The BCL6-associated transcriptional co-repressor, MTA3, is selectively expressed by germinal centre B cells and lymphomas of putative germinal centre derivation

Metastasis-associated protein 3 (MTA3) is a recently described cell-type specific component of the Mi-2-NURD transcriptional co-repressor complex that is expressed in breast epithelia and germinal centre B cells. In model B cell lines, MTA3 physically interacts with BCL6 and appears to be instrumental in maintenance of the germinal centre B cell transcriptional programme that precludes premature plasmacytic differentiation. Here, we report selective, in situ cell-type specific expression of MTA3 among lymphoid cells largely confined to the germinal centre B cell compartment. Centroblasts display greater expression than smaller, less proliferative centrocytes, with undetectable expression in quiescent plasma cells. Among B cell neoplasms, germinal centre B cell-like lymphomas likewise exhibit selective expression that generally escalates with increasing proliferative capacity. MTA3 protein expression was, in accord, highly predictive of the germinal centre B cell-like gene expression profile for diffuse large B cell lymphomas. Lastly, relative repression of a subset of known BCL6 targets, including BLIMP1 and p27kip1, was highest in diffuse large B cell lymphomas that co-expressed both MTA3 and BCL6 protein. Together, these novel data suggest a role for MTA3 in BCL6-mediated lymphomagenesis in germinal centre B cell-like neoplasms.

FOXO transcription factor-dependent p15INK4b and p19INK4d expression

FOXO (Forkhead box O) transcription factors are involved in cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis induction by transcripting cell-cycle inhibitor p27(KIP1) or apoptosis-related genes, respectively. Akt/protein kinase B promotes cell proliferation and suppresses apoptosis, in part, by phosphorylating FOXOs. Phosphorylated FOXOs could not exhibit transcriptional activity because of their nuclear export. Here we show that p15(INK4b) and p19(INK4d) transcription is associated with FOXO-mediated G1 cell-cycle arrest. Inhibition of Akt signaling by PI3K inhibitors, a PDK1 inhibitor, or dominant-negative Akt transfection increased expression of p15(INK4b) and p19(INK4d) but not p16(INK4a) and p18(INK4c). Ectopic expression of wild type or active FOXO but not inactive form also increased p15(INK4b) and p19(INK4d) levels. FOXOs bound to promoter regions and induced transcription of these genes. No increase in the G1-arrested cell population, mediated by PI3K inhibitor LY294002, was observed in INK4b-/- or INK4d-/- murine embryonic fibroblasts. In summary, FOXOs are involved in G1 arrest caused by Akt inactivation via p15(INK4b) and p19(INK4d) transcription.

Molecular mechanisms involved in anti-inflammatory effects of proton pump inhibitors

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin (IL)-8 has been reported to participate in neutrophil infiltration in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastritis in humans. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory actions beyond the suppression of acid secretion by proton pump inhibitors (PPI), such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, on IL-8 production by gastric epithelial cells (MKN45) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and on the transendothelial migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MKN45 and HUVEC were stimulated with H. pylori water extract (HPE) and IL-1beta, respectively, and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) activation and subsequent IL-8 production was assessed in the absence or presence of PPI. We also assessed the effect of PPI on IL-8-induced PMN transendothelial migration and on the alteration of cytoplasmic calcium concentration in formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated PMN.

RESULTS

HPE and IL-1beta induced a significant increase in IL-8 production by MKN45 and HUVEC, respectively, along with NFkappaB activation, which was significantly inhibited by PPI. PPI also inhibited the IL-8-induced transendothelial migration of PMN and the fMLP-induced cytosolic calcium increase in PMN.

CONCLUSIONS

PPI attenuate PMN-dependent gastric mucosal inflammation partly by interfering with NFkappaB activation in vascular endothelial cells and gastric epithelial cells, and partly by modulating the calcium concentration of PMN.

Early onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as an initial manifestation of aceruloplasminaemia

BACKGROUND

Aceruloplasminaemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by specific mutations in the ceruloplasmin gene. Aceruloplasminaemia is clinically characterized by diabetes mellitus, pigment degeneration of the retina, and neurological abnormalities, such as cerebellar ataxia, extrapyramidal signs, and dementia. We present a patient with aceruloplasminaemia who, until progressive neurological abnormalities were noticed, had been treated for more than 30 years as having Type 1 diabetes mellitus requiring multiple insulin injection therapy.

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 58-year-old man. At the age of 23 years, he developed diabetes that required multiple insulin injection therapy. At the age of 39 years, he was commenced on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy. Despite CSII therapy, the patient's blood glucose levels were poorly controlled (HbA(1c), approximately 9.5%). He was diagnosed as having aceruloplasminaemia at 58 years of age when he presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, extrapyramidal signs of recent onset and pigment degeneration of the retina.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that some diabetic patients with aceruloplasminaemia are mistakenly diagnosed as having Type 1 diabetes mellitus, as they have reduced insulin secretion and develop diabetes at a younger age, before neurological abnormalities associated with aceruloplasminaemia are apparent. Therefore, aceruloplasminaemia should be considered in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who develop progressive neurological abnormalities of unknown aetiology along with a microcytic hypochromic anaemia and retinal degeneration.

Relationship between variations in the circle of Willis and flow rates in internal carotid and basilar arteries determined by means of magnetic resonance imaging with semiautomated lumen segmentation: reference data from 125 healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Volume flow rates in the feeding arteries of the brain are measured to evaluate blood flow dynamics in vascular disease. Although these flow values are thought to be effected by anatomic variations in the circle of Willis, few reports have described the effect. This study reports on the relationship between variations in the circle of Willis and volume flow rates in the bilateral internal carotid and basilar arteries of normal volunteers.

METHODS

We prospectively examined 125 healthy volunteers by MR imaging. Variations in the circle of Willis were classified as "textbook" type, hypoplasia of the precommunicating segment of the anterior cerebral artery (A1), hypoplasia of the precommunicating segment of the posterior cerebral artery (P1), or "other." Volume flow rates were measured by 2D cine phase-contrast MR imaging. Lumen boundaries and volume flow rates were semiautomatically determined by pulsatility-based segmentation.

RESULTS

Of the 117 subjects (61 men, 56 women; mean age, 23.6 years) considered suitable for flow measurement, 105 showed textbook type, and 6 each showed A1 hypoplasia and P1 hypoplasia. Total flow rates for the 3 variations were 781 +/- 151 mL/min (mean +/- SD), 744 +/- 119, and 763 +/- 129, respectively. Relative contributions by flow rates of the internal carotid arteries and the basilar artery for the 3 variations were 39.8%:38.9%:21.3%, 31.8%:49.1%:19.0%, and 46.6%:41.6%:11.7%, respectively, showing statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations in the circle of Willis correlate significantly with relative contributions by the flow rates of the bilateral internal carotid and basilar arteries.

Effects of bezafibrate in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: combination with interferon and ribavirin

An association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has been suggested. We conducted a prospective study in CHC patients complicated with hyperlipidaemia, to examine whether bezafibrate, which is commonly used for treatment of hyperlipidaemia, reduces serum HCV-RNA titre and improves liver dysfunction. Fifteen patients received daily oral bezafibrate treatment (400 mg/day) for 8 weeks, and its effects on serum lipids, transaminases, HCV-RNA titres, and HCV-RNA titres bound to LDL were evaluated. Fifteen untreated patients with CHC and hyperlipidaemia were used as controls. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase levels and HCV-RNA titres significantly decreased at the end of bezafibrate therapy in the treated group (105 +/- 34 to 80 +/- 32 IU/L, P = 0.02 and 2.23 +/- 2.71 to 1.78 +/- 2.38 x 10(7) copies/mL, P < 0.01 respectively), but no changes were observed in the control group. Serum HCV-RNA titres bound to LDL, as quantified by immunoprecipitation using anti-LDL antibody, also decreased in all 15 treated patients [5.55 +/- 6.59 to 1.07 +/- 1.58 x 10(6) copies/ml, P < 0.01 (mean reduction rate was -78.5 +/- 17.0%)]. Sucrose density-gradient ultracentrifugation study revealed that HCV-RNA-decreased density fractions after the bezafibrate were identical to LDL-density fractions (1.015-1.062 g/mL). Eight CHC patients were treated with bezafibrate, interferon, and ribavirin triple therapy for 32 weeks, and four patients achieved sustained virological response to therapy. This pilot study provides further evidence of an association between HCV and LDL in serum and suggests the potential usefulness of bezafibrate as an anti-HCV reagent for the treatment of CHC patients.

Requirement of nectin, but not cadherin, for formation of claudin-based tight junctions in annexin II-knockdown MDCK cells

Adherens junctions (AJs) and tight junctions (TJs) comprise a junctional complex which plays key roles not only in cell adhesion and polarization but also in regulation of cell movement and proliferation in epithelial cells. E-Cadherin and nectin are major cell-cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) at AJs, whereas claudin is a major CAM at TJs. We have shown that the cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion is not formed in MDCK cells in which annexin II, a Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding protein, is knocked down. Here, we found that TJs and the nectin-based cell-cell adhesions were formed in annexin II-knockdown cells. The formation of TJs in annexin II-knockdown MDCK cells required the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion and afadin, a nectin- and actin-filament-binding protein. In addition, it required the activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins and subsequent reorganization of the IQGAP1-dependent actin cytoskeleton which were induced by the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion. These results indicate that the nectin-based cell-cell adhesion and afadin, but not the cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion, are necessary for the formation of TJs and that the signaling by nectin and the subsequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton are also necessary for the formation of TJs under certain conditions.

Hepatitis C virus free-virion and immune-complex dynamics during interferon therapy with and without ribavirin in genotype-1b chronic hepatitis C patients

The Synergistic effect of interferon (IFN) and ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C has been demonstrated, but ribavirin has no apparent direct antiviral effect against hepatitis C virus (HCV) when used as monotherapy. To elucidate the mechanism of ribavirin on enhanced HCV eradication when used in combination therapy, we investigated the serum HCV dynamics of free-virions (FV) and immune-complexes (IC) in genotype-1b infected patients treated with IFN-alpha2b alone (n = 11) or in combination with ribavirin (n = 15). Serum FV- and IC-HCV RNA were separated by immunoprecipitation using anti-human immunoglobulin and quantified serially using real-time detection polymerase chain reaction. At the first phase (day 0-2), the decline of FV- and IC-HCV RNA was similar between the two treatment groups. At the second phase (day 2-28), the decline of IC was significantly faster in patients treated with IFN plus ribavirin compared with IFN alone [exponential decay slope = 0.079 +/- 0.036 vs 0.048 +/- 0.027 log10/day, P = 0.0248; half-life = 81.1 +/- 21.4 vs 135.1 +/- 61.4 h, P = 0.0053], although the second phase FV-decline was not significantly different between the two treatment groups. The fast second phase decline of IC was associated with sustained virological response to therapy. These results suggest that ribavirin may modulate the humoral immune response against HCV and trigger a favourable response to IFN. In conclusion, analysis of early IC-HCV dynamics is useful for predicting the response to therapy and for understanding the mechanism of action of antiviral drugs in chronic hepatitis C patients.

[Simultaneous resection of pulmomary metastasis of colon cancer and primary lung cancer]

A 70-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of weight loss and an abnormal shadow on the chest X-ray. On palpation, the unmobilized mass, measuring 5 cm, was located in the left lower abdomen. The barium-enema examination showed the filling defect of the sigmoid colon. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a tumor, measuring 20 x 20 mm, located in the right upper lobe (S3) and a nodule, measuring 3 mm, located in the right lower lobe (S8). At first, we performed sigmoidectomy (D 3) for the colon cancer. Next, performed right upper lobectomy and a partial resection of the right lower lobe. Histopathologically, the one is a primary lung cancer, the other is a metastatic lung cancer. With an increase in colorectal and lung cancer, similar cases as ours seem to increase in number. When we treat multiple lung nodules with malignancy of other organs, we should consider 3 types of cases, 1) only primary, 2) primary and metastatic, 3) only metastatic.

SAM(g2) analysis for detecting spike localization: a comparison with clinical symptoms and ECD analysis in an epileptic patient

SAM(g2) analysis, a combination of synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) and excess kurtosis (g2) method, is a novel epilepsy analysis procedure based on a spatial filtering technique. By producing a three-dimensional image of the g2 values and superimposing them onto a patient's MR images, this analysis can automatically estimate spike localization from raw MEG epilepsy signals including spikes. The aim of this study is to examine SAM(g2) analysis using MEG signals of an epileptic patient, whose clinical symptoms of colored elementary visual auras had ceased in accordance with the changes of the estimated localizations of the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) of the interictal spikes. His visual auras were experienced in 1997, while they ceased in 1999 with effective medication. The patient provided written informed consent for the experimental procedures. The MEG signals were recorded in 1997 and 1999, and were analyzed using both ECD and SAM(g2) analyses. For the MEG signals of 1997, ECD analysis estimated most of the interictal spikes in the right fusiform and inferior temporal gyri, which subserve human color processing. SAM(g2) analysis also estimated them in the same areas. For those of 1999, both ECD and SAM(g2) analyses estimated them in the right transverse gyrus of Heschl. As well as ECD analysis, SAM(g2) analysis successfully estimated the changes of the localizations of the interictal spikes in accordance with the changes of the patient's clinical symptoms, indicating that SAM(g2) analysis is useful for detection of interictal spike localization in epileptic patients.

Hochu-ekki-to suppresses development of dermatitis and elevation of serum IgE level in NC/Nga mice

The Japanese herbal medicine Hochu-ekki-to (Chinese name: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-tang) is composed of ten species of medical plants and is used for many therapeutic purposes such as recovery from weakness, dysfunction of the digestive system and fatigue. In certain groups of patients with intractable atopic dermatitis this prescription has shown clinical effectiveness. We examined the ability of Hochu-ekki-to to inhibit dermatitis and IgE production in atopic NC/Nga mice. Oral administration of Hochu-ekki-to suppressed spontaneous dermatitis and serum IgE levels in NC/Nga mice. This finding provides evidence that Hochu-ekki-to may have immunological effects in atopic dermatitis.

Comparison of conventional and diffusion-weighted MRI and proton MR spectroscopy in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like events

The mechanism of neurological disturbances in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is controversial. We studied 12 patients with MELAS using conventional and diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS), to look at the physiopathology of the stroke-like events. Although conventional MRI showed lesions in all patients, DWI was more sensitive. One patient did not show high signal on DWI 48 h after a from stroke-like episode, but MRS demonstrated a lactate peak in left occipital lobe; 2 weeks after the attack, high signal was demonstrated on the right frontal lobe where MRS had shown a lactate peak. Our findings suggest a possible predictive ability of (1)H-MRS, in showing early MELAS lesions and supports the hypothesis that mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction may precedes abnormalities on DWI.

The effects of Hochu-ekki-to in patients with atopic dermatitis resistant to conventional treatment

Hochu-ekki-to is one of Kampo formulas containing Astragalus root, liquorice, jujube, ginseng, white Atractylodes rhizome, fresh ginger and Chinese angelica root. This formula has been identified as an effective drug to improve the function of digestive systems and to strengthen defensive systems against many kinds of infections. We examined serum IgE levels and eosinophils before and after the administration of Hochu-ekki-to in patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. The increased numbers of eosinophils was statistically decreased after 3 months' use of this formula. Serum IgE levels showed a tendency to decrease after the administration of this substance.

Diet and Japanese herbal medicine for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis: efficacy and safety

We have been utilizing Kampo, a Japanese herbal medicine, together with lifestyle advice, for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. To estimate the safety and efficacy of the treatment, we administered Kampo formulas to patients in whom conventional treatment failed to improve symptoms, along with dietary advice recommending traditional Japanese food. The therapeutic effects of Kampo formulas were assessed in 95 patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis who consulted our clinic from January to June, 2000. The overall result was 'markedly effective" in 19 patients (20%), "moderately effective" in 33 (35%), "slightly effective" in 36 (38%) and "ineffective" in four (4%). Three patients dropped out of the study. No adverse reactions in laboratory data were noted in examined patients. The most commonly used formula was Hochu-ekki-to containing Astragalus root, liquorice, jujube, ginseng, white Atractylodes rhizome, fresh ginger and Chinese Angelica root. Diet and Japanese herbal medicine are thought to be useful as an alternative therapy of intractable atopic dermatitis.

Induction of cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reactions in mice sensitized with intragastrically administered hapten: activation of Langerhans cells in the sensitization and elicitation phases

BACKGROUND

As seen in atopic dermatitis, allergic diseases often produce lesions both in the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, suggesting the involvement of an immunological relationship between the two organs in the pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

To study the role of gastric and epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) in the sensitization and elicitation phases, respectively, of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to intragastrically administered hapten.

METHODS

BALB/c mice, which were subjected to intragastric administration of trinitrochlorobenzene 5 days previously, received an elicitative challenge of the same hapten to the ear skin. Sections of the ear were immunostained for CD4 and CD8. Epidermal sheets of the ear and epithelial sheets of the forestomach were immunostained for I-A and observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope.

RESULTS

Cutaneous DTH reactions were induced in mice, as demonstrated by an increase in ear thickness and a prominent infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes at 24-36 h after the elicitative challenge. In the elicitation phase, epidermal LCs showed a significant increase in size, indicating in vivo activation, at 24 h. In the sensitization phase, gastric LCs increased in size at 2 h, became round at 6 h, and decreased in number at 24 h, possibly representing the sequential events of LC activation and migration from the epithelium.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that gastric LCs and epidermal LCs were activated in vivo in the sensitization and elicitation phases, respectively, of cutaneous DTH reactions in orally sensitized mice.

Heterogeneity in residual function of MeCP2 carrying missense mutations in the methyl CpG binding domain

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder with severe mental retardation caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Mutations in the MECP2 gene are also associated with other genetic disorders, including X linked mental retardation in males. Missense mutations identified so far are present primarily in the methyl CpG binding domain (MBD) of MECP2. Here, the functional significance of 28 MBD missense mutations identified in patients were analysed by transient expression of the mutant proteins in cultured cells. The effects of mutations were evaluated by analysis of the affinity of MeCP2 to pericentromeric heterochromatin in mouse L929 cells and on transcriptional repressive activity of MeCP2 in Drosophila SL2 cells. These analyses showed that approximately one-third (9/28) of MBD missense mutations showed strong impairment of MeCP2 function. The mutation of the R111 residue, which directly interacts with the methyl group of methyl cytosine, completely abolished MeCP2 function and mutations affecting beta-sheets and a hairpin loop have substantial functional consequences. In contrast, mutations that showed marginal or mild impairment of the function fell in unstructured regions with no DNA interaction. Since each of these mutations is known to be pathogenic, the mutations may indicate residues that are important for specific functions of MeCP2 in neurones.

The sugary-type isoamylase gene from rice and Aegilops tauschii: characterization and comparison with maize and arabidopsis

Genes for an isoamylase-like debranching enzyme have been isolated from rice and Aegilops tauschii, the donor of the D genome to wheat. The structures of the genes are very similar to each other and to the maize SU1 isoamylase gene and consist of 18 exons spread over approximately 7.5 kb. Southern analysis and fluorescent in situ hybridization showed the Ae. tauschii gene to be located in the proximal region of the short arm of chromosome 7D, thus showing synteny with the localization of the rice isoamylase gene on rice chromosome 8. Analysis of the expression pattern of wheat sugary isoamylase genes indicates that they are strongly expressed in the developing endosperm 6 days after flowering. Three distinct Sugary-type cDNA sequences were isolated from the wheat endosperm that are likely to correspond to the products of the three genomes. The deduced amino acid sequence of rice and wheat Sugary-type isoamylase is compared with other sequences available in the database and the results demonstrate that there are three types of isoamylase sequences in plants: those containing 18 exons (the Sugary-type isoamylase gene), those containing 21 exons, and those containing only 1 exon. It is possible that different combinations of isoamylase genes are expressed in different tissues.

Slow rewarming improves jugular venous oxygen saturation during rewarming

BACKGROUND

There have been many studies regarding the etiology of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Although its etiology remains unresolved, one possible factor related to postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a reduced internal jugular venous oxygen hemoglobin saturation (SjvO2) during the rewarming period. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of rewarming rates on SjvO2 during rewarming.

METHODS

One-hundred patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery were randomly divided into two groups; control group (0.48 +/- 0.09 degrees C, n = 50), slow rewarming group (0.24 +/- 0.09 degrees C, n = 50). After the induction of anesthesia, a fiberoptic oximetry oxygen saturation catheter was inserted into the right jugular bulb to monitor SjvO2 continuously. Hemodynamic parameters, arterial and jugular venous blood gases were measured at nine time-points.

RESULTS

Cerebral desaturation (defined as a SjvO2 value below 50%) during rewarming was more frequent in the control group than in the slow group. Cerebral desaturation time (duration when SjvO2 was less than 50%) and the ratio of the cerebral desaturation time to the total CPB time in the control group differed significantly from those in the slow group (control group: 17 +/- 11 min, 12 +/- 4%, slow group: 10 +/- 8 min, 7 +/- 4%, respectively, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in mini-mental state examination on the day before the operation nor at 1 month after the surgery among four values (the day before the operation: control group; 48 +/- 8, slow group; 48 +/- 7, at one month after the surgery: control group; 46 +/- 7, slow group; 45 +/- 9).

CONCLUSIONS

A slow rewarming rate could reduce the chance of a decrease in SjvO2 during rewarming.

Enhanced insulin gene expression by reduced intracellular glutathione level in insulin secreting cells MIN6

Glutathione (GSH) participates in deoxidization and elimination of hydrogen peroxide and other reactive oxygen species, and plays an important part in the antioxidant system. To investigate the effect of GSH content on insulin gene expression, we utilized a stable transfectant, designated as ribo-MIN6 cells, which were stably transfected with the ribozyme of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS), exhibiting approximately 50% reduction of intracellular GSH content. We transiently transfected a luciferase expression vector driven by human preproinsulin gene promoter spanning from -1998 to +237 (pINS-1998/luc) and several deletion constructs into ribo-MIN6. Furthermore, transient transfection with ribozyme vector and pINS-1998/luc into wild-type MIN6 cells was also carried out. Luciferase activity was about 9-fold higher in ribo-MIN6 cells as compared to wild-type MIN6 cells. In the transient transfection of pINS-1998/luc with gamma-GCS ribozyme vector into wild-type MIN6 cells, the luciferase activity was increased in proportion to the added amounts of ribozyme vector. In transfection with deletion constructs, two major sites were found to be critical for insulin promoter activity. For the wild-type MIN6 cells, regions important for the promoter activity were also located at regions similar to those of ribo-MIN6 cells. Our results suggest that the suppression of intracellular GSH level might, in part, regulate the insulin gene expression.