[Collection of samples, their management and examination to identify the causative organisms].
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Humans↗
Biomedical subjects
K Yamaguchi
Publications and source records attributed to K Yamaguchi.
Partially mismatched pediatric transplants with allogeneic CD34(+) blood cells from a related donor.
This was a phase I, multi-center study of 13 pediatric patients (median age, 11 years) to evaluate toxicity, hematopoietic recovery, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic transplantation of enriched blood CD34(+) cells obtained from genotypically haploidentical but partially HLA-mismatched related donors (8 parents and 5 siblings). With regard to rejection, donor HLA disparity was 1 (5), 2 (6), or 3 loci (2). With regard to GVHD, recipient HLA disparity was 0 (1), 1 (3), 2 (8), or 3 (1). The patients suffered from acute myelogenous leukemia (6), chronic myelogenous leukemia (4), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (2), or hemolytic anemia plus immunodeficiency disorder (1). To reduce the risk of graft failure through the infusion of a large amount of stem cells, peripheral blood cells (PBC) were mobilized by recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; lenograstim, 10 microgram/kg/d for 5 days) and collected by 2 to 5 aphereses. To both enhance engraftment and reduce GVHD, CD34(+) cells were enriched using immunomagnetic procedures with the Baxter ISOLEX 300 system (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Irvine, CA) and cryopreserved. After variable cytoreductive regimens, a median of 7.7 (range, 2.2 to 14) x 10(6)/kg of CD34(+) cells and 1.03 (0.05 to 2.09) x 10(5)/kg CD3(+) cells were infused. Using Center-specific posttransplant supportive care and immunosuppressive GVHD prophylaxis, two patients experienced early death; one from veno-occlusive disease at day 17 and one from sepsis at day 18. Nine of 11 patients showed signs of engraftment; however, subsequent rejection was seen in 4 patients, 2 of whom had autologous recovery. Eight patients were evaluated in the early phase of marrow recovery. The median number of days to achieve an absolute granulocyte count of 0.5 x 10(9)/L was 14 (range, 9 to 20) and that to achieve a platelet count of 20 x 10(9)/L was 17.5 (range, 12 to 23). Donor chimerism persisted in five patients until death or current survival. All of the surviving patients with functioning-donor-type hematopoiesis were given total body irradiation. De novo acute GVHD (grades II and IV) was observed in two of the eight evaluated patients. Scheduled donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), using the CD34(-) fraction, was administered to four patients, free of de novo acute GVHD, beginning between 28 to 43 days after transplant. Three of these patients developed acute GVHD (grades I, II, and IV). Cytomegalovirus infection was a major infectious complication but was successfully managed with gamma-globulin and gancyclovir treatment with or without additional DLI. Five patients are currently surviving, free of disease, with a follow-up ranging from 476 to 937 days. Each survivor has functioning hematopoiesis, three of donor origin and two of autologous origin. In conclusion, our results show that enriched blood CD34(+) cells from a mismatched haploidentical donor are a feasible alternative source of stem cells, but do not appear to ensure engraftment. Because none of the patients who were administered DLI survived, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of periodic DLI, as an integrated part of such transplants, needs to be clarified in further studies.
Adolescent↗
Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) directly inhibits bone-resorbing activity of isolated mature osteoclasts.
Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) was previously reported to specifically inhibit osteoclast development by interrupting the action of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), which is expressed in stromal cells and plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis. Here we report the direct action of OCIF on isolated rabbit mature osteoclasts to inhibit their functional bone-resorbing activity. The cell population employed in this study consisted of mature osteoclasts with more than 95% of purity. The inhibition by OCIF was dose dependent and observed as early as 6 h after the OCIF addition. An OCIF-binding protein of 140 kDa was detected on the plasma membrane of osteoclasts. ODF with a Mr of 40 kDa was recently isolated as a ligand for OCIF and shows to be identical to TRANCE/RANKL. However, ODF was not detected in osteoclasts. OCIF did not have any impact on the mRNA levels of cathepsin K/OC2 and carbonic anhydrase II responsible for degradation of organic and inorganic bone matrices, respectively, or on osteoclast apoptosis. However, OCIF reduced or disrupted the formation of F-actin ring in isolated osteoclasts, the cytoskeletal structure of which is correlated with bone resorption. These findings demonstrate that OCIF directly inhibits osteoclast function through an ODF-independent mechanism besides blocking the generation of osteoclasts.
Actins↗
Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor suppresses osteoclast survival by interfering in the interaction of stromal cells with osteoclast.
Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) was originally identified as a factor inhibiting osteoclast (OC) formation. The number of OC in rats treated with OCIF decreased, suggesting that OCIF inhibits OC formation in vivo; however, it is also possible that OCIF affects the number of OC by promoting apoptosis of OC. To address this issue, the effects of OCIF on the survival of OC were examined using well established mouse culture systems. OCIF dose-dependently inhibited OC formation in mouse marrow cultures. Addition of OCIF during day 0-3 did not alter the peak levels of OC formation on day 7 and 8. However, the addition of OCIF during day 5 and thereafter resulted in the rapid decrease of the number of OC. OCIF inhibited the survival of OC formed in mouse marrow cultures in dose- and time-dependent manners. The involvement of stromal cells in OC survival was examined using crude and stromal cell-depleted OC populations. OCIF dramatically inhibited the survival of crude OC populations rich with stromal cells. However, in stromal cell-depleted OC populations, OC spontaneously decreased in the absence of OCIF and OCIF did not enhance the decrease further at least up to 48 h. Apoptotic OC were detected in detached cell populations treated with OCIF in mouse marrow cultures and a specific inhibitor for caspase-3 rescued the death of OC. OCIF mutant lacking the death domain homologous regions inhibited OC survival, though the potency was much less than native OCIF. Taken together, OCIF inhibited not only OC recruitment but also OC survival. OCIF inhibited OC survival by interfering the interaction of stromal cells with OC.
Animals↗
Gene synthesis, expression, and mutagenesis of zucchini mavicyanin: the fourth ligand of blue copper center is Gln.
The gene coding for the 109-amino-acid, non-glycosylated form of mavicyanin was synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein refolded from E. coli inclusion bodies was purified and characterized. Its spectroscopic properties are fully identical to those of mavicyanin isolated from zucchini, even in the absence of its carbohydrate moiety. The blue cooper center of mavicyanin strongly binds three ligands (2His and Cys) as well as many blue copper proteins. To disclose the fourth ligand of mavicyanin, Met was substituted for Gln95 by site-directed mutagenesis. The replacement changes from a rhombic EPR signal to an axial one and exhibits the quite similar absorption and CD spectra to those of plastocyanin. The midpoint potential of Gln95-->Met mavicyanin shows the positive shift of 187 mV compared with the recombinant protein, being close to the values of plastocyanins. The differences of the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties between mavicyanin and its mutant demonstrate that the fourth ligand of mavicyanin is Gln95.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Analysis of deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor by alanine scanning mutagenesis: identification of residues essential for its biological function and generation of mutants with enhanced mitogenic activity on rat hepatocytes.
To understand the structure-function relationship of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in more detail, we analyzed one of the other forms of HGF, deleted variant of HGF (dHGF), by alanine scanning mutagenesis. We show here that there are at least four sites important for dHGF to stimulate DNA synthesis in cultured adult rat hepatocytes, and that the residues of HGF essential for exerting its biological activity are not identical to those of dHGF. In addition, two mutants showed a decrease (approximately three-fold) in EC50 compared with wild-type dHGF in an assay of mitogenic activity on rat hepatocytes.
Alanine↗
Development of a sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the measurement of 7-cyanoquinocarcinol in human plasma.
A sensitive method for the determination of an anti-cancer agent, DX-52-1 (7-cyanoquinocarcinol, I) and quinocarmycin (II) which is formed from I either by metabolism or degradation, in human plasma has been developed utilising liquid chromatography electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS). The procedure involves solid-phase extraction at pH 2 and low temperature (4-6 degrees C) to prevent the decomposition of I to II, the separation by reversed-phase HPLC and the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) by ESI-MS-MS. The mean precision and accuracy at the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of I, 0.25 ng ml(-1), were 8.7% and - 10.8%, respectively. Since an interfering peak eluting slightly earlier than II was observed on the HPLC of blank plasma, the LLOQ of II was set at 5 ng ml(-1) where the mean precision and accuracy were 15.6% and -9.8%. The results suggested that the method is useful for the simultaneous monitoring of I and II in the clinical trials of I.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
Chicken chromobox proteins: cDNA cloning of CHCB1, -2, -3 and their relation to W-heterochromatin.
Three clones for chicken chromobox proteins were obtained from liver and ovary cDNA libraries. pCHCB1 and pCHCB2 encode polypeptides showing 96 and 95% identity with mouse M31 and M32, respectively, which are homologues of Drosophila heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), and pCHCB3 encodes a polypeptide whose sequences of chromobox and C-terminal region show high-level similarities with those of mouse M33, Drosophila polycomb (Pc) protein, and Xenopus Pc homologue. When these cDNAs were expressed in female chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs) as GFP-fused or HA-tagged proteins, all three proteins were found to be localized in nuclei. Among them, CHCB1 associates with brightly stained spots with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), suggesting its accumulation on heterochromatins. One of those spots was identified as W-heterochromatin. When CHCB1 lacking the N-terminal basic/acidic region or a part of the chromobox region was overexpressed in CEFs, W-heterochromatin became partially or extensively decondensed in the majority of nuclei. Overexpression of CHCB3 lacking a part of the chromobox did not cause decondensation of W-heterochromatin. Specific antisera raised against a part of CHCB1 or CHCB2, produced in Escherichia coli, detected protein species having apparent molecular masses of 25 kDa or 22 plus 23 kDa, respectively, in the subnuclear fraction containing the majority of chromatin from female chicken MSB-1 cells.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Cocaine: evidence for NMDA-, beta-carboline- and dopaminergic-mediated seizures in mice.
The present study was undertaken to examine the role of the benzodiazepine/GABA and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) systems in the convulsive effect of cocaine in mice. When cocaine (3.5 mg/ml) solution was infused into the tail vein at a rate of 0.3 ml/min, mice showed clonic and tonic convulsions. These seizures were not affected by low doses of bicuculline or picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor antagonist and a Cl ion channel blocker, respectively. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a GABA deaminase inhibitor, and phenobarbital, a Cl ion channel activator, and baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, also had no effect on these convulsions. Benzodiazepine inverse agonist beta-DMCM, at a dose which by itself had no convulsive effect lowered the convulsive threshold of cocaine. This lowered convulsive threshold was reversed by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine inverse antagonist, and diazepam, a benzodiazepine full agonist, which by themselves did not inhibit cocaine seizure. It is likely that cocaine seizure involves a benzodiazepine (beta-carboline) recognition site other than the benzodiazepine/GABAA receptor-Cl ionophore complex system. CPP and MK-801, competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, respectively, inhibited cocaine seizures. The inhibitory effects of CPP on cocaine convulsion were reversed by a low dose of NMDA, which by itself did not induce seizure. A dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 enhanced both clonic and tonic convulsions, while a dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine inhibited these convulsions. These stimulatory and inhibitory effects were reversed by the D1 and D2 receptor antagonists, SCH23390 and haloperidol, respectively. These results suggest that the cocaine-induced convulsion may involve an activation of the NMDA-Ca ionophore complex system, which is mediated by the dopaminergic system, and a beta-carboline recognition site other than the benzodiazepine/GABAA receptor-Cl ionophore complex system.
2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
Ovariectomy enhances the expression and nuclear translocation of annexin 5 in rat anterior pituitary gonadotrophs.
An observation of abundant annexin 5, a novel calcium and phospholipid binding protein, in gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland of ovariectomized rats (Kawaminami et al., 1997 (in press)) led us to investigate the effect of ovariectomy on the subcellular distribution and synthesis of annexin 5. Gonadotrophs, which were identified by immunocytochemistry with anti LHbeta antiserum, dramatically increased their size three weeks after ovariectomy. These 'castration cells' were shown to contain abundant annexin 5 associated with the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope and nucleoplasm. True localization within the nucleus was shown by optical sectioning with a confocal microscope. Northern blot analysis showed that annexin 5 mRNA in the anterior pituitary gland was increased 24 h after ovariectomy. It further increased in parallel with LHbeta mRNA at three weeks and it decreased in parallel with LHbeta mRNA when estradiol (250 microg/animal per day) was given for 3 days. These results show that the expression of pituitary annexin 5 is controlled by ovarian estradiol and imply that annexin 5 plays a physiological role in the nucleus of activated gonadotrophs.
Animals↗
Osteoclast differentiation factor mediates an essential signal for bone resorption induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, prostaglandin E2, or parathyroid hormone in the microenvironment of bone.
Osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), a ligand for osteoprotegerin (OPG)/osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory factor (OCIF), induces osteoclast-like cell formation in vitro. To elucidate the role of ODF in the microenvironment of bone, we examined effects of ODF, OPG/OCIF, and anti-ODF polyclonal antibody on bone resorption using a fetal mouse long bone culture system. A genetically engineered soluble-form ODF (sODF) elicited bone resorption in a concentration-dependent manner and OPG/OCIF blocked the bone resorption. Anti-ODF polyclonal antibody, which neutralizes ODF activity, negated bone resorption induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, parathyroid hormone, or prostaglandin E2. OPG/OCIF also abolished bone-resorbing activity elicited by these bone-resorbing agents. Interleukin 1 alpha-stimulated bone resorption was also significantly suppressed by anti-ODF polyclonal antibody and OPG/OCIF. Thus, we conclude that ODF plays a critical role in bone resorption in the microenvironment of bone.
Animals↗
[Case of diabetic diarrhea successfully treated by cholestyramine].
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Adult↗
Osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) induces osteoclast-like cell formation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures.
We have reported that osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) expressed on the plasma membrane of osteoblasts/ stromal cells is a ligand for osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF). A genetically engineered soluble form of ODF (sODF) induced osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) in the presence of M-CSF in mouse spleen cell cultures. Osteoblasts/stromal cells were not required in this process. To elucidate the mechanism of human osteoclastogenesis, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured for 7 days with sODF and human M-CSF in the presence or absence of dexamethasone. Treatment of human PBMCs with sODF together with M-CSF induced OCLs, which expressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and vitronectin receptors, produced cAMP in response to calcitonin, and formed resorption pits on dentine slices. OCLs were also formed from the adherent cell population of human PBMCs. Dexamethasone was required for human OCL formation in culture of whole PBMCs but not in culture of the adherent cell population. OCL formation was strongly inhibited by OCIF simultaneously added. These results clearly indicate that like in mouse osteoclastogenesis, ODF is a critical factor for human osteoclastogenesis. The present study also indicates that OCIF acts as a naturally occurring decoy receptor for ODF in inhibiting signal transduction in human osteoclast formation.
Animals↗
Structure of azurin I from the denitrifying bacterium Alcaligenes xylosoxidans NCIMB 11015 at 2.45 A resolution.
Azurin I from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans NCIMB 11015 (AzN-I) was crystallized by using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. The crystals belong to the monoclinic crystal system and have a space group C2 with the unit-cell parameters of a = 130.67, b = 54.26, c = 74.55 A, and beta = 95.99 degrees. The structure of AzN-I has been solved by the molecular replacement method. Azurin II from the same bacterium (AzN-II) was chosen as the initial structural model. The final crystallographic R value is 17.3% and free R value is 23.6% for 10958 reflections at a resolution of 2.45 A. The root-mean-square deviations for main-chain atoms range between 0.19 and 0.26 A among the four independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The Cu atom is coordinated to Ndelta of His46 and His117 at 2.0 (1) and 1.9 (1) A, and to Sgamma of Cys112 at 2.2 (1) A, while the carbonyl O atom of Gly45 and Sdelta of Met121 coordinate axially to Cu atom at 2.5 (1) and 3.1 (1) A, respectively. The Cu-N and Cu-S distances of AzN-I are quite similar to those of AzN-II, however, the Cu-SO (Gly45) bond length in AzN-I is 0.25 A shorter than the counterpart in AzN-II. The results have been used to discuss the differences in the spectra of these two proteins.
Alcaligenes↗
Alternative splicing generates isoforms of human neuron-derived orphan receptor-1 (NOR-1) mRNA.
Neuron-derived orphan receptor-1 (NOR-1) is a novel member of the Nur77/NGFI-B subfamily within the nuclear receptor superfamily. Recently, several proteins closely related to NOR-1 have been described. To elucidate the relationships between NOR-1 and these closely related proteins, we analyzed the human NOR-1 gene and its transcripts by molecular cloning. We identified two variant NOR-1 transcripts in human skeletal muscles. One variant has a different 5'-untranslated region, and the other lacks C-terminal amino acid sequences corresponding to the putative ligand binding domain. These variant sequences share the common exon-intron boundary with NOR-1 mRNA, suggesting that they were generated from a single gene by alternative splicing, with the divergent points conserved between the rat and human. We also examined the promoter activities of the 5'-flanking regions of the two NOR-1 transcripts (NOR-1alpha and NOR-1beta mRNAs) by luciferase gene transfection. We demonstrated that the 5'-flanking region of the previously described NOR-1 gene, which has characteristics of a promoter found in housekeeping genes, showed potent promoter activity although the promoter for NOR-1beta mRNAs could not be determined.
Alternative Splicing↗
Identification of heparin-binding stretches of a naturally occurring deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF).
A deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) is a naturally occurring major variant of HGF, which lacks five consecutive amino acid residues in the first kringle domain. While both HGF and dHGF bind to heparin, the residues involved in the binding to heparin have not been identified in either protein. To identify the residues involved in the binding, we made a series of dHGF mutants in which basic residues in the N-terminal and the first kringle domains were replaced with alanine residue. The analysis of heparin-binding ability revealed that three stretches, 42RCTRNK in the hairpin loop structure, and 2RKRR and 27KIKTKK in the N-terminal basic region, are involved in the binding. Alanine substitution of each basic residue except 3K and 27K in the stretches reduced the heparin-binding ability of dHGF, and the decrease was additive. Conversely, lysine substitution of 37D, 38Q or 64Q in the N-terminal domain increased heparin-binding ability. These results suggest that stretches distant from each other in the primary structure come into close proximity when the polypeptide folds into protein, and form a heparin-binding site with clusters of basic residues.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Response of intra-acinar pulmonary microvessels to hypoxia, hypercapnic acidosis, and isocapnic acidosis.
To elucidate the differential reactivity of pulmonary microvessels in the acini to hypoxia, excessive CO2, and increased H+, we investigated changes in the diameter of precapillary arterioles, postcapillary venules, and capillaries in isolated rat lungs on exposure to normocapnic hypoxia (2% O2), normoxic hypercapnia (15% CO2), and isocapnic acidosis (0.01 mol/L HCl). Microvascular diameters were precisely examined using a real-time confocal laser scanning luminescence microscope coupled to a high-sensitivity camera with an image intensifier. Measurements were made under conditions with and without indomethacin or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to assess the importance of vasoactive substances produced by cyclooxygenase (COX) or NO synthase (NOS) as it relates to the reactivity of pulmonary microvessels to physiological stimuli. We found that acute hypoxia contracted precapillary arterioles that had diameters of 20 to 30 microm but did not constrict postcapillary venules of similar size. COX- and NOS-related vasoactive substances did not modulate hypoxia-elicited arteriolar constriction. Hypercapnia induced a distinct venular dilatation closely associated with vasodilators produced by COX but not by NOS. Arterioles were appreciably constricted in isocapnic acidosis when NOS, but not COX, was suppressed, whereas venules showed no constrictive response even when both enzymes were inhibited. Capillaries were neither constricted nor dilated under any experimental conditions. These findings suggest that reactivity to hypoxia, CO2, and H+ is not qualitatively similar among intra-acinar microvessels, in which COX- and NOS-associated vasoactive substances function differently.
6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
Molecular characterization of a glyoxysomal long chain acyl-CoA oxidase that is synthesized as a precursor of higher molecular mass in pumpkin.
A cDNA clone for pumpkin acyl-CoA oxidase (EC 1.3.3.6; ACOX) was isolated from a lambdagt11 cDNA library constructed from poly(A)+ RNA extracted from etiolated cotyledons. The inserted cDNA clone contains 2313 nucleotides and encodes a polypeptide of 690 amino acids. Analysis of the amino-terminal sequence of the protein indicates that the pumpkin acyl-CoA oxidase protein is synthesized as a larger precursor containing a cleavable amino-terminal presequence of 45 amino acids. This presequence shows high similarity to the typical peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS2). Western blot analysis following cell fractionation in a sucrose gradient revealed that ACOX is localized in glyoxysomes. A partial purification of ACOX from etiolated pumpkin cotyledons indicated that the ACOX cDNA codes for a long chain acyl-CoA oxidase. The amount of ACOX increased and reached to the maximum activity by day 5 of germination but decreased about 4-fold on the following days during the subsequent microbody transition from glyoxysomes to leaf peroxisomes. By contrast, the amount of mRNA was already high at day 1 of germination, increased by about 30% at day 3, and faded completely by day 7. These data indicated that the expression pattern of ACOX was very similar to that of the glyoxysomal enzyme 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, another marker enzyme of the beta-oxidation spiral, during germination and suggested that the expression of each enzyme of beta-oxidation is coordinately regulated.
Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗