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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

The synthesis of minus-strand RNA of bamboo mosaic potexvirus initiates from multiple sites within the poly(A) tail.

The 3' terminus of the bamboo mosaic potexvirus (BaMV) contains a poly(A) tail, the 5' portion of which participates in the formation of an RNA pseudoknot required for BaMV RNA replication. Recombinant RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of BaMV binds to the pseudoknot poly(A) tail in gel mobility shift assays (C.-Y. Huang, Y.-L. Huang, M. Meng, Y.-H. Hsu, and C.-H. Tsai, J. Virol. 75:2818-2824, 2001). Approximately 20 nucleotides of the poly(A) tail adjacent to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) are protected from diethylpyrocarbonate modification, suggesting that this region may be used to initiate minus-strand RNA synthesis. The 5' terminus of the minus-strand RNA synthesized by the RdRp in vitro was examined using 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and DNA sequencing. Minus-strand RNA synthesis was found to initiate from several positions within the poly(A) tail, with the highest frequency of initiation being from the 7th to the 10th adenylates counted from the 5'-most adenylate of the poly(A) tail. Sequence analyses of BaMV progeny RNAs recovered from Nicotiana benthamiana protoplasts which were inoculated with mutants containing a mutation at the 1st, 4th, 7th, or 16th position of the poly(A) tail suggested the existence of variable initiation sites, similar to those found in 5' RACE experiments. We deduce that the initiation site for minus-strand RNA synthesis is not fixed at one position but resides opposite one of the 15 adenylates of the poly(A) tail immediately downstream of the 3' UTR of BaMV genomic RNA.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2004

Critical residues for GTP methylation and formation of the covalent m7GMP-enzyme intermediate in the capping enzyme domain of bamboo mosaic virus.

Open reading frame 1 of Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV), a Potexvirus in the alphavirus-like superfamily, encodes a 155-kDa replicase responsible for the formation of the 5' cap structure and replication of the viral RNA genome. The N-terminal domain of the viral replicase functions as an mRNA capping enzyme, which exhibits both GTP methyltransferase and S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent guanylyltransferase activities. We mutated each of the four conserved amino acids among the capping enzymes of members within alphavirus-like superfamily and a dozen of other residues to gain insight into the structure-function relationship of the viral enzyme. The mutant enzymes were purified and subsequently characterized. H68A, the mutant enzyme bearing a substitution at the conserved histidine residue, has an approximately 10-fold increase in GTP methyltransferase activity but completely loses the ability to form the covalent m(7)GMP-enzyme intermediate. High-pressure liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the production of m(7)GTP by the GTP methyltransferase activity of H68A. Furthermore, the produced m(7)GTP sustained the formation of the m(7)GMP-enzyme intermediate for the wild-type enzyme in the presence of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), suggesting that the previously observed AdoMet-dependent guanylation of the enzyme using GTP results from reactions of GTP methylation and subsequently guanylation of the enzyme using m(7)GTP. Mutations occurred at the other three conserved residues (D122, R125, and Y213), and H66 resulted in abolition of activities for both GTP methylation and formation of the covalent m(7)GMP-enzyme intermediate. Mutations of amino acids such as K121, C234, D310, W312, R316, K344, W406, and K409 decreased both activities by various degrees, and the extents of mutational effects follow similar trends. The affinity to AdoMet of the various BaMV capping enzymes, except H68A, was found in good correlations with not only the magnitude of GTP methyltransferase activity but also the capability of forming the m(7)GMP-enzyme intermediate. Taken together with the AdoHcy dependence of guanylation of the enzyme using m(7)GTP, a basic working mechanism, with the contents of critical roles played by the binding of AdoMet/AdoHcy, of the BaMV capping enzyme is proposed and discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Structural and functional analysis of the cis-acting elements required for plus-strand RNA synthesis of Bamboo mosaic virus.

Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. The secondary structure of the 3'-terminal sequence of the minus-strand RNA has been predicted by MFOLD and confirmed by enzymatic structural probing to consist of a large, stable stem-loop and a small, unstable stem-loop. To identify the promoter for plus-strand RNA synthesis in this region, transcripts of 39, 77, and 173 nucleotides (Ba-39, Ba-77, and Ba-173, respectively) derived from the 3' terminus of the minus-strand RNA were examined by an in vitro RNA-dependent RNA polymerase assay for the ability to direct RNA synthesis. Ba-77 and Ba-39 appeared to direct the RNA synthesis efficiently, while Ba-173 failed. Ba-77/delta5, with a deletion of the 3'-terminal UUUUC sequence in Ba-77, directed the RNA synthesis only to 7% that of Ba-77. However, Ba-77/delta16 and Ba-77/delta31, with longer deletions but preserving the terminal UUUUC sequence of Ba-77, restored the template activity to about 60% that of the wild type. Moreover, mutations that changed the sequence in the stem of the large stem-loop interfered with the efficiency of RNA synthesis and RNA accumulation in vivo. The mutant with an internal deletion in the region between the terminal UUUUC sequence and the large stem-loop reduced the viral RNA accumulation in protoplasts, but mutants with insertions did not. Taken together, these results suggest that three cis-acting elements in the 3' end of the minus-strand RNA, namely, the terminal UUUUC sequence, the sequence in the large stem-loop, and the distance between these two regions, are involved in modulating the efficiency of BaMV plus-strand viral RNA synthesis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2005

The AAUAAA motif of bamboo mosaic virus RNA is involved in minus-strand RNA synthesis and plus-strand RNA polyadenylation.

Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome with a 5'-cap structure and a 3' poly(A) tail. Deleting the internal loop that contains the putative polyadenylation signal (AAUAAA) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of BaMV genomic RNA appeared to diminish coat protein accumulation to 2% (C. P. Cheng and C. H. Tsai, J. Mol. Biol. 288:555-565, 1999). To investigate the function of the AAUAAA motif, mutations were introduced into an infectious BaMV cDNA at each residue except the first nucleotide. After transfection of Nicotiana benthamiana protoplasts with RNA transcript, the accumulations of viral coat protein and RNAs were determined. Based on the results, three different categories could be deduced for the mutants. Category 1 includes two mutants expressing levels of the viral products similar to those of the wild-type virus. Six mutations in category 2 led to decreased to similar levels of both minus-strand and genomic RNAs. Category 3 includes the remaining seven mutations that also bring about decreases in both minus- and plus-strand RNA levels, with more significant effects on genomic RNA accumulation. Mutant transcripts from each category were used to infect N. benthamiana plants, from which viral particles were isolated. The genomic RNAs of mutants in category 3 were found to have shorter poly(A) tails. Taken together, the results suggest that the AAUAAA motif in the 3' UTR of BaMV genomic RNA is involved not only in the formation of the poly(A) tail of the plus-strand RNA, but also in minus-strand RNA synthesis.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2006

Crucial role of the 5' conserved structure of bamboo mosaic virus satellite RNA in downregulation of helper viral RNA replication.

Satellite RNA of Bamboo mosaic virus (satBaMV), a single-stranded mRNA type satellite encoding a protein of 20 kDa (P20), depends on the helper BaMV for replication and encapsidation. Two satBaMV isolates, BSF4 and BSL6, exhibit distinctly differential phenotypes in Nicotiana benthamiana plants when coinoculated with BaMV RNA. BSL6 significantly reduces BaMV RNA replication and suppresses the BaMV-induced symptoms, whereas BSF4 does not. By studies with chimeric satBaMVs generated by exchanging the components between BSF4 and BSL6, the genetic determinants responsible for the downregulation of BaMV replication and symptom expression were mapped at the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of BSL6. The 5' UTR of BSL6 alone is sufficient to diminish BaMV RNA replication when the 5' UTR is inserted in cis into the BaMV expression vector or when coinoculation with mutants that block the synthesis of P20 protein takes place. Further, the 5' UTR of natural satBaMV isolates contains one hypervariable (HV) region which folds into a conserved apical hairpin stem-loop (AHSL) structure (W. B. Yeh, Y. H. Hsu, H. C. Chen, and N. S. Lin, Virology 330:105-115, 2004). Interchanges of AHSL segment of HV regions between BSF4 and BSL6 led to the ability of chimeric satBaMV to interfere with BaMV replication and symptom expression. The conserved secondary structure within the HV region is a potent determinant of the downregulation of helper virus replication.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2005

Effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotube bundles.

We have investigated the effect of ferrocene concentration on the synthesis of carbon-nitrogen (C-N) nanotubes. The bamboo-shaped carbon-nitrogen nanotubes were synthesized by spray pyrolysis of Fe(C5H5)2 and CH3CN solution using argon as a carrier gas at the optimum temperature of approximately 900 degrees C. The effect of ferrocene concentration on the length and concentration of nitrogen in nanotubes was studied. Micro-structural features of the nanotubes were monitored employing scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. SEM studies reveal that with decreasing ferrocene concentration from 25 mg ml(-1) to 5 mg ml(-1), the length of the nanotubes vary from 80 microm to 430 microm. A feasible growth model has been described and discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies have confirmed the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes. These studies reveal that the nitrogen concentration in the nanotubes decreases with the increase of ferrocene concentration. The present synthesis route also provides means of producing carbon nanotubes with different concentrations of nitrogen.

Crystallization↗

PubMed1999

Biochemical characterization of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins associated with CK-II from bamboo shoots and potent inhibitors of their phosphorylation in vitro.

Three effective phosphate acceptors (35, 15 and 13 kDa polypeptides) for casein kinase II (CK-II) in the Superdex CK-II fraction prepared from a 0.5 M NaCl extract of bamboo shoots were selectively purified by glycyrrhizin (GL)-affinity column chromatography (HPLC). These three proteins (p35, p15 and p13) were identified as 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins by determination of their partial N-terminal sequences. CK-II was associated with p35 since the GL-affinity fraction was coprecipitated with an anti-serum against Drosophila CK-IIbeta. Moreover, a derivative (oGA) of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and several polyphenol-containing anti-oxidative compounds [quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and two isoflavones, i.e., 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone (3',4',7-THI) and 8-chloro-3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyisoflavone (8C-3',4',5,7-THI)] inhibited the CK-II-mediated phosphorylation of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins in vitro. Quercetin was found to be the most effective compound on CK-II activity since its ID50 was approx. 50 nM. These results suggest that (i) GL-affinity column chromatography is useful for the selective purification of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins as a heterocomplex associated with CK-II from various cell sources; (ii) natural anti-oxidative compounds with polyphenols, but not GL and GA, act as potent CK-II suppressors; and (iii) CK-II mediates the regulation of the physiological functions of 60S acidic ribosomal P proteins in growing plant cells.

Casein Kinase II↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of carcinogenic/co-carcinogenic activity of chikusaku-eki, a bamboo charcoal by-product used as a folk remedy, in BALB/c 3T3 cells.

Chikusaku-eki is an acidic dark brown liquid obtained as a by-product from bamboo charcoal burners. The solution diluted with water is gaining widespread popularity in Japan as a folk medicine for skin diseases such as scabies, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. In this study, the carcinogenic and tumor-promoting potential of chikusaku-eki was determined using the BALB/c 3T3 A31-1-1 cell transformation system. Carcinogenic activity was tested by treating A31-1-1 cells for 24 h with 0.06% solution, a dose resulting in 35% clonogenic cell survival. In both 2-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated and non-treated groups, chikusaku-eki did not initiate carsinogenesis. Following initiation with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA), A31-1-1 cells were chronically treated with a non-toxic concentration range of chikusaku-eki (< or = 0.01%), but chikusaku-eki did not act as a tumor promoter. Thus, chikusaku-eki was not carcinogenic/co-carcinogenic in the in vitro cell transformation assay examined in this study after being diluted more than 10(4)-fold with water.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2006

Antioxidant activity of a novel extract from bamboo grass (AHSS) against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat small intestine.

Production of free radical species in cells and body tissues is known to cause many pathological disorders. Therefore, free radical scavengers play an important role in the prevention of various human diseases. Bamboo grass, Sasa senanensis, is a native Japanese plant. Sasa has been used for medicine in Japan for many centuries. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative activity of Absolutely Hemicellulose Senanensis (AHSS), a novel extract from Sasa. In the first part of this study, we found that AHSS has antioxidant activities by the assay using superoxide anion-2-methyl-6-methoxyphenylethynylimidazopyrazynone (MPEC) reaction kit. We then confirmed its antioxidative activity using a rat ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (I/R) injury model. Breakdown of the intestinal wall caused by intestinal I/R was attenuated by pretreatment with AHSS. Moreover, AHSS inhibited the production of lipid peroxide by intestinal I/R. AHSS could be an important source of ingredients for use in functional foods and other applications.

Allopurinol↗

PubMed2006

Lig-8, a bioactive lignophenol derivative from bamboo lignin, protects against neuronal damage in vitro and in vivo.

Lig-8, a lignophenol derivative from bamboo lignin, potently suppresses oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Here, we first examined in vitro whether lig-8 protects against neuronal damage induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reoxygenation, tunicamycin [endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress inducer], or PSI (proteasome inhibitor). In pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell cultures, lig-8 (1 to 30 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited OGD- and tunicamycin (2 microg/ml)-induced cell deaths (significant at >/=3 microM and >/=1 microM, respectively). In human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell culture, the PSI-induced apoptotic cell death and fusion protein accumulation (revealing reduced proteasome activity) was inhibited by lig-8 (30 microM). On the other hand, lig-8 at 30 microM alone did not affect any proteasome activity under resting conditions. In vivo, lig-8 (0.1 nmol/eye) reduced intravitreal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 20 nmol)-induced retinal damage (decreases in retinal ganglion cells and inner plexiform layer thickness). Hence, lig-8 protects, partly by inhibiting excessive ER-stress, against neuronal damage in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Amino acid sequence and antimicrobial activity of chitin-binding peptides, Pp-AMP 1 and Pp-AMP 2, from Japanese bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys pubescens).

Two novel chitin-binding peptides, designated Pp-AMP 1 and Pp-AMP 2, which had antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, were purified from Japanese bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys pubescens) by a simple procedure based on chitin affinity chromatography. They had the common structural features of the plant defensin family, but they could not be grouped in any type of that family. They showed a high degree of homology to mistletoe toxins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Intensity of larval diapause in the bamboo borer, Omphisa fuscidentalis.

Larvae of the bamboo borer, Omphisa fuscidentalis, enter larval diapause in September and pupate in the following June (Singtripop et al., 1999). We examined the changes in the responses of larvae to exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in order to estimate the progress of diapause development. In this respect, we adopted two terms, responsiveness and sensitivity of larvae to 20E. Responsiveness was estimated by the percentage of larvae that pupated, and sensitivity was evaluated by the duration from the day of 20E injection to pupation. The responsiveness of larvae declined gradually from September to November when larvae were least responsive to 20E, and then increased markedly from January to February. This indicates that the intensity of diapause increases from September to November and terminated gradually thereafter. Thus the sequence of events as the larval responses to 20E is characterized by a V-shaped curve. Sensitivity of larvae to 20E was at the same level from September to December, and increased remarkably from December to January. The abrupt increase in the sensitivity occurred one month earlier than the bottom of the V-shaped curve of larval responsiveness, suggesting that the increases in the responsiveness and sensitivity in the latter half of diapause may be brought about by respective mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

A preliminary report on the use of cane and bamboo as basic construction materials for orthotic and prosthetic appliances.

Cane and bamboo have been found to be viable and alternative basic construction materials for orthotic/prosthetic appliances and rehabilitation aids. Amongst the appliances made, the night splint and the upper limb splints have proved effective in field trials. The lower limb orthoses and prosthesis however are still at an experimental stage. Of the rehabilitation aids, walkers, crutches and wheelchairs have been found to be remarkably useful, cheap and light.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

Foodborne botulism associated with home-canned bamboo shoots--Thailand, 1998.

On April 13, 1998, the Field Epidemiology Training Program in the Thailand Ministry of Public Health (TMPH) was informed of six persons with sudden onset of cranial nerve palsies suggestive of botulism who were admitted to a provincial hospital in northern Thailand. To determine the cause of the cluster, TMPH initiated an investigation on April 14. This report summarizes the results of the investigation, which indicate that the outbreak was caused by foodborne botulism from home-canned bamboo shoots.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Mosquito immatures in drought-prone and drought-resistant bamboo stumps in Flores, Indonesia.

Mosquito species in water-filled bamboo stumps were compared with those emerged from dormant eggs in dry stumps. Tripteroides spp. was more abundant than Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. (mainly annandalei and albopictus) in water-filled stumps, whereas the latter was more abundant than the former in dry stumps. During 5 days after inundation, Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. developed faster than Tripteroides spp. Density of Tripteroides spp. was high in narrow and deep stumps. Both taxa of mosquitoes were at low densities in water-filled stumps with large detritivores (Tipulidae and Oligochaeta).

Aedes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

"Bamboo spine" starts to bend--something is wrong.

A typical complication of ankylosing spondylitis with an atypical patient history is reported and the topic is discussed. The diagnosis of a spinal fracture may be difficult in a "bamboo spine".

Cervical Vertebrae↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Food restriction and spontaneous motor activity in male mice: effects of feeding pattern, far-infrared ray and bamboo grass leaf extract.

The effects on spontaneous motor activity of the pattern of restricted feeding, far-infrared ray (FIR) irradiation or free access in drinking water containing Sasa Health, a bamboo grass leafextract, were examined in SHN male mice at 2-3 months of age. In mice whose diet was restricted to 60% of the control, fed at 9:00 or 17:00 hours, the level of spontaneous behaviour was elevated 1 hour before the respective feeding time (8:00 or 16:00 hours). The activity was stimulated by FIR in both the control and food-restricted mice, but to a much higher degree in the latter. Treatment with Sasa Health in drinking water lowered the elevated activity level in food-restricted mice. Plasma component levels and organ weights were modulated by FIR or Sasa Health. The findings revealed that, not only the restricted feeding itsel, but also its pattern, significantly affected behaviour and that FIR and Sasa Health modified the deleterious effects of restricted feeding.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of gonadectomy at different ages and Sasa Health, bamboo grass leaf extract, on spontaneous motor activity in female and male mice.

To investigate the role of gonadal hormones in spontaneous motor activity and the contribution of Sasa Health, bamboo grass leaf extract, to this process, female and male ICR mice were gonadectomized at 2 (Experiment I) or 9-12 months of age (Experiment II). The spontaneous motor activity was measured 1 week and 1 month after the operation, then after a subsequent 1 month of treatment with Sasa Health administered in the drinking water. Ovariectomy caused a significant decrease in activity even after 1 week in Experiment I, but had little effect in Experiment II. In the males, a significant decrease was found only in the dark phase 1 month after castration in Experiment I, while little change in activity was induced by castration in Experiment II. Administration of Sasa Health caused an increase and decrease in the activity of the females and males, respectively, of both the control and the gonadectomized groups in Experiment I. Sasa Health had little effect on the motor activity in Experiment II. The agent acted on the plasma levels of several components modulated by gonadectomy, mostly restoring them to the control values. These findings indicate that gonadal hormones and Sasa Health influence spontaneous motor activity and plasma component levels in both sexes and have apparent sex- and age-related effects.

Aging↗