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Biomedical subjects

M Omata

Publications and source records attributed to M Omata.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The NEDD8 system is essential for cell cycle progression and morphogenetic pathway in mice.

NEDD8/Rub1 is a ubiquitin (Ub)-like molecule that covalently ligates to target proteins through an enzymatic cascade analogous to ubiquitylation. This modifier is known to target all cullin (Cul) family proteins. The latter are essential components of Skp1/Cul-1/F-box protein (SCF)-like Ub ligase complexes, which play critical roles in Ub-mediated proteolysis. To determine the role of the NEDD8 system in mammals, we generated mice deficient in Uba3 gene that encodes a catalytic subunit of NEDD8-activating enzyme. Uba3(-/-) mice died in utero at the periimplantation stage. Mutant embryos showed selective apoptosis of the inner cell mass but not of trophoblastic cells. However, the mutant trophoblastic cells could not enter the S phase of the endoreduplication cycle. This cell cycle arrest was accompanied with aberrant expression of cyclin E and p57(Kip2). These results suggested that the NEDD8 system is essential for both mitotic and the endoreduplicative cell cycle progression. beta-Catenin, a mediator of the Wnt/wingless signaling pathway, which degrades continuously in the cytoplasm through SCF Ub ligase, was also accumulated in the Uba3(-/-) cytoplasm and nucleus. Thus, the NEDD8 system is essential for the regulation of protein degradation pathways involved in cell cycle progression and morphogenesis, possibly through the function of the Cul family proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Distinct mechanism of Helicobacter pylori-mediated NF-kappa B activation between gastric cancer cells and monocytic cells.

NF-kappaB is a critical regulator of genes involved in inflammation. Gastric epithelial cells and macrophages are considered the main sources of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We investigated NF-kappaB activation by Helicobacter pylori in MKN45 gastric epithelial cells and THP-1 monocytic cells. Although, cag pathogenicity island (PAI)-positive H. pylori (wild type) activated NF-kappaB in both cells, isogenic mutant of cagE (DeltacagE) activated it only in THP-1 cells. Supernatant from the wild type culture could activate NF-kappaB in THP-1 cells but not in MKN45 cells. High density cDNA array analysis revealed that mRNA expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes such as interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), and IL-1beta was significantly up-regulated by the wild type in both cells, whereas it was up-regulated by DeltacagE only in THP-1 cells. Experiments using CD14-neutralizing antibody and IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) assay showed that both wild type and DeltacagE H. pylori activated NF-kappaB through CD14 and IRAK in THP-1 cells but not in MKN45 cells. Macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice carrying point mutation in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene showed decreased NF-kappaB activation and TNFalpha secretion compared with C3H/HeN mouse macrophage when treated with H. pylori. In conclusion, H. pylori-induced NF-kappaB activation in epithelial cells is dependent on cag PAI and contact but does not involve CD14 and IRAK, whereas in macrophage/monocytic cells it is independent of cag PAI or contact but involves CD14 and TLR4.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

NEDD8 recruits E2-ubiquitin to SCF E3 ligase.

NEDD8/Rub1 is a ubiquitin (Ub)-like post-translational modifier that is covalently linked to cullin (Cul)-family proteins in a manner analogous to ubiquitylation. NEDD8 is known to enhance the ubiquitylating activity of the SCF complex (composed of Skp1, Cul-1, ROC1 and F-box protein), but the mechanistic role is largely unknown. Using an in vitro reconstituted system, we report here that NEDD8 modification of Cul-1 enhances recruitment of Ub-conjugating enzyme Ubc4 (E2) to the SCF complex (E3). This recruitment requires thioester linkage of Ub to Ubc4. Our findings indicate that the NEDD8-modifying system accelerates the formation of the E2-E3 complex, which stimulates protein polyubiquitylation.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗
PubMed2001

Reduced C-terminal Src kinase activity is correlated inversely with pp60(c-src) activity in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Specific kinase activity of the proto-oncogene product pp60(c-src) is reported to be elevated in patients with carcinoma of the colon, and a novel cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase, C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), has been found to inactivate the members of the Src family protein-tyrosine kinase. In this study, Csk activity and pp60(c-src) activity were examined in colorectal tumors as well as in colon carcinoma cell lines. METHODS: Colorectal carcinoma tissue and adjacent nonneoplastic tissue from 24 patients, from 8 colon carcinoma cell lines, and from 1 normal colon cell line were used. The levels of pp60(c-src) and Csk in colorectal tissue and cell lines were analyzed by Western and/or Northern blot analysis, and their kinase activity levels were measured by in-gel kinase assay. RESULTS: In the samples from 24 patients with colorectal carcinoma, pp60(c-src) kinase activity and protein levels were increased by 7.8 +/- 0.55 and 2.6 +/- 0.13 times the control levels, respectively. Conversely, the Csk protein level and its kinase activity were reduced by 0.53 +/- 0.08 and 0.53 +/- 0.09 times the control levels, respectively. pp60(c-src) kinase activity was correlated inversely with Csk activity (correlation coefficient = -0.71; P < 0.0001). Of the cell lines, pp60(c-src) kinase activity and protein levels, respectively, were 7.4 +/- 1.22 and 1.86 +/- 0.28 times greater than normal control levels. Csk protein level and kinase activity, respectively, were 0.54 +/- 0.13 and 0.52 +/- 0.11 times less normal control levels and were correlated with mRNA amount. CONCLUSIONS: Csk mRNA, protein, and its kinase activity were reduced in colorectal carcinoma and were correlated with pp60(c-src) kinase activity level. The reduced activity of Csk may be involved in the transformation of a subset of colorectal carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Palmitoylation of the canine histamine H2 receptor occurs at Cys(305) and is important for cell surface targeting.

To determine the presence and functional role of the histamine H2 receptor (H2R) palmitoylation, a receptor with a Cys(305) to Ala (A(305) receptor) mutation was generated. Wild-type (WT) and A(305) receptors were tagged at their N-termini with a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope. WT, but not A(305), receptors incorporated [3H]palmitate by metabolic labeling, indicating that the H2R is palmitoylated at Cys(305). Immunocytochemistry of WT and A(305) receptors expressed in COS7 cells revealed WT receptors to be distributed at the plasma membrane, while the majority of A(305) receptors were localized intracellularly with only a small portion being at the plasma membrane. However, the affinity of the A(305) receptor for tiotidine was comparable to that of the WT receptor. In addition, when the amounts of cell surface receptors as determined by anti-HA antibody binding were equivalent, A(305) receptors mediated production of more cAMP than WT receptors. Preincubation of COS7 cells expressing each receptor with 10(-5) M histamine for 30 min reduced subsequent cAMP production in response to histamine via the receptors to similar extents, indicating that palmitoylation is not necessary for desensitization. In addition, cell surface A(305) receptors were capable of being internalized from the cell surface at a rate and extent similar to those of WT receptors. Finally, CHO cell lines stably expressing either WT or A(305) receptors were incubated with 10(-5) M histamine for 1, 6, 12 and 24 h. Total amounts of WT and A(305) receptors, as determined by tiotidine binding, were reduced by incubation, indicating downregulation. Downregulation of the A(305) receptor was more extensive than that of the WT receptor. Thus, palmitoylation of the H2R might be important for targeting to the cell surface and stability.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2001

cDNA microarray analysis of Helicobacter pylori-mediated alteration of gene expression in gastric cancer cells.

Helicobacter pylori infection stimulates several intracellular signaling pathways and is accompanied by increased gene expression in gastric epithelial cells. High-density cDNA microarray was used to characterize the mRNA expression profile of genes in human gastric cancer cells (MKN45, AGS) cocultured with H. pylori. Coculture with cag pathogenicity island (PAI)-positive H. pylori (wild-type) significantly up-regulated mRNA expression in 8 of 2304 genes tested. In 6 (interleukin-8, I(kappaB)alpha, A20, ERF-1, keratin K7, glutathione peroxidase) of the 8 genes, up-regulation was confirmed by RT-PCR. In coculture with isogenic cagE-negative mutant ((Delta)cagE), which encodes a type IV secretion system with other genes in the cag PAI, no significant up-regulation was found. We further analyzed the role of A20. Transfection of expression vector encoding A20 resulted in an inhibition of H. pylori-mediated NF-kappaB activation, indicating that H. pylori-mediated A20 expression could be a negative regulator of NF-kappaB activation. Taken together, these results indicate the importance of microarray technology as a tool for analyzing the complex interplay between H. pylori and the host.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Simple quantitative assay of alpha-fetoprotein mRNA in liver tissue using the real-time detection polymerase chain reaction assay - its application for clinical use.

Alpha-feto protein (AFP) mRNA levels increase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells as compared with non-neoplastic tissue. Therefore, detection of AFP mRNA in blood nuclear cells is useful for the evaluation of treatment efficacy and prognosis of HCC. In this study, simple and reproducible methods were developed to quantify AFP mRNA using the real-time RT-PCR assay (Taq Man assay). By using in vitro synthesized AFP and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) RNA, the sensitivity and dynamic range of the RT-PCR assay were established. AFP mRNA in both HCC and non-neoplastic tissue, as well as in cell lines, were measured using this assay system. The expression of the AFP mRNA level was normalized using the GAPDH house keeping gene product as an endogenous reference. AFP and GAPDH mRNA can be quantified in the range of 10-10(8) copies when using this quantitative assay. Among HCC cell lines, Huh 7 and HepG2 cells, respectively, represented 1.5x10(6) and 6.0x10(5) AFP mRNA/10(6) GAPDH mRNA, in contrast to 6, 23 and 230 AFP mRNA/10(6) GAPDH mRNA for HLE, HLF and PLC/PRF/5 cells, respectively. Other cell lines derived from stomach, pancreas, and colon cancers have 10 AFP mRNA copies/10(6) GAPDH mRNA. In liver tissue from patients with chronic hepatitis, and the non-neoplastic portion of the liver from HCC patients, AFP mRNA distributes from 2.5x10(3) to 5.8x10(4)/10(6) GAPDH transcripts. In contrast, AFP mRNA in tumor cells were more than 100-fold higher than that found in corresponding non-neoplastic portions in two patients who had a high level of AFP in serum. The establishment of the TaqMan quantifying system for AFP mRNA may have important clinical implications.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Target gene therapy for alpha-fetoprotein-producing hepatocellular carcinoma by E1B55k-attenuated adenovirus.

Gene therapy using replication-competent adenovirus that selectively propagates in tumor cells may be an effective treatment for cancer. We developed an adenovirus that would be replication specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on our finding that the E1B55k-deficient adenovirus was able to replicate in human primary hepatocytes, we therefore designed an adenovirus carrying E1A and attenuated E1B gene driven by the alpha-fetoprotein promoter (Adv-AFP-E1AdB), thus restricting the replication specificity in AFP-producing HCC. Replication of Adv-AFP-E1AdB in primary hepatocytes was practically negligible 4 days after infection. Although Adv-AFP-E1AdB replicated slowly in AFP-producing HCC, it efficiently destroyed HCC cells independent of their p53 status. Experiments were conducted in vivo using systemic administration of Adv-AFP-E1AdB and we observed tumor size reduction in nude mice having liver cancer. The use of replication-competent adenovirus deficient of the E1B gene coupled to an AFP-targeting strategy may be a safe and efficacious treatment for HCC.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2001

Hepatitis C virus core protein activates nuclear factor kappa B-dependent signaling through tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, a viral nucleocapsid, has been shown to affect various intracellular events including the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling supposedly associated with inflammatory response, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In order to elucidate the effect of HCV core protein on the NF-kappaB signaling in HeLa and HepG2 cells, a reporter assay was utilized. HCV core protein significantly activated NF-kappaB signaling in a dose-dependent manner not only in HeLa and HepG2 cells transiently transfected with core protein expression plasmid, but also in HeLa cells induced to express core protein under the control of doxycycline. HCV core protein increased the DNA binding affinity of NF-kappaB in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Acetyl salicylic acid, an IKKbeta-specific inhibitor, and dominant negative form of IKKbeta significantly blocked NF-kappaB activation by HCV core protein, suggesting HCV core protein activates the NF-kappaB pathway mainly through IKKbeta. Moreover, the dominant negative forms of TRAF2/6 significantly blocked activation of the pathway by HCV core protein, suggesting HCV core protein mimics proinflammatory cytokine activation of the NF-kappaB pathway through TRAF2/6. In fact, HCV core protein activated interleukin-1beta promoter mainly through NF-kappaB pathway. Therefore, this function of HCV core protein may play an important role in the inflammatory reaction induced by this hepatotropic virus.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2001

Crucial role of type 1, but not type 3, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptors in IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release, capacitative Ca(2+) entry, and proliferation of A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells.

Stimulation of G protein- or tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors regulates cell proliferation through intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) signaling. In A7r5 cells, we confirmed that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) mediates vasopressin (VP)-evoked Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores and showed that types 1 (IP(3)R(1)) and 3 (IP(3)R(3)) IP(3) receptors were expressed. Using antisera selective for IP(3)R(1) or IP(3)R(3) and another that interacted equally well with both subtypes, together with membranes from SF:9 cells expressing only single IP(3)R subtypes to calibrate immunoblotting, we established that A7r5 cells express 81% IP(3)R(1) and 19% IP(3)R(3). To elucidate the contributions of IP(3)R(1) and IP(3)R(3) to Ca(2+) signaling and proliferation, stable clones expressing promoter-inducible antisense cDNA fragments (-90 to +9) corresponding to the two IP(3)R subtypes were selected. Mild inhibition of IP(3)R(1) (71+/-8% of control level) slightly attenuated the IP(3)-evoked Ca(2+) release (IICR) induced by VP but significantly decreased the subsequent capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) and proliferation. Moderate inhibition (34+/-6%) strongly decreased both IICR and CCE and further blocked proliferation. Complete inhibition almost abolished IICR and CCE and arrested proliferation entirely. Complete inhibition of IP(3)R(3) expression slightly attenuated IICR without affecting CCE or proliferation. In cells microinjected with a low dose of heparin, VP-induced CCE was more susceptible than IICR to mild inhibition of both IP(3)R(1) and IP(3)R(3). A high dose of heparin had a similar effect to complete inhibition of IP(3)R(1) expression: it blocked VP-evoked IICR entirely and CCE by 90%. We conclude that IP(3)R(1), but not IP(3)R(3), is crucial for IICR, CCE, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin as a useful predisposing factor for the development of portal venous invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective analysis of 227 patients.

BACKGROUND: Portal venous invasion (PVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important factor affecting prognosis. The objective of this study was to elucidate predisposing factors for the development of PVI. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-seven patients with HCC who did not show PVI and who received percutaneous ethanol injection therapy and/or microwave coagulation therapy at the time of their first hospital admission were enrolled between 1994 and 1996. After their HCC was treated, the patients were followed for a mean of 19 months. For the detection of HCC recurrence and/or development of PVI, ultrasonography was performed every 3 months, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed every 6 months, and the biochemical parameters of the patients were measured every month. PVI was defined as protrusion of the tumor into the first and/or second branch or into the main trunk of the portal vein. RESULTS: Of the 227 patients, 24 (11%) later developed PVI. Tabular analysis was performed on these 24 patients and indicated that tumor size, albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) level differed significantly between the time of initial admission and the time of PVI development. A univariate analysis performed on the 227 patients indicated that an increase in the numbers of tumors, the histologic tumor grade (differentiation), the AFP level, and the DCP level at the time of initial diagnosis of HCC had a significant correlation with the later development of PVI; and a stepwise, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the DCP level was the strongest predisposing factor (P < 0.0010; risk ratio = 5.65) followed by the histologic grade of tumor differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the serum DCP level is the most useful predisposing clinical parameter for the development of PVI.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Transcriptional activation of the cyclin D1 gene is mediated by multiple cis-elements, including SP1 sites and a cAMP-responsive element in vascular endothelial cells.

In an attempt to examine the mechanisms by which transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter is regulated in vascular endothelial cells (EC), we examined the cis-elements in the human cyclin D1 promoter, which are required for transcriptional activation of the gene. The results of luciferase assays showed that transcriptional activity of the cyclin D1 promoter was largely mediated by SP1 sites and a cAMP-responsive element (CRE). DNA binding activity at the SP1 sites, which was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, was significantly increased in the early to mid G(1) phase, whereas DNA binding activity at CRE did not change significantly. Furthermore, Induction of the cyclin D1 promoter activity in the early to mid G(1) phase depended largely on the promoter fragment containing the SP1 sites, whereas the proximal fragment containing CRE but not the SP1 sites was constitutively active. Finally, the increase in DNA binding and promoter activities via the SP1 sites was mediated by the Ras-dependent pathway. The results suggested that the activation of the cyclin D1 gene in vascular ECs was regulated by a dual system; one was inducible in the G(1) phase, and the other was constitutively active.

Activating Transcription Factor 1↗
PubMed2001

Hepatocellular carcinoma depicted as hypoattenuation on CT hepatic arteriography (CTA) and hyperattenuation on CT during arterial portography (CTAP).

We report a 68-year-old man with three nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a cirrhotic liver; the largest nodule was 3.0cm in diameter. The nodules showed hypoattenuation on computed tomography (CT) hepatic arteriography (CTA) and hyperattenuation on CT during arterial portography (CTAP), indicating that the dominant vascularity of the HCC nodules may have been the portal vein. A biopsy specimen obtained from the nodules showed well differentiated HCC (Edmondson-Steiner grade I). The imaging findings of the nodules on both CTA and CTAP are unusual, in spite of the rather large size, so this seemed suggestive of the hemodynamic properties of relatively large nodules of well differentiated HCC.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of full-length hepatitis A virus genome in sera from patients with fulminant and self-limited acute type A hepatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Type A hepatitis still poses a considerable problem worldwide. Why some patients progress to fulminant type A hepatitis and others do not is still unknown. To examine whether genomic differences of hepatitis A virus (HAV) are responsible for the severity of the disease, we analyzed the whole HAV genomes from patients with fulminant and self-limited acute type A hepatitis. METHODS: Sera from three patients with sporadic type A fulminant hepatitis (FH) and three patients with acute hepatitis (AH) were examined for HAV RNA. Full-length nucleotide sequences were determined using long reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods, and direct sequencing. The amino acid sequences were deduced from the nucleotide sequences. RESULTS: HAV RNA was detected in all six patients examined. From the sequence of viral protein 1/2A, all cases were revealed to be genotype IA. By comparing with genotype IA, wild-type HAV strain GBM, the analysis of whole genomes from the six cases showed no specific substitutions between FH and AH. Completely identical nucleotide sequences were observed at 3' non-translated region (NTR) in all six cases. In 5'NTR, less nucleotide substitutions were found in FH than in AH, and in the non-structural protein 2B region, a little more amino acid substitutions seemed to be found in FH than in AH. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that full-length HAV could be analyzed from serum samples. Although there were no unique nucleotide or amino acid substitutions, possible associations were suggested between the severity of type A hepatitis and the nucleotide substitutions in 5'NTR and the amino acid substitutions in 2B.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2001

Power Doppler signals after percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma predict local recurrence of tumors: a prospective study using 199 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was prospectively conducted to elucidate the relationship between pre-/post-treatment power Doppler signals of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and local recurrence. METHODS: One hundred ninety-nine consecutive patients with 359 HCC lesions receiving percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) as a first-line option were enrolled. Arterial power Doppler signals in the tumor were found in 130 nodules, but not detected in 229. After confirmation of complete tumor necrosis on dynamic CT, Doppler signals in nodules were re-evaluated. Patients received periodical examinations to detect HCC recurrence. RESULTS: Local HCC recurrence was observed in 36 lesions; 22%(28/130) of the pretreatment signal positive lesions, in contrast to 3.5% (8/229) of the pretreatment signal negative lesions (P < 0.01). Out of 130 signal positive nodules, signals disappeared in 120 (92%) after PEIT, but were present in ten (8%). During the 25-month follow up, local recurrence was detected in 19 (16%) from the former, in contrast to nine (90%) from the latter (P < 0.001). Uni- and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the presence of pre-/post-treatment power Doppler signals, histological differentiation and tumor number were independent factors for local recurrence. However, 3-year recurrence rate of new lesions was 51%, but no predictors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Residual Doppler signals in tumor after PEIT were related to the local HCC recurrence.

Adult↗