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Biomedical subjects

A Kikuchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Kikuchi.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and cytochrome c oxidase deficiency: muscle culture study.

The populations of cytochrome c oxidase (CCO)-positive and -negative mitochondria were analyzed in the elongated cells containing occasional multiple nuclei (myotubes) in primary muscle cultures derived from patients with various forms of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies with CCO deficiency. Even in control muscle cultures, CCO-positive (79.7%) and -negative (20.3%) mitochondria were distributed randomly, showing intracellular mosaicism. All mitochondria in all muscle cultures from two patients with clinical characteristics of Leigh's disease exhibited faint to negative CCO activity. In these patients no enzyme activity could be detected in any tissue including intrafusal fibers and fibroblasts in muscle biopsies. In patients with the fatal infantile and the encephalomyopathic forms of CCO deficiency, and myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers, two different types of myotubes containing mostly CCO-positive mitochondria and only negative mitochondria, respectively, representing intercellular mosaicism, were demonstrated. The intercellular mosaicism in biopsied and cultured muscles in the case of CCO deficiency supports the contention that both CCO-positive and -negative mitochondria coexist in the early myogenic cell and are later randomly segregated during cell division (mitotic segregation), forming two different cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Transforming and c-fos promoter/enhancer-stimulating activities of a GDP/GTP exchange protein for small GTP-binding proteins.

There is a superfamily of ras p21/ras p21-like small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). Small G proteins have GDP-bound inactive and GTP-bound active forms which are interconvertible by GDP/GTP exchange and GTPase reactions. The former and latter reactions are regulated by GDP/GTP exchange proteins (GEPs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), respectively. We have isolated two types of GEP: one is a stimulatory type called GDP dissociation stimulator (GDS) and the other is an inhibitory type called GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI). Among the GEPs thus far isolated, only smg GDS is active on Ki-ras p21. This GEP is also active on smg p21 and rho p21, but is inactive on Ha-ras p21. For the action of smg GDS, the post-translational processing of the C-terminal region of its substrate small G proteins is essential. Point-mutated Ki-ras p21 strongly transforms NIH/3T3 cells and markedly stimulates the c-fos promoter/enhancer in this cell line, whereas normal Ki-ras p21 is almost inactive in these activities. smg GDS induces the Ki-ras p21 activation which eventually leads to the transformation of NIH/3T3 cells and to the stimulation of the c-fos promoter/enhancer in this cell line. Thus, smg GDS plays an important role in regulating the activity of Ki-ras p21 as well as of other small G proteins.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of binding of rhoB p20 to membranes by its specific regulatory protein, GDP dissociation inhibitor.

We have previously purified from bovine brain cytosol a novel regulatory protein for the GTP-binding proteins of the rho gene family. This regulatory protein, designated as rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), makes a complex stoichiometrically with the GDP-bound form of the rho gene products and thereby regulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction by inhibiting the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to them. We show here that rho GDI also regulates the binding of rhoB p20, a member of the rho gene products, to various membranes including rat brain synaptic plasma membranes and human erythrocyte ghosts. Both the GDP- and GTP-bound forms of rhoB p20 bound to the membranes. This binding was not inhibited by prior treatment of the membranes with boiling or tryptic digestion, suggesting that a protein molecule of the membranes is not essential for the binding of rhoB p20 to the membranes. rho GDI inhibited the binding of the GDP-bound form of rhoB p20, but not that of the GTP-bound form, to the membranes. Moreover, rho GDI induced the dissociation of the GDP-bound form, but not that of the GTP-bound form, of rhoB p20 exogenously bound to the membranes from them. These results suggest that the rho gene products bind to the membranes, presumably in a reversible manner and that this binding is regulated by their specific GDI.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Post-translational modifications of the C-terminal region of the rho protein are important for its interaction with membranes and the stimulatory and inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange proteins.

We have recently found, by use of the rhoA p21 purified from bovine aortic smooth muscle, that it is similarly post-translationally processed as described for ras p21s: it is first geranylgeranylated at the cysteine residue in the C-terminal region followed by removal of the three C-terminal amino acids and the subsequent carboxyl methylation of the revealed C-terminal cysteine residue. In the present study, we investigated the function(s) of these post-translational modifications of the C-terminal region of rhoA p21 by use of the rhoA p21s purified from bovine aortic smooth muscle and rhoA p21-overexpressing Escherichia coli since the bacterial protein was not modified with a geranylgeranyl moiety. Bovine rhoA p21 bound to plasma membranes and phosphatidylserine-linked Affigel, but bacterial rhoA p21 did not bind to them. The inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein for rhoA p21, named GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), made a complex with the GDP-bound form of bovine rhoA p21 and thereby inhibited the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to it. However, rho GDI neither made a complex with the GDP-bound form of bacterial rhoA p21 nor affected these reactions of the bacterial protein. The stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein for rhoA p21, named GDP dissociation stimulator (GDS), stimulated the dissociation of GDP from bovine rhoA p21, but was inactive for the bacterial protein. In contrast, the GTPase activating protein for rhoA p21 is active not only for bovine rhoA p21 but also for the bacterial protein. These results suggest that the post-translational modifications of the C-terminal region of bovine rhoA p21, most presumably the geranylgeranylation, which are absent in bacterial rhoA p21, play important roles in its interaction with membranes and the stimulatory and inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange proteins but not with the GAP.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Regulation of reversible binding of smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein, to synaptic plasma membranes and vesicles by its specific regulatory protein, GDP dissociation inhibitor.

We have previously purified from bovine brain cytosol a novel regulatory protein for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein. This protein, named smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), regulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of smg p25A by inhibiting the dissociation of GDP from and thereby the subsequent binding of GTP to it. We have also previously found that smg p25A is mainly localized in presynaptic plasma membranes and vesicles and moderately in presynaptic cytosol in rat brain synapses. In this paper, we have studied the possible involvement of smg p25A GDI in the localization of smg p25A in the cytosol, plasma membranes, and vesicles in rat brain synapses. Both the GDP- and GTP-bound forms of smg p25A bound to the synaptic membranes and vesicles. smg p25A GDI inhibited the binding of the GDP-bound form of smg p25A, but not that of the GTP-bound form, to the synaptic membranes and vesicles. Moreover, smg p25A GDI induced the dissociation of the GDP-bound form, but not that of the GTP-bound form, of both endogenous and exogenous smg p25As from the synaptic membranes and vesicles. smg p25A GDI made a complex with the GDP-bound form of smg p25A with a molar ratio of 1:1, but not with the GTP-bound or guanine nucleotide-free form. These results suggest that smg p25A reversibly binds to synaptic plasma membranes and vesicles and that this reversible binding is regulated by its specific GDI.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Localization and subcellular distribution of smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein, in rat brain.

We have made a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes smg p25A among many ras p21/ras p21-like GTP-binding proteins thus far purified from bovine brain membranes. By use of this antibody, we have investigated the localization and subcellular distribution of smg p25A in rat brain by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and by immunoblotting. By light microscopic immunocytochemistry, specific immunoreactivity is widely distributed, most abundant in neuropil, weak in neuronal somata, and absent from white matter. By electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, intense labeling is demonstrated on most of the synapses and concentrated in the presynaptic area where synaptic vesicles are observed. Presynaptic plasma membranes are weakly labeled but mitochondria, postsynaptic plasma membranes, and postsynaptic densities are unlabeled. In subcellular fractionation analysis of cerebrum, about one-fifth of smg p25A is found in the soluble cytosol fraction and the rest is found in the particulate fraction. About half of the particulate-bound smg p25A is recovered in the P2 fraction containing synaptosomes, mitochondria, and myelin, among which a major portion of smg p25A is recovered in the synaptosomal fraction. In the synaptosomal fraction, smg p25A is concentrated about 8-fold in the fraction containing synaptic vesicles and about 3-fold in the fraction containing synaptic plasma membranes compared with the original homogenate. smg p25A is present at a low level in the fraction containing synaptosomal soluble substances but almost absent from the fractions containing intrasynaptosomal mitochondria or post-synaptic densities. These results suggest that smg p25A plays important roles in the regulation of synaptic functions such as exo-endocytotic recycling of synaptic vesicles during neurotransmitter release.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Purification and characterization from bovine brain cytosol of a novel regulatory protein inhibiting the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to rhoB p20, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein.

A novel regulatory protein for the rho proteins (rhoA p21 and rhoB p20), belonging to a ras p21/ras p21-like small molecular weight (Mr) GTP-binding protein (G protein) superfamily, was purified to near homogeneity from bovine brain cytosol and characterized. This regulatory protein, designated here as GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) for the rho proteins (rho GDI), inhibited the dissociation of GDP from rhoB p20 and the binding of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) to the GDP-bound form of rhoB p20 but not of that to the guanine nucleotide-free form. The Mr value of rho GDI was estimated to be about 27,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and from the S value, indicating that rho GDI is composed of a single polypeptide without a subunit structure. The isoelectric point was about pH 5.7. rho GDI made a complex with the GDP-bound form of rhoB p20 with a molar ratio of 1:1 but not with the GTP gamma S-bound or guanine nucleotide-free form. rho GDI did not stimulate the GTPase activity of rhoB p20 and by itself showed neither GTP gamma S-binding nor GTPase activity. rho GDI was equally active for rhoA p21 and rhoB p20 but was inactive for other ras p21/ras p21-like G proteins including c-Ha-ras p21, smg p25A, and smg p21. rho GDI activity was detected in the cytosol fraction of various rat tissues. These results indicate that, in mammalian tissues, there is a novel type of regulatory protein specific for the rho proteins that interacts with the GDP-bound form of the rho proteins and thereby regulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of the rho proteins by inhibiting the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to them. Since there is a GTPase-activating protein for the rho proteins stimulating the GTPase activity of the rho proteins in mammalian tissues, the rho proteins appear to be regulated at least by GTPase-activating protein and GDI in a dual manner.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1990

A small GTP-binding protein (G protein) recognized by smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) in human platelet membranes and GDI for this small G protein in human platelet cytosol.

We have recently purified from bovine brain cytosol a novel type of regulatory protein for smg p25A, named smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), that regulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of smg p25A by inhibiting the dissociation of GDP from and thereby the subsequent binding of GTP to it. This smg p25A GDI is inactive for other ras p21/ras p21-like small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) including c-Ha-ras p21, smg p21, rhoA p21 and rhoB p20. In human platelet membranes, smg p25A was not detected but a G protein with an apparent Mr value of 24,000 (24KG) was recognized by smg p25A GDI and the dissociation of GDP from and the binding of GTP to 24KG were inhibited by smg p25A GDI. The doses of smg p25A GDI necessary for these activities for both 24KG and smg p25A were the same. This 24KG was not recognized by an anti-smg p25A monoclonal antibody. The GDI activity for human platelet 24KG and smg p25A was detected in human platelet cytosol. This human platelet GDI was recognized by an anti-smg p25A GDI polyclonal antibody. These results indicate that there is a 24KG-24KG GDI system similar to a smg p25A-smg p25A GDI system in human platelets.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Inhibition of the ras p21 GTPase-activating protein-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 by smg p21 having the same putative effector domain as ras p21s.

ras p21 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) has been proposed to interact with the putative effector domain of ras p21s, and smg p21, a ras p21-like guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), has been shown to have the same amino acid sequence as ras p21s in this region. In the present studies, we examined the effects of ras p21 GAP on the GTPase activity of smg p21 purified from human platelets, of smg p21 on the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 purified from Escherichia coli, and of c-Ha-ras p21 on the smg p21 GAP1- or -2-stimulated GTPase activity of smg p21. ras p21 GAP stimulated the GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 but not that of smg p21. The GTP-bound form of smg p21, however, inhibited the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21 in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximum inhibition by smg p21 was obtained at 0.4 microM which was more potent than previously observed for ras p21 (2-200 microM). The GDP-bound form also inhibited the ras p21 GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of c-Ha-ras p21, but the efficiency was 40-50% that of the GTP-bound form. smg p21 GAP1 and -2 stimulated the GTPase activity of smg p21 but not that of c-Ha-ras p21. c-Ha-ras p21 did not inhibit the smg p21 GAP1- or -2-stimulated GTPase activity of smg p21. These results indicate that ras p21 GAP interacts with smg p21 without the subsequent stimulation of its GTPase activity.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1990

Purification and characterization from bovine brain cytosol of a protein that inhibits the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein.

A novel regulatory protein for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein, was purified to near homogeneity from bovine brain cytosol. This regulatory protein, designated here as smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), inhibited the dissociation of GDP, but not of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTPgamma S), from smg p25A. smg p25A GDI also inhibited the binding of GTPgamma S to the GDP-bound form of smg p25A but not of that to the guanine nucleotide-free form. GDI did not stimulate the GTPase activity of smg p25A and by itself showed neither GTPgammaS-binding nor GTPase activity. GDI was inactive for other ras p21/ras p21-like GTP-binding proteins including c-Ha-ras p21, rhoB p20, and smg p21. The Mr value of GDI was estimated to be about 54,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, about 65,000 from the S value (4.5 S), and about 82,000 by gel filtration. The isoelectric point of GDI was about pH 5.6. The activities of GDI were killed by tryptic digestion or heat boiling. These results indicate that bovine brain cytosol contains a regulatory protein for smg p25A that inhibits the dissociation of GDP from and thereby the subsequent binding of GTP to this protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning of smg p21B and identification of smg p21 purified from bovine brain and human platelets as smg p21B.

We have previously purified smg p21 from bovine brain membranes and isolated its cDNA from a bovine brain cDNA library. In the present studies, we have performed extensive screening of the bovine brain cDNA library with the cloned smg p21 cDNA as a probe and isolated another cDNA encoding a protein highly homologous to smg p21. The proteins encoded by the previously and newly isolated cDNAs are designated as smg p21A and -B, respectively. Since the partial amino acid sequences determined previously from the smg p21 purified from bovine brain were identical with the common amino acid sequences between smg p21A and -B, we have further sequenced smg p21 and identified it as smg p21B. We have also further sequenced the smg p21 purified from human platelet membranes and identified it as smg p21B. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that smg p21A is identical with the rap1A and Krev-1 proteins and smg p21B is identical with the rap1B protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A GTPase-activating protein for rhoB p20, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein--partial purification, characterization and subcellular distribution in rat brain.

A protein stimulating the GTPase activity of rhoB p20, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein (G protein), was partially purified from the cytosol fraction of bovine brain. This protein, designated as rhoB p20 GTPase-activating protein (GAP), did not stimulate the GTPase activity of other ras p21/ras p21-like G proteins including c-Ha-ras p21, smg p21 and smg p25A. The activities of c-Ha-ras p21 GAP and smg p21 GAP were also detected in the cytosol fraction of bovine brain and rhoB p20 GAP was separated from these GAPs. The activity of rhoB p20 GAP was eliminated by tryptic digestion or boiling. The Mr value of rhoB p20 GAP was estimated to be 150-200 x 10(3) and 37 x 10(3) by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, respectively. These results indicate that there is rhoB p20 GAP in addition to c-Ha-ras p21 GAP and smg p21 GAP in bovine brain. In rat brain, about 50% of rhoB p20 GAP was found with the highest specific activity in the P2 fraction containing myelin, synaptosomes and mitochondria. In the P2 fraction, about 30% of rhoB p20 GAP was found in the P2C fraction containing mainly synaptosomes. rhoB p20 GAP was detected in the cytosol and particulate fractions of not only rat brain but also other rat tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Purification and characterization from bovine brain membranes of a GTP-binding protein with a Mr of 21,000, ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1--identification as the rhoA gene product.

We have previously shown that there are multiple GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) with Mr values of about 20,000 in bovine brain membranes and identified one G protein with a Mr of 20,000 as the rho gene product. We have also shown that this rho gene product is ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1. In the present studies, we have purified another G protein with a Mr of about 21,000 to near homogeneity from bovine brain membranes by several column chromatographies and identified it as the rhoA gene product. Further analysis of the amino acid sequence of the G protein, which we have purified and identified as the rho gene product previously, has revealed that this G protein is the rhoB gene product. The rhoA gene product binds maximally about 0.9 mol of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio) triphosphate (GTP gamma S)/mol of protein with a K d value of about 20 nM. [35S]GTP gamma S-binding to the rhoA gene product is inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. The rhoA gene product hydrolyzes GTP to liberate Pi with a turnover number of about 0.01 min-1. Moreover, the rhoA gene product is ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type Cl. About 0.3 mol of ADP-ribose is maximally incorporated into 1 mol of the rhoA gene product. The ADP ribosylation of the rhoA gene product does not affect its GTP gamma S-binding or GTPase activity. These properties of the rhoA gene product are similar those of the rhoB gene product described previously. These results together with the earlier observations indicate that there are at least two rho gene products (rhoA, B) among three members of the rho gene family (rhoA, B, C) in bovine brain membranes and that both of them are ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Establishment of myoid cells from bone marrow.

A peculiar adherent cell clone (R613BM) was established under muscle tissue free conditions from bone marrow of a Wistar rat. The cloned cell line was able to form myofibrils and expressed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors specific for skeletal muscles. The muscle specific characteristics have been maintained consistently for more than five years. These results suggest that bone marrow contains a precursor cell which has the potency to differentiate into muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Purification, characterization, and possible functions of small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins.

GTP-binding proteins with molecular weights of approximately 20,000 are designated small Mr G proteins. We purified four small Mr G proteins to near homogeneity from bovine brain crude membranes. Properties of these proteins, 20K G, 21K G, 22K G, and 24K G, were then assessed. The cDNA of 22K G and 24K G were cloned, and their nucleotide and amino acid sequences were determined. Three types of both C-terminal sequences and amino acid sequences were identified. We conclude that small Mr G proteins and large Mr G proteins are components of large intracellular regulatory and messenger systems with specific roles in cell function regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Association of EGF receptor expression with proliferating cells and of ras p21 expression with differentiating cells in various skin tumours.

The localization of DNA replicating cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-expressing cells and ras oncogene product p21 (p-21ras) positive cells were examined in various skin tumours to elucidate the role of EGF receptor and p21ras in the epidermis. Normal skin, keratoacanthoma (KA), solar keratosis (SK), Bowen's disease (BD), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and extramammary Paget's disease (PD) were studied. EGF receptors were seen in proliferating layers, where DNA replicating cells localize, but p21ras was found in the more differentiated layers. We conclude that EGF receptor expression is closely associated with cellular proliferation, but p21ras may play a role in the differentiation of cells in various skin tumours.

Cell Differentiation↗