Structure-activity relationship studies of the chromosome segregation inhibitor, Incentrom A.
A series of Incentrom A analogs that inhibit the chromosome segregation process in yeast were synthesized and tested for their effects on chromosome stability and cell proliferation. Pharmacophore and structure-activity relationship of Incentrom A for the anti-yeast activity were established.

title: Selective catalytic activity of ball-shaped Pd@MCM-48 nanocatalysts.
abstract: Remarkable selectivity is achieved in the cleavage of benzyl ethers using ball-shaped palladium nanocatalysts, Pd@MCM-48, in an MCM-48 matrix. The unique nanocatalysts not only feature unprecedented complete hydrogenolysis selectivity of a benzyl ether over hydrogenation of a double bond, but also demonstrate selective cleavage of unsubstituted benzyl ether over substituted benzyl ethers.

title: A stereoselective enyne cross metathesis.
abstract: [reaction: see text] Intermolecular enyne metathesis reaction of alkynes with olefins catalyzed by second-generation Grubbs catalyst (1) proceeded stereoselectively under ethylene atmosphere to produce 1,3-disubstituted butadienes with E stereochemistry.

title: A Facile Construction of the Quadranoid Skeleton: Application to the Total Synthesis of (+/-)-Suberosenone.
abstract: A tandem free radical cyclization-rearrangement sequence was designed and executed to produce tricyclo[4.3.2.0(1,5)]undecane 7 from cyclopentene 6A in a single operation. The total synthesis of suberosenone was accomplished from 7.

title: Triquinanes from linear alkylidene carbenes via trimethylenemethane diyls.
abstract: The intramolecular [2+3] cycloaddition reaction of the trimethylenemethane diyl generated from the intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction of alkylidene carbene produced linearly fused triquinanes regio- and stereoselectively. The current tandem cycloaddition reaction was applied to a 14-step total synthesis of hirsutene from methallyl alcohol.

title: Improved Precursor Directed Biosynthesis in E. coli via Directed Evolution
abstract: Erythromycin and related macrolide antibiotics are widely used polyketide natural products. We have evolved an engineered biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli that yields erythromycin analogs from simple synthetic precursors. Multiple rounds of mutagenesis and screening led to the identification of new mutant strains with improved efficiency for precursor-directed biosynthesis. Genetic and biochemical analysis suggested that the phenotypically relevant alterations in these mutant strains were localized exclusively to the host-vector system, and not to the polyketide synthase. We also demonstrate the utility of this improved system through engineered biosynthesis of a novel alkynyl erythromycin derivative with comparable antibacterial activity to its natural counterpart. In addition to reinforcing the power of directed evolution for engineering macrolide biosynthesis, our studies have identified a new lead substance for investigating structure–function relationships in the bacterial ribosome.

title: Differential distribution of human mitochondrial DNA in somatic tissues and hairs.
abstract: To investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) distribution within tissues during life, we observed length heteroplasmy in a polycytosine tract of the mitochondrial HV2 region by size-based separation of PCR products, using a mutagenic primer which was designed to avoid stutter production. Blood, brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscle and hair shaft samples were collected during autopsies of 25 individuals. Here, we demonstrate differences in the level of mtDNA length heteroplasmy both within and between individuals and tissues. We also show that mtDNA is distributed randomly in varying proportions in various somatic tissues during growth, resulting in an imbalance in the composition of mtDNA pools among tissues. This mtDNA distribution appears not to be strictly random, and can be explained by the random somatic segregation of nucleoids. On the other hand, significant qualitative/quantitative mtDNA peak pattern variations in hair shafts are thought to be a result of the different developmental origins of hairs. Each hair shaft may have a restricted or clonal set of mtDNA molecules derived from a discrete group of stem cells.

title: Acute oliguric renal failure associated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

title: Z-Shaped Microcatheter Tip Shaping for Embolization of Aneurysms at the Proximal A1 Segment of the Anterior Cerebral Artery: A Technical Note
abstract: Embolization of an aneurysm at the proximal A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) is technically challenging. We treated four consecutive patients with unruptured aneurysms at the proximal portion of the A1 segment of the ACA. We tested various microcatheter tip shapes before we successfully embolized a lesion with a zigzag-shaped microcatheter tip, which was made by steam shaping. The shape of this microcatheter tip resembled the letter "Z", had a relatively long distal straight segment and was helpful in prompt catheterization of the aneurysm sac and stable placement of the catheter and delivery of coils.

title: Arabidopsis RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 Reticulon-Like Proteins Regulate Intracellular Trafficking and Activity of the FLS2 Immune Receptor[C][W]
abstract: This study finds that two reticulon proteins modulate the transport of an immune receptor to the cell membrane. The results highlight the role of receptor secretion in determining the receptor’s forward signaling efficacy and the cell’s response. Receptors localized at the plasma membrane are critical for the recognition of pathogens. The molecular determinants that regulate receptor transport to the plasma membrane are poorly understood. In a screen for proteins that interact with the FLAGELIN-SENSITIVE2 (FLS2) receptor using Arabidopsis thaliana protein microarrays, we identified the reticulon-like protein RTNLB1. We showed that FLS2 interacts in vivo with both RTNLB1 and its homolog RTNLB2 and that a Ser-rich region in the N-terminal tail of RTNLB1 is critical for the interaction with FLS2. Transgenic plants that lack RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 (rtnlb1 rtnlb2) or overexpress RTNLB1 (RTNLB1ox) exhibit reduced activation of FLS2-dependent signaling and increased susceptibility to pathogens. In both rtnlb1 rtnlb2 and RTNLB1ox, FLS2 accumulation at the plasma membrane was significantly affected compared with the wild type. Transient overexpression of RTNLB1 led to FLS2 retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and affected FLS2 glycosylation but not FLS2 stability. Removal of the critical N-terminal Ser-rich region or either of the two Tyr-dependent sorting motifs from RTNLB1 causes partial reversion of the negative effects of excess RTNLB1 on FLS2 transport out of the ER and accumulation at the membrane. The results are consistent with a model whereby RTNLB1 and RTNLB2 regulate the transport of newly synthesized FLS2 to the plasma membrane.