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Biomedical subjects

M Yazawa

Publications and source records attributed to M Yazawa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Apolipophorin III in locusts: purification and characterization.

Three molecular species of apolipophorin III were purified from adult locust hemolymph by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, and named apo-III-a, apo-III-b, and apo-III-c, respectively. They were indistinguishable by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunodiffusion, and in amino acid composition; however, they had different isoelectric points (5.43 for a, 5.11 for b, and 4.98 for c) and, therefore, could be separated by native- or urea-gel electrophoresis. All three apo-IIIs were glycoproteins and contained fucose, mannose, and glucosamine. The total sugar content amounted to about 11% for each of the three apo-IIIs. The molecular weight of apo-III determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was approximately 20,000, almost equivalent to the native molecular weight (approximately 19,000) estimated by the sedimentation-equilibrium method. This indicated that the locust apo-III exists in hemolymph as a monomeric form. It was demonstrated that a total 9 moles of apo-III (2 moles apo-III-a, 6 moles apo-III-b, and 1 mole apo-III-c) associate with each mole of lipophorin in response to the action of locust adipokinetic hormone.

Amino Acids↗

Ultrasonic aid in transvenous instrumental dilatation for patients with membranous stenosis of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava.

We report two cases of a membranous stenosis of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava. Membranotomy was performed with a specially designed instrument similar to a Tubbs' dilator following balloon membranotomy. During the procedures, ultrasonographic observations were made and this technique was confirmed to be effective for proper placing of a balloon and a dilator in the stenotic portion. Follow-up evaluation of the procedures was also feasible with this ultrasonic aid.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Phosphorylation of regulatory light chain a (RLC-a) in smooth muscle myosin of scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis.

One of the two regulatory light chains, RLC-a, of scallop smooth muscle myosin was fully phosphorylated by myosin light chain kinase of chicken gizzard muscle. The residue phosphorylated was Ser. It may be the Ser at number 11 from the N-terminal. The sequence of 9 residues around the Ser-11, QRATSNVFA, is identical with that around the phosphorylatable Ser of LC20 of chicken gizzard myosin. RLC-a was also phosphorylated slowly by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The phosphorylation of RLC-a may be involved in the regulatory system for the catch contraction of scallop muscle.

Animals↗

Amino acid sequence of calmodulin from wheat germ.

The complete amino acid sequence of calmodulin from wheat germ was determined by isolating and sequencing the cyanogen bromide and tryptic peptides. The protein consisted of 149 amino acid residues and its amino(N)-terminus was blocked with an acetyl group. Wheat germ calmodulin lacked tryptophan and contained 1 mol each of histidine, tyrosine, cysteine, and N epsilon-trimethyllysine residues per mol of the protein. A comparison of its amino acid sequence with that of bovine brain calmodulin indicated that there were eleven amino acid subsitutions other than amide assignments, two insertions and one deletion of amino acid residues in wheat germ calmodulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Contractile reserve of valvular heart diseases echocardiographically evaluated by epinephrine loading before and after cardiac surgery.

In order to evaluate cardiac contractile reserve, echocardiographic studies were performed on 59 patients with acquired valvular heart disease and 13 patients with atrial septal defect. After epinephrine loading, the 59 patients were classified into three groups. In group I, echocardiographically-obtained left ventricular posterior wall excursion (PWE) remained below 10 mm after the administration of 2 microgram/min epinephrine. This group included patients with PWE below 10 mm after 1 microgram/min epinephrine loading but who could not endure the 2 microgram/min infusion because of significant adverse effects. In group II, PWE was less than 10 mm before the loading, but exceeded 10 mm after the administration of 1 or 2 microgram/min epinephrine loading. In group III, PWE exceeded 10 mm without stress. The conclusions derived from our data are as follows: The PWE and mean left ventricular posterior wall velocity (mPWV) obtained by echocardiography reflect the stroke volume derived from the thermodilution technique. It is possible to estimate the cardiac contractile force in patients who have a paradoxical motion of the interventricular septum, in the preoperative and even in the early postoperative periods. Patients whose PWE and mPWV are less than 10 mm and 35 mm/sec, respectively, after 2 microgram/min loading of epinephrine (group I), are likely to have severe cardiac failure after surgery. Inotropic stimulation is considered to be a very useful indicator for prediction of cardiac contractile reserve. Patients having decreased PWE, mPWV, mVcf and EF before surgery may have arrested recovery in both short- or long-term follow-up. However, surgical treatment is recommended for these patients with low cardiac function, because some improvement can be expected after surgery.

Adult↗

N-terminal region (domain 1) of calmodulin is the low affinity site for Ca2+. A 13C NMR study of S-cyanocalmodulin.

A single cysteine residue (Cys-27) of wheat calmodulin was labeled with 13C by cyanylation. No change in the Ca2+ saturation pattern was observed after the cyanylation. On titration which Ca2+, the chemical shift of the 13C-label showed a downfield shift. The downfield shift was observed at Ca2+/calmodulin molar ratios between 1.8 and 3.5, while a blue shift of the UV absorption of Tyr-139 was observed between 0 and 1.7. The result indicated the domain 1 containing Cys-27 to be the low affinity site for Ca2+.

Amino Acids↗

Properties of calcium-dependent regulatory proteins from fungi and yeast.

Calmodulins were isolated from vegetative mycelia of Basidiomycetes fungi, Agaricus campestris and Coprinus lagopus. These calmodulins showed similar mobilities to those of animal calmodulins on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of Ca2+. The molecular weights of both calmodulins were determined to be 16,000. Agaricus calmodulin consisted of 148 amino acids including epsilon-N-trimethyllysine and cysteine. The UV-absorption spectrum showed the relatively high content of phenylalanine in Basidiomycetes calmodulins. The difference UV-absorption spectrum due to the blue shift by Ca2+ was observed. Both calmodulins activated muscle myosin light chain kinase and pea NAD+ kinase in a Ca2+-dependent manner, and the activities were inhibited by trifluoperazine or chlorpromazine. A calmodulin-like protein was partially purified from baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, detection of a calmodulin-like protein in prokaryotes was not successful.

Agaricales↗

Successful surgical repair of left ventricular rupture after acute myocardial infarction.

A 61-year-old man with impending myocardial infarction was admitted and treated by percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization (PTCR) therapy using Urokinase. Patient's symptoms subsided and his general condition maintained stable until the fifth hospital day, when he developed the signs of cardiac rupture. He was operated upon immediately, and the left ventricular rupture was confirmed and repaired successfully. Patient recovered from the surgery well. This report describes the rare successful surgical case of cardiac rupture secondary to acute myocardial infarction in Japan.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on calmodulin: spectral assignments in the calcium-free state.

The 400-MHz proton magnetic resonance spectra of calcium-free scallop testis calmodulin (CaM) and pig brain CaM were observed. Detailed spectral assignments were made by resolution enhancement, spin decoupling, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) experiments as well as pH titration. Comparison between spectra of scallop testis CaM and pig brain CaM were also utilized for the assignment. Previous assignments for tyrosine-99, histidine-107, epsilon-trimethyllysine-115, and tyrosine-138 [Seamon, K. B. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 207; Krebs, J., & Carafoli, E. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 124, 619] were confirmed. Phenylalanine-99 and threonine-143 of scallop testis CaM were identified. Sixteen methyl resonances from one isoleucine, two valines, nine methionines, and the amino-terminal acetyl group were identified. First-stage assignments were made of resonances arising from seven phenylalanines. The uniquely high field shifted phenylalanine resonance previously reported by Seamon was found to consist of two doublets from the two pairs of delta protons of two phenylalanines. The NOE experiments showed that the two phenylalanines are located closely to each other. The large high-field shifts of these phenylalanines were accounted for the ring-current effects due to their proximity. An isoleucine and a valine of which methyl resonances appear at high fields were found to be situated closely to each other. It was found that two delta protons and two epsilon protons of almost all aromatic residues are magnetically equivalent, suggesting that the local structure of aromatic residues is so flexible as to permit the rapid flipping motion of the ring.

Animals↗

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on calmodulin: calcium-induced conformational change.

The 400-MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies were carried out on the Ca2+-induced conformational change of calmodulins (CaM's) isolated from scallop testis and pig brain. The resonances were found to be classified approximately into three groups. The resonances of group I, which are perturbed by the binding of Ca2+ to the high-affinity sites, include those of tyrosine-138, epsilon-trimethyllysine-115, histidine-107, tyrosine-99, etc. The previous assignments for tyrosine- (Tyr) 138 [Seamon, K. B. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 207] were corrected. The resonances of group II, which are affected by the binding of Ca2+ to the low-affinity sites, include those of a phenylalanine (Phe), a high field shifted methyl, and a low field shifted alpha-methine. Group III (related to the binding of Ca2+ to both the high-and low-affinity sites) includes the resonances of a Phe, a high field shifted methyl, and threonine-143. It is concluded that sites III and IV are the high-affinity sites. The off-rate of Ca2+ from the high-affinity sites is slower than 50 s-1 while the off-rate from the low-affinity sites is faster than 600 s-1. In the Ca2+-free state, there exists a hydrophobic region containing three phenylalanine (probably Phe-89, Phe-92, and Phe-141), a valine, and an isoleucine in the vicinity of sites III and IV. Tyr-138 is distant from these amino acids. Upon binding of Ca2+ to the high-affinity sites, one of the Phe residues and the valine approach Tyr-138. Similar structural changes were observed between CaM and troponin C when Ca2+ ions are bound to the high-affinity sites. CaM changes in a somewhat different way from troponin C when Ca2+ ions are bound to the low-affinity sites.

Animals↗

Ca2+-dependent modulator proteins from Tetrahymena pyriformis, sea anemone, and scallop and guanylate cyclase activation.

Previously, the guanylate cyclase activity of Tetrahymena pyriformis was shown to be activated by an endogenous modulator (calmodulin)-like protein (Na-gao, S., Suzuki, Y., Watanabe, Y., and Nozawa, Y. (1979) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 90, 261-268). This protein has now been identified as the modulator protein. The identification was based on the capability of this protein to activate the brain modulator-deficient phosphodiesterase and the mobility of this protein upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The activation of guanylate cyclase was specifically attributable to the Tetrahymena modulator protein since other modulator proteins examined (bovine brain, sea anemone, and scallop) were ineffective. Under the conditions where the activation of Tetrahymena guanylate cyclase occurred, guanylate cyclase activities from other sources, that include rat brain, rat lung, and human platelet, were not affected. In the phosphodiesterase activation, the potencies of scallop and Tetrahymena modulator proteins, which are represented by reciprocals of the quantities of proteins required for half-maximal activation of enzyme, were 66% and 55%, respectively, of that of the brain protein. The same decreasing order was seen for the affinity of these proteins for Ca2+ in enzyme activation. The results suggest a directional change of the modulator protein during the molecular evolution toward an increase in the capability in Ca2+-dependent enzyme activation.

Animals↗

Amino acid sequence of calmodulin from scallop (Patinopecten) adductor muscle.

The complete amino acid sequence of scallop calmodulin was determined by isolating and sequencing the peptides obtained after cyanogen bromide cleavage and tryptic digestion. The protein consisted of 148 amino acid residues and its amino(N)-terminus was blocked with an acetyl group. Scallop calmodulin lacked tryptophan and cysteine residues and contained one mol each of N epsilon-trimethyllysine (Tml) and histidine residues per mol of the protein. Scallop calmodulin contained only one tyrosine residue, while vertebrate calmodulins contain two. On comparing its amino acid sequence with that of bovine calmodulin, three amino acid substitutions were found at positions 99(Tyr leads to Phe), 143(Gln leads to Thr), and 147(Ala leads to Ser).

Amino Acid Sequence↗