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Biomedical subjects

M Noda

Publications and source records attributed to M Noda.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources

Improvement of multiple pathophysiological phenotypes of klotho (kl/kl) mice by adenovirus-mediated expression of the klotho gene.

BACKGROUND: We have established a novel mouse mutant, klotho (kl), by insertional mutation of a transgene and identified the structural gene. The mouse homozygous for the mutation exhibits multiple pathological conditions resembling age-related disorders in humans and can be regarded as a model of human premature aging syndromes. However, the pathophysiological role of Klotho protein has not been clarified. METHODS: A replication-deficient adenoviral vector expressing the membrane form of the mouse klotho gene was constructed and we examined Klotho expression in vitro. The recombinant adenoviral vector was then administered intravenously into klotho mice at 4-5 weeks of age and its therapeutic potential was examined. RESULTS: Expression of Klotho protein was observed in the adenoviral vector-infected CHO cells. The klotho mice infused with the recombinant adenovirus showed a significant extension of life span and gain in body weight at 1 week after treatment. Macroscopic and histological analyses demonstrated the improvement of multiple pathological findings such as restoration from atrophy and cell formation and differentiation in the gonadal cells, immune tissues and subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSION: We showed that local expression of the klotho gene retards or partially improves pathological abnormalities in several organs of klotho mice after onset of the phenotypes. Therefore, the recombinant adenovirus vector will provide an important tool for investigating the molecular mechanism of the Klotho protein and give clues to understanding the individual disease mechanisms.

Adenoviridae↗

An approach to the mechanism of the asymmetrical radical formation in yttrium-90-beta-irradiated D- and L-alanines.

Several attempts were made to investigate the mechanism of the asymmetrical radical formation in yttrium-90-beta-irradiated D- and L-alanines which was reported in the preceding paper (1). The experiments demonstrated that the magnitude of the asymmetry was dependent on beta-ray dose, namely the lower the dose the larger the observed difference was, and that no difference could be detected when the alanines were irradiated in aqueous state. The results in the present study seem to that different interaction between the crystal structure of the two enantiomers and polarized beta-rays may be responsible for the observed phenomenon.

Alanine↗

Cyclic ADP-ribose as a second messenger revisited from a new aspect of signal transduction from receptors to ADP-ribosyl cyclase.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), an endogenous modulator of ryanodine receptor Ca(2+)-releasing channels, is found in various tissues. Cytosolic injection of cADPR induces an elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations or potentiates Ca(2+) increases. cADPR facilitates neurotransmitter or insulin release and modifies ionic currents. cADPR is synthesized by ADP-ribosyl cyclase and is metabolized by cADPR hydrolase. ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity is up-regulated by nitric oxide/cyclic GMP-dependent phosphorylation or receptor stimulation via G-proteins within membranes. These findings suggest that cADPR is a second messenger in cellular Ca(2+) signaling. However, many intriguing issues remain to be addressed before this identity is confirmed.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Cloning and sequence analysis of calf cDNA and human genomic DNA encoding alpha-subunit precursor of muscle acetylcholine receptor.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from fish electric organ is well characterized and is known to consist of five subunits present in a molar stoichiometry of alpha 2 beta gamma delta (reviewed in refs 1-3). The mammalian skeletal muscle AChR is thought to have a similar subunit structure. We have recently elucidated the primary structures of the alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-subunit precursors of the Torpedo californica AChR by cloning and sequencing cDNAs for these polypeptides; cDNA sequences for the gamma-subunit precursor of the T. californica AChR and the alpha-subunit precursor of the Torpedo marmorata AChR have also been reported by other groups. The four subunits exhibit conspicuous sequence homology and are similar in hydrophilicity profile and predicted secondary structure, thus being most probably oriented in a pseudosymmetric fashion across the membrane. The transmembrane topology of the subunit molecules and the locations of functionally important regions, such as the acetylcholine binding site and the trans-membrane segments which may be involved in the ionic channel, have been proposed. We have now cloned cDNA for the alpha-subunit precursor of the calf skeletal muscle AChR and a human genomic DNA segment containing the corresponding gene. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned DNAs has revealed the primary structures of the calf and human AChR alpha-subunit precursors, which exhibit marked sequence homology with their Torpedo counterpart. The protein-coding sequence of the human AChR alpha-subunit precursor gene is divided by eight introns into nine exons, which seem to correspond to different structural and functional domains of the subunit precursor molecule.

Animals↗

Isolation and structural organization of the human preproenkephalin B gene.

The primary structure of porcine preproenkephalin B has been elucidated by cloning and sequencing cDNA: it contains neoendorphin, dynorphin and leumorphin (containing rimorphin as its amino-terminus). These opioid peptides, each having a leucine-enkephalin structure, act on the kappa-receptor. We have now cloned a human genomic DNA segment containing the preproenkephalin B gene. The structural organization of this gene resembles those of the genes encoding the other opioid peptide precursors, that is, preproenkephalin A and the corticotropin-beta-lipotropin precursor (ACTH-beta-LPH precursor). The primary structure of human preproenkephalin B has been deduced from the gene sequence. The amino acid sequence homology observed between preproenkephalin B and preproenkephalin A, together with the similarity between their gene organizations, suggests that the two genes have been generated from a common ancestor by gene duplication.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of functional acetylcholine receptor from cloned cDNAs.

The cloned cDNAs encoding the four subunits of the Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor, each carried by a simian virus 40 vector, direct the synthesis of the functional receptor in a combined expression system consisting of COS monkey cells and Xenopus oocytes. Our results suggest that all four subunits are required to elicit a normal nicotinic response to acetylcholine, whereas only the alpha-subunit is indispensable for alpha-bungarotoxin binding activity.

Animals↗

Primary structure of Electrophorus electricus sodium channel deduced from cDNA sequence.

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for the Electrophorus electricus electroplax sodium channel indicate that this protein, consisting of 1,820 amino acid residues, exhibits four repeated homology units, which are presumably oriented in a pseudosymmetric fashion across the membrane. Each homology unit contains a unique segment with clustered positively charged residues, which may be involved in the gating structure, possibly in conjunction with negatively charged residues clustered elsewhere.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Primary structure of the alpha-subunit of transducin and its relationship to ras proteins.

A group of membrane-associated guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) are essential for transducing signals generated at cell-surface receptors into changes in cellular function and metabolism. These proteins are a complex of three subunits designated alpha, beta and gamma. The alpha-subunit is responsible for binding guanine nucleotides and seems to be characteristic of each protein. Transducin, a member of this protein family, mediates visual transduction by coupling the signal of photolysed rhodopsin with activation of a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. We have now cloned and sequenced the complementary DNA encoding the alpha-subunit of bovine retinal transducin and from this we have deduced the complete amino-acid sequence. The transducin alpha-subunit shares several homologous amino-acid sequences with ras gene products. The homologous segments correspond mostly to the regions thought to be involved in the guanine nucleotide binding and GTPase activity of ras proteins and to the ADP-ribosylation sites of the transducin alpha-subunit.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Cloning, sequencing and expression of cDNA for a novel subunit of acetylcholine receptor from calf muscle.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from fish electric organ has a subunit structure of alpha 2 beta gamma delta, and this is thought to be also the case for the mammalian skeletal muscle AChR. By cloning and sequencing the complementary or genomic DNAs, we have previously elucidated the primary structures of all four subunits of the Torpedo californica electroplax and calf muscle AChR and of the alpha- and gamma-subunits of the human muscle AChR; the primary structures of the gamma-subunit of the T. californica AChR and the alpha-subunit of the Torpedo marmorata AChR have also been deduced elsewhere. We have now cloned DNA complementary to the calf muscle messenger RNA encoding a novel polypeptide (the epsilon-subunit) whose deduced amino-acid sequence has features characteristic of the AChR subunits and which shows higher sequence homology with the gamma-subunit than with the other subunits. cDNA expression studies indicate that the calf epsilon-subunit, as well as the calf gamma-subunit, can replace the Torpedo gamma-subunit to form the functional receptor in combination with the Torpedo alpha-, beta- and delta-subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Primary structure of the alpha-subunit of Torpedo californica (Na+ + K+)ATPase deduced from cDNA sequence.

Sodium- and potassium-dependent ATPase [(Na+ + K+)ATPase], which is responsible for the active transport of Na+ and K+, is distributed universally among animal cell membranes and consists of two types of subunits, alpha and beta (refs 1-4). The larger alpha-subunit with a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 84,000-120,000 is thought to have the catalytic role. We have now cloned and sequenced DNA complementary to the Torpedo californica electroplax messenger RNA encoding the alpha-subunit of (Na+ + K+)ATPase and have deduced the complete amino-acid sequence of the polypeptide. Some structural features of the alpha-subunit molecule related to the function of this active-transport protein are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sarcoma viruses carrying ras oncogenes induce differentiation-associated properties in a neuronal cell line.

The growth-promoting and/or differentiation-blocking activities of Kirsten (Ki-MSV) or Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MSV) on various types of cells in vitro are well documented. Here we report an unexpected effect of these viruses on a rat phaeochromocytoma cell line, PC12. PC12 cells, which multiply indefinitely in growth medium, are known to respond to nerve growth factor (NGF) by cessation of cell division and expression of several properties resembling those of differentiated sympathetic neurones. We have found that Ki- and Ha-MSV mimic some, if not all, of the activities of NGF in PC12 cells, and there is evidence that the viral oncogenes, v-Ki-ras and v-Ha-ras, are responsible for this phenomenon. This system may be of value for studying the mechanism of action of the v-ras genes as well as the regulatory mechanism of growth and differentiation in neuronal cells.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Existence of distinct sodium channel messenger RNAs in rat brain.

The sodium channel is a voltage-gated ionic channel essential for the generation of action potentials. It has been reported that the sodium channels purified from the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus (electric eel) and from chick cardiac muscle consist of a single polypeptide of relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 260,000 (260K), whereas those purified from rat brain and skeletal muscle contain, in addition to the large polypeptide, two or three smaller polypeptides of Mr 37-45K. Recently, we have elucidated the primary structure of the Electrophorus sodium channel by cloning and sequencing the DNA complementary to its messenger RNA. Despite the apparent homogeneity of the purified sodium channel preparations, several types of tetrodotoxin (or saxitoxin) binding sites or sodium currents have been observed in many excitable membranes. The occurrence of distinguishable populations of sodium channels may be attributable to different states of the same channel protein or to distinct channel proteins. We have now isolated complementary DNA clones derived from two distinct rat brain mRNAs encoding sodium channel large polypeptides and present here the complete amino-acid sequences of the two polypeptides (designated sodium channels I and II), as deduced from the cDNA sequences. A partial DNA sequence complementary to a third homologous mRNA from rat brain has also been cloned.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular distinction between fetal and adult forms of muscle acetylcholine receptor.

Distinct classes of acetylcholine receptor channels are formed when Xenopus oocytes are injected with combinations of the bovine alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta- or the alpha-, beta-, gamma- and epsilon-subunit-specific messenger RNAs. The conductance and gating properties of the two classes of channels, in conjunction with the developmental changes in the muscular contents of the mRNAs, suggest that replacement of the gamma-subunit by the epsilon-subunit is responsible for the functional alteration of the receptor during muscle development.

Animals↗

Expression of functional sodium channels from cloned cDNA.

The voltage-gated sodium channel is a transmembrane protein essential for the generation of action potentials in excitable cells. It has been reported that sodium channels purified from the electric organ of the electric eel, Electrophorus electricus, and from chick cardiac muscle consist of a single polypeptide of relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 260,000, whereas those purified from rat brain and from rat and rabbit skeletal muscle contain, in addition to the large polypeptide, one or two smaller polypeptides of Mr 33,000-43,000. The primary structures of the Electrophorus sodium channel and two distinct sodium channel large polypeptides (designated as sodium channels I and II) from rat brain have been elucidated by cloning and sequencing the complementary DNAs. The purified sodium channel preparations from Electrophorus electroplax and from mammalian muscle and brain, when reconstituted into lipid vesicles or planar lipid bilayers, exhibit some functional activities. The successful reconstitution with the Electrophorus preparation would imply that the large polypeptide alone is sufficient to form functional sodium channels. However, studies with the rat brain preparation suggest that the smaller polypeptide of Mr 36,000 is also required for the integrity of the saxitoxin (STX) or tetrodotoxin (TTX) binding site of the sodium channel. Here we report that the messenger RNAs generated by transcription of the cloned cDNAs encoding the rat brain sodium channel large polypeptides, when injected into Xenopus oocytes, can direct the formation of functional sodium channels.

Animals↗

Identity of differentiation inducing factor and tumour necrosis factor.

Human myelogenous leukaemic cells can be induced to differentiate into the monocyte/macrophage pathway by protein inducers called differentiation inducing factors (DIF) in conditioned media of mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood leukocytes. However, human DIF has not yet been well characterized. DIF is known to be a T-cell lymphokine, as it can be obtained from the T-cell line HUT-102 and can be partially purified from medium conditioned by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes. We found that monocytes also produce factor(s) that induce differentiation of human myelogenous leukaemia cell lines to cells with macrophage-like characteristics. This factor(s) has activity different from that of colony-stimulating factor(s) or interferons. We have now purified a DIF to homogeneity from medium conditioned by PHA-stimulated leukocytes using a human myeloblastic leukemia cell line, ML-1, as target cells. The purified DIF has a relative molecular mass (Mr) of approximately 17,000, with an NH2-terminal sequence the same as that of human tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Recombinant human TNF (rHuTNF) induces differentiation of ML-1 cells and an anti-pDIF monoclonal antibody can neutralize both differentiation inducing activity and cytotoxic activity of DIF and rHuTNF. The findings indicate that one of the DIF(s) produced by leukocytes is probably TNF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Case report ganglion cysts of the bilateral cruciate ligaments.

Ganglion cysts originating from the cruciate ligaments have been reported rarely. A 38-year-old woman developed symptoms of knee pain with 10 degrees loss of knee extension. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-demarcated cystic mass surrounding the posterior cruciate ligament so clearly that further examination was not recommended. Because examination under anesthesia confirmed full extension of the knee, we presumed that pain produced by compression caused the diminished extension, and that mechanical block was not the reason. During arthroscopic examination, a mass was impinged between the anterior cruciate ligament and the intercondylar notch when extension of the knee was attempted. The mass was resected and immediate improvement was noted. The patient had experienced the same episode in the contralateral knee and removal of a ganglion cyst on the cruciate ligament 10 years ago. At the latest follow-up she was completely symptom free in both knees without any sign of recurrence.

Adult↗