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Biomedical subjects

N Okada

Publications and source records attributed to N Okada.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and in vitro secretory response in acute pancreatitis induced by a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented diet in mice.

In order to approach impaired stimulus-secretion coupling in acute pancreatitis induced by a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet in mice, the agonist-evoked intracellular Ca2+ dynamics of dispersed pancreatic acini were evaluated by microspectrofluorometry. Mice were fed a CDE diet for 24 or 48 h, and the pancreas was dispersed to the acini. The in vitro amylase secretion analysis of the CDE groups demonstrated a poor dose-response curve which was significantly lower (p < 0.01) when 100 pM cholecystokinin (CCK) was administered. Both in CDE and control groups, the application of a physiological dose of CCK-8 (10 pM) evoked intracellular Ca2+ oscillations. Periodicity and amplitude of the oscillations in the CDE groups were not significantly different. The administration of a higher dose of CCK-8 (100 pM) evoked a large, sharp, and transient rise in intracellular Ca2+, followed by a small, continuous increase above basal levels for the duration of stimulation both in CDE and control groups. The peak Ca2+ level was lower in the CDE groups, but this was not statistically significant. In conclusion, during the early phase (from 24 to 48 h) of CDE pancreatitis, the pattern of agonist-evoked intracellular Ca2+ release is less affected. Other mechanisms subsequent to the onset of intracellular Ca2+ release are likely to be involved in the inhibition of enzyme secretion.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Tubulointerstitial injury induced in rats by a monoclonal antibody that inhibits function of a membrane inhibitor of complement.

The kidney widely expresses membrane-associated complement regulatory proteins (membrane inhibitors of complement). The aim of this work was to evaluate the roles of these molecules in rat kidneys in vivo. To suppress functions of rat membrane inhibitors of complement, two mAbs, 512 and 6D1, were used. 5I2 and 6D1 inhibit functions of membrane inhibitors of complement at C3 level (rat Crry/p65) and C8/9 level (rat CD59), respectively. F(ab')2 fragment of 5I2 or 6D1 was perfused in the left kidneys, and perfusate was discarded from the renal vein. After perfusion, the left kidneys were connected to systemic circulation. In rats perfused with 5I2, mouse IgG was found in glomeruli, peritubular capillaries, vascular bundles, and tubules 15 min after recirculation. Binding of C3 and C5b-9 was evident in these areas. 1 d after perfusion with 5I2, cast formation, dilatation of tubular lumen, and tubular cell degeneration were observed. At day 4 through day 7, significant mononuclear cell infiltration and proximal tubule damage were observed. These changes were completely prevented by complement depletion. Rats perfused with 6D1 showed the binding of mouse IgG in the similar areas as 5I2, but C3 or C5b-9 deposition was not observed. Rats perfused with 6D1 or vehicle only did not show any pathology in the left kidneys. These results suggest that rat Crry/p65 plays protective roles against spontaneously occurring indiscriminate attack to tubulointerstitial tissues by autologous complement and that rat Crry/p65 is one of the important factors to maintain normal integrity of the kidney in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Studies on cognitive enhancing agents. III. Antiamnestic and antihypoxic activities of a series of 1-bicycloaryl-2-(omega-aminoalkoxy)ethanols.

2-(2-Aminoethoxy)-1-hydroxyethyl derivatives of bicyclic arenes (naphthalene, thianaphthene, benzofuran, and indole) were prepared and screened for antiamnestic (AA) and antihypoxic (AH) activities which were evaluated by measuring the reversing potency in electroconvulsion-induced amnesia and the protective effect against hypoxia, respectively, in mice. Compound 3o, 1-(benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl)-2- (2-diethylaminoethoxy)ethanol, showed the best AA and AH activity profile, being superior to our prototype compound, 2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)-1-phenylethanol (1). Elongation of the ethylene linkage in the side chain of 3o to 3- and 4-carbon moieties brought about a significant decrease in AH activity. Compound 3o was further investigated for its protective effect against CO2-induced memory impairment and for acute toxicity in mice. It is ten-fold more potent than tacrine in the amnesia-reversal assay and is considerably less toxic than tacrine.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1995

Measurement of Gly m Bd 30K, a major soybean allergen, in soybean products by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

By a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a soybean major allergen, Gly m Bd 30K, in soybean products was measured. The allergen occurred at high concentrations in soy milk, tofu, kori-dofu, and yuba, but its content in kinako was small. No allergen was found in fermented foods such as miso, shoyu, and natto. The allergen was clearly shown to occur in meat balls, beef croquettes, and fried chicken that contained soybean protein isolate.

Allergens↗
PubMed1995

Development of the chondrocranial base of the musk shrew, Suncus murinus (Insectivora).

To reveal the developmental process of the chondrocranial base of the musk shrew, Suncus murinus (Insectivora), light microscopic observation of serial sections and macroscopic observation with whole-mount differential staining of bone and cartilage were performed on day-17 to -22 embryos. The following unusual findings were obtained: (1) The sphenoethmoidal commissure formed a part of the posterior edge of the tectum nasi, implying that the posterior portion of the paries nasi in the mammalian nasal capsule shares a common origin with the neurocranium. (2) The processus alaris arose independently from the hypophysial cartilage and also contributed to formation of the carotid foramen. (3) The hypophysial cartilage consisted of one medial and a pair of lateral cartilage nodules. The homology of the pair of cartilages with polar cartilages in lower vertebrates is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The role of a complement regulatory protein in rat mesangial glomerulonephritis.

The host cells are protected from the indiscriminate attack of homologous complement by the membrane-associated complement regulatory proteins. A mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) 512 (immunoglobulin G1 subclass) has recently been described that recognizes and inhibits the function of a rat complement regulatory protein, a rat homologue of mouse Crry/p65. The aim of this work is to assess the role of a complement regulatory protein (512Ag) recognized by mAb 512 in the complement-dependent glomerular injury induced by mAb OX7 against rat Thy-1.1. For the induction of mesangial injury, the left kidney of a rat was perfused with a combination of OX7 and 512 and the perfusate was discarded from the renal vein (Group I). After the renal artery and vein were restored, the left kidney was connected to the systemic circulation. Rats were euthanized 3 h, 2 days, and 14 days later. Rats perfused either with OX7 (Group II) or with 512 (Group III) or with vehicle only (Group IV) were used as controls. At 3 h, rats of Group I showed more prominent cellular infiltration and mesangial lysis and more C3 deposition in the glomeruli than rats of Group II. Rats of Groups III and IV showed no significant changes. At Day 2, there was still significant mesangial lysis and leukocyte infiltration in Group I rats, whereas rats in other groups showed an almost normal appearance. Glomerular injury in Group I rats returned to normal by Day 14.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Antagonistic peptides against human anaphylatoxin C5a.

Multivalent synthetic peptides derived from C5a were prepared in order to examine their effects on the C5a receptor (C5aR). Multiple antigen peptide (MAP) of the C5a C-terminal region (MAP61-74) bound to cells expressing C5aR with high affinity. On the other hand, N-terminal peptides (MAP3-16 and MAP12-26) and one with a sequence from the mid-portion of C5a (MAP37-53) did not bind to the cells. In addition, MAP61-74 inhibited Ca2+ mobilization and release of beta-hexosaminidase by C5a from dibutyryl cAMP-activated U937 cells. This Ca2+ mobilization was also inhibited by MAP12-26 and Mono61-74, the monomeric C-terminal peptide. Taken together, these data indicate that C5a binds to the C5aR via its C-terminal region. Furthermore, MAP61-74, a 14mer peptide that has additional amino acids at the N-terminal compared with the C-terminal octapaptide, can bind to C5aR and can be considered an antagonist of C5a which may prove useful as an agent for controlling the allergic response caused by complement activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of host cell recognition in Streptococcus pyogenes.

Protein F, a fibronectin-binding protein, and the M protein of Streptococcus pyogenes both play important roles in directing adherence to different populations of host cells in the skin. Expression of both proteins is regulated in response to alterations in atmosphere. Transcriptional control of mry, a positive-acting regulator of expression of the gene which encodes the M protein (emm) in response, to elevated levels of CO2, is a mechanism for control of emm expression in response to atmosphere. Expression of protein F is controlled at the level of transcription in response to the concentration of O2, and its expression is stimulated in the presence of superoxide. Further support for a role of superoxide in regulation of prtF expression comes from the observation that an S. pyogenes mutant which contains an insertionally inactivated gene for superoxide dismutase (sod) becomes hypersensitive to superoxide and will express prtF constitutively. A second strain also demonstrates constitutive expression of prtF but contains a functional sod. Complementation analyses in this strain using a prtF allele cloned from a regulating host and a novel method for shuttle mutagenesis which utilized the transposon mini-gamma delta have been used to identify rofA, a positive-acting regulator of prtF expression. A model for the role of the surface proteins, F and M and their regulatory genes mry and rofA in streptococcal infections of the skin will be discussed.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Effect of the oral administration of sepimostat mesilate on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

The effect of a potent protease inhibitor, sepimostat mesilate (CAS 103926-82-5, FUT-187), on acute interstitial edematous pancreatitis induced by a supramaximal dose of cerulein, a cholecystokinin (CCK) analogue, was evaluated. The serum amylase activity increased 18-fold over normal control after the infusion of cerulein at 5 micrograms/kg/h for 6 h. The serum lipase activity showed a 235-fold increase. An elevated pancreatic water content, pancreatic interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltration and vacuolization of the acinar cells were found. Redistribution of cathepsin B shifted from the lysosomal pellet fraction to the zymogen granule pellet fraction was noted in the early stages. All these parameters of pancreatitis mentioned above were inhibited by FUT-187 pretreatment at doses of 30 to 300 mg/kg. These observations suggest that FUT-187 inhibits the redistribution of cathepsin B shift from the lysosomal fraction to the zymogen fraction in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and improves the parameters of acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

A UGU sequence in the anticodon loop is a minimum requirement for recognition by Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase.

Escherichia coli tRNA-guanine transglycosylase is an enzyme which catalyzes replacement of guanine (G34) of tRNA(Asp), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(His) and tRNA(Tyr) by free guanine or free preQ1 base by a base exchange reaction in the biosynthesis of queuosine (Q) (Okada, N., and Nishimura, S. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 3061-3066). The gene encoding for this enzyme was amplified from the E. coli genome by polymerase chain reaction and inserted into an overexpression vector, pJLA503. The enzyme was overexpressed by heat induction in E. coli transformed by this recombinant plasmid and purified to homogeneity by two column chromatographies. The sequence requirement in tRNA for recognition by this enzyme was investigated using minihelices corresponding to the anti-codon arm of E. coli tRNA(His). Two uridine residues (U33, U35) were found to be prerequisite for such recognition by this enzyme. Position 32 required pyrimidines, because the enzyme activity toward the minihelices was markedly reduced or entirely lost when this residue was replaced by purines or was deleted. Adenosine at position 37 and the G30-C40 base pair were not essential despite their conservation. Our results suggest that the enzyme recognizes the U33-G34-U35 sequence in the anti-codon loop and not the tertiary structure of tRNA itself.

Anticodon↗
PubMed1994

In vivo effects of monoclonal antibodies that functionally inhibit complement regulatory proteins in rats.

The present work was designed to evaluate the effects of functional suppression of complement regulatory proteins in vivo. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with Nembutal and were intravenously injected with 1 mg/kg of F(ab')2 or Fab fraction of either monoclonal antibody 5I2, which inhibits the function of rat counterpart of mouse Crry/p65, or monoclonal antibody 6D1, which inhibits the rat counterpart of CD59. Mean arterial pressure was continuously measured for 30 min. When 5I2 was injected, there was a biphasic change of mean arterial pressure, namely, the rapid increase immediately after the injection (approximately 2 min, phase 1) and the subsequent fall and slow recovery (approximately 4-30 min, phase 2). These effects were completely abrogated by pretreatment of rats with cobra venom factor. Pretreatment with carboxypeptidase inhibitor, which inhibits inactivation of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, induced enhanced reduction of blood pressure. Circulating leukocytes and platelets were rapidly decreased 5 min after antibody injection and became normal by 2 h. Hematocrit and erythrocyte count were continuously increased up to 2 h after injection, suggesting that there was hemoconcentration due to increased vascular permeability. Immunofluorescence study revealed binding of antibody fragments and rat C3 along the capillaries of lung, heart, and liver 5 min after injection. In contrast to 5I2, F(ab')2 fraction of 6D1, though localized to the same areas and in similar amounts, had no significant effect on the parameters measured. These data suggest that the rat counterpart of mouse Crry/p65 plays a vital role in vivo by preventing the activation of autologous complement on vascular endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Generality of the tRNA origin of short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs). Characterization of three different tRNA-derived retroposons in the octopus.

Transcription in vitro of total genomic DNA of Octopus vulgaris resulted in PolIII transcripts of 200 to 500 nucleotides in length. These transcripts were used as probes and, as a result, three different kinds of short interspersed element (SINE) were isolated and characterized. Two SINEs, designated the octopus OR1 and OR2 families, seem to have been derived from tRNA(Arg). The other SINE, designated the octopus OK family, have originated from tRNA, but the parental tRNA species cannot be identified due to sequence divergence from the original tRNA sequence. The OR1 and OR2 families exhibit considerable similarity to one another, in the 5' region of the tRNA-unrelated region as well as in the tRNA(Arg)-related region, an observation that suggests that these two families may have had the same origin in evolution. The three SINEs together constitute at least 6% of the genome of O. vulgaris. Results of a dot hybridization experiment suggest that the OR1 and OR2 families are present in fewer species than the OK family and that the OK family exists in many species of octopodid. The present observations indicate that SINEs have generally been derived from tRNAs in invertebrates, as well as in vertebrates, and that retroposition is widely involved in the genetic and structural variability of invertebrate genomes. It has been demonstrated that tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Lys) appear to be tRNA species found as progenitors of vertebrate SINEs, and the same preference for progenitor species of tRNAs seems also to be a feature of invertebrate SINEs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Species-specific amplification of tRNA-derived short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs) by retroposition: a process of parasitization of entire genomes during the evolution of salmonids.

Fourteen members of the Hpa I subfamilies of tRNA-derived SINEs in particular salmonid species were isolated from genomic libraries of chum salmon, kokanee, coho salmon, masu salmon, and steelhead. Alignment of the sequences of these 14 members, together with those of 4 members already published, 3 of which were previously demonstrated to have been amplified specifically in certain lineages, revealed the presence of five subfamilies with particular diagnostic nucleotides. The amplification of members of the same subfamily in different salmonid lineages and the amplification of members of different subfamilies in the same salmonid lineage suggest that multiple dispersed loci were responsible for amplification or, alternatively, that SINEs were transmitted horizontally between species. These two possibilities are not mutually exclusive. Our results also indicate that the Hpa I SINEs in salmonids behave like parasites. The amplification of these SINEs is ongoing and continues to shape the evolution of salmonid genomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Amplification of distinct subfamilies of short interspersed elements during evolution of the Salmonidae.

There are at least three different kinds of short interspersed repetitive elements in salmonid genomes. Of these, members of the HpaI family are found to be most widely distributed in salmonid species. The HpaI family is present with high copy numbers in all members of the subfamily Salmoninae, such as salmon, trout and charr. In order to determine whether the amplification of the Hpa sequence occurred rapidly within a short evolutionary period or gradually, over the long term, a search was made for Hpa sequences in primitive salmonids; namely, grayling and whitefish. A grayling species has fivefold fewer copies of these sequences than the Salmoninae species, whereas several whitefish species have 200-fold to 20-fold fewer copies than the Salmoniae species. Characterization of the Hpa sequences in these species allowed us to recognize two distinct Hpa subfamilies on the basis of diagnostic substitutions as well as a new short interspersed element with an Hpa-related sequence. The distribution of these sequences revealed that distinct members of the HpaI or Hpa-related family were amplified during establishment of each subfamily lineage in a manner very similar to the amplification of the human Alu family. We provide evidence for the validity of a model that involves "multiple source genes" to explain diagnostic substitutions of the Hpa subfamilies and the timing of their appearance during evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A low molecular weight phagocytosis-inhibitory factor obtained from human erythrocyte membranes specifically down-regulates Mac-1 activity on tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-stimulated monocytic cell lines in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.

A low molecular mass (< 3 kDa) phagocytosis-inhibitory factor (PIF), was partially purified from human erythrocyte membranes. PIF inhibits latex phagocytosis and C, as well as FcR-mediated phagocytosis, by macrophage-like cells in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. This phagocytosis-inhibitory activity is reversible because removal of PIF restores phagocytic capability of cells. After treatment with PIF, Mac-1 Ag (CR3 or CD11b) becomes almost undetectable on the cell surface by immunofluorescence staining using the mAbs D-12 and BEAR-1, whereas staining with the LM2/1 anti-Mac-1 mAb proved that Mac-1 is still present on the cell surface, thus, indicating a possible conformational change in Mac-1. PIF has no significant inhibitory effect on staining of CR1 (CD35), CR2, (CD21), 20-kDa homologous restriction factor (CD59), decay-accelerating factor (CD55), LFA-1 (CD11a), or p150.95 (CD11c). Although binding of Mac-1-bearing U-937 cells to C3bi-opsonized beads is completely blocked, binding via Con A and FcRs remains unaffected by PIF treatment. In addition to the suppressive effect on phagocytosis, inhibition of cell adhesion was observed as well. The inhibitory effect of PIF on cell adhesion is not monocyte specific, because after exposure to PIF the TGW neuroblastoma cell line lost its ability to attach to the tissue culture plate, but retained its ability for homotypic aggregation. The possibility that PIF is a natural regulator of erythrophagocytosis is suggested.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1994

A novel tRNA species as an origin of short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs). Equine SINEs may have originated from tRNA(Ser).

Short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs) were isolated from the equine genome and characterized. The equine SINE (ERE-1) family has several features characteristic of tRNA-derived retroposons. The five members of the equine family of SINEs are approximately 230 nucleotides in length and terminate with a sequence rich in oligo(A). They are all flanked by direct repeats at the 5' and 3' ends, and such repeats are the hallmarks of retroposons. In addition, the ERE-1 family has a tRNA-related region, which is similar to tRNA(Ser) of Drosophila (65% identity). tRNA(Ser) is a novel tRNA with respect to the origin of SINEs and has not previously been recognized among the twenty tRNA-derived SINEs characterized to date. The members of the ERE-1 family were found to be distributed among five species in the genus Equus, and their amplification may have contributed to the genetic variability of their hosts during evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Complement inhibitor of rat cell membrane resembling mouse Crry/p65.

Neuraminidase-treated rat erythrocytes are resistant to homologous rat C although they are readily hemolyzed by heterologous serum C via the alternative pathway. We established a mAb, mAb512, which allows for hemolysis of neuraminidase-treated rat erythrocytes by homologous rat serum. mAb512 detected rat erythrocyte membrane components with molecular masses of 65 kDa and 55 kDa by Western blotting analysis. Furthermore, mAb512 caused C3b deposition on rat myeloma cells after treatment with rat serum. 512Ag was purified by use of an immunosorbent column prepared with mAb512. Partial sequencing of 512Ag peptides showed significant homology to mouse Crry/p65 indicating that 512Ag could be the rat counterpart of mouse Crry/p65.

Amino Acid Sequence↗