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Biomedical subjects

M Tatibana

Publications and source records attributed to M Tatibana.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Expression of rat phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase subunits I and II in Escherichia coli. Isolation and characterization of the recombinant isoforms.

The 34-kDa subunit of rat liver phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase is a mixture of the two highly homologous isoforms, PRS I and PRS II. Heretofore, it was not possible to separate the two. We now describe isolation and characterization of the recombinant isoforms, named rPRS I and rPRS II. The respective rat cDNAs were inserted into vectors constructed from pKK233-2 by replacing its replication origin with that of pGEM-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The rPRS I and rPRS II were purified to apparent homogeneity with specific activities of 33,400 and 46,200 milliunits/mg, respectively; these values were at least 2.5-fold higher than the highest value for the mammalian enzyme so far reported. Both isoforms showed a similar dependency on Pi as an absolute activator. Sulfate partially substituted for Pi. The maximal activities of rPRS I and rPRS II with sulfate were 43 and 7%, respectively, of those seen with Pi. The two isoforms differed in sensitivity to inhibition by ADP and GDP. Inhibition of rPRS I and rPRS II by 0.3 mM ADP was 87 and 54%, respectively, and inhibition by 1 mM GDP was 93 and 24%, respectively. rPRS II was 180-fold more sensitive than rPRS I to heat inactivation at 49 degrees C.

Animals↗

Depression of liver-specific gene expression in regenerating rat liver: a putative cause for liver dysfunction after hepatectomy.

We carried out studies on the expression of liver-specific genes during regeneration of the liver and searched for changes in the expression of oncogenes and housekeeping genes. Albumin and ornithine transcarbamylase genes were the liver-specific genes examined by Northern blot analysis, using total RNAs isolated from residual livers of Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to a 68% partial hepatectomy. The mRNA levels of both genes began to decrease 8 hr after hepatectomy, both reaching the lowest levels at 24 hr, and then recovered to some extent at 48 hr. In contrast, these levels in the housekeeping and growth-related genes were augmented during this period. This would suggest that there is a selective expression of growth-related and housekeeping genes, in preference to liver-specific genes during liver regeneration. The expression of these genes in the regenerating liver was simulated in primary cultured hepatocytes during the dedifferentiation processes. It would appear that the first step in regeneration of the residual liver is dedifferentiation, in which the depression of liver-specific genes may be linked to liver dysfunction following hepatectomy.

Animals↗

Mitogen-induced early increase in cytosolic free Mg2+ concentration in single Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.

Events related to the early mobilization of Mg2+ in mammalian cells in response to external stimuli are not well characterized. We examined changes in cytoplasmic free Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]i) after mitogenic stimulation in single mouse Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, using digital ratio imaging microscopy of the fluorescent probe mag-fura-2. Stimulation with bombesin or epidermal growth factor (EGF) in combination with insulin led to a significant increase in mean [Mg2+]i levels from basal 0.22 mM to 0.29-0.35 mM after 30-60 min. The response showed some heterogeneity among individual cells with respect to the extent of the increase; approximately 10% of the cells showed no [Mg2+]i response. Bombesin or EGF alone induced a significant increase in [Mg2+]i but was less effective than when combined with insulin. In medium without added Mg2+, the increase in [Mg2+]i was considerably decreased, either with bombesin plus insulin or EGF plus insulin. These results provide direct evidence for the mobilization of Mg2+ as an early cellular response to growth factors.

3T3 Cells↗

Complete nucleotide sequence of human phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase subunit I (PRS I) cDNA and a comparison with human and rat PRPS gene families.

cDNA clones for human phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase subunit I (PRS I) were isolated from a glioblastoma cell line MGC 1 cDNA library. The longest clone contained 2,075 base pairs (bp) almost covering the 2.3-kb mRNA and the base sequence of the coding region (954 bp) had a 92.0% sequence homology with that of rat PRS I cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequences were identical between human and rat PRS I. This perfect conservation has heretofore not been reported for other enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism and glycolysis. A comparison with other isoforms of this enzyme, PRS II and PRS III, showed that the human PRS I was 79.9 and 92.2% homologous in the coding sequence and 95.3 and 94.0% in the deduced amino acid sequence to human PRS II and PRS III, respectively. The high value of the synonymous difference between PRS I and PRS II cDNAs places their time of divergence long before that of the radiation of mammals. Based on the evolutionary rate of amino acid substitution, the PRS I and II genes probably diverged about 760 million years ago.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A human testis-specific mRNA for phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase that initiates from a non-AUG codon.

Two highly homologous subunits for phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase are encoded by human X-linked genes, PRPS1 and PRPS2 (Taira, M., Kudoh, J., Minoshima, S., Iizasa, T., Shimada, H., Shimizu, Y., Tatibana, M., and Shimizu, N. (1989b) Somat. Cell Mol. Genet. 15, 29-37). These genes are expressed in most tissues, whereas an additional unique mRNA (1.4 kilobases) is present in the testes of rats as well as mice and humans (Taira, M., Iizasa, T., Yamada, K., Shimada, H., and Tatibana, M. (1989a) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1007, 203-208). In this paper, cDNA cloning revealed that the human testis-specific mRNA was encoded by an autosomal gene, termed PRPS3. RNA blot analysis showed that the expression of this gene began at 4 weeks of age in rats, coinciding with the reported appearance of primary spermatocytes. A cDNA clone of PRPS3 was sequenced and found to encode a predicted product of 317 amino acids which was highly homologous to those of PRPS1 and PRPS2 (94.3% and 91.2% identities, respectively). However, the PRPS3 cDNAs lacked an ATG initiator for translation at the expected position, and instead contained an ACG triplet. In vitro transcription/translation studies, combined with in vitro site-directed mutagenesis experiments, suggested that the ACG codon at this position did serve as a start codon. Analysis of amino-terminal sequence of the radiolabeled PRPS3 product, prepared by in vitro translation, supported the predicted sequence starting with Pro-1, and, in addition, this product was labeled with N-formyl[35S]methionyl-tRNAi. These results suggested that the synthesis of the nascent polypeptide could initiate with methionine at the position corresponding to the ACG codon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective activation of testis-specific genes in cultured rat spermatogenic cells.

During mammalian spermatogenesis the isozyme pattern of a glycolytic enzyme, phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK; ATP: 3-phospho-D-glycerate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.2.3), changes from the somatic-type PGK-1 to the testis-specific PGK-2, and this change has been suggested to involve transcription switch. We have isolated genomic DNA fragments which code for the mouse PGK isozymes and determined the transcription start site of each gene. The results demonstrate that transcriptions of the two PGK genes are initiated at multiple sites under the control of TATA box-lacking promoters. The putative promoter regions of the two genes contain several distinct sequences known as the CCAAT box and the GC box which possibly bind CCAAT-binding proteins and Sp1, respectively. We next developed a culture system in which spermatogenic gene expression is partly reproduced. When spermatogenic cells of 20-day-old rats were cultured, transcripts from PGK-2 and another spermatogenic gene PRPS3 became detectable, while expression of other non-spermatogenic genes did not significantly change during culture. These results suggest that two spermatogenic genes PGK-2 and PRPS3 were activated in culture according to a developmental program of spermatogenesis. Thus, this culture system may be useful for studying the molecular mechanism underlying mammalian spermatogenic gene expression.

Animals↗

Insulin-resistant diabetes associated with partial deletion of insulin-receptor gene.

The insulin-receptor genes from a 16-year-old girl with type A insulin resistance, who presented with fasting hyperinsulinaemia, acanthosis nigricans, and reduced insulin binding, and from her family were examined. One allele of her insulin-receptor gene inherited from her mother contained a 1.2 kb deletion arising from a recombination between two Alu elements. The deletion removed the 14th exon in the beta subunit and altered the reading frame, to produce a stop codon after aminoacid 867. Pedigree analysis indicated that this mutation alone will not cause diabetes, and the proband is possibly a compound heterozygote. 4 other members of her family were heterozygous for the same mutation; all 4 had a decrease in insulin binding and slight impairment of glucose tolerance. Perhaps the same mutation is an underlying feature of some cases of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗

Structure of the rat PRPS1 gene encoding phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase subunit I.

Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PP-Rib-P) synthetase (EC 2.7.6.1) subunit I gene (PRPS1) is constitutively expressed in various tissues (Taira, M., Iizasa, T., Yamada, K., Shimada, H., and Tatibana, M. (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1007, 203-208). We report here the exon-intron organization and the transcription promoter sequence of rat PRPS1 gene. This gene has 22 kilobases and is split into 7 exons ranging in size from 99 to 251 base pairs (bp), except for exon 7 (1008 bp). A putative PP-Rib-P binding site is encoded in exon 5. The exon-intron boundaries are similar to the consensus sequences for mammalian introns. S1 nuclease and primer extension assays with the use of RNA from rat Yoshida ascites sarcoma cells led to the identification of four possible transcription start points closely spaced between 126 and 129 bp from the ATG initiation codon. In the upstream region from the transcriptional start sites, we observed a TATA-like sequence (TAATTTAAT) at nucleotides -28, a CCAAT element (AGCCAATC) at nucleotides -80, and three GC boxes (putative Sp1-binding sites) at nucleotides -103, -43, and -10. A comparison of the promoter region for PRPS1 with those of other housekeeping genes revealed a homology resembling that of the beta-actin gene.

Actins↗

An improved method for determination of N-acetyl-L-glutamate by its function as an activator of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I.

N-Acetyl-L-glutamate has been examined with regard to its ability to activate carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (EC 6.3.4.16). Substance(s) inhibitory to carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, present even in the partially purified preparation of rat liver extracts, interfered with the measurement of acetylglutamate. In the experiments using chelating agents, metals were apparently involved in this inhibition. When the partially purified preparation of liver extract was placed on a Chelex 100 column, the inhibitor was eliminated and accurate measurements of acetylglutamate content could be made. Evidence supporting the validity of this improved method is given. A significant difference was observed between acetylglutamate levels determined by the present method and by the one using aminoacylase I (N-acylamino acid amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.14) to hydrolyze acetylglutamate followed by assay of the glutamate generated. We searched for the presence of glutamate derivatives other than acetylglutamate. When impure tissue preparations containing acetylglutamate were treated with a commercial preparation of aminoacylase, there was an excess amount of glutamate apparently derived from compounds other than acetylglutamate. This can lead to an overestimation of the tissue levels of acetylglutamate.

Animals↗

Elevation of c-myc transcript level in human liver during surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: possible cause for underestimation of c-myc gene activation in the tumor.

It has been a matter of controversy as to whether c-myc gene expression is activated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We observed that the c-myc mRNA level in HCC was similar to that of the adjacent non-cancerous portion, as determined in freshly obtained specimens after a partial liver resection. However, the c-myc transcript was at a low level in non-cancerous tissue which was biopsied prior to surgery, whereas it was still at a high level in HCC obtained without performing hepatectomy. These results suggest that the high transcript level observed in the non-cancerous tissue from the excised liver relates to liver resection itself, and that the c-myc gene expression is enhanced in the HCC.

Blotting, Northern↗

Expression of c-myc oncogene in colorectal polyps as a biological marker for monitoring malignant potential.

The expression of oncogenes (c-myc, c-fos, c-Ki-ras, c-Ha-ras, and p53) was examined by Northern blot analysis using freshly isolated human colorectal and gastric cancers and noncancerous portions as the controls. Remarkably high levels of c-myc expression were found in colorectal cancers (eight of 11), but not in gastric cancers. High levels of c-myc expression were also detected in colorectal polyps and in metastatic liver tumors. In colorectal polyps, the transcript levels significantly correlated with the histologic malignancy and the size. In contrast, neither c-fos nor c-Ki-ras was overexpressed in colorectal and gastric cancers, and transcripts of c-Ha-ras and p53 were not evident in any tissue examined. In light of these observations the c-myc expression may be specifically associated with the evolution of colorectal cancer as well as progression and maintenance stages, hence may prove to be a useful marker to evaluate the malignant potential of colorectal polyps.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Human diabetes associated with a deletion of the tyrosine kinase domain of the insulin receptor.

The insulin receptor has an intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity that is essential for signal transduction. A mutant insulin receptor gene lacking almost the entire kinase domain has been identified in an individual with type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Insulin binding to the erythrocytes or cultured fibroblasts from this individual was normal. However receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity toward an exogenous substrate were reduced in partially purified insulin receptors from the proband's lymphocytes that had been transformed by Epstein-Barr virus. The insulin resistance associated with this mutated gene was inherited by the proband from her mother as an apparently autosomal dominant trait. Thus a deletion in one allele of the insulin receptor gene may be at least partly responsible for some instances of insulin-resistant diabetes.

Adolescent↗

Tissue-differential expression of two distinct genes for phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase and existence of the testis-specific transcript.

Cloning of cDNA coding for rat phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PPRibP) synthetase (EC 2.7.6.1) revealed two distinct types of subunit, referred to as PRS I and PRS II (Taira et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 14867-14870). Tissue-specific expression of PRS I and PRS II genes (designated PRPS1 and PRPS2, respectively), was shown for 16 rat organs, using Northern blot analysis. The 2.3 kb PRPS1 mRNA level was high in the brain and adrenal gland, whereas the 3.7 kb PRPS2 mRNA level prevailed in the lung and spleen. Both genes were highly expressed in the thymus, adipose tissue and testis. In other mammals (mouse, calf and human), these two types of mRNA were also detected in various tissues and cell lines. Thus, the expression of each gene is regulated in a tissue-specific manner and there may be functional differences between catalytic and/or regulatory properties of subunits PRS I and II of this enzyme. In the testis, an additional PRPS1-related transcript of 1.4 kb was noted in rats, mice and humans. This transcript may belong to a group of testis-specific gene expressions or functions.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and sequencing of human cDNA for phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase subunit II.

cDNA clones for human phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase subunit II (PRS II) were isolated. The five overlapping clones contained 2457 base pairs (bp) covering a 954-bp complete coding region for 318 amino acid residues. Homologies between human and rat PRS II were 99% of the amino acids and 88% of the nucleotides in the coding region. This amino acid homology seems to be the highest so far reported for enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism and glycolysis. The highly conserved structure may be required for unique catalysis and rigid regulation of this enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗