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Biomedical subjects

H Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to H Matsubara.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Amino acid replacement studies of human cytochrome c by a complementation system using CYC1 deficient yeast.

Various in vitro mutated human cytochrome c genes which encode displaced amino acid residues at the 14th, 17th, 28th, 37th, 38th, 56th, and/or 84th residues were constructed, and their degrees of complementation of yeast CYC1 deficiency were examined. Invariant Cys-17 and Arg-38 could not be replaced by alanine and tryptophan, respectively, without function impairment. Cytochrome c containing Ala-14 instead of conserved Cys-14, Gly-38 or Lys-38 instead of Arg-38, and Ser-84 instead of invariant Gly-84 were partly functional. These results indicate that these invariant or conserved residues are important. Cytochromes c containing Cys-56 instead of native Gly-56 was partly functional. Cytochrome c containing Arg-37 and Gly-38 instead of Gly-37 and Arg-38 was slightly functional. Replacement of variable Thr-28 and Gly-37 by Ile-28 and Arg-37, respectively, produced no effects. Our results are as a whole consistent with the view that conserved residues are important and variable residues are less important for cytochrome c to function.

Amino Acids↗

Complete amino acid sequence of ferredoxin from Peridinium bipes (Dinophyceae).

The amino acid sequence of the major ferredoxin component isolated from a dinoflagellate, Peridinium bipes, was completely determined. Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteolytic, tryptic and chymotryptic peptides of Cm-ferredoxin were prepared and sequenced. The sequence was Phe-Lys-Val-Thr-Leu-Asp-Thr-Pro-Asp-Gly-Lys-Lys-Ser-Phe-Glu-Cys- Pro-Gly-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ile-Leu-Asp-Lys-Ala-Glu-Glu-Glu-Gly-Leu-Glu-Leu-Pro- Tyr-Ser - Cys-Arg-Ala-Gly-Ser-Cys-Ser-Ser-Cys-Ala-Gly-Lys-Val-Leu-Thr-Gly-Ser-Ile- Asp-Gln - Ser-Asp-Gln-Ala-Phe-Leu-Asp-Asp-Asp-Gln-Gly-Gly-Asp-Gly-Tyr-Cys-Leu-Thr- Cys-Val - Thr-Tyr-Pro-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Thr-Ile-Lys-Thr-His-Cys-Glu-Ser-Glu-Leu. It was composed of 93 amino acid residues with 7 cysteine residues, the highest number found among the chloroplast-type ferredoxins so far sequenced. A cysteine residue was found for the first time at the 89th position in a chloroplast-type ferredoxin. Calculation of the numbers of amino acid differences among chloroplast-type ferredoxins indicates that the Peridinium ferredoxin is far divergent not only from higher plant ferredoxins but also from blue-green algal ferredoxins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cellular mechanism of atrial natriuretic factor secretion by cultured rat cardiocytes.

Using primary culture of atrial cardiocytes from neonatal rats, we have demonstrated that alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic agonists have a direct stimulatory effect on secretion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and that ANF secretion is stimulated by phorbol ester, Ca2+ ionophore, high K+-induced depolarization and Ca2+-channel agonists. These data suggest that receptor-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C as well as Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are involved in the secretory mechanism of ANF.

Animals↗

Isolation of genomic DNA controlling mouse melanoma antigen defined by monoclonal antibody.

We have isolated the genomic DNA controlling the expression of murine specific melanoma antigen by employing cosmid shuttle vector and monoclonal antibody. Transfection of the cosmid library derived from mouse melanoma cells into human melanomas and repeated cell sortings of the fluorescence-bright population enabled us to enrich the antigen-positive transfectants. We rescued a 34.8 kb DNA fragment from the transfectants by in vitro packaging and showed it to be responsible for the antigen expression. However, we noticed instability of the antigen expression when the selection pressure imposed by the cell sorting was removed. This seemed to be due to the fact that the insert DNA was preferentially deleted from this cosmid vector without loss of the vector sequence itself.

Animals↗

Role of calcium and protein kinase C in ANP secretion by cultured rat cardiocytes.

The secretory mechanism of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP) was studied in vitro with the use of primary culture of atrial myocytes from neonatal rats. Norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and carbamylcholine stimulated immunoreactive (IR) rANP secretion, whereas neither angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, nor isoproterenol affected its secretion. The stimulatory effects of carbamylcholine and phenylephrine were blocked by atropine and prazosin, respectively. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-beta-acetate (TPA), protein kinase C activator, induced a dose-dependent increase in IR rANP secretion, and TPA combined with Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin produced a synergistic effect. Ca2+-channel agonist BAY K 8644 also stimulated IR rANP secretion, the effect of which was blocked by Ca2+-channel antagonist nifedipine. These data suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic agonists have direct action on rat cardiocytes to stimulate ANP secretion that involves receptor-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

[Effects of pre-operative intrahepatic-arterial infusion in liver cancer with special reference to hepatic resection].

The following conclusions were obtained in terms of the histological response of preoperative TAI and TAE in 27 hepatectomized patients with 15 primary and 12 metastatic liver cancers. 1) TAE was superior to TAI in tumor 100% necrosis rate. 2) TAE showed higher necrosis rate than TAI in tumors with capsule formation smaller than 2 cm. 3) Even TAE reveals no histological response in tumors with intracapsular infiltration.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

[Problems in therapy of thoracic esophageal cancer in view of recurrence in the lymph nodes].

The forms of recurrence from the first onset were confirmed in 171 out of 776 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer excised at our Department from 1959 to 1987; 87 patients (50.9%) had recurrence in the lymph nodes. Postoperative radiation in order to prevent recurrence in the lymph nodes was useful for the prevention of recurrence in the cervical lymph nodes, but radiation myelopathy/radiation pneumonitis might be of therapeutic difficulty in patients with recurrence in the areas of radiation. Moreover, patients treated by irradiation were apt to be involved in visceral recurrence. Incidence of recurrence in the lymph nodes was less in patients who had dissection in three areas than that in patients who received dissection in one or two. However, recurrence was observed in the border region between the cervix and the thorax, on the left side of the trachea, in the anterior portion and on the left side of the hilum in the areas of dissection. Useful postoperative chemotherapy is desirable in consideration of the fact that recurrence in the lymph nodes was observed at the posterior region of the pharynx, at the temporal region and in the pelvis and that dissemination and visceral recurrence were increased.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Thymic stroma-derived T cell growth factor: its role in the growth of immature thymocytes and T cell repertoire selection.

A newly established thymic stromal cell clone, MRL104.8a exhibited capacities to express Ia antigens and to support the growth of antigen-specific, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent helper T cell (Th) clones without requirement of antigen and exogenous IL-2. Such growth was substituted by a factor produced into cultures by the MRL104.8a clone. This substance designated as thymic stroma-derived T cell growth factor (TSTGF) was demonstrated to be the protein that has an apparent molecular weight of about 25,000 and a pI of 6.0 and to be distinct from the previously described interleukins and cytokines. While the capacity of TSTGF to promote T cell proliferation was initially found by using various Th clones, further studies have demonstrated its capability of supporting the growth of immature (L3T4- Lyt-2-) thymocytes. TSTGF alone failed to function for the proliferation of double-negative thymocytes, whereas this novel growth factor was capable of inducing the proliferation of immature thymocytes by synergy with IL-1. Such growth promotion was further enhanced by the addition of IL-2 or IL-4 to cultures. The data were also presented that TSTGF could contribute to the clonal elimination in the thymus. The growth of a Th clone, 9-16, was supported on the TSTGF-producing and Ia-expressing MRL104.8a monolayer in the absence of the antigen against which this Th clone is directed. In contrast, the presence of the relevant antigen in the MRL104.8a culture elicited the lethal growth-inhibition of Th clone cells. Taken collectively, the results provide strong support for the proposition that TSTGF may play an essential role in the intrathymic T cell development in the context of T cell growth promotion and T cell repertoire selection.

Animals↗

Hydrogen bonding of sulfur ligands in blue copper and iron-sulfur proteins: detection by resonance Raman spectroscopy.

The resonance Raman spectrum of the blue copper protein azurin from Alcaligenes denitrificans exhibits nine vibrational modes between 330 and 460 cm-1, seven of which shift 0.4-3.0 cm-1 to lower energy after incubation of the protein in D2O. These deuterium-dependent shifts have been previously ascribed to exchangeable protons on imidazole ligands [Nestor, L., Larrabee, J. A., Woolery, G., Reinhammar, B., & Spiro, T. G. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 1084] or to exchangeable protons on amide groups which are hydrogen bonded to the cysteine thiolate ligands (a feature common to all blue copper proteins of known structure). In order to distinguish between these two possibilities, a systematic investigation of Fe2S2(Cys)4-containing proteins was undertaken. Extensive hydrogen bonding between sulfur ligands and the polypeptide backbone had been observed in the crystal structure of ferredoxin from Spirulina platensis. The resonance Raman spectrum of this protein is typical of a chloroplast-type ferredoxin and exhibits deuterium-dependent shifts of -0.3 to -0.5 cm-1 in the Fe-S modes at 283, 367, and 394 cm-1 (assigned to the bridging sulfurs) and -0.6 to -0.8 cm-1 in the Fe-S modes at 328 and 341 cm-1 (assigned to the terminal cysteine thiolates). Considerably greater deuterium sensitivity is observed in the Raman spectra of spinach ferredoxin and bovine adrenodoxin, particularly for the symmetric stretching vibration of the Fe2S2 moiety at approximately 390 cm-1. This feature decreases by 0.8 and 1.1 cm-1, respectively, for the two oxidized proteins in D2O and by 1.8 cm-1 for reduced adrenodoxin in D2O.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Glands↗

Ventricular myocytes from neonatal rats are more responsive to dexamethasone than atrial myocytes in synthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide.

Using the primary culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, synthesis and secretion of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP) were studied. Ventricular myocytes in culture, although contained less amounts of cellular immunoreactive (IR)-rANP, secreted substantial amounts of IR-rANP at a rate comparable to that of atrial myocytes. Dexamethasone markedly stimulated synthesis and secretion of IR-rANP by cultured ventricular myocytes in a dose-dependent manner (10(-10)-10(-6) M), of which effect was far more potent than that in atrial myocytes. Testosterone and triiodothyronine also stimulated synthesis and secretion of ventricular IR-rANP to the extent comparable to that of atrial IR-rANP. The present study suggests that tissue-dependent difference in glucocorticoids sensitivity plays an important role in the regulation of developmental ANP gene expression in mammalian heart.

Age Factors↗

Role of atrial natriuretic polypeptides for exaggerated natriuresis in essential hypertension.

Eighteen patients with essential hypertension were separated into 2 groups, renin-unresponsive and renin-responsive, on the basis of their plasma renin response when challenged by furosemide and upright posture. The response to acute infusion of hypertonic saline solution (1.4% saline solution at a rate of 0.3 ml/min/kg over 60 minutes) was then studied. In the renin-unresponsive group, peak rate of fractional excretion of sodium and peak urine flow after saline loading were 7.6 +/- 0.7% and 476 +/- 34 ml/hour, respectively, and peak value of atrial natriuretic polypeptides (ANP) was 784 +/- 140 pg/ml. In the renin-responsive group, the values were 3.1 +/- 0.4%, 194 +/- 29 ml/hour and 115 +/- 33 pg/ml. Both fractional excretion of sodium, urine flow and ANP response were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the renin-unresponsive group. Moreover, a highly significant relation (r = 0.82, p less than 0.01) was observed between fractional excretion of sodium and ANP levels in all hypertensive patients. The degree of saline-induced natriuresis was not related to blood pressure, heart rate, endogenous creatinine clearance, antidiuretic hormone or preexisting level of aldosterone. Plasma renin activity changed little in either group during saline infusion, but tended to be higher at all times in the renin-responsive patients. The present findings suggest that the enhanced secretion of ANP is an important determinant for exaggerated natriuresis observed in patients with renin-unresponsive hypertension.

Adult↗

Binding of synthetic beta-human atrial natriuretic peptide to cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

We have studied the effects of synthetic beta-human atrial natriuretic peptide (beta-hANP), an antiparallel dimer of alpha-hANP, on receptor binding and cGMP generation in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells and compared the effects with those of alpha-hANP. Characteristics of temperature-dependent binding and degradation of 125I-beta-hANP were similar to those of 125I-alpha-hANP. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of binding sites for beta-hANP with a maximal binding capacity one-half that of alpha-hANP. Parallel and antiparallel dimers were equipotent in inhibiting the binding and stimulating intracellular cGMP formation, of which the maximal effect was about one-half that of alpha-hANP. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography revealed that most of beta-hANP added to cells was converted to a small molecular mass component corresponding to alpha-hANP after incubation. These data suggest that the less potent effect of beta-hANP in receptor binding and cGMP generation may be partly accounted for by the possible conversion of beta-hANP to alpha-hANP at the site of target cells.

Animals↗

Effects of steroid and thyroid hormones on synthesis of atrial natriuretic peptide by cultured atrial myocytes of rat.

The in vitro effects of various steroid and thyroid hormones on synthesis of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP) were studied using new-born rat atrial myocytes in culture. Dexamethasone, testosterone and triiodothyronine markedly stimulated both synthesis and secretion of immunoreactive (IR)-rANP with the same peak after 4-day-culture. Dexamethasone and testosterone dose-dependently (10(-7)-10(-6) M) stimulated synthesis of IR-rANP and were the most potent among various steroids tested. Triiodothyronine (T3) also stimulated synthesis of IR-rANP in a dose-dependent manner (10(-8)-10(-7) M), of which effect was more potent than that of tetraiodothyronine, whereas reverse T3 was ineffective. The present study clearly shows that glucocorticoids, androgens and thyroid hormones directly stimulate synthesis of ANP by atrial myocytes and suggests that ANP may play a potential role in mediating and/or modulating the biological effects by these hormones in the cardiovascular system.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗