Front cover: Advances in optogenetic techniques, in which light-activated proteins that respond to specific wavelengths are expressed in specific cells, have made it possible to manipulate the activity of specific nerves in many animal species including mammals with high temporal and spatial precision. The method of using optical fiber for light irradiation (right) is highly invasive and restricts behavior of animal. However, new methods to overcome this problem have emerged. Some examples are a method of using implantable wireless light-emitting devices (top left), and a method of injecting upconversion nanoparticles that emit visible light in response to near-infrared (NIR) lights that reach deep into the body (center; the light emitted from Uchideno-kozuchi (magic mallet) of Daikokuten is NIR). Designed by TRAIS Co., Ltd. (Kobe, Japan).

Necdin interacts with major regulatory proteins such as E2F1, p53, neurotrophin receptors (TrkA, p75NTR), Sirt1 and PGC-1α, which serve as highly connected hubs of protein–protein interaction networks for mitosis, apoptosis, differentiation, neuroprotection and energy homeostasis. By integrating these networks, necdin promotes the vitality of mammalian neurons.

Elevated autophagy accompanied by decreased miR-29c-3p and increased TET2 levels in the MPTP-induced PD mouse model and MPP+-intoxicated SH-SY5Y cells. miR-29c-3p overexpression decreased autophagy in the SNpc (including DA neurons) of PD mice and MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, TET2 was proved to be targeted and downregulated by miR-29c-3p, and the inhibitory effects of miR-29c-3p upregulation on autophagy in MPP+-intoxicated SH-SY5Y cells were reversed by TET2 overexpression.

Two histidine kinases (HKs) of a moss plant showed nuclear localizations and interactions with their partner proteins, as unprecedented features in land plant HKs. Moreover, red light triggered cytoplasmic interactions of these HKs with the partner proteins. Functional implications of the uniqueness of these HKs are discussed, mainly from the evolutionary viewpoint.

We generated adMOB1DKO mice in which both MOB1A and MOB1B were TAM-inducibly deleted when the animals were adults. Three weeks after TAM treatment, adMOB1DKO mice exhibited smaller submandibular glands (SMGs) than controls with a decreased number of acinar cells and an increased number of immature dysplastic ductal cells.

Bacterial CdsA, a member of CDP-diacylglycerol synthase, is involved not only in phospholipid biosynthesis but also in biosynthesis of glycolipid MPIase, an essential glycolipid that catalyzes membrane protein integration. We found that both Cds4 and Cds5 of Arabidopsis chloroplasts complement the cdsA knockout by supporting both phospholipid and MPIase biosyntheses. Comparison of CdsA and Cds4/5 revealed that the C-terminal region of Cds homologues forms a reentrant loop, of which structure is important for the Cds function.

Non-biased high-throughput screening for over 4,000 compounds revealed microtubule inhibitors such as colchicine and vinblastine enhance transfection efficiency. These microtubule inhibitors increase transfection efficiency by suppressing p62 phosphorylation that leads to the degradation of transfected DNA.