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Biomedical subjects

K Imoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Imoto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Molecular cloning and characterization of a human brain ryanodine receptor.

We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA of the human brain ryanodine receptor (RyR3), which is composed of 4866 amino acids and shares characteristic structural features with the rabbit RyR3. Northern blot analysis shows that the human RyR3 mRNA is abundantly expressed in hippocampus, caudate nucleus and amygdala as well as in skeletal muscle. The human RyR3 mRNA is also detected in several cell lines derived from human brain tumors. Functional expression of RyR3 and a chimeric RyR suggests that RyR3 forms a calcium-release channel with a very low Ca2+ sensitivity.

Animals↗

Relationship between specific binding of 125I-omega-conotoxin GVIA and GTP binding protein: effects of the GTP analogues, mastoparan and A1F4-.

We investigated whether the specific binding or labeling of 125I-omega-CgTX on crude membranes from chick whole brain was affected when endogenous GTP binding protein (G protein) was activated by GTP analogues, mastoparan (MP) and aluminum fluoride (AIF4-; AICl3 + NaF). Both GTPgammaS and Gpp(NH)p attenuated the inhibitory effect of selective N-type Ca channel inhibitors such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) or dynorphine (1-13)(Dyn) on specific 125I-omega-CgTX binding in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of the divalent metal cations Cd2+, Co2+, Mg2+ and Mn2- on such binding were not attenuated by GTPgammaS. MP and AIF4- also attenuated the inhibitory effect of Neo on this binding similar to GTPgammaS. The attenuating effect of MP was enhanced by the presence of Mg2+ in a dose-dependent manner. However, GTP analogues, MP and AIF4-, did not affect binding or labeling without AGs or Dyn. GTPgammaS, MP and AIF4- also attenuated the specific labeling of a 215-kDa band in crude membranes with 125I-omega-CgTX using the cross-linker DSS (non-reduced condition) in the presence of Neo. These results indicate that there are direct or indirect relationships between N-type Ca channels and G proteins via binding sites for AGs or MP.

Aluminum Compounds↗

The S5-S6 linker of repeat I is a critical determinant of L-type Ca2+ channel conductance.

The alpha1-subunits of the skeletal and cardiac L-type calcium channels (L-channels) contain nearly identical pore regions (P-regions) in each of the four internal homology repeats. In spite of this high conservation of the P-regions, native skeletal L-channels exhibit a unitary conductance that is only about half that of native cardiac L-channels. To identify structural determinants of this difference in L-channel conductance, we have characterized unitary activity in cell-attached patches of dysgenic myotubes expressing skeletal, cardiac, and chimeric L-channel alpha1-subunits. Our results demonstrate that the S5-S6 linker of repeat I (IS5-IS6 linker) is a critical determinant of the difference in skeletal and cardiac unitary conductance. The unitary conductances attributable to the wild-type skeletal (CAC6; approximately 14 pS) and cardiac (CARD1; approximately 25 pS) alpha1-subunits expressed in dysgenic myotubes are identical to those observed in native tissues. Chimeric alpha1-subunits containing skeletal sequence for the first internal repeat and all of the putative intracellular loops (SkC15), the IS5-IS6 linker and the intracellular loops (SkC51), or only the IS5-IS6 linker (SkC49) each exhibit a low, skeletal-like unitary conductance (< or = 17 pS). Constructs in which the IS5-IS6 linker is of cardiac origin (CARD1 and CSk9) display cardiac-like conductance (approximately 25 pS). Unitary conductance and the rate of channel activation are apparently independent processes, since both SkC51 and SkC49 exhibit low, skeletal-like conductance and rapid, cardiac-like rates of ensemble activation. These results demonstrate that the IS5-IS6 linker strongly influences the single channel conductance of L-channels in a manner that is independent from the rate of channel activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of S4 segments and the leucine heptad motif in the activation of an L-type calcium channel.

Basic residues in the S4 segments of voltage-dependent channels and leucines within the heptad repeat motif in the S4-S5 region of Shaker potassium channels have been shown to have important influences on activation. Here we have compared the relative importance for activation of S4 arginines (mutated to neutral or negative residues) in each of the four repeats of a chimeric L-type calcium channel. Significant effects on midpoint potential and time constant of activation were produced by mutations in repeats I and III but not in repeats II and IV. Leucine or isoleucine mutations in repeats I and III had the same effect on the voltage dependence of calcium channel activation as the mutations at equivalent positions in the Shaker channel, indicating that the heptad motif plays a fundamental role in channel activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Upregulation of expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum by TGF-beta 1 in cultured rat cardiac myocytes.

The effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on the function and structure of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were studied in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. The cardiac myocytes at days 2 and 6 of culture exhibited spontaneous contraction; however, the rate of contraction increased and became regular, depending on culture day. Ryanodine and norepinephrine (NE) increased the rate of contraction and frequency of Ca2+ oscillations in myocytes at day 2 of culture. Ryanodine did not affect the spontaneous contraction in nontreated and TGF-beta 1-treated myocytes. On the other hand, NE caused negative and positive chronotropic responses in nontreated and TGF-beta 1-treated cells, respectively. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, ryanodine and NE did not affect the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the nontreated cells, whereas NE increased [Ca2+]i but ryanodine did not in the TGF-beta 1-treated cells. SR structures in TGF-beta 1-treated cells developed more than those in nontreated cells. The results indicate that TGF-beta 1 plays an important role in the upregulation of SR function and structure of cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Animals↗

Hydroxyapatite in revision of total hip replacements with massive acetabular defects: 4- to 10-year clinical results.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) granules of 100 to 300 microm, 0.9 to 1.2 mm and 3.0 to 5.0 mm were mixed in a ratio of 10:45:45 and packed into massive bone deficiencies in revision operations for total hip arthroplasty. We did not use additional graft or cup support for deficiencies of the lateral and medial wall. The procedure was carried out in 40 hips between 1986 and 1992. The radiographic spaces seen at the interface between HA and bone immediately after surgery disappeared within three months. Some spaces appeared between HA granules near the bone in the lateral part of two joints, and three sockets migrated in patients with severe segmental and cavitary deficiencies. Direct bonding of HA to bone was observed radiologically without morphological changes, except in the three joints with migration. All patients could walk without pain but the three with definite loosening needed crutches.

Acetabulum↗

Hepatocyte growth factor facilitates cartilage repair. Full thickness articular cartilage defect studied in rabbit knees.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional factor which promotes proliferation, motility and morphogenesis in epithelial cells. In addition, it has been found to play an important role in cartilage metabolism. To investigate articular cartilage repair using HGF in vivo, we injected HGF into rabbit knee joints, where 4 mm diameter osteochondral defects had been made, and observed the animals for 6 months. We found that HGF effectively repaired osteochondral defects. The repair process of the articular cartilage defects using HGF was shown to be much better than saline injection on all macroscopic and histologic examinations. Although the observation period in our study was short, HGF is one of the most promising candidates for repairing articular cartilage defects clinically.

Animals↗

Inhibitory effects of tetrandrine and hernandezine on Ca2+ mobilization in rat glioma C6 cells.

The effects of tetrandrine (TET), a Ca2+ antagonist of Chinese herbal origin, and hernandezine (HER), a structural analogue of TET, on Ca2+ mobilization were studied in rat glioma C6 cells. TET and HER alone did not affect the resting cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). TET and HER inhibited the peak and sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by bombesin and thapsigargin (TG), a microsomal Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor, in a dose-dependent manner. The doses of TET or HER needed to abolish the sustained and peak increase in [Ca2+]i induced by bombesin and TG were 30 microM and 300 microM, respectively. TET and HER did not increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) accumulation by themselves but inhibited IP3 accumulation elevated by bombesin. In permeabilized C6 cells, the addition of IP3 and TG released Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Pretreatment with TET or HER abolished Ca2+ release from intracellular stores induced by bombesin and TG. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the addition of 3 mM Ca2+ to extracellular medium slightly increased [Ca2+]i, which indicated Ca2+ entry due to leakage of Ca2+ at the plasma membrane but not Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels. TET and HER did not affect this leakage entry of Ca2+. The present results suggest that TET and HER inhibit Ca2+ release from intracellular stores as well as Ca2+ entry from extracellular medium evoked by bombesin and TG. In addition, TET and HER inhibit IP3 accumulation induced by bombesin in rat glioma C6 cells.

Alkaloids↗

[Assessment of quality of life in long-term results of patients over 75 years old after emergent cardiovascular surgery].

Long-term results in QOL of patients over 75 years old after emergent cardiovascular surgery were examined. From January 1991 to June 1996, 46 patients underwent cardiovascular surgery. 22 patients who had elective surgery (elective group) and 15 patients who had emergency surgery (emergency group) tolerated with the operation: Two-year survival rate after surgery was 80.7% in the elective group and 78% in the emergency group, and relative survival rate was 0.89 in the elective group and 0.86 in the emergency group. As regards to the ability to live independently, 89% of elective group and 75% of emergency group showed good improvement, and there was no significant difference between two groups. The rate of patients who did not feel anxiety for disease at all was 61.1% in the elective group and 41.7% in the emergency group. The relationship between the patient and his family was good in both groups. For physical condition, the emergency group was superior to the elective group with no significant difference. Although QOL was relatively good after emergency surgery, some items were inferior compared with elective surgery. To improve the long-term results, elective surgery is required to avoid emergency surgery.

Age Factors↗

[Surgery for acute aortic dissection extending to the aortic root using gelatine-resorcine-formol biological glue--a case report].

A 73-year-old woman was admitted with chest pain of sudden onset and hypotension. Enhanced CT showed the dilated ascending aorta with an intimal flap. Emergency surgery was performed under a diagnosis of type A acute aortic dissection and cardiac tamponade. Replacement of the ascending aorta was planned, but during the operation we found that the dissection had extended to the aortic root and that the laceration of the adventitia was located just distal to the aortic annulus. Since the laceration was closer to the aortic annulus than the coronary ostium, it was impossible to reconstruct the aortic stump by classical techniques using Teflon felt strips. Gelatine-Resorcine-Formol (GRF) glue was therefore used to reinforce the proximal aortic stump. We then curved the suture line of the proximal anastomosis so as to resect the laceration while preserving the ostia of the coronary arteries. We were thus able to perform simple replacement of the ascending aorta successfully and the postoperative course was uneventful. By using GRF glue, replacement of the aortic root can be avoided in such cases.

Acute Disease↗

Involvement of tyrosine kinase in capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway in rat glioma C6 cells.

Capacitative Ca2+ entry, a main pathway of Ca2+ entry evoked by receptor activation, is widely confirmed in various types of cells. However, the mechanism of the activation of capacitative Ca2+ entry is unknown. We checked the several candidates for the mechanism of capacitative Ca2+ entry pathway in rat glioma C6 cells using thapsigargin (TG), a microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin did not affect the peak and sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i evoked by TG. Sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo cyclic GMP did not affect an elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by TG. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), and staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, did not modify an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by TG. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of phosphatase, did not affect an increase in [Ca2+]i evoked by TG. Pretreatment with colchicine and cytochalasin D, drugs disrupting cytoskeleton, had no effect on a rise of [Ca2+]i induced by TG. Genistein and erbastatin analog, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, inhibited an elevation of [Ca2+]i evoked by TG in a dose-dependent manner. The present results suggest that tyrosine kinase regulates capacitative Ca2+ entry into rat glioma C6 cells.

Animals↗

Lysophosphatidic acid-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store does not regulate Ca2+ entry at plasma membrane in Jurkat human T-cells.

In Jurkat T cells, the anti-CD3 antibody OKT3 and thapsigargin (TG) elevated the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), after which it decreased to a sustained, elevated level. In contrast, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increased [Ca2+]i only briefly and transiently, after which it declined to the resting level of [Ca2+]i even in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. OKT3 increased Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation but neither LPA nor TG did. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the addition of OKT3 did not affect an elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of LPA and vice versa. In permeabilized Jurkat cells, the addition of Ins(1,4,5)P3 released Ca2+; this was inhibited by heparin, whereas LPA released Ca2+ even in the presence of heparin. cADP-ribose released Ca2+; this was additive with LPA-induced Ca2+ release and vice versa in permeabilized Jurkat cells. LPA did not stimulate Ca2+ entry and 45Ca2+ uptake but OKT3 and TG did. LPA, OKT3 and TG did not affect the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by ionomycin. The present results suggest that at least three kinds of intracellular Ca2+ stores, which are Ins(1,4,5)P3,-cADP-ribose- and LPA-sensitive, exist in Jurkat T cells, and that the LPA-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store does not regulate Ca2+ entry at the plasma membrane.

CD3 Complex↗

Ca2+ mobilizing action of sphingosine in Jurkat human leukemia T cells. Evidence that sphingosine releases Ca2+ from inositol trisphosphate- and phosphatidic acid-sensitive intracellular stores through a mechanism independent of inositol trisphosphate.

Effects of sphingosine on Ca2+ mobilization in the human Jurkat T cell line were examined. Sphingosine increased the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner with an ED50 of around 8 microM. Sphingosine and OKT3, a CD3 monoclonal antibody, transiently increased [Ca2+]i, which declined to the resting level in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Under the same conditions, pretreatment with sphingosine inhibited but did not abolish an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of OKT3 and vice versa. However, pretreatment with sphingosine did not affect an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by OKT3 in the presence of Ca2+. OKT3 increased IP3 formation, but sphingosine did not affect the level of IP3 by itself nor did it cause IP3 formation induced by OKT3. In permeabilized Jurkat cells, the addition of IP3 released Ca2+ from nonmitochondrial intracellular stores, but the addition of sphingosine did not. Sphingosine, stearylamine, and psychosine increased [Ca2+]i and diacylglycerol (DG) kinase activation; however, ceramide did not, whereas sphingosine 1-phosphate slightly activated DG kinase without elevation of [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment with R59022, a DG kinase inhibitor, abolished the peak but did not affect the sustained response to [Ca2+]i to sphingosine. Phosphatidic acid (PA) elevated [Ca2+]i, after which it declined to a resting level even in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. In accordance with this, PA did not stimulate 45Ca2+ uptake into cells, but sphingosine and OKT3 did. Pretreatment with PA partially inhibited a rise in [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of sphingosine and vice versa in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Under similar conditions, pretreatment with PA affected an elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by OKT3 less, after which the subsequent addition of sphingosine did not increase [Ca2+]i. In permeabilized Jurkat cells, the addition of IP3 did not release Ca2+, but PA did in the presence of heparin. Pretreatment with thapsigargin, a microsomal Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, abolished the rises of [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of sphingosine, OKT3, and PA in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The present results suggest that at least two kinds of intracellular Ca2+ stores exist in Jurkat cells, both of which are IP3- and PA-sensitive, and that sphingosine mobilizes Ca2+ from both stores in an IP3-independent manner. Furthermore, the IP3- but not the PA-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store seems to regulate Ca2+ entry induced by sphingosine.

Amines↗

Pore properties of rat brain II sodium channels mutated in the selectivity filter domain.

Ion selectivity of voltage-activated sodium channels is determined by amino-acid residues in the pore regions of all four homologous repeats. The major determinants are the residues DEKA (for repeats I-IV) which form a putative ring structure in the pore; the homologous structure in Ca-channels consists of EEEE. By combining site-directed mutagenesis of a non-inactivating form of the rat brain sodium channel II with electrophysiological methods, we attempted to quantify the importance of charge, size, and side-chain position of the amino-acid residues within this ring structure on channel properties such as monovalent cation selectivity, single-channel conductance, permeation and selectivity of divalent cations, and channel block by extracellular Ca2+ and tetrodotoxin (TTX). In all mutant channels tested, even those with the same net charge in the ring structure as the wild type, the selectivity for Na+ and Li+ over K+, Rb+, Cs+, and NH4+ was significantly reduced. The changes in charge did not correlate in a simple fashion with the single-channel conductances. Permeation of divalent ions (Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Mg2+, Mn2+) was introduced by some of the mutations. The IC50 values for the Ca2- block of Na+ currents decreased exponentially with increasing net negative charge of the selectivity ring. The sensitivity towards channel block by TTX was reduced in all investigated mutants. Mutations in repeat IV are an exception as they caused smaller effects on all investigated channel properties compared with the other repeats.

Action Potentials↗

Alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and muscarinic-cholinergic regulation in the spontaneous beating and Ca2+ oscillations in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic and muscarinic-cholinergic regulation in spontaneous beating and Ca2+ oscillations in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes at day 6 of culture was investigated. The spontaneous beating in myocytes decreased in the presence of 10 microM norepinephrine (NE). This negative chronotropic action was antagonized by prazosin. Carbachol (CCh) also showed negative chronotropic action which was inhibited by atropine. On the other hand, isoproterenol (ISP) increased the beating rate which was antagonized by propranolol. NE increased inositol phosphate formation whereas CCh and ISP did not. NE and CCh suppressed the frequency of the spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations but ISP increased. The present results suggest that alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors regulate chronotropism to be negative whereas beta-adrenoceptor regulates chronotropism to be positive in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Adrenergic Agents↗

Ca2+ buffering and action potential-evoked Ca2+ signaling in dendrites of pyramidal neurons.

The effect of the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye Fura-2 on Ca2+ dynamics was studied in proximal apical dendrites of neocortical layer V and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat brain slices using somatic whole-cell recording and a charge-coupled device camera. A single action potential evoked a transient increase of intradendritic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) that was reduced in size and prolonged when the Fura-2 concentration was increased from 20 to 250 microM. Extrapolation to zero Fura-2 concentration suggests that "physiological" transients at 37 degrees C have large amplitudes (150-300 nM) and fast decays (time constant < 100 ms). Assuming a homogeneous compartment model for the dendrite, 0.5-1% of the total Ca2+ entering during an action potential was estimated to remain free. Washout of cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffers was not detectable, suggesting that they are relatively immobile. During trains of action potentials, [Ca2+]i increased and rapidly reached a steady state (time constant < 200 ms), fluctuating around a plateau level which depended linearly on the action potential frequency. Thus, the mean dendritic [Ca2+]i encodes the action potential frequency during physiological patterns of electrical activity and may regulate Ca(2+)-dependent dendritic functions in an activity-dependent way.

Action Potentials↗

Tetrandrine as a calcium antagonist.

1. The Ca(2+)-antagonism of tetrandrine (TET) on the Ca2+ mobilization in various types of cells were reviewed. Inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-generating drugs were used as Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists and the effects were compared with those produced by using the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (TG), which is a tool for analysing Ca2+ store-regulated Ca2+ entry (capacitative Ca2+ entry). 2. In rat phaeochromocytoma PC12 cells, 100 mumol/L TET abolished high K+ (30 mmol/L)-induced sustained increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and partially inhibited bradykinin (1 mumol/L)- or TG (100 nmol/L)-induced Ca2+ entry. 3. In NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and rat parotid acinar cells, 100 mumol/L TET abolished Ca2+ entry induced by bombesin (1 mumol/L) and carbachol (100 mumol/L), respectively, or TG (100 nmol/L). However, in the human leukaemia T cell line Jurkat, 100 mumol/L TET did not inhibit Ca2+ entry evoked by either the anti-CD3 antibody OKT3 (10 mg/L) or TG (100 nmol/L). 4. In rat glioma C6 cells, the effects of TET on Ca2+ mobilization were further examined. At a high concentration, TET (300 mumol/L) alone did not affect [Ca2+]i in C6 cells. Tetrandrine inhibited the peak and sustained increases in [Ca2+]i induced by bombesin and TG in a dose-dependent manner. Although TET or TG did not produce increases in IP3, TET did inhibit increases in IP3 produced by bombesin. 5. Our results suggest that the action of TET on Ca2+ entry is dependent on cell types and that TET inhibits both Ca2+ entry from the extracellular medium and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in rat glioma C6 cells.

Alkaloids↗