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Biomedical subjects

A Ichikawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Ichikawa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

A randomized study comparing VMCP and MMPP in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: To compare VMCP, a multidrug combination chemotherapy comprising vincristine (VCR), melphalan (MPH), cyclophosphamide (CPM) and prednisolone (PSL), with MMPP comprising MPH, ranimustine (MCNU), procarbazine, and PSL as induction, to elucidate the value of alternating combination chemotherapy, and to search for an appropriate maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma. METHODS: At 16 institutions in the Nagoya City area, we carried out a randomized trial of VMCP versus MMPP as the initial treatment. Patients who were refractory or resistant to the initial therapy were crossed over into the other arm (crossover trial). For patients who achieved a partial response (PR) or a minor response (MR) and in whom the paraprotein level ceased to decrease, the maintenance therapy was randomized either to an MPH/PSL combination (MP) or to alternating combination therapy (AT) with VMCP and MMPP. RESULTS: In the 94 evaluable patients of the 111 enrolled, the response rate (PR rate) was 27.7% (13/47) in the VMCP arm and 44.7% (21/47) in the MMPP arm (P = 0.0859). The crossover trial resulted in a PR rate of 15.8% (3/19) for the VMCP-->MMPP crossover and 14.3% (2/14) for the MMPP-->VMCP crossover. The median survival time was 23.4 months for those initially begun in the VMCP arm and 24.9 months for those in the MMPP arm, showing a tendency for better survival during a follow-up of 2-6 years with MMPP treatment, but without statistical significance. The survival time of patients with progressive disease was significantly shorter than that of patients with PR, MR or no change (NC). However, there was no significant difference in the survival rate among those who achieved PR, MR, or NC. As to the maintenance therapy, there was no significant difference in survival between MP therapy and AT. Patients who reached a plateau phase survived significantly longer than those who did not. Except for six cases of grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity in the VMCP arm, there was no significant difference in the hematologic or gastrointestinal toxicity between the two arms. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that VMCP is less effective for myeloma than MMPP as the induction treatment, that alternating noncrossresistant chemotherapeutic combinations do not offer an advantage in multiple myeloma, and that patients who reach a plateau phase have a significantly longer survival time.

Adult↗

7,7-Difluoroprostacyclin derivative, AFP-07, a highly selective and potent agonist for the prostacyclin receptor.

Recently, we cloned cDNAs for the prostacyclin receptor (IP) and the four mouse PGE receptor subtypes, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4, and established Chinese hamster ovary cells that stably express each receptor. We examined the agonist potency and selectivity of AFP-07, a 7,7-difluoroprostacyclin derivative, compared with widely used stable prostacyclin analogue, iloprost, using the cells expressing each cloned receptor. AFP-07 strongly displaced the [3H] iloprost binding to the IP receptor-expressing cell membranes, the half maximal concentration for the displacement being 3 nM, which was one order lower than that of iloprost. AFP-07 concentration-dependently stimulated cAMP formation in the IP-expressing cells, the half-maximal concentration for the stimulation being 10 pM, which was one order lower than that of iloprost. On the other hand, AFP-07 showed lower affinity for EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 than PGE2, but iloprost had the same affinity as PGE2 for the EP1, These results demonstrate that AFP-07 is a potent and highly selective agonist for the IP receptor.

Animals↗

Distribution of prostaglandin E receptors in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

AIMS: In order to study the role of prostaglandin in the regulation of the gastrointestinal functions, gene expression of prostaglandin receptors along the rat gastrointestinal tracts were investigated. METHODS: Rats were used for the study. The combination of counterflow elutriation separation of mucosal cells and Northern blot analysis was used to detect the gene expression of prostaglandin receptors in gastrointestinal tracts. RESULTS: In small intestine and colon, prostaglandin E2 EP1 and EP3 receptor mRNAs were mainly localized in the deeper intestinal wall containing muscle layers. EP4 receptor gene expression, on the other hand, was detected in the intestinal mucosal layer. In the stomach, EP1 mRNA was detected in gastric muscle layers, whereas EP3 and EP4 receptor gene expression was mainly present in the gastric mucosal layer containing epithelial cells. In gastric epithelial cells, parietal cells were found to have both EP3 and EP4 receptors. At lower concentrations, prostaglandin E2 inhibited gastric acid secretion by parietal cells probably through EP4 receptors. At higher concentrations, however, it stimulated it. On the other hand, mucous cells possessed only EP4 receptor mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, it is suggested that prostaglandin E2 modulates gastrointestinal functions through at least three different prostaglandin receptors (EP1, EP3, and EP4), each of which has a distinct contribution in the gastrointestinal tract.

Aminopyrine↗

Characterization of functional interaction of carboxylic acid group of agonists and arginine of the seventh transmembrane domains of four prostaglandin E receptor subtypes.

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 binds to four PGE receptor subtypes, EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4, and induces a variety of functions through the interaction of carboxylic acid of PGE2 and Arg residue in the seventh transmembrane domain of the receptor. To assess the role of the interaction of the carboxylic acid group of agonists and the Arg residue, which can form both ionic bonding and hydrogen bonding as a hydrogen donor, we examined the agonist activities of three types of agonist, PGE2 with a negatively charged carboxylic acid, PGE2 methylester, which is a hydrogen acceptor, and 1-OH PGE2, which can accept as well as donate hydrogen but prefers to donate hydrogen rather than accept it, for four PGE receptor subtypes. Although PGE2 methylester had slightly lower agonist activities than PGE2 for EP1 and EP4 receptors, PGE2 and its methylester showed the same agonist activities for EP2 and EP3 receptors, indicating that PGE2 methylester is a potent agonist for all of the four subtypes. In contrast, 1-OH PGE2 was a very weak agonist for all receptors. These findings demonstrate that the hydrogen bonding interaction of agonists and the Arg residue is generally sufficient for the functional activation of all of the PGE receptor subtypes.

Animals↗

Preventive effect of iganidipine on renal and cerebral injuries in salt-induced hypertension.

Iganidipine, a new water-soluble calcium antagonist, was administered at a nonhypotensive dose (NHD) of 0.3 mg/kg/day, a moderate-hypotensive dose (MHD) of 1.0 mg/kg/day, and a sustained-hypotensive dose (SHD) of 3.0 mg/kg/day to Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-S) rats fed a high-salt diet for 8 weeks. The effects on survival, and on renal and cerebral injuries, were then examined. Iganidipine completely prevented hypertensive death at the SHD and tended to increase the survival at the NHD and MHD. Iganidipine reduced glomerulosclerosis and renal arterial and tubular injuries in a dose-dependent manner. Iganidipine at the SHD, but not NHD or MHD, improved plasma creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, and glomerular filtration rate. Iganidipine at all doses examined increased the urinary prostaglandin (PG) I2 and PGE2, but not PGF2alpha or thromboxane B2, and decreased plasma angiotensin II (AII) level and renin activity. The renal glomerular, tubular, and arterial injuries were significantly correlated with blood pressure (r = 0.56 to 0.80) and plasma AII level (r = 0.50 to 0.71) but not with urinary prostanoids. Iganidipine also reduced the incidence of cerebral infarction. The infarction area was slightly and significantly correlated with urinary PGI2 (r = 0.42) and PGE2 (r = 0.41) but not with blood pressure or plasma AII. In conclusion, iganidipine prevented renal and cerebral injuries in Dahl-S rats. In addition to the reduced blood pressure, the reduction of plasma AII and the increase of vasodilatory prostanoids may also partially contribute to the renal and cerebral protective effects of iganidipine.

Animals↗

Characterization of the mouse prostaglandin F receptor gene: a transgenic mouse study of a regulatory region that controls its expression in the stomach and kidney but not in the ovary.

BACKGROUND: The actions of prostaglandin F2alpha are mediated by a cell-surface receptor (FP), but little is known about the regulation of FP gene expression. To clarify the mechanisms underlying tissue specific transcription of the mouse FP gene, we isolated and characterized mouse genomic DNA clones encoding FP. RESULTS: Structural analysis revealed that the mouse FP gene is composed of three exons and two introns, and spans more than 11 kilobases. By primer extension and PCR analyses, the major transcription start site was identified as a cytosine nucleotide, but additional sites of transcription initiation were found in the ovary. There was no apparent difference in the FP gene transcription initiation site between the ovary, kidney and stomach. Sequence analysis of the putative promoter region showed only two potential SP-1 binding sites, but no other typical well-known consensus sequences. We generated transgenic mice with the potential promoter region of the FP gene connected to the lacZ reporter gene. Northern blot analysis showed that the pattern of expression of the transgene corresponded to that of FP expression, except in the ovary. Upon analysis by in situ hybridization, the lacZ gene transcripts were found to be expressed in the fundic glands in the stomach, and the cortical tubules in the kidney, in which endogenous FP transcripts were also expressed. On the contrary, expression of lacZ transcripts was not detected in the corpora lutea, where the highest expression of FP mRNA was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that a separate control mechanism exists for FP expression in the ovary, distinct from the expression in the stomach and kidney.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of multiple regulatory elements of human L-histidine decarboxylase gene.

Previously, we reported the structure of human L-histidine decarboxylase gene. To identify the regions that regulate the tissue-specific expression of HDC, we constructed a fusion DNA with the 5'-flanking region from -1003 to +99 of the HDC gene and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, which was then transfected into human basophilic leukemia KU-812-F cells or human epithelial carcinoma HeLa cells. The 1102 bp DNA fragment stimulated the CAT activity in KU-812-F cells, but not in HeLa cells. CAT analysis with a series of 5'-deletion constructs of the HDC-CAT gene revealed the existence of two positive and one negative regulatory elements at -855 to -841 and -532 to -497 and -829 to -821, respectively. Sequence analysis showed a nuclear factor c-Myb binding motif, TAACTG, at position -520. Gel mobility shift analysis showed that the nuclear extract of KU-812-F cells, but not that of HeLa cells, contains a factor which can bind to this motif. These results suggest that the 5'-flanking region of the HDC gene contains multiple regulatory elements for HDC gene expression and that at least one element, including a c-Myb binding motif, is responsible for the tissue-specific expression of HDC.

Binding Sites↗

Potential sites of prostaglandin actions in the periimplantation mouse uterus: differential expression and regulation of prostaglandin receptor genes.

Prostaglandins (PGs), especially PGE2 and PGF2alpha, are considered important for blastocyst spacing, implantation, and decidualization in the rodent uterus. However, information regarding uterine sites of PG actions in these processes is lacking. PGE2 or PGF2alpha interacts with specific G protein-coupled membrane receptors. PGE2 receptors are classified into four subtypes, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4. While EP1 is coupled to Ca2+ mobilization, activation of EP2 and EP4 triggers stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. In contrast, activation of EP3 inhibits adenylyl cyclase. PGF2alpha receptor (FP) is coupled to stimulation of phospholipase C-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) pathway and Ca2+ mobilization. This investigation demonstrates that PGE2 and PGF2alpha receptor genes are expressed in a temporal and cell-specific manner in the periimplantation mouse uterus. In the mouse, the attachment reaction occurs in the evening (2200-2300 h) of Day 4 of pregnancy and is preceded by embryo spacing, uterine edema, and luminal closure resulting in an intimate apposition of the blastocyst with the uterine luminal epithelium. Expression of EP3 and FP primarily in the circular muscle of the myometrium on Days 3-5 of pregnancy suggests that the circular muscle, not the longitudinal muscle, is the primary target for PG-mediated uterine contractions required for embryo transport, spacing, and/or accommodation in the uterus. In contrast, expression of EP3 in a subpopulation of cells in the stromal bed at the mesometrial side, and of EP4 in the epithelium and stroma on these days, suggests that PGE2 effects on uterine preparation for implantation (such as epithelial cell differentiation, stromal cell proliferation, uterine edema, luminal closure, and increased localized endometrial vascular permeability at the sites of blastocyst attachment) are mediated by these receptor subtypes. Similar expression patterns of EP3 and EP4 in the Day 4 pseudopregnant mouse uterus or in the ovariectomized uterus under combined treatment with estrogen and progesterone suggest that these genes are regulated by ovarian steroids rather than by the embryo during the preimplantation period (Days 1-4). In contrast, the expression of these genes during the postimplantation period (Days 5-8) is associated with the onset of decidualization.

Animals↗

Cellular localization of mRNAs for prostaglandin E receptor subtypes in mouse gastrointestinal tract.

Regional and cellular distribution of mRNAs for prostaglandin E (PGE) receptor subtypes was investigated in the mouse gastrointestinal tract by in situ hybridization. Strong signals for EP1 transcripts were detected in cells of the muscularis mucosae layer, especially in the body of the stomach. Intense signals for EP3 transcripts were detected in neurons of the myenteric ganglia throughout the tract. Moderate EP3 mRNA expression was also observed in fundic gland epithelial cells, except for surface mucous cells in the stomach. Expression of EP4 mRNA was moderate in surface epithelial cells of the corpus and in glands from the surface to the base of the antrum. Strong EP4 signals were observed in the epithelium in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In the ileum, signals were only observed in the upper part of the villi. However, no or weak signals for EP2 transcripts were detected. These findings suggest that PGE2 modulates various gastric or intestinal functions via at least three different PGE receptors.

Animals↗

'Distinct cellular localization' of the messenger ribonucleic acid for prostaglandin E receptor subtypes in the mouse uterus during pseudopregnancy.

As an initial step to clarify the mechanisms of various uterine actions of PGE2, expression patterns of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for four subtypes of PGE receptors, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4, were investigated in the mouse uterus during pseudopregnancy. Relative expression levels were investigated by Northern blot analysis of mRNA levels in uteri obtained on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 of pseudopregnancy (day 0 = 48 h after PMSG injection), and cellular localization was determined by in situ hybridization in uteri obtained on days 0 and 5. EP2 mRNA was specifically expressed on day 5, and its expression was confined to the luminal epithelium. On the other hand, the level of the EP3 mRNA expression progressively increased until day 5. Cell populations expressing the EP3 mRNA were confined to the longitudinal smooth muscle on day 0, but they changed to the circular smooth muscle on day 5. The expression level of EP4 mRNA was low on days 0 and 1, but it became high on days 3 and 5. On day 0, EP4 mRNA was localized to the luminal epithelium. On day 5, diffuse, but significant, EP4 expression was observed over the endometrial stroma and epithelium. No EP1 mRNA signals were observed. Transient expression of EP2 on day 5 of pseudopregnancy in the luminal epithelium suggests its involvement in blastocyst implantation signaling. EP4 in the endometrial stroma is suggested to be involved in decidual transformation of the stromal cells, whereas EP3 in the myometrium is believed to be involved in regulation of myometrial activity.

Animals↗

Immunosuppressant HR-325 attenuates progression of malignant arteritis in the kidney of Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

We investigated the effects of the immunosuppressant HR-325 on arterial lesions in Dahl rats with salt-induced hypertension. Forty-eight 6-wk-old Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were divided into 1) a low-salt (0.3% NaCl) group, 2) a high-salt (4% NaCl) group, 3) a high-salt and low-dose (1 mg/kg) HR-325 group, and 4) a high-salt and high-dose (30 mg/kg) HR-325 group. The rats were treated for 8 wk. Various variables of renal function and morphological alterations in the kidney were assessed. Blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. HR-325 significantly decreased systolic blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner throughout the study. HR-325 tended to decrease plasma creatinine level and increase creatinine clearance rate. Morphological studies revealed that HR-325 treatment strikingly resolved infiltration of immune-related cells in perivascular and intraluminal lesions, thereby decreasing the total arterial injury score by 32%. High-dose HR-325 also attenuated glomerulosclerosis and tubular injury by 35% and 34%, respectively, as compared with untreated high-salt Dahl S rats. Reduced levels of immune-related cells resulted in a decrease in urinary nitrite excretion. These data indicate that long-term treatment with the immunosuppressant HR-325 decreases systolic blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats, and that this decrease is associated particularly with resolution of infiltration of immune-related cells in arterial lesions. Hyperimmune state is responsible in part for the susceptibility of Dahl S rats to hypertensive organ damage.

Aniline Compounds↗

Association of expression of mRNA encoding the PGF2 alpha receptor with luteal cell apoptosis in ovaries of pseudopregnant mice.

The relationship between the expression of mRNA encoding the prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) receptor and luteal cell apoptosis as determined by oligonucleosome formation was determined in mouse corpora lutea on days 2 (early phase), 6 (mid-phase), and 11 and 13 (late phase) of pseudopregnancy. No signals for mRNA encoding the PGF2 alpha receptor were detected in the ovary as shown by RNA blot analysis of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG)-treated mice. The expression of the mRNA that could be detected in the corpora lutea on day 2 after hCG treatment was low, but it was increased on day 6 and reached a plateau on days 11 and 13. On days 11 and 13, in situ hybridization signals for mRNA encoding the PGF2 alpha receptor were localized to large luteal cells of the corpora lutea, especially the cells in the superficial layer. However, ethidium bromide staining revealed marked oligonucleosome formation in the corpora lutea on days 11 and 13. Similarly, positive signals of in situ nick-DNA-end labelling were also detected in the corpora lutea on days 11 and 13. Analysis of the adjacent sections of the corpora lutea on day 13 showed that both signals for DNA strand breaks and mRNA encoding the PGF2 alpha receptor were co-expressed in the corpus luteum. These results suggest that apoptosis during structural luteolysis closely associates with the increased expression of mRNA encoding the PGF2 alpha receptor in luteal cells of pseudopregnant mice.

Animals↗

Lipid metabolism and renal protection by chronic cicletanine treatment in Dahl salt-sensitive rats with salt-induced hypertension.

We investigated the role of lipid metabolism in renal protection by chronic cicletanine treatment in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats with salt-induced hypertension. Forty-four 6-week old Dahl S rats were divided into four groups: (1) low-salt (0.3% NaCl) control group: (2) high-salt (4% NaCl) control group; (3) low-dose (10 mg/kg/day) cicletanine (CICL)-treated group given a high-salt diet; and (4) high-dose (30 mg/kg/day) cicletanine-treated group given a high-salt diet. The rats were treated for 6 weeks; blood pressure was measured by the tail-cuff method. Cicletanine significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (223 mmHg in the high-salt controls vs 195 mmHg in the high-dose, high-salt group, p < 0.01). Cicletanine treatment did not affect plasma concentration of total cholesterol or triglyceride or free fatty acid; in contrast, it significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Morphological examination demonstrated that glomerulosclerosis in the kidney was significantly improved by 15% with high-dose cicletanine (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that glomerular sclerosis was determined independently by LDL cholesterol levels and arterial injury score, but not by total cholesterol or HDL cholesterol levels or blood pressures. LDL cholesterol was also an independent predictor of urinary excretion of protein. Thus, it is suggested that cicletanine treatment lowers the levels of LDL cholesterol in Dahl salt-sensitive rats, and that besides blood pressure reduction, this decrease in LDL cholesterol level contributes, in part, to regression of glomerular injury in salt-induced hypertension.

Animals↗

[Evaluation of the graft flow reserve after coronary artery bypass grafting by stress 201T1 myocardial SPECT: comparison between arterial grafts and venous grafts].

We performed stress 201T1 myocardial SPECT to evaluate ischemia and perfusion reserve after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of 103 patients was performed stress 201T1 myocardial SPECT one month after CABG. Each patient's myocardium was divided into 9 segments and visually evaluated using five grade scoring system (0 = defect, 1 = severe decrease, 2 = moderate decrease, 3 = mild decrease, 4 = normal uptake). Eleven of 133 (8.27%) segments covered by patent venous grafts showed reversible 201T1 defect, however, 36 of 117 (30.8%) segments which covered by patent arterial grafts showed reversible 201T1 defect. This finding was observed more significantly in arterial grafts than in venous grafts (p < 0.001). These finding suggests that arterial grafts have lower flow capacity than venous grafts at peak exercise.

Aged↗

Cytokeratin 8 and 19 as antigens recognized by adenocarcinoma-reactive human monoclonal antibody AE6F4.

The human monoclonal antibody (MAb) AE6F4 is secreted by a human-human hybridoma line established from the in vitro immunization of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes with the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, A549. This MAb is strongly reactive to lung cancer tissues. In the previous study, the antigens recognized by the MAb AE6F4 were purified from A549 cells and identified as 14-3-3 protein and 31 kDa cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). The MAb AE6F4 also binds two kinds of antigens (53 kDa and 40 kDa), which are not related to 14-3-3 protein or 31 kDa cPLA2, in the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7. We purified a 38 kDa antigen, which is a degradation product of 53 kDa antigen from breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells using ion-exchange and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. Two partial amino acid sequences of the purified 38 kDa antigen showed 95-100% homology to human cytokeratin 8 (CK8). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis of intermediate filament fraction separated from MCF-7 cells demonstrated that the 53 kDa and 40 kDa antigens were CK8 and CK19, respectively. Antigenic determinants on CK8 and CK19 recognized by the MAb AE6F4 were resistant to sodium periodate treatment, although antigenic determinant on 31 kDa antigen (14-3-3 protein and(or) cPLA2) was sensitive to this treatment. These results suggest that the MAb AE6F4 reacts with both carbohydrate and peptide antigenic determinants.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prostaglandin E receptor EP3 subtype induces neurite retraction via small GTPase Rho.

Prostaglandin E receptor EP3 subtype is widely distributed in the nervous system and is specifically localized to neurons, suggesting that the EP3 receptor plays important roles in the nervous system. We established a PC12 cell line that stably expresses the EP3B receptor isoform isolated from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and examined the effect of agonist stimulation on the neuronal morphology of the PC12 cells. In the differentiated cells, M&B28767, an EP3 agonist, caused neurite retraction in a pertussis toxin-insensitive manner. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) also induced neurite retraction. However, when protein kinase C was down-regulated by long term exposure to TPA, TPA failed to induce neurite retraction, while the EP3B receptor-mediated retraction occurred normally. Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme completely inhibited both EP3 agonist- and TPA-induced neurite retraction when microinjected into the cells, indicating that the morphological effect of the EP3B receptor is dependent on Rho activity. Thus, the activation of the EP3B receptor induced neurite retraction through a protein kinase C-independent Rho-activation pathway.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Histidine decarboxylase expression in mouse mast cell line P815 is induced by mouse peritoneal cavity incubation.

Phenotype of P815 mouse mast cells changes markedly during culture in the peritoneal cavity of syngenic BDF1 mice. The cells, cultured for 1 week in the peritoneal cavity of syngenic BDF1 mice, proliferate and express high levels of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and mouse mast cell protease (MMCP)-6 mRNAs, indicating the ability of P815 cells to differentiate toward mature connective tissue mast cells. Peritoneal fluid aspirated from P815-inoculated BDF1 mouse and added to cultured P815 cells in vitro was also found to induce HDC mRNA expression, suggesting that at least some of the humoral factors in the peritoneal fluid induce HDC mRNA transcription. Among the erythroid transcription factors, P815 cells expressed GATA-2 but not GATA-1 mRNA before and after the intraperitoneal incubation. In contrast, the expression of NF-E2 subunit p45 disappeared, while expression of subunit mafK was markedly reduced after incubation. Cotransfection assays using HDC-luciferase reporter and p45 and/or mafK expression constructs showed that NF-E2 affects the transactivation of HDC gene. These results suggest that NF-E2 is also an important transcription factor in mast cell differentiation.

Animals↗

Regulation of BiP gene expression by cyclopentenone prostaglandins through unfolded protein response element.

Delta12-Prostaglandin (PG) J2, a cyclopentenone prostaglandin, plays a role in various stress responses. BiP, a stress-inducible chaperone protein, is implicated in protein folding and translocation in endoplasmic reticulum and induced in the condition of accumulation of unfolded proteins. Here, we examined the effect of Delta12-PGJ2 on the expression of the BiP gene. Delta12-PGJ2 markedly stimulated the expression of the BiP gene in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in HeLa cells. This stimulation was specific for cyclopentenone PGs among various PGs. Cycloheximide pretreatment completely inhibited the Delta12-PGJ2-induced expression of the BiP gene, suggesting that the effects on nascent protein synthesis are involved in the signaling mechanism. Delta12-PGJ2 markedly stimulated the promoter activity of the 5'-flanking region of the BiP gene through the unfolded protein response element. Furthermore, Delta12-PGJ2 stimulated the enhancer activity of the 3'-half of the unfolded protein response element, and this stimulation required three nucleotides within this region. Gel mobility shift assay demonstrated that this region was occupied with two specific nuclear protein factors with different mobilities in the control cells, and Delta12-PGJ2 induced the dissociation of the protein-DNA complex with lower mobility. These findings indicate that Delta12-PGJ2 stimulates the expression of BiP gene through the 3'-half of the unfolded protein response element.

Base Sequence↗