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Biomedical subjects

H Mukai

Publications and source records attributed to H Mukai.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Interaction of PKN with a neuron-specific basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, NDRF/NeuroD2.

By the yeast two-hybrid screening of a human brain cDNA library with the amino-terminal regulatory region of PKN as a bait, a clone encoding a neuron-specific basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factor, NDRF/NeuroD2 was isolated. NDRF/NeuroD2 was co-precipitated with PKN from the lysate of COS-7 cells transfected with both expression constructs for NDRF/NeuroD2 and PKN. In vitro binding studies using the deletion mutants of NDRF/NeuroD2 synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate indicated that the internal region containing the bHLH domain of NDRF/NeuroD2 was necessary and sufficient for the interaction with PKN. In addition, recombinant NDRF/NeuroD2 purified from Escherichia coli could bind PKN, suggesting the direct interaction between NDRF/NeuroD2 and PKN. Transient transfection assays using P19 cells revealed that expression of NDRF/NeuroD2 increased the transactivation of the rat insulin promoter element 3 (RIPE3) enhancer up to approximately 12-fold and that co-expression of catalytically active form of PKN, but not kinase-deficient derivative, resulted in a further threefold increase of NDRF/NeuroD2-mediated transcription. These findings suggest that PKN may contribute to transcriptional responses through the post-translational modification of the NDRF/NeuroD2-dependent transcriptional machinery.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist, at therapeutic doses in several animal species and interspecies scaling of its pharmacokinetic parameters.

The pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a newly developed phenethylamine class alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist, was investigated in rats, rabbits, and dogs given intravenous and oral doses that have little effect on the renal blood flow rate (approximating the range of clinical doses). A three-compartment open model adequately described the plasma NS-49 profiles with respective elimination half-lives of 18, 19, and 13 h after intravenous administration of NS-49 to rats, rabbits and dogs. After oral administration, the NS-49 plasma concentrations reached their maximums within 1.5 h in all the species tested, then decreased as in intravenous administration. The systemic availability was 80% for the rats, 70% for the rabbits, and 101% for the dogs. From the pharmacokinetic parameter values for these three species, we predicted human pharmacokinetics of NS-49 after oral administration with an animal scale-up approach. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) after oral administration, as well as the total body clearance showed an excellent allometric relationship to body weight across the three species. The oral AUC value for humans therefore could be predicted from this correlation. The predicted value agreed well with the observed value in the clinical phase I study. It was difficult to predict the plasma concentration profile of NS-49 for humans after oral administration because the absorption rate constant (k(a)) that is essential for estimation of the maximum concentration exhibited no correlation across the species tested. But we approximately could simulate the plasma concentration profile of NS-49 for humans by using the k(a) value for the rats or rabbits.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Identification and characterization of PKNbeta, a novel isoform of protein kinase PKN: expression and arachidonic acid dependency are different from those of PKNalpha.

The cDNA clone encoding a novel isoform of protein kinase PKN, termed PKNbeta, was isolated from a HeLa cDNA library. PKNbeta had high sequence homology with PKNalpha, originally isolated PKN, especially in the repeats of charged amino acid-rich region with leucine-zipper like sequences (CZ region/HR1), in the carboxyl-terminal catalytic domain, and in approximately 130 amino acid stretch (D region/HR2), located between CZ region/HR1 and the catalytic domain. However, the amino acid sequence of PKNbeta differed from that of PKNalpha in the region immediately amino-terminal to the catalytic domain, which contained two distinct proline-rich sequences consistent with the class II consensus sequence, PXXPXR, for binding to SH3 domain. Distribution of PKNbeta differed from that of PKNalpha in the following two respects: (1) Northern blotting indicated that PKNbeta mRNA could not be detected in human adult tissues, but was expressed abundantly in human cancer cell lines; (2) immunochemical analysis indicated that PKNbeta localized in nucleus and perinuclear Golgi apparatus, and was almost absent in cytoplasmic region in NIH3T3 cells. Recombinant PKNbeta expressed in COS7 cells displayed autophosphorylation and peptide kinase activity, but was found to be significantly less responsive to arachidonic acid than PKNalpha. The identification of this novel isoform underscores the diversity of PKN signaling pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1999

Effects of renal insufficiency and aging on the pharmacokinetics of a phenethylamine class alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist NS-49.

Effects of renal insufficiency and of aging on the pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a newly developed phenethylamine class alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist eliminated mainly by renal excretion, were investigated in rats after a single administration of (14)C-NS-49. The gromerular filtration rate (GFR) in the partially nephrectomized rats was about half that in the sham-operated rats, and the plasma creatinine concentration in the former was well above the normal limit. Plasma concentrations of radioactivity after intravenous or oral administration of (14)C-NS-49 were much higher in the nephrectomized rats than in the intact and sham-operated rats. As a result, the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) after intravenous and oral administrations respectively increased 5-fold and 7-fold after partial nephrectomy. The elimination half-life (t(1/2,beta)) was increased about 2-fold by partial nephrectomy. The systemic availability for the partially nephrectomized rats remained unchanged, indicative that partial nephrectomy does not affect the absorption of NS-49. Plasma concentrations of radioactivity after intravenous or oral administration of (14)C-NS-49 to 88-week-old rats were higher than in 7-week-old rats, the AUC(0-infinity) value for the aged rats being about two times higher. The aged rats, unlike the nephrectomized rats, showed no marked difference in the t(1/2,beta), value, whereas their V(ss) value was about half that for the young rats. These findings are considered to be caused by physiologic age-related changes; decrease in renal function and loss of body water. Systemic availability in the aged rats did not differ from that in the young, indicative that aging has no effect on the extent of absorption of this drug.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Developmental and dynamic canal stenosis as radiologic factors affecting surgical results of anterior cervical fusion for myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: The correlation between preoperative and postoperative lateral functional radiograms and clinical results was analyzed in 74 cases of myelopathy treated by anterior cervical fusion. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the correlation between clinical results and radiologic findings (developmental and dynamic stenosis). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although radiologic changes have been reported at the disc level adjacent to anterior cervical fusion, the question of whether these radiologic findings affect the clinical results of anterior fusion has not been resolved. METHODS: The "deteriorated" results group (28 cases) was composed of cases with deterioration of 2 points or more in the Japan Orthopedic Association score at follow-up compared with the postoperative best score. The "good" results group (46 cases) exhibited a recovery rate of > or = 50%. The two groups were compared in lateral functional roentgenograms on which the sagittal canal diameter in each vertebra and the diameter between the inferoposterior lip of the vertebral body and the anterior margin of the lamina of the distal vertebra in the extended neck were measured. A diameter of less than 12 mm was defined as developmental canal stenosis or dynamic canal stenosis. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of the cases in the deteriorated results group had developmental canal stenosis, whereas the same findings were identified in only 2% of the cases in the good results group (P < 0.01). Preoperative dynamic canal stenosis at the disc level adjacent to the fusion was found in 64% of the patients in the deteriorated results group and in only 4% of the patients in the good results group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the deteriorated results group showed a higher incidence of preoperative developmental and/or dynamic canal stenosis at the adjacent disc level than those in the the good results group. These results indicate that patients with preoperative developmental canal stenosis are not suitable candidates for anterior cervical fusion. When dynamic canal stenosis is found below or above the level of fusion, simultaneous fusion is recommended to avoid deterioration of the myelopathy.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of a novel giant scaffolding protein, CG-NAP, that anchors multiple signaling enzymes to centrosome and the golgi apparatus.

A novel 450-kDa coiled-coil protein, CG-NAP (centrosome and Golgi localized PKN-associated protein), was identified as a protein that interacted with the regulatory region of the protein kinase PKN, having a catalytic domain homologous to that of protein kinase C. CG-NAP contains two sets of putative RII (regulatory subunit of protein kinase A)-binding motif. Indeed, CG-NAP tightly bound to RIIalpha in HeLa cells. Furthermore, CG-NAP was coimmunoprecipitated with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), when one of the B subunit of PP2A (PR130) was exogenously expressed in COS7 cells. CG-NAP also interacted with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 1 in HeLa cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of HeLa cells revealed that CG-NAP was localized to centrosome throughout the cell cycle, the midbody at telophase, and the Golgi apparatus at interphase, where a certain population of PKN and RIIalpha were found to be accumulated. These data indicate that CG-NAP serves as a novel scaffolding protein that assembles several protein kinases and phosphatases on centrosome and the Golgi apparatus, where physiological events, such as cell cycle progression and intracellular membrane traffic, may be regulated by phosphorylation state of specific protein substrates.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Interaction of the small G protein RhoA with the C terminus of human phospholipase D1.

Mammalian phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D1 (PLD1) is a signal transduction-activated enzyme thought to function in multiple cell biological settings including the regulation of membrane vesicular trafficking. PLD1 is activated by the small G proteins, ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and RhoA, and by protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha). This stimulation has been proposed to involve direct interaction and to take place at a distinct site in PLD1 for each activator. In the present study, we employed the yeast two-hybrid system to attempt to identify these sites. Successful interaction of ARF and PKC-alpha with PLD1 was not achieved, but a C-terminal fragment of human PLD1 (denoted "D4") interacted with the active mutant of RhoA, RhoAVal-14. Deletion of the CAAX box from RhoAVal-14 decreased the strength of the interaction, suggesting that lipid modification of RhoA is important for efficient binding to PLD1. The specificity of the interaction was validated by showing that the PLD1 D4 fragment interacts with glutathione S-transferase-RhoA in vitro in a GTP-dependent manner and that it associates with RhoAVal-14 in COS-7 cells, whereas the N-terminal two-thirds of PLD1 does not. Finally, we show that recombinant D4 peptide inhibits RhoA-stimulated PLD1 activation but not ARF- or PKC-alpha-stimulated PLD1 activation. These results conclusively demonstrate that the C-terminal region of PLD1 contains the RhoA-binding site and suggest that the ARF and PKC interactions occur elsewhere in the protein.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1999

Intermolecular and interdomain interactions of a dynamin-related GTP-binding protein, Dnm1p/Vps1p-like protein.

Dnm1p/Vps1p-like protein (DVLP) is a mammalian member of the dynamin GTPase family, which is classified into subfamilies on the basis of the structural similarity. Mammalian dynamins constitute the dynamin subfamily. DVLP belongs to the Vps1 subfamily, which also includes yeast Vps1p and Dnm1p. Typical structural features that discriminate between members of the Vps1 and dynamin subfamilies are that the former lacks the pleckstrin homology and Pro-rich domains. Dynamin exists as tetramers under physiological salt conditions, whereas under low salt conditions, it can polymerize into spirals that resemble the collar structures seen at the necks of constricted coated pits. In this study, we found that DVLP is also oligomeric, probably tetrameric, under physiological salt conditions and forms sedimentable large aggregates under low salt conditions. The data indicate that neither the pleckstrin homology nor Pro-rich domain is required for the self-assembly. Analyses using the two-hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation show that the N-terminal region containing the GTPase domain and a domain (DVH1) conserved across members of the dynamin and Vps1 subfamilies, can interact with the C-terminal region containing another conserved domain (DVH2). The data on the interdomain interaction of DVLP is compatible with the previous reports on the interdomain interaction of dynamin. Thus, the self-assembly mechanism of DVLP appears to resemble that of dynamin, suggesting that DVLP may also be involved in the formation of transport vesicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Renal excretion mechanism of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist.

Renal handling of NS-49, which is an organic cation and a chiral compound, was investigated in rats, rabbits and dogs. Renal clearance (Cl(re)) of NS-49 was 3.4-fold the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the rat in vivo study. The clearance ratio (Cl(re)/GFR) approached unity during cimetidine infusion. Change in the urine flow rate or urinary pH did not affect the Cl(re) of NS-49. The stop-flow patterns of NS-49 in the rabbits and dogs showed a secretion peak in the proximal tubules. On concomitant administration of cimetidine, the secretion peak disappeared, the stop-flow pattern showing neither a secretion nor reabsorption peak. These findings indicate that in these species NS-49 undergoes glomerular filtration and extensive proximal tubular secretion, but little reabsorption. A transport mechanism study of NS-49 in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) isolated from rat kidney cortex showed that it is transported via the carrier-mediated H(+)/organic cation antiport system. In the rat renal clearance studies (in vivo) tubular secretion of NS-49 was significantly inhibited by quinine (p<0.01) but not by quinidine. Transport studies done with rat BBMVs (in vitro) also showed quinine to be more potent than quinidine in inhibiting NS-49 uptake. These results indicate that stereoselective interaction occurs in active renal tubular secretion.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMed1999

Butyltin residues in livers of humans and wild terrestrial mammals and in plastic products.

Butyltin compounds (BTs) including mono-(MBT), di-(DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) were determined in livers of humans and wild terrestrial mammals, such as raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoids) and monkeys (Macaca fuscata) from Japan. In addition, 22 samples of plastic products were analyzed. BT residues were detected in all the liver samples of humans and raccoon dogs, with concentrations of <360 ng/g wet wt, whereas concentrations in the liver of monkeys were either less than the detection limit or were only in trace levels. Elevated concentrations of BTs, particularly DBT (<140,000 ng/g) and MBT (<130,000 ng/g), were found in some plastic products, such as baking parchments made from siliconized paper and gloves made up from polyurethane. The results of a cooking test using the above baking parchment indicated the transfer of BTs to foodstuffs. These observations suggest expansion of BT contamination among terrestrial mammals. BT pollution from industrial appliances, such as plastic stabilizers and catalysts other than those of marine origin as antifouling agents, are suggested as alternative sources of exposure.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist. 1st communication: absorption and excretion in rats after a single administration of 14C-NS-49.

The absorption and excretion of NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethanesulfonanilide hydrochloride, CAS 137431-04-0), a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist, were studied in rats after a single administration of 14C-NS-49. In addition, the protein binding of this drug was investigated in vivo and in vitro. After oral administration of 14C-NS-49 (1 mg/kg) to male rats, the radioactivity concentrations in the blood and plasma reached maximums within 1 h, then decreased biexponentially with respective elimination half-lives of 25.4 and 11.9 h. Most of the plasma radioactivity was due to unchanged NS-49, indicating of the poor metabolism of this drug in rats. The results of the in situ absorption study using the intestinal loop method showed that 14C-NS-49 was well absorbed from the small intestine. Systemic availability was high (86%), as determined by a comparison of the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves of unchanged NS-49 for oral and intravenous administrations. Food affected the absorption of NS-49. There were no significant sex-related differences in the plasma concentration profiles after the intravenous administration of 14C-NS-49 (p > 0.05). NS-49 was primarily eliminated by renal excretion, 76% and 62% of the dose being excreted unchanged in the urine after intravenous and oral administrations, respectively. The absorption rate, determined on the basis of the urinary excretion of radioactivity, was 83%, being almost the same as the systemic availability. First-pass metabolism of NS-49, therefore, is considered to be very limited in rats. The excretion of radioactivity in the bile within 48 h after the oral administration of 14C-NS-49 (1 mg/kg) was 5.9% of the dose, and the excretion of radioactivity in the exhaled air after the intravenous administration (0.2 mg/kg) was negligible. The percentage of 14C-NS-49 bound to serum proteins in vitro was less than 15% in all the animal species tested. The percentage of radioactivity bound to rat serum proteins after the oral administration of 14C-NS-49 (1 mg/kg) was 16-21%.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist. 2nd communication: Absorption and excretion in rabbits, dogs and monkeys after a single administration of 14C-NS-49.

The absorption and excretion of NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethanesulfonanilide hydrochloride, CAS 137431-04-0), a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist, were studied in male rabbits, dogs, and monkeys after intravenous or oral administration of 14C-NS-49. After single oral administration of 14C-NS-49 (1 mg/kg) to rabbits and dogs, the plasma concentrations of radioactivity and NS-49 reached maximums at about 2 h, then decreased triexponentially. In monkeys, both maximums were reached 3 h after administration, and both concentrations decreased biexponentially. Most of the plasma radioactivity was due to unchanged NS-49 in the rabbits and dogs, indicating poor metabolism of this drug. In the monkeys, however, the percentage of unchanged NS-49 in the plasma radioactivity was low, about 20%, during a 24-h period after oral administration. After intravenous and oral administrations of 14C-NS-49, radioactivity was primarily excreted in the urine in all the species tested. The absorption rates found by comparing the urinary excretions of radioactivity after both routes of administration were 71% for rabbits, 92% for dogs, and 95% for monkeys. The percentages of NS-49 in the radioactivity excreted in the urine after intravenous and oral administrations, respectively, were 77% and 68% for rabbits, 96% and 96% for dogs, and 57% and 29% for monkeys. The systemic availability calculated from the unchanged drug excreted in the urine was similar to the absorption rates for rabbits and dogs. This indicates that first-pass metabolism of this drug is very limited in both species. The systemic availability for monkeys, however, was about half the absorption rate due to the first-pass effect. Renal clearance accounted for most of the total clearance for rabbits and dogs, but only about half that for monkeys.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of NS-49, a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist. 3rd communication: metabolism in rats, rabbits, dogs and monkeys, and effects on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities in rats after repeated administration.

The metabolism of NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoro-methanesulfonanilide++ + hydrochloride, CAS 137431-04-0), a phenethylamine class alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist, was investigated in rats, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys after single intravenous or oral administration of 14C-NS-49 or unlabeled NS-49. The N-acetylated form, the only metabolite was identified in the urine of all the species tested by thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry. The unchanged drug and N-acetylated form accounted for almost all the radioactivity in the urine. The order of the percentage of the N-acetylated form in the urinary radioactivity after oral administration was monkeys (66%) > rabbits (22%) > rats (14%) > dogs (1.3%). There were no marked differences between the intravenous and oral routes in the percentages of NS-49 and its N-acetylated form for the rats, rabbits, and dogs, indicative of negligible first-pass metabolism. In the monkeys, however, the percentage of NS-49 in the urinary radioactivity after oral administration was about half that after intravenous injection due to first-pass metabolism, and the N-acetylated form showed an inverse relation. The N-acetylated form also was the only metabolite in the plasma and tissues (liver, kidney, heart, and lung) 1 and 4 h after the oral administration of 14C-NS-49 to rats. NS-49 and its N-acetylated form accounted for more than 80% of the radioactivity in the plasma and the four tissues. The percentages of NS-49 and its N-acetylated form in the total radioactivity did not differ markedly among the plasma and tissues. Repeated oral administrations of 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg of NS-49 to male rats once a day for 7 days had no effects on their hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activities.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics of NS-105, a novel cognition enhancer. 1st communication: absorption, metabolism and excretion in rats, dogs and monkeys after single administration of 14C-NS-105.

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of NS-105 ((+)-5-oxo-D-prolinepiperidinamide monohydrate, CAS 110958-19-5), a novel cognition enhancer, were studied in rats, dogs and monkeys after intravenous or oral administration of 14C-NS-105. The protein binding of this drug was also investigated in vivo and in vitro. After the intravenous and oral administrations of 14C-NS-105, the unchanged drug accounted for most of the plasma radioactivity in all the species tested. After the intravenous injection, the plasma concentration of NS-105 decreased monoexponentially with respective elimination half-lives of 0.67, 2.1 and 1.3 h for the rats, dogs and monkeys. After the oral administration, the plasma concentration of NS-105 reached a maximum within 1 h, then decreased as in intravenous administration in all the species tested. NS-105 was almost completely absorbed from the small intestine, and first-pass metabolism was very limited. As a result, its systemic availability was high; 97% in the rats, 90% in the dogs and 79% in the monkeys. No significant sex-related differences in the plasma concentration profiles of radioactivity were observed in the rats after the oral administration of 14C-NS-105 (p > 0.05). Food affected the absorption of NS-105. The Cmax and AUC0-infinity of radioactivity concentration were proportional to the dose for 1-100 mg/kg of 14C-NS-105. There were no marked differences between the intravenous and oral routes in the compositions of urinary radioactivity for any of the species tested. In the urine of dogs, LAM-162 (oxidative metabolite with C-N cleavage of the piperidine ring), LAM-79 (metabolite with 4-hydroxylated piperidine ring), LAM-163 (metabolite with 3-hydroxylated piperidine ring) and M1 (not identified) accounted for 20%, 3%, 6% and 1% of the urinary radioactivity, respectively. In the urine of rats and monkeys, LAM-162 and LAM-79 accounted for 1-6% of the urinary radioactivity, but LAM-163 and M1 were not detected. After the intravenous and oral administrations, NS-105 was primarily eliminated by renal excretion in all the species tested, approximately 90% of the dose being excreted unchanged in the urine for rats and monkeys and 60% of it for dogs. Excretions of radioactivity in the bile and exhaled air in rats were less than 1.4% of the dose, and lymphatic absorption of radioactivity was only 0.3% of the dose. The percentage of 14C-NS-105 bound to serum proteins was less than 3.3% in all the animal species tested, including humans.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Mutational analysis of the regulatory mechanism of PKN: the regulatory region of PKN contains an arachidonic acid-sensitive autoinhibitory domain.

PKN is a fatty acid- and Rho GTPase-activated protein kinase whose catalytic domain in the carboxyl terminus is homologous to those of protein kinase C (PKC) family members. The amino terminal region of PKN is suggested to function as a regulatory domain, since tryptic cleavage or the binding of Rho GTPase to this region results in protein kinase activation of PKN. The structural basis for the regulation of PKN was investigated by analyzing the activity of a series of deletion/site-directed mutants expressed in insect cells. The amino-terminally truncated form of PKN (residue 455-942) showed low basal activity similar to that of the wild-type enzyme, and was arachidonic acid-dependent. However, further deletion (residue 511-942) resulted in a marked increase in the basal activity and a decrease in the arachidonic acid dependency. A (His)(6)-tagged protein comprising residues 455-511 of PKN (designated His-Ialpha) inhibited the kinase activity of the catalytic fragment of PKN in a concentration-dependent manner in competition with substrate (K(i) = 0.6+/-0.2 microM). His-Ialpha also inhibited the activity of the catalytic fragment of PRK2, an isoform of PKN, but had no inhibitory effect on protein kinase A or protein kinase Cdelta. The IC(50) value obtained in the presence of 40 microM arachidonic acid was two orders of magnitude greater than that in the absence of the modifier. These results indicate that this protein fragment functions as a specific inhibitor of PKN and PRK2, and that arachidonic acid relieves the catalytic activity of wild-type PKN from autoinhibition by residues 455-511 of PKN. Autophosphorylation of wild-type PKN increased the protein kinase activity, however, substitution of Thr64, Ser374, or Thr531 in the regulatory region of PKN with alanine, abolished this effect. Substitution of Thr774 in the activation loop of the catalytic domain of PKN with alanine completely abolished the protein kinase activity. These results suggest that these phosphorylation sites are also important in the regulation of the PKN kinase activity. Potential differences in the mechanism of activation between the catalytic regions of PKN and PRK2 are also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma with combined well-differentiated and myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like myxoid areas.

To broaden the knowledge of myxoid morphology in liposarcoma, eight cases of unusual liposarcoma with combined well-differentiated and myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)-like myxoid areas are reported. The tumors arose as huge retroperitoneal masses in elderly patients, except for one that occurred in the spermatic cord. Three cases had local recurrences, and one of the seven patients who were followed up had died of the tumor. Grossly, the tumors were mostly confluent and multinodular and showed a glistening myxoid appearance in variable proportions, which merged gradually into or were juxtaposed to yellow fatty or sclerotic whitish areas. Microscopically, in addition to areas of well-differentiated lipoma-like or sclerosing liposarcoma, all the tumors contained myxoid portions characterized by scattered multinucleated or bizarre giant cells and a prominent plexiform vascular pattern that resembled myxoid MFH or myxofibrosarcoma. The myxoid areas were associated with discernible lipogenesis. High-grade dedifferentiation was present in one tumor. Cytogenetically, in one case, the myxoid lesion had nonrandom chromosomal aberrations, such as ring and marker chromosomes, characteristic of a well-differentiated variant of liposarcoma. In a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis using archival paraffin-embedded tissue, it was seen that none of the eight tumors with myxoid MFH-like features had TLS/FUS-CHOP fusion transcripts characteristic of myxoid and round cell liposarcomas. These clinicopathologic and molecular features suggest that the current myxoid tumors are more closely related to well-differentiated liposarcoma rather than to ordinary myxoid liposarcoma despite their unequivocal myxoid morphology. Missense point mutations of the p53 gene were detected in two (25%) cases by single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analyses. Immunohistochemical expressions of p53 and mdm2 were observed in 75% of the cases, in which immunoreactive tumor cells were seen more often in the myxoid MFH-like areas. Thus, altered p53 pathways, such as p53 gene mutation and mdm2-mediated inactivation of p53, may play a pathogenetic role in this form of tumor progression showing myxoid MFH-like morphology in liposarcoma, as has been suggested in dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of pharmacokinetics of NS-105, a novel agent for cerebrovascular disease, in elderly and young subjects.

Pharmacokinetics of NS-105, a novel agent for cerebrovascular disease, in elderly subjects were compared with those in younger subjects. Fourteen healthy male volunteers (7 elderly subjects aged 68-79 years and 7 young subjects aged 20-32 years) were included in the study. In a parallel group design, a tablet containing 100 mg NS-105 was administered orally after breakfast. One young subject was excluded from the pharmacokinetic analyses owing to an insufficient urine collection. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was higher in the elderly (3.06 +/- 0.69 vs. 2.13 +/- 0.34 micrograms/ml, the elderly vs. the young, mean +/- SD, p = 0.0117) and area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) was also higher in the elderly (24.6 +/- 4.4 vs. 14.4 +/- 3.1 micrograms.hr/ml, p = 0.0006). There is a tendency that time to reach Cmax was longer in the elderly (2.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5 hr, p = 0.1199), and a tendency of prolongation of elimination half-life. Urinary recovery of NS-105 was less in the elderly up to 8 h after administration, while total recovery of the dose was not different in the two groups. Total clearance was reduced in the elderly (0.076 +/- 0.013 vs. 0.121 +/- 0.025l/kg/hr, p = 0.0013) and the decrease seemed to be mainly due to a decrement in renal clearance of the drug in the elderly. A significant correlation was found between renal clearance of NS-105 and creatinine clearance of each subject (r = 0.583, p = 0.0364). These observations indicate that the plasma concentration of NS-105 will increase in elderly subjects mainly due to a decrement in renal clearance of the drug. Careful observation is needed when prescribing the drug to an elderly patient.

Adult↗