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Biomedical subjects

K Fukuyama

Publications and source records attributed to K Fukuyama.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

New crystal forms and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex from bovine heart.

Two new crystal forms of the cytochrome bc1 complex (ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase, EC. 1.10.2.2) from bovine heart mitochondria were obtained by the batch method with polyethylene glycol 4000 as the precipitant, when buffer was exchanged from Tris-HCl to potassium phosphate. The first crystal form belongs to the hexagonal space group P61 or P6(5) with unit-cell constants of a = b = 131 A and c = 720 A. The reproducibility of crystallization and the quality of this crystal form were improved by an addition of ZnCl2 to the protein solution. The second crystal form, obtained from the enzyme preparation purified by crystallization, belongs to the tetragonal space group P4(1) or P4(3) with unit-cell constants of a = b = 190 A and c = 445 A. Both crystals diffracted X-rays to 6.5 A resolution and gave sharper diffraction spots than the previous monoclinic form. X-ray intensity data to 8.0 A resolution for the hexagonal crystal and to 7.0 A resolution for the tetragonal one were collected with synchrotron radiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of antisense glial fibrillary acidic protein complementary DNA on the growth, invasion, and adhesion of human astrocytoma cells.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytoma cells were stably transfected with an expression vector carrying a murine complementary DNA for GFAP in the antisense orientation. Three stably transfected GFAP-negative transformants were identified by indirect immunofluorescence and expanded in vitro. The stably transfected and control cell clones were analyzed for morphological alterations, growth in monolayer and soft agar, adhesiveness, and in vitro invasive potential. In contrast to control astrocytoma cells which retained an astrocytic phenotype with polygonal or triangular cells extending multiple long and thin processes, the antisense GFAP-transfected cells demonstrated marked morphological alterations in the form of flat, epithelioid cells devoid of long, astrocytic glial processes. The antisense GFAP-transfected clones demonstrated a greater degree of cell crowding and piling at confluence than did controls. By tritiated thymidine analysis, the antisense GFAP-transfected cell clones demonstrated a 2-3-fold increase in incorporation of the radiolabel, suggesting an enhanced proliferative potential over controls. Antisense GFAP-transfected astrocytoma clones formed larger and more numerous colonies than did controls when tested for anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. Following a time-course adhesion assay, antisense GFAP-transfected astrocytoma clones were found to be less adherent to their substratum than controls. When assessed in an in vitro invasion assay system, antisense GFAP-transfected astrocytoma cells more readily penetrated Matrigel-coated filters than did controls. These data have shown that eliminating GFAP expression from astrocytoma cells has affected astrocytoma cell morphology and adhesion. The data also suggest that the growth and invasive potential of the antisense GFAP-transfected astrocytoma cells have been significantly enhanced by altering the expression of this glial-specific cytoskeletal protein in this experimental cell system.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Structure of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin I from Equisetum arvense at 1.8 A resolution.

Ferredoxin I (Fd I) from Equisetum arvense is an iron-sulfur protein composed of 95 amino-acid residues and one [2Fe-2S] cluster. It crystallized in the space group P2(1), a = 30.4, b = 57.4, c = 47.5 A and beta = 78.7 degrees with two molecules per asymmetric unit. X-ray diffraction data up to 1.8 A resolution were collected by using a Rigaku four-circle diffractometer. The initial model of Fd I, which was derived by the molecular replacement method using a structure of the Fd I from the blue-green alga Aphanothece sacrum, was refined by molecular dynamics simulation and a least-squares minimization with stereochemical restraints. Positional parameters and isotropic temperature factors for 1420 non-H protein atoms and 183 water molecules were refined on 13 838 observed structure factors (F(o) > sigma(Fo)) between 10.0 and 1.8 A resolution. The final Rfactor was 17.0%, and the standard deviation of atomic position estimated by Luzzati plot [Luzzati (1952). Acta Cryst. 5, 802-810] was 0.2 A. The electron-density map was well defined for the two independent molecules except for the N-terminal residue and the three C-terminal residues. Equivalent Calpha atoms of two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit were superposed by the least-squares method with root-mean-square deviations of 0.26 A. Reasonable structural differences were observed at a polypeptide segment having few intramolecular interactions. Highly flexible regions of the molecule were assigned from the structural differences between the two independent molecules in the crystal and the distribution of temperature factors along the polypeptide chain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Crystal structure of the fungal peroxidase from Arthromyces ramosus at 1.9 A resolution. Structural comparisons with the lignin and cytochrome c peroxidases.

The crystal structure of the peroxidase (donor: H2O2 oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7) from the hyphomycete Arthromyces ramosus (ARP) has been determined by the multiple isomorphous replacement method and refined by the simulated annealing method to a crystallographic R-factor of 17.4% for the 19,191 reflections with F > 2 sigma F between 7.0 and 1.9 A resolution. The model includes residues 9 to 344, the heme group, two N-acetylglucosamine residues, two calcium ions and 246 water molecules. The root-mean-square deviation of bond lengths from the ideal values is 0.02 A. The mean coordinate error is estimated as 0.2 A. The electron density of the glycine-rich region of the amino-terminal eight residues was invisible. ARP has ten major and two short alpha-helices and a few short beta-strands. The overall tertiary structure of ARP is similar to that of yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) and is particularly similar to that of the lignin peroxidase (LiP) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Relative to CCP, ARP and LiP each have an extension of approximately 40 residues at the carboxy terminus. All eight cysteine residues in ARP form disulfide bonds (C12:C24, C23:C293, C43:C129 and C257:C322). Two calcium sites are inaccessible to solvent. The four disulfide bonds and two calcium sites, which are lacking in CCP, are conserved in ARP and LiP. The bond from Asn304C to Ala305N in ARP is the site sensitive to proteases. An Asx turn present in the Asn303 to Ala305 segment appears to orient the side-chain of Asn304 to outward from the molecule, rendering it easily trappable by pockets of proteases. The proximal heme ligand is His184 in helix F (distance of N epsilon 2 ... Fe, 2.10 A), and one of several water molecules in the distal pocket of the heme bridges the iron atom and the N epsilon 2 of His56. The orientation of the imidazole ring of the distal histidine residue relative to the heme group in ARP differs significantly from that in LiP. The access channel to the distal side of the heme of ARP is markedly wider along the heme plane than that of LiP. Many of the amino acid residues that comprise the entrance of this channel differ for ARP and LiP. This may account for the differences in substrate specificity.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1994

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the alpha-amylase inhibitor coded 0.19 from wheat kernel.

The alpha-amylase inhibitor coded 0.19 (0.19AI) from wheat kernel is a dimeric protein which inactivates exogenous alpha-amylases. Crystals of 0.19AI were grown at room temperature and pH 7.0 from a protein solution with a low salt concentration. They were trigonal, belonged to space group P3(1) or P3(2), and had unit cell dimensions of a = b = 79.3 A and c = 60.8 A. The crystals diffract X-rays to at least 2.0 A resolution and are stable to X-ray beams. The asymmetric unit appears to contain two 0.19AI dimers. A potential heavy-atom derivative was prepared by soaking the crystal in a HgCl2 solution.

Crystallization↗
PubMed1993

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase from Escherichia coli K-12.

gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase (EC 2.3.2.2) from Escherichia coli K-12 has been purified and crystallized by means of vapor diffusion in hanging drops. Two kinds of crystals on cell dimensions were found for X-ray diffraction analysis, one from ammonium sulfate and the other from polyethylene glycol 6000 as precipitants. The crystals of the orthorhombic form grown in the presence of 15% polyethylene glycol and 20 mM sodium acetate buffer were chosen for further analysis. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with cell dimensions of a = 128.1, b = 129.9 and c = 79.2 A, and two molecules constitute an asymmetric unit. These crystals diffracted to 2.0 A resolution and were suitable for X-ray crystallographic studies.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Purification and characterization of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase from rat epidermis.

NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase (P-450 red) transfers reducing equivalents from NADPH to cytochrome P-450 (P-450) in the monooxygenase system. Detergent solubilized proteins from the membrane fraction of neonatal rat epidermis were purified by 2',5'-ADP-agarose affinity column chromatography. The purified protein showed an apparent homogeneity on sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and molecular weight was estimated to be 78 kDa. NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity increased by 95-fold in the purified enzyme. Epidermal P-450 red in vitro reconstituted benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity in a dose dependent manner with P-450 purified from either rat liver or epidermis. Western blot analysis demonstrated that epidermal P-450 red immunologically cross reacts to liver P-450 red. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the enzyme was predominantly localized in the epidermis. The intensity of immunohistochemical staining of rat skin sections and tissue distribution did not change in the skin treated with beta-naphthoflavone, which results in a substantial increase in P-450 1A1 activity. Quantitative assessment of P-450 red in treated and untreated epidermis also showed no change. These findings indicate that constitutive P-450 red, fully capable of supporting P-450, exists in rat epidermis, and can function in metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of peroxidase from a fungus Arthromyces ramosus.

Peroxidase (donor: H2O2 oxidoreductase [EC 1.11.1.7]) was purified from the culture broth of the hyphomycete Arthromyces ramosus in the early log phase to show a single band on SDS-PAGE. The crystals of A. ramosus peroxidase (ARP) were formed by salting out with ammonium sulfate at room temperature and pH 7.5. The repeated seeding technique was employed to grow the crystals to the size large enough for X-ray diffraction study. The crystals were characterized as tetragonal, space group P4(2)2(1)2, with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 74.5 A, c = 117.6 A. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule of peroxidase. They diffract X-rays to at least 2.0 A resolution and are stable to X-rays.

Crystallization↗
PubMed1993

Correlation between HPV positivity and state of the p53 gene in cervical carcinoma cell lines.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is clearly associated with cervical carcinomas, yet it is also true that there are cervical carcinomas in which HPV DNA is absent. We examined eight established cell lines derived from cervical carcinomas for the presence of mutations of the p53 antioncogene in relation to the presence of HPV DNA sequences. Of these eight cell lines, seven were positive for HPV DNA and the remaining one was negative for HPV DNA. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analyses revealed a point mutation of the p53 gene in the cell line in which HPV DNA was absent. Sequencing analysis revealed a single-base mutation at codon 273 from CGT to CAT(Arg-->His) and immunocytochemical studies provided evidence that the p53 protein was overexpressed in this cell line. Our observations suggest that the loss of normal p53 gene function may be linked to the oncogenesis of cervical carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Desmosome differentiation during epidermal cornification: new observations obtained from intermediate voltage electron microscopy.

Human epidermis was examined under 400-kV intermediate voltage electron microscopy using epon sections cut 5-8 times thicker than usual ultrathin sections. Asymmetry of desmosomal structures occurred as cells became cornified. Electron-dense proteins deposited at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of corneocytes do not extend into the desmosomal area, which connects to granular cells. Stereo micrographs revealed the existence of two different cellular elements at the cell surface confirming that the plasma membrane first thickened in areas without desmosomes. Examination of the three-dimensional nature of desmosomes and keratin-filament aggregation without serial sectioning and/or selecting a strict angle of the tissues will allow us to extend our ultrastructural knowledge.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1993

Purification and immunohistochemical localization of aspartic proteinases in rat epidermis.

Investigation of skin cathepsin E (EC 3.4.23.-) has been totally ignored compared to skin cathepsin D (ED 3.4.23.5). In this study both cathepsins E and D were simultaneously purified to homogeneity up to 370 and 640 times, respectively, from 2-day-old rat epidermis. The total aspartic proteinase activity of rat epidermis detected after Q-Sepharose column chromatography was attributed to 27% cathepsin E, 63% cathepsin D, and 10% other enzymes. The purified enzymes showed that cathepsin E (90 kDa) is a dimer of 45 kDa subunits whereas cathepsin D is a monomer of 42 kDa. Other biochemical properties of epidermal cathepsins E and D were similar to those reported from other tissue sources. Immunologically cathepsins E and D were distinct from each other and localization of the two enzymes differed in both rat and human skin by immunohistochemistry. Cathepsin E was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm of almost all epidermal cells, though its concentration increased above suprabasal cells, whereas cathepsin D appeared in particulate form only in cells of the granular layer. The findings indicate that two aspartic proteinases that have similar enzymatic properties exist in the epidermis. They are, however, differentially distributed in the organ, presumably for different functions during the process of keratinization.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of two dipeptidases purified from hepatic schistosome egg granulomas in mice. Leukotriene D4 hydrolases of granulomatous tissue.

Extracts prepared from tissue with granulomatous inflammation experimentally produced in liver of CBA-strain mice showed increased hydrolysis of leukotriene D4 (LTD4), Leu-Leu and Ala-Gly as compared with normal hepatic cells. Two dipeptidases, Leu-Leu dipeptidase and Ala-Gly dipeptidase, were purified from hepatic granulomas, and quantitative conversion of LTD4 into leukotriene E4 (LTE4) by both enzymes was demonstrated. M(r) values of the purified enzymes were 178,000 for Leu-Leu dipeptidase and 183,000 for Ala-Gly dipeptidase. The enzymes showed homogeneity, appearing as a single band on SDS/PAGE, and the M(r) values of the subunits were 56,000 and 57,000 for Leu-Leu and Ala-Gly dipeptidase respectively. The amino acid compositions of the two enzymes differed considerably from each other. The activity of Leu-Leu dipeptidase was inhibited by bestatin and captopril and stabilized with MnCl2. The Km for LTD4 was 25 microM with a V(max.) of 49.0 mumols/min per mg. In contrast, the activity of Ala-Gly dipeptidase was inhibited by cilastatin, cytinylglycine, EDTA and dithiothreitol, and also by captopril. The Km for LTD4 was 5.3 microM with a V(max.) of 50.4 mumols/min per mg. The findings indicate that the conversion of LTD4 into LTE4 by microsomal dipeptidases is elevated during granulomatous tissue reaction. This enzyme activity may become useful for biochemical quantification of the pathological tissue reaction that occurs in organized granulomas.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Crystal structure of oxidized flavodoxin from a red alga Chondrus crispus refined at 1.8 A resolution. Description of the flavin mononucleotide binding site.

In order to describe the detailed conformation of the oxidized flavodoxin from a eukaryotic red alga, Chondrus crispus, the crystal structure has been refined by a restrained least-squares method. The crystallographic R factor is 0.168 for 13,899 reflections with F greater than 2 sigma F between 6.0 and 1.8 A resolution. The refined model includes 173 amino acid residues, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and 110 water molecules. The root-mean-square deviation in bond lengths from ideal values is 0.015 A, and the mean co-ordinate error is estimated to be 0.2 A. The FMN is located at the periphery of the molecule. The orientation of the isoalloxazine ring is such that the C-7 and C-8 methyl groups are exposed to solvent and the pyrimidine moiety is buried in the protein. Three peptide segments, T8-T13, T55-T58 and D94-C103, are involved in FMN binding. The first segment of T8-T13 enfolds the phosphate group of the FMN. The three oxygen atoms in the phosphate group form extensive hydrogen bonds with amide groups of the main chain and the O gamma atoms of the side-chains in this segment. T55 O and W56 N epsilon 1 in the second segment form hydrogen bonds with O-2 in the ribityl moiety and one of the oxygen atoms in the phosphate group, respectively. The O gamma H of T58 forms a hydrogen bond with the N-5 atom in the isoalloxazine ring, which is expected to be protonated in the semiquinone form. The third segment is in contact with the isoalloxazine ring. It appears that the hydrogen bond acceptor of the NH of Asp94 in the third segment is O-2 rather than N-1 in the isoalloxazine ring. The isoalloxazine ring is flanked by the side-chains of Trp56 and Tyr98; it forms an angle of 38 degrees with the indole ring of Trp56 and is almost parallel to the benzene ring of Tyr98. The environment of the phosphate group is conserved as in other flavodoxins whereas that of the isoalloxazine ring differs. The relationship between the hydrogen bond to the N-5 in the ring and the redox potential for the oxidized/semiquinone couple is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Prolyl endopeptidase purified from granulomatous inflammation in mice.

Activity of prolyl endopeptidase (EC 3.4.21.26) which hydrolyses the Pro7-Phe8 bond in angiotensin II has been found to elevate in experimentally produced granulomatous inflammation in liver and skin. We purified the enzyme 1,536-fold by 6 steps from murine hepatic granulomas. The purified enzyme has a molecular weight of 79 kDa and physicochemical properties equivalent to those previously reported for prolyl endopeptidase purified from other sources. By HPLC analysis, the cleavage of Phe8-Leu10 and Phe8 from angiotensin I and II, respectively, was detected and quantified. Monospecific IgG was prepared from serum of rabbits injected with purified enzyme. Concentration of the enzyme was immunohistochemically detected in cells which form granulomatous organization, but not in inflammatory cells surrounding the foci. The antibody, however, cross reacted with the enzyme in adjacent liver cells and weakly stained their cytoplasm. The findings indicate that this enzyme, in addition to angiotensin converting enzyme, may serve as a useful biochemical marker for granulomatous tissue reactions.

Angiotensin I↗
PubMed1992

Peripheral acting muscle relaxants alter the effects of baclofen on the electrocorticograms in the rat.

The effects of intraperitoneally administered baclofen on behavior and electrocorticograms (ECoG) were studied in freely moving and paralyzed rats. In the freely moving rats, 10 mg/kg of baclofen suppressed ECoGs with behavioral sedation, and 20 mg/kg caused whole body twitching accompanied with spike discharges in low voltage slow waves background. In the freely moving rats, baclofen acted as depressant in low dose and convulsant in high dose. In the paralyzed rat, 10 mg/kg of baclofen first suppressed ECoGs. Though fast waves components recovered with slow waves background in the ECoGs of rats paralyzed with gallamine (50 mg/kg) 3 hours after the baclofen injection, fast waves activities were not observed in the ECoG of rats paralyzed with succinylcholine (50 mg/kg), d-tubocurarine (3 mg/kg) or pancuronium (1 mg/kg). Under paralysis with d-tubocurarine, baclofen suppressed ECoG first, and then spike discharges started 90 min after the injection. These results suggest that the effects of baclofen on ECoG were different depending on the muscle relaxant used.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Detection of human papillomavirus genome and analysis of expression of c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes in invasive cervical carcinomas.

Invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix of 38 patients were examined for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes and for the state of the c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes. A combination of Southern blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of the genome of HPV type 16 in 17 tumors (45%), that of HPV type 18 in 3 tumors (8%), and that of unknown types in 16 others (42%), while no viral DNA sequences were detected in 2 tumors. Of the 38 tumors, c-myc amplification was found in only 1 tumor, while there was no Ha-ras amplification. Overexpression of the c-myc gene was observed in 15 (44%) of the 34 tumors analyzed, while there was no overexpression of Ha-ras. Of the 23 squamous cell carcinomas analyzed, relapse-free rates at 24 months were 55% in tumors with c-myc overexpression and 100% in case of tumors with no c-myc overexpression, respectively. The results suggest the possibility that activation of the c-myc oncogene is involved in tumor progression.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Direct inactivation of herpes simplex virus type-2 by rat epidermal protein.

Proteins were extracted from corneocytes of skin of 2-day-old rats and fractionated by gel filtration and cation exchange column chromatography. The different protein fractions were tested for direct inactivation of herpes simplex virus infectivity as determined by reduction of plaque formation. The most effective protein fractions against herpes simplex virus were a neutral pH buffer soluble and mol. wts. ranging from 20 K to 30 K. Amino acid composition of the proteins were virtually identical to epidermal histidine-rich proteins. The activity was significantly (P less than 0.001) stronger against type-2 than type-1. The activity was most stable at pH 7.2 and the rate of inhibition increased in a time-dependent manner up to 4 h. The 50% effective dose was estimated as 1.1 micrograms protein/ml.

Amino Acids↗