bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemistry and molecular biology of the late‐stage of biosynthesis of anthocyanin: lessons from Perilla frutescens as a model plant
Authors: Saito Kazuki , Yamazaki Mami 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAlthough substantial progress has been made on the molecular genetics of anthocyanin biosynthesis, the biochemistry of some components, such as anthocyanidin synthase, are not fully understood. To explore anthocyanin formation in more detail, and in particular, the late‐stage of the biosynthetic pathway, Perilla frutescens (Labiatae) was chosen as a model plant. Two chemo‐varietal forms exist in P. frutescens, the pigmented red form and, in striking contrast, the non‐pigmented green form, which contains only a trace amount of anthocyanin in the leaves and stems. Using this plant, we investigated the biochemical characteristics of anthocyanidin synthase and two anthocyanin glycosyltransferases, and in addtion we used this plant to investigate the expression and regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis genes. P. frutescens represents a good model plant for investigating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Further exploitation of this model system will require the establishment of a suitable transformation system for P. frutescens. Future work will be directed towards further characterization of the chemo‐varietal forms and investigating their evolution from the ancestral form.

Contents

I.
Introduction
9

II.
Biosynthetic enzymes and their genes
11

III.
Regulation of gene expression and regulatory genes
19

IV.
Conclusions and future prospects
21

References
21
Consumer perception of the functional dairy food market in Northern Ireland*
Authors: Gray Jennifer 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate consumer perception and sensory quality of functional dairy produce in Northern Ireland. Consumer awareness and perception of functional foods were investigated using a structured questionnaire (n= 93). A descriptive profiling test1 was

used to evaluate the sensory characteristics of selected margarines within the functional

dairy food sector (n= 4). The research findings indicate that the

categorical variables of gender (P< 0.001), age (P<

0.01), education level (P< 0.05) and occupation (P< 0.05) are significantly related to the level of consumer awareness to the concept of functional food. Hence, consumer awareness of functional foods is a key factor influencing future acceptance of functional produce. This study also suggests that there is a strong need for clinical trials to support the role of functional ingredients in achieving optimal health.
The impact of family life on work efficiency: a study of employed women from different occupational statuses in a metropolitan area in Turkey
Authors: Bayraktar Meltem , Salman Meryem 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe objective of this research was to investigate the family life of employed women from different occupational statuses (white collar, blue collar and professionals) on their work efficiency. The data were obtained from a survey of 300 randomly selected women who work in various offices, universities and factories in Ankara. The findings suggest that women in better conditions (high education, profession, etc.) experienced less negative spillover.
US aggregate demand for clothing and shoes: effects of non‐durable expenditures, price and demographic changes
Authors: Kim Kisung 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the changes in total non‐durables expenditures, prices and US demographics on demand for different clothing categories and shoes in a time‐series framework. The basis for the demand model was the almost ideal demand system model. Demographic variables included in the model were age distribution of US population (median age and variance) and proportion of non‐white population to the total US population. The results indicate that total non‐durable expenditures and price variables are significantly related to consumers’ non‐durable budget allocations for clothing categories and shoes. The results of the study also show that, among the demographic variables examined in the study, the median age and non‐white population were significant variables affecting US aggregate non‐durable expenditure allocation on men's and boy's clothing and shoes. All the demand elasticities with respect to total expenditures, own, cross‐price and demographics were also estimated.
Comparative study of properties and acceptability of Haitian and US honey‐roasted peanuts
Authors: Hinds M.J. , Jolly C.M. , Nelson R.G. , Donis Y. , Prophete E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA honey‐roasted peanut product, flavoured with ginger and anise, was recently developed in Haiti in an effort to increase the consumption of locally grown peanuts. The objective of this study was to compare quality and consumer acceptability of the Haiti product with a traditional US‐manufactured brand. Haitian panellists (199) evaluated colour, appearance (dry/oily), crunchiness, peanut flavour and sweetness of the products using five‐point just‐about‐right scales. Colour (Minolta chromameter), hardness (TA.XT2i texture analyser fitted with a TA42 knife blade) and moisture (Denver IR‐30 moisture analyser), lipid (ethyl ether extraction) and sugar (Dionex DX‐500 high pressure liquid chromatography system) contents of the products were also determined. The Haiti product was significantly (P < 0.05) darker brown, harder and contained more (P < 0.05) sucrose and glucose but less (P < 0.05) lipid and fructose than the US product. Panellists indicated that crunchiness, peanut flavour and sweetness of both products were just right. The US product had acceptable appearance but was rated too light (hue angle = 69.6 ± 0.70, L‐value = 58.2 ± 0.47) in colour, whereas the Haiti product appeared too dry and dark (hue angle = 62.6 ± 2.79, L‐value = 44.6 ± 2.22). The Haiti peanuts were not deskinned, and their testae may have decreased the acceptability of the product's appearance and colour. The Haiti product was significantly (P < 0.05) just right to the female panellists and to the 21‐year plus panellists from all income groups. Deskinning of the peanuts and increased oil addition during roasting may improve the acceptability of the Haiti product, especially to 14–20 year olds. Decrease in sugar content may also make the Haiti product more appealing to this age group and to male Haitians.
Government transparency: the citizen perspective and experience with food and health products policy
Authors: McGregor Sue 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCitizen engagement (involvement of everyday citizens in policy decisions) is now seen as a major component of governance and policy making. Government transparency is a central tenet of citizen engagement. This study was sought by Health Canada in order to learn from citizen groups in other countries about the nature and degree of transparency related to food and health product review in their country. Health Canada anticipated learning from their experiences and perceptions so that it could increase the transparency of its own review and regulatory process. The opinions of a cross‐section of stakeholders in the United States, the European Union (especially the UK), Australia and New Zealand, solicited via an e‐mail survey, were analysed. The results clearly indicate that, in general, respondents do not feel that their food and health product review system is transparent. These opinions varied depending on which of the seven dimensions of transparency was being examined. Of the 64 recommendations tendered for increasing government transparency, the 32 suggestions for improving their own systems were quite different from the 32 made for Health Canada to consider. Collectively, they provide rich insights into the refinement and clarification of the food and health product review process.
Behaviour of pesticides lindane and methyl parathion during manufacture, ripening and storage of feta cheese
Authors: Mallatou H , Pappas C P , Albanis T A 
Published: March 2003

The behaviour of the pesticides lindane and methyl parathion during the manufacture, ripening and storage of feta cheese was investigated. Pasteurization of milk at 63–65°C for 30 min did not affect the concentrations of either pesticide. Lindane and methyl parathion at concentrations of 0.10 mg/kg and 16.66 mg/kg of milk, respectively, did not affect the activity of the starter culture. The concentration of lindane in the cheese and in whey/brine did not change significantly during ripening (up to 240 days). The concentration of methyl parathion in the cheese increased progressively up to 120 days of ageing, but decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 120 up to 240 days. Methyl parathion might be bound to casein, in particular to the seryl and phosphoseryl groups of casein. Changes of brine to decontaminate the feta cheese from methyl parathion and lindane residues did not affect their concentrations in the cheese.
Influence of drier inlet temperature during pilot‐scale manufacture of rennet casein on the hydration behaviour of the rennet casein in disodium orthophosphate solution
Authors: O'Sullivan Michele M , Singh Harjinder , Munro Peter A , Mulvihill Daniel M 
Published: March 2003

Rennet casein curds were dried in a pilot‐scale fluidized bed drier at air‐inlet temperatures of 80, 90, 110, 120 or 140°C. As the drier air‐inlet temperature was increased, there was a significant increase in hydration time and a significant decrease in hydrated viscosity and viscosity stability following hydration of the dried rennet caseins in 0.4% (w/w) disodium orthophosphate (DSP). The influence of air‐inlet temperature during drying on composition, the extent of Maillard reaction, the resolution of the proteins on urea–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and cation‐exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), the dialysability of calcium and phosphorous from a 6 murea dispersion at pH 4.6, and the particle‐size parameters of milled rennet caseins were determined. Relationships between all these latter parameters and the hydration behaviours of the rennet caseins in DSP solution were also studied. Results suggest that the increase in drier air‐inlet temperature resulted in a reduction in the mean particle size of milled casein, which was significantly correlated to the changes in hydration behaviour. Hydration times increased significantly and hydrated viscosities decreased significantly with increasing levels of fluorescent Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and with increasing levels of nondialysable calcium and phosphorous in the caseins. It appears that the increase in air‐inlet temperature during drying reduced the solubility of colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP), possibly through binding of CCP to the increased levels of MRPs. This change in CCP solubility led to increased difficulty in sequestering CCP from the curd when the pilot‐scale rennet caseins were dispersed in the DSP solution, leading to the changes in hydration behaviour.
Endogenously released DOPA is a causal factor for glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death by transient ischemia in rat striata
Authors: Furukawa Nobuya , Arai Nobutaka , Goshima Yoshio , Miyamae Takeaki , Ohshima Etsuo , Suzuki Fumio , Fujita Kiyohide , Misu Yoshimi 
Published: March 2003

Glutamate is implicated in neuronal cell death. Exogenously applied DOPA by itself releases neuronal glutamate and causes neuronal cell death in in vitro striatal systems. Herein, we attempt to clarify whether endogenous DOPA is released by 10 min transient ischemia due to four‐vessel occlusion during rat striatal microdialysis and, further, whether DOPA, when released, functions to cause glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death. Ischemia increased extracellular DOPA, dopamine, and glutamate, and elicited neuronal cell death 96 h after ischemic insult. Inhibition of striatal l‐aromatic amino acid decarboxylase 10 min before ischemia increased markedly basal DOPA, tripled glutamate release with a tendency of decrease in dopamine release by ischemia, and exaggerated neuronal cell death. Intrastriatal perfusion of 10–30 nm DOPA cyclohexyl ester, a competitive DOPA antagonist, 10 min before ischemia, concentration‐dependently decreased glutamate release without modification of dopamine release by ischemia. At 100 nm, the antagonist elicited a slight ceiling effect on decreases in glutamate release by ischemia and protected neurons from cell death. Glutamate was released concentration‐dependently by intrastriatal perfusion of 0.3–1 mm DOPA and stereoselectively by 0.6 mm DOPA. The antagonist elicited no hypothermia during and after ischemia. Endogenously released DOPA is an upstream causal factor for glutamate release and resultant delayed neuronal cell death by brain ischemia in rat striata. DOPA antagonist has a neuroprotective action.
α‐Synuclein forms a complex with transcription factor Elk‐1
Authors: Iwata Atsushi , Miura Seiko , Kanazawa Ichiro , Sawada Makoto , Nukina Nobuyuki 
Published: March 2003

α‐Synuclein has been identified as a component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease and diffuse Lewy body disease, and glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) in multiple system atrophy (MSA). To explore the role of α‐synuclein in the pathogenesis, we searched for molecules interacting with α‐synuclein and discovered that GCIs are stained by anti‐Elk‐1 antibody. To seek the role of Elk‐1 in synucleinopathies, we cotransfected α‐synuclein and Elk‐1 to cultured cells, and found small granular structure complexes where the two molecules colocalized. Moreover, α‐synuclein and Elk‐1 were co‐immunoprecipitated from the cell lysates. For formation of the complex, the presence of both ETS and B‐box domains of Elk‐1 was required. Although there was no evidence of direct binding between α‐synuclein and Elk‐1, we discovered that α‐synuclein and Elk‐1 both bind to ERK‐2, a MAP kinase. The effect of α‐synuclein on the MAP kinase pathway was assessed using the Pathdetect system, which showed prominent attenuation of Elk‐1 phosphorylation with α‐synuclein, and especially A53T mutant. Our results suggest that α‐synuclein reacts with the MAP kinase pathway, which might cause dysfunction of neurons and oligodendrocytes and lead to neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and MSA.
Transfection‐enforced Bcl‐2 overexpression and an anti‐Parkinson drug, rasagiline, prevent nuclear accumulation of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase induced by an endogenous dopaminergic neurotoxin, N‐methyl(R)salsolinol
Authors: Maruyama Wakako , Akao Yukihiro , Youdim Moussa B. H. , Davis Bruce A. , Naoi Makoto 
Published: March 2003

An endogenous dopaminergic neurotoxin, N‐methyl(R)salsolinol, was found to induce apoptosis in human dopaminergic SH‐SY5Y cells by step‐wise activation of apoptotic cascade; collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential, ΔΨm, activation of caspases, and fragmentation of DNA. Recently, accumulation of gylceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in nuclei was proposed to play an important role in apoptosis. In this paper, involvement of GAPDH in apoptosis induced by N‐methyl(R)salsolinol was studied. The isoquinoline reduced ΔΨm within 3 h, as detected by a fluorescence indicator, JC‐1, then after 16 h incubation, GAPDH accumulated in nuclei by detection with immunostaining. To clarify the role of GAPDH in apoptotic process, a stable cell line of Bcl‐2 overexpressed SH‐SY5Y cells was established. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 prevented the decline in ΔΨm and also apoptotic DNA damage induced by N‐methyl(R)salsolinol. In Bcl‐2 transfected cells, nuclear translocation of GAPDH was also completely suppressed. In addition, a novel antiparkinsonian drug, rasagiline, prevented nuclear accumulation of GAPDH induced by N‐methyl(R)salsolinol in control cells. These results suggest that GAPDH may accumulate in nuclei as a consequence of signal transduction, which is antagonized by anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein family and rasagiline. The results are discussed in concern to intracellular mechanism underlying anti‐apoptotic function of rasagiline analogues.
Cholesterol depletion by methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin blocks cholera toxin transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Shogomori Hidehiko , Futerman Anthony H. 
Published: March 2003

We recently demonstrated that although cholera toxin (CT) is found in detergent‐insoluble domains/rafts at the cell surface of cultured hippocampal neurons, it is internalized via a raft‐independent mechanism. Thus, cholesterol depletion by methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) did not affect the rate of CT internalization from the plasma membrane, but did affect the rate of CT degradation, which occurs in lysosomes. In the current study, we analyze which step of CT intracellular transport is inhibited by MβCD. Whereas pre‐incubation with MβCD completely blocked CT degradation, it had no effect on the degradation of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA), which are internalized by receptor‐mediated and fluid phase endocytosis, respectively. Brefeldin A also completely blocked CT degradation but had no effect on WGA or BSA degradation. In contrast, MβCD did not affect CT degradation, or CT‐mediated cAMP generation, when added to neurons after CT had been transported to the Golgi apparatus. We conclude that CT transport from endosomes to the Golgi apparatus is cholesterol‐dependent, whereas CT transport from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes is cholesterol‐independent.
Maturation of rat brain is accompanied by differential expression of the long and short splice variants of Gsα protein: identification of cytosolic forms of Gsα
Authors: Ihnatovych Ivanna , Hejnová Lucie , Koštrnová Alexandra , Mareš Pavel , Svoboda Petr , Novotný Jiří 
Published: March 2003

Distribution of the α subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα) was analyzed in membrane and cytosolic (supernatant 200 000 g) fractions from rat cortex, thalamus and hippocampus during the course of post‐natal development. In parallel, changes in β‐adrenoceptor density and adenylyl cyclase activity were determined. Long (GsαL) and short (GsαS) variants of Gsα were assessed by immunoblotting using specific polyclonal antisera reacting with both Gsα isoforms. Post‐natal development was associated with an increase in the total amount of brain Gsα. GsαL was the dominant isoform of Gsα in the membrane fractions of all studied brain regions and its amount increased markedly between post‐natal day (PD) 1 and 90. The level of membrane‐bound GsαS also elevated during post‐natal development, but more pronounced changes were found in cytosolic GsαS. Although only a small amount of GsαS (much smaller than GsαL) was detected among soluble proteins shortly after birth, GsαS prevailed over GsαL at PD90. The GsαL/GsαS ratio decreased, respectively, from 3.2 to 1.2 and from 5.0 to 1.5 in the membrane fractions of cortex and hippocampus, but remained almost constant in thalamus between PD1 and 90. More dramatic changes were found in the cytosolic fractions of all studied brain regions: the GsαL/GsαS ratio decreased sharply in cortex (from 14.1 to 0.9), hippocampus (from 3.7 to 0.8), and also in thalamus (from 9.5 to 0.5). These results demonstrate that the membrane–cytosol balance of Gsα proteins alters dramatically during the course of brain development. Both GsαL and GsαS were expressed in a region‐ and age‐specific manner, which suggests different roles in the maturation of the brain tissue. A cyc− reconstitutive assay of cytosolic Gsα indicated that only ≈ 20% of this protein was functional, compared with membrane‐bound Gsα, and its ability to reconstitute adenylyl cyclase activity increased during the course of maturation. The number of β‐adrenoceptors increased sharply during early post‐natal development but only slightly in adulthood, and both GTP‐ and isoproterenol‐stimulated adenylate cyclase activity reached peak values around PD12.
Functional significance of nitric oxide in ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release from mouse cerebral cortical neurons
Authors: Katsura Masashi , Shuto Keijiro , Mohri Yutaka , Shigeto Makoto , Ohkuma Seitaro 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe investigated a role of nitric oxide (NO) on ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release using mouse cerebral cortical neurons. Ionomycin dose‐dependently released [3H]GABA up to 1 µm. The extent of the release by 0.1 µmionomycin was in a range similar to that by 30 mmKCl. The ionomycin (0.1 µm)‐evoked [3H]GABA release was dose‐dependently inhibited by NO synthase inhibitors and hemoglobin, indicating that the ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release is mediated through NO formation. The inhibition of cGMP formation by 1H‐[1,2,4] oxodizao [4,3‐a] quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), a selective inhibitor for NO‐sensitive guanylate cyclase, showed no affects on the ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release. Tetrodotoxin and dibucaine significantly suppressed the ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release and ionomycin increased fluorescence intensity of bis‐oxonol, suggesting the involvement of membrane depolarization in this release. The ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release was maximally reduced by about 50% by GABA uptake inhibitors. The concomitant presence of nifedipine and ω‐agatoxin VIA (ω‐ATX), inhibitors for L‐ and P/Q‐type voltage‐dependent calcium channels, respectively, caused the reduction in the ionomycin‐evoked release by about 50%. The simultaneous addition of nifedipine, ω‐ATX and nipecotic acid completely abolished the release. Although ionomycin released glutamate, (+)‐5‐methyl‐1‐,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo‐[a,d]cycloheptan‐5,10‐imine (MK‐801) and 6,7‐ dinitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (DNQX) showed no effects on the ionomycin‐induced [3H]GABA release. Based on these results, it is concluded that NO formed by ionomycin plays a critical role in ionomycin‐evoked [3H]GABA release from the neurons.
An oxidative stress‐mediated positive‐feedback iron uptake loop in neuronal cells
Authors: Núñez‐Millacura Claudia , Tapia Victoria , Muñoz Patricia , Maccioni Ricardo B. , Núñez Marco T. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIntracellular reactive iron is a source of free radicals and a possible cause of cell damage. In this study, we analyzed the changes in iron homeostasis generated by iron accumulation in neuroblastoma (N2A) cells and hippocampal neurons. Increasing concentrations of iron in the culture medium elicited increasing amounts of intracellular iron and of the reactive iron pool. The cells had both IRP1 and IRP2 activities, being IRP1 activity quantitatively predominant. When iron in the culture medium increased from 1 to 40 µm, IRP2 activity decreased to nil. In contrast, IRP1 activity decreased when iron increased up to 20 µm, and then, unexpectedly, increased. IRP1 activity at iron concentrations above 20 µmwas functional as it correlated with increased55Fe uptake. The increase in IRP1 activity was mediated by oxidative‐stress as it was largely abolished byN‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Culturing cells with iron resulted in proteins and DNA modifications. In summary, iron uptake by N2A cells and hippocampus neurons did not shut off at high iron concentrations in the culture media. As a consequence, iron accumulated and generated oxidative damage. This behavior is probably a consequence of the paradoxical activation of IRP1 at high iron concentrations, a condition that may underlie some processes associated with neuronal degeneration and death.