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Biomedical subjects

G Sakaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to G Sakaguchi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Quantification of Clostridium botulinum type A toxin and organisms in the feces of a case of infant botulism and examination of other related specimens.

Bacteriological examinations were performed on the first case of infant botulism in Japan (an infant boy aged 79 days at onset of illness). Clostridium botulinum type A toxin and organisms were detected continually in the stools of the infant for at least 31 days and 39 days, respectively. The highest levels of the toxin and of the population of the organisms, 7.8 X 10(4) LD50/g and 1.3 X 10(6) colony forming units (cfu)/g, were detected in the stool specimen taken on the 20th day of illness. Type A organisms were detected also in the honey fed to the infant before onset of illness, teats of his feeding bottle, soil specimens taken at the house entry and the vacuum-cleaner dust. Fecal excretion of the toxin and organisms was no longer detected from the 68th day of illness and he recovered.

Botulinum Toxins↗

Isolation and function of a Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin fragment.

A fragment was obtained by treating Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin with 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid, a reagent which specifically cleaves the amino-terminal peptide bond of cysteine residues. The fragment (molecular weight, 15,000) was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The fragment had no cytotoxic effect on Vero cells but competitively inhibited enterotoxin-induced 51Cr release. Binding of 125I-labeled fragment to Vero cells was comparable to that of enterotoxin. Moreover, 125I-labeled fragment did not bind to FL cells, which lack receptor for enterotoxin. We conclude that the fragment contains the binding domain of enterotoxin. The amino acid composition of the fragment suggests that it is located on the carboxyl-terminal part of enterotoxin.

Amino Acids↗

Antigenic structure of Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin and its interaction with gangliosides, cerebroside, and free fatty acids.

A fragment distinct from the heavy and light chains was obtained by treatment of Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin with chymotrypsin. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting analysis with monoclonal antibodies showed that the fragment consisted of the light chain and part of the heavy chain (H-1 fragment) linked together by a disulfide bond. Monoclonal antibodies reacting to the heavy chain but not to the fragment were thought to recognize the epitopes on the remaining portion (H-2 fragment) of the heavy chain, being easily digested by chymotrypsin. Thus, the antigenic structure of type B neurotoxin resembles those of type A and E neurotoxins. The chymotrypsin-induced fragment bound to cerebroside and free fatty acids but not to gangliosides. The manner of binding of type B neurotoxin to gangliosides and free fatty acids was different from those of type A and E neurotoxins. Such differences in the reactivities to lipids may be related to the finding that each neurotoxin binds to a type-specific site on the neural membrane.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Activities of Aeromonas hydrophila hemolysins and their interaction with erythrocyte membranes.

The activity of hemolysin produced by Aeromonas hydrophila CA-11, isolated from an environmental source, was more sensitive to temperature than that of hemolysin produced by strain AH-1, isolated from a diarrheal case. CA-11 hemolysin failed to elicit hemolysis below 10 degrees C. Immunoblotting analyses showed that both hemolysins formed into oligomers in rabbit erythrocyte membrane even when no hemolysis occurred. suggesting that the binding and the subsequent oligomerization are temperature independent. Sodium salicylate inhibited lysis of rabbit erythrocytes by both hemolysins, but selected monosaccharides and oligosaccharides did not. Thin-layer immunostaining indicated that both hemolysins bound to phosphoglycerides with net negative charge but weakly to the ones with no net negative charge. Neither sphingomyelin nor lysophosphoglyceride reacted with the hemolysins, whereas the hemolysins bound to free fatty acids. These results suggest that the binding of either hemolysin to the membrane component, probably phospholipid, requires both negative charge of the polar head group and suitable hydrophobicity of the nonpolar tails.

Aeromonas↗

Fluid accumulation in the ligated intestinal loop and histopathological changes of the intestinal mucosa caused by Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin in the pheasant and chicken.

Fluid accumulation was induced in ligated intestinal loops of both pheasants and chickens injected with crude Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin. Necrosis of the epithelium and lamina propria of the duodenum and jejunum occurred in both species of bird after intraduodenal administration of crude C2 toxin. The severity of such reactions depended upon the dose and the period after administration of C2 toxin up to eight hours, and such reactions were suppressed specifically with rabbit anti-C2 toxin. These results confirm that C2 toxin is one of the causes of diarrhoea in avian botulism.

Animals↗

Evidence for direct binding of Clostridium botulinum type E derivative toxin and its fragments to gangliosides and free fatty acids.

Clostridium botulinum type E derivative toxin and its heavy chain bound to gangliosides GT1b, GD1a and GQ1b and saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids with chain lengths of 14-20 carbons. The L-H-1 fragment lacking the carboxyl-terminal portion of the heavy chain bound to free fatty acids but not to gangliosides. These observations led us to a new hypothesis on the mechanism of binding between botulinum toxin and gangliosides; the carboxyl-terminal portion (H-2 fragment) of the heavy chain binds to an oligosaccharide residue of gangliosides and then the amino-terminal portion (H-1 fragment) interacts with the hydrophobic portion of gangliosides consisting of fatty acids.

Binding Sites↗

Effects of Ca2+ and other cations on the action of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin.

We investigated the role of extracellular Ca2+ in the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin-induced alteration of the permeability of the plasma membrane. Enterotoxin released 86Rb and 51Cr from the Vero cells preloaded with the isotope. In the presence of EGTA, however, it released 86Rb but not 51Cr. The binding of enterotoxin to the cells was not influenced by Ca2+ or Mg2+. The effects of various cations on the enterotoxin-induced 51Cr release was also studied. The release depended on extracellular Ca2+ but not on Mg2+; it was inhibited by each of Zn2+, La3+ and Co2+. Zn2+ and Co2+ also inhibited 51Cr release caused by the enterotoxin previously bound to the cell membrane. In contrast, antibody against enterotoxin did not neutralize the toxin once it was bound to the Vero cells. When the cells were treated with enterotoxin, 45Ca influx occurred and reached the plateau in a few minutes, as did 86Rb release.

Animals↗

TLC immunostaining characterization of Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin binding to gangliosides and free fatty acids.

The receptor structure of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A was analysed by TLC immunostaining. GQ1b was found to be the most potent receptor, and the neurotoxin also bound to GT1b and GD1a, but not to GM3, GM2, GM1, GD3, GD1b and GT1a. Optimum binding of neurotoxin to the ganglioside appeared in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 0.2% NaCl. Higher and lower NaCl concentrations diminished neurotoxin binding to the ganglioside. In addition, the neurotoxin was able to bind to free fatty acids. Maximum binding was observed on stearic acid and neurotoxin binding to free fatty acids was not affected by NaCl concentration.

Botulinum Toxins↗

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin.

Four hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies to Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin were established by fusion of mouse myeloma and spleen cells obtained from mice immunized with the enterotoxin and its toxoid. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that the two antibodies, 2-B-4 and 3-G-10, bound to those regions that were located close each other; the others, 3-B-2 and 2-H-2, bound to other independent regions on the enterotoxin. Release of 51Cr from Vero cells with the enterotoxin was inhibited by either 2-B-4 or 3-G-10, both of which inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled enterotoxin to the cells. Neither binding nor cytotoxicity of the enterotoxin was affected by 2-H-2; 3-B-2 only barely inhibited the binding but neutralized the enterotoxin shown by 51Cr release. It seems justified to conclude that 3-B-2 blocks the toxic action after the enterotoxin has bound to Vero cells.

Animals↗

The use of monoclonal antibodies to analyze the structure of Clostridium botulinum type E derivative toxin.

Six monoclonal antibodies against Clostridium botulinum type E derivative toxin were prepared. Three of the five binding to the heavy chain neutralized the derivative toxin; the other one binding to the light chain did not. Immunoblotting analysis with the monoclonal antibodies showed that the fragment obtained by tryptic digestion consisted of the light chain and part of the heavy chain (H-1 fragment) linked together by a disulfide bond(s) and that the antigenic determinants common between type E and F derivative toxins were located on both the heavy and light chains. The fragment induced by chymotrypsin treatment, like the tryptic fragment, bound to four monoclonal antibodies. The mild tryptic treatment and reduction resulted in separation of the chymotryptic fragment into two smaller fragments corresponding to the light chain and H-1 fragment. These results indicate that H-1 fragment contains the amino-terminal portion of the heavy chain. The monoclonal antibody neutralizing the toxin and probably recognizing the epitope on the carboxyl-terminal portion (H-2 fragment) of the heavy chain effectively competed for binding of 125I-labeled derivative toxin to synaptosomes. Of the two monoclonal antibodies neutralizing the toxin and recognizing the epitopes on H-1 fragment, one partially inhibited binding, but the other did not. This suggests that the binding of 125I-labeled derivative toxin depends mainly on the carboxyl-terminal region of the heavy chain and that interference with binding is not the only means of toxin neutralization.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of an Aeromonas hydrophila hemolysin.

A hemolysin produced by Aeromonas hydrophila CA-11, isolated from an environmental source, was purified by sulfopropyl-Sephadex C-25 chromatography at pH 5.0. This hemolysin caused fluid accumulation in infant mouse intestines and rabbit intestinal loops and killed Vero cells, as did the hemolysin produced by strain AH-1, isolated from a diarrheal case. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses at pHs 4.0 and 9.4 and in thin-layer isoelectric focusing, CA-11 hemolysin migrated as a single band to a position different from that of AH-1 hemolysin. Immunodiffusion tests indicated that CA-11 hemolysin was immunologically related to AH-1 hemolysin but possessed unique antigenic determinants. Neutralization tests with antihemolysin sera also demonstrated immunological cross-reactivity between AH-1 and CA-11 hemolysins. These results apparently indicate that the hemolysins produced by the two strains of A. hydrophila are immunologically and physicochemically different from each other.

Aeromonas↗

A case report on human type B botulism.

A case of type B human botulism was found in Tochigi Prefecture in November, 1984. Botulinum type B toxin was detected in the serum and feces of the patient. The serum toxin was activated by trypsinization. Type B toxin was demonstrated in cooked meat medium cultures of the fecal specimens. The patient recovered after administration of type A, B, E and F quadrivalent antitoxin.

Botulinum Toxins↗

Botulism among penned pheasants and protection by vaccination with C1 toxoid.

Fifty to 100 per cent of about 8000 penned pheasants raised on a farm in Hiroshima Prefecture died annually for three years. Deaths were ascribed to type C botulism. Vaccination of four groups of pheasants with partially purified C1 toxoid effectively protected them against type C botulism. The protective efficacy of the toxoid was emphasised by the relatively high susceptibility of the pheasant to C1 toxin.

Animals↗

The role of sialic acid in the nerve terminal for the release of transmitter.

The role of sialic acid in the frequency of miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) was examined using neuraminidase and gangliosides in the mouse diaphragm. Neuraminidase increased and decreased MEPP frequency in normal K+ and high K+ solution, respectively. The effects were dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in extracellular medium. Neuraminidase liberated sialic acid from and lowered Ca2+-binding capacity of synaptosomal membrane. Gangliosides treatment of the tissue partially restored the effects of neuraminidase on the frequency of MEPP and Ca2+-binding capacity. It is possible that sialic acid in the nerve endings provides a functional storage site which supply intracellular Ca2+ to cause a transmitter release.

Animals↗

Purification and some properties of Aeromonas hydrophila hemolysin.

A hemolysin produced by a strain of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from a patient with diarrhea was purified by acid precipitation and quarternary aminoethyl-Sephadex chromatography. The molecular weight of the hemolysin was estimated at 50,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and at 48,000 by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.0 and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the hemolysin migrated as a single band, whereas electrophoresis at pH 9.4 and thin-layer isoelectric focusing demonstrated multiple bands. The results may indicate charge isomers of the hemolysin. The purified hemolysin had a hemolytic activity of 134 hemolytic units per microgram of protein on rabbit erythrocytes. It caused fluid accumulation in infant mouse intestines and rabbit ligated ileal loops. Purified hemolysin also elicited cytotoxicity to Vero cells and lethal toxicity to mice. All these biological activities were lost on heating for 5 min at 56 degrees C. These findings support the notion that A. hydrophila hemolysin is a cytotoxic enterotoxin.

Aeromonas↗