Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Murakami

Publications and source records attributed to M Murakami.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

Phospholipase D is involved in cytosolic phospholipase A2-dependent selective release of arachidonic acid by fMLP-stimulated rat neutrophils.

When rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were treated with N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), the release of arachidonic acid in preference to other fatty acids was observed. Levels of arachidonic acid reached a plateau within 5 min, and were accompanied by an approximately 4-fold increase in in vitro phospholipase (PL) A2 and PLD activities in PMN lysates. Treatment of PMN with ethanol (an inhibitor of PLD-mediated phosphatidic acid formation), propranolol (a phosphatidic acid phosphatase inhibitor), or 4-bromophenacylbromide (a PLA2 inhibitor), each suppressed fMLP-stimulated arachidonate release. Treatment with RHC-80267 (a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor), however, had no such effect. The cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) inhibitor, arachidonoyl trifluoromethyl ketone, suppressed PLA2 activity in PMN homogenates and arachidonate release by fMLP-treated PMN. These results suggest that fMLP-elicited arachidonate release is mediated by cPLA2 but not diacylglycerol lipase, and that the activation of cPLA2 is downstream of the PLD-dependent signaling pathway.

Acetophenones↗

A heparin-sensitive phospholipase A2 and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 are functionally linked in the delayed phase of prostaglandin D2 generation in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells.

BALB/cJ mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) developed with interleukin (IL)-3 can be stimulated by c-kit ligand (KL) in the presence of IL-10 and IL-1beta for sequential immediate and delayed generation of prostaglandin (PG) D2 through utilization of constitutive prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS) -1 and induced PGHS-2, respectively (Murakami, M., Matsumoto, R., Austen, K. F., and Arm, J. P. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 22269-22275). We now report that BALB/cJ BMMC stimulated with KL + IL-10 + IL-1beta also exhibit the biphasic release of [3H]arachidonic acid with an immediate phase over the first 10 min followed by a delayed phase from 2 to 7 h. The delayed phase of arachidonic acid release and of PGD2 generation was inhibited by heparin, which concomitantly released a phospholipase (PL) A2 from the cells into the supernatant. Both dexamethasone and a type II PLA2 inhibitor, 12-epi-scalaradial, suppressed delayed-phase PGD2 generation at concentrations that did not affect immediate eicosanoid generation. Transcripts for type IIA PLA2, as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, were progressively induced in BALB/cJ BMMC treated for 2 to 7 h with KL + IL-10 + IL-1beta; the induction of these transcripts was down-regulated by 10(-6) M dexamethasone. The expression of steady-state transcripts and protein for cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) did not change. PGHS-2-dependent delayed-phase PGD2 generation elicited by IgE-dependent activation of BALB/cJ BMMC primed with KL + IL-10 was also accompanied by the induction of type IIA PLA2 transcripts and was suppressed by heparin, with concomitant release of PLA2 into the supernatant. However, both the direct, cytokine-stimulated and the cytokine-primed, IgE-dependent, delayed-phase PGD2 generation occurred in BMMC from C57BL/6J mice, which have a natural disruption of the type IIA PLA2 gene. Thus, kinetic, pharmacologic, and genetic analyses suggest that an inducible, heparin-sensitive PLA2, rather than cPLA2, provides arachidonic acid to concomitantly induced PGHS-2 for delayed-phase PGD2 biosynthesis in activated BMMC. Furthermore, this heparin-sensitive PLA2 likely represents a novel PLA2 or a new function for a known low molecular weight PLA2.

Animals↗

Effects of hypoxia on the ventral root motor-evoked potential in the in vitro spinal cord preparation.

STUDY DESIGN: This study investigated the effects of hypoxia and glucose on motor functions of spinal cord, monitoring ventral root motor-evoked potential in the in vitro cervical cord preparations. OBJECTIVE: To study ischemia-induced changes in ventral root motor-evoked potential of spinal cord. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies demonstrated ischemic changes caused by local circulatory impairment might be a major pathophysiologic basis of neuron damage in cord compression. METHODS: Ventral root motor-evoked potential elicited by stimulation of ventrolateral funiculus was recorded from the ventral root in the isolated spinal cord preparations obtained from a newborn rat. The preparations were exposed to artificial cerebrospinal fluid equilibrated with severe or mild hypoxia for 90 minutes. Inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter antagonists were added to artificial cerebrospinal fluid to investigate synaptic transmission. The artificial cerebrospinal fluids containing various concentrations of glucose were used to study the glucose's effects. RESULTS: Ventral root motor-evoked potential consisted of the early and late components, which were excitatory transsynaptic potentials. The amplitudes were increased in the early phase of severe hypoxia and declined in the prolonged exposure. In mild hypoxia, there was a sustained increase of the amplitudes. The application of inhibitory neurotransmitter antagonists abolished the augmentation of the amplitudes in the early phase of severe hypoxia. Hypoxia without glucose accelerated hypoxic change. CONCLUSION: Inhibitory synaptic transmission was depressed preferentially in the early phase of severe hypoxia or in mild hypoxia. Excitatory and inhibitory transmissions were suppressed in prolonged severe hypoxia. Glucose deficiency aggravated hypoxic inhibition of synaptic transmissions.

Animals↗

Release of secretory phospholipase A2 from rat neuronal cells and its possible function in the regulation of catecholamine secretion.

Here we show that secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) that is immunochemically indistinguishable from type II sPLA2 is (i) stored in neuroendocrine cells, (ii) released in response to neurotransmitters or depolarization, and (iii) involved in the regulation of catecholamine secretion by these cells. Rat brain synaptic vesicle fractions contained PLA2 activity, which was neutralized completely by an antibody raised against rat type II sPLA2. sPLA2 immunoreactive with anti-(type II sPLA2) antibody was released from synaptosomes in response to depolarization evoked by a high concentration of potassium in the presence of Ca2+. Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, which differentiated into adherent cells similar to sympathetic neurons in response to nerve growth factor, were used for the detailed analysis of the dynamics and function of sPLA2 in neuronal cells. Antibody against rat type II sPLA2 precipitated approximately 80% of the PLA2 activity in PC12 cell lysates. Transcript for type II sPLA2 was detected in PC12 cells by reverse transcriptase-PCR. When neuronally differentiated PC12 cells were stimulated with carbamylcholine or potassium, sPLA2 was released into the medium and reached a maximal approximately 40% release by 15 min. Inhibitors specific to type II sPLA2 suppressed catecholamine secretion by PC12 cells which had been activated by carbamylcholine. Furthermore, treatment of PC12 cells with exogenous type II sPLA2 alone elicited catecholamine secretion. These observations indicate that sPLA2 released from neuronal cells may regulate the degranulation process leading to release of neurotransmitters and are compatible with our earlier finding that this enzyme is involved in the degranulation of rat mast cells.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Enhancement of intestinal transport of thyrotropin-releasing hormone via a carrier-mediated transport system by chemical modification with lauric acid.

The transport characteristics of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its chemically modified derivative with lauric acid (Lau-TRH) across the rat small or large intestine were estimated by means of an in vitro everted sac experiment. Both compounds were especially absorbed from the upper small intestine. The penetration of TRH across the upper small intestine was significantly increased by conjugation with lauric acid. Lau-TRH administered to the mucosal side appeared as a native TRH form in the serosal side. On the other hand, a temperature dependency and a directional difference in the transfer rates of these compounds were observed in the everted and non-everted sacs of the upper small intestine. Moreover, the penetration of TRH and Lau-TRH across the upper small intestine was inhibited by 0.25 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol and 10 mM glycylglycine. In addition, Lau-TRH was very stable in the cytosolic fraction of the small intestinal mucosa, while it was gradually converted to the native TRH in the brush-border membrane (BBM) fraction. The binding amounts of TRH to the BBM were remarkably enhanced by the lauric acid conjugation; however, its binding was nonspecific. Therefore, it was suggested that Lau-TRH rapidly bound to the BBM in the small intestine, where Lau-TRH is converted to TRH, and this released TRH is efficiently transported by an oligopeptide transporter which exists in the upper small intestine.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

Identification and characterization of an alternative cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 binding molecule on B cells.

To determine whether alternative cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) binding proteins exist on B cells, we constructed (i) mCTLA4hIgG consisting of the extracellular region of a mouse CTLA4 molecule and the Fc portion of a human IgG1 molecule and (ii) PYAAhIgG, a mutant mCTLA4hIgG, having two amino acid substitutions on the conserved MYPPPY motif in the complementarity-determining region 3-like region and lacking detectable binding to both B7-1 and B7-2 molecules. Using these fusion proteins (mCTLA4hIgG and PYAAhIgG), we demonstrated that a mouse immature B-cell line, WEHI231 cells, expressed alternative CTLA4 binding molecules (ACBMs) that were distinct from both B7-1 and B7-2. ACBMs were 130-kDa disulfide-linked proteins. More importantly, ACBMs were able to provide costimulatory signal for T-cell proliferation in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. In addition, we demonstrated that more than 20% of B220+ cells obtained from normal mouse spleen expressed ACBMs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of the B7-1a molecule, an alternatively spliced form of murine B7-1 (CD80), on T cell activation.

B7 molecules (CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2/B70)) on APCs provide costimulatory signals for T cell proliferation. We previously described the presence of an alternatively spliced form of murine CD80 (previously termed MB7-2 and renamed as B7-1a) that completely lacks the second Ig-like domain coded by exon 3 in activated murine B cells. in this study, we first examined whether B7-1a mRNA can be detected in vivo by RNase protection assay. The expression of B7-1a mRNA was only detected in lymphoid organs although the level of expression was lesser than that of CD80 mRNA. However, we demonstrated that the expression of B7-1a mRNA like CD80 mRNA was considerably augmented in spleen cells treated with either LPS in vitro or OVA/CFA conjugate in vivo. We next determined the functional activity of B7-1a using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected by B7 genes. When resting T cells were cocultured with CHO cells expressing B7-1a molecules in the presence of PMA/ionomycin, T cell proliferation was not detected, while CHO cells either expressing CD80 or CD86 could promote the proliferation of resting T cells. in contrast to resting T cells, CHO cells expressing B7-1a could support the proliferation of activated T cells. Thus, costimulatory activity of B7-1a molecules was dependent upon the activation stage of T cells. Therefore the IgV-like region of CD80 contains a critical region for functional interaction with its ligands and can transduce a costimulatory signal for T cell proliferation.

Alternative Splicing↗

Vaccination of tumor cells transfected with the B7-1 (CD80) gene induces the anti-metastatic effect and tumor immunity in mice.

The present study demonstrates that the transfection of B7-1 or its variant MB7-2 genes into MHC class I+ tumor cells (B16-BL6 or K1735-M2 melanoma) resulted in the remarkable reduction of lung metastasis caused by i.v. injection into immunocompetent syngeneic mice. However, i.v. injection of the transfectants into T cell-deficient nude mice did not affect reduction of lung tumor colonies as compared with parental wild-type tumors, suggesting that such an inhibitory effect was closely associated with T cell-mediated responses. The reduced metastasis of B7+ tumor cells consequently led to the significant prolongation of survival. Expression of B7 on tumor cells did not influence the tumorigenicity in vivo and tumor cell invasion into basement membrane Matrigel in vitro. We also found that immunization of X-irradiated B7 transfectants was effective as a tumor vaccine for preventing lung metastasis caused by i.v. injection of B7- parental B16-BL6 cells but not against other syngeneic 3LL tumors. Thus, the B7-mediated anti-metastatic effect was tumor-specific. Vaccinations of irradiated B7+ tumor cells before and after surgical excision of the s.c. inoculated primary B7- tumors on day 21 achieved effectively the prevention of spontaneous lung metastasis. Our report that vaccination of irradiated B7+ tumor cells led to a therapeutic effect in an established tumor metastasis model clearly expands and confirms previous related observations.

Animals↗

Gene structure of the murine calcium channel beta3 subunit, cDNA and characterization of alternative splicing and transcription products.

The beta3 subunit of high-voltage-gated calcium channels is a peripheral membrane protein that copurifies with neural N-type calcium channels. Murine genomic clones containing the full coding sequence of beta3 were isolated and the exons were mapped and sequenced. The murine calcium channel beta3 subunit is encoded by a unique gene composed of 13 translated exons that spread over approximately 8 kb of genomic sequence. Alternatively spliced transcripts of the beta3 gene were identified and characterized. The primary structure of beta3 is highly conserved between the murine, human, rabbit and rat proteins (98% identity). The intron placement within that primary structure correlates with the previously postulated exon positions in transcripts encoding the members of the calcium channel beta subunit family and confirm a close evolutionary relationship of the beta3, beta1, beta2 and beta4 subunit genes.

Alternative Splicing↗

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of neuraminic acid analogs structurally varied at C-5 and C-9 as potential inhibitors of the sialidase from influenza virus.

The 9-amino or 9-N-acyl-5-trifluoroacetyl methyl alpha-ketosides (1a-c) and their 2,3-didehydro analogs (2a-c) have been synthesized through Neu5Ac aldolase-catalyzed aldol reaction of 6-azido-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-D-mannose with sodium pyruvate. The six compounds were investigated as inhibitors of sialidase from influenza virus. Compound 2b, a 2,3-didehydro type, showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 > 7.8 microM) against the enzyme, whereas, compounds 1a-c as the methyl alpha-glycosides were found to be practically inactive (IC50 > 100 microM).

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

A population association study of four candidate genes (hexokinase II, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, fatty acid binding protein-2, and apolipoprotein C-II) with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in Japanese subjects.

In order to define the major genetic factor(s) for the development of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in Japanese subjects, a population association study of candidate genes involved in either glucose or lipid metabolism was carried out using microsatellite DNA polymorphisms. Each polymorphic locus near the four candidate genes, hexokinase II (HKII), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R), fatty acid binding protein-2 (FABP-2), and apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) genes, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 32P-labelled primers and each subject was genotyped for the association study. The HKII, GLP1R, FABP-2, and apoC-II polymorphisms exhibited 18, 10, 7, and 10 alleles, respectively. While polymorphism information contents (PICs) of these polymorphisms were relatively high, allele frequencies in these polymorphisms did not differ among subjects with Type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and non-diabetic controls. These results suggest that the HKII, GLP1R, FABP-2, and apoC-II genes are not the major inherited factors for the development of Type 2 diabetes or IGT in Japanese subjects, although minor contribution cannot be ruled out.

Apolipoprotein C-II↗

Non-RGD domains of osteopontin promote cell adhesion without involving alpha v integrins.

Osteopontin (OPN) is an integrin-binding secreted protein that contains an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) amino acid sequence and binds to various cell types via RGD-mediated interaction with the alpha v beta 3 integrin. We have identified a cell line whose binding to OPN does not require RGD or alpha v interactions. We compared the ability of two murine cell lines, L929 fibroblastic cells and B16-BL6 melanoma cells, to interact with OPN (from human milk, and recombinant human and mouse OPN) as well as recombinant OPN prepared to include either the N-terminal or C-terminal halves but lacking the RGD sequence. Both cell lines adhered to GRGDS peptides coupled to BSA, and these interactions were inhibited by addition of GRGDS (but not GRGES) peptides or a monoclonal antibody specific to the alpha v integrin subunit. Adhesion of L929 cells to OPN was also dependent on the RGD sequence and the alpha v integrin subunit. However, the binding of B16-BL6 cells was not inhibited by either GRGDS peptides or the anti-alpha v antibody. B16-BL6 (but not L929) cells were also able to adhere to and spread on both N-terminal and C-terminal OPN proteins that lack the RGD sequence, and these interactions were not inhibited by either GRGDS peptides or anti-alpha v antibody. Together these results indicate that B16-BL6 cells can adhere to OPN by interactions that are independent of either the RGD sequence or the alpha v integrin subunit, and suggest that some cells can interact with additional, non-RGD binding sites in OPN.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Membrane carbonic anhydrase (IV) and ciliary epithelium. Carbonic anhydrase activity is present in the basolateral membranes of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium of rabbit eyes.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) lower intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous flow. It has been thought that this pharmacologic reduction of aqueous flow is mediated by the ciliary epithelium, but it is not known whether this cellular action is effected by inhibition of the membranal (CA IV) and/or cytosolic (CA II) carbonic anhydrases of the ciliary epithelium. The isolated ciliary epithelial bilayer maintains its anatomic and functional polarity and generates a transepithelial potential difference (TEP) in an Ussing type chamber. Depletion of HCO3-, accomplished either with an HCO3(-)-free solution bathing the epithelial bilayer, or, with addition of freely permeant CAIs to HCO3(-)-containing media, (from either the PE or NPE side of the bilayer) depolarizes the preparation. Addition of CAIs to an HCO3(-)-depleted preparation has no further effect, indicating the specific action of the CAIs. The CAI, 2-p-NH2 benzenesulfonamido-1,3,4,-thiadiazole-5-SO2NH2, linked to polybutadiene maleic acid yields an impermeant polymer of 20000 Da with no loss of activity. At 45 microM this impermeant polymer caused a 60% increase in the SCC, seen only when the compound was applied to the NPE side of the bilayer. This latter result indicates an effect from inhibition of CA IV in the basolateral membranes of the NPE. Thus there are probably two different cellular actions of CAIs upon the ciliary epithelium to reduce aqueous inflow, cytoplasmic and membranal. The action of NPE basolateral membranal CA IV is probably linked to the chloride/bicarbonate exchanger.

Animals↗