Biomedical subjects

N Tanaka

Publications and source records attributed to N Tanaka.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

IL-18-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in human monocytes: involvement in IL-12 and IFN-gamma production in PBMC.

IL-18 time- and concentration-dependently upregulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a monocyte population in human PBMC as determined by FACS analysis while the expression of CD11a, CD18, CD29, CD44, and CD62L in monocytes and that of ICAM-1, CD11a, CD18, CD29, CD44, and CD62L in T cells was not influenced by IL-18. IL-18 in the same concentration range stimulated the production of IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in culture of PBMC; however, IL-18-induced expression of ICAM-1 in monocytes was not inhibited by anti-IL-12, anti-TNF-alpha, or anti-IFN-gamma Ab, suggesting the independence of the upregulating effect of IL-18 on endogenous IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma production. IL-18 also induced the aggregation of PBMC, which was prevented by anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1 Abs. On the other hand, anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1 Abs inhibited IL-18-induced production of three cytokines, IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, by 60 and 40%, respectively. These results strongly suggested that the IL-18-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 and the subsequent adhesive interaction through ICAM-1 on monocytes and LFA-1 on T/NK cells generate an additional stimulatory signaling as well as an efficient paracrine environment for the IL-18-initiated cytokine cascade.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2001

Role of stem cell factor and c-kit signaling in regulation of fetal intestinal epithelial cell adhesion to fibronectin.

The interaction of stem cell factor (SCF) and c-kit is considered to be an important signaling event for the homeostasis of the epithelial barrier function in the intestinal tract. This study was designed to investigate the role of the SCF and c-kit signaling pathway in adhesion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to fibronectin (FN) using primary cells. Fetal murine IECs were prepared from the small intestine of mouse fetus. The mRNAs coding for SCF in mesenchymes and c-kit in IECs were detected by reverse transcription-PCR. The expression of FN receptor VLA-5 on IECs was examined by flow cytometry. A cell adhesion assay showed that the stimulation of IECs with SCF increased the number of cells adhering to FN. Experiments using specific antibody against SCF indicated that this increase in cell adhesion was SCF-dependent. On the other hand, SCF did not influence the expression of VLA-5 on IECs. The IEC adhesion to FN was inhibited by specific antibody against the FN receptor (VLA-5), as well as competitive Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide. When alteration of intracellular signal transduction induced by SCF was examined, it was found that SCF stimulated a tyrosine-specific c-kit autophosphorylation cascade of IECs. Further, preincubation of IECs with an optimal concentration of genistein resulted in the inhibition of SCF-induced c-kit phosphorylation and adhesion of IECs to FN. These results suggested that adhesion of immature IECs to FN is regulated by activation of RGD-dependent VLA-5 through the SCF and c-kit signal transduction pathway. SCF, which may be produced by mesenchymes locally, is an important regulatory factor for the adhesion of immature IECs to basement membrane matrix via VLA-5 and FN interaction. This cytokine-regulated interaction between VLA-5 and FN may play an important role in the development and wound repair of the intestinal tract.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Genetic alterations of candidate tumor suppressor ING1 in human esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Overexpression of ING1, a candidate tumor suppressor gene, efficiently blocks cell growth or induces apoptosis in different experimental systems. ING1 maps to chromosome 13q33-34, and because loss of the terminal region of chromosome 13q has been implicated in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), we examined ESCC for genetic alterations of ING1. Among 31 informative cases of ESCC, 58.9% of the tumors showed allelic loss at chromosome 13q33-34, and we detected four tumor-specific missense nucleotide changes. These alterations were found within the PHD finger domain and nuclear localization motif of the ING1 and may be functionally involved in the development of ESCC. Because immunohistochemical study revealed that all of the ESCC samples showed loss of ING1 protein expression, genetic or epigenetic alterations that abrogate the normal function of ING1 may contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Gene induction pathways mediated by distinct IRFs during viral infection.

During viral infection, interferon-alpha/beta (IFN-alpha/beta) and many IFN-inducible genes are induced to elicit antiviral responses of the host. Using cells with a gene disruption(s) for the IRF family of transcription factors, we provide evidence that these genes, containing similar IRF-binding cis-elements, are classified into distinct groups, based on the gene induction pathway(s). The IFN-beta gene induction is dependent on either IRF-3 or IRF-7, whereas induction of the IFN-alpha gene family is IRF-7-dependent. On the other hand, ISG15, ISG54 and IP-10 are induced by either IRF-3 or IFN stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3). We also show that another group of genes is totally dependent on ISGF3. Thus, during viral infection, a given gene responds either directly to a virus or virus-induced IFN-alpha/beta or both through distinct pathways. The differential utilization of these induction pathways for these genes during viral infection may reflect their distinct functional roles in the efficient antiviral response.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

PubMed2001

Pressure-induced perturbation on the active site of beta-amylase monitored from the sulfhydryl reaction.

We investigated the pressure effect on the conformation of beta-amylase by monitoring the chemical reaction of the unpaired cysteine. Sweet potato beta-amylase is composed of four identical subunits, each of which contains six cysteine residues. These residues are inert to 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the native state due to steric hindrance. With the increase of the pressure from 0.1 to 400 MPa, the reactivity of one cysteine out of six residues was enhanced. We have identified that the reacted cysteine residue was Cys345 by the chemical cleavage at the reacted site. The reaction kinetics of Cys345 were pseudo-first-order, and the apparent rate constant was increased from 0.001 to 0.05 min(-)(1) with the increase of pressure from 100 to 400 MPa. The activation volume of the reaction rate was calculated as -24 +/- 2 mL/mol from the slope of the logarithmic plot of the pressure dependence of the rate constant. Hysteresis was not evident in the change of intrinsic fluorescence during the cycle of compression and decompression between 0.1 and 400 MPa, indicating that the tetramer does not dissociate under high pressure. This indicates that the enhancement of the reactivity of Cys345 was caused by the perturbation of local conformation under high pressure. The reaction of Cys345 was also enhanced by low concentrations of GuHCl, suggesting the significant role of hydration-driven fluctuation in the pressure-induced enhancement of the reactivity.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2001

A novel heat shock protein plays an important role in thermal stress management in cyanobacteria.

A novel heat shock gene, orf7.5, which encodes a putative acidic polypeptide of 63 amino acids, was cloned from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of 400- and 330-base orf7.5 mRNAs, which were barely detectable in the cells grown at 30 degrees C but increased transiently in response to heat shock at 40 or 45 degrees C. Primer extension analysis showed that the two mRNAs have different 5'-ends. Chloramphenicol enhanced the accumulation of the orf7.5 mRNA, whereas it inhibited the increase in the amount of the groESL mRNA. To reveal the role of the orf7.5 gene in thermal stress management, we constructed a stable mutant in which a gene conferring resistance to an antibiotic was inserted into the coding region of the orf7.5 gene. The interruption led to a marked inhibition of growth at 45 degrees C and a decrease in the basal and acquired thermo-tolerances at 50 degrees C in the transformants, indicating that the gene plays a role in thermal stress management. The orf7.5 mutant could be complemented with a return to the wild type phenotype by a DNA fragment containing orf7.5 but not by mutated orf7.5s, in which a nonsense mutation was generated by introducing a frameshift or a point mutation within the orf7.5-coding region. Thus, thermo-tolerance requires an appropriate translation product, not simply a transcript. Accumulation of the groESL transcript in the orf7.5 mutant was strongly reduced, suggesting that the orf7.5 gene product controls the expression of the groESL operon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Discovery of novel N-phenylglycine derivatives as potent and selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists for the treatment of frequent urination and urinary incontinence.

With a novel assay using isolated ferret detrusor to estimate beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonistic activity, we found that a series of glycine derivatives of ritodrine, a beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, are potent beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists, with excellent selectivity versus beta(1) and beta(2) subtypes. Substitution of halogens in the phenyl ring increased potency and selectivity for the beta(3)-adrenoceptor, and this was dependent upon the position of the halogens. The chlorine-substituted derivatives 3f-i exhibited potent beta(3)-adrenoceptor-mediated relaxation of ferret detrusor (EC(50) = 0.93, 11, 14, and 160 nM) and higher potency at beta(3)-adrenoceptors than at beta(1) or beta(2). The intravenous administration of 3h significantly reduced the urinary bladder pressure in anesthetized male rats (ED(50) = 48 microg/kg) without cardiovascular side effects. This article is the first report of structure-activity relationships (SAR) concerning beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists as agents for the treatment of urinary frequency and incontinence.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed2001

Immunohistochemical investigation of pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A in fatal poisoning.

To evaluate the immunohistochemical distribution of pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A) in fatal poisoning in relation to the effects of drugs and poisons on respiratory function, 42 forensic autopsy cases were examined by scoring the staining intensity. The highest scores of SP-A staining, with dense granular deposits (aggregates) in the intra-alveolar space, were observed in fatalities from pancuronium bromide (muscle relaxant) injection and petroleum (butane) gas inhalation. Poisoning with organophosphate pesticides and arsenic (ingestion) showed a second grade SP-A score. However, The SP-A scores were relatively low in ethanol and sedative-hypnotic intoxication. Carbon monoxide intoxication showed a varied degree of SP-A score, and the aggregated SP-A score tended to be higher in cases of lower blood carboxyhemoglobin concentration. A varied SP-A score was also observed in methamphetamine fatalities, in which the score was relatively low in cases with a higher serum drug level. Increase of SP-A was not always associated with the intra-alveolar effusion or hemorrhages. The above-described observations suggested that the immunohistochemical score of SP-A may be a possible indication for intensity and duration of drug/poison-dependent respiratory distress.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Effect of electric arc vitrification of bottom ash on the mobility and fate of metals.

Increasing amounts of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues are treated prior to landfilling or reuse. In Japan, electric arc melting is used for bottom ash vitrification that generates a glasslike slag. The objective of this paper was to assess this pretreatment technique with respect to its effect on metal mobility and metal content. Both bottom ash and slag were sampled and analyzed on total solids (TS), fixed solids (FS), particle density (pp), specific BET surface area, particle size distribution, and total element content. A six-step wet sequential extraction procedure was used for assessing metal mobility. The results were qualitatively verified by scanning electron microscopy. The major conclusion was that the availability of various metals was affected differently by electric arc vitrification. Metals were solidified, stabilized, and/or separated from the slag. The mobility of Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ca was reduced. In slag, majorfractions of these elements were found in moderately reducible phases or in the residual slag lattice. The approximately three-fourths of Pb [174 +/- 7 mg (kg of FS)-1] and half of Zn content [676 +/- 352 mg (kg of FS)-1] were most likely removed from bottom ash through evaporation. The total content increases of Al, Cr, Ni, and Cd (51 +/- 3, 621 +/- 27, 138 +/- 19, and 99 +/- 32%, respectively) were probably caused by the wear of furnace refractories.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2001

The complete nucleotide sequence of a plant root-inducing (Ri) plasmid indicates its chimeric structure and evolutionary relationship between tumor-inducing (Ti) and symbiotic (Sym) plasmids in Rhizobiaceae.

The Ri (root-inducing) plasmid in Agrobacterium rhizogenes and Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid in Agrobacterium tumefaciens have provided the fundamental basis for the construction of plant vectors and transgenic plants. Recently, the determination of the first complete nucleotide sequence of the Ti plasmid (pTi-SAKURA) has been successful. To understand the general structure of these oncogenic T-DNA transfer plasmids, the whole nucleotide sequence of a mikimopine-type Ri plasmid, pRi1724, was analyzed. The plasmid is 217,594 bp in size, and has 173 open reading frames (ORFs) in total, which are asymmetrically distributed. Except for 27 ORFs, which are unknown, 173 ORFs were classified into 12 groups as follows: three for DNA replication, nine for plasmid modification, 22 for conjugation, 26 for virulence, 11 for T-DNA gene, 19 for mikimopine/mikimopine-lactam transport, ten for an unknown opine metabolism, seven for transcriptional regulator, five for sugar transport, five for glycerol metabolism, four for chemoreceptor and 32 for others. The elucidated chimeric structure of pRi1724 interestingly indicates that the evolution of Rhizobiaceae plasmids seems to have kept interactions among the plasmids; especially, the genes and elements for a conjugal transfer of pRi1724 had clearly closer kinship to those of a Sym (symbiotic) plasmid, pNGR234a in Rhizobium sp. than those of Ti plasmids. By using sequencing and Northern analysis, we examined the metabolic pathway and gene expression of mikimopine, which is probably an Ri-specific opine.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

PubMed2001

Nicorandil--induced ATP release in endothelial cells of rat caudal artery is associated with increase in intracellular Ca(2+).

The effect of nicorandil, an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener, on the level of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) and on ATP release in endothelial cells of the rat caudal artery was examined using a fluorescent confocal microscopic imaging system and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection, respectively. Nicorandil significantly increased [Ca(2+)](i) and the overflow of ATP and its metabolites. The former reaction was abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), but it did not change in the presence of thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid. The increase in the overflow of ATP and [Ca(2+)](i) induced by nicorandil was markedly suppressed by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel blocker. The increase of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by nicorandil was significantly and inversely correlated with the level of intracellular ATP in the endothelial cells, suggesting that activation of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels by nicorandil increases Ca(2+) influx in endothelial cells. The increase of [Ca(2+)](i) might be associated with ATP release.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2001

The effect of nitric oxide production by sinusoidal endothelial cells on preservation injury during cold ischemia.

Multifactorial elements are responsible for preservation and reperfusion injury in liver allografts. Sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) are a primary target of cold preservation injury of the liver. We examined the correlation between nitric oxide (NO) production by SECs and their injury during cold preservation. SECs were isolated from rat livers and preserved in either Euro-Collins (EC) or University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Injury to the SECs was more severe when preserved in the EC solution than in the UW solution during cold ischemia. In addition, NO production by SECs was found to be proportionate to the cell injury. Cell viability was not improved by the addition of NO inhibitor, L-NMMA. Further, NO inhibitor was detrimental to the SECs in a 24-h preservation in UW solution. LDH release by SECs preserved in UW solution supplemented with L-NMMA was 11.10+/-2.03 IU/l, while that in UW solution alone was 3.70+/-0.70 IU/l (P<0.01). Together, our results suggest that NO protects SECs during cold preservation and that NO from SECs may have beneficial effects on the liver during cold ischemia.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Selectivity of stationary phases in reversed-phase liquid chromatography based on the dispersion interactions.

Selectivity of 15 stationary phases was examined, either commercially available or synthesized in-house. The highest selectivity factors were observed for solute molecules having different polarizability on the 3-(pentabromobenzyloxy)propyl phase (PBB), followed by the 2-(1-pyrenyl)ethyl phase (PYE). Selectivity of fluoroalkane 4,4-di(trifluoromethyl)-5,5,6,6,7,7,7-heptafluoroheptyl (F13C9) phase is lowest among all phases for all compounds except for fluorinated ones. Aliphatic octyl (C8) and octadecyl (C18) phases demonstrated considerable selectivity, especially for alkyl compounds. While PBB showed much greater preference for compounds with high polarizability containing heavy atoms than C18 phase, F13C9 phase showed the exactly opposite tendency. These three stationary phases can offer widely different selectivity that can be utilized when one stationary phase fails to provide separation for certain mixtures. The retention and selectivity of solutes in reversed-phase liquid chromatography is related to the mobile phase and the stationary phase effects. The mobile phase effect, related to the hydrophobic cavity formation around non-polar solutes, is assumed to have a dominant effect on retention upon aliphatic stationary phases such as C8, C18. In a common mobile phase significant stationary phase effect can be attributed to dispersion interaction. Highly dispersive stationary phases such as PBB and PYE retain solutes to a significant extent by (attractive) dispersion interaction with the stationary phase ligands, especially for highly dispersive solutes containing aromatic functionality and/or heavy atoms. The contribution of dispersion interaction is shown to be much less on C18 or C8 phases and was even disadvantageous on F13C9 phase. Structural properties of stationary phases are analyzed and confirmed by means of quantitative structure-chromatographic retention (QSRR) study.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

PubMed2001

Inhibition by a novel anti-arrhythmic agent, NIP-142, of cloned human cardiac K+ channel Kv1.5 current.

NIP-142 was shown to prolong atrial effective refractory period and to terminate atrial fibrillation and flutter in in vivo canine models. To obtain information on its antiarrhythmic action, we examined the effect of NIP-142 on cloned human cardiac K+ channel Kv1.5 (hKv1.5) currents stably expressed in a human cell line using whole-cell voltage clamp methods. NIP-142 inhibited the hKv1.5 current in a concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manner. The inhibition was larger at the end of depolarizing pulse than at the outward current peak. The IC50 for inhibition of the steady-state phase was 4.75 microM. A cross-over phenomenon was observed when current traces in the absence and presence of NIP-142 were superimposed. Inhibition of hKv1.5 current by NIP-142 was frequency-independent; changing the depolarizing pulse frequencies (0.1, 0.2, 1 Hz) and little effect on the degree of inhibition. NIP-142 decreased the maximal peak amplitude of kHv1.5 current at the first command pulse after 3 min rest in the presence of the drug. These results suggest that NIP-142 has inhibitory effects on the hKv 1.5 current through interaction with both open and closed states of the channel, which may underlie its antiarrhythmic activity in the atria.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

PubMed2001

The mechanism of aubstrate eecognition of pyroglutamyl-peptidase I from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as determined by X-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis.

Pyroglutamyl-peptidase is able to specifically remove the amino-terminal pyroglutamyl residue protecting proteins or peptides from aminopeptidases. To clarify the mechanism of substrate recognition for the unique structure of the pyrrolidone ring, x-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis were applied. The crystal structure of pyroglutamyl-peptidase bound to a transition state analog inhibitor (Inh), pyroglutaminal, was determined. Two hydrogen bonds were located between the main chain of the enzyme and the inhibitor (71:O.H-N:Inh and Gln71:N-H.OE:Inh), and the pyrrolidone ring of the inhibitor was inserted into the hydrophobic pocket composed of Phe-10, Phe-13, Thr-45, Ile-92, Phe-142, and Val-143. To study in detail the hydrophobic pocket, Phe-10, Phe-13, and Phe-142 were selected for mutation experiments. The k(cat) value of the F10Y mutant decreased, but the two phenylalanine mutants F13Y and F142Y did not exhibit significant changes in kinetic parameters compared with the wild-type enzyme. The catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) for the F13A and F142A mutants were less than 1000-fold that of the wild-type enzyme. The x-ray crystallographic study of the F142A mutant showed no significant change except for a minor one in the hydrophobic pocket compared with the wild type. These findings indicate that the molecular recognition of pyroglutamic acid is achieved through two hydrogen bonds and an insertion in the hydrophobic pocket. In the pocket, Phe-10 is more important to the hydrophobic interaction than is Phe-142, and furthermore Phe-13 serves as an "induced fit" mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Distinct roles for the N- and C-terminal regions in the cytotoxicity of pierisin-1, a putative ADP-ribosylating toxin from cabbage butterfly, against mammalian cells.

Pierisin-1 is an 850-aa cytotoxic protein found in the cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapae, and has been suggested to consist of an N-terminal region with ADP-ribosyltransferase domain and of a C-terminal region that might have a receptor-binding domain. To elucidate the role of each region, we investigated the functions of various fragments of pierisin-1. In vitro expressed polypeptide consisting of amino acid residues 1-233 or 234-850 of pierisin-1 alone did not show cytotoxicity against human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. However, the presence of both polypeptides in the culture medium showed some of the original cytotoxic activity. Introduction of the N-terminal polypeptide alone by electroporation also induced cell death in HeLa cells, and even in the mouse melanoma MEB4 cells insensitive to pierisin-1. Thus, the N-terminal region has a principal role in the cytotoxicity of pierisin-1 inside mammalian cells. Analyses of incorporated pierisin-1 indicated that the entire protein, regardless of whether it consisted of a single polypeptide or two separate N- and C-terminal polypeptides, was incorporated into HeLa cells. However, neither of the terminal polypeptides was incorporated when each polypeptide was present separately. These findings indicate that the C-terminal region is important for the incorporation of pierisin-1. Moreover, presence of receptor for pierisin-1 in the lipid fraction of cell membrane was suggested. The cytotoxic effects of pierisin-1 were enhanced by previous treatment with trypsin, producing "nicked" pierisin-1. Generation of the N-terminal fragment in HeLa cells was detected after application of intact entire molecule of pierisin-1. From the above observations, it is suggested that after incorporation of pierisin-1 into the cell by interaction of its C-terminal region with the receptor in the cell membrane, the entire protein is cleaved into the N- and C-terminal fragments with intracellular protease, and the N-terminal fragment then exhibits cytotoxicity.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

PubMed2001

Effect of donepezil on brain acetylcholinesterase activity in patients with AD measured by PET.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the brain of three patients with AD were measured once before and once during donepezil treatment (5 mg/d in two patients, 3 mg/d in one patient) using PET and N-[11C]methylpiperidin-4-yl acetate. Donepezil reduced k(3) values, an index of AChE activity, in the cerebral cortex by 39 +/- 5%. All patients showed some degree of symptomatic improvement, and it was concluded that this improvement was likely caused by improved cholinergic activity by inhibition of AChE in the brain.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed2001

Thermostabilization of a chimeric enzyme by residue substitutions: four amino acid residues in loop regions are responsible for the thermostability of Thermus thermophilus isopropylmalate dehydrogenase.

A chimeric 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, named 2T2M6T, made of parts from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, and a mesophile, Bacillus subtilis, was found to be considerably more labile than the T. thermophilus wild-type isopropylmalate dehydrogenase. In order to identify the molecular basis of the thermal stability of the T. thermophilus isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, 11 amino acid residues in the mesophilic portion of the chimera were substituted by the corresponding residues of the T. thermophilus enzyme, and the effects of the side chain substitutions were analyzed by comparing the reaction rate of irreversible heat denaturation and catalytic parameters of the mutant chimeras with those of the original chimera, 2T2M6T. Four single-site mutants were successfully stabilized without any loss of the catalytic function. All these four sites are located in loop regions of the enzyme. Our results strongly suggest the importance of these loop structures to the extreme stability of the T. thermophilus isopropylmalate dehydrogenase.

3-Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase↗