Biology subjects

Yamaoka, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Yamaoka, Y..

13 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Analytical methodology for unveiling the physical effect of detergents on the function of full-length membrane proteins using a single-molecule tracking system

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important targets for drug discovery because they are the largest and most diverse family of membrane proteins in the human body. As exemplified by {beta}2-adrenergic receptor ({beta}2AR), which is a typical class-A GPCRs, they are prone to denaturation and inactivation after solubilization. Although diverse techniques have been developed, current structural and functional analyses are still limited to proteins with relatively stable and high expression. However, some mutant variants and misfolded proteins involved in diseases have extremely low expression levels and may be difficult to analyze. To overcome these limitations, we established a novel analytical platform for evaluating the ligand-binding ability of full-length {beta}2AR as a model at the single-molecule level without purification and addressing challenges such as membrane proteins with low expression levels and structural instability. This method enables the direct use of unpurified receptors immediately after solubilization and allows us to use only a small amount of sample ([~]10 ng) for observation and to distinguish between specific and nonspecific ligand binding by fitting. Furthermore, we unveiled the physical properties of detergents on the structural stability of solubilized receptors and found that the lateral pressure within detergent micelles affects ligand-binding ability. Detergents that provided a fluid microenvironment were able to maintain ligand-binding ability for several days even after solubilization; conversely, detergents that provided a rigid microenvironment caused the protein to lose its activity earlier. Our method could be a promising tool for the structural and functional analysis of membrane proteins untargeted until now. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=112 SRC="FIGDIR/small/740883v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (46K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3d274corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@defd0forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b81eb4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e7c275_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2025

Global diversity of integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) in Helicobacter pylori and their influence on genome architecture

Integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements conferring a wide range of beneficial functions upon their bacterial hosts. Generally, they can be activated from their integrated states to undergo horizontal gene transfer via conjugation. In the case of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, a paradigm for extensive genetic diversity, highly efficient natural transformation and recombination processes may superimpose canonical transfer of its two ICEs termed ICEHptfs3 and ICEHptfs4, and thus shape their composition substantially. Here, as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP) initiative, we have analyzed high-quality genome sequences from 1011 clinical strains with respect to their ICE content and variability. We show that both elements are highly prevalent in all H. pylori populations, but have a strong tendency for gene erosion. ICE sequence variations reflect the population structure and show a clear signature of increased horizontal transfer. A detailed map of ICE integration sites revealed local preferences, but also how recombination processes result in hybrid elements or genome rearrangements. Population-specific differences in ICE cargo genes might reflect distinct requirements in the biological functions provided by these mobile elements.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

The dominant lineage of Phakopsora pachyrhizi in the United States of America does not have a Brazilian origin

O_LIAsian soybean rust (ASR), caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, was first reported in the continental United States of America (USA) in 2004 and over the years has been of concern to soybean production in the USA. The prevailing hypothesis is that P. pachyrhizi spores were introduced into the USA via hurricanes originating from South America, particularly Hurricane Ivan. C_LIO_LITo investigate the genetic diversity and global population structure of P. pachyrhizi, we employed exome-capture based sequencing on 84 field isolates collected from different geographic regions worldwide. We compared the gene-encoding regions from all these field isolates and found that four major haplotypes are prevalent worldwide. Here, we provide genetic evidence supporting multiple incursions that have led to the currently established P. pachyrhizi population of the USA. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes further supports this hypothesis. C_LIO_LINotably, we observed limited genetic diversity in P. pachyrhizi populations in Brazil, suggesting a clonal population structure in that country that contrasts to populations from the USA and Africa. C_LIO_LIThis study provides the first comprehensive characterization of P. pachyrhizi population structures defined by genetic evidence from populations across major soybean growing regions. C_LI

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Mature leaves produce a multi-layered wound periderm by integrating phytohormone signaling with ATML1-mediated epidermal specification

The epidermis of plants forms a protective barrier against various stress, but how breaches in the epidermis are repaired is not well understood. Here, we investigated wound healing in the mature leaves of Arabidopsis. We discover a novel type of wound periderm comprising a multi-layered ligno-suberized barrier covered with cuticular wax, which is formed by mesophyll cells that adopt an epidermal fate. Mesophyll cells of protective layer 1 (P1), just beneath the wound, transition into epidermal cells, which seal the wound by depositing cuticle. As P1 undergoes cell death, protective layer 2 (P2), which underlies P1, takes the place of P1 and undergoes ligno-suberization. This multi-layered periderm involves integration of ethylene and jasmonic acid signaling with ATML1, a key transcription factor in epidermal specification, to coordinate cell layer-specific functions. This novel wound periderm also occurs in the leaves of tobacco and Capsella, suggesting it is a widespread phenomenon.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Meat without vegetables: An ancient ecotype of Helicobacter pylori found in Indigenous populations and animal adapted lineages.

The colonization of our stomachs by Helicobacter pylori is believed to predate the oldest splits between extant human populations. We identify a "Hardy" ecospecies of H. pylori associated with indigenous groups, isolated from people in Siberia, Canada, USA and Chile. The ecospecies shares the ancestry of "Ubiquitous" H. pylori from the same geographical region in most of the genome but has nearly fixed SNP differences in 100 genes, many of which encode outer membrane proteins and host interaction factors. For these parts of the genome, the ecospecies has a separate, independently evolving gene pool with a distinct evolutionary history. H. acinonychis, found in big cats, and a newly identified primate-associated lineage both belong to the Hardy ecospecies and both represent human to animal host jumps. Most strains from the ecospecies encode an additional iron-dependent urease that is shared by Helicobacter from carnivorous hosts, as well as a tandem duplication of vacA, encoding the vacuolating toxin. We conclude that H. pylori split into two highly distinct ecospecies in Africa and that both dispersed around the globe with humans, but the Hardy ecospecies has gone extinct in most parts of the world. Our analysis also pushes back the likely length of the association between H. pylori and humans.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Evaluation of heat inactivation of human norovirus in freshwater clams using human intestinal enteroids

Foodborne disease attributed to consumption of shellfish contaminated with human norovirus (HuNoV) is one of many global health concerns. Our study aimed to determine conditions of heat-inactivation of HuNoV in freshwater clams (Corbicula japonica) using a recently developed HuNoV cultivation system employing stem-cell derived human intestinal enteroids (HIEs). We first measured the internal temperature of clam tissue in a water bath during boiling at 90 {degrees}C and found that approximately 2 minutes are required for the tissue to reach 90 {degrees}C. Next, GII.4 HuNoV was spiked into the center of the clam tissue followed by boiling at 90 {degrees}C for 1, 2, 3, or 4 minutes. The infectivity of the HuNoV in clam tissue homogenates was evaluated using HIEs. We demonstrated that HuNoV in unboiled clam tissue homogenates replicated in HIEs, whereas infectivity was lost in all boiled samples, indicating that heat treatment at 90 {degrees}C for 1 minute is sufficient to inactivate HuNoV in freshwater clams. To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the infectivity of HuNoV tolerability in shellfish using HIEs and our results will be informative to develop strategies to inactivate HuNoV in foods.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Nanobodies recognizing conserved hidden clefts of all SARS-CoV-2 spike variants

We are in the midst of the historic coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although countless efforts to control the pandemic have been attempted--most successfully, vaccination1-3--imbalances in accessibility to vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics among countries, regions, and populations have been problematic. Camelid variable regions of heavy chain-only antibodies (VHHs or nanobodies)4 have unique modalities: they are smaller, more stable, easier to customize, and, importantly, less expensive to produce than conventional antibodies5, 6. We present the sequences of nine alpaca nanobodies that detect the spike proteins of four SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs)--namely, the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants. We show that they can quantify or detect spike variants via ELISA and lateral flow, kinetic, flow cytometric, microscopy, and Western blotting assays7. The panel of nanobodies broadly neutralized viral infection by pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Structural analyses showed that a P86 clone targeted epitopes that were conserved yet unclassified on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and located inside the N-terminal domain (NTD). Human antibodies have hardly accessed both regions; consequently, the clone buries hidden crevasses of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins undetected by conventional antibodies and maintains activity against spike proteins carrying escape mutations.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Dasabuvir inhibits human norovirus infection in human intestinal enteroids

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are acute viral gastroenteritis pathogens that affect all age groups, yet no approved vaccines and drugs to treat HuNoV infection are available. In this study, with a human intestinal enteroid (HIE) culture system where HuNoVs are able to replicate reproducibly, we screened an antiviral compound library to identify compound(s) showing anti-HuNoV activity. Dasabuvir, which has been developed as an anti-hepatitis C virus agent, was found to inhibit HuNoV infection in HIEs at micromolar concentrations. Dasabuvir also inhibited severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human A rotavirus (RVA) infection in HIEs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to screen an antiviral compound library for HuNoV using HIEs and we successfully identified dasabuvir as a novel anti-HuNoV inhibitor that warrants further investigation.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Repeated out-of-Africa expansions of Helicobacter pylori driven by replacement of deleterious mutations

Helicobacter pylori lives in the human stomach and has a population structure which resembles that of its host. However, H. pylori from Europe and the Middle East trace a substantially higher fraction of ancestry from modern African populations than the humans that carry them. Here, we used a collection of Afro-Eurasian H. pylori genomes to show that this African ancestry is due to at least three distinct admixture events. H. pylori from East Asia, which have undergone little admixture, have accumulated many more non-synonymous mutations than African strains. European and Middle Eastern bacteria have elevated African ancestry at the sites of these mutations compared to either non-segregating or synonymous sites, implying selection to remove them. We used simulations to show that demographic bottlenecks can lead to long-term segregation of deleterious mutations, despite high rates of homologous recombination, but that population fitness can be restored by migration of small numbers of bacteria from non-bottlenecked populations, leading to mosaic patterns of ancestry like that seen for H. pylori. We conclude that H. pylori have been able to spread repeatedly from Africa by outcompeting strains that carried deleterious mutations accumulated during the original out-of-Africa bottleneck.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Genomic differentiation within East Asian Helicobacter pylori

The East Asian region, including China, Japan and Korea, accounts for half of gastric cancer deaths. However, different areas have contrasting gastric cancer incidence and the population structure of Helicobacter pylori in this ethnically diverse region is yet unknown. We aimed to investigate genomic differences in H. pylori between these areas to identify sequence polymorphisms associated with increased cancer risk. We analysed 381 H. pylori genomes collected from different areas of the three countries using phylogenetic and population genetic tools to characterize population differentiation. The functional consequences of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) with a highest fixation index (Fst) between subpopulations were examined by mapping amino-acid changes on 3D protein structure, solved or modelled. 329/381 genomes belonged to the previously identified hspEAsia population indicating that import of bacteria from other regions of the world has been uncommon. Seven sub-regional clusters were found within hspEAsia, related to sub-populations with various ethnicities, geographies and gastric cancer risks. Sub-population-specific amino-acid changes were found in multi-drug exporters (hefC), transporters (frpB-4), outer membrane proteins (hopI), and several genes involved in host interaction, such as catalase, involved in H2O2 entrance, and a flagellin site mimicking host glycosylation. Several of the top hits including frpB-4, hefC, alpB/hopB, and hofC. were also differentiated within the Americas, indicating that a handful of genes may be key to local geographic adaptation. H. pylori within East Asia are not homogeneous but have become differentiated geographically at multiple loci that have facilitated adaptation to local conditions and hosts. This has important implications for further evaluation of these changes in relation to the varying gastric cancer incidence between geographical areas in this region.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Genome-wide association study of gastric cancer- and duodenal ulcer-derived Helicobacter pylori strains reveals discriminatory amino acid differences and novel oncoprotein candidates

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) can reveal genetic variations associated with a phenotype in the absence of any hypothesis of candidate genes. The problem of false-positive sites linked with the responsible site might be bypassed in bacteria with a high homologous recombination rate, such as Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric cancer (GC). We conducted a GWAS followed by regression-based prediction of GC and duodenal ulcer H. pylori strains. We identified 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (11 amino acid changes) that, combined, allowed effective disease discrimination. They were often informative of the underlying molecular mechanisms, such as electric charge alteration at the ligand-binding pocket, alteration in subunit interaction, and mode-switching of DNA methylation. We also identified three novel virulence factors/oncoprotein candidates. These results provide both defined targets for further informatic and experimental analyses to gain insights into GC pathogenesis and a basis for identifying a set of biomarkers for application in clinical settings.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Helicobacter small RNA regulates host adaptation and carcinogenesis

Type-1 carcinogenic Helicobacter pylori that is known to evolve during long-term infection, enters the stomach orally and causes gastric cancer using the carcinogenic protein CagA1. However, little is known about the adaptation mechanisms of H. pylori when the environment changes from the outside to the inside of the living body. Here we show that small non-coding RNA HPnc4160 is a crucial novel RNA molecule of H. pylori that negatively regulates bacterial-host adaptation and gastric cancer. H. pylori isolated from gerbils stomachs eight weeks post-infection acquired mutations in the increased number of T-repeats within the upstream region of the HPnc4160 coding region, which leads to reduced HPnc4160 expression levels that also seen in cancer patients-derived H. pylori. By comparing RNA-seq and iTRAQ analysis between wild-type and hpnc4160 deficient mutant strains, we identified eight targets of HPnc4160 including cagA and unknown factors. Mice infection experiment revealed that the hpnc4160 deficient mutant had a higher number of colonized bacteria in the mice stomach than the wild-type strain, indicating that reduced expression levels of HPnc4160 was important for bacterial host adaptation. The expression level of HPnc4160 was lower in the clinical isolates derived from gastric cancer patients compared with non-cancer-derived strains, while the mRNA expression levels of target factors were higher. Our findings highlight the first discovery that HPnc4160 is an important small RNA for bacteria to adapt to the host environment leading to gastric carcinogenesis.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

C. elegans Mediator 15 permits low temperature-induced longevity via regulation of lipid and protein homeostasis

Low temperatures slow aging and extend lifespan in many organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the metabolic and homeostatic aspects of low temperature-induced longevity remain poorly understood. Here, we show that changes in lipid composition regulated by MDT-15/Mediator 15, transcriptional co-regulator, is essential for low temperature-induced longevity and proteostasis in C. elegans. We find that inhibition of mdt-15 prevents animals from living long at low temperatures. We show that MDT-15 up-regulates fat-7, a fatty acid desaturase, at low temperatures, which increases the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. We further demonstrate that maintaining this increased fatty acid ratio is essential for protein homeostasis and longevity at low temperatures. Thus, the homeostasis of lipid composition by MDT-15 appears to be a limiting factor for C. elegans proteostasis and longevity at low temperatures. Our findings highlight the crucial roles of fat regulation in maintaining normal organismal physiology under different environmental conditions.

developmental biology↗