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Post-ischemic inflammation is an essential step in the progression of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the mechanism that activates infiltrating macrophages in the ischemic brain remains to be clarified. Here we demonstrate that peroxiredoxin (Prx) family proteins released extracellularly from necrotic brain cells induce expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-23 in macrophages through activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, thereby promoting neural cell death, even though intracellular Prxs have been shown to be neuroprotective. The extracellular release of Prxs in the ischemic core occurred 12 h after stroke onset, and neutralization of extracellular Prxs with antibodies suppressed inflammatory cytokine expression and infarct volume growth. In contrast, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a well-known damage-associated molecular pattern molecule, was released before Prx and had a limited role in post-ischemic macrophage activation. We thus propose that extracellular Prxs are previously unknown danger signals in the ischemic brain and that its blocking agents are potent neuroprotective tools.

Recent studies have revealed that PPARγ’s transactivation function is regulated by extracellular signals. In particular, cytokines and Wnt family proteins suppress the ligand-inducible transactivation function of PPARγand attenuate adipogenesis/osteoblastogenesis switching in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). For example, Wnt5a suppresses PPARγtranscriptional activity through the NLK/SETDB1/CHD7 pathway. Among these factors, BMP2 strongly induces bone formation, but the effect of BMP2 on PPARγfunction remains unclear. We examined the effect of BMP2 and PPARγin ST2 cells and found that PPARγactivation affected BMP2’s signaling pathway through epigenetic regulation. Although BMP2 did not interfere with PPARγ-mediated adipogenesis, BMP2 increased mRNA expression levels of PPARγtarget genes (such asFabp4andNr1h3) when cells were first treated with troglitazone (TRO). Moreover, PPARγactivation affected BMP2 through enhancement of histone activation markers (acetylated histone H3 and trimethylated Lys4 of histone H3) on theRunx2promoter. After TRO treatment for three hours, BMP2 enhanced the levels of active histone marks on the promoter of a PPARγtarget gene. These results suggest that the order of treatment with BMP2 and a PPARγligand is critical for adipogenesis and osteoblastogenesis switching in MSCs.

The post-translational modifications of histone tails generate a ‘histone code’ that defines local and global chromatin states(1). The resultant regulation of gene function is thought to govern cell fate, proliferation and differentiation(2). Reversible histone modifications such as methylation are under mutual controls to organize chromosomal events(3,4). Among the histone modifications, methylation of specific lysine and arginine residues seems to be critical for chromatin configuration and control of gene expression(5). Methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) changes chromatin into a transcriptionally active state(6). Reversible modification of proteins by β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) in response to serum glucose levels regulates diverse cellular processes(7,8,9). However, the epigenetic impact of protein GlcNAcylation is unknown. Here we report that nuclear GlcNAcylation of a histone lysine methyltransferase (HKMT), MLL5, by O-GlcNAc transferase facilitates retinoic-acid-induced granulopoiesis in human HL60 promyelocytes through methylation of H3K4. MLL5 is biochemically identified in a GlcNAcylation-dependent multi-subunit complex associating with nuclear retinoic acid receptor RARα (also known as RARA), serving as a mono- and di-methyl transferase to H3K4. GlcNAcylation at Thr440 in the MLL5 SET domain evokes its H3K4 HKMT activity and co-activates RARα in target gene promoters. Increased nuclear GlcNAcylation by means of O-GlcNAc transferase potentiates retinoic-acid-induced HL60 granulopoiesis and restores the retinoic acid response in the retinoic-acid-resistant HL60-R2 cell line. Thus, nuclear MLL5 GlcNAcylation triggers cell lineage determination of HL60 through activation of its HKMT activity.

The signaling molecule Wnt regulates bone homeostasis through β-catenin-dependent canonical and β-catenin-independent noncanonical pathways. Impairment of canonical Wnt signaling causes bone loss in arthritis and osteoporosis; however, it is unclear how noncanonical Wnt signaling regulates bone resorption. Wnt5a activates noncanonical Wnt signaling through receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (Ror) proteins. We showed that Wnt5a-Ror2 signaling between osteoblast-lineage cells and osteoclast precursors enhanced osteoclastogenesis. Osteoblast-lineage cells expressed Wnt5a, whereas osteoclast precursors expressed Ror2. Mice deficient in either Wnt5a or Ror2, and those with either osteoclast precursor-specific Ror2 deficiency or osteoblast-lineage cell-specific Wnt5a deficiency showed impaired osteoclastogenesis. Wnt5a-Ror2 signals enhanced receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) expression in osteoclast precursors by activating JNK and recruiting c-Jun on the promoter of the gene encoding RANK, thereby enhancing RANK ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. A soluble form of Ror2 acted as a decoy receptor of Wnt5a and abrogated bone destruction in mouse arthritis models. Our results suggest that the Wnt5a-Ror2 pathway is crucial for osteoclastogenesis in physiological and pathological environments and represents a therapeutic target for bone diseases, including arthritis.

Prostate cancer development is associated with hyperactive androgen signaling. However, the molecular link between androgen receptor (AR) function and humoral factors remains elusive. A prostate cancer mouse model was generated by selectively mutating the AR threonine 877 into alanine in prostatic epithelial cells through Cre-ER T2 –mediated targeted somatic mutagenesis. Such AR point mutant mice ( AR pe-T877A/Y ) developed hypertrophic prostates with responses to both an androgen antagonist and estrogen, although no prostatic tumor was seen. In prostate cancer model transgenic mice, the onset of prostatic tumorigenesis as well as tumor growth was significantly potentiated by introduction of the AR T877A mutation into the prostate. Genetic screening of mice identified Wnt-5a as an activator. Enhanced Wnt-5a expression was detected in the malignant prostate tumors of patients, whereas in benign prostatic hyperplasia such aberrant up-regulation was not obvious. These findings suggest that a noncanonical Wnt signal stimulates development of prostatic tumors with AR hyperfunction.

A method to estimate the octane number of motor gasoline by mass spectrometry (MS) has been studied, by first examining whether the octane number can be estimated from its mass spectrum (MS). The MS of 29 different regular gasolines and 32 premium gasolines, sampled in the market from spring to autumn, were measured. We studied whether it is possible to extract any available parameters for clearly distinguishing between regular and premium gasolines, by applying both feature-selection and pattern-recognition methods to MS. It was found that a clear distinction between regular and premium gasolines could be made using MS information.

Software (a program) for predicting the octane number of motor gasoline by proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectrometry has been formulated. At the same time, a method has been studied to predict the composition of gasoline (in terms of the contents of paraffin, olefin, and aromatic compounds). The formulated program was evaluated by using it to predict the octane numbers of 31 samples of marketed summer gasoline (including 16 regular and 15 premium products), whose octane numbers and compositions were identified according to the ASTM standards. Also, the relationship between the PMR spectrum and gasoline composition was subjected to linear regression analysis by using the 31 samples whose octane numbers were calculated, and the appropriateness of the resultant regression equations was assessed. This report concerns the results of the study in which the octane numbers of the 31 samples were satisfactorily predicted by the formulated program and useful linear regression equations were obtained for the prediction of the composition of gasoline.

A method to estimate the octane number of automobile gasoline by Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrometry has been studied. Thirty-six kinds of regular gasoline and 38 of unleaded premium gasoline, collected from the market from winter to summer, were used as samples, and the absorptions of the C-H stretching vibration in the 3150-2800 cm−1 range of their IR spectra were used to plot each sample in a two-dimensional space, followed by an attempt to graphically classify the two broad types. On the other hand, the IR spectra of other samples with known octane numbers (88.0 to 100.8 in octane number) and, on that basis, samples with known octane numbers, were mapped into the space in which the regular gasolines and the premium gasolines were classified to determine their dispersion in this space. A further attempt was made to formulate a linear regression equation for use in octane number estimation. As a result, it was found that regular and premium gasolines could be definitely distinguished from each other according to the C-H stretching vibration in the 3150-2800 cm−1 near-infrared range, and that the octane number could be visually estimated. The formulation of a satisfactory regression equation was also made possible. These results are reported.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a negative-feedback molecule for cytokine signaling, has been implicated in protection against liver injury. Previous studies have shown that overexpression of SOCS3 in the liver by adenovirus or membrane permeable recombinant protein protected the liver from various injuries. However it remained uncertain in which type of cells SOCS3 suppresses liver injury. In this study, we demonstrated that forced expression of SOCS3 in T and NKT cells suppressed ConA-induced hepatitis using T and NKT cell-specific SOCS3 transgenic (Lck-SOCS3 Tg) mice. IFN-γ and IL-4 production was reduced in Lck-SOCS3 Tg mice as well as splenocytes treated with ConA. IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were also reduced in Lck-SOCS3 Tg mice administrated with α-galactosylceramide, suggesting that SOCS3 in NKT cells has suppressive function. Sustained expression of SOCS3 in an NKT cell line also resulted in reduced expression of various cytokines and transcription factors. In contrast, T and NKT cell-specific SOCS3 conditional knockout (Lck-SOCS3 cKO) mice were hypersensitive to ConA-mediated hepatitis. Isolated SOCS3-deficient NKT cells produced higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-4. These data indicate that SOCS3 plays a negative regulatory role in NKT cell activation and that forced expression of SOCS3 in NKT cells is effective in preventing hepatitis.

Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating bone and calcium metabolism. The actions of vitamin D are mediated through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), and gene disruption of the VDR in mice causes skeletal disorders. However, the precise role of the VDR in each stage of osteoblastogenesis is not well understood. To address this issue, we used a biochemical approach to identify an osteoblast-specific coregulator of the VDR. Using a GST-fused VDR ligand-binding domain as bait, proteins associated with liganded VDR were purified from nuclear extracts of HOS osteoblastic cells and compared with those of HeLa cells. Among the interactants identified by mass fingerprinting, CCAAT displacement protein (CDP) was found as a novel ligand-dependent VDR interactant in HOS cells, together with other previously reported DRIP/TRAP complex components. Further biochemical analysis showed that complex formation between the VDR and CDP was distinct from the previously known DRIP/TRAP complex and the p160 family coactivator complexes. Transient expression of CDP potentiated VDR-mediated transcriptional activation in HOS cells. Furthermore, modulation of CDP expression levels in osteoblastic SaM-1 cells affected vitamin D-dependent osteoblast differentiation before the maturation (mineralization) stage. These findings suggest that CDP is a novel differentiation stage-specific coactivator of the VDR in osteoblasts.

Changes in the environment of a cell precipitate extracellular signals and sequential cascades of protein modification and elicit nuclear transcriptional responses. However, the functional links between intracellular signaling-dependent gene regulation and epigenetic regulation by chromatin-modifying proteins within the nucleus are largely unknown. Here, we describe novel epigenetic regulation by MAPK cascades that modulate formation of an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex, WINAC (WSTF Including Nucleosome Assembly Complex), an SWI/SNF-type complex containing Williams syndrome transcription factor (WSTF). WSTF, a specific component of two chromatin remodeling complexes (SWI/SNF-type WINAC and ISWI-type WICH), was phosphorylated by the stimulation of MAPK cascades in vitro and in vivo. Ser-158 residue in the WAC (WSTF/Acf1/cbpq46) domain, located close to the N terminus of WSTF, was identified as a major phosphorylation target. Using biochemical analysis of a WSTF mutant (WSTF-S158A) stably expressing cell line, the phosphorylation of this residue (Ser-158) was found to be essential for maintaining the association between WSTF and core BAF complex components, thereby maintaining the ATPase activity of WINAC. WINAC-dependent transcriptional regulation of vitamin D receptor was consequently impaired by this WSTF mutation, but the recovery from DNA damage mediated by WICH was not impaired. Our results suggest that WSTF serves as a nuclear sensor of the extracellular signals to fine-tune the chromatin remodeling activity of WINAC. WINAC mediates a previously unknown MAPK-dependent step in epigenetic regulation, and this MAPK-dependent switching mechanism between the two functionally distinct WSTF-containing complexes might underlie the diverse functions of WSTF in various nuclear events.

Estrogens play a key role in regulation of bone mass and strength by controlling activity of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Cellular effects of estrogens are mediated predominantly by the action of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). In earlier studies, ablation of the ERalpha gene in mice did not result in osteoporotic phenotypes due to systemic endocrine disturbance and compensatory effects of elevated levels of testosterone. Despite the relatively well-established effects in osteoblasts, little is known about the direct action of estrogen in osteoclasts. Development in the last decade of more sophisticated genetic manipulation approaches opened new possibilities to explore cell-specific roles of nuclear receptors in bone tissue. Recently, we have generated osteoclast-specific ERalpha gene knockout mice and shown that in vivo estrogens directly regulate the life span of mature osteoclasts by inducing the expression of pro-apoptotic Fas ligand (FasL). Inhibitory effects of estrogens on osteoclast function were further studied in vitro. We observed sufficiently detectable ERalpha expression in osteoclasts differentiating from primary bone marrow cells or RAW264 cells, although levels of ERalpha were decreasing during progression of the differentiation into mature osteoclasts. Treatment with estrogens led to reduction in expression of osteoclast-specific genes controlling bone resorption activity. However, estrogens did not affect the size of multinucleated osteoclasts or number of nuclei in a mature osteoclast. In conclusion, in osteoclasts, estrogens function to inhibit bone resorption activity and vitality rather than differentiation.

The female sex steroid hormone oestrogen stimulates both cell proliferation and cell differentiation in target tissues. These biological actions are mediated primarily through nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERs). The ligand-dependent transactivation of ERs requires several nuclear co-regulator complexes; however, the cell-cycle-dependent associations of these complexes are poorly understood. By using a synchronization system, we found that the transactivation function of ERalpha at G2/M was lowered. Biochemical approaches showed that ERalpha associated with two discrete classes of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling complex in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. The components of the NuRD-type complex were identified as G2/M-phase-specific ERalpha co-repressors. Thus, our results indicate that the transactivation function of ERalpha is cell-cycle dependent and is coupled with a cell-cycle-dependent association of chromatin-remodelling complexes.

Adipocytes and osteoblasts are derived from mesenchymal stem cells, and some adipocyte differentiation regulators suppress osteoblast differentiation. PPAR-gammaplays a pivotal role for adipocyte differentiation and glucose tolerance. PPAR-gammais a member of nuclear receptor super family and regulates mRNA expression level of target genes by binding to fatty acid derivatives and thiazolidinediones. Recently, it was found that PPAR-gammainhibits osteoblast differentiation and regulates bone metabolism. In this report, we show recent studies about the extracellular signals regulating the transactivation function of PPAR-gamma.

Steroid hormone receptors are ligand-dependent transcriptional factors and regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, and homeostasis. Recently, many target genes of steroid hormone receptors were identified by genome-wide analysis and associated cofactors were also identified by proteomics analysis. From these findings, the molecular mechanism of ligand-dependent transactivation function of steroid hormone receptors have been elucidated. However, tissue specific regulation and extracellular signal-dependent regulation of steroid hormone receptor function are still under investigation.

H. Pfeuffer [J. Number Theory 11 (1979), 188–196] showed that totally positive quadratic forms with three or more variables and class number h = 1 exist only in a finite number of algebraic number fields. For even unimodular lattices, we already know that h = 1 when the rank n = 4 and fields F = Q(√2), Q(√5), or Q(√13) (see [P. J. Costello and J.S.Hsia, Adv. in Math. 64 (1987), 241–278; J. S. Hsia and D. C. Hung, Math. Ann. 283 (1989), 367–374; Y. Kitaoka, Nagoya Math. J. 66 (1977), 89–98; H. Maass, Math. Ann. 118 (1941), 65–84; I. Takada, Math. Japon. 30 (1985), 423–433]). In this paper we show that the class number of any even unimodular lattice of rank > 2 in a quadratic space having an orthonormal basis over a real quadratic field is more than one except in the three cases above.

Fat-soluble ligands, including sex steroid hormones and environmental toxins, activate ligand-dependent DNA-sequence-specific transcriptional factors that transduce signals through target-gene-selective transcriptional regulation. However, the mechanisms of cellular perception of fat-soluble ligand signals through other target-selective systems remain unclear. The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates selective protein degradation, in which the E3 ubiquitin ligases determine target specificity. Here we characterize a fat-soluble ligand-dependent ubiquitin ligase complex in human cell lines, in which dioxin receptor (AhR) is integrated as a component of a novel cullin 4B ubiquitin ligase complex, CUL4B(AhR). Complex assembly and ubiquitin ligase activity of CUL4B(AhR) in vitro and in vivo are dependent on the AhR ligand. In the CUL4B(AhR) complex, ligand-activated AhR acts as a substrate-specific adaptor component that targets sex steroid receptors for degradation. Thus, our findings uncover a function for AhR as an atypical component of the ubiquitin ligase complex and demonstrate a non-genomic signalling pathway in which fat-soluble ligands regulate target-protein-selective degradation through a ubiquitin ligase complex.

Photoreceptor cell-specific nuclear receptor (PNR) (NR2E3) acts as a sequence-specific repressor that controls neuronal differentiation in the developing retina. We identified a novel PNR co-repressor, Ret-CoR, that is expressed in the developing retina and brain. Biochemical purification of Ret-CoR identified a multiprotein complex that included E2F/Myb-associated proteins, histone deacetylases (HDACs) and NCoR/HDAC complex-related components. Ret-CoR appeared to function as a platform protein for the complex, and interacted with PNR via two CoRNR motifs. Purified Ret-CoR complex exhibited HDAC activity, co-repressed PNR transrepression function in vitro, and co-repressed PNR function in PNR target gene promoters, presumably in the retinal progenitor cells. Notably, the appearance of Ret-CoR protein was cell-cycle-stage-dependent (from G1 to S). Therefore, Ret-CoR appears to act as a component of an HDAC co-repressor complex that supports PNR repression function in the developing retina, and may represent a co-regulator class that supports transcriptional regulator function via cell-cycle-dependent expression.

International audience; It is well established that genetic mutations that impair BRCA1 function predispose women to early onset of breast and ovarian cancer. However, the co-regulatory factors that support normal BRCA1 functions remain to be identified. Using a biochemical approach to search for such co-regulatory factors, we identified hGCN5, TRRAP, and hMSH2/6 as BRCA1-interacting proteins. Genetic mutations in the C-terminal transactivation domain of BRCA1, as found in breast cancer patients (Chapman, M. S., and Verma, I. M. (1996) Nature 382, 678-679), caused the loss of physical interaction between BRCA1 and TRRAP and significantly reduced the co-activation of BRCA1 transactivation function by hGCN5/TRRAP. The reported transcriptional squelching between BRCA1 and estrogen receptor alpha (Fan, S., Wang, J., Yuan, R., Ma, Y., Meng, Q., Erdos, M. R., Pestell, R. G., Yuan, F., Auborn, K. J., Goldberg, I. D., and Rosen, E. M. (1999) Science 284, 1354-1356) was rescued by the overexpression of TRRAP or hGCN5. Histone acetyltransferase hGCN5 activity appeared to be indispensable for coregulator complex function in both BRCA1-mediated gene regulation and DNA repair. Biochemical purification of the hGCN5/TRRAP-containing complex suggested that hGCN5/TRRAP formed a complex with hMSH2/hMSH6, presumably as a novel subclass of hGCN5/TRRAP-containing known TFTC (TBP-free TAF-containing)-type histone acetyltransferase complex (hTFTC, hPCAF, and hSTAGA) (Yanagisawa, J., Kitagawa, H., Yanagida, M., Wada, O., Ogawa, S., Nakagomi, M., Oishi, H., Yamamoto, Y., Nagasawa, H., McMahon, S. B., Cole, M. D., Tora, L., Takahashi, N., and Kato, S. (2002) Mol. Cell 9, 553-562). Unlike other subclasses, the isolated complex harbored a previously unknown combination of components including hMSH2 and hMSH6, major components of the BRCA1 genome surveillance repair complex (BASC). Thus, our results suggested that the multiple BRCA1 functions require a novel hGCN5/TRRAP histone acetyltransferase complex subclass.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) syndrome, an early decline of ovarian function in women, is frequently associated with X chromosome abnormalities ranging from various Xq deletions to complete loss of one of the X chromosomes. However, the genetic locus responsible for the POF remains unknown, and no candidate gene has been identified. Using the Cre/LoxP system, we have disrupted the mouse X chromosome androgen receptor ( Ar ) gene. Female AR –/– mice appeared normal but developed the POF phenotype with aberrant ovarian gene expression. Eight-week-old female AR –/– mice are fertile, but they have lower follicle numbers and impaired mammary development, and they produce only half of the normal number of pups per litter. Forty-week-old AR –/– mice are infertile because of complete loss of follicles. Genome-wide microarray analysis of mRNA from AR –/– ovaries revealed that a number of major regulators of folliculogenesis were under transcriptional control by AR. Our findings suggest that AR function is required for normal female reproduction, particularly folliculogenesis, and that AR is a potential therapeutic target in POF syndrome.

The female sex steroid hormone oestrogen stimulates both cell proliferation and cell differentiation in target tissues. These biological actions are mediated primarily through nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERs). The ligand‐dependent transactivation of ERs requires several nuclear co‐regulator complexes; however, the cell‐cycle‐dependent associations of these complexes are poorly understood. By using a synchronization system, we found that the transactivation function of ERα at G2/M was lowered. Biochemical approaches showed that ERα associated with two discrete classes of ATP‐dependent chromatin‐remodelling complex in a cell‐cycle‐dependent manner. The components of the NuRD‐type complex were identified as G2/M‐phase‐specific ERα co‐repressors. Thus, our results indicate that the transactivation function of ERα is cell‐cycle dependent and is coupled with a cell‐cycle‐dependent association of chromatin‐remodelling complexes.

Retraction: Cytokines suppress adipogenesis and PPAR-γ function through the TAK1/TAB1/NIK cascade

PPAR(alpha, beta/delta, gamma) are ligand-dependent nuclear receptors and regulate homeostasis, cell proliferation/differentiation and associate with hypolipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity. Through heterodimerization with retinoid X receptors (RXRs), PPARs bind the same consensus response element, formed by a direct repeat of two AGGTCA hexamers separated by one base. Recently, many PPAR direct and indirect target genes have been reported. Here, we summarize the PPAR direct/indirect target genes, and their functions related to lipid metabolism, adipocyte differentiation.

PPARgamma is a ligand-dependent nuclear receptor and regulates adipogenesis and associates with diabetes, obesity. Recently, relationship between PPARgamma and bone metabolism was investigated. Here, we report the molecular mechanism of PPARgamma transcriptional activity and the suppression of PPARgamma activity by cytokines in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

The steroid 5alpha-reductase (5alpha-R) plays an important physiological role in the conversion of steroid hormones such as androgen and progesterone to their 5alpha-reduced derivatives. 5alpha-R type II (5alpha-R2), one of two 5alpha-R isoforms, is thought to be a key enzyme in the generation of neuroactive steroids in the brain, particularly allopregnanolone (AP), via the production of its precursor dihydroprogesterone from progesterone. In the present study, we investigated possible regulatory mechanisms of 5alpha-R2 gene expression by steroid hormones in the female mouse brain. We first cloned mouse 5alpha-R2 (m5alpha-R2) cDNA by degenerate PCR, and found that progesterone induced 5alpha-R2 gene expression to levels detectable by in situ hybridization in female mouse brains. Functional analysis of the m5alpha-R2 gene promoter by a transient expression assay with human progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor (AR) expression vectors identified a progesterone and androgen regulatory element (m5alpha-R2 PRE/ARE). Results of an electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that both PR and AR homodimers bound directly to m5alpha-R2 PRE/ARE sequence. These findings suggest that the gene expression of m5alpha-R2 is transcriptionally regulated by progesterone in female brains.

Androgen receptor (AR) mediates diverse androgen actions, particularly reproductive processes in males and females. AR-mediated androgen signaling is considered to also control metabolic processes; however, the molecular basis remains elusive. In the present study, we explored the molecular mechanism of late-onset obesity in male AR null mutant (ARKO) mice. We determined that the obesity was caused by a hypercorticoid state. The negative feedback system regulating glucocorticoid production was impaired in ARKO mice. Male and female ARKO mice exhibited hypertrophic adrenal glands and glucocorticoid overproduction, presumably due to high levels of adrenal corticotropic hormone. The pituitary glands of the ARKO males had increased expression of proopiomelanocortin and decreased expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). There were no overt structural abnormalities and no alteration in the distribution of cell types in the pituitaries of male ARKO mice. Additionally, there was normal production of the other hormones within the glucocorticoid feedback system in both the pituitary and hypothalamus. In a cell line derived from pituitary glands, GR expression was under the positive control of the activated AR. Thus, this study suggests that the activated AR supports the negative feedback regulation of glucocorticoid production via up-regulation of GR expression in the pituitary gland.

This paper is retracted due to the following image manipulations: Figure 1b (pasting of the lanes), Figure 2 (pasting and insertion of the lanes) and Figure 3a (pasting of the lanes). All authors of this paper agree to this retraction.

A number of nuclear complexes modify chromatin structure and operate as functional units. However, the in vivo role of each component within the complexes is not known. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes form several types of protein complexes, which reorganize chromatin structure cooperatively with histone modifiers. Williams syndrome transcription factor (WSTF) was biochemically identified as a major subunit, along with 2 distinct complexes: WINAC, a SWI/SNF-type complex, and WICH, an ISWI-type complex. Here, WSTF(-/-) mice were generated to investigate its function in chromatin remodeling in vivo. Loss of WSTF expression resulted in neonatal lethality, and all WSTF(-/-) neonates and approximately 10% of WSTF(+/-) neonates suffered cardiovascular abnormalities resembling those found in autosomal-dominant Williams syndrome patients. Developmental analysis of WSTF(-/-) embryos revealed that Gja5 gene regulation is aberrant from E9.5, conceivably because of inappropriate chromatin reorganization around the promoter regions where essential cardiac transcription factors are recruited. In vitro analysis in WSTF(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells also showed impaired transactivation functions of cardiac transcription activators on the Gja5 promoter, but the effects were reversed by overexpression of WINAC components. Likewise in WSTF(-/-) MEF cells, recruitment of Snf2h, an ISWI ATPase, to PCNA and cell survival after DNA damage were both defective, but were ameliorated by overexpression of WICH components. Thus, the present study provides evidence that WSTF is shared and is a functionally indispensable subunit of the WICH complex for DNA repair and the WINAC complex for transcriptional control.

We showed that glycosylation of a histone methyltransferase (MLL5) triggered retinoic-acid-induced granulopoiesis. Although we believe that the key finding and conclusions are still valid, recently detected image manipulation in the published figures undermines our full confidence in the integrity of the study.

Retraction: The following article from the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, “CDP/Cut Is an Osteoblastic Coactivator of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)” by Eiji Ochiai, Hirochika Kitagawa, Ichiro Takada, Sally Fujiyama, Shun Sawatsubashi, Mi-sun Kim,Yoshihiro Mezaki, Yu Tsushima, Ken-ichiro Takagi, Yoshiaki Azuma, Ken-ichi Takeyama, Kazuyoshi Yamaoka, Shigeaki Kato, Takashi Kamimura, published online on December 11, 2009 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Thomas Clemens, the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The authors have requested the retraction based on their acknowledgement that several of the figures did not reflect the observations presented.

Various projections into 3- or 2-dimensional space (3- or 2-space) of geometrical shapes in 4-d imensional space (4-space) sometimes show beautiful appearance to us 3-dimensional persons. Such projections are easily constructed using computer because that the geometrical shapes can be given by mathematical equations. This paper shows their some examples: Pentagonal polytopes in 4-space, Symmetrical planar representation of hypercubes, and Architectural 4-dimensional curved surfaces.

In this Letter, we claimed that hormone-regulated transcriptional control involves DNA demethylation mediated by MBD4. Subsequently, we corrected some figure panels that appeared to have been erroneously prepared.

Nature 461, 1007–1012 (2009) Several lanes of the ChIP analyses in this Letter were inadvertently duplicated or erroneously created during figure assembly. We now provide corrected figure panels for Figs 1f, 2c, 2f, 2g and 3h and Supplementary Figs S8, S9a, S9b, S11, S13b, S18 and S28. Our results and conclusions are not affected by these errors, but we apologise for the careless mistakes made.

We describe a patient with allergic granulomatous angitis who developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). A 44-year-old male had been suffering from bronchial asthma. On admission, laboratory tests revealed the presence of severe eosinophilia (21,500/microliters), elevation of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), high lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and low haptoglobin levels, in addition to moderate reticulocytosis. During admission, the patient showed almost simultaneous occurrence of vasculitis in the extremities, severe hemolysis and exacerbation of asthma in relation to the progression of eosinophilia. Both IgM and IgG autoantibodies were considered to be responsible for hemolysis. Interestingly, serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 were increased in association with eosinophilia and increased IgE production. These findings suggest that the AIHA in this patient is mediated or enhanced at least partly by high IL-4 and IL-5 production. Although AIHA in this syndrome is very rare, it should be considered as a clinical manifestation.