Tropical Diseases in Okinawa: Overview and Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Okinawa prefecture is at risk for emerging infectious diseases due to its subtropical climate and its location within the Indo-Pacific region. Understanding the existing vectors and infectious agents contextualizes current threats, guides treatment, and informs prevention, and may be of unique concern in the setting of complex emergencies.

Selection and characterization of aptamers targeting the Vif-CBFß-ELOB-ELOC-CUL5 complex.

The viral infectivity factor (Vif) of human immunodeficiency virus 1 forms a complex with host proteins, designated as Vif-CBFß-ELOB-ELOC-CUL5 (VßBCC), initiating the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the human antiviral protein APOBEC3G (A3G), thereby negating its antiviral function. While recent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies have implicated RNA molecules in the Vif-A3G interaction that leads to A3G ubiquitination, our findings indicated that the VßBCC complex can also directly impede A3G-mediated DNA deamination, bypassing the proteasomal degradation pathway. Employing the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) method, we have identified RNA aptamers with high affinity for the VßBCC complex. These aptamers not only bind to the VßBCC complex but also reinstate A3G's DNA deamination activity by inhibiting the complex's function. Moreover, we delineated the sequences and secondary structures of these aptamers, providing insights into the mechanistic aspects of A3G inhibition by the VßBCC complex. Analysis using selected aptamers will enhance our understanding of the inhibition of A3G by the VßBCC complex, offering potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments and solution structure of the N-terminal divergent calponin homology (NN-CH) domain of human intraflagellar transport protein 54.

The intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery plays a crucial role in the bidirectional trafficking of components necessary for ciliary signaling, such as the Hedgehog, Wnt/PCR, and cAMP/PKA systems. Defects in some components of the IFT machinery cause dysfunction, leading to a wide range of human diseases and developmental disorders termed ciliopathies, such as nephronophthisis. The IFT machinery comprises three sub-complexes: BBsome, IFT-A, and IFT-B. The IFT protein 54 (IFT54) is an important component of the IFT-B sub-complex. In anterograde movement, IFT54 binds to active kinesin-II, walking along the cilia microtubule axoneme and carrying the dynein-2 complex in an inactive state, which works for retrograde movement. Several mutations in IFT54 are known to cause Senior-Loken syndrome, a ciliopathy. IFT54 possesses a divergent Calponin Homology (CH) domain termed as NN-CH domain at its N-terminus. However, several aspects of the function of the NN-CH domain of IFT54 are still obscure. Here, we report the 1H, 15N, and 13C resonance assignments of the NN-CH domain of human IFT54 and its solution structure. The NN-CH domain of human IFT54 adopts essentially the α1-α2-α3-α4-α5 topology as that of mouse IFT54, whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic study. The structural information and assignments obtained in this study shed light on the molecular function of the NN-CH domain in IFT54.

Marine Envenomation in Okinawa: Overview and Treatment Concept.

Okinawa prefecture is a popular tourist destination due to its beaches and reefs. The reefs host a large variety of animals, including a number of venomous species. Because of the popularity of the reefs and marine activities, people are frequently in close contact with dangerous venomous species and, thus, are exposed to potential envenomation. Commonly encountered venomous animals throughout Okinawa include the invertebrate cone snail, sea urchin, crown-of-thorns starfish, blue-ringed octopus, box jellyfish, and fire coral. The vertebrates include the stonefish, lionfish, sea snake, and moray eel. Treatment for marine envenomation can involve first aid, hot water immersion, antivenom, supportive care, regional anesthesia, and pharmaceutical administration. Information on venomous animals, their toxins, and treatment should be well understood by prehospital care providers and physicians practicing in the prefecture.

Structural Insights into the Interaction between the C-Terminal-Deleted BH3-like Motif Peptide of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein and Bcl-xL.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The full-length HBx protein interacts with Bcl-xL and is involved in the HBV replication and cell death processes. The three hydrophobic residues Trp120, Leu123, and Ile127 of the HBx BH3-like motif are essential for the Bcl-xL-binding. On the other hand, various lengths of C-terminal-truncated HBx mutants are frequently detected in HCC tissues, and these mutants, rather than the full-length HBx, appear to be responsible for HCC development. Notably, the region spanning residues 1-120 of HBx [HBx(1 and 120)] has been strongly associated with an increased risk of HCC development. However, the mode of interaction between HBx(1-120) and Bcl-xL remains unclear. HBx(1-120) possesses only Trp120 among the three hydrophobic residues essential for the Bcl-xL-binding. To elucidate this interaction mode, we employed a C-terminal-deleted HBx BH3-like motif peptide composed of residues 101-120. Here, we present the NMR complex structure of Bcl-xL and HBx(101-120). Our results demonstrate that HBx(101-120) binds to Bcl-xL in a weaker manner. Considering the high expression of Bcl-xL in HCC cells, this weak interaction, in conjunction with the overexpression of Bcl-xL in HCC cells, may potentially contribute to HCC development through the interaction between C-terminal-truncated HBx and Bcl-xL.

Fluoride Ion in Alcohols: Isopropanol vs Hexafluoroisopropanol.

The utility of alcohol as a hydrogen bonding donor is considered a providential avenue for moderating the high basicity and reactivity of the fluoride ion, typically used with large cations. However, the practicality of alcohol-fluoride systems in reactions is hampered by the limited understanding of the pertinent interactions between the OH group and F-. Therefore, this study comparatively investigates the thermal, structural, and physical properties of the CsF-2-propanol and CsF-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol systems to explicate the effects of the fluoroalkyl group on the interaction of alcohols and F-. The two systems exhibit vastly different phase diagrams despite the similar saturated concentrations. A combination of spectroscopic analyses, alcohol activity coefficient measurements, and theoretical calculations reveal the fluorinated alcohol system harbors the stronger OH···F- interactions between the two systems. The diffusion coefficient and ionic conductivity measurements attribute the present results to disparate states of ion association in the two systems.

Enhancing Bioethanol Production from Rice Straw through Environmentally Friendly Delignification Using Versatile Peroxidase.

Rice straw (RS), an agricultural residue rich in carbohydrates, has substantial potential for bioethanol production. However, the presence of lignin impedes access to these carbohydrates, hindering efficient carbohydrate-to-bioethanol conversion. Here, we expressed versatile peroxidase (VP), a lignin-degrading enzyme, in Pichia pastoris and used it to delignify RS at 30 °C using a membrane bioreactor that continuously discarded the degraded lignin. Klason lignin analysis revealed that VP-treatment led to 35% delignification of RS. We then investigated the delignified RS by SEC, FTIR, and SEM. The results revealed the changes of RS caused by VP-mediated delignification. Additionally, we compared the saccharification and fermentation yields between RSs treated with and without VP, VP-RS, and Ctrl-RS, respectively. This examination unveiled an improvement in glucose and bioethanol production, VP-RS exhibiting up to 1.5-fold and 1.4-fold production, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of VP for delignifying RS and enhancing bioethanol production through an eco-friendly approach.

Multiple Roles of a Conserved Glutamate Residue for Unique Biophysical Properties in a New Group of Microbial Rhodopsins Homologous to TAT Rhodopsin.

TAT rhodopsin, a microbial rhodopsin found in the marine SAR11 bacterium HIMB114, uniquely possesses a Thr-Ala-Thr (TAT) motif in the third transmembrane helix. Because of a low pKa value of the retinal Schiff base (RSB), TAT rhodopsin exhibits both a visible light-absorbing state with the protonated RSB and a UV-absorbing state with the deprotonated RSB at a neutral pH. The UV-absorbing state, in contrast to the visible light-absorbing one, converts to a long-lived photointermediate upon light absorption, implying that TAT rhodopsin functions as a pH-dependent light sensor. Despite detailed biophysical characterization and mechanistic studies on the TAT rhodopsin, it has been unknown whether other proteins with similarly unusual features exist. Here, we identified several new rhodopsin genes homologous to the TAT rhodopsin of HIMB114 (TATHIMB) from metagenomic data. Based on the absorption spectra of expressed proteins from these genes with visible and UV peaks similar to that of TATHIMB, they were classified as Twin-peaked Rhodopsin (TwR) family. TwR genes form a gene cluster with a set of 13 ORFs conserved in subclade IIIa of SAR11 bacteria. A glutamic acid in the second transmembrane helix, Glu54, is conserved in all of the TwRs. We investigated E54Q mutants of two TwRs and revealed that Glu54 plays critical roles in regulating the RSB pKa, oligomer formation, and the efficient photoreaction of the UV-absorbing state. The discovery of novel TwRs enables us to study the universality and individuality of the characteristics revealed so far in the original TATHIMB and contributes to further studies on mechanisms of unique properties of TwRs.

Direct inhibition of human APOBEC3 deaminases by HIV-1 Vif independent of the proteolysis pathway.

HIV-1 Vif is known to counteract the antiviral activity of human apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-like (A3), a cytidine deaminase, in various ways. However, the precise mechanism behind this interaction has remained elusive. Within infected cells, Vif forms a complex called VßBCC, comprising CBFß and the components of E3 ubiquitin ligase, Elongin B, Elongin C, and Cullin5. Together with the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, VßBCC induces ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation of A3. However, Vif exhibits additional counteractive effects. In this study, we elucidate that VßBCC inhibits deamination by A3G, A3F, and A3B independently of proteasomal degradation. Surprisingly, we discovered that this inhibition for A3G is directly attributed to the interaction between VßBCC and the C-terminal domain of A3G. Previously, it was believed that Vif did not interact with the C-terminal domain. Our findings suggest that inhibiting the interaction between VßBCC and the C-terminal domain, as well as the N-terminal domain known to be targeted for ubiquitination, of A3G may be needed to prevent counteraction by Vif.

Functional characterization of four opsins and two G alpha subtypes co-expressed in the molluscan rhabdomeric photoreceptor.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomeric photoreceptors of eyes in the terrestrial slug Limax are the typical invertebrate-type but unique in that three visual opsins (Gq-coupled rhodopsin, xenopsin, Opn5A) and one retinochrome, all belonging to different groups, are co-expressed. However, molecular properties including spectral sensitivity and G protein selectivity of any of them are not determined, which prevents us from understanding an advantage of multiplicity of opsin properties in a single rhabdomeric photoreceptor. To gain insight into the functional role of the co-expression of multiple opsin species in a photoreceptor, we investigated the molecular properties of the visual opsins in the present study. RESULTS: First, we found that the fourth member of visual opsins, Opn5B, is also co-expressed in the rhabdomere of the photoreceptor together with previously identified three opsins. The photoreceptors were also demonstrated to express Gq and Go alpha subunits. We then determined the spectral sensitivity of the four visual opsins using biochemical and spectroscopic methods. Gq-coupled rhodopsin and xenopsin exhibit maximum sensitivity at ~ 456 and 475 nm, respectively, and Opn5A and Opn5B exhibit maximum sensitivity at ~ 500 and 470 nm, respectively, with significant UV sensitivity. Notably, in vitro experiments revealed that Go alpha was activated by all four visual opsins, in contrast to the specific activation of Gq alpha by Gq-coupled rhodopsin, suggesting that the eye photoreceptor of Limax uses complex G protein signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The eye photoreceptor in Limax expresses as many as four different visual opsin species belonging to three distinct classes. The combination of opsins with different spectral sensitivities and G protein selectivities may underlie physiological properties of the ocular photoreception, such as a shift in spectral sensitivity between dark- and light-adapted states. This may be allowed by adjustment of the relative contribution of the four opsins without neural networks, enabling a simple strategy for fine-tuning of vision.

Characteristics of the patients consulted with emergency medicine physicians at a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination center: Prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the characteristics of patients consulted by the medical staff with emergency medicine (EM) physicians after vaccination and EM physicians transferred to an outside hospital. DESIGN: The Japanese Self-Defense Force established a large-scale coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination center. Overall, 1,306,928 citizens received the Moderna vaccine, which targeted the first and second vaccinations between May 24, 2021 and November 30, 2021. EM physicians were always available in the emergency room (ER). The medical staff could consult the patients with EM physicians; however, the criteria were ambiguous. We conducted signal detection analysis on the patients who experienced adverse events to detect characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 3,312 patients experienced adverse events after vaccination, the medical staff consulted 344 with EM physicians. The patients whose respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure (BP) were more than 18 per minute and 162 mmHg, respectively, were considerably consulted. In addition, the patients whose systolic BP was more than 186.5 mmHg were transferred to an outside hospital. No patients were seriously ill or died after being transferred to an outside hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The medical staff consulted the patients with a high respiratory rate or BP with EM physicians. In addition to BP, the respiratory rate would also be necessary as a finding that suggests a patient's severity after vaccination. Therefore, it appears safer that EM physicians are always available to ensure the recipients' safety when running a new large-scale vaccination center against unknown diseases, such as COVID-19.

NMR characterization of the structure of the intrinsically disordered region of human origin recognition complex subunit 1, hORC1, and of its interaction with G-quadruplex DNAs.

Human origin recognition complex (hORC) binds to the DNA replication origin and then initiates DNA replication. However, hORC does not exhibit DNA sequence-specificity and how hORC recognizes the replication origin on genomic DNA remains elusive. Previously, we found that hORC recognizes G-quadruplex structures potentially formed near the replication origin. Then, we showed that hORC subunit 1 (hORC1) preferentially binds to G-quadruplex DNAs using a hORC1 construct comprising residues 413 to 511 (hORC1413-511). Here, we investigate the structural characteristics of hORC1413-511 in its free and complex forms with G-quadruplex DNAs. Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic studies indicated that hORC1413-511 is disordered except for a short α-helical region in both the free and complex forms. NMR chemical shift perturbation (CSP) analysis suggested that basic residues, arginines and lysines, and polar residues, serines and threonines, are involved in the G-quadruplex DNA binding. Then, this was confirmed by mutation analysis. Interestingly, CSP analysis indicated that hORC1413-511 binds to both parallel- and (3 + 1)-type G-quadruplex DNAs using the same residues, and thereby in the same manner. Our study suggests that hORC1 uses its intrinsically disordered G-quadruplex binding region to recognize parallel-type and (3 + 1)-type G-quadruplex structures at replication origin.

Structural insights into the molecular mechanisms of substrate recognition and hydrolysis by feruloyl esterase from Aspergillus sydowii.

The depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass is facilitated by feruloyl esterases (FAEs), which hydrolyze ester bonds between lignin and polysaccharides. Fungal FAEs belonging to subfamily (SF) 6 release precursors such as ferulic acid derivatives, attractive for biochemical production. Among these, Aspergillus sydowii FAE (AsFaeE), an SF6 FAE, exhibits remarkable activity across various substrates. In this study, we conducted X-ray crystallography and kinetic analysis to unravel the molecular mechanisms governing substrate recognition and catalysis by AsFaeE. AsFaeE exhibits a typical α/ß-hydrolase fold, characterized by a catalytic triad of serine, aspartate, and histidine. Comparative analysis of substrate-free, ferulic acid-bound, and sinapic acid-bound forms of AsFaeE suggests a conformational change in the loop covering the substrate-binding pocket upon binding. Notably, Pro158 and Phe159 within this loop cover the phenolic part of the substrate, forming three layers of planar rings. Our structure-based functional mutagenesis clarifies the roles of the residues involved in substrate binding and catalytic activity. Furthermore, distinct substrate-binding mechanisms between AsFaeE and other studied FAEs are identified. This investigation offers the initial structural insights into substrate recognition by SF6 FAEs, equipping us with structural knowledge that might facilitate the design of FAE variants capable of efficiently processing a wider range of substrate sizes.

Structural basis for ion selectivity in potassium-selective channelrhodopsins.

KCR channelrhodopsins (K+-selective light-gated ion channels) have received attention as potential inhibitory optogenetic tools but more broadly pose a fundamental mystery regarding how their K+ selectivity is achieved. Here, we present 2.5-2.7 Å cryo-electron microscopy structures of HcKCR1 and HcKCR2 and of a structure-guided mutant with enhanced K+ selectivity. Structural, electrophysiological, computational, spectroscopic, and biochemical analyses reveal a distinctive mechanism for K+ selectivity; rather than forming the symmetrical filter of canonical K+ channels achieving both selectivity and dehydration, instead, three extracellular-vestibule residues within each monomer form a flexible asymmetric selectivity gate, while a distinct dehydration pathway extends intracellularly. Structural comparisons reveal a retinal-binding pocket that induces retinal rotation (accounting for HcKCR1/HcKCR2 spectral differences), and design of corresponding KCR variants with increased K+ selectivity (KALI-1/KALI-2) provides key advantages for optogenetic inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Thus, discovery of a mechanism for ion-channel K+ selectivity also provides a framework for next-generation optogenetics.

Complex Formation of an RNA Aptamer with a Part of HIV-1 Tat through Induction of Base Triples in Living Human Cells Proven by In-Cell NMR.

An RNA aptamer that strongly binds to a target molecule has the potential to be a nucleic acid drug inside living human cells. To investigate and improve this potential, it is critical to elucidate the structure and interaction of RNA aptamers inside living cells. We examined an RNA aptamer for HIV-1 Tat (TA), which had been found to trap Tat and repress its function in living human cells. We first used in vitro NMR to examine the interaction between TA and a part of Tat containing the binding site for trans-activation response element (TAR). It was revealed that two U-A∗U base triples are formed in TA upon binding of Tat. This was assumed to be critical for strong binding. Then, TA in complex with a part of Tat was incorporated into living human cells. The presence of two U-A∗U base triples was also revealed for the complex in living human cells by in-cell NMR. Thus, the activity of TA in living human cells was rationally elucidated by in-cell NMR.

Reversible Photoreaction of a Retinal Photoisomerase, Retinal G-Protein-Coupled Receptor RGR.

Retinal G-protein-coupled receptor (RGR) plays a crucial role in the visual system of vertebrates as a retinal photoisomerase, which isomerizes all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal to maintain the photosensitivity of visual rhodopsins. Despite the previous characterization of bovine RGR, little is known about the spectral properties of RGR from other species. In addition, photoreactivity of the 11-cis-retinal-binding form remains unclear. In this study, we revealed that human and chicken RGRs form blue-absorbing pigments similar to bovine RGR. Furthermore, the spectroscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that bovine and chicken RGRs are bistable rhodopsins displaying a reversible photoreaction. These findings provide insight into the behavior of RGR as a retinal photoisomerase and aid in understanding its role in the visual system.

Phototrophy by antenna-containing rhodopsin pumps in aquatic environments.

Energy transfer from light-harvesting ketocarotenoids to the light-driven proton pump xanthorhodopsins has been previously demonstrated in two unique cases: an extreme halophilic bacterium1 and a terrestrial cyanobacterium2. Attempts to find carotenoids that bind and transfer energy to abundant rhodopsin proton pumps3 from marine photoheterotrophs have thus far failed4-6. Here we detected light energy transfer from the widespread hydroxylated carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein to the retinal moiety of xanthorhodopsins and proteorhodopsins using functional metagenomics combined with chromophore extraction from the environment. The light-harvesting carotenoids transfer up to 42% of the harvested energy in the violet- or blue-light range to the green-light absorbing retinal chromophore. Our data suggest that these antennas may have a substantial effect on rhodopsin phototrophy in the world's lakes, seas and oceans. However, the functional implications of our findings are yet to be discovered.

Difference FTIR Spectroscopy of Jumping Spider Rhodopsin-1 at 77 K.

Animal visual rhodopsins can be classified into monostable and bistable rhodopsins, which are typically found in vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. The former example is bovine rhodopsin (BovRh), whose structures and functions have been extensively studied. On the other hand, those of bistable rhodopsins are less known, despite their importance in optogenetics. Here, low-temperature Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied to jumping spider rhodopsin-1 (SpiRh1) at 77 K, and the obtained light-induced spectral changes were compared with those of squid rhodopsin (SquRh) and BovRh. Although chromophore distortion of the resting state monitored by HOOP vibrations is not distinctive between invertebrate and vertebrate rhodopsins, distortion of the all-trans chromophore after photoisomerization is unique for BovRh, and the distortion was localized at the center of the chromophore in SpiRh1 and SquRh. Highly conserved aspartate (D83 in BovRh) does not change the hydrogen-bonding environment in invertebrate rhodopsins. Thus, present FTIR analysis provides specific structural changes, leading to activation of invertebrate and vertebrate rhodopsins. On the other hand, the analysis of O-D stretching vibrations in D2O revealed unique features of protein-bound water molecules. Numbers of water bands in SpiRh1 and SquRh were less and more than those in BovRh. The X-ray crystal structure of SpiRh1 observed a bridged water molecule between the protonated Schiff base and its counterion (E194), but strongly hydrogen-bonded water molecules were never detected in SpiRh1, as well as SquRh and BovRh. Thus, absence of strongly hydrogen-bonded water molecules is substantial for animal rhodopsins, which is distinctive from microbial rhodopsins.

Achieving efficient interpretability of reinforcement learning via policy distillation and selective input gradient regularization.

Although deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) has proven successful in a wide range of tasks, one challenge it faces is interpretability when applied to real-world problems. Saliency maps are frequently used to provide interpretability for deep neural networks. However, in the RL domain, existing saliency map approaches are either computationally expensive and thus cannot satisfy the real-time requirement of real-world scenarios or cannot produce interpretable saliency maps for RL policies. In this work, we propose an approach of Distillation with selective Input Gradient Regularization (DIGR) which uses policy distillation and input gradient regularization to produce new policies that achieve both high interpretability and computation efficiency in generating saliency maps. Our approach is also found to improve the robustness of RL policies to multiple adversarial attacks. We conduct experiments on three tasks, MiniGrid (Fetch Object), Atari (Breakout) and CARLA Autonomous Driving, to demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of our approach.

Detection of interaction between an RNA aptamer and its target compound in living human cells using 2D in-cell NMR.

We introduced an isotopically labeled RNA aptamer for HIV-1 Tat prepared by E. coli transcription into HeLa cells. We successfully recorded the first heteronuclear 2D in-cell NMR spectra, which makes it possible to study the interaction of the RNA aptamer with argininamide in living human cells with higher resolution.