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Biomedical subjects

J Goto

Publications and source records attributed to J Goto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Novel (CA)n marker DXYS241 on the nonrecombinant part of the human Y chromosome.

The origin of modern humans can be traced by comparing polymorphic sites in either mitochondria or genomic sequences between humans and other primates. The human Y chromosome has both a non-recombining region and X-Y homologous pseudo-autosomal regions. In the nonrecombining region events during evolution can be directly detected. At least a part of homology between Xq21 and Yp11 is a result of rather recent translocations from the X chromosome to the Y chromosome. DNA markers residing in the nonrecombining region of the human Y chromosome are potentially useful in tracing male-specific gene flow in human evolution. However, the number of available markers in the region is limited. Here, we report a novel X-Y homologous (CA)n repeat locus in the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome. This marker, DXYS241, has several interesting features. Y- and X-chromosome alleles are distinguishable because the Y-chromosome alleles are shorter than the X-chromosome alleles most of the time. We developed 2 primer sets for specific examination of Y- and X-chromosome alleles. The marker should be useful in establishing relationships between populations based on patrilineal gene flow. Sequences homologous to DXYS241 are also found on the X chromosome of primates. Four events during primate evolution that led to the modern human Y chromosome were identified.

Alleles↗

[Peripheral 5-FU blood concentration after high-dose injection into the hepatic artery: potential preventive effect on extrahepatic metastatic foci].

To clarify the effect of high-dose 5-FU injection into the hepatic artery (1,000 mg/m2 weekly) on liver metastases of colorectal cancer, the peripheral venous 5-FU concentration was measured in two groups of patients, one which had undergone hepatectomy and the other which had not. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was calculated and the preventive effect of 5-FU on extrahepatic lesions was examined. The peripheral venous 5-FU concentration and AUC were higher in patients who received the drug via the hepatic artery after hepatectomy, and 5-FU was effective for the prevention of extrahepatic lesions as well as against recurrence in the residual liver.

Adult↗

Cloning and mapping of ZNF231, a novel brain-specific gene encoding neuronal double zinc finger protein whose expression is enhanced in a neurodegenerative disorder, multiple system atrophy (MSA).

A novel brain-specific gene, neuronal double zinc finger protein (ZNF231), was cloned and mapped. We used the high-density cDNA filter method to analyze the gene-expression profile in brains with multiple system atrophy (MSA). MSA is a sporadic progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized clinically by cerebellar symptoms, parkinsonism, autonomic dysfunction, or their various combinations, but its pathogenesis has yet to be clarified. In total, 8300 cDNA clones were screened, and a novel gene, ZNF231, was identified, whose expression was elevated in cerebella of patients with MSA. Its transcript is approximately 16 kb long and encodes an open reading frame of 3926 amino acid residues that has several interesting motifs; two glycine-proline dipeptide repeats (aa 22-32 and aa 61-74), a pair of homologous C8 double zinc finger motifs (aa 169-226 and aa 465-521), a leucine zipper motif (aa 561-582), a SH3 domain-binding motif (aa 825-831), two nuclear targeting signals (aa 1011-1028 and aa 1071-1091), two glutamine-rich domains (aa 2428-2473 and aa 3775-3804), and a histidine-rich domain (aa 3597-3682). These features suggest that the new gene encodes a nuclear protein or transcription regulator. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that its expression is specific to the brain and apparently restricted to the neurons. Elevation of ZNF231 expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy. The gene for ZNF231 is located on chromosome 3p21.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Method for the separation of the unconjugates and conjugates of chenodeoxycholic acid and deoxycholic acid by two-dimensional reversed-phase thin layer chromatography with methyl beta-cyclodextrin.

A simple and efficient method for the separation of individual unconjugated bile acids and their glycine- and taurine-amidated, 3-sulfated, 3-glucosylated and 3-glucuronidated conjugates is described. The method involves the use of a two-dimensional (2D) reversed-phase (RP) high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) technique with methyl beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD). Five major unconjugated bile acids, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), ursodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid, and their conjugates were examined as the solutes. A high degree of separation of individual bile acids in each homologous series was achieved on a RP-HPTLC plate by developing with aqueous methanol in the first dimension and the same solvent system containing Me-beta-CD in the second dimension. In particular, all of the six 'difficult-to-separate' pairs, unconjugated CDCA and DCA and their conjugated forms with glycine, taurine, sulfuric acid, D-glucose and D-glucuronic acid, were effectively resolved by adding Me-beta-CD in the aqueous mobile phases with the formers having larger mobilities than the latter. The application of this 2D inclusion RP-HPLC method to the separation of glycine-conjugated bile acids in human bile is also described. The present method would be useful for separating and characterizing these bile acids present in biological materials.

Bile↗

Lipidized (foamy) tumor cells in a spinal cord ependymoma with collagenous metaplasia.

We report a 49-year-old woman with a spinal cord ependymoma located in the thoracolumbar region. At surgery, a soft dark-grayish tumor, which contained a hard whitish area, was removed. The specimen was a moderately cellular tumor with a central core made up of collagen nodules poor in cellular elements. Many of the tumor cells possessed ground glass-like eosinophilic cytoplasm, and frequently foamy tumor cells were evident. Perivascular pseudorosettes, ependymal rosettes and canals were present, the latter being rare. Many tumor cells, including those with foamy cytoplasm, were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Similar tumor cells were also seen among, and even within, the collagen nodules. The MIB-1 labeling index was 0.66%. Ultrastructurally, the frequent lipidized tumor cells were ependymal in nature; cytoplasmic 10-nm-wide filaments, and intracytoplasmic lumina and intercellular microrosettes lined by microvilli were evident. Cilia were very rare. We considered the present case to be an unusual, lipidized variant of ependymoma. The collagen nodules appeared to be produced by the tumor cells themselves.

Collagen↗

Structure-retention correlation of isomeric bile acids in inclusion high-performance liquid chromatography with methyl beta-cyclodextrin.

The structure-retention correlation of various C24 bile acid isomers was studied by the addition of methyl beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD) to mobile phases in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The compounds examined include a series of monosubstituted bile acids related to cholanoic acids differing from one another in the position and configuration of an oxygen-containing function (hydroxyl or oxo group) at the position C-3, C-6, C-7, or C-12 and the stereochemistry of the A/B-ring fusion (trans 5 alpha-H and cis 5 beta-H) in the steroid nucleus. The inclusion HPLC with Me-beta-CD was also applied to biologically important 4 beta- and 6-hydroxylated bile acids substituted by three to four hydroxyl groups in the 5 beta-steroid nucleus. These bile acid samples were converted into their fluorescence prelabeled 24-pyrenacyl ester derivatives and chromatographed on a Capcell Pak C18 column eluted with methanol-water mixtures in the presence or absence of 5 mM Me-beta-CD. The effects of Me-beta-CD on the retentions of each compound were correlated quantitatively to the decreasing rate of capacity factors and the relative strength of host-guest interactions. On the basis of the retention data, specific and nonspecific hydrogen-bonding interactions between the bile acids and the Me-beta-CD were discussed.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Synthesis of bile acid 24-acyl glucuronides.

The synthesis of acyl glucuronides of common bile acids is described. By means of the Mitsunobu reaction employing diethylazodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine, bile acids were condensed through the inherent C-24 carboxy group with benzyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranuronate, which was prepared from 1-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucose. The separation and purification of the beta-anomers at the anomeric position of the sugar moiety were attained by preparative thin-layer chromatography and/or high-performance liquid chromatography on a column packed with phenyl-bonded silica using H2O-MeOH as a mobile phase. The removal of the benzyl group on the sugar moiety was achieved by catalytic hydrogenation with 10% palladium on carbon to yield the desired acyl glucuronides of bile acids. The structures of these acyl glucuronides were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral properties.

Acylation↗

Separation and characterization of carboxyl-linked glucuronides of bile acids in incubation mixture of rat liver microsomes.

The carboxyl-linked 24-glucuronides of common bile acids have been identified by means of liquid chromatography (LC)/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-mass spectrometry (MS) in an incubation mixture with a male Wistar rat liver microsomal fraction. The authentic specimens of bile acid 24-glucuronide acetate-methyl esters were synthesized unequivocally using the Mitsunobu reaction, and the APCI-mass spectrometric properties of these glucuronide derivatives were also characterized. After incubation of common unconjugated bile acids with hepatic microsomes, glucuronides were extracted and purified with a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and lipophilic ion exchange gel, piperidino-hydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20, and then derivatized into the acetate-methyl esters. Subsequent resolution into alpha- and beta-isomers at the glucuronosyl linkage was attained by LC on Cosmosil 5C8 and Sumichiral OA-2500 columns using 200 mM ammonium acetate (pH 7.0)-methanol (1:4, v/v), where 24-glucuronides were monitored with characteristic positive ions [M + NH4]+. The 24-glucuronides of lithocholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic and cholic acid were definitely characterized, in contrast to no formation of corresponding 3-glucuronides.

Animals↗

Substrate specificity of THCA-CoA oxidases from rat liver light mitochondrial fractions on dehydrogenation of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid CoA thioester.

The substrate specificity of rat liver peroxisomal 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoyl-CoA (THCA-CoA) oxidases, which catalyze the dehydrogenation of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanoic acid (THCA) CoA thioester, having an asymmetric center at C-25, to form (24E)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-enoic acid (delta 24-THCA) CoA thioester, was studied. The stable isotope labeled substrates, [3,7,12-18O3]-(25R)- and (25S)-THCA CoA thioesters were synthesized by an exchange reaction of carbonyl oxygens on a steroid nucleus of 3,7,12-trioxo-5 beta-cholestanoic acid, followed by metal hydride reduction and condensation reaction with CoA. After incubation of a mixture of unlabeled (25R)- and 18O-labeled (25S)-THCA CoA thioester, or vice versa, with hepatic peroxisomal THCA-CoA oxidases, biotransformed delta 24-THCA was determined by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The delta 24-THCA was derived only from (25S)-THCA CoA thioester, indicating that the 25S epimer of THCA is a preferential substrate on dehydrogenation by THCA-CoA oxidases.

Animals↗

Enantioselective immunoaffinity extraction for simultaneous determination of optically active bufuralol and its metabolites in human plasma by HPLC.

A combined method of immunoaffinity extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed for the enantioselective determination of bufuralol and its metabolites in human plasma. The antibodies having high affinity toward the asymmetric center at the C-1 position of bufuralol and its 1'-oxidized metabolites and low affinity to their antipodes were elicited by immunization of rabbits with immunogens, (1R)- and (1S)-1'-oxobufuralol O-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin conjugates, respectively. 0.5 ml Of the immunoaffinity adsorbent (7.6 mg.ml-1 for anti-(1S)-antibody and 28.8 mg.ml-1 for anti-(1R)-antibody) prepared by immobilization of an antibody was capable of retaining up to 1 microgram of (R)- and (S)-bufuralol and up to 500 ng of other metabolites. The adsorbates were recovered quantitatively by elution with methanol-10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 5) (95:5, v/v) without any interfering peaks on the high-performance liquid chromatogram. The proposed method was evaluated to be useful for the simultaneous determination of optically active bufuralol and its metabolite in plasma with acceptable recovery and precision.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Production and characterization of group-specific monoclonal antibodies recognizing nonamidated, glycine- and taurine-amidated ursodeoxycholic acid 7-N-acetylglucosaminides.

Ursodeoxycholic acid 7-N-acetylglucosaminides (UDCA 7-NAGs) are novel conjugated metabolites whose urine levels are expected to be a specific diagnostic index for primary biliary cirrhosis. To obtain a specific antibody which is useful for developing immunochemical analytical methods of UDCA 7-NAGs, a variety of monoclonal antibodies have been generated. Spleen cells from an A/J mouse, which had been immunized with a conjugate of nonamidated UDCA 7-NAG and bovine serum albumin, were fused with P3/NS1/1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells. After screening by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a beta-galactosidase-labeled antigen, thirteen kinds of antibody-secreting hybridoma clones were established. Binding properties of these monoclonal antibodies were investigated in detail by ELISA. One of these antibodies, Ab-#8 (gamma1, kappa) had the most favorable characteristics for clinical application, which was group-specific to the 7-NAG conjugates of nonamidated, glycine- and taurine-amidated UDCAs providing a highly sensitive dose-response curve for each conjugate (midpoint 17 pg per assay for nonamidated UDCA 7-NAG). Cross-reactivities with eleven kinds of bile acids, including some potential interfering metabolites as UDCA 3-sulfate, were negligibly low. By using direct ELISA based on Ab-#8, daily urinary excretion rates of UDCA 7-NAGs of two healthy subjects were determined to be 1030 and 469 microg as GUDCA 7-NAG equivalent.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Association of a polymorphism of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene with genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is both abundant in bone and an important regulator of bone metabolism. A T-->C transition at nucleotide 29 in the signal sequence region of the TGF-beta1 gene results in a Leu-->Pro substitution at amino acid position 10. The possible association of this polymorphism with bone mass and the prevalence of osteoporosis has now been investigated in a total of 287 postmenopausal women from two regions (Obu City, Aichi Prefecture, and Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture) of Japan. A significant association of TGF-beta1 genotype with bone mass was detected in both populations; bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine was greater in individuals with the CC genotype than in those with the TT or TC genotype. The frequency of vertebral fractures was significantly lower in individuals with the CC genotype than in those with the TC or TT genotypes. For each region, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in subjects with osteoporosis than in controls. Also, the serum concentration of TGF-beta1 in individuals with the CC genotype was significantly higher than that in age-matched subjects with the TC or TT genotype in osteoporotic or osteopenic as well as healthy control groups. These results suggest that the T/C polymorphism of the TGF-beta1 gene is one of the genetic determinants of bone mass and that the T allele is an independent risk factor for the genetic susceptibility to osteoporosis in postmenopausal Japanese women. Thus, analysis of the TGF-beta1 genotype may be useful in the prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Adult↗

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on interleukin-8 receptor during cervical ripening.

We investigated the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHA-S) on the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and expression of the interleukin-8 receptor (IL-8 R) in human cervical tissue. DHA-S increased the levels of IL-8 in cultured human cervical fibroblasts and in the supernatant in a time- and dose-dependent manner. DHA-S induced IL-8 and IL-8 R expression in human cervical fibroblasts and human pregnant cervical tissue at term in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, it induced the expression of IL-8 R in an explant culture of human cervical tissue and cultured human cervical fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) only slightly induced the production of IL-8 and the expression of IL-8 R in the same cells and tissue. These results suggest that DHA-S up-regulates the autocrine system of IL-8 through the expression of IL-8 R.

Antigens, CD↗

Hepatic and serum bile acid compositions in patients with biliary atresia: a microanalysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization detection.

Hepatic and serum bile acids in five patients with biliary atresia were preoperatively determined by microanalysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization detection. The hepatic content of total bile acids was markedly elevated (3079+/-711 nmol/g protein), most of which were primary bile acids. Accumulation of unconjugated bile acids (2.93% to 4.62% of the total) was observed in the liver tissue of these patients, although only trace amounts were detected in their sera. The ratio of glycine-conjugated to taurine-conjugated bile acids was 0.44+/-0.18 in liver tissue and 0.79+/-0.52 in serum and these values were significantly lower than those of controls. This study has shown that the composition of bile acids in serum does not reflect that in liver tissue faithfully. The accumulation of these hydrophobic bile acids may contribute to initiating or exacerbating liver injury in infants with cholestatic liver diseases.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

Instability of regions containing expanded CAG repeats during replication in Escherichia coli probed by labeled oligonucleotides.

The instability of plasmid DNAs that contained various numbers of repeated CAG units in Escherichia coli was examined. Synthetic [5'-32P](CAG)15 and [5'-32P]-(CTG)15 oligonucleotides were incubated with plasmid DNA. A minor fraction of the plasmid DNA formed a stable complex with either the repeated CAG or the repeated CTG oligonucleotide when the number of CAG repeats in the plasmid DNA was more than 30, regardless of the polarity of replication. The formation of the complexes appeared to occur by the normal hybridization process. The DNA that formed stable complexes could be purified with a biotinylated fragments of CAG repeats and avidin-coated beads. In addition, in the case of the DNA containing CAG repeats derived from the IT15 gene of a patient with Huntington's disease, there seemed to be an unusual product that contained a partially replicated product that extended only from the origin of replication to the CAG-repeated region. The formation of this product was observed when replication started downstream of IT15 gene.

Base Sequence↗

Machado-Joseph disease gene product identified in lymphocytes and brain.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is associated with the expansion of an unstable CAG repeat. The existence of an abnormal gene product in MJD was previously suggested with the expanded polyglutamine stretch-specific antibody. However, the product of the normal allele has not previously been identified. We generated monoclonal antibodies against the fusion protein (codon 225-310) of the MJD gene product and then identified the MJD1 gene product in normal lymphoblastoid cells as a approximately 50-kDa protein by immunoblot analysis. The electrophoretic mobility differences among the normal allele products corresponds to the molecular size difference produced by the polyglutamine stretch and the polymorphism at the C-terminus. Moreover, abnormal immunoreactive bands which were larger than the normal ones were found as a approximately 60-kDa protein exclusively in the MJD samples. The cytoplasm and the nuclei of neurons and glial cells were stained by these antibodies with immunocytochemistry. As in other CAG repeat diseases, the abnormal and normal allele products were almost equally expressed in lymphoblastoid cells and the brain of MJD patients.

Alleles↗

Expression of dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) proteins in patients.

The genetic defect dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is caused by expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat. The mutant gene is translated into protein whose electrophoretic mobility correlates to the number of expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats, indicating that the protein carries an expanded glutamine repeat. Using two polyclonal antibodies raised against the DRPLA gene product in immunoblotting, we determined the untruncated DRPLA proteins, and showed that the amounts of mutant and wild-type DRPLA proteins were similar in DRPLA brain tissues and lymphoblastoid cells, suggesting that regulation of the level of translation of the DRPLA gene is not central to the development of the disease.

Adult↗

A Japanese family carrying a novel mutation in the Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy gene.

We report on a Japanese family affected by Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy carrying a novel mutation of the emerin (STA) gene. The cardinal clinical feature of the family was cardiac conduction block and mild myopathy. A deletion of 11 bp with a frameshift was identified in exon 6, causing truncation of the predicted protein. The relationship between mutation and phenotype is discussed.

Adolescent↗