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Biomedical subjects

Haruko Takeyama

Publications and source records attributed to Haruko Takeyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts using a microfluidic device equipped with the SUS micromesh and FITC-labeled antibody.

Development of a microfluidic device equipped with micromesh for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst was reported. A micromesh consisting of 10 x 10 cavities was microfabricated on the stainless steel plate by laser ablation. Each cavity size, approximately 2.7 microm in diameter, was adopted to capture a single C. parvum oocyst. Under negative pressure operation, suspensions containing microbeads or C. parvum oocysts flowed into the microchannel. Due to strong non-specific adsorption of microbeads onto the PDMS microchannel surface during sample injection, the surface was treated with air plasma, followed by treatment with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution. This process reduced the non-specific adsorption of microbeads on the microchannel to 10% or less in comparison to a non-treated microchannel. This microfluidic device equipped with the SUS micromesh was further applied for the capture of C. parvum oocysts. Trapped C. parvum oocysts were visualized by staining with FITC-labeled anti-C. parvum oocyst antibody on a micromesh and counted under fluoroscopic observation. The result obtained by our method was consistent with that obtained by direct immunofluorescence assay coupled with immunomagnetic separation (DFA-IMS) method, indicating that the SUS micromesh is useful for counting of C. parvum oocysts. The newly designed microfluidic device exploits a geometry that allowed for the entrapment of oocysts on the micromesh while providing the rapid introduction of a series of reagents and washes through the microfluidic structure. Our data indicate that this microfluidic device is useful for high-throughput counting of C. parvum oocysts from tap water sample.

Animals↗

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a fully automated system with a nano-scale engineered biomagnetite.

A fully automated system using nano-scale engineered biomagnetite was developed to detect mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) were isolated from the magnetic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 and conjugated to streptavidin. Biotin-labeled target PCR products were then captured with the BacMPs, hybridized with the detection probe and detected by fluorescence signaling. The process was performed using a newly designed automated processor equipped with an XYZ mobile arm containing a 96-way automated pipetter, reagent dispenser and fluorescence detector. Two types of somatic mutations (in-frame deletions and point substitutions) in the EGFR gene were successfully identified within 3.5h using this system, suggesting that this system could be used in clinical tests of EGFR gene mutations in lung cancer, and potentially other cancer, patients. Additionally, a very low mutation rate could be detected in these samples.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Molecular detection of epiphytic Acaryochloris spp. on marine macroalgae.

A molecular method for detecting the epiphyte community on marine macroalgae was developed by using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Selective amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments from either cyanobacteria or algal plastids improved the detection of minor epiphytes. Two phylotypes of Acaryochloris, a chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacterium, were found not only on red macroalgae but also on green and brown macroalgae.

Chlorophyll↗

Magnetic separation of CD14+ cells using antibody binding with protein A expressed on bacterial magnetic particles for generating dendritic cells.

Herein the potential of a highly efficient cell separation system using bacterial magnetic particles expressing protein A (protein A-BacMPs) was demonstrated. Protein A was expressed on BacMPs using the transmembrane proteins Mms13 and MagA as anchor molecules. The evaluations of the numbers of bound antibody molecules and binding capabilities of the protein A-BacMPs using Mms13 indicated that the antibodies were efficiently introduced into protein A-BacMPs using Mms13 in comparison to MagA. In addition, the recovery ratio of the target cells on the magnetic cell separation system was enhanced by using protein A-BacMPs with Mms13. Using positive selection against peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the CD14(+) cells were separated at a purity of more than 99% by protein A-BacMPs using Mms13. Furthermore, in the evaluation of the influence of protein A-BacMPs on the separated cells, the CD14(+) cells separated using protein A-BacMPs and were successfully differentiated into dendritic cells.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Oligonucleotide-arrayed TFT photosensor applicable for DNA chip technology.

A thin film transistor (TFT) photosensor fabricated by semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) technology was applied to DNA chip technology. The surface of the TFT photosensor was coated with TiO2 using a vapor deposition technique for the fabrication of optical filters. The immobilization of thiolated oligonucleotide probes onto a TiO2-coated TFT photosensor using gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and N-(gamma-maleimidobutyloxy) sulfosuccinimide ester (GMBS) was optimized. The coverage value of immobilized oligonucleotides reached a plateau at 33.7 pmol/cm2, which was similar to a previous analysis using radioisotope-labeled oligonucleotides. The lowest detection limits were 0.05 pmol/cm2 for quantum dot and 2.1 pmol/cm2 for Alexa Fluor 350. Furthermore, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection was examined using the oligonucleotide-arrayed TFT photosensor. A SNP present in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene was used as a target. The SNPs in ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 target DNA were detected successfully using the TFT photosensor. DNA hybridization in the presence of both ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 target DNA was observed using both ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 detection oligonucleotides-arrayed TFT photosensor. Use of the TFT photosensor will allow the development of a disposable photodetecting device for DNA chip systems.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Capture and release of DNA using aminosilane-modified bacterial magnetic particles for automated detection system of single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs) were modified with 3-[2-(2-aminoethylamino)-ethylamino]-propyltrimethoxysilane (AEEA) to produce a dense amine surface. Modification of BMPs in a toluene solution resulted in an increased amine yield, and approximately 11.3 x 10(4) surface amines were detected on a single particle. The modified BMPs were capable of efficient electrostatic capture of DNA. The maximum amount of DNA captured on 10 microg of aminosilane-modified BMPs was 600 ng. A 10 mM phosphate buffer effectively released the captured DNA. This efficiency was dramatically enhanced by incubation at 80 degrees C and DNA recovery from aminosilane-modified BMPs approached 95%. DNA extraction from whole blood using these modified BMPs, followed by PCR, was successfully performed. Furthermore, automated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) was demonstrated.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Direct counting of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts using fluorescence in situ hybridization on a membrane filter.

This report describes the development of a direct and rapid detection method for the pathogenic protozoan, Cryptosporidium parvum, from environmental water samples using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on a membrane filter. The hydrophilic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane filter with FISH-stained oocysts yielded the highest signal to noise (S/N) ratio of the different membrane filters tested. PTFE membranes retained 98.8+/-0.4% of the concentrated oocysts after washing, simultaneous permeabilization and fixation with a hot ethanol solution, and hybridization with a fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe. This procedure eliminates subsequent time-consuming recovery steps that often result in a loss of the actual oocysts in a given environmental water sample. Furthermore, C. parvum was successfully distinguished from Cryptosporidium muris and other species in environmental water samples with the addition of formamide into the hybridization solution. In tap water samples, the S/N ratio was heightened by washing the membrane filter prior to FISH with a 1 M HCl solution in order to reduce the large amounts of impurities and background fluorescence from the non-specific adsorption of the fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe.

Animals↗

Application of RNAi inducible TNFRI knockdown cells to the analysis of TNFalpha-induced cytotoxicity.

RNA interference (RNAi) has become a popular tool for downregulating in many species including mammalian cells. Therefore, suppression of target genes in mammalian cultured cells using RNAi may represent an ideal alternative to knockout studies for understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemical toxicity. Here, we assessed the potential of RNAi mediated gene knockdown in HeLa and HepG2 cells to cytotoxicity studies. Tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNFRI) was chosen as a target gene because its signaling has been implicated in xenobiotic-induced toxicity. We optimized the design and performance of a vector-based RNAi experiment and then investigated viability of both HeLa and HepG2 cells exposed to TNFalpha. In addition, we examined gene expression profile of TNFRI knockdown HeLa cells after TNFalpha treatment, and then protein expression levels for several apoptosis-related genes of the cells. In both HeLa and HepG2 cells, TNFalpha exposure resulted in significantly reduced susceptibility of the knockdown cells to the cytotoxicity as compared with those of mock-transfected cells. Furthermore, the gene expression profiling and western blotting revealed that several genes including apoptosis and/or NF-kappaB pathway were downregulated in the knockdown HeLa cells. These results suggest that downregulation of the TNFRI gene in both HeLa and HepG2 cells by RNAi participates in resistance to TNFalpha-induced cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study raises the possibility that RNAi-based gene silencing in mammalian cells may be a valuable tool for elucidating the relationships between phenotypic changes and target gene functions in response to xenobiotic-induced cytotoxicity. Further exposure study using xenobiotics needs to be done to validate the potential utility of RNAi technology.

Bleomycin↗

Dynamic analysis of a genomic island in Magnetospirillum sp. strain AMB-1 reveals how magnetosome synthesis developed.

The entire structure of a 98 kb genomic region that abounds in genes related to magnetosome synthesis was first described in the Magnetospirillum sp. strain AMB-1. The deletion of this 98 kb genomic region and the circular form after excision from the chromosome was detected by PCR amplification. This strongly suggests that the region has undergone a lateral gene transfer. The region has the characteristics of a genomic island: low GC content, location between two repetitive sequences, and the presence of an integrase in the flanking region of the first repetitive sequence. This 98 kb genomic region has the potential for transfer by the integrase activity. Comparative genome analysis revealed other regions with a high concentration of orthologs in magnetic bacteria besides the 98 kb region, and magnetosome synthesis seemed to need not only the exogenous 98 kb region, but also other orthologs and individually originating genes.

Gene Transfer Techniques↗

Origin of magnetosome membrane: proteomic analysis of magnetosome membrane and comparison with cytoplasmic membrane.

Prokaryotes are known to have evolved one or more unique organelles. Although several hypotheses have been proposed concerning the biogenesis of these intracellular components, the majority of these proposals remains unclear. Magnetotactic bacteria synthesize intracellular magnetosomes that are enclosed by lipid bilayer membranes. From the identification and characterization of several surface and transmembrane magnetosome proteins, we have postulated that magnetosomes are derived from the cytoplasmic membrane (CM). To confirm this hypothesis, a comparative proteomic analysis of the magnetosome membrane (MM) and CM of the magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1, was undertaken. Based on the whole genome sequence of M. magneticum AMB-1, 78 identified MM proteins were also found to be prevalent in the CM, several of which are related to magnetosome biosynthesis, such as Mms13, which is tightly bound on the magnetite surface. Fatty acid analysis was also conducted, and showed a striking similarity between the CM and MM profiles. These results suggest that the MM is derived from the CM.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Whole-metagenome amplification of a microbial community associated with scleractinian coral by multiple displacement amplification using phi29 polymerase.

Limitations in obtaining sufficient specimens and difficulties in extracting high quality DNA from environmental samples have impeded understanding of the structure of microbial communities. In this study, multiple displacement amplification (MDA) using phi29 polymerase was applied to overcome these hindrances. Optimization of the reaction conditions for amplification of the bacterial genome and evaluation of the MDA product were performed using cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. An 8-h MDA reaction yielded a sufficient quantity of DNA from an initial amount of 0.4 ng, which is equivalent to approximately 10(5) cells. Uniform amplification of genes randomly selected from the cyanobacterial genome was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The metagenome from bacteria associated with scleractinian corals was used for whole-genome amplification using phi29 polymerase to analyse the microbial diversity. Unidentified bacteria with less than 93% identity to the closest 16S rDNA sequences deposited in DNA Data Bank of Japan were predominantly detected from the coral-associated bacterial community before and after the MDA procedures. Sequencing analysis indicated that alpha-Proteobacteria was the dominant group in Pocillopora damicornis. This study demonstrates that MDA techniques are efficient for genome wide investigation to understand the actual microbial diversity in limited bacterial samples.

Animals↗

Astaxanthin formation in the marine photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum expressing crtI, crtY, crtW and crtZ.

This study reports the production of astaxanthin in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum, which has adequate precursor pools and storage capabilities for heterologous carotenoid production. Chemical mutagenesis was carried out using ethylmethane sulfonate to produce mutants with a modified carotenoid biosynthesis pathway downstream of phytoene. Stable green- and gray-colored mutants were selected. Green mutants contained neurosporene or chloroxanthin as their major carotenoid (>90%), while the gray mutants accumulated phytoene. We previously demonstrated the production of beta-carotene in Rhodovulum sulfidophilum by cloning the Erythrobacter longus crtI (phytoene dehydrogenase) and crtY (lycopene cyclase) genes. In the present study, an expression vector for astaxanthin production was constructed that contained the Paracoccus crtW (beta-carotene oxygenase) and crtZ (beta-carotene hydroxylase) genes in addition to the E. longus crtI and crtY genes. A transconjugant, which can synthesize astaxanthin, was successfully generated (2.0 microg g(-1) DCW).

Carotenoids↗

Global gene expression analysis of iron-inducible genes in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1.

Iron uptake systems were identified by global expression profiling of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. feo, tpd, and ftr, which encode ferrous iron transporters, were up-regulated under iron-rich conditions. The concomitant rapid iron uptake and magnetite formation suggest that these uptake systems serve as iron supply lines for magnetosome synthesis.

Ferrosoferric Oxide↗

Catechol siderophore excretion by magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1.

Siderophore activity was detected in the culture supernatant of the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Here we report the first structural elucidation of a siderophore produced by a magnetotactic bacterium. The structure of the purified compound was 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electro-spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS).

Catechols↗

Identification of symbiotically expressed coral mRNAs using a model infection system.

Hermatypic (or reef-building) corals live in obligatory mutualistic symbiosis with the symbiotic dinoflagellates Symbiodinium spp. (generally known as zooxanthellae). In an attempt to establish a model symbiosis system consisting of a coral host and a monoclonal population of zooxanthellae, infectivity of five cultured Symbiodinium cell lines was tested on naturally aposymbiotic juveniles of Acropora tenuis. A clade A3 strain (PL-TS-1) infected the juveniles at high density and promoted growth of the host. To identify host genes involved in the establishment or maintenance of symbiosis, mRNA expression patterns were compared between aposymbiotic and PL-TS-1-infected juvenile polyps using the suppression subtractive hybridization technique. Two mRNAs, the expression levels of which were augmented more than twofold by the presence of the symbionts, were thereby identified. One of the mRNAs, AtSym-02, encodes a novel protein of 322 amino acids which is predicted to be a glycosylated trans-membrane protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immuno-capture of Cryptosporidium parvum using micro-well array.

A glass slide and micro-well array chip on which anti-Cryptosporidium parvum antibody was immobilized were used for the rapid capture and detection of C. parvum. Biotinylated anti-C. parvum antibodies were spotted onto the streptavidin-coated glass slides. C. parvum oocysts were captured specifically on the spot when more than 73 ng of anti-C. parvum antibody was applied onto the glass slide. However, C. parvum oocysts captured on the glass slide were detached by repeating washing steps. To improve the capture efficiency of oocysts, capture was performed in a micro-well format consisting of 1024 wells/2.5 mm2 (32 x 32 wells) fabricated as a chip by photolithography. Instead of a flat surface on a glass slide, each well was 30 microm in diameter and 10 microm in depth. Streptavidin was also immobilized onto the micro-well array. The biotinylated anti-C. parvum antibodies were immobilized efficiently onto the chip using a buffer containing 20% methanol. Using this technique C. parvum oocysts were stably captured onto the chip after repeated washing procedures. These data show that the newly designed micro-well array technique described here is useful for antibody-mediated C. parvum capture.

Animals↗

Marine microalgae.

Marine microalgae, the largest primary biomass, have been attracting attention as resources for new metabolites and biotechnologically useful genes. The diversified marine environment harbors a large variety of microalgae. In this paper, the biotechnological aspects and fundamental characteristics of marine microalgae are reviewed.

Biological Factors↗

Complete genome sequence of the facultative anaerobic magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum sp. strain AMB-1.

Magnetospirillum sp. strain AMB-1 is a Gram-negative alpha-proteobacterium that synthesizes nano-sized magnetites, referred to as magnetosomes, aligned intracellularly in a chain. The potential of this nano-sized material is growing and will be applicable to broad research areas. It has been expected that genome analysis would elucidate the mechanism of magnetosome formation by magnetic bacteria. Here we describe the genome of Magnetospirillum sp. AMB-1 wild type, which consists of a single circular chromosome of 4967148 bp. For identification of genes required for magnetosome formation, transposon mutagenesis and determination of magnetosome membrane proteins were performed. Analysis of a non-magnetic transposon mutant library focused on three unknown genes from 2752 unknown genes and three genes from 205 signal transduction genes. Partial proteome analysis of the magnetosome membrane revealed that the membrane contains numerous oxidation/reduction proteins and a signal response regulator that may function in magnetotaxis. Thus, oxidation/reduction proteins and elaborate multidomain signaling proteins were analyzed. This comprehensive genome analysis will enable resolution of the mechanisms of magnetosome formation and provide a template to determine how magnetic bacteria maintain a species-specific, nano-sized, magnetic single domain and paramagnetic morphology.

Bacterial Proteins↗