Search for K_{L}→π

A search for the rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was performed. With the data collected in 2015, corresponding to 2.2×10^{19} protons on target, a single event sensitivity of (1.30±0.01_{stat}±0.14_{syst})×10^{-9} was achieved and no candidate events were observed. We set an upper limit of 3.0×10^{-9} for the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), which improved the previous limit by almost an order of magnitude. An upper limit for K_{L}→π^{0}X^{0} was also set as 2.4×10^{-9} at the 90% C.L., where X^{0} is an invisible boson with a mass of 135 MeV/c^{2}.

Structure-function relationships of two closely related group IC3 intron ribozymes from Azoarcus and Synechococcus pre-tRNA.

The two group IC3 pre-tRNA introns from Azoarcus and Synechococcus share very analogous secondary structures. They are small group I ribozymes that possess only two peripheral domains, P2 and P9. However, the 3'-splice site hydrolysis activity of the Synechococcus ribozyme critically depends on P2 whereas that of Azoarcus does not, indicating that the structure-function relationships of the two ribozymes are strikingly different despite their structural resemblance. To identify the element(s) that determines the catalytic properties of these ribozymes, we undertook analyses of chimeric ribozymes prepared by swapping their structural elements. We found that the difference can be attributed to a small number of nucleotides within the conserved core region. Further analysis by employing in vitro selection revealed that a base triple interaction (P4bp3 x J6/7-2) is a critical element for determining activity and suggests the existence of a novel base quintuple involving the base triple P4bp5 x J8/7-5.

EST analysis of genes that are expressed in the neural complex of Ciona intestinalis adults.

A subtractive cDNA library was made corresponding to mRNAs expressed in the neural complex relative to those expressed in the pharynx of adults of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Determination and comparison of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of a set of 1,527 randomly selected clones demonstrated that they represent 832 independent sequences. Five hundred seventy-two of the clones contained amino-acid-encoding sequences. BLASTX analyses showed that 342 of the 572 clones were strong matches (P < 10(-7)) to previously identified proteins, while the remaining 230 fell into the "no match" category. Among the clones matching previously identified proteins, about 80 clones represented proteins that are involved in the formation, maintenance of the structure, and function of the nervous system: 22 proteins are associated with signal transduction, five proteins are related to the synapse, 11 to transcription factors, nine to transporters, five to enzymes, and 13 to extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal components, and six to apoptosis. In addition, sequence information for genes associated with the immune system and for genes encoding proteins with interesting functions were obtained. These data provide cues for further studies on genes that are expressed in and function in the ascidian nervous system.

A conserved motif in group IC3 introns is a new class of GNRA receptor.

Terminal tetraloops consisting of GNRA sequences are often found in biologically active large RNAs. The loops appear to contribute towards the organization of higher order RNA structures by forming specific tertiary interactions with their receptors. Group IC3 introns which possess a GAAA loop in the L2 region often have a phylogenetically conserved motif in their P8 domains. In this report, we show that this conserved motif stands as a new class of receptor that distinguishes the sequences of GNRA loops less stringently than previously known receptors. The motif can functionally substitute an 11 nt motif receptor in the Tetrahymena ribozyme. Its structural and functional similarity to one class of synthetic receptors obtained from in vitro selection is observed.