Yuji Saito

We recently identified a novel human protein kinase, p160 ROCK, as a putative downstream target of the small GTPase Rho. Using the human ROCK cDNA as a probe, we isolated cDNA of two distinct, highly related sequences from mouse libraries. One encoded a mouse counterpart of human ROCK (ROCK-I), and the other encoded a novel ROCK-related kinase (ROCK-II). Like ROCK/ROCK-I, ROCK-II also bound to GTP-Rho selectively. ROCK-I mRNA was ubiquitously expressed except in the brain and muscle, whereas ROCK-II mRNA was expressed abundantly in the brain, muscle, heart, lung and placenta. These results suggest that at least two ROCK isoforms are present in a single species and play distinct roles in Rho-mediated signalling pathways.

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Thin-film solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) structures containing electrolyte membranes thick were fabricated with the help of sputtering, lithography, and etching. The submicrometer SOFCs were made of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or YSZ/gadolinium-doped ceria composites electrolyte and porous Pt as cathode and anode. The peak power densities were 200 and at 350 and , respectively. The high power densities achieved are not only due to the reduction of electrolyte thickness but also to the high charge-transfer reaction rates at the interfaces between the nanoporous electrodes (cathode and/or anode) and the nanocrystalline thin electrolyte.