RSK [for 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90rsk); also known as MAPKAP-K1] and MSK (for mitogenand stressactivated protein kinase) constitute a family of protein kinases that mediate signal transduction downstream of MAP kinase cascades. RSK is activated by MAP kinases of the extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK) family in response to growth factors, many polypeptide hormones, neurotransmitter...

We previously reported that extra-slow-growing Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolates obtained from three field sites in Japan, designated as HRS (highly reiterated sequence-possessing) strains, have high copy numbers of the insertion sequences RSK and RSL. When strain collections in the USA, Japan, Korea, Thailand and China were examined by Southern hybridization using RSK, RSL and IS1631 as probes...

Open reading frame 45 (ORF45) of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes sustained activation of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), which is crucial for KSHV lytic replication, but the exact functional roles remain to be determined. To characterize the biological consequence of persistent RSK activation by ORF45, we screened known cellular substrates of RSK. We found that ORF45 induced ...

In this paper, we investigate the super RSK correspondence, first introduced by Pak and Postnikov (1994), which generalizes both the RSK correspondence and the dual RSK correspondence. The bijection relates objects that are known as oscillating supertableau and (intransitive) supergraphs. We prove a number of theorems that were stated in the original paper of Pak and Postnikov, but whose proofs...

Torrefaction process of biomass material is essential in converting them into biofuel with improved calorific value and physical strength. However, the production of torrefied biomass is loose, powdery, and nonuniform. One method of upgrading this material to improve their handling and combustion properties is by densification into briquettes of higher density than the original bulk density of ...

The clinical availability of small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting mutated BRAF marked a significant breakthrough in melanoma therapy. Despite a dramatic anti-tumour activity and improved patient survival, rapidly emerging resistance, however, greatly limits the clinical benefit. The majority of the already described resistance mechanisms involve a reactivation of the MAPK signalling...

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated- and rad3-related kinase (ATR)/Chk1 pathway is a sentinel of cell cycle progression. On the other hand, the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase/90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90 RSK) pathway is a central node in cell signaling downstream of growth factors. These pathways are closely correlated in cell proliferation, but their interaction is largely unknown. Here...

Plastic changes in synaptic properties are considered as fundamental for adaptive behaviors. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)mediated signaling has been implicated in regulation of synaptic plasticity. Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) acts as a regulator and downstream effector of ERK. In the brain, RSK2 is predominantly expressed in regions required for learning and memory. Lossof-funct...

Overexpression of the basement membrane protein Laminin γ2 (Lamγ2) is a feature of many epidermal and oral dysplasias and all invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). This abnormality has potential value as an immunohistochemical biomarker of premalignancy but its mechanism has remained unknown. We recently reported that Lamγ2 overexpression in culture is the result of deregulated translation ...

Meiotic drive is a non-Mendelian inheritance phenomenon in which certain selfish genetic elements skew sexual transmission in their own favor. In some cases, progeny or gametes carrying a meiotic drive element can survive preferentially because it causes the death or malfunctioning of those that do not carry it. In Neurospora, meiotic drive can be observed in fungal spore killing. In a cross of...