Seibutsu Butsuri
Online ISSN : 1347-4219
Print ISSN : 0582-4052
ISSN-L : 0582-4052
Search
Advanced search
OR
Browse
Search
Volume 51, Issue 4
Issue 296
Displaying 1-20 of 20 articles from this issue
Show all abstracts
    • |<
    • <
    • 1
    • >
    • >|
Perspective
Overview
  • Tension as Important Information for Signal Transduction at Cell-cell Adhesion
    Shigenobu YONEMURA
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 162-167
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2142/biophys.51.162
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Show abstractHide abstract
    The adherens junction (AJ) is a major cell-cell junction that mediates cell recognition, adhesion, morphogenesis, contractile function and tissue integrity. Although AJs transmit forces generated by actomyosin from one cell to another, AJs have long been considered as a site where signal transduction from cadherin ligation takes place through cell adhesion as seen with other conventional membrane receptors. Recent studies are unraveling the existence of mechanotransduction at AJs and its possible molecular mechanism in which α-catenin in the cadherin-catenin complex changes its conformation in a force-dependent manner. This mechanotransduction has advantages in that it can transmit more precise temporal, quantitative, and spatial information than signaling using diffusion of second messengers or phosphorylation cascades.
    View full abstract
    Download PDF (1346K)
  • The Cutting Edge of Mechanical Unfolding Research: What We Learn from Protein Pulling Studies
    Yukinori TANIGUCHI, Akiko KOBAYASHI, Masaru KAWAKAMI
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 168-173
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2142/biophys.51.168
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Show abstractHide abstract
    Using atomic force microscopy technique, it is capable of picking up a single protein molecule to apply a mechanical force. This technique, called “force spectroscopy”, provides unique information about the intermediates and the free energy landscape of the mechanical unfolding of proteins. In this review we introduce recent studies that answer some fundamental questions: “Is the mechanical resistance of protein isotropic?”, “What is the structure of the transition state in the mechanical unfolding like?” and “Is the mechanical unfolding related to biological functions?”.
    View full abstract
    Download PDF (1227K)
Review
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics and Cellular Antiviral Immunity
    Takumi KOSHIBA, Misa KUBOYAMA
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 174-177
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2142/biophys.51.174
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Show abstractHide abstract
    Mitochondria, dynamic organelles that undergo continuous cycles of fusion and fission events, are believed to play an important role in controlling organelle morphology, copy number, mitochondrial DNA maintenance and are also involved in cellular innate antiviral immunity. In mammals, mitochondrial dynamics rely on high molecular weight GTPases, mitofusin (Mfn1 and Mfn2), OPA1, and Drp1. Recently our studies revealed that Mfn2, a mediator of mitochondrial fusion, acts as an inhibitor of mitochondria-mediated antiviral immunity, which leads us to a linkage between mitochondrial dynamics and antiviral immunity in mammals. In this review, we discuss the participation of mitochondrial dynamics in antiviral immune responses and also show the evidence that the physiological function of mitochondria plays a key role in innate antiviral immunity.
    View full abstract
    Download PDF (1249K)
  • Smart Network of True Slime Mold
    Kentaro ITO, Toshiyuki NAKAGAKI
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 178-181
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2142/biophys.51.178
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Show abstractHide abstract
    The origin of information processing is a fundamental problem in evolutionary biology. True slime mold, Physarum, has become a model organism for study of problem solving by single-celled organisms. Here we report its ability to find a smart network by describing its aptitude in maze solving, multi purpose optimization for transportation network and risk management in a spatio-temporally varying field. We discuss these results in the context of a risk management strategy.
    View full abstract
    Download PDF (1164K)
  • Gene Network Analysis and Application
    Hiromitsu ARAKI, Daniel HURLEY, Edmund CRAMPIN, Cristin PRINT, Satoru ...
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 182-185
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: July 25, 2011
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2142/biophys.51.182
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Show abstractHide abstract
    In the post-genome era, with the availability of high-throughput data, our biological focus makes a shift from a behavior of individual components to their regulatory/causative/interactive relationships. Gene network, which is inferred from microarray data by using reverse engineering algorithms, gives valuable information about the regulation of genes in the living cells under the certain conditions. In particular, this technology is applied to the biomedical research fields, e.g. identification of drug targets and prognosis markers. In this short review, we summarize what gene network is and how it is inferred. We also show our work that identified new drug target of well-known compound in human endothelial cells by gene network analysis.
    View full abstract
    Download PDF (679K)
Topics
Topics (Young Scientist Series)
Salon
Activity of Regional Branch
Young Voice
Letters from Abroad
Promenade along Protein 3D Structures
Technical term
Book Review
    • |<
    • <
    • 1
    • >
    • >|
feedback
 Top