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Biomedical subjects

Mizuo Maeda

Publications and source records attributed to Mizuo Maeda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Capillary electrophoretic discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms using an oligodeoxyribonucleotidepolyacrylamide conjugate as a pseudo-immobilized affinity ligand: optimum ligand length predicted by the melting temperature values.

We developed a weak-affinity separation system for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on capillary electrophoresis. In this approach, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-polyacrylamide (polyAAm) conjugate was used as a pseudo-immobilized affinity ligand to separate the target DNA, cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9), and its point mutant. The ligand DNA was designed to be complementary to the normal DNA, and the target DNA was electrophoretically separated by the difference in the affinity with the pseudo-immobilized ligand in the capillary. We showed that the separation efficiency was closely associated with the Tm value of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) consisting of the target and ligand DNA, which depends on the measurement conditions, such as the base number of the ligand DNA and the concentration of Mg2+ in the buffer solution.

Acrylic Resins↗

Photoactivation of a substrate for cell adhesion under standard fluorescence microscopes.

Cell-culturing substrates where cell adhesion can be switched on by external stimuli during cell cultivation are useful scaffolds for tissue engineering, cell-based drug screening, and fundamental cellular studies. Here, we show a new strategy for photoactivation of a substrate for cell adhesion under standard fluorescence microscopes. A glass substrate chemically modified with an alkylsiloxane having a photocleavable 2-nitrobenzyl group was coated with bovine serum albumin to prevent cell adhesion. Upon irradiation under a fluorescence microscope, the protein was replaced with fibronectin, which made the irradiated region cell-adhesive. Subsequent seeding of HEK293 or COS7 cells produced patterns corresponding to the irradiated patterns. We succeeded for the first time in positioning single cells in proximity to cultivating single cells. The present method provides a general strategy for positioning single cells of same or different types at any locations on the substrate and will be useful for studying cell-cell interactions.

Animals↗

Power-free poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic devices for gold nanoparticle-based DNA analysis.

An extremely simple, power-free pumping method for poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) microfluidic devices is presented. By exploiting the high gas solubility of PDMS, the energy for the pumping is pre-stored in the degassed bulk PDMS, therefore no additional structures other than channels and reservoirs are required. In a Y-shaped microchannel with cross section of 100 microm width x 25 microm height, this method has provided flow rate of 0.5-2 nL s(-1), corresponding to linear velocity of 0.2-0.8 mm s(-1), with good reproducibility. As an application of the power-free pumping, gold nanoparticle-based DNA analysis, which does not rely on the cross-linking mechanism between nanoparticles, has been implemented in a microchannel with three inlets. Target 15mer DNA has been easily and unambiguously discriminated from its single-base substituted mutant. Instead of colorimetric detection in a conventional microtube, an alternative detection technique suitable for microdevices has been discovered-observation of deposition on the PDMS surfaces. The channel layout enabled two simultaneous DNA analyses at the two interfaces between the three laminar streams.

DNA↗

Temperature-responsive formation of colloidal nanoparticles from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted with single-stranded DNA.

The thermal properties and temperature-responsive nanoparticle formation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted with single-stranded DNA (PNIPAAm-g-DNA) were investigated. Copolymerization between nonamer single-stranded DNA with a vinyl group at its 5' terminus (DNA macromonomer) and NIPAAm was carried out so that the DNA macromonomer unit content should be less than 1 mol %. The turbidimetry and differential scanning calorimetry of the copolymer showed that the transition temperature increased and the enthalpy change of the phase transition decreased with increasing DNA macromonomer content in the copolymers, indicating that the DNA macromonomer behaves as a hydrophilic part in the copolymer and that the hydrophilicity is greater than that of sodium styrenesulfonate. Above the phase transition temperature, the copolymers formed colloidal nanoparticles with a dehydrated PNIPAAm core surrounded by DNA. When the formation of particles was conducted at higher temperatures, the dehydration of the copolymers proceeded such that the hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the particles decreased. From the results of light scattering measurements, we calculated the surface area of particles occupied by one DNA (S(DNA)). The S(DNA) value decreased with increasing formation temperature, indicating that the DNA density on the particle surface increases with increasing formation temperature. The increase in the DNA density was also confirmed from the zeta-potential measurement of the particle. When MgCl2 was added to the copolymer solutions, the anionic charge of DNA was neutralized by Mg2+ so that Rh and the molecular weight of the particles increased with the increasing MgCl2 concentration. The turbidimetric detection of a target DNA was successfully demonstrated by utilizing the stability decrease of the colloidal particle upon hybridization on the particle surface.

Acrylic Resins↗

Nanofabrication of cylindrical STEM specimen of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots for 3D-STEM observation.

We demonstrate the multiazimuth observation (360 degrees in principle) of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) by means of a 300 kV scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), where both cross-sectional and plan-view observations are performed on a single STEM specimen for the first time. A cylindrical specimen with a diameter of 200-300 nm including the QD layer inside along the rotation axis was fabricated by the focused ion beam (FIB) technique, with the application of a newly developed mesa-cutting method to adjust the position and angle of the QD layer precisely. The 360 degrees STEM observation is realized by mounting the cylindrical specimen on a holder equipped with a specimen-rotation mechanism. High potential of 3D-STEM observation is briefly presented by showing high contrast images of QDs, dark field images, and moire fringes with various incident angles.

Arsenicals↗

A new protein conformation indicator based on biarsenical fluorescein with an extended benzoic acid moiety.

We demonstrate herein a new protein conformation indicator based on biarsenical fluorescein with an extended benzoic acid moiety. The present indicator is reactive to a genetically introduced tetracysteine motif (Cys-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Cys, where Xaa is a noncysteine amino acid) of proteins. Compared to the original biarsenical fluorescein (FlAsH) and the biarsenical Nile red analogue (BArNile), the present indicator exhibited larger fluorescence intensity changes in response to Ca(2+)-induced conformational rearrangements of calmodulin. A calculation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the benzoic acid moiety of the indicator molecule supports possible involvement of a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. These results indicate that the present indicator is useful for sensitive detection of protein conformational changes.

Benzoic Acid↗

Single-base mutation detection using neutravidin-modified polystyrene nanoparticle aggregation.

A single-base mutation assay using the non-crosslinking aggregation of neutravidin-modified polystyrene nanoparticles is described. This method requires only two steps: hybridization of biotinylated probe and sample DNAs, and then mixing with neutravidin-modified nanoparticles. The aggregation was detected within 20 min in total. A combination of the DNA non-crosslinking aggregation and biotin-avidin technology has allowed sufficient performance for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Avidin↗

Novel DNA/polymer conjugate for intelligent antisense reagent with improved nuclease resistance.

Antisense technology provides an effective strategy to inhibit synthesis of the gene product. We prepared a novel antisense reagent comprised of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and a thermo responsive polymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). The conjugate inhibited gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. The ODN-PNIPAAm conjugate demonstrated excellent resistance to S1 nuclease. In particular, PNIPAAm-modified antisense ODN at the 3',5'-ends of the ODN provided complete resistance against nuclease at 37 degrees C, which is above the phase transition temperature of the PNIPAAm side chain. These characteristics of the conjugate suggest it may have potential for use in a new gene delivery system as part of an antisense strategy.

Base Sequence↗

Motif CXCC in nitrile hydratase activator is critical for NHase biogenesis in vivo.

Nitrile hydratase (NHase) activator from Rhodococcus sp. N-771 is required for NHase functional expression. The motif 73CXCC76 in the NHase activator sequence was here revealed to be vital for its function by site-directed mutagenesis. All three substitutions of the cysteines by serines resulted in a much lower level of expression of active NHase. Furthermore, interaction between NHase activator and NHase was detected and the critical role of NHase activator was not exhibited in the cysteine oxidization process of NHase. These findings suggest NHase activator mainly participates in iron trafficking in NHase biogenesis as an iron type metallochaperone.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

A novel inhibitor for Fe-type nitrile hydratase: 2-cyano-2-propyl hydroperoxide.

Nitrile hydratase (NHase) is a non-heme iron or non-corrin cobalt enzyme having two post-translationally modified ligand residues, cysteine-sulfinic acid (alphaCys112-SO(2)H) and -sulfenic acid (alphaCys114-SOH). We studied the interaction between Fe-type NHase and isobutyronitrile (iso-BN) which had been reported as a competitive inhibitor with a K(i) value of 5 microM. From detailed kinetic studies of the inhibitory effect of iso-BN on Fe-type NHase, we found that authentic iso-BN was hydrated normally and that the impurity present in commercially available iso-BN inhibited NHase activity strongly. The inhibitory compound induced significant changes in the UV-vis absorption spectrum of NHase, suggesting its interaction with the iron center. This compound was purified by using reversed-phase HPLC and identified as 2-cyano-2-propyl hydroperoxide (Cpx) by (1)H and PFG-HMBC NMR spectroscopy. Upon addition of a stoichiometric amount of Cpx, NHase was irreversibly inactivated, probably by the oxidation of alphaCys114-SOH to Cys-SO(2)H. This result suggests that the -SOH structure of alphaCys114 is essential for the catalytic activity. The oxygen atom in Cys-SO(2)H is confirmed to come from the solvent H(2)O. The oxidized NHase was found to induce the UV-vis absorption spectral changes by addition of Cpx, suggesting that Cpx strongly interacted with iron(III) in the oxidized NHase to form a stable complex. Thus, Cpx functions as a novel irreversible inhibitor for NHase.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Rapid aggregation of gold nanoparticles induced by non-cross-linking DNA hybridization.

To date, aggregation of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles by hybridization of target DNA in a cross-linking configuration has been intensively studied. Here, we report that aggregation in a non-cross-linking configuration is also possible and is even better from the viewpoint of genetic analysis because of its speed and sensitivity. In this system, 15 nm diameter gold nanoparticles functionalized with (alkanethiol)-15mer DNA are hybridized to target 15mer DNA at room temperature. At high NaCl concentration (>/=0.5 M), hybridization with complementary target DNA induces nanoparticle aggregation based on the salting-out effect. The aggregation can be detected by a colorimetric change of the colloidal solution within 3 min. Furthermore, unusual sensitivity of this system for single-base mismatch at the terminus opposite to the anchored side has been discovered. In fact, target DNA with such a kind of mismatch does not induce the colorimetric change at all, while target DNA with single-base mismatch at the middle of it cannot be discriminated from the fully complementary target. This non-cross-linking aggregation system opens up a new possibility of rapid and reliable genetic analysis.

Acrylic Resins↗

Preparation of ferrocyanide-imprinted pyridine-carrying microspheres by surface imprinting polymerization.

Ferrocyanide-imprinted pyridine-carrying microspheres were prepared using ferrocyanide ions as a template. This method is based on a surface imprinting technique from the seed emulsion that consisted of 4-vinylpyridine (functional monomer), styrene, and butyl acrylate and a water mixture polymerization by a radical initiator. The ferrocyanide-imprinted microspheres had about 200 times higher adsorption affinity over the non-imprinted microspheres in ferrocyanide (template) ion adsorption. This imprinted microspheres also adsorbed other tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, and phosphate anions much more strongly than the non-imprinted microspheres did, but were not particularly specific in ferrocyanide ion adsorption.

Journal Article↗

Oligodeoxynucleotide-modified capillary for electrophoretic separation of single-stranded DNAs with a single-base difference.

We describe here a method of affinity capillary electrophoresis in which oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) was immobilized onto the inner surface of the capillary. The immobilized ODN functioned successfully as an affinity ligand for sequence-based DNA separation. Six- or 12-mer ODN with a sequence complementary to one of the c-K-ras gene was used as an immobilized ligand. When the 12-mer ODN was used, the detection peak for the complementary ODN disappeared selectively, while the single-base mutant was detected as usual. In contrast, when the 6-mer ODN was used as the affinity ligand with a mixture of the complementary ODN and its single-base mutant, it was possible to detect both as completely separate peaks. That is, the separation mode was dependent on the base number of the immobilized ODN used as an affinity ligand.

Base Sequence↗

Novel gene assay by probe-regulated simultaneous separation using capillary electrophoresis (CE-PRESS).

A novel methodology, a probe-regulated simultaneous separation using capillary electrophoresis (CE-PRESS), was developed for simultaneous assay of multiple genes. The single-stranded (ss) DNA-polymer conjugate-probes were placed in a capillary, and then a mixture of target ssDNAs was injected. These ssDNAs were hybridized with corresponding complementary ssDNA-polymer conjugate-probes after charging the capillary. Two resulting double-stranded (ds) complexes of ssDNAs and ssDNA-polymer conjugate-probes were detected at different migration times. We found that the electrophoretic mobilities of two ssDNA-poly(acrylamide) conjugate-probes [-(5'-GCCACCAGC-3')m-AAm(n)- and -(5'-ACCTTCACT-3')p-AAm(q)-; AAm, acrylamide] obtained by copolymerizing 5'-methacryloyl-modified ssDNA and AAm were different, depending on their molar fraction of ssDNA, although the ssDNAs chain lengths were the same. Two ssDNAs (5'-GCTGGTGGC-3' and 5'-AGTGAAGGT-3') having the same chain length were successfully separated with our novel system, although the separation of these ssDNAs is impossible in conventional capillary electrophoresis systems.

Journal Article↗

The separation of oligodeoxynucleotides having a single-base difference by affinity capillary electrophoresis using oligodeoxynucleotide- polyacrylamide conjugate.

We have developed an affinity capillary electrophoresis for gene mutation assay. We show a method for separating a mixture of oligodeoxynucleotides having single-base difference using oligodeoxynucleotide-polyacrylamide conjugate. Because the conjugate behaved similarly to nonionic polyacrylamide in terms of migration rate, it can be used as a pseudoimmobilized affinity ligand in a polyacrylamide-coated capillary. Oligodeoxynucleotide having an oncogene sequence and a version with one base substituted were completely separated by this method. The magnesium-ion concentration was found to be a key factor in achieving efficient separation of oligodeoxynucleotides with the same chain length.

Acrylic Resins↗

Functional regulation of biomolecule using DNA-conjugation.

3'-methacryloyl-oligodeoxynucleotide having antisense sequence against messenger RNA of green fluorescent protein and N-isopropylacrylamide were co-polymerized. The conjugate can reversibly change its conformation at around a transition temperature, similarly to N-isopropylacrylamide homopolymer. We achieved artificially regulation of gene expression depending on temperature using the conjugate.

Base Sequence↗