The RIKEN integrated database of mammals.

The RIKEN integrated database of mammals (http://scinets.org/db/mammal) is the official undertaking to integrate its mammalian databases produced from multiple large-scale programs that have been promoted by the institute. The database integrates not only RIKEN's original databases, such as FANTOM, the ENU mutagenesis program, the RIKEN Cerebellar Development Transcriptome Database and the Bioresource Database, but also imported data from public databases, such as Ensembl, MGI and biomedical ontologies. Our integrated database has been implemented on the infrastructure of publication medium for databases, termed SciNetS/SciNeS, or the Scientists' Networking System, where the data and metadata are structured as a semantic web and are downloadable in various standardized formats. The top-level ontology-based implementation of mammal-related data directly integrates the representative knowledge and individual data records in existing databases to ensure advanced cross-database searches and reduced unevenness of the data management operations. Through the development of this database, we propose a novel methodology for the development of standardized comprehensive management of heterogeneous data sets in multiple databases to improve the sustainability, accessibility, utility and publicity of the data of biomedical information.

EpCAM- and EGFR-targeted selective gene therapy for biliary cancers using Z33-fiber-modified adenovirus.

A critical issue in adenovirus (Ad)-based cancer gene therapy is to improve the specificity of gene delivery to cancer cells for better efficacy and safety. We explored methods of retargeting Ad vectors for selective gene therapy of human biliary cancers using the Ad incorporating an IgG Fc-binding motif (Z33) from the Staphylococcus protein A (Ad-FZ33) combined with tumor-specific antibodies. Flow cytometry analysis revealed high-expression levels of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on human biliary cancer cells. Ad-FZ33 expressing LacZ combined with antibodies against EpCAM or EGFR, followed by ß-gal assay, demonstrated highly efficient gene transduction in these biliary cancer cells, compared to the treatment with control antibody or without antibody. Ad-FZ33 expressing uracil phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRT), an enzyme which greatly enhances the toxicity of 5-fluorouracil (FU), combined with antibodies against EpCAM or EGFR, remarkably enhanced the sensitivity of biliary cancer cells to 5-FU. By contrast, the treatment did not affect the 5-FU sensitivity of the cells not expressing EpCAM or EGFR including normal hepatocytes. Finally, treatments with the UPRT-expressing Ad-FZ33 with antibodies against EpCAM or EGFR, followed by 5-FU administration, significantly suppressed the growth of biliary cancer xenografts in nude mice. These results indicate that the gene therapy mediated by the Z33 fiber modified Ad with anti-EpCAM or anti-EGFR antibodies offers a potentially effective therapeutic modality against biliary cancers.

Regulation of histone acetylation and nucleosome assembly by transcription factor JDP2.

Jun dimerization protein-2 (JDP2) is a component of the AP-1 transcription factor that represses transactivation mediated by the Jun family of proteins. Here, we examine the functional mechanisms of JDP2 and show that it can inhibit p300-mediated acetylation of core histones in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of histone acetylation requires the N-terminal 35 residues and the DNA-binding region of JDP2. In addition, we demonstrate that JDP2 has histone-chaperone activity in vitro. These results suggest that the sequence-specific DNA-binding protein JDP2 may control transcription via direct regulation of the modification of histones and the assembly of chromatin.

Phosphorylation of two eukaryotic transcription factors, Jun dimerization protein 2 and activation transcription factor 2, in Escherichia coli by Jun N-terminal kinase 1.

Recombinant eukaryotic proteins are frequently produced in Escherichia coli and such proteins are often used for biochemical studies in vitro. However, proteins produced in this way are not modified chemically, for example, by phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, sumoylation, or ubiquitination, during their synthesis in bacterial cells. We constructed vectors for expression in E. coli of human Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), mouse Aurora kinase B (Aurkb), and the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of P/CAF. These expression vectors included the origin of replication of p15A and the origin of replication of pBR322 or ColE1. Using these expression vectors in E. coli, we were able to phosphorylate mouse and human Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) and human activation transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) by the action of human JNK1 that was expressed simultaneously. Moreover, the tail region of mouse histone H3 was phosphorylated and acetylated, respectively, by Aurkb and by the HAT domain of P/CAF. We also observed that the interaction of ATF-2 with JDP2 was prevented when ATF-2 was phosphorylated. Our expression systems for production of enzyme-modified proteins in E. coli should be widely applicable and useful for biochemical studies of chemically modified eukaryotic proteins in vitro.

Stable embryonic stem cell lines in rabbits: potential small animal models for human research.

Although embryonic stem (ES) cell lines derived from mice and primates are used extensively, the development of such lines from other mammals is extremely difficult because of their rapid decline in proliferation potential and pluripotency after several passages. This study describes the establishment of rabbit ES cell lines with indefinite proliferation potential. It was found that the feeder cell density determines the fate of rabbit ES cells, and that maximum proliferation potential was obtained when they were cultured on a feeder cell density of one-sixth of the density at confluency. Higher and lower densities of feeder cells induced ES cell differentiation or division arrest. Under optimized conditions, rabbit ES cells were passaged 50 times, after which they still possessed high telomerase activity. This culture system enabled efficient gene transduction and clonal expansion from single cells. During culture, rabbit ES cells exhibited flattened monolayer cell colonies, as reported for monkey and human ES cells, and expressed pluripotency markers. Embryoid bodies and teratomas formed readily in vitro and in vivo respectively. These ES cell lines can be safely cryopreserved for later use. Thus, rabbit ES cells can be added to the list of stable mammalian ES cells, enabling the rabbit to be used as a small animal model for the study of human cell transplantation therapy.

E1A, E1B double-restricted adenovirus with RGD-fiber modification exhibits enhanced oncolysis for CAR-deficient biliary cancers.

PURPOSE: Cancers of biliary system represent highly malignant diseases of dismal prognosis. We have previously introduced AxdAdB3, an E1A, E1B double-restricted oncolytic adenovirus, which showed excellent oncolytic efficacy for approximately half of the biliary cancer lines with an enhanced safety to normal cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether RGD-fiber modification (AxdAdB3-F/RGD), which enables integrin-dependent infection, can improve the infectivity and efficacy of AxdAdB3 for biliary cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expressions of adenoviral receptors, coxsackievirus adenovirus receptor (CAR) and integrins (alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(v)beta(5)), were compared with the level of infectivity of LacZ-expressing replication-defective adenoviruses with wild-type fibers or RGD-modified fibers in a panel of biliary cancer cell lines in vitro. Viral replication and cytotoxicity in vitro of AxdAdB3-F/RGD, a novel E1A, E1B double-restricted replication-selective adenovirus with RGD-modified fibers, were compared with those of its parent virus, AxdAdB3, in various biliary cancer cells and in normal cells. In vivo antitumor effects of these oncolytic viruses were compared in a xenograft tumor model. RESULTS: Expression of CAR significantly correlated with the adenovirus infectivity, whereas integrin alpha(v)beta(5) was abundantly expressed in almost all biliary cancer cells. Whereas AxdAdB3 effectively replicated and lysed only the biliary cancer cells with a preserved expression of CAR, AxdAdB3-F/RGD exhibited efficient replication and potent oncolysis in both CAR-positive and CAR-negative biliary cancer cells. AxdAdB3-F/RGD showed attenuated replication and little cytopathy in human normal cells (i.e., hepatocytes, WI-38 cells) as well as AxdAdB3. Furthermore, in nude mice with s.c. xenografts of CAR-deficient human biliary cancer, i.t. AxdAdB3-F/RGD therapy caused a marked inhibition of tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: The RGD-fiber modification strategy enhanced the infectivity, replication, and oncolytic effects of the E1A, E1B double-restricted oncolytic adenovirus for CAR-deficient biliary cancers. In addition, it preserved the merit of excellent safety of the double-restricted virus for normal cells. These results suggest a potential use of this agent for the treatment of biliary cancers.

Genes encoded within 8q24 on the amplicon of a large extrachromosomal element are selectively repressed during the terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Human acute myeloblastic leukemia HL-60 cells become resistant to differentiation during long-term cultivation. After 150 passages, double minute chromosomes (dmins) found in early-passaged cells are replaced by large extrachromosomal elements (LEEs). In a DNA library derived from a purified fraction of LEEs, 12.6% (23/183) of clones were assigned to 8q24 and 9.2% (17/183) were assigned to 14q11 in the human genome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed a small aberrant chromosome, which had not been found in early-passaged cells, in addition to the purified LEEs. We determined that each LEE consisted of six discontinuous segments in a region that extended for 4.4Mb over the 8q24 locus. Five genes, namely, Myc (a proto-oncogene), NSMCE2 (for a SUMO ligase), CCDC26 (for a retinoic acid-dependent modulator of myeloid differentiation), TRIB1 (for a regulator of MAPK kinase) and LOC389637 (for a protein of unknown function), were encoded by the amplicon. Breaks in the chromosomal DNA within the amplicon were found in the NSMCE2 and CCDC26 genes. The discontinuous structure of the amplicon unit of the LEEs was identical with that of dmins in HL-60 early-passaged cells. The difference between them seemed, predominantly, to be the number (10-15 copies per LEE versus 2 or 3 copies per dmin) of constituent units. Expression of the Myc, NSMCE2, CCDC26 and LOC389637 and TRIB1 genes was constitutive in all lines of HL-60 cells and that of the first four genes was repressed during the terminal differentiation of early-passaged HL-60 cells. We also detected abnormal transcripts of CCDC26. Our results suggest that these genes were selected during the development of amplicons. They might be amplified and, sometimes, truncated to contribute to the maintenance of HL-60 cells in an undifferentiated state.

JDP2, a repressor of AP-1, recruits a histone deacetylase 3 complex to inhibit the retinoic acid-induced differentiation of F9 cells.

Up-regulation of the c-jun gene is a critical event in the retinoic acid (RA)-mediated differentiation of embryonal carcinoma F9 cells. Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and p300 cooperate in the activation of transcription of the c-jun gene during the differentiation of F9 cells. We show here that the overexpression of Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2), a repressor of AP-1, inhibits the transactivation of the c-jun gene by ATF-2 and p300 by recruitment of the histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) complex, thereby repressing the RA-induced transcription of the c-jun gene and inhibiting the RA-mediated differentiation of F9 cells. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that the JDP2/HDAC3 complex, which binds to the differentiation response element within the c-jun promoter in undifferentiated F9 cells, was replaced by the p300 complex in response to RA, with an accompanying change in the histone acetylation status of the chromatin, the initiation of transcription of the c-jun gene, and the subsequent differentiation of F9 cells. These results suggest that JDP2 may be a key factor that controls the commitment of F9 cells to differentiation and shed new light on the mechanism by which an AP-1 repressor functions.

Effective gene therapy of biliary tract cancers by a conditionally replicative adenovirus expressing uracil phosphoribosyltransferase: significance of timing of 5-fluorouracil administration.

In order to enhance the efficacy of conditionally replicating adenoviruses (CRAd) in the treatment of cancers of the biliary tract, we studied the efficacy in vitro and in vivo of AxE1CAUP, a CRAd vector that carries a gene for uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT), which converts 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) directly to 5-fluorouridine monophosphate and greatly enhances the cytotoxicity of 5-FU. AxE1CAUP replicated and induced an increased UPRT expression in biliary cancer cells more efficiently than AxCAUP, a nonreplicative adenovirus carrying the UPRT gene. Whereas AxCAUP and AxE1AdB, a CRAd without the UPRT gene, modestly increased the sensitivity of BC cells to 5-FU, AxE1CAUP markedly increased the sensitivity, especially when the timing of 5-FU administration was appropriately chosen. AxE1CAUP replicated much less efficiently in normal WI-38 fibroblasts without any change in the sensitivity to 5-FU. In nude mice with s.c. biliary cancer xenografts, i.t. AxE1CAUP/5-FU therapy inhibited tumor growth significantly more strongly than AxCAUP/5-FU or AxE1AdB/5-FU therapy. Furthermore, in mice with peritoneally disseminated biliary cancer, i.p. AxE1CAUP efficiently proliferated in the tumors, decreased the tumor burden, and prolonged the survival of the mice when 5-FU was started 10 or 15 days after the vector inoculation, whereas earlier initiation of 5-FU resulted in early eradication of the vector and no survival benefit. The present study shows that the CRAd expressing UPRT was a more potent sensitizer of biliary cancer to 5-FU, than was a nonreplicative UPRT-encoding vector or a CRAd without UPRT gene, even at a lower dose of the vector, and that timing of 5-FU administration was a key factor to maximize the efficacy. This gene therapy with appropriately timed administration of 5-FU should be useful in overcoming the resistance of biliary cancers to 5-FU.

Derivation, maintenance, and induction of the differentiation in vitro of equine embryonic stem cells.

We describe here the isolation and maintenance of pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells from equine blastocysts that have been frozen and thawed. Equine ES cells appear to maintain a normal diploid karyotype in culture. These cells express markers that are characteristic of mouse ES cells, namely, alkaline phosphatase, stage-specific-embryonic antigen 1, STAT3, and Oct4. We also describe protocols for the induction of differentiation in vitro to neural precursor cells in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor and to hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages in the presence of bFGF, stem cell factor, and oncostatin M. Equine ES cells provide a powerful tool for gene targeting and the generation of transgenic clonal offspring.

E1A, E1B double-restricted adenovirus for oncolytic gene therapy of gallbladder cancer.

New treatments, such as gene therapy, are necessary for advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC), but little has been studied. Recent studies have introduced mutant adenoviruses (Ads) with either defective E1B-55kD or mutated E1A, focusing on tumor-specific replication, and the results have been promising. To enhance the safety of this approach, we constructed AxdAdB-3, a double-restricted Ad with a mutant E1A and E1B-55kD deletion. We studied the effects of this Ad in vitro and in vivo on GBC, as well as its safety for normal human cells. We compared the replication and cytopathic effects of AxdAdB-3 in several lines of GBC and primary normal cells with those of wild-type Ad or of AxE1AdB, an E1B-55kD-deleted Ad. The efficacy in vivo was examined in nude mice with s.c. implanted or i.p. disseminated GBC. AxdAdB-3 replicated in and caused oncolysis of GBC cell lines (TGBC-44TKB and Mz-ChA2) as efficiently as wild-type Ad or AxE1AdB in vitro. By contrast, AxdAdB-3 replicated much less effectively in primary normal cells (e.g., epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes) than in GBC cells and had only mild cytopathic effects, unlike wild-type Ad. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of AxdAdB-3 in normal cells was milder than that of AxE1AdB. AxdAdB-3 significantly (P < 0.01) suppressed the growth of GBC (TGBC-44TKB) xenografts. AxdAdB-3 was also effective in the treatment of mice with peritoneally disseminated GBC (TGBC-44TKB), demonstrating tumor-selective replication and oncolysis that resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged survival. The present study shows that the E1 double-restricted Ad effectively and selectively replicates in and causes oncolysis of GBC in vitro and in vivo with reduced negative effects on normal cells, suggesting that this approach could be a promising tool for gene therapy of GBC.

Isolation of embryonic stem-like cells from equine blastocysts and their differentiation in vitro.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells with the potential capacity to generate any type of cell. We describe here the isolation of pluripotent ES-like cells from equine blastocysts that have been frozen and thawed. Our two lines of ES-like cells (E-1 and E-2) appear to maintain a normal diploid karyotype indefinitely in culture in vitro and to express markers that are characteristic of ES cells from mice, namely, alkaline phosphatase, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1, STAT-3 and Oct 4. After culture of equine ES-like cells in vitro for more than 17 passages, some ES-like cells differentiated to neural precursor cells in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. We also developed a protocol that resulted in the differentiation of ES-like cells in vitro to hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages in response to bFGF, stem cell factor and oncostatin M. Our observations set the stage for future developments that may allow the use of equine ES-like cells for the treatment of neurological and hematopoietic disorders.

A simple method for the simultaneous detection of E1A and E1B in adenovirus stocks.

Recombinant adenoviral vectors have been developed for use as therapeutic agents and for the introduction of exogenous genes into living cells. However, the occurrence of replication-competent adenoviruses (RCA) in adenovirus stocks produced in 293 cells remains a major problem in terms of the safe use of such vectors. To overcome the problems associated with the occurrence of RCA, we have established a simple method for the simultaneous detection of amplified E1A and E1B from RCA that might contaminate adenoviral stocks. The products amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were fractionated by regular electrophoresis on agarose gels and visualized by staining with ethidium bromide. This method is rapid and inexpensive for detection of RCA in the preparation of adenoviruses.

Transcriptional regulation by zinc-finger proteins Sp1 and MAZ involves interactions with the same cis-elements.

Various transcription factors, such as Sp1 and MAZ, include C2H2-type zinc-finger motifs and are able to bind to GC-rich cis-elements that are distributed in the promoter regions of numerous mammalian genes. The consensus sequence of Sp1-binding sites is very similar to that of MAZ-binding sites. In fact, Sp1 and MAZ bind to the same cis-elements in the promoters of the genes for the receptor for serotonin 1A (HT1Ar), endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTHr), MAZ and the major late promoter of adenovirus (AdMLP). It appears that two consecutive zinc-finger motifs of Sp1 and MAZ might be essential for the interaction of each protein with DNA. Sp1 and MAZ activated the expression of the genes for HT1Ar and PTHr, as well as AdMLP. Both Sp1 and MAZ inhibited the expression of the gene for MAZ, while expression of the gene for eNOS was enhanced by Sp1 and repressed by MAZ. These observations suggest that both Sp1 and MAZ might have dual functions in the regulation of gene expression. Our results suggest, furthermore, that histone deacetylases are involved in autorepression of the gene for MAZ, while expression of DNA methyltransferase I is associated with suppression of the expression of the gene for MAZ by Sp1. Thus, both deacetylation and methylation might be involved in the regulation of expression of individual genes, with different zinc-finger proteins binding to the same cis-elements but recruiting different proteins, such as methylases and acetylases, to the transcriptional complex.

Genetic materials at the gene engineering division, RIKEN BioResource Center.

Genetic materials are one of the most important and fundamental research resources for studying biological phenomena. Scientific need for genetic materials has been increasing and will never cease. Ever since it was established as RIKEN DNA Bank in 1987, the Gene Engineering Division of RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC) has been engaged in the collection, maintenance, storage, propagation, quality control, and distribution of genetic resources developed mainly by the Japanese research community. When RIKEN BRC was inaugurated in 2001, RIKEN DNA Bank was incorporated as one of its six Divisions, the Gene Engineering Division. The Gene Engineering Division was selected as a core facility for the genetic resources of mammalian and microbe origin by the National BioResource Project (NBRP) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan in 2002. With support from the scientific community, the Division now holds over 3 million clones of genetic materials for distribution. The genetic resources include cloned DNAs, gene libraries (e.g., cDNA and genomic DNA cloned into phage, cosmid, BAC, phosmid, and YAC), vectors, hosts, recombinant viruses, and ordered library sets derived from animal cells, including human and mouse cells, microorganisms, and viruses. Recently genetic materials produced by a few MEXT national research projects were transferred to the Gene Engineering Division for further dissemination. The Gene Engineering Division performs rigorous quality control of reproducibility, restriction enzyme mapping and nucleotide sequences of clones to ensure the reproducibility of in vivo and in vitro experiments. Users can easily access our genetic materials through the internet and obtain the DNA resources for a minimal fee. Not only the materials, but also information of features and technology related to the materials are provided via the web site of RIKEN BRC. Training courses are also given to transfer the technology for handling viral vectors. RIKEN BRC supports scientists around the world in the use of valuable genetic materials.

JDP2 (Jun Dimerization Protein 2)-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts are resistant to replicative senescence.

JDP2 (Jun dimerization protein 2, an AP-1 transcription factor) is involved in the regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of cells. We report here that JDP2-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Jdp2(-/-) MEF) are resistant to replicative senescence. In the absence of JDP2, the level of expression of p16(Ink4a), which is known to rise as normal fibroblasts age, fell significantly when cells were cultured for more than 2 months. Conversely, the overexpression of JDP2 induced the expression of genes for p16(Ink4a) and p19(Arf). Moreover, at the promoter of the gene for p16(Ink4a) in Jdp2(-/-) MEF, the extent of methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27), which is important for gene silencing, increased. Polycomb-repressive complexes (PRC-1 and PRC-2), which are responsible for histone methylation, bound efficiently to the promoter to repress the expression of the gene for p16(Ink4a). As a result, JDP2-deficient MEF became resistant to replicative senescence. Our results indicate that JDP2 is involved in the signaling pathway for senescence via epigenetic regulation of the expression of the gene for p16(Ink4a).

Accumulation of infectious mutants in stocks during the propagation of fiber-modified recombinant adenoviruses.

In infected cells, replication errors during viral proliferation generate mutations in adenoviruses (Ads), and the mutant Ads proliferate and evolve in the intracellular environment. Genetically fiber-modified recombinant Ads (rAd variants) were generated, by modification of the fiber gene, for therapeutic applications in host cells that lack or express reduced levels of the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor. To assess the genetic modifications of rAd variants that might induce the instability of Ad virions, we examined the frequencies of mutants that accumulated in propagated stocks. Seven of 41 lines of Ad variants generated mutants in the stocks and all mutants were infectious. Moreover, all the mutations occurred in the modified region that had been added at the 3' end of the fiber gene. Our results show that some genetic modifications at the carboxyl terminus of Ad fiber protein lead to the instability of Ad virions.

Purification of infectious adenovirus in two hours by ultracentrifugation and tangential flow filtration.

Adenoviruses are excellent vectors for gene transfer and are used extensively for high-level expression of the products of transgenes in living cells. The development of simple and rapid methods for the purification of stable infectious recombinant adenoviruses (rAds) remains a challenge. We report here a method for the purification of infectious adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) that involves ultracentrifugation on a cesium chloride gradient at 604,000g for 15 min at 4 degrees C and tangential flow filtration. The entire procedure requires less than two hours and infectious Ad5 can be recovered at levels higher than 64% of the number of plaque-forming units (pfu) in the initial crude preparation of viruses. We have obtained titers of infectious purified Ad5 of 1.35x10(10) pfu/ml and a ratio of particle titer to infectious titer of seven. The method described here allows the rapid purification of rAds for studies of gene function in vivo and in vitro, as well as the rapid purification of Ad5.

A database of recombinant viruses and recombinant viral vectors available from the RIKEN DNA bank.

BACKGROUND: Viral vectors are required as gene-delivery systems for gene therapy and basic research. Recombinant adenoviruses (rAds) expressing genes of interest are being developed as research tools and many studies in vitro and in vivo have already been performed with such rAds. METHODS: Shuttle vectors for rAds were constructed with full-length cDNAs and rAds were generated in HEK293 cells by the COS-TPC method. The rAds and shuttle vectors were developed by the Japanese research community and deposited in the RIKEN DNA Bank (RDB; http://www.brc.riken.jp/lab/dna/en/) for distribution to the scientific community. The Recombinant Virus Database (RVD; http://www.brc.riken.jp/lab/dna/rvd/) was established at the RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC) in Japan as the source of information about and distribution of the various resources. RESULTS: The RIKEN BRC is releasing more than 300 recombinant viruses (RVs) and 500 shuttle vectors, as well as all related information, which is included in a newly established database, the RVD. The RVD consists of (i) information about the RVs, the inserted cDNAs and the shuttle vectors; (ii) data about sequence-tagged sites (STSs) that are markers of viral DNAs; and (iii) experimental protocols for the use of RVs. CONCLUSIONS: The new database and available resources should be very useful to scientists who are studying human gene therapy and performing related basic research. It is a web-interfaced flat-file database that can be accessed through the internet. Moreover, all of the resources deposited in the RDB, which is a public facility in Japan, are available to researchers around the world.