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Biomedical subjects

H Takeshima

Publications and source records attributed to H Takeshima.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Expression of tissue factor correlates with grade of malignancy in human glioma.

BACKGROUND: Tissue factor (TF), a cell surface receptor of factor VII/VIIa, was initially recognized as an initiator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. TF has recently been found to be expressed highly in certain types of malignant tumors. In addition, TF belongs to the interferon receptor family and is one of the immediate early genes, suggesting that TF may participate in the regulation of cell growth. However, the correlation between the expression of TF and cell growth is still unclear. METHODS: Expression of TF in 6 glioma cell lines and 44 glioma surgical specimens was studied by Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis showed that glioma cells expressed minor novel transcripts of 3.3 kb and 1.6 kb, in addition to the transcripts of 2.2 kb and 3.1 kb that were previously reported. Western blot analysis revealed that the level of TF protein did not correlate with that of TF transcripts. Although immunohistochemical analysis of surgical specimens showed that all gliomas were positive for TF, it was interesting that 1 of 10 benign gliomas (10%) was positive for TF (malignancy Grade I-II), 13 of 14 anaplastic astrocytomas (86%) (malignancy grade III) and 19 of 20 glioblastomas (95%) (malignancy grade IV) were moderately or strongly positive for TF. In situ hybridization showed the expression of TF mRNA in glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: TF is expressed in glioma and the level of expression correlates with the histologic grade of malignancy.

Astrocytoma↗

High-efficiency in vivo gene transfer using intraarterial plasmid DNA injection following in vivo electroporation.

A novel method for high-efficiency and region- controlled in vivo gene transfer was developed by combining in vivo electroporation and intraarterial plasmid DNA injection. A mammalian expression plasmid for the Escherichia coli lacZ gene (driven with a SV40 early promoter) was injected into the internal carotid artery of rats whose brain tumors (from prior inoculation) had been electroporated between two electrodes. The lacZ gene was efficiently transferred and expressed in the tumor cell 3 days after plasmid injection. However, neither any gene transfers nor any elevated lacZ activity was detected in tissues outside the electrodes. The plasmid was not transferred without electroporation. Human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 cDNA was also transferred by this method, and its long-lasting (3 weeks) expression was confirmed by using the Epstein-Barr virus episomal replicon system. The expressed monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 protein was functional, as evident by the presence of a large number of monocytes in tumor tissue. This method, electrogene therapy, which does not require viral genes or particles, allows genes to be transferred and expressed in desired organs or tissues, and it may lead to the development of a new type of highly effective gene therapy.

Animals↗

Structure and regional distribution of nociceptin/orphanin FQ precursor.

We have cloned cDNA carrying the entire coding sequence of the precursor protein for nociceptin/orphanin FQ, a neuropeptide-ligand for an opioid-receptor like G-protein coupled receptor. The deduced nociceptin/orphanin FQ precursor shows sequence similarity to the opioid peptide precursors and shares characteristic structural features particularly with preprodynorphin. In situ hybridization analysis of nociceptin precursor mRNA in the mouse central nervous system revealed that it is highly expressed in discrete neuronal sites with the pattern distinct from those of opioid peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutations of the p16 gene in gliomas.

In the present study we investigated the frequency of p16 gene exon 2 mutations in 35 malignant gliomas, using either direct sequencing of the PCR products or cloning into the pCRII vector and sequencing of the cloned PCR products. No mutations were detected during direct sequencing of the PCR products. However, after sequencing of individual clones, we found multiple mutations in 5 tumors involving codons 73(GCC to ACC, Ala to Thr), 76 (GCC to GTC, Ala to Val), 85(GCT to ACT, Ala to Thr), 98(CAC to TAC, His to Tyr), 102 (GCG to GTG, Ala to Val), 106 (GTG to ATG, Val to Met), 107 (CGC to TGC, Arg to Cys), 127 (GCA to GTA, Ala to Val), 128 (CGG to TGG, Arg to Trp) and 136 (GGC to GAC, Gly to Asp). Mutations were found only in glioblastomas and were either C to T or G to A transitions. Each mutation was detected in a small percentage of tumor cells (1.3-22%) using individual colony sequencing and southern hybridization with mutant oligonucleotides, consistent with the heterogenous cell population of glioblastomas. The presence of p16 gene mutations only in glioblastomas suggests that they are late events in glioma development.

Adult↗

Adrenal myelolipoma associated with hereditary spherocytosis.

Myelolipomas are benign tumors composed of mature fat and bone marrow elements. We report a case of adrenal myelolipoma associated with hereditary spherocytosis which was treated with splenectomy seventeen years ago. The hematopoietic stimulus of the hereditary spherocytosis might have been associated with the development of adrenal myelolipoma in the present case.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Expression of tissue factor in glioma.

Tissue factor (TF) is a cell surface glycoprotein that initiates the extrinsic coagulation protease cascade and it is expressed in some tumor cells. TF belongs to the interferon receptor family, and it is one of the early immediate genes, suggesting that TF has a biological function other than hemostasis. We investigated the expression of TF in gliomas. Immunocytochemistry showed the expression of TF in 3 glioma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of 44 surgical specimens revealed that all gliomas were positive for TF, and 19 (95%) of 20 glioblastomas, 12 (86%) of 14 anaplastic astrocytomas and 1 (10%) of 10 benign gliomas were moderately or strongly positive for TF. Our study showed that TF is expressed in gliomas, and that the level of TF expression is correlated with the grade of malignancy of the glioma, suggesting that TF may participate in cell growth.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release in myocytes from dyspedic mice lacking the type-1 ryanodine receptor.

While subtypes 1 and 2 of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) function as intracellular Ca2+ release channels, little is known about the function of the third subtype (RyR-3), first identified in brain. Myocytes from mice homozygous for a targeted mutation in the RyR-1 gene (dyspedic mice) can now be used for a study on the function of RyR-3, which is predominantly expressed in these cells according to our reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. We here demonstrate in these myocytes caffeine-, ryanodine- and adenine nucleotide-sensitive Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release with approximately 10 times lower sensitivity to Ca2+ than that of RyR-1. Although RyR-3 does not mediate excitation-contraction coupling of the skeletal muscle type, we propose that RyR-3 may induce intracellular Ca2+ release in response to a Ca2+ rise with a high threshold.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Abnormal junctions between surface membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle with a mutation targeted to the ryanodine receptor.

Junctions that mediate excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling are formed between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and either the surface membrane or the transverse (T) tubules in normal skeletal muscle. Two structural components of the junctions, the feet of the SR and the tetrads of T tubules, have been identified respectively as ryanodine receptors (RyRs, or SR calcium-release channels), and as groups of four dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs, or voltage sensors of e-c coupling). A targeted mutation (skrrm1) of the gene for skeletal muscle RyRs in mice results in the absence of e-c coupling in homozygous offspring of transgenic parents. The mutant gene is expected to produce no functional RyRs, and we have named the mutant mice "dyspedic" because they lack feet--the cytoplasmic domain of RyRs anchored in the SR membrane. We have examined the development of junctions in skeletal muscle fibers from normal and dyspedic embryos. Surprisingly, despite the absence of RyRs, junctions are formed in dyspedic myotubes, but the junctional gap between the SR and T tubule is narrow, presumably because the feet are missing. Tetrads are also absent from these junctions. The results confirm the identity of RyRs and feet and a major role for RyRs and tetrads in e-c coupling. Since junctions form in the absence of feet and tetrads, coupling of SR to surface membrane and T tubules appears to be mediated by additional proteins, distinct from either RyRs or DHPRs.

Animals↗

Co-expression in CHO cells of two muscle proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling.

Ryanodine receptors and dihydropyridine receptors are located opposite each other at the junctions between sarcoplasmic reticulum and either the surface membrane or the transverse tubules in skeletal muscle. Ryanodine receptors are the calcium release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and their cytoplasmic domains form the feet, connecting sarcoplasmic reticulum to transverse tubules. Dihydropyridine receptors are L-type calcium channels that act as the voltage sensors of excitation-contraction coupling: they sense surface membrane and transverse tubule depolarization and induce opening of the sarcoplasmic reticulum release channels. In skeletal muscle, ryanodine receptors are arranged in extensive arrays and dihydropyridine receptors are grouped into tetrads, which in turn are associated with the four subunits of ryanodine receptors. The disposition allows for a direct interaction between the two sets of molecules. CHO cells were stably transformed with plasmids for skeletal muscle ryanodine receptors and either the skeletal dihydropyridine receptor, or a skeletal-cardiac dihydropyridine receptor chimera (CSk3) which can functionally substitute for the skeletal dihydropyridine receptor, in addition to plasmids for the alpha 2, beta and gamma subunits. RNA blot hybridization gave positive results for all components. Immunoblots, ryanodine binding, electron microscopy and exposure to caffeine show that the expressed ryanodine receptors forms functional tetrameric channels, which are correctly inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, and form extensive arrays with the same spacings as in skeletal muscle. Since formation of arrays does not require coexpression of dihydropyridine receptors, we conclude that self-aggregation is an independent property of ryanodine receptors. All dihydropyridine receptor-expressing clones show high affinity binding for dihydropyridine and immunolabelling with antibodies against dihydropyridine receptor. The presence of calcium currents with fast kinetics and immunolabelling for dihydropyridine receptors in the surface membrane of CSk3 clones indicate that CSk3-dihydropyridine receptors are appropriately targeted to the cell's plasmalemma. The expressed skeletal-type dihydropyridine receptors, however, remain mostly located within perinuclear membranes. In cells coexpressing functional dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors, no junctions between feet-bearing endoplasmic reticulum elements and surface membrane are formed, and dihydropyridine receptors do not assemble into tetrads. A separation between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors is not unique to CHO cells, but is found also in cardiac muscle, in muscles of invertebrates and, under certain conditions, in skeletal muscle. We suggest that failure to form junctions in co-transfected CHO cell may be due to lack of an essential protein necessary either for the initial docking of the endoplasmic reticulum to the surface membrane or for maintaining the interaction between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors. We also conclude that formation of tetrads requires a close interaction between dihydropyridine receptors and ryanodine receptors.

Animals↗

The mechanism of growth-regulation of glioma cells by trapidil.

Trapidil is a PDGF antagonist that can inhibit the proliferation of the PDGF-producing glioma cells, U251MG. As the mechanism of growth-regulation by trapidil remains unclear, we studied its effect on the growth of U251MG cells. We performed a cell cycle analysis and examined the intracellular transduction pathway and oncogene expression in serum-stimulated glioma cells with or without trapidil. After the serum starvation for 3 days, glioma cell proliferation was stimulated by the addition of serum. Cell cycle analysis showed that cell cycle perturbations induced by trapidil included a decreased transition rate from G0-G1 to S phase, suggesting that some metabolic event is required for progress through the G0-G1 phase and that this event is sensitive to trapidil. Internal signal transduction mechanisms are central in the molecular control of cell growth. One such regulator is the protein kinase C(PKC) system and the c-fos gene is likely to be a direct target of intracellular signal transduction pathways. Therefore, we hypothesize that the intracellular PKC activity and c-fos expression of the trapidil-treated cells are suppressed. We posit that trapidil affects the intracellular signal transduction pathway PKC activity and c-fos expression in cells stimulated with serum containing growth factors.

Blotting, Northern↗

Opioid mu- and kappa-receptor mediate phospholipase C activation through Gi1 in Xenopus oocytes.

In the Xenopus oocytes expressing mu- or kappa-opioid receptors, agonist-induced currents were observed only when the oocyte was coinjected with Gi1 alpha RNA and pretreated with K-252a, a potent inhibitor of protein kinases. The evoked currents were abolished by intracellular injection of EGTA or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the current-voltage relationship revealed that they are mediated through typical calcium-dependent chloride channels. These findings suggest that the mu- and kappa-receptors mediate phospholipase C activation through Gi1 alpha, and that these receptor mechanisms including downstream signalings might be inhibited by phosphorylation in vivo in the Xenopus oocyte.

Animals↗

Molecular architecture of membranes involved in excitation-contraction coupling of cardiac muscle.

Peripheral couplings are junctions between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the surface membrane (SM). Feet occupy the SR/SM junctional gap and are identified as the SR calcium release channels, or ryanodine receptors (RyRs). In cardiac muscle, the activation of RyRs during excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling is initiated by surface membrane depolarization, followed by the opening of surface membrane calcium channels, the dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs). We have studied the disposition of DHPRs and RyRs, and the structure of peripheral couplings in chick myocardium, a muscle that has no transverse tubules. Immunolabeling shows colocalization of RyRs and DHPRs in clusters at the fiber's periphery. The positions of DHPR and RyR clusters change coincidentally during development. Freeze-fracture of the surface membrane reveals the presence of domains (junctional domains) occupied by clusters of large particles. Junctional domains in the surface membrane and arrays of feet in the junctional gap have similar sizes and corresponding positions during development, suggesting that both are components of peripheral couplings. As opposed to skeletal muscle, membrane particles in junctional domains of cardiac muscle do not form tetrads. Thus, despite their proximity to the feet, they do not appear to be specifically associated with them. Two observations establish the identify of the structurally identified feet arrays/junctional domain complexes with the immunocytochemically defined RyRs/DHPRs coclusters: the concomitant changes during development and the identification of feet as the cytoplasmic domains of RyRs. We suggest that the large particles in junctional domains of the surface membrane represent DHPRs. These observations have two important functional consequences. First, the apposition of DHPRs and RyRs indicates that most of the inward calcium current flows into the restricted space where feet are located. Secondly, contrary to skeletal muscle, presumptive DHPRs do not show a specific association with the feet, which is consistent with a less direct role of charge movement in cardiac than in skeletal e-c coupling.

Animals↗

Intracellular targeting of lysosomal cathepsin D in COS cells.

Cathepsin D carries a mannose 6-phosphate sorting signal which is recognized by a specific mannose 6-phosphate receptor, presumably at the site of the trans Golgi network, which segregates cathepsin D from the secretory proteins, and results in targeting of the enzyme to the acidic prelysosomal compartments and lysosomes in mammalian cells. Recent evidence implies that another sorting signal resides within the polypeptide backbone of the precursor cathepsin D. To evaluate the role of the propeptide region of cathepsin D in mannose 6-phosphate receptor-independent targeting to lysosomes, we prepared a deletion mutant of rat cathepsin D lacking the propeptide portion and analyzed its intracellular targeting mechanism after transfection of the mutant cDNA as well as the wild-type cDNA into COS cells. The glycosylated mutant protein was retained intracellularly, and extracellular release of mutant protein was not observed after a 48 h chase. A cell fractionation experiment demonstrated that in the cells expressing the wild-type cathepsin D, the processed form of 44 kDa cathepsin D was recovered in the dense lysosomal fraction. In contrast, in the cells expressing the mutant protein, virtually all of the cell-associated cathepsin D was present in the light fraction which was enriched in the marker enzyme NADPH cytochrome c reductase, and this molecular form of cathepsin D was not observed in the dense lysosomal fraction. An immunofluorescence study revealed that the deletion mutant protein was accumulated within the endoplasmic reticulum, unlike the wild-type protein. These results suggest that the mutant cathepsin D is not correctly recognized by the intracellular sorting system in the endoplasmic reticulum, implying that the propeptide region of cathepsin D is essential for the export of cathepsin D from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of rat cathepsin D cDNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: implications for intracellular targeting of cathepsin D to vacuoles.

To investigate the intracellular transport mechanisms of lysosomal cathepsin D in yeast cells, we produced cathepsin D in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by placing the coding region under the control of the promoter of the yeast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene. Immunoblotting analysis by the use of an antibody specific for rat cathepsin D coding sequence produced an intermediate species which had a slightly higher molecular weight than that of the mature cathepsin D. Cell fractionation experiments demonstrated that the cathepsin D polypeptide was colocalized to the yeast vacuoles with the marker enzyme carboxypeptidase Y in a Ficoll step gradient. A biosynthesis study with pulse-chase kinetic analysis revealed that the precursor polypeptide was accurately sorted to the yeast vacuoles as determined by cell fractionation, and that N-linked carbohydrate modifications were not required for vacuolar sorting of this protein. To elucidate the role of the propeptide region of cathepsin D, which might function in the intracellular targeting to the vacuole, a deletion mutant of cathepsin D lacking the propeptide was prepared and its intracellular targeting was examined after transfection into yeast cells. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that the propeptide-deleted mutant protein was recovered in a low quantity as compared with that in the case of yeast cells expressing the wild-type protein in the isolated vacuolar fraction. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the deletion mutant protein appeared to be accumulated within the intracellular small vesicles but not in the carboxypeptidase Y-positive vacuoles. Overall, these results indicate that the rat cathepsin D precursor polypeptide is recognized by mechanisms similar to those involved in the intracellular sorting of vacuolar proteins through the ER/Golgi/vacuolar sorting pathway in yeast cells, and that the propeptide has an important function in translocation of the cathepsin D polypeptide to the vacuole.

Animals↗

The importance of dose intensity in chemotherapy of advanced testicular cancer.

PVB regimen, the combination of cisplatin (CDDP), vinblastine (VLB) and bleomycin (BLM), has improved the treatment results of testicular cancer patients. However, modification of doses and schedules were strongly related with the treatment results. We analyzed the relative dose intensity (RDI) of each patient undergoing PVB regimen, in relation to the chemotherapeutic effect. In addition, a role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on dose intensity of PVB regimen was analyzed. During the period 1981-1992, 33 patients with testicular cancer were treated with PVB regimen. Among the 25 evaluable patients, 5 (20%) achieved a complete response (CR), 15 (60%) had a partial response (PR), and the overall response rate was 80%. The average 5-year survival rate of all cases was 78.4%. The RDI in CR and PR cases were significantly higher than nonresponders in BLM (0.89 for CR and 0.91 for PR against 0.32 for NC + PD) in the combination of the three drugs (1.05 for CR and 0.97 for PR against 0.69 for NC + PD). The standard-dose group (RDI > or = 0.9) had a higher survival rate than the modified-dose group (RDI < 0.9). The RDI of PVB regimen with administration of G-CSF was 0.98, whereas in the PVB-alone group it was 0.87 (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that the RDI of BLM may be one of the most important factors in achieving a chemotherapeutic effect from the PVB regimen. G-CSF is useful for the completion of the schedule through the increase in dose intensification, and the prevention of leukocytopenia due to chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in meningioma.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), purified from glioma cell line (U-105MG) culture fluid, attracts monocytes but not neutrophils. Macrophage accumulation is one of the pathological features of meningioma. To investigate the mechanism of macrophage infiltration into meningioma, the expression and localization of MCP-1 in 16 cases of meningioma were studied using Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Seven of 16 meningiomas expressed MCP-1 messenger ribonucleic acid and protein, and some degree of macrophage infiltration was seen in all 16 meningiomas. There was a relationship between MCP-1 expression and the degree of macrophage infiltration; MCP-1 was strongly expressed in meningiomas with a high degree of macrophage infiltration. Sometimes the meningioma was accompanied by perifocal edema; a correlation between macrophage infiltration into brain tumors and perifocal edema has already been reported. It was found that the degree of MCP-1 expression is not correlated with the extent of perifocal edema. The authors' findings suggest that MCP-1 plays an important role in macrophage infiltration into meningioma.

Adult↗

Phenopyrrozin, a new radical scavenger produced by Penicillium sp. FO-2047.

A new radical scavenger, named phenopyrrozin, was isolated from the culture broth of Penicillium sp. FO-2047. Phenopyrrozin was purified from whole broth solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography, and HPLC. The structure of phenopyrrozin was elucidated as 5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-3H-pyrrolizin-3-one. The IC50 of phenopyrrozin against lipid peroxidation induced by Cr2K2O7 was 73 micrograms/ml. Phenopyrrozin also reduced chromosomal aberrations induced by paraquat.

Animals↗