alpha-Klotho as a regulator of calcium homeostasis     

Imura A  Tsuji Y  Murata M  Maeda R  Kubota K  Iwano A  Obuse C  Togashi K  Tominaga M  Kita N  Tomiyama K  Iijima J  Nabeshima Y  Fujioka M  Asato R  Tanaka S  Kojima K  Ito J  Nozaki K  Hashimoto N  Ito T  Nishio T  Uchiyama T  Fujimori T  Nabeshima Y 《Science (New York, N.Y.)》2007,316(5831):1615-1618

alpha-klotho was identified as a gene associated with premature aging-like phenotypes characterized by short lifespan. In mice, we found the molecular association of alpha-Klotho (alpha-Kl) and Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase) and provide evidence for an increase of abundance of Na+,K+-ATPase at the plasma membrane. Low concentrations of extracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]e) rapidly induce regulated parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in an alpha-Kl- and Na+,K+-ATPase-dependent manner. The increased Na+ gradient created by Na+,K+-ATPase activity might drive the transepithelial transport of Ca2+ in cooperation with ion channels and transporters in the choroid plexus and the kidney. Our findings reveal fundamental roles of alpha-Kl in the regulation of calcium metabolism.  相似文献   

KISS1 Gene Expression in the Developing Brain of Female Pigs in Pre- and Peripubertal Periods     

Nahoko IEDA  Yoshihisa UENOYAMA  Yoko TAJIMA  Tomoko NAKATA  Masatoshi KANO  Yousuke NANIWA  Youki WATANABE  Shiori MINABE  Junko TOMIKAWA  Naoko INOUE  Fuko MATSUDA  Satoshi OHKURA  Kei-ichiro MAEDA  Hiroko TSUKAMURA 《The Journal of reproduction and development》2014,60(4):312-316

Puberty is associated with an increase in gonadotropin secretion as a result of an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Kisspeptin is considered to play a key role in puberty onset in many mammalian species, including rodents, ruminants and primates. The present study aimed to determine if changes in hypothalamic expression of the KISS1 gene, encoding kisspeptin, are associated with the onset of puberty in pigs. The animals (n=4 in each group) were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months old, as prepubertal stages, and at 5 months old, as the peripubertal stage, following each blood sampling. KISS1 gene expressions in coronal sections of brains were visualized by in situ hybridization. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) was measured by radioimmunoassay. KISS1 mRNA signals were observed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) at all ages examined without any significant difference in the number of KISS1-expressing cells, indicating that the KISS1 gene is constantly expressed in the ARC throughout pubertal development in pigs. The plasma LH concentration was the highest in 0-month-old piglets and significantly decreased in the 1- and 2 month-old groups (P<0.05), suggesting a developing negative feedback mechanism affecting gonadotropin release during the prepubertal period. Considering the potent stimulating effect of kisspeptin on gonadotropin release in prepubertal pigs, kisspeptin secretion rather than kisspeptin synthesis may be responsible for the onset of puberty in pigs.  相似文献   

Production of Middle White Piglets after Transfer of Embryos Produced In Vitro     

Koji MISUMI  Yuri HIRAYAMA  Misae SUZUKI  Michiko NAKAI  Hiroyuki KANEKO  Junko NOGUCHI  Kazuhiro KIKUCHI 《The Journal of reproduction and development》2014,60(3):246-249

The present study was conducted to examine the feasibility of in vitro embryo production and transfer technologies for producing Middle White piglets. After collection from three retired Middle White sows, a total of 222 oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro, and a total of 50 embryos from the 4-cell to blastocyst stage were produced by the 4th or 5th day. These embryos were transferred individually into three recipients along with 5 in vivo-derived Duroc blastocysts. All of the recipients became pregnant, and they farrowed a total of 9 Middle White and 9 Duroc piglets. These results suggest that in vitro embryo production using ovaries from retired sows is useful for reproduction of pigs of pure breeds including the Middle White for breeding activities and conservation/utilization of genetic resources.  相似文献   

Roles of the zona pellucida and functional exposure of the sperm‐egg fusion factor ‘IZUMO’ during in vitro fertilization in pigs     

Fuminori Tanihara  Michiko Nakai  Nguyen Thi Men  Noriko Kato  Hiroyuki Kaneko  Junko Noguchi  Takeshige Otoi  Kazuhiro Kikuchi 《Animal Science Journal》2014,85(4):395-404

The zona pellucida (ZP) is considered to play important roles in the prevention of polyspermy in mammalian oocytes. However, in pigs we have shown that the presence of the ZP accelerates sperm penetration into the ooplasm during in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the present study, we investigated the effects of the ZP on sperm binding, acrosomal status, and functional exposure of IZUMO, a critical factor involved in sperm‐egg fusion, during IVF in pigs. We evaluated the numbers and acrosomal statuses of sperm binding to the ZP and oolemma, and being present in the ZP and perivitelline space (PVS) using ZP‐intact and ZP‐free oocytes. More sperm bound to the ZP than to the oolemma. The average number of sperm present in the PVS was 0.44?0.51 per oocyte, and all sperm had lost their acrosomes. The proportion of sperm that were immunopositive for anti‐IZUMO antibody was significantly higher after they were passing or had passed through the ZP. Furthermore, addition of anti‐IZUMO antibody to the fertilization medium significantly inhibited the penetration of sperm into ZP‐free oocytes. These results suggest that, in pigs, the ZP induces the acrosome reaction, which is associated with the functional exposure of IZUMO, resulting in completion of fertilization.  相似文献   

Effects of chronic nitrogen application on the growth and nutrient status of a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) stand     

Junko Nagakura  Akio Akama  Takeo Mizoguchi  Hiroaki Okabe  Hidetoshi Shigenaga  Takashi Yamanaka 《Journal of Forest Research》2006,11(5):299-304

To investigate the potential effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on Japanese forests, a chronic N-addition experiment that included three treatments (HNO₃, NH₄NO₃, and control) was carried out in a 20-year-old Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) stand in eastern Japan over 7 years. The amount of N applied was 168 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ on the HNO₃ plots and 336 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ on the NH₄NO₃ plots. Tree growth, current needle N concentration, and soil solution chemistry were measured. Nitrogen application decreased the pH and increased NO₃ ⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Al concentrations in the soil solution. The needle N concentration increased in both of the N plots during the first 3 years. Nevertheless, the annual increments in height and in the diameter at breast height of the Japanese cedars were not affected by N application, and no visible signs of stress were detected in the crowns. Our results suggest that young Japanese cedar trees are not deleteriously affected by an excess N load.  相似文献   

Physicochemical characterization and biological effects of inulin enzymatically synthesized from sucrose     

Wada T  Sugatani J  Terada E  Ohguchi M  Miwa M 《Journal of agricultural and food chemistry》2005,53(4):1246-1253

We first developed the method to produce inulin from sucrose using an enzyme from Bacillus sp. 217C-1. Synthesized inulin consists of a linear polymer having beta(2-1) linkages of d-fructose with one terminal glucose. The synthesized inulin has similar properties (pH and thermal stability, Maillard reaction, and in vitro fermentation) to plant-derived inulin. The marked difference is the polydispersity of the inulin chain length. Synthesized inulin with a narrow degree range of fructose polymerization shows better solubility in water than plant-derived inulin. Synthesized inulin (5%, w/w) treatment for 12 weeks reduced the elevation in body weight and serum and liver lipids in rats fed high fat- and high sucrose-supplemented diets, and blood glucose in rats fed a standard diet. Synthesized inulin (15%, w/w) significantly suppressed the elevation in blood glucose of human healthy subjects after dextrin loading. These results suggest that daily intake of synthesized inulin modulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.  相似文献   

Role of Ca²⁺ in corticosterone-induced muscle growth retardation     

Junko DOI  Tomoko HARA  Akira OHTSUKA and  Kunioki HAYASHI 《Animal Science Journal》2002,73(5):383-387

The increased plasma glucocorticoid concentration in stressful conditions stimulates muscle protein degradation, and results in growth retardation in animals. However, the mechanism is still to be clarified. The present study was undertaken to examine the participation of Ca²⁺ in the glucocorticoid action, using nifedipine (NIF), a Ca²⁺ channel antagonist. The effects of NIF on growth, differentiation, and protein degradation were examined in glucocorticoid-treated primary cultured chick muscle cells. Muscle cell growth and cell differentiation were assessed by protein content and creatine kinase (CK) activity, respectively, and the rate of myofiblillar protein degradation was estimated by the release of N ^τ-methylhistidine (MeHis). Creatine kinase activity was increased by corticosterone (CTC) and this effect was minimized by NIF. Protein content was decreased by CTC and normalized by NIF. N ^τ-methylhistidine release was significantly increased by CTC and tended to be minimized by NIF. The present results indicate that CTC increases skeletal muscle proteolysis followed by muscle growth retardation partially because of enhanced Ca²⁺ influx through the NIF-sensitive Ca²⁺ channel. Enhanced muscle differentiation by CTC is mediated also by the NIF-sensitive Ca²⁺ channel.  相似文献   

Comparison of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol for the Vitrification of Immature Porcine Oocytes     

Tamás SOMFAI  Michiko NAKAI  Fuminori TANIHARA  Junko NOGUCHI  Hiroyuki KANEKO  Naomi KASHIWAZAKI  István EGERSZEGI  Takashi NAGAI  Kazuhiro KIKUCHI 《The Journal of reproduction and development》2013,59(4):378-384

Our aim was to optimize a cryoprotectant treatment for vitrification of immature porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Immature COCs were vitrified either in 35% ethylene glycol (EG), 35% propylene glycol (PG) or a combination of 17.5% EG and 17.5% PG. After warming, the COCs were in vitro matured (IVM), and surviving oocytes were in vitro fertilized (IVF) and cultured. The mean survival rate of vitrified oocytes in 35% PG (73.9%) was higher (P<0.05) than that in 35% EG (27.8%). Oocyte maturation rates did not differ among vitrified and non-vitrified control groups. Blastocyst formation in the vitrified EG group (10.8%) was higher (P<0.05) than that in the vitrified PG group (2.0%) but was lower than that in the control group (25.0%). Treatment of oocytes with 35% of each cryoprotectant without vitrification revealed a higher toxicity of PG on subsequent blastocyst development compared with EG. The combination of EG and PG resulted in 42.6% survival after vitrification. The maturation and fertilization rates of the surviving oocytes were similar in the vitrified, control and toxicity control (TC; treated with EG+PG combination without cooling) groups. Blastocyst development in the vitrified group was lower (P<0.05) than that in the control and TC groups, which in turn had similar development rates (10.7%, 18.1% and 23.3%, respectively). In conclusion, 35% PG enabled a higher oocyte survival rate after vitrification compared with 35% EG. However, PG was greatly toxic to oocytes. The combination of 17.5% EG and 17.5% PG yielded reasonable survival rates without toxic effects on embryo development.  相似文献   

Evaluation of the mineralizable organic nitrogen in soil using an immunological technique     

Shingo Matsumoto  Noriharu Ae  Yohichi Koyama  Katsumasa Iijima  Rumiko Kodashima  Mari Hirata  Junko Kasuga  Nobuhisa Koga 《Biology and Fertility of Soils》2008,45(1):107-111

Phosphate buffer-extractable organic nitrogen (PEON), which can be extracted from soil with a 67-mM neutral phosphate buffer solution, is considered to be a major source of mineralizable nitrogen (N) that is ubiquitous in soil. We have developed a Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) method for determining PEON. First, anti-PEON antibody (IgG) from a rabbit was produced using purified PEON from a volcanic ash soil. PEON was detected as a ladder-like staining pattern in the high-molecular-weight region and as a single band under 14 kDa in Western blot analysis using the anti-PEON IgG. In the ELISA assay, the anti-PEON IgG could specifically react with PEON irrespective of soil type and management. Furthermore, the absorbance at 450 nm in ELISA was highly correlated to the concentration of organic N (N_org) in phosphate extracts of different soils. We propose the immune assay using the anti-PEON IgG as a possible novel method for evaluating available N in soil.  相似文献   

Histopathology of incidental findings in beagles used in toxicity studies     

Sato J  Doi T  Wako Y  Hamamura M  Kanno T  Tsuchitani M  Narama I 《Journal of toxicologic pathology》2012,25(1):103-134

The purpose of our publication is to widely communicate the pictures of spontaneous findings occurring in beagles. Spontaneous arteritis occurs commonly in beagles. Frequent sites of arteritis are the heart, spleen, pancreas, epididymis and spinal cord. Morphological similarities between spontaneous and drug-induced arterial lesions may cause confusion when evaluating vascular toxicity of chemicals such as vasodilating agents. Focal and minimal inflammatory lesions are occasionally seen in the lung and may be associated with aspiration of food particles or of unknown causes. A cystic change with copious mucin production occurs occasionally in the mucosal epithelium of the gall bladder. Nesidioblastosis is seen rarely in the pancreas of beagles. C-cell complex and lymphocytic thyroiditis are common thyroid lesions. Spontaneous focal hypospermatogenesis and lobular Sertoli-cell-only seminiferous tubules occurring frequently in beagles must be distinguished from drug-induced damage of the seminiferous tubules in toxicity studies. The morphological differences of the female genital system in each cycle need to be understood; therefore, we present the normal features of the cyclic changes of the female genital organs. Further, we provide more information on spontaneous findings in beagles for exact diagnoses in toxicity studies.  相似文献