Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

M Tsuneoka

Publications and source records attributed to M Tsuneoka.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Degradation of a nuclear-localized protein in mammalian COS cells, using Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase as a model protein.

To investigate the mechanism of degradation of proteins localized in the nucleus, we constructed genes encoding modified Escherichia coli beta-galactosidases and expressed them in mammalian COS cells. When the beta-galactosidase with a nuclear localization signal from SV 40 T antigen was expressed in COS cells, the beta-galactosidase polypeptide was localized in the nuclei and was stable for at least 4 h. When 16 amino acid residues were deleted from the C-terminal end, the beta-galactosidase polypeptide was also observed in the nuclei but it was degraded rapidly, with a half-life of 1.6 h. When the nuclear localizing signal was replaced with a mutant sequence, which lacks nuclear targeting activity, the beta-galactosidase polypeptides were present throughout the cells rather than in the nuclei. The beta-galactosidase polypeptide with the complete C terminus was stable and the cytoplasmic truncated polypeptide was degraded at the same rate as the nuclear C terminus truncated polypeptide. The beta-galactosidase polypeptides with the complete C terminus were present as a tetramer as reported previously and had beta-galactosidase activity, but the C terminus truncated polypeptides were present as monomer and had no enzyme activity, indicating that C terminus truncated beta-galactosidase is malfolded. Together, the results suggest that a nuclear-localized malfolded protein is degraded as rapidly as a cytoplasmic malfolded protein.

Amino Acid Sequence

The 27-kD diphtheria toxin receptor-associated protein (DRAP27) from vero cells is the monkey homologue of human CD9 antigen: expression of DRAP27 elevates the number of diphtheria toxin receptors on toxin-sensitive cells.

Diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor associates with a 27-kD membrane protein (DRAP27) in monkey Vero cells. A cDNA encoding DRAP27 was isolated, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that DRAP27 is the monkey homologue of human CD9 antigen. DRAP27 is recognized by CD9 antibodies. A human-mouse hybrid cell line (3279-10) possessing human chromosome 5, sensitive to DT, but not expressing CD9 antigen, was used for transfection experiments with DRAP27. When the cloned cDNA encoding DRAP27 was transiently expressed in 3279-10 cells, the total DT binding capacity was three to four times higher than that of untransfected controls. Transfectants stably expressing DRAP27 have an increased number of DT binding sites on the cell surface. Furthermore, the transfectants are 3-25 times more sensitive to DT than untransfected cells, and the sensitivity of these cells to DT is correlated with the number of DRAP27 molecules on the surface. However, when the cloned cDNA was introduced into mouse cell lines that do not express DT receptors, neither an increased DT binding nor enhancement of DT sensitivity was observed. Hence, we conclude that DRAP27 itself does not bind DT, but serves to increase DT binding and consequently enhances DT sensitivity of cells that have DT receptors. 12 proteins related to DRAP27/CD9 antigen were found through homology search analysis. These proteins appear to belong to a new family of transmembrane proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Nonspecific lipid transfer protein (sterol carrier protein-2) defective in patients with deficient peroxisomes.

The biosynthesis and intracellular localization of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) in control human subjects and in patients with peroxisome-deficient disorders were investigated. The molecular mass of human nsLTP was indistinguishable from that of rat nsLTP (13 kDa) by immunoblot analysis. Intracellular localization was identical with that of catalase, a marker enzyme of peroxisomal matrix, by a double immunofluorescence study. The nsLTP was deficient in liver tissues or fibroblasts from patients with peroxisome-deficient disorders such as Zellweger syndrome and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Pulse-chase experiments showed that nsLTP was synthesized as a large precursor in both the control and Zellweger fibroblasts. However, the processing to the 13 kDa mature protein was disturbed and the degradation was rapid in Zellweger fibroblasts. After somatic cell fusion using Zellweger fibroblasts from different genetic groups, the processing was normalized. These results suggest that the biosynthesis and localization of human nsLTP are similar to those of rat nsLTP and that the defect of nsLTP in peroxisome-deficient disorders is a phenomenon secondary to an abnormal transport mechanism of peroxisomal proteins. The defect of nsLTP may play an important role in metabolic disturbances in bile acid synthesis and steroidogenesis in peroxisome-deficient disorders.

Biopsy

Biosynthesis of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (sterol carrier protein 2) on free polyribosomes as a larger precursor in rat liver.

The biosynthesis of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) was investigated. Total RNA of rat liver was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free protein-synthesizing system with [35S]methionine as label. The immunoprecipitation of translation products with affinity-purified anti-nsLTP antibody yielded 14.5- and 60-kDa [35S]polypeptides. The molecular mass of the former polypeptide was approximately 1.5 kDa larger than that of the purified mature nsLTP (13 kDa). The site of synthesis of nsLTP was studied by in vitro translation of free and membrane-bound polyribosomal RNAs followed by immunoprecipitation. mRNA for both the 14.5- and 60-kDa polypeptides were found predominantly in the free polyribosomal fraction in both normal and clofibrate-treated rats. Clofibrate, a hypolipidemic drug that proliferates peroxisomes, did not increase the relative amount of nsLTP mRNA in rat liver. Pulse-chase experiments in rat hepatoma H-35 cells suggested that nsLTP was synthesized as a larger precursor of 14.5 kDa and converted to a mature form of 13 kDa. We have recently shown that nsLTP is highly concentrated in peroxisomes in rat hepatocytes [Tsuneoka et al. (1988) J. Biochem. 104, 560-564]. Taken together, these results suggest that nsLTP is synthesized as a larger precursor of 14.5 kDa on cytoplasmic free polyribosomes, then post-translationally transported to peroxisomes, where the precursor is presumably proteolytically processed to its mature form of 13 kDa. The relationship between the 13-kDa nsLTP and the 60-kDa polypeptide is also discussed.

Animals

Nonspecific lipid transfer protein (sterol carrier protein-2) is located in rat liver peroxisomes.

Intracellular localization of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) in rat hepatocytes was investigated by immunoblot analysis of the subcellular fractions and immunoelectron microscopy, using affinity-purified antibody against nsLTP. Immunoblot analysis showed that the protein exists in the peroxisomal and cytosolic fractions. Further study indicated that nsLTP exists in the soluble subfraction of the peroxisomes. Immunoelectron microscopic observation revealed that nsLTP is highly concentrated in the matrices of the peroxisomes. From these results, we concluded that nsLTP mainly exists in the matrix of the peroxisomes. The role of nsLTP is discussed.

Animals

Monoclonal antibody against non-histone chromosomal protein high mobility group 1 Co-migrates with high mobility group 1 into the nucleus.

Non-histone chromosomal protein high mobility group 1 (HMG-1) rapidly migrates into the nucleus when injected into the cytoplasm of bovine fibroblasts and HeLa cells by red cell-mediated microinjection (Rechsteiner, M., and Kuehl, L. (1979) Cell 16, 901-908). We isolated hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against HMG-1. One of these monoclonal antibodies, FR-1, inhibited in vitro binding of 125I-HMG-1 to chromatin isolated from FL cells. When 125I-HMG-1 was co-introduced with antibody FR-1 by red cell-mediated microinjection, antibody FR-1 did not prevent the accumulation of 125I-HMG-1 in the nucleus. When 125I-antibody FR-1 or fluorescein isothiocyanate antibody FR-1 was introduced into the cytoplasm of FL cells, most of the antibody did not accumulate in the nucleus. But when 125I- or fluorescein isothiocyanate antibody FR-1 was co-introduced with HMG-1 into the cytoplasm of FL cells, it did migrate into the nucleus.

Animals

I-protein is localized at the junctional region of A-bands and I-bands of chicken fresh myofibrils.

FITC-labeled antibodies raised against chicken myofibrillar I-protein stained chicken myofibrils, which were fixed with formalin immediately after being cut from the sacrificed chicken breast muscle, at the junctional region of A-bands and I-bands. On the other hand, the antibodies stained the glycerinated myofibrils at the region around Z-bands. Aged glycerinated myofibrils stored in a cold room became stained with the same antibodies at the M-line and the A-band region except for the H-zone and the Z-band. I-Protein, which was originally localized at the A-I junctions, moved to the region around Z-bands and A-bands during the process of preparing myofibrils, paralleling the deterioration of myofibrils. Although I-protein is easily released from its original position, it is not a cytoplasmic protein of muscle but an intrinsic myofibrillar component, because immunoblotting tests showed that I-protein is contained in the myofibrillar fraction and not in the muscular cytoplasmic fraction.

Animals

Determination of left ventricular volumes with use of DSA density values.

A computer program was developed to obtain left ventricular volumes from the density values of DSA. The highest density value along the horizontal pixel line over the left ventricle in 30 degrees RAO was considered to correspond to the greatest width on the same level of 60 degrees LAO. The left ventricular volume was obtained by converting the density values into the width and integrating these values. This method estimated experimental balloon volumes with considerable accuracy. Clinical evaluation revealed good correlation between DSA and conventional cine left ventriculography.

Angiography

Digital TV tomography: description and physical assessment.

A digital TV tomography system, capable of retrospective reconstruction of multiple digital tomographic images, has been developed and its basic physical characteristics have been evaluated. The multiple tomographic images were formed through retrospective reconstruction of digital data acquired on a linear tomographic x-ray unit and an image intensifier-television system. Digital data were obtained with a series of 30 pulsed exposures during linear motion of the system. A distortion correction algorithm for the convex surface of the image intensifier was developed in order to reduce image distortion. A phantom study showed that the square-wave response at the fulcrum plane was slightly inferior to that in conventional tomography. There was also a slight decrease in the square-wave response away from the fulcrum plane and upon application of a correction algorithm, as compared with the response of the original reconstructed image at the fulcrum plane. The exposure dose for a single image was approximately half that in conventional tomography. Because of many advantages, including low exposure, short examination time, digital image manipulation, and applicability to picture archiving and communication systems, this is likely to become an important method in radiology when further technical refinements have been made.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction

Clinical evaluation of digital TV tomography.

A unit for digital TV tomography (DTT) was constructed on the basis of retrospective reconstruction of digital data acquired during a linear tomographic motion of an X-ray tube and an image intensifier with a television camera (I.I.-TV) assembly. Following descriptions of the basic principle and system, clinical results obtained with this unit are presented. Comparison with conventional tomography of the chest, skull, abdomen, and bones and joints showed equal diagnostic information in more than 50% of cases. Application to intra-arterial and intravenous DSA provided excellent images, but no new information was obtained. DTT has the advantages of technical simplicity, short examination time, low exposure dose, and compatibility with a PACS system. This technique will become an important part of a modern radiology department.

Aged