Abstract: The present invention provides a method for replicating efficiently an RNA containing fulllength HCV genomic sequence and a method for producing HCV virus particles containing fulllength HCV replicon RNA or fulllength HCV genomic RNA by using a cell culture system. Further, the present invention relates to a method for producing hepatitis C virus particles which comprises culturing a cell, into which a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising a fulllength genomic RNA sequence of hepatitis C virus of the genotype 2a, at least one selectable marker gene and/or at least one reporter gene and at least one IRES sequence or the fulllength genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of the genotype 2a is introduced, and generating virus particles in the culture medium. Still further the present invention relates also to a hepatitis C vaccine and an antibody against hepatitis C virus particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, comprising nucleotide sequences of genomic RNA portions of two or more types of hepatitis C viruses, which comprises a 5? untranslated region, a core protein coding sequence, an E1 protein coding sequence, a p7 protein coding sequence, an E2 protein coding sequence, an NS2 protein coding sequence, an NS3 protein coding sequence, an NS4A protein coding sequence, an NS4B protein coding sequence, an NS5A protein coding sequence, an NS5B protein coding sequence, and a 3? untranslated region, and which can be autonomously replicated. In particular, the present invention relates to modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, which can be autonomously replicated by substitution of the RNA sequence portion encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of hepatitis C virus genomic RNA with a partial RNA sequence encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of a JFH1 strain shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Disclosed is an influenza virus infection inhibitor. Specifically disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that is composed of an inhibitor such as an antibody which recognizes a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of RERRRKKR (SEQ ID NO: 1) and inhibits the action of introducing an RR sequence into a cell. The influenza virus infection inhibitor is produced so as to contain the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. The present invention provides a recombinant vector which comprises DNA encoding amyloid ? and DNA encoding a Th2 cytokine, as well as a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease which comprises this vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, comprising nucleotide sequences of genomic RNA portions of two or more types of hepatitis C viruses, which comprises a 5? untranslated region, a core protein coding sequence, an E1 protein coding sequence, a p7 protein coding sequence, an E2 protein coding sequence, an NS2 protein coding sequence, an NS3 protein coding sequence, an NS4A protein coding sequence, an NS4B protein coding sequence, an NS5A protein coding sequence, an NS5B protein coding sequence, and a 3? untranslated region, and which can be autonomously replicated. In particular, the present invention relates to modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, which can be autonomously replicated by substitution of the RNA sequence portion encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of hepatitis C virus genomic RNA with a partial RNA sequence encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of a JFH1 strain shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: An objective of this invention is to provide an HCV strain with a high capacity for virus production in a cell culture system. This invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a polyprotein precursor of the hepatitis C virus JFH1 strain having one or more amino acid substitutions, wherein the polyprotein precursor comprises at least substitution of glutamine at position 862 with arginine, as determined with reference to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 in the Sequence Listing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence at least containing the 5? untranslated region, the nucleotide sequence encoding NS3 protein, NS4A protein, NS4B protein, NS5A protein and NS5B protein, and the 3? untranslated region on the genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of genotype 2a.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a biomarker for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of allergen immunotherapy.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding the amino acid shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 5, or encoding an amino acid sequence having not less than 98% identity thereto; preferably a polynucleotide comprising replacement of the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 1202 of SEQ ID NO:2 (position 177 of SEQ ID NO:5) with glycine, replacement of the amino acid corresponding to glutamic acid at position 1056 (position 31 of SEQ ID NO:5) with valine, and replacement of the amino acid corresponding to alanine at position 2199 (position 1174 of SEQ ID NO:5) with threonine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a recombinant hepatitis C virus-like particle comprising the steps of introducing into (i) a cell in which an RNA replicon comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising the 5? untranslated region, the nucleotide sequence coding for the NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B proteins, and the 3? untranslated region of a genome RNA derived from a hepatitis C virus strain autonomously replicates, (ii) a vector expressing the Core, E1, E2, and p7 proteins derived from a hepatitis C virus strain that is the same as or different from that as defined in the above (i), culturing the cell, and recovering the produced virus-like particle, and a recombinant hepatitis C virus particle produced by this method.

Abstract: An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method with which it is possible to easily distinguish a proliferation phase of a cell cycle from a resting phase thereof in real time. The object of the embodiment of the present invention is attained by providing a method for performing phase identification of the cell cycle, the method including: visualizing one or more gene-expression products as markers whose amounts in a cell change in a cell-cycle dependent manner; and detecting the products so as to distinguish the proliferation phase of the cell cycle from the resting phase thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical agent for preventing cell death. The occurrence of cell death can be prevented by inhibiting the function of Int6 protein in an affected area. Then, a pharmaceutical agent comprising a substance capable of inhibiting the function of Int6 protein is prepared. The pharmaceutical agent can be used for preventing cell death.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing infectious hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles, comprising a step of introducing an expression vector into a cell that allows HCV proliferation, such expression vector comprising: DNA sequences encoding the 5? untranslated region, structural proteins, and, if necessary, non-structural proteins of HCV and DNA sequences encoding non-structural proteins and the 3? untranslated region derived from the HCV JFH1 strain, which are located downstream of a polymerase I promoter; and a DNA fragment containing an RNA polymerase I terminator, which is located further downstream thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing schizophrenia, and a schizophrenia diagnostic reagent or device for use in the method. The present invention further provides a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia, which is effective for the treatment or amelioration of schizophrenia. The therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia contains a carbonyl scavenger or a carbonyl-modified protein formation inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for diagnosing schizophrenia according to the present invention includes measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of: (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene; (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample; (3) the amount of a carbonyl compound or a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl compound; and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fetal movement monitoring system and a fetal movement information collecting device which are simply usable at home to collect and analyze correctly detail information about fetal movements over a long time.

Abstract: The present inventors focused on siE sequences that have been thought to show RNAi activity against HCV viral RNAs, and mainly selected the D5-50 and D5-197 regions present within the IRES region, and carried on the analysis. As a result, the present inventors successfully identified siRNA sequences that exhibit a more effective RNAi activity against hepatitis C virus RNAs. Furthermore, the siRNAs were demonstrated to have a significant inhibitory effect on HCV propagation in an in vivo system.

Abstract: A hepatitis type C animal model into which cDNA derived from hepatitis C virus has been introduced. This animal model is useful for clarification of an onset mechanism of hepatitis C and as well as for development of means for treating the disease.

Abstract: Transgenic mice are described which serve as a model for Hepatitis C infection. The transgenic mice contain, in their germline and somatic cells, the Hepatitis C viral fragment CN2, N24 or CR under the control of a Cre-loxP switch-expression system. Administration of Cre to the mice results in a phenotype of increased serum GTP levels, emergence of acidophilic bodies in the liver, exfoliation of hepatic cells, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Kupffer's cells, and conglomeration of lymphocytes.

Abstract: Transgenic mice which constitutively express an antibody-type molecule encoded by the transgene and which has an IgE heavy chain constant region and is specific for a pre-defined antigen, provide an allergic reaction to that antigen without prior sensitization and are useful as allergy models.

Abstract: This invention concerns a monoclonal antibody having binding specificity for an antigenic determinant site on core structural protein from Non-A,Non-B hepatitis virus (NANBV); a hybridoma cell line capable of producing the monoclonal antibody; a process for the preparation of the monoclonal antibody; an immunoassay of NANBV-related antigens by use of the monoclonal antibody; and a test kit for use in the immunoassay. The preferred monoclonal antibody is 5E3, 5F11, 515S or 1080S. The monoclonal antibody can specifically recognize the NANBV core structural protein in sera from patients with Non-A,Non-B hepatitis thereby being served extensively as an antibody in various immunological reagents for definitive diagnosis of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis.