Biomedical subjects

E Kim

Publications and source records attributed to E Kim.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Heterogeneity in the molecular composition of excitatory postsynaptic sites during development of hippocampal neurons in culture.

To determine their roles in the assembly of glutamatergic postsynaptic sites, we studied the distributions of NMDA- and AMPA-type glutamate receptors; the NMDA receptor-interacting proteins alpha-actinin-2, PSD-95, and chapsyn; and the PSD-95-associated protein GKAP during the development of hippocampal neurons in culture. NMDA receptors first formed nonsynaptic proximal dendrite shaft clusters within 2-5 d. AMPA receptors were diffuse at this stage and began to cluster on spines at 9-10 d. NMDA receptor clusters remained partially nonsynaptic and mainly distinct from AMPA receptor clusters until after 3 weeks in culture, when the two began to colocalize at spiny synaptic sites. Thus, the localization of NMDA and AMPA receptors must be regulated by different mechanisms. alpha-Actinin-2 colocalized with the NMDA receptor only at spiny synaptic clusters, but not at shaft nonsynaptic or synaptic clusters, suggesting a modulatory role in the anchoring of NMDA receptor at spines. PSD-95, chapsyn, and GKAP were present at some, but not all, nonsynaptic NMDA receptor clusters during the first 2 weeks, indicating that none is essential for NMDA receptor cluster formation. When NMDA receptor clusters became synaptic, PSD-95 and GKAP were always present, consistent with an essential function in synaptic localization of NMDA receptors. Furthermore, PSD-95 and GKAP clustered opposite presynaptic terminals several days before either NMDA or AMPA receptors clustered at these presumptive postsynaptic sites. These results suggest that synapse development proceeds by formation of a postsynaptic scaffold containing PSD-95 and GKAP in concert with presynaptic vesicle clustering, followed by regulated attachment of glutamate receptor subtypes to this scaffold.

Actinin↗

PubMed1998

Plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase isoform 4b binds to membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins via their PDZ (PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1) domains.

Plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases are P-type pumps important for intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. The extreme C termini of alternatively spliced "b"-type Ca2+ pump isoforms resemble those of K+ channels and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits that interact with channel-clustering proteins of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family via PDZ domains. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated strong interaction of Ca2+ pump 4b with the PDZ1 + 2 domains of several mammalian MAGUKs. Pump 4b and PSD-95 could be co-immunoprecipitated from COS-7 cells overexpressing these proteins. Surface plasmon resonance revealed that a C-terminal pump 4b peptide interacted with the PDZ1 + 2 domains of hDlg with nanomolar affinity (KD = 1.6 nM), whereas binding to PDZ3 was in the micromolar range (KD = 1.2 microM). In contrast, the corresponding C-terminal peptide of Ca2+ pump 2b interacted weakly with PDZ1 + 2 and not at all with PDZ3 of hDlg. Ca2+ pump 4b bound strongly to PDZ1 + 2 + 3 of hDlg on filter assays, whereas isoform 2b bound weakly, and the splice variants 2a and 4a failed to bind. Together, these data demonstrate a direct physical binding of Ca2+ pump isoform 4b to MAGUKs via their PDZ domains and reveal a novel role of alternative splicing within the family of plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps. Alternative splicing may dictate their specific interaction with PDZ domain-containing proteins, potentially influencing their localization and incorporation into functional multiprotein complexes at the plasma membrane.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1998

Cloning and expression of apolipophorin-III from the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura.

We have cloned apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) cDNA from adult fat body of Spodoptera litura. The sequence encodes a 188 amino acid polypeptide including a 22 amino acid leader peptide. The circular dichroism spectrum from the purified apoLp-III indicated a considerable content of alpha-helix. Sequence alignment showed that S. litura apoLp-III has a relatively high degree of sequence identity with the apoLps-III of lepidopteran, Manduca sexta (72%), Galleria mellonella (67%), Bombyx mori (60%). These alignments with four lepidopteran apoLps-III showed highly identical residues and conservative replacements at a degree of 86%. Levels of mRNA from last instar larval fat body and adult fat body were compared through Northern blot analysis using 32-P-labeled 704 bp apoLp-III cDNA probe. A 850 bp mRNA was detected in both stages and mRNA level of day 1 adult fat body was much higher than that of last instar larval fat body. The tissue-distribution of apoLp-III mRNA in adult ovary and testis was also examined and we confirmed the presence of apoLp-III mRNA in ovary and testis although apoLp-III was expressed in these tissues at very low levels compared with the adult fat body.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

A PAX3 polymorphism (T315K) in a family exhibiting Waardenburg Syndrome type 2.

Waardenburg Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder phenotypically characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and pigmentary disturbances. Presence of dystopia canthorum is indicative of WS type 1 and results from defects in the PAX3 gene, whereas normally located medial canthi is characteristic of type 2 WS (WS2) and is associated with defects in the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MIFT) gene. Here a neutral polymorphism is reported in the PAX3 gene (T315K) in a family with WS2.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

cGMP facilitates calcium current via cGMP-dependent protein kinase in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes.

The effect of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) on L-type Ca current (ICa) was investigated in a study of rabbit ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular application of cGMP (100 MUm) increased ICa in the absence of isoprenaline or forskolin. 8-Bromo-cGMP (100 muM) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-pCPT-cGMP, 400 muM), relatively specific stimulators of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PK), also increased ICa. The stimulatory effect of 8-pCPT-cGMP was suppressed by Rp-8-chlorophenylthio-cGMP (400 muM), a phosphodiesterase-resistant cGMP-PK inhibitor. When ICa was increased by bath application of the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 100 muM), 8-pCPT-cGMP (400 muM) resulted in additional stimulation of ICa. In the presence of 8-pCPT-cGMP, additional applications of isoprenaline (1 muM) or forskolin (1 muM) induced a further increase in ICa. From these results, it could be concluded that the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in the facilitation of ICa by cGMP in rabbit ventricular myocytes.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

PubMed1998

Effects of AF102B and tacrine on delayed match-to-sample in monkeys.

1. Object working memory, a function which declines in aging and dementia, was tested in young and aged pretrained monkeys using a delayed match-to-sample task. 2. During drug treatment, monkeys were given the m 1 muscarinic agonist AF102B (0.1-2.1 mg/kg i.m.), the cholinesterase inhibitor tacrine (0.5-2.0 mg/kg p.o.), or vehicle controls in a repeated measures design to assess putative cognitive enhancement. 3. Both agents improved task performance in both young and aged monkeys, AF102B yielding equivalent or greater, and less variable, improvement than tacrine. 4. AF102B may represent a low-toxicity alternative to tacrine for the treatment of age-related memory disorders.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

A dual hypoxic marker technique for measuring oxygenation change within individual tumors.

Rodent tumour models have been the 'workhorse' for tumour oxygenation research and for investigating radiobiological hypoxic fraction. Because of the intertumour heterogeneity of blood flow and related parameters, most studies have pooled information derived from several different tumours to establish the statistical significance of specific measurements. But it is the oxygenation status of and its modulation in individual tumours that has important prognostic significance. In that regard, the bioreducible hypoxic marker technique was tested for its potential to quantify oxygenation changes within individual tumours. Beta-D-iodinated azomycin galactoside (IAZG) and beta-D-iodinated azomycin xylopyranoside (IAZXP) were each radiolabelled with Iodine-125 and iodine-131 for measurements of animal tumour oxygenation. The tumour-blood (T/B) ratio of marker radioactivity in mice after the renal excretion of unbound marker (at 3 h and longer times) had been shown to be proportional to radiobiological hypoxic fraction. When markers labelled with both radioisotopes were administered simultaneously to EMT-6 tumour-bearing scid mice, T/B ratios were found to vary by up to 300% between different tumours, with an average intratumour variation of only approximately 4%. When the markers were administered 2.5-3.0 h apart, changes in T/B ratios of 8-25% were observed in 10 out of 28 (36%) tumours. Changes to both higher and lower hypoxic fraction were observed, suggestive of acute or cycling hypoxia. When 0.8 mg g(-1) nicotinamide plus carbogen was administered to increase tumour oxygenation, reductions in T/B ratios (mean deltaT/B approximately 38%) were observed in all tumours. Similar results were obtained with Dunning rat prostate carcinomas growing in Fischer x Copenhagen rats whose T/B ratios of IAZG and radiobiological hypoxic fractions are significantly lower. These studies suggest that fluctuating hypoxia can account for at least 25% of the total hypoxic fraction in some tumours and that correlations between bioreducible marker avidity and related tumour properties will be optimal when the independent assays are performed over the same time period. This dual hypoxic marker technique should prove useful for investigating both spontaneous and induced oxygenation changes within individual rodent tumours.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Left acute scrotum associated with appendicitis.

A 10-year-old boy, who had a mild inguinal hernia in his left scrotum, was referred to our clinic because of redness of the scrotal skin and tenderness of the left scrotal contents. Scrotal echography showed a hypoechoic lesion around the normal testis and epididymis. Because torsion of either the testis or testicular appendage was suspected, the scrotum was opened and 1.5 mL of purulent fluid was observed in the tunica vaginalis with inflammatory tissue around the testis and epididymis. On the first postoperative day, a low grade fever and abdominal tenderness persisted, however, the abdomen was flat and soft. There was no marked tenderness over McBurney's point, but there was moderate tenderness over Lanz's point on deep palpation. Abdominal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed abscess formation between the bladder and the sacrum. With a diagnosis of perforation of the appendix, a laparotomy was performed. The inguinal hernia sac could not be observed on inspection, and it was not possible to palpate the left side because of severe adhesion due to infection. Also, the neck of the right inguinal sac could not be seen. The appendix specimen was gangrenous. On the second postsurgical day, all symptoms and signs disappeared. We present this rare condition and discuss the difficulty in establishing a diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression in Escherichia coli of a hemolytic toxin (aerolysin) gene from Aeromonas trota.

Aeromonas trota AK2, which was derived from ATCC 49659 and produces the extracellular pore-forming hemolytic toxin aerolysin, was mutagenized with the transposon mini-Tn5Km1 to generate a hemolysin-deficient mutant, designated strain AK253. Southern blotting data indicated that an 8.7-kb NotI fragment of the genomic DNA of strain AK253 contained the kanamycin resistance gene of mini-Tn5Km1. The 8.7-kb NotI DNA fragment was cloned into the vector pGEM5Zf(-) by selecting for kanamycin resistance, and the resultant clone, pAK71, showed aerolysin activity in Escherichia coli JM109. The nucleotide sequence of the aerA gene, located on the 1.8-kb ApaI-EcoRI fragment, was determined to consist of 1,479 bp and to have an ATG initiation codon and a TAA termination codon. An in vitro coupled transcription-translation analysis of the 1.8-kb region suggested that the aerA gene codes for a 54-kDa protein, in agreement with nucleotide sequence data. The deduced amino acid sequence of the aerA gene product of A. trota exhibited 99% homology with the amino acid sequence of the aerA product of Aeromonas sobria AB3 and 57% homology with the amino acid sequences of the products of the aerA genes of Aeromonas salmonicida 17-2 and A. sobria 33.

Aeromonas↗

PubMed1998

Development of videostrobokymography for the quantitative analysis of laryngeal vibratory pattern.

We developed a new analysis technique for the assessment of irregular vibratory movement of vocal folds. Successive frames of pre-recorded video images from videostroboscopy were transferred to computer memory and vibratory track of one selected point was described as a waveform by displaying the same lines of all frames along the vertical direction. Glottal area waveform, which was normalized with glottal length, was composed to quantitatively assess the overall vibratory pattern of vocal folds. By applying this technique, irregular vibratory patterns of multiple regions, such as asynchronized registration of glottal cycles, could be easily visualized. It would be possible to monitor and analyze the pathologic changes of vocal fold movement by means of this newly developed system.

Humans↗

PubMed1998

Genetically modified mice for the study of apolipoprotein B.

Over the past five years, several laboratories have used a variety of transgenic and gene-targeted mice to study apoB. These studies have helped in 1) generating new mouse models suitable for investigating the genetic and environmental factors affecting atherogenesis; 2) providing systems for investigating apoB structure/function relationships; 3) understanding the regulation of apoB gene expression in the intestine; 4) delineating a critical role for apoB expression in mouse embryonic development; 5) yielding insights into the "physiologic rationale" for the existence of the two different forms of apoB, apoB-48 and apoB-100, in mammalian metabolism; and 6) providing basic insights into mechanisms involved in the human apoB deficiency syndrome, familial hypobetalipoproteinemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Rapid purification and characterization of nucleoside diphosphate kinase isoforms using ATP-sepharose affinity column chromatography.

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDP kinases), products of the nm23 gene, catalyze the transfer of the terminal phosphate group of the nucleoside triphosphate to the corresponding diphosphate and may be involved in tumor metastasis suppression, development, and signal transduction. NDP kinase from various sources including human erythrocytes, rat brain tissue and E. coli strain BL21 transformed with pET3C expression plasmids containing nm23-H1 or nm23-H2, were purified in one step to homogeneity using ATP-sepharose affinity column chromatography. This method was applicable for the purification of various NDP kinases which show the same enzymatic activity and immunodetection, but have various molecular weight and quaternary structures.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Quaternary structural analysis of nucleoside diphosphate kinases using capillary electrophoresis.

Capillary electrophoresis was used to monitor the quaternary structure and structural changes by denaturants of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase). NDP kinase from human erythrocyte consists of two kinds of polypeptide chains: A (Nm23-H1) and B (Nm23-H2), which are the products of nm23-H1 and -H2 genes, respectively. Structural characteristics of native NDP kinase, recombinant Nm23-H1 and -H2 were examined using capillary electrophoresis employing high pH running buffer in an uncoated fused-silica capillary as a separation column. The results were compared with those of the conventional sodium dodecyl sulfate and non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It shows that capillary electrophoresis is a possible tool to investigate protein structure, including the quaternary structure. This protocol was applied to the investigation of the denaturation process of each enzyme by denaturants (6 M urea or heating to 70 degrees C) and to the monitoring of the interaction between denatured Nm23-H1 and -H2. The structural information of NDP kinase obtained by analysis using capillary electrophoresis is valuable for understanding its suggested biological function as a tumor metastasis suppressor and c-myc transcription factor, etc.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗

PubMed1997

Evidence for the role of 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylate isomerase in the degradation of anthracene by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1.

Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1 is extremely versatile in its catabolic ability. An insertional mutant strain, S. yamoikuyae EK504, which is unable to grow on naphthalene due to the loss of 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylate isomerase activity, was utilized to investigate the role of this enzyme in the degradation of anthracene by S. yanoikuyae B1. Although EK504 is unable to grow on anthracene, this strain could transform anthracene to some extent. A metabolite in the degradation of anthracene by EK504 was isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was identified as 6,7-benzocoumarin by UV-visible, gas-chromatographic, HPLC/mass-spectrometric, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral techniques. The identification of 6,7-benzocoumarin provides direct chemical and genetic evidence for the involvement of nahD in the degradation of anthracene by S. yanoikuyae B1.

Anthracenes↗

PubMed1997

DNA-conformation is an important determinant of sequence-specific DNA binding by tumor suppressor p53.

Sequence-specific transactivation of target genes is one of the most important molecular properties of the tumor suppressor p53. Binding of p53 to its target DNAs is tightly regulated, with modifications in the carboxy-terminal regulatory domain of the p53 protein playing an important role. In this study we examined the possible influence of DNA structure on sequence-specific DNA binding by p53, by analysing its binding to p53 consensus elements adopting different conformations. We found that p53 has the ability to bind to consensus elements which are present in a double-helical form, as well as to consensus elements which are located within alternative non-B-DNA structures. The ability of a consensus element to adopt either one of these conformations is dependent on its sequence symmetry, and is strongly influenced by its sequence environment. Our data suggest a model according to which the conformational status of the target DNA is an important determinant for sequence-specific DNA binding by p53. Modifications in the carboxy-terminal regulatory region of p53 possibly determine the preference of p53 for a given DNA conformation.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Characterization of guanylate kinase-associated protein, a postsynaptic density protein at excitatory synapses that interacts directly with postsynaptic density-95/synapse-associated protein 90.

The structure of central synapses is poorly understood at the molecular level. A recent advance came with the identification of the postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95)/synapse-associated protein 90 family of proteins as important mediators of the synaptic clustering of certain classes of ion channels. By yeast two-hybrid screening, a novel protein termed guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP) has been isolated that binds to the GK-like domain of PSD-95 (). Here we present a detailed characterization of GKAP expression in the rat brain and report the cloning of a novel GKAP splice variant. By Northern blot, GKAP mRNAs (4, 6.5, and 8 kB) are expressed predominantly in the rat brain. By in situ hybridization, GKAP is expressed widely in neurons of cortex and hippocampus and in the Purkinje and granule cells of the cerebellum. On brain immunoblots, two prominent bands of 95 and 130 kDa are detected that correspond to products of short and long N-terminal splice variants of GKAP. Two independent GKAP antibodies label somatodendritic puncta in neocortical and hippocampal neurons in a pattern consistent with synaptic elements. Immunogold electron microscopy reveals GKAP to be predominantly postsynaptic and present at asymmetric synapses and in dendritic spines. The distribution of GKAP immunogold particles is uniform in the lateral plane of the PSD but peaks in the perpendicular axis approximately 20 nm from the postsynaptic membrane. In cultured hippocampal neurons GKAP immunoreactive puncta colocalize with the AMPA receptor subunit Glu receptor 1 but not with the GABAA receptor subunits beta2 and beta3. Thus GKAP is a widely expressed neuronal protein localized specifically in the PSD of glutamatergic synapses, consistent with its direct interaction with PSD-95 family proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Identification of immunodominant T cell epitopes of human glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 by using HLA-DR(alpha10101,beta10401) transgenic mice.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase isoform 2 (GAD65; EC 4.1.1.15) has been identified as a key target autoantigen of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). IDDM is genetically associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and particular alleles from the HLA-DQ and HLA-DR loci contribute to disease. Among DR4 subtypes, HLA-DRB1*0401, HLA-DRB1*0402, and HLA-DRB1*0405 alleles lend susceptibility, while HLA-DRB1*0403 confers protection. We have utilized HLA-DR(alpha1*0101,beta1*0401) (hereafter referred to as DR0401), human CD4, murine class II null triple transgenic mice and recombinant GAD65 to generate T cell hybridomas, and we have used overlapping sets of peptides to map the immunodominant epitopes of this autoantigen. We have identified 10 immunogenic regions for GAD65, of which 6 are recognized by multiple hybridomas. These epitopes are also generated by human antigen-presenting cells and their presentation is DR0401 restricted, as shown by the use of typed human lymphoblastoid cell lines and antibody blocking experiments. Immunodominant GAD65 epitopes defined in transgenic mice correspond to GAD65 regions previously shown to elicit T cell responses specifically in DR0401 IDDM patients, underscoring the validity of this approach. Interestingly, although the major epitopes contain DR0401 binding motifs, one of the epitopes contains a DR0405 motif.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Fluorescence probing of yeast actin subdomain 3/4 hydrophobic loop 262-274. Actin-actin and actin-myosin interactions in actin filaments.

Residues 262-274 form a loop between subdomains 3 and 4 of actin. This loop may play an important role in actin filament formation and stabilization. To assess directly the behavior of this loop, we mutated Ser265 of yeast actin to cysteine (S265C) and created another mutant (S265C/C374A) by changing Cys374 of S265C actin to alanine. These changes allowed us to attach a pyrene maleimide stoichiometrically to either Cys374 or Cys265. These mutations had no detectable effects on the protease susceptibility, intrinsic ATPase activity, and thermal stability of labeled or unlabeled G-actin. The presence of the loop cysteine, either labeled or unlabeled, did not affect the actin-activated S1 ATPase activity or the in vitro motility of the actin. Both mutant actins, either labeled or unlabeled, nucleated filament formation considerably faster than wild-type (WT) actin, although the critical concentration was not affected. Whereas the fluorescence of the C-terminal (WT) probe increased during polymerization, that of the loop (S265C/C374A) probe decreased, and the fluorescence of the doubly labeled actin (S265C) was approximately 50% less than the sum of the fluorescence of the individual fluorophores. Quenching was also observed in copolymers of labeled WT and S265C/C374A actins. An excimer peak was present in the emission spectrum of labeled S265C F-actin and in the labeled S265C/C374A-WT actin copolymers. These results show that in the filaments, the C-terminal pyrene of a substantial fraction of monomers directly interacts with the loop pyrene of neighboring monomers, bringing the two cysteine sulfurs to within 18 A of one another. Finally, when bound to labeled S265C/C374A F-actin, myosin S1, but not tropomyosin, caused an increase in fluorescence of the loop probe. Both proteins had no effect on excimer fluorescence. These results help establish the orientation of monomers in F-actin and show that the binding of S1 to actin subdomains 1 and 2 affects the environment of the loop between subdomains 3 and 4.

Actins↗