Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Kono

Publications and source records attributed to A Kono.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Establishment of a human myeloma cell line with growth-promoting activity for bone marrow-derived fibroblastoid colony-forming cells.

A human myeloma cell line, PCM6, was newly established from peripheral blood of a patient with advanced IgG myeloma by addition of recombinant interleukin-6 (IL-6) in culture. PCM6 cells had a morphology typical of mature plasma cells. Cytogenetic and surface marker studies confirmed that PCM6 cells were identical to fresh myeloma cells. Coculture of PCM6 cells with normal bone marrow mononuclear cells resulted in increased colony size of bone marrow-derived fibroblastoid colony-forming cells (CFU-F). Conditioned medium of PCM6 (PCM6-CM) cells increased the CFU-F colony size in a dose-dependent manner. The activity was labile to trypsin treatment but was heat stable (60 degrees C, 30 minutes). Molecular weight of the activity was approximately 165 kd by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and IL-1 beta were not detectable in the conditioned medium. These findings suggest that in some myeloma cases, bone marrow stroma may be affected by CFU-F growth-promoting activity.

Antigens, Surface↗

Parallel secretion of pancreastatin and somatostatin from human pancreastatin producing cell line (QGP-1N).

In this investigation we studied pancreastatin (PST) secretion from a human PST producing cell line (QGP-1N) in response to various secretagogues. Immunocytochemical study revealed the immunoreactivity of PST and somatostatin (SMT) in the same cells of a monolayer culture. Ki-ras DNA point mutation on codon 12 was found. Carbachol stimulated secretion of PST and SMT and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in the range of 10(-6)-10(-4) M. The secretion and Ca2+ mobilization were inhibited by atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Phorbol ester and calcium ionophore (A23187) stimulated secretion of PST and SMT. The removal of extracellular calcium suppressed both secretions throughout stimulation with 10(-5) M carbachol. Fluoride, a well-known activator of guanine nucleotide binding (G) protein, stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and secretion of PST and SMT in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 5-40 mM. Also, 10(-5) M carbachol and 20 mM fluoride stimulated inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production. However, cholecystokinin and gastrin-releasing peptide did not stimulate Ca2+ mobilization or secretion of the two peptides. These results suggest that secretion of PST and SMT from QGP-1N cells is regulated mainly by acetylcholine in a parallel fashion through muscarinic receptors coupled to the activation of polyphosphoinositide breakdown by a G-protein and that increases in intracellular Ca2+ and protein kinase C play an important role in stimulus-secretion coupling.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Gene structure of bovine adrenodoxin reductase.

The gene structure of bovine adrenodoxin reductase, a component of the mitochondrial steroid hydroxylating system in the adrenal cortex, was determined. When we screened a bovine genomic DNA library, using bovine adrenodoxin reductase cDNA as a probe, we isolated 10 genomic clones covering a continuous 30 kilobase (kb) region of bovine chromosomal DNA in which the adrenodoxin reductase gene spanned approximately 12 kb. The adrenodoxin reductase gene consisted of 12 exons and all the donor and acceptor sites of the exon/intron junction followed the GT/AG rule. The transcription initiation site was found to be 79 bases upstream of the translation initiation site by primer extension analysis and putative CAAT and GC boxes, but no typical TATA box, were present in the 5'-flanking region. The 5'-flanking region of this gene showed several features characteristic of promoters of house-keeping genes. The CCAGGG sequence present in the 5'-flanking region of genes for adrenodoxin and the steroid hydroxylating cytochromes P-450 in the adrenal cortex was present 13 bases upstream from the transcription initiation site. We analyzed the promoter activity of the 5'-upstream region of this gene, using as a reporter the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The region between position -757 to -376 was proved necessary for expression of this gene in mouse Y-1 tumor cells. Adrenocorticotropin did not enhance the expression of this bovine gene in the cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Camptothecin analog (CPT-11)-sensitive human pancreatic tumor cell line QGP-1N shows resistance to SN-38, an active metabolite of CPT-11.

In the course of our study to determine the cross-sensitivity between CPT-11 and its active metabolite, SN-38, we found a SN-38-resistant human pancreatic tumor cell line, QGP-1N, which shows sensitivity to CPT-11. The IC50 of SN-38 was 152 times greater for QGP-1N than for SUIT-2, also a human pancreatic tumor cell line, whose IC50 of CPT-11 was similar to that for QGP-1N. The uptakes of CPT-11 and SN-38 and the intracellular conversion of CPT-11 to SN-38 could not explain the difference in sensitivity. DNA synthesis of QGP-1N cells was inhibited by CPT-11 which did not affect that of SUIT-2, while SN-38 inhibited the DNA synthesis of SUIT-2 at lower concentrations than that of QGP-1N. The inhibition test of topoisomerase I catalytic activity by CPT-11 or SN-38 revealed no difference in the biochemical properties of the topoisomerase I enzymes to the compounds between these two cell lines. These results indicate that CPT-11 should have its own inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis through a yet unknown mechanism in QGP-1N cells, although SN-38 plays an essential role in the antitumor activity of CPT-11 in SUIT-2 cells. In some cases, the antitumor effect of CPT-11 might be consequent not only on SN-38 but also on CPT-11 itself.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding the 85 kDa human lysosomal sialoglycoprotein (hLGP85) in human metastatic pancreas islet tumor cells.

A full length cDNA for a human lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (hLGP85) was isolated as a probe of the cDNA of rat LGP85 (rLGP85) from the cDNA library prepared from total mRNA of QGP-1NL cells, a human pancreatic islet tumor cell with a high metastatic activity. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that hLGP85 consists of 478 amino acid residues (MW. 54,289). The protein has 10 putative N-glycosylation sites and 2 hydrophobic regions at the NH2- and near the COOH-termini, respectively. Thus, both domains probably constitute putative transmembrane domains. It exhibits 86% and 79% sequence similarities in amino acids and nucleic acids to rat lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (rLGP85), respectively. The protein contained the short cytoplasmic tail at the COOH-terminus which does not form the glycine-tyrosine sequence (GY motif), the so-called lysosomal targetting signal.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Differential expression of DNA topoisomerase I gene between CPT-11 acquired- and native-resistant human pancreatic tumor cell lines: detected by RNA/PCR-based quantitation assay.

RNA/PCR quantitation method was developed to determine DNA Topoisomerase I(Topo I)-specific mRNA in order to study its gene expression in CPT-11 sensitive, acquired- or native-resistant human pancreatic tumor cell lines. The results were supported by Northern blotting and Western blotting analyses. Acquired-resistant cells have shown decreased levels of Topo I mRNA, compared with their parental cells. On the contrary, in the wild type cells no correlation was shown between sensitivity and gene expression. On the other, specific Topo I activity of the native resistant cell lines was fairly lower than that of sensitive cell lines, suggesting that immunoreactive Topo I protein contains low levels of active form enzyme which could be targets of CPT-11 in these native-resistant ones. Finally, the different mechanisms might be operative between acquired- and native-resistant tumor cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Pertussis toxin non-sensitive G protein mediates cholinergic stimulation for secretion of pancreastatin and somatostatin from QGP-1N cells.

To clarify the possible role of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) in the signal transducing system activated by carbachol, actions of carbachol on human pancreastatin producing cell line (QGP-1N) were compared with those of fluoride, a well-known activator of stimulatory (Gs) or inhibitory (Gi) G protein. 10(-5) M of carbachol as well as 20 mM of NaF stimulated secretion of pancreastatin and somatostatin and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. These secretion and Ca2+ mobilization were not modified by pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Gi protein. These results suggest that pancreastatin and somatostatin secretions from QGP-1N are regulated by acetylcholine through a muscarinic receptor coupled to the activation of polyphosphoinositide breakdown by a G protein, which appears to be fluoride sensitive but is other than a Gi-like protein.

Calcium↗

Growth inhibition of human pancreatic cancer cells by cholecystokinin receptor antagonist in tissue culture and in nude mice.

The Human pancreatic carcinoma cell line KP-1N and its clone KP-1NL which has a high rate of liver metastasis were established. Ki-ras DNA point mutation on the codon 12 was found. The growth of KP-1N was stimulated by a physiological range of concentration (10(-11)-10(-10) M) of cholecystokinin and the increase was inhibited by the addition of a cholecystokinin receptor antagonist (CR 1505). Daily injections of CR 1505 (35 mg/kg) diminished the number of tumor colonies in the liver that were formed after an intrasplenic injection of the highly liver metastatic KP-1NL cells. These results suggest that cholecystokinin antagonists may be useful as growth inhibitors for some pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Clinical significance of adrenal computed tomography in Addison's disease.

Adrenal computed tomographic (CT) scanning was conducted in twelve patients with Addison's disease during the clinical course. In tuberculous Addison's disease (n = 8), three of four patients examined during the first two years after disease onset had bilaterally enlarged adrenals, while one of four had a unilaterally enlarged one. At least one adrenal gland was enlarged after onset in all six patients examined during the first four years. Thereafter, the adrenal glands may atrophy bilaterally, in contrast to adrenal glands in idiopathic Addison's disease, which atrophy bilaterally from disease onset (n = 2). Adrenal calcification was a less sensitive clue in tracing pathogenesis, i.e., adrenal calcification was observed in five of eight patients with tuberculous Addison's disease, but not in idiopathic patients. Thus, adrenal CT scanning could show the etiology of Addison's disease (infection or autoimmunity) and the phase of Addison's disease secondary to tuberculosis, which may be clinically important for initiating antituberculous treatment.

Addison Disease↗

[Effects of UFT and loxiglumide (CR1505) on liver metastasis of human pancreatic cancer cell line, KP-1 N in nude mice].

Effects of caerulein (CCK), 5-FU and CCK antagonist, loxiglumide (CR1505), were studied on the growth of human pancreatic cancer cell line, KP-1 N, in vitro. And effects of UFT and CR 1505 were also studied on liver metastasis in nude mice. The growth of KP-1 N was stimulated approximately 40% by addition of 10(-10) M of CCK in vitro. CR1505 antagonized the action of CCK, that is, the 40% growth rate increase was suppressed by addition of 25 microM of CR1505. Moreover, the growth rate of the cells dose-dependently decreased by the addition of CR1505. 5-FU also dose-dependently inhibited the growth of KP-1 N in culture. 5-FU additionally decreased the growth rate of KP-1 N in combination with CR1505. A number of metastatic nodules were found in the liver of nude mice a month after injections of KP-1 N cells into the spleen CR1505 suppressed the liver metastasis in nude mice which were administered with UFT. These results suggest that CR1505 would be useful for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer in combination with UFT.

Animals↗

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding rat liver lysosomal cathepsin D and the structure of three forms of mature enzymes.

We isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone corresponding to the entire coding sequence of rat liver lysosomal cathepsin D. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that cathepsin D consists of 407 amino acid residues (Mr 44,608) and the 20 NH2-terminal residues seem to constitute a cleavable signal peptide after which 44 amino acid residues follow as a propeptide. Two putative N-linked glycosylation sites and aspartic acid in the active site are as well conserved as those of human lysosomal cathepsin D. In the NH2-terminal sequence analysis of two isolated heavy chains of the mature enzyme, the termini were assigned as tryptophan (118th residue) and glycine (165th or 166th residue), respectively, hence demonstrates that the two heavy chains derive from a split of the single chain of cathepsin D at position between 117th and 118th or between 164th and 165th or 165th and 166th amino acids. We conclude that cathepsin D in rat liver lysosomes is a mixture of three forms composed of a single and two two-chain forms. However, the amounts of the two two-chain forms are low compared with that of the single chain form. Densidometric determination after SDS-PAGE revealed that the two two-chain forms account for less than 5% of the single chain form. There is a 82% similarity in amino acid level between rat and human liver lysosomal cathepsin D.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding 85kDa sialoglycoprotein in rat liver lysosomal membranes.

We used the oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the internal amino acid sequence of a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 85 K (LGP85) and isolated and characterized cDNA clones containing the entire coding region. The isolated cDNA comprised 2065 nucleotides. The predicted amino acid sequences of LGP85 consisted of 478 amino acid residues (Mr.54,090) and the protein has 11 potential N-glycosylation sites. Since the NH2 terminal sequence determined from purified LGP85 was identical to the NH2 terminal sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA, except for the lack of initiator methionine which is likely to be cleaved off posttranslationally, it is likely that LGP85 has an uncleavable signal peptide at the NH2 terminus. Hydropathy plots show that LGP85 possesses two strong hydrophobic regions at the NH2 terminus (residues 4-26) and near the COOH terminus (residues 433-457), respectively. Either one or both of the domains might be used for membrane anchoring. A comparison of the sequences of the other lysosomal membrane glycoproteins with that of LGP85 revealed no homology. Glycine-tyrosine residues (so-called GY motif) which are thought an important signal for delivery of lysosomal membrane glycoproteins to lysosomes were not contained in the cytoplasmic tail of LGP85 (residues 458-478). LGP85 appears to be an unique lysosomal membrane glycoprotein that does not require tyrosine residues for targeting to lysosomes. Tyrosine residue may not be an essential signal for delivering newly synthesized lysosomal membrane glycoproteins to lysosomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acetylcholine regulates pancreastatin secretion from the human pancreastatin-producing cell line (QGP-1N).

Studies were made of pancreastatin (PST) secretion from a human PST-producing cell line (QGP-1N) in response to various secretagogues. Cells with immunoreactivity for PST were observed in monolayer cultures of QGP-1N cells. Carbachol stimulated PST secretion and the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization concentration dependently in the range of 10(-6)-10(-4) M. The PST secretion and Ca2+ mobilization induced by carbachol were inhibited by atropine. The calcium ionophore (A23187) stimulated PST secretion. However, cholecystokinin and gastrin-releasing peptide did not stimulate either PST secretion or Ca2+ mobilization. Secretin also did not stimulate PST secretion. The glucose concentration in the culture medium had no effect on PST secretion. These results suggest that PST secretion is mainly regulated by acetylcholine through a muscarinic receptor, and that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ plays an important role in stimulus-secretion coupling in QGP-1N cells.

Acetylcholine↗