Biomedical subjects

J Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to J Kondo.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

High-level secretion of human apolipoprotein E produced in Escherichia coli: use of a secretion plasmid containing tandemly polymerized ompF-hybrid gene.

A gene encoding the mature form of human apolipoprotein E (h-apoE) was fused to the secretion signal coding sequence of the Escherichia coli major outer membrane protein F (ompF) which was preceded by a consensus Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Two copies of this hybrid gene were inserted tandemly into an expression vector and expressed in E. coli under the transcriptional control of two tac promoters regulated by lac repressors. By the addition of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) to the growth media, cells synthesized h-apoE at the level of 27.2 micrograms per A600 and up to 22% of the total cellular protein. The h-apoE produced by E. coli was processed precisely, secreted into the periplasmic space and formed protein aggregates there. However, despite aggregation, they were easily dissolved in water and actively formed protein-lipid complexes with dimyristoyl phosphatidyl choline (DMPC). These results demonstrated that E. coli cells are able to synthesize and secrete a large amount of active h-apoE using a prokaryotic signal sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Neuronal survival factor from bovine brain is identical to neuron-specific enolase.

Neuronal survival factors in the central nervous system were investigated by using a primary culture of embryonic rat neocortical neurons. Bovine hippocampus was homogenized, and the supernatant from high-speed centrifugation was used as the starting material. At the step of DE-52 ion-exchange chromatography, neuronal survival activity was recovered in two fractions, fraction 14 (F14) and fraction 23 (F23). Antisera to the crude F14 and F23 fractions were raised in rabbits. These two antisera completely inhibited the neurotrophic activity of both fractions. Western blotting analysis revealed that anti-F14 antiserum recognized mainly a 30-kDa protein in F14 and anti-F23 antiserum recognized mainly a 44-kDa protein in F23. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of F23, the 44-kDa protein was cut out from the gel and partial amino acid sequences of the protein fragments were determined. A GenBank data bank indicated that the amino acid sequence of the fragment was identical to that of neuron-specific enolase (NSE). In our assay system, commercially available NSE itself possessed neuronal survival activity for the cultured neocortical neurons. The effects of NSE and F23 were inhibited completely by anti-NSE polyclonal antibody. Furthermore, highly purified NSE supported the survival of cultured neurons in a dose-dependent manner, and the neurotrophic effect was inhibited by monoclonal antibody to the NSE. These results strongly suggest that NSE is one of the neuronal survival factors in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Fatty acid composition in 1,2-diacylglycerol of diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rat hearts.

Elevated levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) have been observed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rat hearts. The fatty acid moieties of 1,2-DG are considered to be related to its ability to activate protein kinase C. Therefore, we determined the fatty acids of 1,2-DG by gas chromatography and compared them with those of triglycerides in the myocardium. The triglyceride content returned to control levels after 4 weeks of untreated diabetes followed by 4 weeks of insulin treatment. There was a significant difference in the fatty acid composition of triglycerides between diabetic and control rats. Insulin treatment also returned the fatty acids of triglycerides in diabetes to the profile observed in control rats. On the other hand, insulin treatment of the diabetic rats did not normalize 1,2-DG content and its fatty acid composition. Fatty acid analysis of 1,2-DG showed that its profile in insulin-treated diabetic rats was different from that of either control or diabetic rats, suggesting that insulin-induced 1,2-DG differs from that seen in cases of diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

1,2-diacylglycerol content and its fatty acid composition in thoracic aorta of diabetic rats.

These experiments were conducted to determine 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) in the thoracic aorta obtained from streptozocin-induced diabetic rats because 1,2-DAG is assumed to be a second messenger associated with phosphoinositide metabolism. After preincubation for a 25-min stabilization, 1,2-DAG content in isolated thoracic aortas 4 and 8 wk after streptozocin injection was significantly decreased by 42 and 31%, respectively, compared with age-matched control rats on 10-min norepinephrine stimulation (10(-5) M). However, 4 wk of daily insulin injection after 4 wk of untreated diabetes significantly shifted 1,2-DAG toward normal levels. Analysis of its fatty acid composition showed a significant difference between control and diabetic rat aortas at both 4 and 8 wk. In particular, the percentage of arachidonate, a precursor of eicosanoids, decreased. Such alteration in the fatty acid profile in diabetic rat aortas was inhibited by insulin treatment. 1,2-DAG content in the 8-wk diabetic group was also significantly decreased by 33% compared with control in the absence of norepinephrine, whereas 1,2-DAG content was lower than in the presence of norepinephrine in both the control and diabetic groups. Cholesterol, triglyceride, and phosphatidylcholine content in diabetic rat aortas was lower than control. Lower levels of 1,2-DAG in the thoracic aorta from diabetic rats were observed in the presence and absence of norepinephrine, suggesting that a defect in 1,2-DAG production may be associated with abnormalities of vascular smooth muscle responsiveness by agonists, as described previously.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Notification of cancer in breast cancer patients].

The notification of the name of disease is a premise for making the system of informed consent more complete in case of cancer treatment. In Japan, however, the notification of cancer can hardly be said to have an attained social consensus. Considering that the notification can ultimately improve patients quality of life (QOL), the breast cancer group of our department informs all breast cancer patients of their diseases in principle. This paper reports and discusses the results of a survey by questionnaire on the notification of cancer in 100 patients with breast cancer. The notification of cancer was received favorably in 83% of the patients. For those who answered, the explanation on the notification was convincing and it accounted for 81%. An examination of background factors of patients who had not been convinced revealed that many of them were suffered from advanced cancer. After the notification, a human relationship with the family and friends aggravated few of them and improved in 30% (family) and 18% (friends), respectively. The notification of cancer was thus suggested to contribute to the improvement of QOL. Although 83% well received the notification of their own diseases, only 21% were affirmative for the notification of cancer in case of a member of the family. We medical professionals should make a further effort not to make the notification of cancer the pronouncement death but to make it an aid for patients to live better.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1991

[Electrophysiological comparison between patients with Binswanger's encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease].

Short-latency somatosensory (SSEPs), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and event-related potentials (ERPs) were studied in 7 patients with Binswanger's encephalopathy, 12 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 17 normal subjects. Patients with Binswanger's encephalopathy showed significantly prolonged central conduction time (CCT) and P300 latency, and prolonged tendency of I-V IPL compared to those of normal subjects. In particular, CCT showed significant prolongation compared to that of patients with Alzheimer's disease. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, I-V IPL and P300 latency were significantly prolonged compared to those of normals although there was no significant difference in CCT between Alzheimer's disease and normal subjects. These results indicate some difference between Binswanger's encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease from the electrophysiological aspects although both of these entities are characterized by progressive mental deterioration.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

[Dissecting aortic aneurysm associated with myonephropathic-metabolic syndrome and hypercalcemia].

A forty-two years old male underwent an aortic arch replacement for an emergency treatment of dissecting aortic aneurysm (DeBakey type I). Separate cardiopulmonary bypass was used with main arterial inflow cannula inserted to right femoral artery. After the operation, ischemia of the right lower extremity led to acute renal failure due to myonephropathic-metabolic syndrome. Peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and continuous arterio-venous hemofiltration were performed. Renal failure improved gradually. At the diuretic phase serum calcium concentration began to rise. Inspite of large amount of fluid and furosemide injection it became higher and finally reached to 20 mg/dl level. Calcitonin injection (320 mu/day) was very effective. In 2 months after surgery serum creatinine and calcium concentrations went down to normal range. Abnormalities in calcium metabolism are frequent in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure. However, it is rare to encounter such a remarkable hypercalcemia as seen in this patient. When treating MNMS we should pay attention to the changes of serum calcium concentration.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed1990

Enantiospecific assay for mammalian carbonyl reductase by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A fluorogenic substrate with an unsymmetrical carbonyl for the sensitive assay of mammalian carbonyl reductase activities, 4-(6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolyl)acetophenone (I), has been prepared. The fluorescence quantum yield of I in acetonitrile is 0.12 at the emission maximum of 448 nm. The corresponding racemic alcohol produced by the chemical reduction of I, (+/-)-sec.-[4-(6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolyl)]phenethyl alcohol (II), exhibits ca. three- to fourteen-fold higher fluorescence at a shorter wavelength emission maximum of 370 nm in conventional solvents. Each enantiomer of II is sufficiently resolved on a chiral cellulose high-performance liquid chromatographic column without derivatization and quantified with high reproducibility. The detection limit for II is 20 fmol per injection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The validity and applicability of I are evaluated with cytosols of mammalian tissues. The optimal pH for metabolic reduction of I in rabbit liver cytosol preparations is 6.2 in the presence of NADPH. The metabolism is proved to be highly stereoselective. The resulting alcohol produced by mammalian tissue preparations, except rabbit kidney, is predominantly of the S-(-)-configuration.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1990

Structure and regulation of rat long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase.

Complementary DNAs encoding rat long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase have been isolated. The cDNAs were identified using synthetic oligonucleotide probes based on partial amino acid sequences of lysyl endopeptidase peptides of the purified enzyme. Rat long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase is predicted to contain 699 amino acid residues and to have a calculated molecular weight of 78,177. Significant sequence similarity was found between parts of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase and firefly luciferase. Based on the similarity of the reaction mechanisms of the two enzymes, we propose a function for the similar region. The long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase mRNA is expressed in liver, heart, and epididymal adipose tissues and, to a much lesser extent, in brain, small intestine, and lung. The level of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase mRNA is increased 7-8-fold in rat liver by feeding a diet high in carbohydrate or fat, consistent with the physiological significance of the enzyme in fatty acid metabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Norepinephrine-induced 1,2-diacylglycerol accumulation and change in its fatty acid composition in the isolated perfused rat heart.

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis is elicited by alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation in the myocardium, resulting in the generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol by the direct activation of phospholipase C. However, the physiological role of 1,2-diacylglycerol accumulation in the heart has been largely unexplored. Therefore, we studied the effects of norepinephrine on the accumulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol and its fatty acid composition, as well as its function in isolated perfused rat hearts. A 30 min perfusion with norepinephrine following a stabilization period of 25 min caused increases of 68% and 57% in 1,2-diacylglycerol levels in the heart at 10(-6) M and 5 x 10(-6) M, respectively, compared to controls. Analysis of its fatty acid composition showed a significant elevation in the percentages of 18:2 and 20:4 although the absolute amounts of these increases in fatty acids were relatively low when compared to the elevation in the total amount of 1,2-diacylglycerol. The change in contractility was not consistently related to an increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol. These results indicate that the increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol level in response to norepinephrine perfusion was accompanied by a change in fatty acid composition of 1,2-diacylglycerol.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Molecular cloning of smg p21B and identification of smg p21 purified from bovine brain and human platelets as smg p21B.

We have previously purified smg p21 from bovine brain membranes and isolated its cDNA from a bovine brain cDNA library. In the present studies, we have performed extensive screening of the bovine brain cDNA library with the cloned smg p21 cDNA as a probe and isolated another cDNA encoding a protein highly homologous to smg p21. The proteins encoded by the previously and newly isolated cDNAs are designated as smg p21A and -B, respectively. Since the partial amino acid sequences determined previously from the smg p21 purified from bovine brain were identical with the common amino acid sequences between smg p21A and -B, we have further sequenced smg p21 and identified it as smg p21B. We have also further sequenced the smg p21 purified from human platelet membranes and identified it as smg p21B. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that smg p21A is identical with the rap1A and Krev-1 proteins and smg p21B is identical with the rap1B protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Purification and characterization from bovine brain membranes of a GTP-binding protein with a Mr of 21,000, ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1--identification as the rhoA gene product.

We have previously shown that there are multiple GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) with Mr values of about 20,000 in bovine brain membranes and identified one G protein with a Mr of 20,000 as the rho gene product. We have also shown that this rho gene product is ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1. In the present studies, we have purified another G protein with a Mr of about 21,000 to near homogeneity from bovine brain membranes by several column chromatographies and identified it as the rhoA gene product. Further analysis of the amino acid sequence of the G protein, which we have purified and identified as the rho gene product previously, has revealed that this G protein is the rhoB gene product. The rhoA gene product binds maximally about 0.9 mol of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio) triphosphate (GTP gamma S)/mol of protein with a K d value of about 20 nM. [35S]GTP gamma S-binding to the rhoA gene product is inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. The rhoA gene product hydrolyzes GTP to liberate Pi with a turnover number of about 0.01 min-1. Moreover, the rhoA gene product is ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type Cl. About 0.3 mol of ADP-ribose is maximally incorporated into 1 mol of the rhoA gene product. The ADP ribosylation of the rhoA gene product does not affect its GTP gamma S-binding or GTPase activity. These properties of the rhoA gene product are similar those of the rhoB gene product described previously. These results together with the earlier observations indicate that there are at least two rho gene products (rhoA, B) among three members of the rho gene family (rhoA, B, C) in bovine brain membranes and that both of them are ADP-ribosylated by an ADP-ribosyltransferase contaminated in botulinum toxin type C1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Isolation and purification of a non-A, non-B hepatitis-associated microtubular aggregates protein.

Blood-borne type non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis-associated microtubular aggregates protein was isolated and partially sequenced. The microtubular aggregates were isolated from the hepatocytes of NANB-infected chimpanzees and were found to have a buoyant density in sucrose solution of 1.21 to 1.23 g/ml. A single protein, recognized by our anti-microtubular aggregates monoclonal antibodies, was found to have an Mr of 44,000 (p44). This p44 protein was not found in uninfected chimpanzees. We determined a partial amino acid sequence for p44, and showed that it has no homology to any known proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Cloning, sequencing and expression in Escherichia coli of cDNA for a non-A, non-B hepatitis-associated microtubular aggregates protein.

A 1.7 kb cDNA encoding a novel antigen (p44; apparent Mr 44K) associated with non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, was isolated from the hepatic cDNA library of a chimpanzee infected with NANB hepatitis. The library was screened with a monoclonal antibody against this antigen. The cDNA cloned contained an open reading frame encoding a 444 amino acid protein with an Mr calculated to be 50,468. The cDNA hybridized to a 1.9 kb mRNA obtained from chimpanzee hepatocytes infected with either the NANB or hepatitis delta viruses. It hybridized weakly to mRNA from hepatitis B virus-infected hepatocytes, and not at all to mRNA from normal chimpanzee hepatocytes. Southern blot analysis revealed that p44 is a host protein in chimpanzees, and that an identical gene exists in the human genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel type of regulatory protein (GDI) for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein.

We recently purified to near homogeneity a novel type of regulatory protein for smg p25A, a ras p21-like GTP-binding protein, from bovine brain cytosol. This regulatory protein, named smg p25A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI), regulates the GDP-GTP exchange reaction of smg p25A by inhibiting dissociation of GDP from and subsequent binding of GTP to it. In the present studies, we isolated and sequenced the cDNA of smg p25A GDI from a bovine brain cDNA library by using an oligonucleotide probe designed from the partial amino acid sequence of purified smg p25A GDI. The cDNA has an open reading frame that encodes a protein of 447 amino acids with a calculated Mr of 50,565. This Mr is similar to those of the purified smg p25A GDI estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, which are about 54,000 and 65,000, respectively. The isolated cDNA is expressed in Escherichia coli, and the encoded protein exhibits GDI activity. smg p25A GDI is hydrophilic overall, except for one hydrophobic region near the N terminus. smg p25A GDI shares low amino acid sequence homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC25-encoded protein, which has been suggested to serve as a factor that regulates the GDP-GTP exchange reaction of the yeast RAS2-encoded protein, but not with the beta gamma subunits of GTP-binding proteins having an alpha beta gamma subunit structure, such as Gs and Gi. The smg p25A GDI mRNA was present in various tissues, including not only tissues in which smg p25A was detectable but also tissues in which it was not detectable. This fact has raised the possibility that smg p25A GDI interacts with another G protein in tissues in which smg p25A is absent.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1990

Characterization of antisera to paired helical filaments and tau. Implication for the extent of tau tightly bound to paired helical filaments.

The two antisera to paired helical filaments (PHF) and tau, which stained neurofibrillary tangles similarly in tissue section, were characterized. Anti-PHF reacted exclusively with the carboxyl terminal portion of tau, whereas antitau reacted with the amino terminal portion. In the blots of PHF prepared in Sarkosyl (Sarkosyl-PHF), anti-PHF stained an extensive smear from the top to the bottom of the gel, while antitau did not stain this kind of smear but labeled a small amount of intact tau that was bound to Sarkosyl-PHF. An LDS- or SDS-insoluble residue of Sarkosyl-PHF was labeled with anti-PHF, but not with antitau. Antitau-defined epitopes were susceptible to protease, whereas anti-PHF-defined epitopes were unaffected. Based on these observations, we conclude that Sarkosyl-PHF were composed largely of the carboxyl terminal region of tau and accompanied by a small amount of intact tau on their surfaces.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1990

1,2-diacylglycerol content in thoracic aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Phosphoinositide metabolism participates in the control of cell calcium homeostasis. Because a notable neutral lipid (1,2-diacylglycerol) is generated from phosphoinositide hydrolysis and is assumed to be a secondary messenger, we determined 1,2-diacylglycerol content and its fatty acid profiles in the thoracic aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared it with those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. After the aorta was exposed to 10(-5) M norepinephrine as a stimulant, 1,2-diacylglycerol content in SHR was significantly higher by 33% than in WKY rats at 4 weeks of age, whereas there was no difference in 1,2-diacylglycerol content between the two strains at 20 weeks of age. Before norepinephrine stimulation, there was no significant difference in 1,2-diacylglycerol level between the two strains at 4 weeks of age. Analysis on a gas chromatograph showed that 1,2-diacylglycerol was composed of similar molecular species of fatty acids in aortas obtained from SHR and WKY rats. On the other hand, the cholesterol content of aortas was higher in SHR than in WKY rats at 20 weeks of age, whereas the difference at 4 weeks was not significant. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglyceride showed no significant difference between the two strains. It is concluded that norepinephrine-induced 1,2-diacylglycerol production increases in the thoracic aorta of SHR before the development of hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[Effect of body temperature changes on evoked potentials].

Short-latency somatosensory (SSEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded in 12 patients with fever due to respiratory infection (age, 44.3 +/- 20.9 years, mean +/- SD) to clarify the effect of body temperature change on conduction in the central somatosensory and brainstem auditory pathways. Subjects were studied during episodes of fever (37.9 +/- 0.8 degrees C) and after their body temperature had decreased (36.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C). The central conduction time (CCT), which is the peak latency between N 13 and N 20, was significantly longer after body temperature had decreased than during fever. Likewise the interpeak latency between waves I and V (I-V IPL) was significantly prolonged following decrease in body temperature. These results suggest that increases in body temperature have an effect upon conduction in the central somatosensory and brainstem auditory pathways.

Body Temperature↗