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Biomedical subjects

M Naoi

Publications and source records attributed to M Naoi.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Beta 2-microglobulin decrease in cerebrospinal fluid from parkinsonian patients.

A sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was established by using purified beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) as a standard protein and a polyclonal antibody raised against human beta 2-MG. The EIA was applied for the measurement of beta 2-MG levels in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from parkinsonian patients and control patients devoid of neurological diseases. beta 2-MG contents in CSF of the control group and the parkinsonian group were 1.81 +/- 0.11 micrograms/ml CSF and 0.63 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml CSF, respectively. Thus, beta 2-MG content in CSF was reduced in parkinsonian patients to less than 35% of the control value (P less than 0.005). We had previously reported that the activity and content of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were decreased in CSF from parkinsonian patients. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.87) was observed between the beta 2-MG content and DBH activity for CSF from 45 patients. These results suggest a probable link between an immunological change and the changes in catecholaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

A N-methyltransferase in human brain catalyses N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline into N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, a precursor of a dopaminergic neurotoxin, N-methylisoquinolinium ion.

N-methylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) present in human brain was found by a N-methyltransferase in human brain homogenate. Formation of N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (NMTIQ) from TIQ was quantitatively assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The reaction required S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor and in terms of SAM the value of the Michaelis constant, Km, and of the maximal velocity, Vmax, were 5.11 +/- 1.69 microM and 7.31 +/- 0.21 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The value of Km and Vmax in terms of TIQ were 20.9 +/- 5.5 microM and 7.98 +/- 1.21 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The optimal pH of the reaction was 8.25. A major part of the N-methyltransferase activity was found in the cytosolic fraction of human cortex. Enzymatic formation of NMTIQ indicates that in human brain this compound may be an intermediate of biosynthesis of a potent neurotoxin of dopamine metabolism, N-methylisoquinolinium ion, from naturally-occurring TIQ.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Uptake of heterocyclic amines, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2, into clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by dopamine uptake system.

Heterocyclic amines, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), are known to be produced in food by cooking and are carcinogenic. These amines were found to be accumulated in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells and to reduce enzyme activity related to catecholamine synthesis. The mechanism of uptake of these heterocyclic amines into PC12h cells was studied. The uptake was dependent on the incubation time, the amount of the cells, and the concentrations of Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 in the incubation mixture. The uptake of these amines was saturable with their concentrations, and the uptake velocity followed the Michaelis-Menten equation, indicating that the uptake was mediated by a transporting protein. The uptake was inhibited by dopamine and serotonin, but not by noradrenaline. Involvement of the dopamine uptake system in uptake of the heterocyclic amines was further indicated by the fact that nomifensine and mazindol, specific inhibitors of dopamine uptake, reduced the uptake, but sulpiride, an antagonist of D2 receptor, did not. The significance of the uptake of the carcinogenic heterocyclic amines was discussed in relation to their possible neurotoxicity in the human brain.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Oxidation of N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline into the N-methyl-isoquinolinium ion by monoamine oxidase.

N-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (NMTIQ) was found to be oxidized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) into N-methylisoquinolinium ion, which was proved to inhibit enzymes related to the metabolism of catecholamines, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase, and MAO. NMTIQ was oxidized by both types A and B MAO in human brain synaptosomal mitochondria. Oxidation was dependent on the amount of MAO sample and the reaction time. Enzyme activity with respect to NMTIQ reached optimum at a pH of approximately 7.25, as was the case with other substrates. Type A MAO had higher activity for this substrate than type B. The Km and Vmax values of the oxidation by types A and B MAO were 571 +/- 25 microM and 0.29 +/- 0.06 pmol/min/mg protein, and 463 +/- 43 microM and 0.16 +/- 0.03 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The Vmax values of types A and B MAO for NMTIQ were much smaller than those for other substrates such as kynuramine. NMTIQ was the first tetrahydroisoquinoline shown to be oxidized into the isoquinolinium ion by MAO in the brain.

Brain↗

[Prognostic significance of intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer].

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy of adriamycin (ADM) was performed in 31 cases with locally advanced breast cancer. The overall response rate for ADM was as high as 71% (22/31) in the primary lesions and histological response rate was obtained in 54.8% (17/31). Five-year survival rates for patients with stage IIIa, IIIb and IV breast cancer were 100%, 37.5% and 40.0%, respectively, compared with 63.8%, 35.7% and 12.5%, respectively, for 80 cases of control group. Although there was no correlation between local response rate and longer survival time, a more favorable prognosis seems possible with this treatment compared with other forms of therapy.

Adult↗

Reduction of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity in clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by culture in the presence of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+).

Rat clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells were cultured in the presence of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) and the activity of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) was reduced after 3 and 6 days of culture. AADC activity in control cells was increased markedly by addition of pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) to the reaction mixture, but that in the cells cultured in the presence of MPP+ was not increased by addition of PLP. After 6 days culture, AADC activity was almost negligible in the cells cultured in the presence of 1 mM MPP+, but PLP concentration in the cells was not reduced. AADC in the cells cultured in the presence of MPP+ reduced the affinity to PLP, but the affinity to a substrate, L-DOPA, did not change. Intracellular concentration of AADC protein was not reduced, as shown by an immunobinding assay with anti-AADC antibody. These data indicate that MPP+ may induce conformational changes in AADC protein and reduces its affinity to the cofactor, PLP.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Reduction of enzyme activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase in clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by carcinogenic heterocyclic amines.

Out of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, which are produced by pyrolysis of tryptophan in food, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) were found to reduce the activity of enzymes related to catecholamine metabolism in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells. By 6 days' culture in the presence of 10 nM to 10 microM Typ-P-1 and -2, these heterocyclic amines were accumulated in the cells, and activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) were reduced markedly. Reduction of these enzyme activity was observed with Trp-P-1 and -2 at the concentrations lower than 1 microM, while cell protein and enzyme activity of a non-specific enzyme, beta-galactosidase were reduced only with 10 microM Trp-P-1. These results show that these heterocyclic amines are neurotoxins specific for dopaminergic neurons.

Animals↗

Effects of heterocyclic amines in food on dopamine metabolism in nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons.

We investigated the effects of 14 heterocyclic amines in food on nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons. Among 14 compounds tested, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) caused substantial decreases in 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) formation in striatal tissue slice system. When Trp-P-1 or Trp-P-2 was unilaterally infused in the rat striatum by an in vivo micro-dialysis technique, both compounds produced a transient increase of dopamine (DA) and continuous decreases in the metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the perfusate. This suggests that the two compounds inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO) in vivo. Indeed they were found to be very potent inhibitors of MAO in vitro. Systemic administration of Trp-P-1 to C57 Black mice caused a marked decrease of DOPAC content and a significant increase of DA in the striatum, indicating inhibition of MAO in vivo. These results suggest that Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 contained in food could alter the metabolism of DA in the brain.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Simple assay procedure for tyrosine hydroxylase activity by high-performance liquid chromatography employing coulometric detection with minimal sample preparation.

A simple assay procedure for tyrosine hydroxylase activity in crude tissue samples was devised that requires minimal sample preparation and use of high-performance liquid chromatography with coulometric electrochemical detection. After incubation of enzyme samples, such as human brain homogenates or rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells, with L-tyrosine and a tetrahydropterin cofactor, in the presence or absence of p-bromobenzyloxyamine, an inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the reaction was terminated by addition of an equal volume of 0.1 M perchloric acid. For quantitation of L-DOPA produced, the sample was centrifuged, filtered and directly applied to the chromatographic apparatus connected to a coulometric electrochemical detector. This method makes redundant a time-consuming step in the previous methods, purification and concentration of L-DOPA or dopamine using alumina. The reaction conditions for the assay of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in brain homogenates and PC12h cells were re-examined by this method. Both tyrosine hydroxylase samples required a naturally occurring cofactor, (6R)-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin [(6R)BH4], catalase and NSD-1055 for the full activity, and tyrosine hydroxylase in human brain homogenates required Fe2+ ions for its full activity. (6R)BH4 proved to be a more effective cofactor than a synthetic cofactor, (6RS)-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin, which is commonly used for this assay.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Accumulation of N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in human melanoma cell line, HMV-I and -II.

N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) was found to be accumulated in human melanoma cell lines, HMV-I and -II, which originate from human melanoma and differentiate into subclones, HMV-I and -II. HMV-II cells can produce a large amount of melanin, while the other cells produce less. After 3 day culture of these cells in the presence of 1-100 microM MPP+, MPP+ was accumulated in both types of cells and a much larger amount of MPP+ was accumulated in melanin-rich HMV-II cells than in HMV-I cells, even though the uptake velocity of MPP+ into both types of cells was almost the same. In addition, both types of cells could survive, even with MPP+ accumulation. Protein amounts, a non-specific enzyme, beta-galactosidase activity, and intracellular DOPA concentrations in both types of cells, were not affected by the presence of MPP+. These results suggest that MPP+ is accumulated in non-dopaminergic cells and the accumulation is enhanced by the presence of melanin.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Inhibition of aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase in clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells by N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+).

N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), a reaction product of a neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), was found to inhibit aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase activity in rat clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells. The enzyme activity was enhanced to several folds by addition of a cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate, and MPP+ inhibited the enhancement of the activity by exogenously added pyridoxal phosphate. The inhibition was competitive to pyridoxal phosphate, and the Ki value of MPP+ was 26.7 +/- 0.4 microM, while the Km value of pyridoxal phosphate was 0.645 +/- 0.053 microM. The inhibition was partly irreversible. The enzyme sample was incubated with MPP+ and then dialyzed against phosphate buffer. After dialysis, the inhibited enzyme activity was only partly recovered by addition of pyridoxal phosphate, even though MPP+ was completely removed. Activity of other enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase could be recovered by dialysis. On the other hand, MPP+ did not affect the binding of the enzyme with the substrate, L-DOPA or 5-hydroxytryptophan.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Microassay for GM1 ganglioside beta-galactosidase activity using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and sensitive assay for GM1 ganglioside (GM1) beta-galactosidase activity was devised by direct measurement of released D-galactose using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). GM1 beta-galactosidase activity in crude samples such as brain homogenates could be measured by this method. After incubation of brain homogenate for 1 h with GM1 at 37 degrees C and pH 4.4 in the presence of sodium taurodeoxycholate, the reaction was terminated by heating at 100 degrees C for 2 min and the supernatant from the centrifuged sample was analysed directly by HPLC. D-Galactose isolated by HPLC was converted into a fluorescent compound by a post-column reaction with arginine at 150 degrees C and the fluorescence intensity at 430 nm was measured with excitation at 320 nm. By this method 10 pmol of D-galactose could be measured and the fluorescence intensity was linear up to 1 mmol of D-galactose. Using this method, the optimal conditions for the activity of this enzyme were re-examined. As an application, the enzyme activity in the brain of a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis was examined. This method can be applied to any natural substrates, glycolipids or glycoproteins, the terminal galactose of which is hydrolysed by this enzyme.

Brain↗

Purification and characterization of human liver beta-galactosidase from a patient with the adult form of GM1 gangliosidosis and a normal control.

beta-Galactosidases were purified to homogeneity from livers of a normal control and a patient with the adult form of GM1 gangliosidosis. The purification was achieved by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose fast flow, Con A-Sepharose, p-aminophenyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside-Sepharose, and QAE-Mono Q. The normal and mutant enzymes were purified about 5000-fold with a yield of 10% and 1800-fold with a yield of 34%, respectively, and could hydrolyze 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactoside, GM1 ganglioside, and asialofetuin. The purified normal enzyme was eluted from a TSK gel G-4000SW column as three symmetrical peaks of protein which were coincident with the three peaks of enzyme activity. The enzyme in these three peaks had apparent molecular weights of 800,000 (polymer), 140,000 (dimer), and 65,000 (monomer), whereas the mutant enzyme was eluted as two symmetrical peaks of protein and enzyme activity. The apparent molecular weight of a major monomeric form of the enzyme (beta-galactosidase A) was 60,000, and no dimeric form of the enzyme existed. Normal and mutant purified enzyme preparations migrated as a single major protein band with apparent molecular weights of 65,000 or 60,000, respectively, by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after treatment with mercaptoethanol. On isoelectric focussing, the mutant enzyme migrated more anodally than the normal enzyme. The mutant enzyme also had altered enzyme properties, such as pH optimum, Km values, substrate specificity and heat-stability. These data on the characteristics of the purified enzyme preparations provide the first direct evidence that patients with the adult form of GM1 gangliosidosis have a structurally altered beta-galactosidase.

Adult↗

Severe orthostatic hypotension in a female carrier of Fabry's disease.

A 21-year-old woman in a family with a history of Fabry's disease showed orthostatic hypotension and whorl-like corneal opacity typical for Fabry's disease. Biochemical studies revealed that she was a heterozygote of the Fabry gene. A variety of autonomic function tests demonstrated both sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. To our knowledge, the present case is the first report of a heterozygous female carrier of Fabry's disease presenting dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.

Adult↗

Effect of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) on catecholamine levels and activity of related enzymes in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), a metabolite of a neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, was found to reduce dopamine (DA) level and the activity of enzymes related to its metabolism in clonal rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cells. After 6 days' culture in the presence of 1 mM and 100 microM MPP+, DA content in PC12h cells was reduced markedly, but with MPP+ at concentrations lower than 10 microM, DA levels in the cells did not change. The amounts of 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid (DOPAC), a metabolite of DA were reduced markedly in culture medium and in PC12h cells cultured with MPP+ at concentrations higher than 1 microM. MPP+ was found to reduce the enzyme activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and aromatic L-aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC). In the presence of MPP+ at concentrations higher than 10 microM, reduction of TH activity in the cells was more pronounced than reduction of cell protein or of the activity of a non-specific enzyme, beta-galactosidase. With 1 mM and 100 microM MPP+, MAO activity was reduced to about 30% of that in control cells. Reduction was observed with MPP+ at concentrations higher than 1 microM. AADC was the most sensitive to MPP+ and its activity was reduced markedly in the cells cultured with 100 nM MPP+. These results indicate that MPP+ inhibits not only the biosynthesis of catecholamines, but also the enzyme participating in their catabolism in cells, and may thus perturb catecholamine levels in the brain.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Inhibition of type A monoamine oxidase by methylquinolines and structurally related compounds.

A series of methylquinolines (MQ) were found to inhibit markedly type A monoamine oxidase (MAO) in human brain synaptosomal mitochondria. 4-MQ and 6-MQ inhibited type A MAO (MAO-A) competitively and 7- and 8-MQ inhibited MAO-A noncompetitively. Among these four isomers of MQ, 6-MQ was the most potent inhibitor; the Ki value toward MAO-A was 23.4 +/- 1.8 microM, which was smaller than the Km value toward kynuramine, an amine substrate, 46.2 +/- 2.8 microM. On the other hand, MQ were very weak inhibitors of type B MAO (MAO-B) and 8-MQ did not inhibit MAO-B in brain synaptosomal mitochondria. The inhibition of MAO-A proved to be reversible; by dialysis the inhibition of MQ was completely reversible. The affinity of these isomers of MQ toward MAO-A or -B was confirmed further with human liver mitochondria as sources of MAO-A and -B and with human placental mitochondria and rat pheochromocytoma PC12h cell line as sources of MAO-A. The relationship of the chemical structure of structurally related quinoline and isoquinoline derivatives to inhibition of the activity of type A or B MAO was examined.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Specific binding of glycosylated beta-galactosidase to rat clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells: effects of nerve growth factor and gangliosides.

Rat clonal pheochromocytoma PC12h cells were found to bind beta-galactosidase modified with specific glycosides. The enzyme modified with p-aminophenyl beta-D-glucoside was most effectively bound to the cells, followed by alpha-D-mannoside and alpha-D-glucoside. The binding was dependent on the number of PC12h cells, the incubation interval, and the pH; the maximal binding at 4 degrees C was obtained by incubation with 75 micrograms of cell protein for 15 min at pH 4.0. The binding proved to be a saturable and receptor-mediated process, and the apparent Km value and the maximal binding capacity of the cells with beta-D-glucosylated beta-galactosidase were 1.03 +/- 0.06 microM and 333 +/- 24 pmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. When the cells were cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), GM1, GM2, and a ganglioside mixture, marked morphological differentiation was observed in the presence of NGF, and the specificity of the binding was also affected. By supplementation of NGF in the culture medium, the cells lost the selectivity of the glycoside binding, whereas cells cultured with GM1 supplement showed increased binding of the specific glycosides.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗