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Biomedical subjects

K Akasaka

Publications and source records attributed to K Akasaka.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance study on the solution conformation of human epidermal growth factor.

This paper describes elucidation of the conformation of the human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) in an aqueous environment, using one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The noted structural information obtained is that a rigid core structure is formed by the interplay of the three disulfide bridges and an antiparallel beta-sheet consisting of Val-19 to Glu-24 and Asp-27 to Asn-32. Furthermore, the hydrophobic amino acid residues of the long C-terminal segment fold back to interact locally with residues in the beta-sheet. It is suggested that the C-terminal residues play an inevitable role in the formation of the receptor-binding site.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1987

Self association of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor: sedimentation equilibrium and 1H NMR studies.

The self association of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor, a dimeric protein molecule of MW 23,000 in an aqueous environment has been investigated by the combined use of sedimentation equilibrium analysis and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A significant degree of self association was found using the sedimentation equilibrium method in the concentration range between 5 and 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with the sedimentation equilibrium method enabled us to study the self association in a much higher concentration range (up to 60 mg/ml or more). The self association reaction in the concentration range of 10-40 mg/ml fits reasonably well a "successive polymerization model" in which each step of the polymerization reaction consists of the addition of one intrinsic dimer of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor to the previously formed polymeric species, with an equilibrium constant common to all the steps of 400 M-1. The 1H NMR chemical shift and line broadening data show that the dimer-dimer interaction probably involves the reactive-site segment of this inhibitor without a significant conformational change in the major part of the protein structure.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1987

Pharmacological properties of the novel anti-platelet aggregating agent 4-cyano-5,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-pentenoic acid.

Various pharmacological properties of a new antiplatelet aggregating agent, 4-cyano-5,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-pentenoic acid (E-5510), were examined in order to elucidate its mode of action, Firstly, the inhibitory effect on in vitro aggregation of platelets from humans and various experimental animals was studied. E-5510 inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by collagen, arachidonic acid, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), platelet activating factor (PAF) and epinephrine. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, which was not inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or the thiazole drug, 4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl) thiazole, was inhibited by E-5510. E-5510 inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from guinea pigs, beagle dogs and monkey to the same degree as in human PRP, but its effect was weaker in rat PRP. Human platelet adhesion to a collagen-coated plastic disk and thrombin-induced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from human platelets were also inhibited by this compound. Next, the ex vivo anti-platelet effect of E-5510 was examined in guinea pigs and beagle dogs. E-5510 was the most potent among the tested drugs (ticlopidine, ASA, cilostazol and the thiazole drug. The anti-platelet effect of this compound appeared within 1 h and lasted more than 8 h after oral administration. The above results suggest that E-5510 may antagonize platelet activation by inhibiting phospholipase C and/or A2, which results in suppression of both phosphatidylinositol breakdown and arachidonic acid release from phospholipids, as well as by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. E-5510 exerted its anti-platelet action without affecting prostaglandin I2 production in the blood vessels. It is considered that E-5510 has a highly potent anti-platelet aggregating effect and a unique multi-site mode of action. This compound is a promising candidate as an antithrombotic drug for clinical use.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Characterization and localization of Paragonimus westermani antigen stimulating antibody formation in both the infected cat and rat.

Applicability of the adult Paragonimus westermani antigen for detection of anti-immature P. westermani antibodies in experimentally infected rats, a paratenic host of this lung fluke, was examined. The serum antibodies of the cats and rats infected with P. westermani metacercariae were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the adult-fluke antigen. The ELISA titers of serum samples of the rats infected with only immature flukes were as high as those of the cats infected with adult flukes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the immunoblotting technique showed that a major protein band of 27,000 daltons was recognized in the sera of the infected cats and rats. Immunoperoxidase staining applied on the sectioned flukes provided evidence showing that the antigenic substance was located on the surface of the gut epithelium and in the luminal contents in both adult and immature flukes. The adult-fluke antigen containing the 27,000-dalton substance is applicable as a standard antigen for diagnosis of paragonimiasis westermani in not only definitive hosts but also in paratenic hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Replication timing: histone genes replicate during early S phase in cleavage-stage embryos of sea urchin.

Newly synthesized DNA was separated from the bulk of the DNA by pulse-labeling with BUdR and centrifugation in an alkaline CsCl buoyant density gradient. The content of histone gene in the newly synthesized DNA was determined by DNA dot hybridization. The gene contents in DNA replicated during the early half of S phase and during the whole S phase were compared. Results showed that histone genes were replicated during the first half of the S phase in embryos in the early cleavage stage.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Carbonic anhydrase activity in developing sea urchin embryos with special reference to calcification of spicules.

Eggs and embryos of the sea urchins Anthocidaris crassispina and Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus did not exhibit significant changes in carbonic anhydrase activity during early development. Acetazolamide inhibited enzyme activity in homogenates of embryos and inhibited the formation of calcified spicules in a culture of micromeres at concentrations between 40 and 100 microM. Acetazolamide allowed intact embryos to develop to quasi-normal plutei but inhibited calcium deposition in the spicules. It is suggested that carbonic anhydrase contributes to CaCO3 deposition in the spicule.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1986

Determination of acetylcholine in human blood.

Acetylcholine levels of whole blood from 80 healthy subjects were determined by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass fragmentography. Acetylcholine was extracted from 1.2 ml of venous blood in the presence of eserine, demethylated by pyrolysis, and assayed by selected ion-current monitoring using butyrylcholine as an internal standard. Inhibition of blood cholinesterase activity by eserine was essential to accurate measurement. The overall recovery of acetylcholine was 45%. The blood acetylcholine levels of healthy subjects varied over a wide range with a geometric mean of 0.49 mumole/liter, 90% of the levels falling into the range of 0.20 to 1.31 mumole/liter. There was no correlation between the blood acetylcholine level and age or sex.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1986

A Zn2+-dependent and histone H1-specific protease in sea urchin sperm.

Protease activity was extracted from sea urchin sperm with 1% Triton X-100 and partially purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The enzyme preferentially degraded histone H1, while showing only a weak activity toward other histones. Heat-denatured casein and bovine serum albumin were not digested by this enzyme under the present experimental conditions. This protease hydrolyzed only Boc-Val-Leu-Lys-MCA among various peptidyl-MCAs. The optimal pH ranged from 7 to 11. Its molecular weight was about 41,000. Among various known inhibitors of proteases, only omicron-phenanthroline effectively inhibited the activity. The enzyme was stimulated by Zn2+ or Co2+. It was inactivated by omicron-phenanthroline but could be reactivated by the addition of Zn2+ or Co2+. Therefore, this protease seems to be a metalloprotease dependent on Zn2+ or Co2+. The insensitivity of this enzyme to phosphoramidon and its very restricted substrate specificity suggest that this enzyme is very different from other metalloproteases described hitherto.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Establishment of a novel acute monoblastic leukemia cell line (YK-M2) having a near-triploid karyotype.

The YK-M2 cell line was established from the peripheral blood of a patient with acute monoblastic leukemia in whom an anterior mediastinal tumor preceded the peripheral blood manifestation. The established cells grew in a single cell suspension with a doubling time of 60 h and consisted of primitive monoblastic cells. The cells were 52% positive for peroxidase staining and manifested strongly positive activity of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, which was completely inhibited by sodium fluoride. The cells showed strong expression of Fc gamma receptors and phagocytosed sensitized ox erythrocytes. When the cells were incubated with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3, they were induced to differentiate into mature monocyte-macrophage-like cells, which reduced the nitroblue tetrazolium dye and released a small amount of the superoxide anion. Cytogenetic studies revealed that the cells had a near-triploid karyotype with a modal chromosome number of 68, and the short arm of one No. 17 chromosome was deleted [del(17)(p11)]. The YK-M2 cell line is particularly unique in that the cells retained the polyploid karyotype that may be an initial cytogenetic change in the malignant transformation of the parent leukemia cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Water structure in modified bovine plasma albumin (BPA) gel and bovine mercaptalbumin solution. 1H-n.m.r. studies.

Bovine plasma albumin Fr. V (BPA) has been known to contain small amounts of proteolytic enzyme. Wilson & Foster (1971) found a very limited and specific cleavage of BPA catalyzed by the enzyme with BPA in the F-form near pH 3.8, resulting in the formation of partially hydrolyzed BPA (BPA*). BPA* had a tendency to form a transparent gel at pD 4.0 (pD range of the F-form) above 8%, though proteolytic enzyme-free bovine mercaptalbumin (BMA) was in a transparent solution at pD 4.0 even at 12%. Water structures of the F-form of BMA in the solution state and of BPA* in the gel state were studied by measuring 1H-n.m.r. spectra, spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) and cross relaxation time (TIS) between irradiated and observed protons. Protein concentration-dependent changes of T1 of water protons indicated that the amount of hydrated water of BPA* in the gel state is far greater than that of the F-form of BMA in the solution state. TIS values from protein protons to water protons also indicated a large amount of hydration of BPA*, strong interaction between water and BPA* and rapid exchange between bound and bulk water in the gel state.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Hydrogen exchange kinetics of core peptide protons in Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor.

The hydrogen isotope exchange kinetics of the 10 slowest exchanging resonances in the 1H NMR spectrum of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) have been determined at pH 7-11 and 30-60 degrees C. These resonances are assigned to peptide amide protons in the beta-sheet core that comprises the extensive protein-protein interface of the tightly bound SSI dimer. The core protons are atypical in that their exchange rates are orders of magnitude slower than those for all other SSI protons. When they do exchange at temperatures greater than 50 degrees C, they do so as a set and with a very high temperature coefficient. The pH dependence of the exchange rate constants is also atypical. Exchange rates are approximately first order in hydroxyl ion dependence at pH less than 8.5 and greater than 9.5 and pH independent between pH 8.5 and 9.5. The pH dependence and temperature dependence of the SSI proton exchange rates are interpreted by the two-process model [Woodward, C. K., & Hilton, B. D. (1980) Biophys. J. 32, 561-575]. The results suggest that in the average solution structure of SSI, an unusual mobility of secondary structural elements at the protein surface is, in a sense, compensated by an unusual rigidity and inaccessibility of the beta-sheet core at the dimer interface.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1985

H n.m.r. spectrum from the flexible N-terminal segment of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor.

The 1H n.m.r. spectrum of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor shows a limited number of unusually sharp signals at room temperature. Some of these signals are assigned uniquely to protons of the side chains of the N-terminal segment, Aspl-Ala2-Pro3-Ser4-Ala5-Leu6-Tyr7-based on experiments of spin decoupling, pH titration, and enzymatic cleavage of the protein. Quantitative examination of these signals indicates that the N-terminal end of this protein is heterogeneous in that the protein contains a considerable fraction whose sequence starts with Ala2 rather than with Asp1. The pKa values for the amino groups of Asp1 and Ala2 exposed at the N-terminus are determined to be 8.9 +/- 0.4 and 9.0 +/- 0.1, respectively. Furthermore, examination of the line-widths of the methyl proton resonances of Ala2 and Ala5 residues indicates that the N-terminal peptide segment is free and undergoes rapid segmental motions in the order of 10(-9) s.

Amino Acid Sequence↗