Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] It is an object of the present invention to provide an agent and a method for maintaining and promoting the stability of a membrane protein, and in particular, a transporter (for example, an ABC transporter) on a cell membrane.

Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] It is an object of the present invention to provide an agent and a method for maintaining and promoting the stability of a membrane protein, and in particular, a transporter (for example, an ABC transporter) on a cell membrane. [Solution] The present invention provides: a method of treating a cell with carboxylic acid including 4-phenylbutyric acid or a derivative thereof to suppress the decomposition of a protein existing on a cell membrane, so as to maintain and promote the stability of the protein on the membrane; and an agent for stabilizing a membrane protein, which comprises carboxylic acid including 4-phenylbutyric acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a steering assisting electric motor having an output shaft and a speed reduction mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism includes conical first and second gears to be engaged with each other. The first and second gears include a plurality of teeth each having a tooth surface. The mutually corresponding tooth surfaces of the first and second gears each include engaging regions to be engaged with each other. A center position in a tooth width direction of the engaging region of each tooth surface of the first gear in an unloaded state is offset by a first offset amount from center position in the tooth width direction of the tooth surface of the first gear to a relatively small end portion of the tooth of the first gear.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a steering assisting electric motor having an output shaft and a speed reduction mechanism. The speed reduction mechanism includes conical first and second gears to be engaged with each other. The first and second gears include a plurality of teeth each having a tooth surface. The mutually corresponding tooth surfaces of the first and second gears each include engaging regions to be engaged with each other. A center position in a tooth width direction of the engaging region of each tooth surface of the first gear in an unloaded state is offset by a first offset amount from center position in the tooth width direction of the tooth surface of the first gear to a relatively small end portion of the tooth of the first gear.