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Biomedical subjects

K Yagi

Publications and source records attributed to K Yagi.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Injury to cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical vein by linoleic acid hydroperoxide.

The effect of linoleic acid hydroperoxide on cultured endothelial cells from human umbilical vein was examined morphologically. Incubation of the cells with a low concentration (0.5 nmol/ml) of linoleic acid hydroperoxide for 3 h caused a slight decrease in electron density of the mitochondrial matrix. Upon an increase of the concentration to 1.0 nmol/ml, the damage became more pronounced, and enlargement and dilatation of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were observed. At higher concentrations (5 and 7.5 nmol/ml), dilatation of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum became further pronounced, and many vacuoles were observed in the cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Effect of glycolipids contained in liposomes on the incorporation of beta-galactosidase into specific organs.

A series of glycolipids were examined to find a system capable of targeting liposomes into specific organs of rats. Sulfatide was found to be the best among the components of liposomes examined for delivering the entrapped enzyme, beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae, into the brain and liver; gangliosides, for the spleen; and sphingomyelin, for the lung. To introduce the enzyme into the liver, galactocerebroside was far better than glucocerebroside. These data suggest that the sugar residues of glycolipids function to target the liposomes into specific organs.

Animals↗

[Report of a family with cancer family syndrome].

A report of multiple primary early duodenal cancer and ileocecal cancer with cancer family syndrome is presented. Analysis of 65 individuals of this family showed 7 large bowel cancers, 1 lung cancer and cancer of the uterine cervix. The characteristics of this family including increased occurrence of adenocarcinoma, especially large bowel cancer, 3 multiple primary malignant neoplasms, early age of onset of cancer and suspicion of autosomal dominant inheritance, satisfy the criteria for the cancer family syndrome. We recommend screening the individuals in this family for early signs of cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on calmodulin: spectral assignments in the calcium-free state.

The 400-MHz proton magnetic resonance spectra of calcium-free scallop testis calmodulin (CaM) and pig brain CaM were observed. Detailed spectral assignments were made by resolution enhancement, spin decoupling, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) experiments as well as pH titration. Comparison between spectra of scallop testis CaM and pig brain CaM were also utilized for the assignment. Previous assignments for tyrosine-99, histidine-107, epsilon-trimethyllysine-115, and tyrosine-138 [Seamon, K. B. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 207; Krebs, J., & Carafoli, E. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 124, 619] were confirmed. Phenylalanine-99 and threonine-143 of scallop testis CaM were identified. Sixteen methyl resonances from one isoleucine, two valines, nine methionines, and the amino-terminal acetyl group were identified. First-stage assignments were made of resonances arising from seven phenylalanines. The uniquely high field shifted phenylalanine resonance previously reported by Seamon was found to consist of two doublets from the two pairs of delta protons of two phenylalanines. The NOE experiments showed that the two phenylalanines are located closely to each other. The large high-field shifts of these phenylalanines were accounted for the ring-current effects due to their proximity. An isoleucine and a valine of which methyl resonances appear at high fields were found to be situated closely to each other. It was found that two delta protons and two epsilon protons of almost all aromatic residues are magnetically equivalent, suggesting that the local structure of aromatic residues is so flexible as to permit the rapid flipping motion of the ring.

Animals↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on calmodulin: calcium-induced conformational change.

The 400-MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies were carried out on the Ca2+-induced conformational change of calmodulins (CaM's) isolated from scallop testis and pig brain. The resonances were found to be classified approximately into three groups. The resonances of group I, which are perturbed by the binding of Ca2+ to the high-affinity sites, include those of tyrosine-138, epsilon-trimethyllysine-115, histidine-107, tyrosine-99, etc. The previous assignments for tyrosine- (Tyr) 138 [Seamon, K. B. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 207] were corrected. The resonances of group II, which are affected by the binding of Ca2+ to the low-affinity sites, include those of a phenylalanine (Phe), a high field shifted methyl, and a low field shifted alpha-methine. Group III (related to the binding of Ca2+ to both the high-and low-affinity sites) includes the resonances of a Phe, a high field shifted methyl, and threonine-143. It is concluded that sites III and IV are the high-affinity sites. The off-rate of Ca2+ from the high-affinity sites is slower than 50 s-1 while the off-rate from the low-affinity sites is faster than 600 s-1. In the Ca2+-free state, there exists a hydrophobic region containing three phenylalanine (probably Phe-89, Phe-92, and Phe-141), a valine, and an isoleucine in the vicinity of sites III and IV. Tyr-138 is distant from these amino acids. Upon binding of Ca2+ to the high-affinity sites, one of the Phe residues and the valine approach Tyr-138. Similar structural changes were observed between CaM and troponin C when Ca2+ ions are bound to the high-affinity sites. CaM changes in a somewhat different way from troponin C when Ca2+ ions are bound to the low-affinity sites.

Animals↗

New metabolites of riboflavin appear in human urine.

By surveying compounds having isoalloxazine derived from flavins on a high performance liquid chromatogram with fluorescence detection, two new flavin derivatives were found in human urine. These two compounds were purified by partition chromatography on a cellulose column and by paper chromatography with several solvent systems, and their structures were determined to be 7 alpha-hydroxyriboflavin and 8 alpha-hydroxyriboflavin. The relative distributions, measured by high performance liquid chromatography, of 7 alpha- and 8 alpha-hydroxyriboflavin, riboflavin, and hydroxyethylflavin and its derivative were calculated to be 31.1, 5.0, 25.6, 4.9, and 21.9%, respectively, to total flavins in normal human urine obtained in early morning. The excretion of 7 alpha- and 8 alpha-hydroxyriboflavin in human urine indicates the occurrence of a metabolic pathway of the isoalloxazine ring of flavin at its 7 alpha and 8 alpha positions.

Adult↗

Picosecond laser fluorometry of FAD of D-amino acid oxidase-benzoate complex.

Formation of a complex of D-amino acid oxidase (D-amino acid:O2 oxidoreductase (deaminating), EC 1.4.3.3) and benzoate, an enzyme-substrate complex model, was studied by measuring the fluorescence life-time of the coenzyme FAD of the complex by using a mode-locked Nd:YAG laser and a streak camera. The value of lifetime was 60 +/- 10 ps in the monomer of the complex and it was extremely short (much less than 5 ps) in the dimer of the complex. Since the values of fluorescence lifetime of the coenzyme are 130 ps in the monomeric form of free enzyme and 40 ps in the dimeric form of free enzyme, the decrease in the lifetime upon complex formation with benzoate is slight in the monomer (reduced to one-half) whereas marked in the dimer (reduced to less than 1/10). By analyzing the fluorescence decay curve, a dissociation constant of the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the complex was evaluated to be 0.4 +/- 0.3 microM, which is much smaller than that in free enzyme. Fluorescence analysis under steady state excitation revealed that the apparent dissociation constant (K) of FAD from the enzyme was decreased by 1:1000 upon the complex formation. Relative quantum yield of the fluorescence of FAD in the complex to that of free FAD exhibited appreciable dependence on the complex concentration: greater in the monomer and less in the dimer. These results suggest that a molecular interaction between FAD and amino acid residue(s) is strengthened by the complex formation, which contributes to a remarkable conformational change in the protein moiety of the complex.

Benzoates↗

Effect of bleomycin on lipid peroxides, glutathione peroxidase and collagenase in cultured lung fibroblasts.

Bleomycin-Cu(II) complex tended to increase the lipid peroxide level in cultured lung fibroblasts, though neither free bleomycin nor free cupric ion increased the level. Simultaneous addition of DL-alpha-tocopherol decreased the level significantly. Bleomycin-Cu(II) complex decreased glutathione peroxidase activity remarkably, though free bleomycin reduced the activity only slightly. Collagenase activity was not decreased but rather increased by both free bleomycin and bleomycin-Cu(II) complex. Accordingly, the accumulation of collagen induced by bleomycin could be explained not by a decrease in collagenase activity, but by the occurrence of cross-linking of collagen due to the increased lipid peroxides.

Bleomycin↗

Ca2+-induced conformational changes of 20,000 dalton light chain of vertebrate striated muscle myosins.

The 20,000 dalton light chain (L2) was isolated from rabbit and chicken striated muscle myosins, and the Ca2+-induced conformational changes of these proteins were investigated. 1) The reaction of thiol groups of L2 with dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), 2) measurements of the UV difference absorption spectrum, 3) measurements of Stokes radius (Rs) by gel filtration and 4) measurements of the ESR spectrum of L2 whose cysteine or tyrosine residues were spin-labeled were used for the structural studies. The effect of Ca2+ on phosphorylated L2 was also investigated. The long axis of chicken L2 was calculated as 136A from the Stokes radius, suggesting that the L2 is an asymmetrical molecule. After the addition of Ca2+ the long axis was reduced to 104 A. The same effect of Ca2+ has been reported with rabbit L2 (Alexis, N.M. & Gratzer, W.B. (1978) Biochemistry 17, 2319-2325). Besides this large shape change, the addition of Ca2+ to L2 induced environmental changes around tyrosine residues and also changes in the reactivity of cysteine residues with DTNB. Ca2+ is supposed to be bound to the N-terminal region of the molecule, while the tyrosine and cysteine residues are located at the C-terminal region, which is probably sterically remote from the N-terminal region. The reason for the remote effect of Ca2+ may be related to the structural rigidity of the L2 molecule. The functions of two properties of L2, Ca2+-binding and phosphorylation, are discussed in relation to muscle contraction.

Animals↗

Major proteins released by a protein-producing bacterium, Bacillus brevis 47, are derived from cell wall protein.

B. brevis 47 secretes a vast amount of protein consisting mainly of two kinds with approximate molecular weights of 130,000 and 150,000. The two major extracellular proteins were indistinguishable from those of cell wall protein by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on the results of analysis of amino acid composition, limited proteolysis followed by electrophoresis, and the cross-reactivity of antisera, we conclude that the 130K and 150K extracellular proteins are derived from the respective cell wall proteins. Furthermore, the NH2-terminal amino acid analysis suggests that the two major extracellular proteins are released from the cell wall without any modification of the NH2-terminal portion.

Amino Acids↗

Change in aggregation state of insulin upon conjugation with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl group.

Change in aggregation state of insulin upon conjugation with 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (DNS) group was investigated at neutral pH. DNS group was introduced exclusively into B1 phenylalanine, the N-terminus of the B-chain of insulin. The association state of insulin shifted toward a more highly aggregated one upon conjugation, depending on the mole fraction (d) of DNS group to insulin monomer; at d equal 0.3 the equilibrium between dimer and hexamer was dominant over the range of 1-600 microM, while at d equal 1.0-1.5 DNS-insulin formed a larger aggregate (dodecamer) which is stable over the range of 67-600 microM. The dissociation constant of dimer-hexamer equilibrium at d=0.3 was evaluated to be 2.5 x 10(-10) M2 from the fluorescence anisotropy of the DNS group, which was about one order of magnitude smaller than that of the dimer-hexamer equilibrium in native insulin. Spectroscopic data and fluorescence decay analyses indicated that there exist at least two different environments surrounding the dye bound to B1 phenylalanine and that they are both relatively hydrophilic. It is considered that the major part of DNS group has excitation and emission maxima at longer wavelength with relatively low quantum yield, while the minor part has excitation and emission maxima at shorter wavelengths with relatively high quantum yield. The fluorescence lifetime of the dye was modified by the change in quaternary structure of DNS-lifetime of the dye was modified by the change in quaternary structure of DNS-insulin. Remarkable depolarization of DNS fluorescence was observed at d equal 1.0 and d equal 1.5 due to energy transfer between DNS groups conjugated to B1 phenylalanine in the hexamer or the dodecamer. Critical transfer distance for inter-DNS energy transfer was evaluated to be 15 A. From the molecular model of the insulin crystal, this energy transfer is ascribed to the close proximity, within about 15 A, between DNS groups in dimer units of the hexamer or the dodecamer.

Amino Acids↗