Review
Cell Biology
Vikash Kumar Yadav, Corentin Claeys Bouuaert
Summary: The article outlines the latest advances in understanding the mechanism of meiotic DSB formation, emphasizing the tight regulation of DSBs and the significance of recombination mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kouji Hirota
Summary: Meiotic recombination is a crucial event for accurate chromosome segregation and genetic diversity in gametes. Spo11 plays a key role in initiating meiotic recombination by catalyzing double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSBs caused by Spo11 are repaired through homologous recombination, resulting in physical contact between homologous chromosomes. Recombination hotspots, non-uniformly induced sites of meiotic recombination, exist in genomes. The fission yeast ade6-M26 is a well-studied recombination hotspot.
Article
Cell Biology
Nicoleta-Loredana Tanasie, Pilar Gutierrez-Escribano, Sigrun Jaklin, Luis Aragon, Johannes Stigler
Summary: SMC complexes, especially Smc5/6, play important roles in DNA replication and repair. This study used single-molecule microscopy to investigate the interaction between Smc5/6 and DNA. It was found that Smc5/6 forms oligomers that dynamically redistribute on dsDNA and statically bind to ssDNA. The study also generated ssDNA-dsDNA junctions to mimic structures in DNA repair intermediates or replication forks, and showed that Smc5/6 accumulates at these junction sites, stabilizes the fork, and promotes the retention of RPA. These findings provide insights into the enrichment of the complex at sites of replication stress and DNA lesions, and its role in coordinating downstream repair proteins.
Article
Agronomy
Cui Mao, Xiaoping Zhu, Peipei Wang, Yajie Sun, Renliang Huang, Mingchao Zhao, J. Joe Hull, Yongjun Lin, Fei Zhou, Hao Chen, Weihua Ma
Summary: RNAi-based screening of 35 potential striped stem borer genes identified a small heat shock protein gene (CssHsp) as a potential plant-based RNAi target. In feeding bioassays, three transgenic lines were found to have significant negative impacts on SSB populations, and gene expression analyses confirmed the reduced levels of CssHsp transcript after feeding on transgenic dsCssHsp rice. These results demonstrate the potential for developing a plant-mediated RNAi strategy targeting CssHsp as a more biorational field-based approach for SSB control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jinqiu Fu, Shijing Xu, Huan Lu, Fanchi Li, Shengchun Li, Ling Chang, David G. Heckel, Ralph Bock, Jiang Zhang
Summary: Plant-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) using dsRNA or siRNA has shown promise in pest control, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms. This study found that siRNAs derived from transgenic plants may be more effective triggers of RNAi in Lepidoptera than dsRNAs.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Naoko Murata-Kamiya, Masanori Hatakeyama
Summary: Infection with cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains can lead to the development of gastric cancer and is associated with genomic changes in host cells. Inside the host cells, the CagA protein interacts with multiple host cell proteins, disrupting normal cell signaling. H. pylori infection also causes DNA damage and affects DNA repair mechanisms. Once driver gene mutations occur, H. pylori CagA is no longer necessary for gastric carcinogenesis.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Delisa E. Clay, Erin A. Jezuit, Ruth A. Montague, Donald T. Fox
Summary: In this study, the researchers used a Drosophila model to investigate the role of the Fanconi anemia protein Fancd2 in DNA repair, specifically in the context of mitosis-specific DNA double-strand break response. They generated an animal model with a mutation in the conserved monoubiquitination site of Fancd2 and characterized its impact on organismal and cell viability, as well as repair protein localization. These findings expand our understanding of Fanconi anemia gene function in vivo and provide useful tools for DNA repair research.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Danting Li, Fantao Zhang, Shannon R. M. Pinson, Jeremy D. Edwards, Aaron K. Jackson, Xiuzhong Xia, Georgia C. Eizenga
Summary: By identifying SNP alleles associated with sheath blight resistance in rice germplasm resources, it is possible to breed high-yield varieties with enhanced resistance and increased tiller and panicle numbers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Atrayee Sarkar, Subhankar Roy-Barman
Summary: RNA interference (RNAi) has been utilized as a promising combat strategy against a wide range of pests and pathogens by inducing highly specific posttranscriptional regulation of target essential genes through the application of long, non-coding double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. This approach has been successfully exploited in combating fungal blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ian Yannuzzi, Margaret A. Butler, Joel Fernandez, Jeannine R. LaRocque
Summary: DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a highly genotoxic form of DNA damage that can lead to chromosomal aberrations, making proper repair essential for maintaining genome integrity. DSBs can be repaired through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair, both initiated by DNA end resection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoshuang Wei, Hailian Zhou, Deying Xie, Jianguo Li, Mingchong Yang, Tianli Chang, Dongxin Wang, Lihua Hu, Guosheng Xie, Jihong Wang, Lingqiang Wang
Summary: A new quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) for rice shoot length, C/T, was identified in the OsWRKY21 gene, affecting plant height and internode elongation. Overexpressing this gene resulted in a semi-dwarf phenotype, while CRISPR/Cas9 knockout had the opposite effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. K. Prasannakumar, L. M. Netravathi, H. B. Mahesh, P. Buela Parivallal, M. E. Puneeth, A. Sathish, Devanna Pramesh, Sushil K. Middha, Anupam J. Das, B. S. Rohit
Summary: The study utilized metagenome sequencing to analyze soil microbiome diversity, revealing significant differences in microbial communities in rice monocropping areas. Genomic analysis identified variations in microbial composition among different soil samples, as well as differences in the distribution of beneficial microflora.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Yoshihisa Matsumoto, Anie Day D. C. Asa, Chaity Modak, Mikio Shimada
Summary: DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a key role in DNA damage repair and maintenance of genomic stability through its catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer. It acts as a sensor for DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB) and is essential for nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. Dysfunction in DNA-PKcs or Ku functions can lead to detrimental phenotypes, especially in neuronal and immune systems.
Article
Microbiology
Geeta Chhetri, Inhyup Kim, Taegun Seo
Summary: A new halotolerant bacterium strain PTR5(T) was isolated from the roots of rice plants in Ilsan, South Korea. It showed high salt tolerance and cold tolerance, with the ability to tolerate up to 10% NaCl. The genome of the strain also contained gene clusters involved in detoxification of heavy metals and antibiotics, indicating its potential for bioremediation.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Seiichi Nishizawa, Takaya Sato, En Ting Tabitha Lee, Naonari Sakamoto, Toshiki Chiba, Takaaki Tanabe, Yukina Yoshino, Yuki Takahashi, Yusuke Sato
Summary: In this study, we report on a triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid probe with thiazole orange as a fluorogenic sensor for double stranded RNA. The probe forms a stable triplex with the target dsRNA at acidic pH, accompanied by a significant increase in fluorescence intensity. The thiazole orange base surrogate can bind with any base-pair opposite the TO unit in the target dsRNA, making it a universal base. The study also demonstrates the effective triplex-formation of PNA at neutral pH by conjugating small molecules with the tFIT probe.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takeshi Shinohara, Naoto Arai, Yukari Iikura, Motochika Kasagi, Tokiha Masuda-Ozawa, Yuuki Yamaguchi, Kayo Suzuki-Nagata, Takehiko Shibata, Tsutomu Mikawa
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isao Shitanda, Kotaro Takamatsu, Ayumu Niiyama, Tsutomu Mikawa, Yoshinao Hoshi, Masayuki Itagaki, Seiya Tsujimura
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kentaro Ito, Yasuto Murayama, Yumiko Kurokawa, Shuji Kanamaru, Yuichi Kokabu, Takahisa Maki, Tsutomu Mikawa, Bilge Argunhan, Hideo Tsubouchi, Mitsunori Ikeguchi, Masayuki Takahashi, Hiroshi Iwasaki
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isao Shitanda, Kotarou Takamatsu, Yukihiro Yoshihata, Takehisa Nakamura, Tsutomu Mikawa, Masayuki Itagaki, Seiya Tsujimura
Summary: Polydopamine (PDA) coated over an electrode can significantly improve its stability, allowing the activity to be maintained at a higher level for a certain period of time. This method is widely useful for improving the stability of biosensors and biofuel cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isao Shitanda, Motoki Tsunaga, Hikari Watanabe, Masayuki Itagaki, Seiya Tsujimura, Tsutomu Mikawa
Summary: The capacity of the lactate biofuel cell was increased through the use of a new multi-step enzyme reaction system, resulting in a significantly longer operating time. This improvement was achieved by suppressing diffusion overpotential with the modified bioanode, leading to a decrease in fuel concentration.
Article
Electrochemistry
Isao Shitanda, Masaya Mitsumoto, Noya Loew, Yuko Yoshihara, Hikari Watanabe, Tsutomu Mikawa, Seiya Tsujimura, Masayuki Itagaki, Masahiro Motosuke
Summary: This study developed a lightweight and comfortable lactate sensing system for the continuous monitoring of sweat lactate, enabling the detection of lactate threshold and suitable for the training and exertion control of athletes, rehabilitation patients, elderly individuals, and high-performance workers.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isao Shitanda, Yukiya Morigayama, Risa Iwashita, Himeka Goto, Tatsuo Aikawa, Tsutomu Mikawa, Yoshinao Hoshi, Masayuki Itagaki, Hiroyuki Matsui, Shizuo Tokito, Seiya Tsujimura
Summary: This study presented a novel lactate biofuel cell fabricated on a paper substrate using screen printing, achieving higher power output compared to previously reported designs.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Isao Shitanda, Kai Hirano, Noya Loew, Hikari Watanabe, Masayuki Itagaki, Tsutomu Mikawa
Summary: In this study, a high-performance biofuel cell was developed with a two-enzyme bioanode that can harvest four electrons from lactate, doubling the electron harvest compared to a one-enzyme bioanode. This resulted in a current of 1 mA being obtained from the BFC for 2500 s, with a total of 1253 mJ of energy being harvested.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Ryunosuke Terazawa, Tsutomu Mikawa, Seiya Tsujimura
Summary: Hydrogel-modified redox electrodes were fabricated using lactate oxidase and a poly(vinyl imidazole) polymer containing an Os(bipyridine)(2)Cl complex to enable continuous measurement of lactate concentration. The stability of the electrodes was improved by quaternizing 10 mol% of the imidazole content of the polymer with bromoethylamine and further enhanced by cross-linking the polymer using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and sorbitol polyglycidyl ether.
SENSORS AND MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Noya Loew, Isao Shitanda, Himeka Goto, Hikari Watanabe, Tsutomu Mikawa, Seiya Tsujimura, Masayuki Itagaki
Summary: The performance of a paper-based, screen-printed biofuel cell was improved by adding carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to the MgOC ink and modifying the cathode with bilirubin. The addition of CMC increased the accessibility and stability of the electrodes, while the pre-modification with bilirubin improved the orientation of the enzyme. As a result, the biofuel cell achieved one of the highest reported performances.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomoto Ura, Ako Kagawa, Nanako Sakakibara, Hiromasa Yagi, Naoya Tochio, Takanori Kigawa, Kentaro Shiraki, Tsutomu Mikawa
Summary: The assembly state of enzymes is an important mechanism for regulating enzyme function in living cells. In this study, the activation of L-lactate oxidase (LOX) was demonstrated through the formation of enzyme assemblies. LOX formed nanometer-scale clusters with poly-L-lysine (PLL), which further aggregated into micrometer-scale liquid droplets. The enzyme activities of LOX in clusters and droplets were significantly higher than those in the dispersed state, and the clusters exhibited a higher activation effect than the droplets. Understanding enzyme activation and assembly states is crucial for understanding enzyme function and biotechnology applications.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isao Shitanda, Yuro Ozone, Yuki Morishita, Hiroyuki Matsui, Noya Loew, Masahiro Motosuke, Takahiro Mukaimoto, Momoko Kobayashi, Taketo Mitsuhara, Yamato Sugita, Kensuke Matsuo, Shinya Yanagita, Tatsunori Suzuki, Tsutomu Mikawa, Hikari Watanabe, Masayuki Itagaki
Summary: This study developed a lactate sensor with a microchannel to solve the issue of air bubbles interfering with lactate measurement in sweat and evaluated its potential for continuous monitoring of lactate. The sensor effectively prevented air bubbles and showed correlation between lactate in sweat and blood. It can be worn on the body for an extended period, making it valuable for continuous lactate monitoring in the medical and sports fields.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nanako Sakakibara, Tomoto Ura, Tsutomu Mikawa, Hiroka Sugai, Kentaro Shiraki
Summary: Complex coacervates are receiving increasing attention as simplified models of membrane-less organelles and microcapsule platforms. The incorporation of proteins into complex coacervates is crucial for understanding membrane-less organelles in cells and controlling microcapsules. This study investigated the incorporation process of client proteins into complex coacervates and discovered the primary driving force to be electrostatic factors. The formation of multi-phase droplets and the understanding of temporal changes at the droplet interface provide valuable insights for the development of microcapsules and understanding biological events associated with membrane-less organelles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bowen Zhang, Dinuo Zheng, Shi Yiming, Kazuhiro Oyama, Masahiro Ito, Masaomi Ikari, Takanori Kigawa, Tsutomu Mikawa, Takeo Miyake
Summary: The combination of hollow nanostructures and electroporation allows for the delivery of versatile cargos into adhesive cells at low voltages, utilizing a metal-organic hybrid nanotube stamp. This approach improves cell viability and demonstrates efficient transport of small and large molecules into the cells.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsutomu Mikawa, Ako Kagawa, Kayo Kitaura, Takanori Kigawa