Abstract: A novel gene 65B13 expressed specifically and transiently in dopaminergic neuron precursor cells immediately after cell cycle exit was obtained by the present invention. The cellular expression of 65B13 can be used as an index to select cells that are suitable in terms of their safety, survival rate, and network formation ability, for transplant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: In neuron transplantation therapy, in terms of safety, it is preferable to use a cell population consisting only of a desired type of cells, and to use postmitotic neurons in consideration to avoid the risk of tumorigenesis. Moreover, greater therapeutic effects would be expected through the use of earlier progenitor cells in consideration of post-transplantation viability, proper network formation ability, and such. According to the present invention, Lrp4, a gene that is specifically expressed in dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cells prior to cell cycle exit, was identified. The use of Lrp4 expression in cells as an index allows for the isolation. of cells suitable for transplantation therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease in terms of safety, survival rate, and network formation ability.

Abstract: As a result of screening for genes that are selectively expressed in fetal mouse brain region by subtraction method, the present inventors obtained a cDNA fragment encoding Corl1. The expression of Corl1 was examined by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunostaining using polyclonal antibodies. The results demonstrated that Corl1 was especially expressed at a high level of selectively in the central nervous system during embryonic stages. The expression patterns of Corl1 determined using various markers in embryonic spinal cord were compared to identify types of neurons expressing Corl1. The results revealed that Corl1 was specifically expressed in spinal cord interneurons dI4, dI5, dILA, and dILB. Accordingly, the present invention provides for discrimination between dI4 and dI6, neurons which previously could only be discriminated based on developmental location, using the expression of Corl1 as an indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide probes and antibodies for detecting Lrp4/Corin dopaminergic neuron progenitor cell markers, which enable the efficient separation of dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells; and methods for selecting the progenitor cells by the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention identified Lmx1a genes, which are expressed in dopaminergic neurons at all differentiation stages, from proliferating dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells before cell cycle exit to cells after cell cycle exit. Lmx1a expression in cells can be used as an indicator when selecting cells suitable for transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, and is useful as a marker for screening agents involved in the induction of dopaminergic neuron differentiation.

Abstract: A toner for electrophotography, wherein the toner is prepared by a suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization from a monomer composition comprising a monovinyl monomer and a coloring agent, and a filtration velocity of the toner is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mL/min. The filtration velocity is obtained by an evaluation method comprising following evaluation steps: (i) 15 mg of a toner is added to 5 mL of THF, and soluble component in the toner is dissolved in THF completely to prepare a sample liquid; and (ii) the sample liquid is filtrated at the temperature of 25° C. and pressure of 0.15 kgf/cm2 is applied using a filter wherein an area thereof is 4.0 cm2 and a pore size thereof is 0.45 ?m to measure a filtration time wherein 1 mL of the sample liquid is passed through the filter, and a filtration velocity is determined using the filtration time by a following formula, Filtration velocity (mL/min)=1 (mL)/filtration time (min).

Abstract: A toner which excels in offset resistance at a high temperature and a low temperature and fixing performance and which can perform fixation at a low temperature is provided. Such a toner is one which includes toner mother particles, such that a temperature T° C. satisfies the following relationship: ?(T+5)/?(T)?1 provided that a melting viscosity at a temperature T° C. is expressed as ?(T) and a melting viscosity at a temperature (T+5)° C. is expressed as ?(T+5).

Abstract: A novel gene 65B13 expressed specifically and transiently in dopaminergic neuron precursor cells immediately after cell cycle exit was obtained by the present invention. The cellular expression of 65B13 can be used as an index to select cells that are suitable in terms of their safety, survival rate, and network formation ability, for transplant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: In neuron transplantation therapy, in terms of safety, it is preferable to use a cell population consisting only of a desired type of cells, and to use postmitotic neurons in consideration to avoid the risk of tumorigenesis. Moreover, greater therapeutic effects would be expected through the use of earlier progenitor cells in consideration of post-transplantation viability, proper network formation ability, and such. According to the present invention, Lrp4, a gene that is specifically expressed in dopaminergic neuron proliferative progenitor cells prior to cell cycle exit, was identified. The use of Lrp4 expression in cells as an index allows for the isolation. of cells suitable for transplantation therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease in terms of safety, survival rate, and network formation ability.

Abstract: A novel gene 65B13 expressed specifically and transiently in dopaminergic neuron precursor cells immediately after cell cycle exit was obtained by the present invention. The cellular expression of 65B13 can be used as an index to select cells that are suitable in terms of their safety, survival rate, and network formation ability, for transplant therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.