Atsumi Tsujimoto

Identification of genes expressed preferentially in the honeybee mushroom bodies by combination of differential display and cDNA microarray1

To clarify the molecular basis underlying the neural function of the honeybee mushroom bodies (MBs), we identified three genes preferentially expressed in MB using cDNA microarrays containing 480 differential display‐positive candidate cDNAs expressed locally or differentially, dependent on caste/aggressive behavior in the honeybee brain. One of the cDNAs encodes a putative type I inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) 5‐phosphatase and was expressed preferentially in one of two types of intrinsic MB neurons, the large‐type Kenyon cells, suggesting that IP3‐mediated Ca2+ signaling is enhanced in these neurons.

Detection of the X gene product of simian T-cell leukemia virus

The gene product of the X region was examined in simian lymphoid cell lines producing simian T‐cell leukemia virus (STLV), which is closely related to human T‐cell leukemia virus (HTLV). By use of specific antibodies against pX peptides of HTLV‐I, a protein of 41 kDa was identified as a pX product of STLV.