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Biomedical subjects

M Yoshida

Publications and source records attributed to M Yoshida.

At least 1,423 records · Page 79Linked to original sources

Cloning and sequencing of the NES24 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have cloned NES24 using a temperature-sensitive nes24-1 mutant as a host and sequenced a 3162 bp XhoI-EcoRI DNA fragment containing the NES24 gene. Computer analysis revealed that this segment contains a 1806 bp open reading frame which is needed for complementation of the nes24-1 mutation. We found SUP8 in the region upstream of the NES24 gene, placing the NES24 gene on chromosome XIII. A protein homology search indicated that NES24 encodes a new protein. The disruption of the NES24 gene resulted in temperature-sensitive growth. The sequence has been deposited in DDBJ/EmBL/GenBank data bases under Accession Number D15052.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Probing the specificity of nucleotide binding to the F1-ATPase from thermophilic Bacillus PS3 and its isolated alpha and beta subunits with 2-N3-[beta, gamma-32P]ATP.

Irradiation of the F1-ATPase from Bacillus PS3 (TF1) in the presence of 134 microM 2-N3-[beta, gamma-32P]ATP plus Mg2+ for 90 min led to 95% inactivation of the ATPase activity which was accompanied by exclusive labeling of the beta subunit. The isolated alpha and beta subunits were also treated separately with 2-N3-[beta, gamma-32P]ATP under similar conditions. Fractionation of a tryptic digest of photolabeled TF1 by reversed-phase HPLC resolved a major and a minor radioactive peptide. Sequence analyses showed that the major peptide contained labeled Tyr-beta 364, whereas the minor one contained labeled Tyr-beta 341, residues known to be part of noncatalytic and catalytic sites, respectively. Two closely eluting radioactive peptides were obtained when a tryptic digest of the photolabeled, isolated beta subunit was fractionated by HPLC. Sequence analyses revealed that both contained labeled Tyr-beta 341. Fractionation of a tryptic digest of the photolabeled, isolated alpha subunit by HPLC resolved two peptides which contained the majority of the radioactivity incorporated. When subjected to eight cycles of automatic Edman degradation, one gave the sequence APGVXDR, corresponding to residues 133-139, in which X is a gap and corresponds to Met-alpha 137, which presumably is the derivatized residue. Only the first five cycles yielded phenylthiohydantoin derivatives when the other radioactive peptide derived from the alpha subunit was submitted to automatic Edman degradation which revealed the sequence APGVM, suggesting that Asp-alpha 138 is derivatized. The overall results suggest that the isolated beta subunit is a useful model for studying binding of nucleotides to catalytic sites, whereas the isolated alpha subunit may be of limited value in modeling interactions of nucleotides with noncatalytic sites.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A complete culture system for avian transgenesis, supporting quail embryos from the single-cell stage to hatching.

We report here a method to produce quail hatchlings by culture in vitro from the single-cell stage. The culture is composed of three steps. In the first step, the fertilized ovum surrounded by thick albumen obtained from the magnum is cultured for 24 hr at 41.5 degrees C in a tightly sealed 20-ml plastic cup with chicken thin albumen added to the equator level of the ovum (System Q1). In the second step, a quail egg shell, cut horizontally and emptied, is used as a bed shell. After the thick albumen is removed, the embryo with egg yolk is transferred to the bed shell and thin albumen from chicken eggs is added to fill the shell. Then, the embryo is cultured for an additional 52 hr at 37.5 degrees C while being rocked at an angle of 90 degrees at 30-min intervals (System Q2). The embryo is transferred again to a chicken bed shell and cultured at 37.5 degrees C with rocking at a 30-degree angle (System Q3). Just before hatching, the rocking of embryos is stopped. The procedure yielded a hatchability of 25%. For transgenesis, a plasmid construct containing a beta-actin-lacZ hybrid gene (pMiwZ) is microinjected into the ovum at the single-cell stage, which is cultured in vitro for 85-90 hr using Systems Q1 and Q2 consecutively. Seven out of 17 surviving embryos exhibited lacZ gene expression in embryonic tissues as detected by histochemistry. The procedure described here should be highly applicable for the production of transgenic birds.

Actins↗

Effect of tumor suppressors on cell cycle-regulatory genes: RB suppresses p34cdc2 expression and normal p53 suppresses cyclin A expression.

We show that expression of the p34cdc2 and cyclin A genes is induced by interleukin-2 in normal human T cells and present evidence to support the idea that these genes are deregulated in leukemic T cells. Our DNA sequencing data indicate that the promoter region of the p34cdc2 gene contains putative E2F-like binding sites which are recognized by Rb and binding sites for c-myb, Sp1, and ATF, and that the promoter region of the cyclin A gene contains binding sites for p53, Sp1, and ATF. In this study we focus on the effect of p53 and Rb on these cell cycle-regulatory genes. Cotransfection of Y79 human retinoblastoma cells with a p34cdc2 promoter-luciferase expression vector and a plasmid expressing the retinoblastoma gene (RB) indicated that RB suppresses p34cdc2 expression. Cotransfection of B104 rat neuroblastoma cells with a cyclin A promoter-luciferase expression vector and a plasmid expressing the normal or mutant p53 indicated that only the normal p53 suppresses cyclin A expression. In normal T cells, PHA stimulation reduces the amount of complexes in the p34cdc2 promoter between the E2F-like binding site and the RB gene product. These complexes were not detected in leukemic T cells. Our data support the idea that tumor suppressors modulate the expression of cell cycle-regulatory genes: RB regulates p34cdc2 expression and p53 regulates cyclin A expression.

Base Sequence↗

Enhanced cell differentiation when RB is hypophosphorylated and down-regulated by radicicol, a SRC-kinase inhibitor.

Radicicol, an inhibitor of src or src-like kinases, causes hypophosphorylation and down-regulation of the RB retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Both of these changes in the RB protein typically are associated with myeloid or monocytic differentiation of these cells induced by retinoic acid or 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. When added with either inducer, radicicol caused the typically induced myeloid or monocytic differentiation of these cells to be accelerated. By itself radicicol caused a transient inhibition of G1 to S transit, but did not cause phenotypic conversion. The down-regulation and dephosphorylation of RB by radicicol may thus facilitate cell differentiation.

Calcitriol↗

Trichostatin A induces morphological changes and gelsolin expression by inhibiting histone deacetylase in human carcinoma cell lines.

Trichostatin A (TSA) is a Streptomyces metabolite which specifically inhibits mammalian histone deacetylase at a nanomolar concentration and causes accumulation of highly acetylated histone molecules in mammalian cells. The effects of TSA on the morphology and the cell cycle of the human carcinoma cell lines, T24 and HeLa, were investigated. The morphology of T24 and HeLa cells dramatically changed and actin stress fibers reappeared during the treatment with TSA. The morphological change was not observed with chemically synthesized (S)-TSA and trichostatic acids, which are inactive to inhibit histone deacetylase. Cell cycle progression of these cells was blocked by TSA at G1 phase (HeLa) or G1 and G2 phases (T24). An RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, and a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, inhibited the morphological changes by TSA, suggesting that TSA induces expression of a new gene(s) followed by de novo protein synthesis, which is required for the actin microfilament reorganization. An approximately 7-fold (T24) or 12-fold (HeLa) increase in the intracellular level of gelsolin, an actin regulatory protein, was found in the cells treated with TSA for 24 h. These results suggest that gelsolin is one of the putative proteins necessary for the morphological changes of human carcinoma cells induced by TSA.

Actins↗

Estrogen reduces the excitability of the female rat medial amygdala afferents from the medial preoptic area but not those from the lateral septum.

Electrical stimulation of the medial amygdala (AMY) elicited antidromic action potentials in neurons in the preoptic area (POA) and the lateral septum (LS) of 36 urethane-anesthetized ovariectomized female rats, which were either treated with estrogen o not treated. The extracellular potentials from the two sites showed similar characteristics, with the exception of the sensitivity to estrogen: they had latencies between 3 and 35 ms. Thresholds were as low as 100 microA. The mean relative refractory period was 2.2 ms. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of the positive-negative biphasic potential ranged from 1.0 mV to 12.0 mV. Estrogen had site-specific effects on parameters of antidromic activation in the POA. Estrogen-treated rats had a significantly higher threshold (937 vs 664 microA) and a longer refractory period (2.5 vs 2.1 ms) than the ovariectomized rats (P < 0.05 for each). The effects were absent in the LS. Selective cutting of the stria terminalis diminished the AMY-induced antidromic responses in the POA and LS. Electrical stimulation of the stria blocked the AMY-induced antidromic potentials by collision. Thus, estrogen-sensitive POA efferents as well as non-estrogen-sensitive LS efferents project to the AMY via the stria terminalis. Reductions in axonal excitability would inhibit neural conduction and transmission. Estrogen may therefore reduce the AMY inputs from the POA, without affecting those from the LS. Such alterations in the neural impulse flow may underlie estrogen-dependent neuroendocrine or behavioral regulation.

Amygdala↗

Mitochondrial changes in acute myopathy after treatment of respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation (acute relaxant-steroid myopathy).

A case of acute myopathy was observed in the course of treatment of respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation combined with prolonged neuromuscular blockade and administration of corticosteroids. A muscle biopsy revealed degeneration of muscle fibres. Electron microscopy showed loss of thick filaments as well as nemaline rods, vacuoles and cytoplasmic bodies. The mitochondria were increased in number, many harbouring paracrystalline inclusions, which were hitherto unknown in this condition.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Laser flow cytometric studies on the intracellular accumulation of anthracyclines when combined with heat.

The effects of heat on intracellular accumulation of anthracyclines were investigated by laser flow cytometry analysis. Sarcoma-180 cells were exposed to Adriamycin (ADM), epirubicin (EPIR), daunomycin (DM), THP-Adriamycin (THP), ME-2303 (ME) and KRN-8602 (KRN) at 37 degrees C and at higher temperatures. There was a dose-dependent increase in the fluorescence intensity of all drugs at 37 degrees C, but heat varied the fluorescence intensity of each drug. At 43 degrees C the cellular fluorescence of ADM and EPIR increased by approximately 200%, but for DM the increase was 110-130%. The cellular fluorescence of THP and ME was little affected by heat, and heat reduced that of KRN to 80-90%. Each drug showed was unique in the relationship between drug exposure time and the fluorescence intensity at 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C. Cytotoxicity determined by the MTT assay was enhanced with heat in the cases of ADM and EPIR, but not with DM, THP, ME, or KRN. Thus, ADM and EPIR are expected to show enhanced antitumor activities when given in combination with hyperthermia.

Animals↗

Apoptosis induced by etoposide in small-cell lung cancer cell lines.

The DNA fragmentation, a parameter of apoptosis, in non-small (NSCLC) and small (SCLC) cell lung cancer cell lines (N231 and PC-9) was evaluated. The DNA fragmentation in SCLC lines, but not in NSCLC lines, was observed in overgrown cells without exposure to anticancer drugs. In etoposide (VP-16)-treated N231 but not PC-9 cells, DNA fragmentation continued to increase up to 42 h, and the increase was dependent on the concentration of VP-16. The endonuclease activity of VP-16-treated N231, but not PC-9, cells required both Ca2+ and Mg2+ for full activity. It was elevated in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. As this activity was not affected by addition of cycloheximide, the activation of the endonuclease activity without protein synthesis may be involved in VP-16-induced cytotoxicity in N231.

Apoptosis↗

Kinetics of tissue disposition of cis-ammine/cyclohexylamine-dichloroplatinum(II) and cisplatin in mice bearing FSaIIC tumors.

The clinical potential of mixed amine platinum(IV) complexes has been identified, and interest in this new class of antitumor agents has been heightened by demonstration of their activity in cisplatin-resistant neoplasms. These tetravalent platinum agents are expected to undergo a reductive reaction to form the corresponding platinum(II) drug prior to eliciting biological activity. cis-Ammine/cyclohexylamine-dichloroplatinum(II) is one such product that we evaluated with cisplatin in vivo, and we found the two complexes given i.v. or i.p. to have comparable activities against a solid murine fibrosarcoma. Following i.v. administration of the two compounds at equitoxic dose levels (20 mg/kg) to tumor-bearing mice, platinum levels in the plasma were consistently higher for cisplatin. Tissue platinum levels, in contrast, were comparable between the agents or higher for the mixed amine analog at the earliest (3-h) time point. The temporal profiles determined for the concentrations over 48 h were tissue- and/or drug-specific and could be described by terminal-phase constants or half-lives of platinum in most tissues. In the plasma, kidney, lung, and jejunum, platinum levels arising from both compounds decayed with half-lives of 24-92 h. The terminal-phase constants of platinum determined in the heart for the two complexes were not significantly different from zero, indicative of levels remaining steady, whereas the constants were negative in the spleen, indicative of an increase in tissue drug concentration. In the tumor, liver, and testes, positive values for the decay-phase constants corresponding to half-lives of 47, 256, and 79 h, respectively, were seen with the mixed amine complex; this pattern contrasted with that found for cisplatin, for which the terminal-phase constant was either zero or negative. In vitro binding studies demonstrated the mixed amine complex to be more reactive. Thus, the presence of one ammine and one cyclohexylamine carrier ligand in the mixed amine complex, as opposed to the diammine ligands in cisplatin, leads to an increase in drug distribution and an alteration in the kinetics of tissue binding and removal of platinum.

Animals↗

Ammine/amine platinum (II) complexes effective in vivo against murine tumors sensitive or resistant to cisplatin and tetraplatin.

Three homologous series, each differing from the other in the coordinated amine ligand class, namely alicyclic, heterocyclic or isoaliphatic, were highly effective against wild-type murine leukemia L1210/0 cells in vivo (T/C = 171%-426% at optimal doses). Of the 13 complexes comprising the three series, 3 were inactive in the cisplatin-resistant L1210/DDP model, but the other 10 maintained good efficacy (T/C = 131%-167%). Long-term survivors, frequently observed with these complexes in the L1210/0 model, were also seen in the L1210/DDP model but to a lesser extent. In the homologous alicyclic series, which contained six analogs, as the alicyclic ring size increased, potency against L1210/0 and L1210/DDP cells also increased up to cyclohexylamine, and then declined. Four ammine/alicyclic amine analogs were evaluated against L1210/DACH cells, which are cross-resistant to tetraplatin, and the clinically predictive M5076 reticulosarcoma. Although the congeners were ineffective or minimally effective in prolonging the survival time of L1210/DACH-bearing mice (T/C = 111%-134%), 20%-40% cure rate was consistently observed and suggested that the compounds possessed a low inherent ability to circumvent resistance in these tumor cells also. In the solid M5076 model, activity was greatest (tumor growth delays of about 25 days) for the alicyclic homologs containing the ammine/cyclobutylamine or ammine/cyclopentylamine carrier ligand combination. In summary, ammine/amine platinum (II) analogs have demonstrated promise at the preclinical level in their ability to circumvent acquired resistance, which is a major drawback of cisplatin use in treating cancer.

Animals↗

Preparation of herpes simplex virus type 1 genomic markers to differentiate strains of predominant genotypes.

Analyses of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) isolated in Japan using restriction endonucleases recognizing 6-base pairs revealed the presence of two predominant genotypes of F1 and F35. Therefore, the possibility that the two predominant genotypes may differ in clinical manifestations had to be considered. To address the question of whether differences in genotype would reflect clinical presentations of HSV-1 infection, RFLP markers to differentiate strains of predominant genotypes are required. In the present work, DNAs of 66 HSV-1 strains were analyzed, using restriction endonucleases recognizing 4-base pairs of HaeIII, HhaI, and MboI, the objective being to detect a large number of RFLP. The relationship between the 154 identified RFLPs and each predominant genotype of F1 and F35 was traced. RFLPs closely related to each predominant genotype were manifested, as the first case of a set of RFLPs diagnostic for the predominant genotypes. These diagnostic RFLPs will facilitate knowledge on association of predominant genotypes with clinical manifestations by efficiently identifying HSV-1 strains of a genotype, and, in addition, HSV-1 strains of a predominant genotype derived from a common ancestor.

Animals↗

Cavernous transformation of the portal vein coinciding with early gastric cancer and cholelithiasis.

A 71-year-old man who developed jaundice with a high-grade fever was admitted to our hospital. The episode was ascribed to cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. In the preoperative evaluation, a cavernous transformation of the portal vein and an early gastric cancer were found. The patient thereafter underwent an operation for those pathologies after the endoscopic removal of a choledochal stone; cholecystectomy, and a distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for gastric cancer. The proposed procedures of gastrectomy and cholecystectomy were completed without any major difficulty because no markedly enlarged collateral veins were found in the area where the regional lymph node dissection was carried out. Thanks to advances in imaging modalities, an asymptomatic cavernous transformation of the portal vein coinciding with gastric cancer such as that seen in the present case may be increasingly encountered in the future. The greatest caution, however, needs to be exerted at operation to minimize any unexpected bleeding and to avoid any interruption of the porto-portal shunts in such cases. Further, the reestablishment of the portal blood supply to the liver might be required in advanced cases of gastric cancer, where regional lymph node dissection may necessitate skeletonization of the hepatoduodenal ligament for curative purposes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of acoustic overstimulation on cochlear evoked potentials.

Guinea pigs were exposed to 2 kHz pure-tone or octave-band pass noise at an intensity of 100 dBSPL for 30 min. The effects of sound exposure on cochlear microphonics (CM) and compound action potential (AP) were studied using a test condition devised to complete the measurement of the sensitivity of both potentials for the frequency from 1 to 7 kHz within several minutes. The loss of CM sensitivity was limited to around 5 dB for all test frequencies in animals exposed either to pure-tone or band noise. In contrast, the loss of AP in both exposure conditions was significantly greater than that of the CM, and the magnitude of the AP losses reflected the frequency characteristics of the exposure sounds. From these observations, the AP is considered to be a more sufficient index than the CM in studying the effects of acoustic overstimulation.

Animals↗

Milk transfer and tissue uptake of mercury in suckling offspring after exposure of lactating maternal guinea pigs to inorganic or methylmercury.

Maternal guinea pigs were injected with mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 1 mg Hg/kg body weight) or methylmercury (MeHg; 1 mg Hg/kg) 12 h after parturition, and exposure of the offspring to mercury (Hg) via breast milk were studied on days 3, 5 and 10 postpartum. Milk Hg concentrations were lower than maternal plasma Hg concentrations regardless of the form of Hg given to the dams. Milk Hg was higher in HgCl2-treated dams than in MeHg-treated dams. In MeHg-treated dams, MeHg was separately determined. While the ratio of MeHg to T-Hg decreased in the dams' plasma, it did not in the milk. There was a strong correlation between milk and plasma T-Hg concentrations in HgCl2 treated dams. In the milk of MeHg-treated dams, the plasma MeHg concentrations correlated better than did the plasma T-Hg concentrations. In the offspring, regardless of the chemical forms of Hg given to the dams, the highest Hg concentrations were found in the kidney, followed by the liver and the brain. Brain Hg concentrations were, however, significantly higher in the offspring of MeHg-treated dams than in those of HgCl2-treated dams. In addition, Hg levels in the major organs of the offspring of HgCl2-treated dams peaked on day 5 postpartum, while those of MeHg-treated dams did not show a significant decrease up to day 10 postpartum. These facts indicate that the two chemical forms of Hg were transferred to the offspring via the breast milk and were distributed differently, depending on the chemical form, to the offspring's tissues.

Animals↗

Characterization of microsomal long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase activity in the rat submandibular gland.

1. Long-chain fatty acyl-CoA hydrolase in submandibular gland microsomes was characterized and compared to that in liver ones. 2. In rat submandibular gland, the microsomal long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase showed a higher relative activity for polyunsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs than that of liver microsomes. 3. It was suggested that the hydrolase in rat submandibular gland microsomes may play a role in modulation in the acyl-CoA pool size.

Animals↗