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Biomedical subjects

Jun-ichi Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to Jun-ichi Yoshida.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hsp16p is required for thermotolerance in nuclear mRNA export in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is one of the essential steps for eukaryotic gene expression. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, heat shock stress at 42 degrees C causes block of mRNA export from the nucleus. We now report that saline and ethanol stresses also inhibit nuclear mRNA export, resulting in accumulation of bulk poly (A)+ RNA, as well as a specific mRNA, in the nucleus. Under stressed conditions, an mRNA export receptor Mex67p relocates to the nucleolus from the nuclear periphery and this relocation is closely correlated with inhibition of mRNA export by the stresses. Pretreatment of cells with a mild saline stress induced thermotolerance in mRNA export in a similar manner seen with mild heat pretreatment and protected mRNA export machinery from the subsequent severe heat shock. In contrast, mild ethanol stress could not induce the thermotolerance in mRNA export, suggesting that the stress response induced by ethanol differs from that induced by saline and heat shock stresses. In addition, we found that the Spc1p MAPK pathway is involved in induction of thermotolerance in mRNA export. Of the downstream targets for Spc1p, the Atf1p transcription factor was essential for induction of thermotolerance in mRNA export. We also found that Hsp16p, the expression of which is controlled by Atf1p, is involved in acquisition of thermotolerance in mRNA export in S. pombe.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Pyrimidine-core extended pi-systems: general synthesis and interesting fluorescent properties.

We have developed a simple but powerful synthetic strategy that permits the assembly of pi-systems onto a pyrimidine core in a programmable and diversity-oriented format. The nucleophilic addition of ArLi to 2-methylthiopyrimidine, followed by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) oxidation, resulted in the production of 4-aryl-2-methylthiopyrimidines. The iterative reaction sequence then gave 4,6-diaryl-2-methylthiopyrimidines. The resulting adduct was further allowed to react with ArMgBr under the catalytic influence of NiCl2(dppe) to afford 2,4,6-triarylpyrimidines. By following this synthetic scheme, interesting pyrimidine-core pi-systems were rapidly constructed in a programmable fashion. The successful discovery of a number of interesting fluorescent materials and properties (e.g., solvatofluorochromism) speaks well for the potential of our platform strategy in the development of functional organic materials.

Journal Article↗

Cation pool-initiated controlled/living polymerization using microsystems.

The "cation pool" of an N-acyliminium ion was found to serve as an effective initiator of cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers in a microsystem consisting of two micromixers and a microtube reactor. The polymerization led to very narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.14). The molecular weight (Mn) increased linearly with an increase in the amount of the monomer. The carbocationic polymer end was effectively trapped by allyltrimethylsilane. The present observations illustrate the potential of microsystems, in conjunction with the cation pool, to effect polymerization in a highly controlled manner without the deceleration inherent in the dynamic equilibrium between active and dormant species.

Journal Article↗

Rapid construction of multisubstituted olefin structures using vinylboronate ester platform leading to highly fluorescent materials.

[reaction: see text] A catalytic one-pot triarylation on the C=C core of vinylboronate pinacol ester (1) produces extended pi-systems based on a multisubstituted olefin structure very rapidly. We established an efficient protocol for the Pd-catalyzed double C-H arylation of 1 with aryl halides, which was successfully integrated with C-B arylation with aryl halides (cross-coupling) in one pot. By using this method, several highly fluorescent materials with a wide range of color variations (blue to red) were discovered.

Journal Article↗

Generation of alkoxycarbenium ion pools from thioacetals and applications to glycosylation chemistry.

[reaction: see text] Alkoxycarbenium ions have been generated and accumulated as "cation pools" by the low-temperature electrochemical oxidation of alpha-phenylthioethers. Although an unsuccessful attempt to accumulate glycosyl cations was made, a one-pot method for electrochemical glycosylation, which involves anodic oxidation of thioglycosides to generate glycosyl cation equivalents followed by their reactions with glycosyl acceptors, has been developed.

Acetals↗

Stereoselective synthesis of multisubstituted butadienes through directed Mizoroki-Heck reaction and homocoupling reaction of vinyl(2-pyridyl)silane.

[reaction: see text] We have developed the homocoupling reaction of alkenyl(2-pyridyl)silanes mediated by CuI and CsF, in which the strong directing effect of the 2-pyridyl group was observed. The homocoupling reaction was successfully integrated with the Mizoroki-Heck reaction of vinyl(2-pyridyl)silane with aryl halides, enabling a rapid and stereoselective synthesis of multisubstituted butadienes. From a relatively small compound library, it was possible to detect a number of fluorescent butadienes with a wide range of fluorescence color variations (blue to reddish-orange).

Journal Article↗

Sequential assembly strategy for tetrasubstituted olefin synthesis using vinyl 2-pyrimidyl sulfide as a platform.

We have developed a programmable and diversity-oriented synthetic scheme for tetrasubstituted olefins through a site-selective and sequential assembly of pi-components onto a C=C core of vinyl 2-pyrimidyl sulfide. Noteworthy features are that (i) all components assembled stem from readily available organic halides or their Grignard reagents, (ii) the installation at the desired position can be achieved by the addition of the components in the appropriate order, and (iii) simple alteration of addition order in the sequence results in the production of all possible regio- and stereoisomers of multisubstituted olefins.

Journal Article↗

Catalytic intermolecular Pauson-Khand-type reaction: strong directing effect of pyridylsilyl and pyrimidylsilyl groups and isolation of Ru complexes relevant to catalytic reaction.

Some circumstantial evidence for the directing effect of the 2-pyridylsilyl group in the Ru-catalyzed intermolecular Pauson-Khand-type reaction (PKR) of alkenyl(2-pyridyl)silane, alkyne, and carbon monoxide has been provided. Most importantly, we have succeeded in isolating several monometallic Ru complexes relevant to the catalytic reaction: Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complexes and ruthenacyclopentene. While the stoichimetric reaction of the Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complex with an alkyne led to the formation of the corresponding cyclopentenone (PKR product) at 100 degrees C, the ruthenacyclopentene intermediate was quantitatively produced at 50 degrees C. This complex was also converted to a cyclopentenone upon heating at 100 degrees C. Moreover, it was also found that the Ru(vinylsilane)(CO)(3) complex and ruthenacyclopentene serve as catalysts in intermolecular PKR.

Journal Article↗

Cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes using the cation pool method.

The reactions of an N-acyliminium ion pool with alkenes and alkynes gave gamma-amino alcohols and beta-amino carbonyl compounds, respectively, after treatment with H(2)O/Et(3)N. The present reaction serves as an efficient method for cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes. When vinyltrimethylsilane was used as an alkene, the reaction was highly diastereoselective and served as an access to an enantiomerically pure alpha-silyl-gamma-amino alcohol. [reaction: see text]

Journal Article↗

The nucleolus is involved in mRNA export from the nucleus in fission yeast.

To elucidate the mechanism of mRNA export from the nucleus, we isolated five novel temperature-sensitive mutants (ptr7 to ptr11) that accumulate poly(A)(+) RNA in the nuclei at the nonpermissive temperature in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Of those, the ptr11 mutation was found in the top2(+) gene encoding DNA topoisomerase II. In addition to the nuclear accumulation of poly(A)(+) RNA, ptr11 exhibited the cut (cell untimely torn) phenotype at the nonpermissive temperature, like the previously isolated mutant, ptr4. In these two mutants, cytokinesis occurred without prior nuclear division, resulting in cleavage of the undivided nuclei by the septum. To investigate the relationship between mRNA export defects and the cut phenotype observed in ptr4 and ptr11, we analyzed 11 other mutants displaying the cut phenotype and found that all these tested mutants accumulate poly(A)(+) mRNA in the aberrantly cleaved nuclei. Interestingly, nuclear accumulation of poly(A)(+) mRNA was observed only in the anucleolate nuclei produced by aberrant cytokinesis. In addition, nuc1, the S. pombe mutant exhibiting a collapsed nucleolus, trapped poly(A)(+) mRNA in the nucleolar region at the nonpermissive temperature. In ptr11 and nuc1, mRNA transcribed from the intron-containing TBP gene showed nuclear accumulation, but not transcripts from the intron-less TBP cDNA, suggesting that the export pathway differs between the spliced and unspliced TBP mRNAs. These findings support the notion that a subset of mRNAs in yeast is exported from the nucleus through transient association with the nucleolus.

Cell Nucleolus↗

Diversity-oriented synthesis of tamoxifen-type tetrasubstituted olefins.

A general synthetic scheme for tamoxifen-type tetrasubstituted olefins based on the novel Cu-catalyzed carbomagnesation across alkynyl(2-pyridyl)silane has been developed. A wide array of electronically and structurally diverse tetrasubstituted olefins can be prepared in a regiocontrolled, stereocontrolled, and diversity-oriented manner. Noteworthy features are that (i) the three aryl groups, which are believed to be important (essential) for anti-estrogenic activity, can be varied at will because they all stem from readily available aryl iodides, and (ii) any stereo- and regioisomers can, in principle, be prepared by simply changing the applying order of aryl iodides into the sequence.

Alkenes↗

Overexpression of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The expression levels of the Wilms' tumor gene WT1 were examined in 56 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). They included 4 cases of floor of mouth, 9 of gingiva, 25 of tongue, 10 of oropharynx, 3 of hypopharynx, and 5 larynx squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). All (100%) of 4 cases of floor of mouth, 5 (56%) of 9 gingiva, 17 (68%) of 25 tongue, 8 (80%) of 10 oropharynx, all (100%) of 3 hypopharynx, and all (100%) of 5 larynx SCC overexpressed the WT1 gene in the range of 3.07 x 10(-4)-8.60 x 10(-1) levels (the WT1 expression level in K562 leukemic cells was defined as 1.0). Thus, 42 (75%) out of 56 cases of HNSCC overexpressed the WT1 gene. The high expression level of the WT1 gene significantly correlated with poor histological tumor differentiation and high tumor stage of HNSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the expression of WT1 protein in 6 cases (one floor of mouth, 2 tongue, 2 oropharynx, and one larynx SCC) with overexpression of the WT1 gene. The direct sequencing analysis of the WT1 genomic DNA showed no mutations in any of 10 exons of the WT1 gene in 5 different HNSCC. These findings suggest an important role of the wild-type WT1 gene in the tumorigenesis of HNSCC.

Adult↗

[A clinical study of 104 patients with tongue cancer and the relationship between DNA ploidy and prognosis in 41 cases].

One-hundred and four patients with previously untreated tongue cancer seen in our department between 1986 and 1998 were enrolled in a clinical study. The DNA ploidy patterns observed in fresh frozen specimens obtained from 41 patients were analyzed, and prognostic factors were investigated. According to the TNM classification (UICC 1997), 43 patients had stage I tumors, 29 had stage II tumors, 17 had stage III tumors, and 15 had stage IV tumors. The 5-year cause-specific survival rates for each stage were 94.7%, 64.4%, 50.0% and 45.7%, respectively. The most frequent cause of death associated with the original disease was the recurrence of the disease in cervical lymph nodes (19/27, 70.4%). The occurrence of late cervical metastasis was high among patients with a T2N0 disease. Patients with stage II disease should undergo elective neck dissection or be carefully monitored using ultrasonography. Among the 41 cases in which the DNA ploidy pattern was analyzed, diploid patterns were found in 30 cases and aneuploid patterns were found in 11. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate and the 5-year locoregional control rate were significantly lower for the aneuploid cases (18.2%, 38.9%) than for the diploid cases (66.5%, 69.8%) (p = 0.0003, p = 0.0339). The incidence of distant metastasis was significantly higher among the aneuploid cases (6/11, 54.5%) than among the diploid cases (3/30, 10.0%) (p = 0.0058). The ploidy pattern, as determined by flow cytometric DNA analysis, may reflect the malignancy grade of tongue cancers.

Adolescent↗

Electroauxiliary-assisted sequential introduction of two carbon nucleophiles on the same alpha-carbon of nitrogen: application to the synthesis of spiro compounds.

The sequential introduction of two carbon nucleophiles on the same alpha-carbon of nitrogen by using selective oxidative cleavage of two silyl groups as electroauxilialies has been accomplished. The combination of this expedient transformation and ring-closing metathesis enables reliable and straightforward syntheses of nitrogen-containing spiro compounds, such as cephalotaxine.

Alkylation↗

Basic concepts of "cation pool" and "cation flow" methods and their applications in conventional and combinatorial organic synthesis.

Carbocations have been generally considered to be relatively unstable and transient species. But the "cation pool" method enables the easy accumulation of carbocations in conventional reaction media such as dichloromethane. In the "cation pool" method, carbocations are generated by low-temperature electrochemical oxidation and accumulated in a solution. In the next step, the carbocations thus produced are allowed to react with various nucleophiles. Combinatorial parallel synthesis based upon the "cation pool" method has also been developed. The applicability of the "cation pool" method depends upon the stability of the cation that is accumulated. This problem can be overcome by the "cation flow" method. In the "cation flow" method, carbocations are generated in a microflow electrochemical system. Short residence times and efficient temperature control of the microflow system are advantageous. Combinatorial sequential synthesis has been achieved based on the "cation flow" method.

Journal Article↗

Metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenes and alkynes using dimethyl(pyridyl)silane.

Metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenes and alkynes using dimethyl(pyridyl)silane is described. The hydrosilylation of alkenes using dimethyl(2-pyridyl)silane (2-PyMe(2)SiH) proceeded well in the presence of a catalytic amount of RhCl(PPh(3))(3) with virtually complete regioselectivity. By taking advantage of the phase tag property of the 2-PyMe(2)Si group, hydrosilylation products were isolated in greater than 95% purity by simple acid-base extraction. Strategic catalyst recovery was also demonstrated. The hydrosilylation of alkynes using 2-PyMe(2)SiH proceeded with a Pt(CH(2)=CHSiMe(2))(2)O/P(t-Bu)(3) catalyst to give alkenyldimethyl(2-pyridyl)silanes in good yield with high regioselectivity. A reactivity comparison of 2-PyMe(2)SiH with other related hydrosilanes (3-PyMe(2)SiH, 4-PyMe(2)SiH, and PhMe(2)SiH) was also performed. In the rhodium-catalyzed reaction, the reactivity order of hydrosilane was 2-PyMe(2)SiH >> 3-PyMe(2)SiH, 4-PyMe(2)SiH, PhMe(2)SiH, indicating a huge rate acceleration with 2-PyMe(2)SiH. In the platinum-catalyzed reaction, the reactivity order of hydrosilane was PhMe(2)SiH, 3-PyMe(2)SiH >> 4-PyMe(2)SiH > 2-PyMe(2)SiH, indicating a rate deceleration with 2-PyMe(2)SiH and 4-PyMe(2)SiH. It seems that these reactivity differences stem primarily from the governance of two different mechanisms (Chalk-Harrod and modified Chalk-Harrod mechanisms). From the observed reactivity order, coordination and electronic effects of dimethyl(pyridyl)silanes have been implicated.

Journal Article↗

Reduction of a "cation pool": a new approach to radical mediated C--C bond formation.

Carbocations, carbon radicals, and carbanions are important reactive carbon intermediates in organic chemistry, and their interconversions can be carried out by redox processes. Although, such relationships have been well recognized, experimental work has been limited to analytical studies on highly stabilized intermediates. In this study such interconversions were examined using electrochemical reduction of "cation pools". Acyliminium cations, which were generated by low-temperature electrolysis of carbamates, were reduced electrochemically in the absence of radical acceptors. The homo coupling products formed effectively, suggesting that the one-electron reduction of the acyliminium cation produced the corresponding carbon-centered radical. Next, the electrochemical reduction of the acyliminium cations in the presence of electron-deficient olefins was examined. The cross coupling products were obtained in good-to-moderate yields. A mechanism involving radical addition to the double bond followed by the reduction of the resulting radical to the carbanion was suggested. The overall transformation serves as redox-mediated formal addition of C-H to C=C. The present strategy opens new opportunities to manipulate reactive carbon species using redox processes in organic synthesis.

Journal Article↗