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Biomedical subjects

H Horiuchi

Publications and source records attributed to H Horiuchi.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

A novel prenyltransferase for a small GTP-binding protein having a C-terminal Cys-Ala-Cys structure.

smg p25A/rab3A p25 is a member of the small GTP-binding protein superfamily which is implicated in intracellular vesicle transport. smg p25A has a cDNA-predicted C-terminal structure of Cys-Ala-Cys. The protein purified from bovine brain membranes is geranylgeranylated at both the two cysteine residues and carboxyl-methylated at the C-terminal cysteine residue. Two types of prenyltransferase for small GTP-binding proteins have thus far been reported: ras p21 farnesyltransferase (ras p21 FT) and rhoA p21 geranylgeranyltransferase (rhoA p21 GGT). Neither of them geranylgeranylated smg p25A having a C-terminal Cys-Ala-Cys structure. In this paper, a smg p25A GGT was partially purified from bovine brain cytosol and separated from the ras p21 FT and rhoA p21 GGT by column chromatographies. smg p25A GGT transferred the geranylgeranyl moiety from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to both the two cysteine residues in the C-terminal Cys-Ala-Cys structure of smg p25A. smg p25A GGT did not use farnesyl pyrophosphate as a substrate and was also inactive on c-Ha-ras p21 and rhoA p21 with either farnesyl pyrophosphate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate as a substrate. These results indicate that there are at least three types of prenyltransferase for small GTP-binding proteins in mammalian tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The posttranslationally modified C-terminal structure of bovine aortic smooth muscle rhoA p21.

rhoA p21, a ras p21-like small GTP-binding protein, has the same C-terminal consensus motif of Cys-A-A-X (A is an aliphatic amino acid and X is any amino acid) as ras p21s, which is posttranslationally processed. We here determine the posttranslationally processed C-terminal structure of the rhoA p21 purified from bovine aortic smooth muscle. Incubation of rhoA p21-expressing insect cells with exogenous [3H]mevalonolactone caused the labeling of rhoA p21, suggesting that rhoA p21 is prenylated. Consistently, Raney nickel treatment of rhoA p21 released a geranylgeranyl moiety as estimated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. No lipid moiety was released by KOH or NH2OH treatment. Extensive digestion of rhoA p21 with Achromobacter protease I yielded a C-terminal peptide, Ser-Gly-Cys190, that lacked the three C-terminal amino acids predicted from the cDNA but was geranylgeranylated and carboxyl methylated at the cysteine residue. Bovine brain cytosol geranylgeranylated the bacterial rhoA p21 having the three C-terminal amino acids predicted from the cDNA but not the protein lacking the three C-terminal amino acids. Bovine brain membranes methylated the synthetic C-terminal peptide with 10 amino acids of rhoA p21 which was geranylgeranylated at its C-terminal cysteine residue but not the peptide which was not geranylgeranylated. These results suggest that rhoA p21 is first geranylgeranylated followed by removal of the three C-terminal amino acids and the subsequent carboxyl methylation of the exposed cysteine residue.

Alcaligenes↗

A geranylgeranyltransferase for rhoA p21 distinct from the farnesyltransferase for ras p21S.

We have clarified that rhoA p21 purified from bovine aortic smooth muscle is geranylgeranylated at the cysteine residue in the C-terminal CAAX motif (A is an aliphatic amino acid and X is any amino acid). In this paper, a geranylgeranyltransferase for rhoA p21 (rhoA p21 GGT) was partially purified from bovine brain cytosol. This enzyme transferred a geranylgeranyl moiety from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to rhoA p21 having the CAAX motif (rhoA p21-CAAX) but not to rhoA p21 lacking the AAX portion. rhoA p21 GGT was separated from the previously reported farnesyltransferase for ras p21s (ras p21 FT) by column chromatographies and did not geranylgeranylate or farnesylate c-Ha-ras p21-CAAX. ras p21 FT did not geranylgeranylate or farnesylate rhoA p21-CAAX. These results indicate that rhoA p21 GGT distinct from ras p21 FT is present in bovine brain cytosol.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Protective effect of vitamin D3 analogues on endotoxin shock in mice.

The effect of vitamin D3 analogues on endotoxin shock in mice was investigated. Male ICR mice were orally administered vitamin D3 analogues or vehicle, accompanied by an intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (E. Coli lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 20 mg/kg). Endotoxin caused a decrease in survival rate in a time-dependent manner. Increases in plasma immunoreactive (i) eicosanoid and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also observed. Administration of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-D3) improved the survival rate 24 to 48 h after endotoxin treatment. The effects were markedly observed at a dose of 20 ng/kg. In addition, 1 alpha-OH-D3 restored the plasma iTXB2 and hepatic MDA levels 8 h after endotoxin injection. However, it did not affect plasma iPGE2, i6-keto-PGF1 alpha and blood iLTB4 levels. At a dose of 20 ng/kg, both 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) and 1,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,24(R)-(OH)2D3) restored the survival rate, the plasma iTXB2 and hepatic MDA levels. These results suggest that vitamin D3 analogues may inhibit endotoxemia through regulation of the formation of TXA2 and free radicals.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: pathologic observations in 20 patients.

Histopathologic examination was performed in 20 patients undergoing antemortem coronary angioplasty. Thirty-four lesions were dilated and the interval between coronary angioplasty and death ranged from several hours to 4 years. Intimal proliferation of smooth muscle cells, as a major cause of restenosis, was observed in 83% to 100% of 28 lesions examined 11 days to 2 years after coronary angioplasty. In 20 lesions examined within 6 months, proliferating smooth muscle cells were predominantly of the synthetic type and there was abundant extracellular matrix substance chiefly composed of proteoglycans. In eight lesions examined between 6 months and 2 years, contractile type smooth muscle cells were dominant and extracellular matrix was composed chiefly of collagen. In three lesions examined after 2 years, evidence of antemortem coronary angioplasty was hardly identifiable and these lesions were almost indistinguishable from conventional atherosclerotic plaque. These temporal changes in histologic pattern provide a pathologic background for clinical reports that restenosis is predominantly found within 6 months after coronary angioplasty. Morphometric analysis revealed that the extent of intimal proliferation was significantly greater in lesions with evidence of medial or adventitial tears than in lesions with no or only intimal tears.

Aged↗

Ca2+ channel blocking effects of hirsutine, an indole alkaloid from Uncaria genus, in the isolated rat aorta.

Ca2+ channel blocking activity of hirsutine and its pharmacological features were studied. Hirsutine (10(-6) to 3 x 10(-5) M) produced a dose-dependent relaxation of the isolated rat aorta contracted by norepinephrine and high K+ concentration. This effect was exhibited in the aorta strips with or without the endothelium, suggesting an involvement of vasodilative mechanisms not dependent on the endothelium. Hirsutine also inhibited the contractions induced by serotonin and Ca2+ channel activator YC-170, but not by Ca2+ ionophore A23187. The pA2 value of hirsutine was 6.6 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- S.E.; n = 4) in antagonizing cumulative dose-response curve for Ca2+ in the depolarized aorta strips. It is concluded that hirsutine apparently exhibits Ca2+ channel blocking activity mainly through inhibition of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx.

Alkaloids↗

Expression of RNase Rh from Rhizopus niveus in yeast and characterization of the secreted proteins.

The full-length cDNA encoding RNase Rh, which is secreted extracellularly by Rhizopus niveus, was isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined. It was placed under control of the promoter of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a high expression vector in yeast. Since yeast cells transformed by this plasmid poorly secreted RNase into the medium, the plasmid pYE RNAP-Rh was constructed, in which the signal sequence of RNase Rh was replaced by the prepro-sequence of aspartic proteinase-I, one of the extracellular enzymes secreted by R. niveus. Yeast cells harboring pYE RNAP-Rh produced RNase efficiently (ca. 40 micrograms/ml) into the medium. The product was a mixture of six enzymes (RNase RNAP-Rhs) having 3, 5, 9, 13, 14, and 16 additional amino acid residues attached to the amino terminus of the mature RNase Rh. The major product was the RNase with three additional amino acids at the amino terminus. Limited digestion of RNase RNAP-Rhs with staphylococcal V8 protease succeeded in shortening the various lengths of extra amino acid residues attached to the amino terminus of RNase Rh, yielding an RNase that has 3 additional amino acids at the amino terminus. It has been named RNase RNAP-Rh. The RNase RNAP-Rh showed the same specific activity and CD spectra as those of RNase Rh, suggesting that the two have similar conformations to each other around aromatic amino acid residues and the peptide backbone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Shift in the megakaryocyte ploidy in MDS patients: microcytofluorometry with DAPI staining after destaining of Wright-Giemsa stain.

We applied DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining to the determination of nuclear DNA content in single megakaryocytes in 12 normal subjects and 12 patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). After the megakaryocytes had been identified on Wright-Giemsa stained smear and classified according to modified Feinendegen's classification, they were photographed. Then Wright-Giemsa stain was removed by immersion in 50% ethanol at 37 degrees C for 1 h and 100% methanol at 37 degrees C for 1 h. The specimens were then stained with DAPI solution (DAPI 0.01 mg/ml, pH 7.4 Tris-EDTA-2Na buffer solution and 0.01 M 2-mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride mixed at the ratio of 0.5:98.5:1.0) for more than 30 min. The amount of nuclear DNA in the previously identified megakaryocytes was measured by microcytofluorometry. The maximum population of megakaryocytes ploidy was in 16N in normal subjects, 8N in 10/12 MDS patients, and 4N in the remaining two patients. These findings suggest impairment of the development of the megakaryocytes nucleus in the MDS patients.

Adolescent↗

[Pharmacokinetics of cefodizime in patients undergoing hemodialysis].

The object of this study was to establish the most effective regimen of cefodizime (CDZM) for patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD). T 1/2 beta of CDZM upon 1 g intravenous administration was 3.50 +/- 0.72 hours in an on-HD group, and it was 11.26 +/- 3.89 hours in an off-HD group. When CDZM was administered consecutively at a dose of 1 g or 2 g only after HD, the serum concentration of CDZM was maintained at levels sufficient to exert antibacterial activity, and no tendency for accumulation was observed. The most effective regimen of CDZM to HD patients, therefore, has been that in which concluded to administration was done only after completion of HD, in a dose of 1 g for mild infections and that of 2 g for severe infections.

Cefotaxime↗

Vibrio virulence factors and the quantitative analysis of cytotoxicity elaborated by environmental isolates.

Vibrio strains isolated from freshwater environments were screened for the elaboration of haemolysin, cytotoxin and enterotoxins. While characterizing for various toxins, nine strains elaborated 10(3) and more haemolytic units (HU) per ml crude toxin with a maximum of 4.1 x 10(3) HU. About 41.7% of the strains which were tested produced a factor in the culture supernatant which was active in the suckling mouse assay. Cytotoxin studies revealed that all the Vibrio strains did not respond uniformly in the three cell lines tested. The elongation factor of the CHO cell line which was reported to have correlation with the enterotoxic activity, did not with some exceptions correspond to high fluid accumulation ratio in conventional suckling mouse assay. A modified, simple, rapid, sensitive procedure is described to quantify the elaboration of cytotoxic units (CU). When the HeLa cell line was used to estimate the CU production, 29% of the strains produced 10(2) CU with a maximum of 169 CU per 50 microliters of crude toxin.

Animals↗

[Acute unclassified leukemia with bone marrow necrosis].

Massive bone marrow necrosis was seen in a 42-year-old male with acute leukemia. In December, 1988, on admission, laboratory data revealed pancytopenia and a high level of serum LDH and ALKP. Bone marrow aspiration resulted in dry-tap and showed bone marrow necrosis in the bone marrow biopsy specimen. A bone marrow scintigraphy with 111In faintly visualized the bone marrow but visualized area was expanded in the extremities compared with normal subjects. The second bone marrow biopsy showed proliferation of blasts. In the middle of March, blasts began to appear in peripheral blood. The blasts were cytochemically negative for POX, Es, PAS, AcP, TdT and had surface markers CD3-, CD19-, CD33-, CD13-, LCA-, HLA-DR-. Even by investigation on rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain region, an origin of the blasts could not be determined. In April, the number of blasts in peripheral blood increased and hepatosplenomegaly developed rapidly. Therefore, he was put on the chemotherapy with vincristine and prednisolone, but he died of cerebral hemorrhage. The autopsy revealed widespread bone marrow necrosis. It has rarely been reported that massive bone marrow necrosis is found prior to the occurrence of acute unclassified leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Correct splicing of modified introns of a Rhizopus proteinase gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The intron of the Rhizopus aspartic proteinase gene (RNAP-I) was modified by in vitro mutagenesis and examined for its splicing efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The wild-type intron of the RNAP-I gene was not spliced at all in spite of its structural similarity to introns of S. cerevisiae. The primary transcript of the RNAP-I gene was converted to correctly translatable mRNA only when the complete consensus sequence of S. cerevisiae introns (i.e. 5'-GTATGT-----TACTAAC-----TAG-3') was introduced into its intron, although the efficiency of splicing was low. It is also shown that transformants carrying the RNAP-I gene with the complete consensus sequence of S. cerevisiae introns produce active RNAP-I protein.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

Polyamine analysis of infected root canal contents related to clinical symptoms.

The contents of infected root canals were collected by mechanical and chemical debridement. Intracanal polyamines were identified and quantified by HPLC in all canals examined, however, no histamine was detected in any canal. The relationship between the amount of each polyamine and clinical signs of the teeth was analyzed statistically. The teeth without clinical signs tended to have limited varieties and smaller amounts of polyamines. Using chi 2, the amounts were significantly greater in teeth with spontaneous pain, swelling and putrescent odor (p less than 0.01), with exudate (p less than 0.025) and with percussion pain (p less than 0.1) than in teeth without. Amounts of putrescine (p less than 0.05) and total polyamines (p less than 0.01) were greater in teeth with spontaneous pain and percussion pain than in teeth without clinical sign, and those with root canal exudate also had greater amounts of total polyamines than those without (p less than 0.01). The amounts of cadaverine, however, from the teeth with gingival fistulae, was greater than from those without (p less than 0.05). No significant relationship was established between the amount of each polyamine and the presence of putrescent odor or gingival swelling. Intracanal polyamines, especially putrescine may leak out through apical foramen and may be implicated in pain production by eliciting acute inflammatory response in the periapical tissues.

Adolescent↗

Preliminary evidence of growth factor(s) from chicken thrombocytes--growth effects on chicken embryo fibroblasts culture.

The thrombocyte extracts (TE) and thrombocyte-secretion products (TSP) prepared from chicken peripheral blood were examined for the growth activity of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). When the cells were incubated with TE and TSP, the enhancement of cell spreading was observed within one hour after seeding, but the control culture showed little spreading. Three to six days after cell seeding, the increase of the cell densities in the culture supplemented with TE and TSP was noticed in comparison with the culture without thrombocyte materials. The results strongly indicate the possibility for the presence of thrombocyte-derived growth factor(s) to CEF.

Animals↗