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Biomedical subjects

Atsushi Kuno

Publications and source records attributed to Atsushi Kuno.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Leucyl/phenylalanyl (L/F)-tRNA-protein transferase-mediated N-terminal specific labelling of a protein in vitro.

N-terminal specific radioisotope (RI) labelling of a protein posessing lysine as the N-terminal residue (Lys-XBD) was achieved under mild enzymatic reaction condition using L/F-tRNA-protein transferase. To expose a single lysine moiety only at the N-teminal site, we overexpressed pelB signal peptide-Lys-XBD fusion protein using the bacterial expression host BL21(DE3). The pelB signal peptide was sponteneously cleaved in E. coli to obtain the desired Lys-XBD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure-inhibition analysis of RNA aptamers that bind to HCV IRES.

The translation of HCV starts at the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) within the 5' untranslated region and IRES is well-conserved in HCV strains. We developed a novel selection strategy using biotinylated oligonucleotide probe and obtained RNA aptamers that bind HCV IRES domain II and domain III-IV, respectively. Selected aptamers specifically bound to target sequence via RNA-RNA interactions. These aptamers inhibited IRES-depend translation in vitro. Especially, 3-07 aptamer, which bound domain IIId, showed strong inhibition. Structure/function relationship of these aptamers was analyzed by mutagenesis, RNase mapping and binding kinetics.

Base Sequence↗

Synthesis of a novel histidine analogue and its efficient incorporation into a protein in vivo.

Proteins containing unnatural amino acids have immense potential in biotechnology and medicine. We prepared several histidine analogues including a novel histidine analogue, beta-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-DL-alanine. These histidine analogues were assayed for translational activity in histidine-auxotrophic Escherichia coli strain UTH780. We observed that several histidine analogues, including our novel histidine analogue, were efficiently incorporated into the protein in vivo; however, other analogues were rejected. These results suggest that the hydrogen atom at a specific position seriously affects incorporation.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Estradiol alleviates acinar cell apoptosis and chronic pancreatitis in male Wistar Bonn/Kobori rats.

AIMS: To quantitatively determine the influence of estradiol on acinar cell apoptosis and chronic pancreatitis; assess its effects on infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T cells in the pancreas; investigate the role of testosterone on chronic pancreatitis in 20-week-old male WBN/Kob rats; and determine the impact of estradiol on proliferation of splenocytes derived from these animals in vitro. METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS: Treatment with high (0.4 mg x kg x week) but not low (0.1 mg x kg x week) doses of estradiol for 10 weeks significantly decreased the number of apoptotic acinar cells stained with an anti-single strand DNA antibody, histologic scores, and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity in 20-week-old WBN/Kob rats, in comparison with control values. The high doses also significantly attenuated the increase in pancreatic hydroxyproline content, an indicator of collagen deposition, at 20 weeks. They caused significant decreases in the numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells infiltrating the pancreas. Both doses suppressed levels of testosterone but without any influence on the serum corticosterone concentrations. Androgen receptors could not be immunohistochemically identified in the pancreas at 20 weeks, and dietary treatment with flutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist, did not influence the chronic pancreatitis. Estradiol significantly reduced 1% phytohemagglutinin-induced incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into the splenocytes in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that estradiol dose-dependently attenuates acinar cell apoptosis and development of chronic pancreatitis, independent of any change in endogenous corticosterone and testosterone, by suppressing infiltration and function of T cells.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Infarct size limitation by nicorandil: roles of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels, sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels, and protein kinase C.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine:1) whether nicorandil protects the ischemic myocardium by activating sarcolemmal adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K(+) (sarcK(ATP)) channels or the mitochondrial K(ATP) (mitoK(ATP)) channels, and 2) whether protein kinase C (PKC) activity is necessary for cardioprotection afforded by nicorandil. BACKGROUND: Nicorandil is a hybrid of nitrate and a K(ATP) channel opener that activates the sarcK(ATP) and mitoK(ATP) channels. Both of these K(ATP) channels are regulated by PKC, and this kinase may be activated by nitric oxide and also by oxygen free radicals (OFR) generated after mitoK(ATP) channel opening. METHODS: In isolated rabbit hearts, infarction was induced by 30-min global ischemia/2-h reperfusion with monitoring of the activation recovery interval (ARI), an index of action potential duration. Protein kinase C translocation was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Nicorandil did not change ARI before ischemia, but it accelerated ARI shortening after the onset of ischemia and reduced infarct size by 90%. A sarcK(ATP) channel selective blocker, HMR1098, abolished acceleration of ischemia-induced ARI-shortening by nicorandil and eliminated 40% of nicorandil-induced infarct size limitation. A mitoK(ATP) channel selective blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate, abolished the protection afforded by nicorandil without affecting ARI. Cardioprotection by nicorandil was inhibited neither by an OFR scavenger, N-2-mercaptopropionylglycine nor by a PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, at a dose that was capable of inhibiting PKC- epsilon translocation after preconditioning. CONCLUSIONS: Both the sarcK(ATP) and mitoK(ATP) channels are involved in anti-infarct tolerance afforded by nicorandil, but PKC activation induced by nitric oxide or OFR generation, if any, does not play a crucial role.

Animals↗

Crystal structures of the sugar complexes of Streptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86 xylanase: sugar binding structure of the family 13 carbohydrate binding module.

The family 10 xylanase from Streptomyces olivaceoviridis E-86 contains a (beta/alpha)(8)-barrel as a catalytic domain, a family 13 carbohydrate binding module (CBM) as a xylan binding domain (XBD) and a Gly/Pro-rich linker between them. The crystal structure of this enzyme showed that XBD has three similar subdomains, as indicated by the presence of a triple-repeated sequence, forming a galactose binding lectin fold similar to that found in the ricin toxin B-chain. Comparison with the structure of ricin/lactose complex suggests three potential sugar binding sites in XBD. In order to understand how XBD binds to the xylan chain, we analyzed the sugar-complex structure by the soaking experiment method using the xylooligosaccharides and other sugars. In the catalytic cleft, bound sugars were observed in the xylobiose and xylotriose complex structures. In the XBD, bound sugars were identified in subdomains alpha and gamma in all of the complexes with xylose, xylobiose, xylotriose, glucose, galactose and lactose. XBD binds xylose or xylooligosaccharides at the same sugar binding sites as in the case of the ricin/lactose complex but its binding manner for xylose and xylooligosaccharides is different from the galactose binding mode in ricin, even though XBD binds galactose in the same manner as in the ricin/galactose complex. These different binding modes are utilized efficiently and differently to bind the long substrate to xylanase and ricin-type lectin. XBD can bind any xylose in the xylan backbone, whereas ricin-type lectin recognizes the terminal galactose to sandwich the large sugar chain, even though the two domains have the same family 13 CBM structure. Family 13 CBM has rather loose and broad sugar specificities and is used by some kinds of proteins to bind their target sugars. In such enzyme, XBD binds xylan, and the catalytic domain may assume a flexible position with respect to the XBD/xylan complex, inasmuch as the linker region is unstructured.

Binding Sites↗

A novel fluorescent nonnatural amino acid that can be incorporated into a specific position of streptavidin.

A novel highly fluorescent nonnatural amino acid (beta-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid; nmaDap) was incorporated at the 120th position of streptavidin. The position was directed by a CGGG/CCCG four-base codon/anticodon pair. The incorporation efficiency and the biotin-binding ability of the nmaDap mutant were compared to those of beta-anthraniloyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (atnDap).

Amino Acids↗

Differences in tyrosine tRNA identity between Escherichia coli and archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix K1.

Recognition sites of tyrosine tRNA for tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli and extreme thermophilic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix K1 were examined using various in vitro transcripts. With respect to the long variable arm in E. coli tyrosine tRNA, some base pairs in length was required for tyrosylation. None of the recognition sites were found in the acceptor stem, except the discriminator base A73 in E. coli tyrosine tRNA. In case of A. pernix tyrosine tRNA, C1-G72 base pair and discriminator base A73 in the acceptor region as well as anticodon were base specifically involved in tyrosylation by A. pernix tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

Archaea↗

In vitro selection of RNA aptamers that bind to domain II of HCV IRES.

The translation of HCV starts at the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) within the 5' untranslated region and domain II of IRES is essential for translation activity. However, the information of function is limited. We attempted to obtain RNA that bind HCV IRES domain II. Selected aptamers will give us much information, such as RNA-RNA interaction between IRES and other cellular RNAs as well as target sites for anti-HCV drugs. We developed a novel selection method using biotinylated DNA probe. This method can be applied to many RNAs and would identify the most suitable target position experimentally and simply. The binding kinetics of aptamers were analyzed by using Biacore. Furthermore, inhibition of translation by aptamers was analyzed.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular recognition of threonine tRNA by threonyl-tRNA synthetase from an extreme thermophilic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix K1.

To investigate the recognition sites of tRNA(Thr) for threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS) from an extreme thermophilic and aerobic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix K1, threonylation experiments using various in vitro mutant transcripts of tRNA(Thr) were examined. The results indicated that A. pernix ThrRS did recognize the first three base pairs of acceptor stem in addition to the second and the third letters of anticodon of tRNA(Thr), in spite of its N-terminal truncated unique structure. Discriminator base was not involved in recognition by A. pernix ThRS. These determinants were confirmed by the identity switching experiments from the in vitro mutants of A. pernix tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Asn).

Archaea↗

Blockade of angiotensin II type 1 receptors suppressed free radical production and preserved coronary endothelial function in the rabbit heart after myocardial infarction.

The hypothesis that blockade of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors after myocardial infarction prevents coronary endothelial vasomotor dysfunction by suppressing oxygen free radical production was examined. Rabbits underwent coronary ligation or a sham operation with or without infusion of valsartan, an AT 1 receptor blocker. Two weeks after the operation, the heart was isolated from each rabbit and perfused with buffer in the Langendorff mode, and coronary flow responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were assessed. The ratio of heart weight to body weight and the lipid peroxide level in the myocardium were increased by 30 and 50%, respectively, 2 weeks after infarction. The coronary flow response to acetylcholine (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) was reduced by 50% in the hearts with infarction compared with the sham controls, although coronary flow responses to sodium nitroprusside were similar. The coronary flow response to acetylcholine in the hearts with infarction was restored by concurrent infusion of N -2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine, a free radical scavenger. Valsartan (10 mg/kg/d) infused after infarction prevented both ventricular remodeling and elevation of the tissue lipid peroxide level and preserved coronary flow response to acetylcholine. In conclusion, long-term AT1 receptor blockade after infarction protects the coronary arteries from endothelial vasomotor dysfunction through suppression of free radical production.

Acetylcholine↗

Opening of mitochondrial K(ATP) channel occurs downstream of PKC-epsilon activation in the mechanism of preconditioning.

We examined whether the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K channel (K(ATP)) is an effector downstream of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKC-epsilon) in the mechanism of preconditioning (PC) in isolated rabbit hearts. PC with two cycles of 5-min ischemia/5-min reperfusion before 30-min global ischemia reduced infarction from 50.3 +/- 6.8% of the left ventricle to 20.3 +/- 3.7%. PC significantly increased PKC-epsilon protein in the particulate fraction from 51 +/- 4% of the total to 60 +/- 4%, whereas no translocation was observed for PKC-delta and PKC-alpha. In mitochondria separated from the other particulate fractions, PC increased the PKC-epsilon level by 50%. Infusion of 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a mitochondrial K(ATP) blocker, after PC abolished the cardioprotection of PC, whereas PKC-epsilon translocation by PC was not interfered with 5-HD. Diazoxide, a mitochondrial K(ATP) opener, infused 10 min before ischemia limited infarct size to 5.2 +/- 1.4%, but this agent neither translocated PKC-epsilon by itself nor accelerated PKC-epsilon translocation after ischemia. Together with the results of earlier studies showing mitochondrial K(ATP) opening by PKC, the present results suggest that mitochondrial K(ATP)-mediated cardioprotection occurs subsequent to PKC-epsilon activation by PC.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Three-dimensional sonographic features of nuchal edema.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the three-dimensional (3D) sonographic features of nuchal edema in the early second trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: From 16 to 22 weeks of gestation 5 cases with nuchal edema were studied using transabdominal 3D sonography. RESULTS: Nuchal edema could be easily imaged with both two-dimensional and 3D sonography; however, visualization of the continuity and curvature of structures was more easily accomplished with 3D sonography. Before 20 weeks of gestation, the skin has a transparent structure, so the bony structures are clearly identified. 3D sonography allowed visualization of nuchal edema in all three dimensions at the same time, providing an improved overview and a more clearly defined demonstration of the adjusted anatomical planes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 3D sonography provides a novel means of visualizing nuchal edema in utero.

Edema↗

Three-dimensional sonographic measurement of liver volume in the small-for-gestational-age fetus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the growth of the fetal liver in normal pregnancies and to evaluate the ability of fetal liver volume measurement for prediction of small-for-gestational-age fetuses. METHODS: Three-dimensional sonographic examinations were performed on 14 appropriate-for-gestational-age and 10 small-for-gestational-age fetuses. Liver volume and liver length were measured every 2 weeks after 20 weeks' menstrual age until delivery. RESULTS: A curvilinear relationship was found between the menstrual age and liver volume (R2 = 88.4%; P < .0001), and a normal range of liver volume measurement for estimating the growth of the fetal liver during normal pregnancy was generated. Liver length was normal in 7 of 10 small-for-gestational-age fetuses, whereas liver volume values in all small-for-gestational-age fetuses were below normal ranges in the mid to late third trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that liver volume may be a useful measurement for diagnosing small-for-gestational-age fetuses in the mid to late third trimester but that liver length may not be predictive. Further studies involving a larger sample size would be needed to confirm this suggestion.

Gestational Age↗