes treated with γ-ray-irradiated SANK70258 produced higher levels of interferon (IFN)-γ than those with 7 types of lactic acid bacteria. IFN-γ was mainly produced by natural killer (NK) cells, involving IL-12/IL-23, dendritic cells (DCs), and NF-κB signaling. SANK70258 induced the release of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p40 from mouse DCs and the expression of cytokine genes in the human monocyte. Cytokine release from SANK70258-treated DCs was partially reduced by the knockdown of Tlr2 or Nod2, and was abolished by Myd88 knockout. DC-stimulating components of SANK70258 were enriched in ether- and butanol-insoluble peptidoglycan-related fractions. The SANK70258 component induced high levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A production in Peyer's patch cells, and its oral intake significantly increased intestinal IgA and IgA-expressing B cells in Peyer's patches in mice. We conclude that the SANK70258 component exhibits high activity as an immunostimulant that induces the production of IFN-γ and IgA.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"622-632"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142892211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A unique substrate specificity of PonAAS2, an aromatic aldehyde synthase, involved in phytohormone auxin biosynthesis in a gall-inducing sawfly Euura sp. \"Pontania\".","authors":"Yoshihito Suzuki, Hikaru Ichikawa, Yuri Kunioka, Umi Miyata, Shugo Nakamura, Zui Fujimoto","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf005","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aromatic aldehyde synthase (AAS), PonAAS2, from the gall-inducing sawfly has been identified as a biosynthetic enzyme for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key molecule of the plant hormone auxin, which is thought to play a role in gall induction. Unlike other insect AASs that convert Dopa, PonAAS2 uniquely converts l-tryptophan (Trp) into indole-3-acetaldehyde, a precursor of IAA. In this study, an examination of AAS enzymes from various insect species revealed that the ability to convert Trp has been acquired in only a very limited taxonomic group. Comparative analysis between PonAAS2 and DjAAS2 from a gall wasp showed that, despite having conserved substrate-recognizing amino acids, they exhibit different substrate specificities. This difference likely arises from variations in how these enzymes' monomers interact during dimer formation, as demonstrated by amino acid substitution experiments and structural predictions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"533-540"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143000261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fatty acids from cheese stimulate cholesterol efflux by ATP-binding cassette transporters.","authors":"Michinori Matsuo, Shiho Takaoka, Kai Nakayama, Akika Nagira, Hirofumi Goto, Akihiro Nakajima","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbae207","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbae207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is essential to remove cholesterol from the body to suppress atherosclerosis progression. ABCA1 and ABCG1 transport cholesterol in peripheral cells, including macrophages, and function in the formation of high-density lipoprotein. ABCG5/ABCG8 functions in the efflux of cholesterol from the body. In this study, we investigated the effects of Camembert cheese extracts and ingredients on cholesterol transport via ABC transporters. Camembert cheese extracts were added to baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells expressing ABCA1, ABCG1, or ABCG5/ABCG8, and THP-1 cells expressing ABCA1 and ABCG1. Organic solvent extracts of Camembert cheese increased cholesterol efflux in THP-1 and BHK cells expressing ABCA1 or ABCG5/ABCG8. After fractionation of the extracts, palmitoleic acid was found to increase cholesterol efflux by ABCA1 and ABCG5/ABCG8, whereas 10-hydroxypalmitic acid increased it by ABCA1 and ABCG1. It is suggested that palmitoleic acid and 10-hydroxypalmitic acid in Camembert cheese may prevent the accumulation of excess cholesterol in cells by stimulating ABC transporters.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"573-585"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142892210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuki Ishiwata-Kimata, Masaki Monguchi, Ralph Allen Capistrano Geronimo, Maya Sugimoto, Yukio Kimata
{"title":"Artificial induction of the UPR by Tet-off system-dependent expression of Hac1 and its application in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.","authors":"Yuki Ishiwata-Kimata, Masaki Monguchi, Ralph Allen Capistrano Geronimo, Maya Sugimoto, Yukio Kimata","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf006","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells produce Hac1, which is a transcription factor responsible for the unfolded protein response (UPR). When Hac1 is unregulatedly expressed from a constitutive promoter, the ER is artificially enforced and enlarged, even without ER stress stimuli. However, such cells are unsuitable for applicative bioproduction because they grow quite slowly and quickly lose their high-UPR phenotype upon their long-term storage. To avoid this problem, we constructed S. cerevisiae plasmids for Hac1 expression under the control of the inducible Tet-off promoter. Yeast cells carrying these plasmids did not exhibit a considerable UPR and grew rapidly when the Tet-off promoter was repressed by doxycycline. In contrast, under the Tet-off inducing condition, these plasmids caused UPR induction, growth retardation, and ER expansion, depending on the copy number of the plasmid. Moreover, as expected, lipidic molecule production was increased under these conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"562-572"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143424950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functional expression mechanisms of food-derived components based on target proteins.","authors":"Takakazu Mitani","doi":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf003","DOIUrl":"10.1093/bbb/zbaf003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Food-derived polyphenols and some alkaloids have reported bioactivities related to the prevention of systemic metabolic disorders such as obesity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. For food-derived components to exert their functions in vivo, it is essential to interact with biological factors such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. However, it is still unclear whether bioactive components in foods express functions related to their target factors. In this review, I introduce the target proteins in which food-derived components express functions in cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":9175,"journal":{"name":"Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry","volume":" ","pages":"523-532"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142977728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}