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Biomedical subjects

M Fujimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Fujimoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Two different signal transductions of neuropeptide Y1 receptor in SK-N-MC cells.

The signal transduction systems of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptor were studied in SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells. NPY induced an increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, which were mediated through Y1 receptors. One-min preincubation of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibited both signal transductions dose-dependently, but its effect on [Ca2+]i was about 100-fold more potent than that on cyclic AMP. PMA had no effect on [125I]BH-NPY binding in SK-N-MC cells and hardly inhibited the endothelin-1-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Pertussis toxin also inhibited the NPY-induced [Ca2+]i increase 30-fold more effectively than the NPY-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation. These results indicate that Y1 receptors in SK-N-MC cells couple to two signal transduction systems that have different sensitivities to phorbol ester and pertussis toxin treatments.

Alkaloids

A novel non-peptide endothelin antagonist isolated from bayberry, Myrica cerifera.

A potent non-peptide ET receptor antagonist, myriceron caffeoyl ester (50-235), was isolated from the bayberry, Myrica cerifera. This compound selectively antagonized specific binding of [125I]ET-1, but not of [125I]ET-3, to rat cardiac membranes, ET-1-induced increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, and ET-1-induced contraction of rat aortic strips. Thus, 50-235 is the first non-peptide ET(A) receptor antagonist. This compound can be useful for studying the physiological role of endothelin and exploring its role in various diseases.

3T3 Cells

Heterogeneity of anticardiolipin antibodies defined by the anticardiolipin cofactor.

Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) found in sera from patients with SLE react with cardiolipin (CL) in the presence of a 50-kDa serum cofactor. The cofactor, which was identified to be beta 2-glycoprotein I by sequencing the N-terminal amino acids, not only enhances CL binding by antibodies in SLE but also depresses it by antibodies associated with syphilis. Cofactor-dependent binding of aCL in SLE to solid phase CL was competitively inhibited by the simultaneous addition of fluid phase CL but was unaffected by either prior or simultaneous addition of a high excess of the cofactor. Binding of aCL in syphilis to solid phase CL was competitively inhibited by either addition of the cofactor or fluid phase CL. aCL in SLE reacted with CL, PS, and PA in the presence of cofactor. In contrast, biotinyl-cofactor bound directly to these anionic phospholipids (PL) and also to PG. These results show that the cofactor-CL complex bears an epitope that confers recognition specificity for aCL in SLE, in contrast with direct CL recognition by syphilitic aCL. The direct binding of the cofactor to PL suggests that the cofactor dependence of aCL binding to PL is due to recognition by aCL of a unique epitope generated upon the formation of the cofactor-CL complex.

Amino Acid Sequence

Possible implication of peptidase activity in different potency of angiotensins II and III for displacing [125I]angiotensin II binding in pig aorta.

A single class of [125I]angiotensin II ([125I]AII) binding sites was found in porcine aortic smooth muscle membranes. Des-Asp1-AII (AIII) and des-Asp1-[Ile8]AII were 20 times less potent than AII or [Sar1,Ile8]AII to displace [125I]AII binding. In contrast, AII and AIII equipotently induced an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells. Des-Asp1-[Ile8]AII and [Sar1,Ile8]AII equipotently inhibited the increase induced by either AII or AIII. In order to explain this discrepancy, we studied [125I]AIII binding. In the presence of amastatin or a potent inhibitor of aminopeptidase M, [125I]AII binding remained stable for 90 min, but [125I]AIII binding decreased gradually after the peak at 30 min. The decrease was completely blocked by the presence of amastatin and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride. Consequently, AIII was as potent as AII to displace [125I]AII binding in the presence of these two protease inhibitors. These results suggest that the lower potency of AIII to displace [125I]AII binding is related primarily to AIII-specific degradation by proteases.

Aminopeptidases

Specific binding sites for 125I-endothelin-1 in the porcine and human spinal cord.

Specific binding sites for 125I-endothelin-1 (125I-ET-1) in the spinal cord were investigated using quantitative receptor autoradiographic and chemical cross-linking methods. The binding sites were highly concentrated in porcine and human spinal cord areas corresponding anatomically to the dorsal horn (Rexed's laminae I-III), an area around the central canal (lamina X) and the principal part of the intermediolateral nucleus (IMLp). The localization of the binding sites differed from those of 125I-omega-conotoxin GVIA (125I-CgTx) and 125I-Bolton-Hunter substance P (125I-BH-SP), with the exception that the IMLp shared 125I-ET-1 with 125I-CgTx and 125I-BH-SP binding sites. Specific 125I-ET-1 binding sites in the areas examined were characteristically single and of high affinity. There were no differences between the potencies of unlabeled ET family peptides, ET-1, ET-2, ET-3 and sarafotoxin S6b at inhibiting 125I-ET-1 binding to the areas. Chemical cross-linking studies showed that 125I-ET-1 and 125I-ET-3 mainly bound to a protein with molecular mass of 43 kDa in the porcine and human thoracic spinal cord membranes. The present finding shows the neuronal significance of this newly discovered peptide in the spinal cord.

Aged

Bone marrow changes in adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritis. Interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 activity and abnormal myelopoiesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of bone marrow in arthritis. METHODS: Bone marrow changes over time were investigated in rats with adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritis, using bioassay techniques and histologic analysis. RESULTS: In both animal models, bone marrow interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 activity began to rise before the onset of arthritis and increased in relation to the progression of arthritis. Enhanced myelopoiesis in the bone marrow was noted in conjunction with the increased cytokine activity. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow changes such as those demonstrated in this study may be common to various models of induced arthritis and may have an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Animals

Dibutyryl-cAMP increases functions of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptors, but not of beta 2-adrenergic receptors, in a clonal cell line of rat neurotumor RT4.

A peripheral nervous system cell line RT4-B, established by Imada and Sueoka (Dev. Biol., 66:97-108, 1978), was shown to respond to serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] and catecholamines. 5-HT induced a small and transient increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the RT4-B cells. The increase was effectively blocked by 5-HT2 receptor antagonists (spiperone, ritanserin and mianserin), but not by a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (MDL72222), or a alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist (prazosin), indicating that RT4-B cells express 5-HT2 receptors. On the other hand, catecholamines increased cyclic AMP production by RT4-B. The order of potency for stimulating cyclic AMP synthesis was isoproterenol greater than epinephrine much greater than norepinephrine much greater than dopamine, and the stimulation was effectively inhibited by the nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol, but not by the beta 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist atenolol, suggesting that RT4-B cells express beta 2-adrenergic receptors. The differentiating agent N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl-cAMP) enhanced the 5-HT-induced [Ca2+]i increase, but not the catecholamine-induced cyclic AMP production. The increase in the 5-HT response paralleled the increase in the density of 5-HT2 receptors. n-Butyric acid (2 mM) and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (1 mM) also increased the 5-HT response, and the sum of these increases was nearly equal to that induced by dibutyryl-cAMP. These results indicate that RT4-B is a novel model cell line for the study of 5-HT2 and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and their second messenger responses and for the analysis of the mechanisms how 5-HT2 receptor gene expression is controlled.

Animals

Recombinant human glucagon: large-scale purification and biochemical characterization.

Recombinant glucagon was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein including the glucagon sequence therein as previously reported [Ishizaki et al. (1992). Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 36, 483-486]. We developed a large-scale method for the isolation and purification of recombinant glucagon. After cell disruption, the resultant pellets were solubilized with 2 M guanidine-HCl, to which Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease had been added, and were digested into intermediates composed of 53- and 60-residue peptides containing the glucagon moiety. After the digestion came to an end, the solution was desalted, and the remaining V8 protease was allowed to resume digestion of the intermediates into glucagon, followed by partial purification by S-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-100 chromatographies. The glucagon obtained was found to be not less than 99.5% pure by analytical HPLC. One liter of culture produced about 180 mg of pure glucagon. The amino acid composition and the sequence agreed well with the theoretical values. Radioreceptor assay gave an affinity constant similar to that of pancreatic glucagon, and similar activities in cAMP production and glycogenolysis were also observed. Thus, the recombinant glucagon was confirmed to be biochemically identical with pancreatic glucagon.

Amino Acid Sequence

Non-isopeptide-selective endothelin receptors in human Girardi heart cells.

We characterized the endothelin (ET) receptor in Girardi heart (GH) cells derived from human atrium. The ET isopeptides ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3 induced the monotonous and long-lasting rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) with almost the same potency in GH cells. Scatchard analysis of [125I]ET-1 and [125I]ET-3 binding revealed that GH cells have almost the same number of binding sites for either labeled ligand. All ET isopeptides displaced either [125I]ET-1 or [125I]ET-3 binding in GH cells almost equipotently. These results reveal that the functional ET receptors in GH cells are of the ETB-type. GH cells are the first cell line to be found to express the functional ETB-receptor.

Autoradiography

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with marrow eosinophilia showing 5q- and 16q22 mosaicism.

We report an 82-year-old Japanese female with acute myelomonocytic leukemia with dysplastic marrow eosinophilia (FAB M4Eo) exhibiting a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5, del(5)(q13q31) and a derivative chromosome 16 with a breakpoint at band 16q22, in addition to 5q-. The patient had a history of a preleukemic phase for several months with marked dysplasia in trilineage marrow cells, in addition to leukemic features compatible with M4Eo. These findings strongly suggested that the leukemic cells in this case were derived from a preleukemic clone with a del(5q).

Aged

Continuous measurement of Na concentration in CSF during gastric water infusion in dehydrated rats.

To assess the differential stimulus to central and intravascular osmoreceptors during recovery from thermal dehydration, we measured Na concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid ([Na]CSF) and plasma ([Na]p) continuously and compared these during simulated drinking by gastric water infusion (INF) in euhydrated and thermally dehydrated rats under anesthesia. Continuous measurement of [Na]CSF was obtained with a double-barreled Na electrode placed in the lateral ventricle. Continuous measurement of [Na]p was obtained from a flow cell Na electrode in an extracorporeal shunt. Measurements were made during 10 min of INF (2.5 ml/100 g body wt) into the stomach and during 20 min of recovery. Changes in [Na]CSF always lagged behind those in [Na]p and were quantitatively smaller after INF. The decrease in [Na]CSF occurred sooner in dehydrated than in euhydrated rats in response to the decrease in [Na]p (P < 0.01). These results suggest that water and/or Na movement between blood and CSF is accelerated during restitution from thermal dehydration, acting to prevent overhydration during the early phase of rehydration.

Animals

Acid-induced two-step depolarization in the peritubular membrane of bullfrog kidney proximal tubules.

Using ion-selective microelectrode technique, we investigated acid-induced changes of peritubular membrane potential (EM) and intracellular activity of Na+ and H+ ((Na)i and pHi) in the proximal tubule of perfused bullfrog kidney in vivo. When peritubular pH was reduced at constant PCO2, EM was depolarized in two steps: i.e., an initial sharp fall followed by an additional deeper fall. This was termed as the acid-induced two-step depolarization. During this change, pHi was decreased gradually from 7.4 to 6.9 in response to 1/10 HCO3- reduction (pH from 7.7 to 6.7), whereas (Na)i was increased after a transient decrease. This result supports the peritubular rheogenic HCO3- exit coupled to Na+ movement during the initial depolarization period. Complete removal of peritubular HCO3- at constant pH produced a less marked initial depolarization with a transient rise of pHi, followed by a partial repolarization without appreciable change in (Na)i. Peritubular SITS administration inhibited these depolarization responses to the acid perfusion. The above findings suggest that 1) the initial part of the two-step EM depolarization produced by low HCO3- or HCO(3-)-free perfusion resulted mainly from the peritubular rheogenic exist of HCO3-, 2) the magnitude of initial depolarization would also be affected by pHi, and 3) the subsequent delayed changes of EM were mainly determined by the pHi-sensitive K+ conductance of the peritubular membrane.

4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfo

Intracellular and extracellular chloride ions in the horizontal cells of the stingray retina.

Intracellular and extracellular concentrations of chloride ([Cl-]i, [Cl-]o) ions in the horizontal cells of the stingray retina were studied by means of ion-selective microelectrodes. The electrodes used were of the double-barreled type and Corning's #477315 resin was used as the exchanger. The average [Cl-]o and [Cl-]i in the L-type cells were 320 and 130 mM, respectively (n = 37), and the equilibrium potential (ECl) was calculated as -23.3 mV. In some cases, dark membrane potentials were more positive than the ECl. With white light stimulus, the membrane hyperpolarized to a more negative level than ECl. Based on the experiments described above, the hypothesis that the hyperpolarizing response of horizontal cells is due to the permeability change of the membrane to chloride ion was excluded in the stingray retina.

Animals