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Biomedical subjects

M Sekiguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Sekiguchi.

At least 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

Pathways for repair of DNA damaged by alkylating agent in Escherichia coli.

A strain with both the polA12 and the alk-1 mutation is only slightly more sensitive to methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) than isogenic strains with only one of the mutations. On the other hand, alk-1 recA1 double mutant is much more sensitive to MMS than are strains carrying either one of alk or recA mutation. It was suggested that the alk and the polA gene products are involved in the same DNA repair process whereas the recA function is independent from the process. The yield of MMS-induced mutation (Arg- (argE) to Arg+ reversion) in alk mutant is considerably higher than that in wild type strain. Thus, the repair process in which the alk gene product is involved is relatively accurate. When MMS-treated lambda phages were plated on MMS-treated bacteria, there were considerable increases in survival of treated phage even in recA alk double mutant. It seems that a new repair pathway, which is specific for alkylating agent-induced damages and is not dependent on the RecA function, may be induced on exposure of bacteria to the alkylating agent.

DNA Repair↗

Introduction of an active enzyme into permeable cells of Escherichia coli: acquisition of ultraviolet light resistance by uvr mutants on introduction of T4 endonuclease V.

Plasmolysed cells of Escherichia coli N212 (uvr A recA) acquired ultraviolet resistance when the cells were exposed to high concentrations of T4 endonuclease V. With increasing concentrations of T4 enzyme, survivals of plasmolysed cells after ultraviolet irradiation increased while colony-forming ability of unirradiated plasmolysed cells was not significantly affected by the enzyme treatment. Under appropriate conditions more than 200 fold increase in survivals was observed. When plasmolysed cells were treated with a pre-heated enzyme preparation or enzyme fractions derived from T4v1 (endonuclease V-deficient mutant)-infected cells, only little or no reactivation took place. Permeabilization of cells prior to the enzyme treatment was essential for the effective reactivation. Treatment of intact cells with the T4 enzyme did not cause any reactivation. Cells treated with 20 mM EGTA or 50 mM CaCl2 in cold were reactivated to certain extents by the enzyme, but the extents of the reactivation were far less compared to those of plasmolysed cells. Plasmolysed cells of strains carrying a mutation in one of uvrA, uvrB and uvrC genes were reactivated by introduction of T4 endonuclease V, as was the uvrA recA double mutant. UvrD mutants were also reactivated, but rather slightly. However, wild type strain as well as strains having a mutation in recA or polA gene were not reactivated. From these results it was suggested that T4 endonuclease V, taken up into permeable cells, can function in vivo to replace defective functions, which are controlled by the uvr genes. The conditions established in the present study may be used for introduction of other proteins into viable bacterial cells.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

Effect of dna mutations on the replication of plasmid pSC101 in Escherichia coli K-12.

Escherichia coli strains with mutations in genes dnaB, dnaC, and dnaG were tested for their capacity to replicate pSC101 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at a nonpermissive temperature. Only a small amount of radioactive thymine was incorporated into pSC101 DNA in the dna mutants at 42 degrees C, whereas active incorporation into plasmid DNA took place in wild-type strains under the same conditions. The effects of the dnaB and dnaC mutations were greater on plasmid DNA synthesis than on host chromosomal DNA synthesis, suggesting that these gene products are directly involved in the process of pSC101 DNA replication. In dnaG mutants, both plasmid and chromosomal DNA synthesis were blocked soon after the shift to high temperature; although the extent of inhibition of the plasmid DNA synthesis was greater during the early period of temperature shift to 42 degrees C as compared with that of the host DNA synthesis, during the later period it was less. It was found that the number of copies of pSC101 per chromosome in dnaA and dnaC strains, grown at 30 degrees C, was considerably lower than that in wildtype strains, suggesting that the replication of pSC101 in these mutant strains was partially suppressed even under the permissive conditions. No correlation was found between the number of plasmid copies and the tetracycline resistance level of the host bacterium.

Chromosomes, Bacterial↗

Recombination of bacteriophage phi X174 by the red function of bacteriophage lambda.

Recombination of bacteriophage phi X174 was effectively promoted when the Red function of lambda was supplied by either co-infection with lambda or induction of lambda lysogens. Mutations in red alpha and red beta genes of lambda abolished recombination nearly completely, whereas a mutation in gam gene reduced it only slightly. The Red-promoted recombination of phi X174 occurred in recA, recB, and polA mutants as well as in wild-type strains of Escherichia coli. It was further stimulated when phi X174 mutants were irradiated with UV light before infection.

Coliphages↗

Establishment and characterization of a human neuroblastoma cell line in tissue culture.

A new continuous cell line, GOTO, has been established in tissue culture from a human neuroblastoma arising from the adrenal and maintained for 5 years. The cells are small and fibroblast-like, and grow in dense layer. Population doubling time was approximately 48 hr. The modal chromosome number was near-diploid. Neither marker chromosomes nor double-minute chromosomes were abserved. Inoculum of 10(7) cells produced tumors in ATS-treated hamsters and athymic nude mice, and the histological appearance of tumors was consistent with undifferentiated neuroblastoma. Neural features of the cells were also confirmed by ultrastructural examination. Biochemical analysis showed this cell line to be cholinergic. Morphological differentiation leading to neurite formation was induced by cultivation in serum-free medium.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

An ascites form of human mammary carcinoma transplantable in nude mice.

Mammary carcinoma cells from pleural effusion of a patient were inoculated into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice, and a large amount of ascites was produced about 120 days later. From the ascites, serial passages in the same form were successful in nude mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10(7) or more cells. The ascites cells retained the morphology almost similar to that of the patient tumor cells, whereas specific estrogen-binding proteins in the cytoplasm disappeared after growing in male nude mice. The results were compared with those of other established human cancer cell lines in nude mice.

Animals↗

A new conditional lethal mutator (dnaQ49) in Escherichia coli K12.

A conditional lethal mutator, dnaQ49, was found in Escherichia coli K12. The dnaQ49 mutation caused stimulation of rifampicin-, nalidixic acid- and streptomycin-resistant mutation frequencies 100 to 2000 fold at 30 degrees C and the frequencies were further increased 50 to 100 fold at 35 degrees C or higher temperatures. Cells carrying dnaQ49 were unable to grow in salt-free L-broth at 44.5 degrees C, and DNA synthesis but not protein synthesis of the cells was suppressed under the restrictive conditions. The dnaQ gene was located at about 5 min on the E. coli linkage map and the order of the genes residing in this region was determined to be ton A-dnaE-metD-dnaQ-pro A.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Relationship between myocardial infarction and preinfarction angina: a histopathological study of coronary arteries in two sudden death cases employing serial section.

Two patients who had previously experienced old myocardial infarction and who died suddenly after an attack of chest pain were examined and discussed. In both cases two of the three main coronary arteries showed severe stenosis with canalization. Ruptured atheromatous plaque was found in the unblocked coronary artery. Fibrin was already formed and surrounded the fractured intimal collagen fiber, foam cells, and cholesterin clefts, but a luminal thrombi had not yet been formed. Fresh occluding thrombi were formed at the site of the ruptured atheromatous plaque. Coronary thrombi containing abscess components such as foam cells, cholesterin clefts, and the fractured intimal collagen fiber were found in our preliminary study. These views support the supposition that this fracture between the lumen and the plaque might precede and be responsible for the formation of the thrombus and the onset of acute myocardial infarction. It was confirmed that the attack of preinfarction angina occurred at the time of the rupture of the atheromatous plaque. The rupture of the atheromatous plaque plays an important part as an initiating factor of peinfarction angina and myocardial infarction. Thus, it is necessary to examine coronary arteries by serial histopathological section method.

Aged↗