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Biomedical subjects

N Tsukagoshi

Publications and source records attributed to N Tsukagoshi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Two family G xylanase genes from Chaetomium gracile and their expression in Aspergillus nidulans.

With oligonucleotides based on the amino-terminal and internal amino-acid sequences of a xylanase, two xylanase genes, cgxA and cgxB, were isolated and sequenced from Chaetomium gracile wild and mutant strains. Each gene isolated from both strains was essentially the same as far as nucleotide sequences were compared. The mature CgXA and CgXB xylanases comprise 189 and 211 amino acids, respectively, and share 68.5% homology. The CgXA was found to be the major enzyme in the mutant strain. Comparison of these amino-acid sequences with xylanase sequences from other origins showed that they have a high degree of identity to the family G xylanases. The cgxA and cgxB genes were introduced into Aspergillus nidulans and found to be expressed with their own promoters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of the gene for a protein thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase in Bacillus brevis.

The gene (bdb) for protein thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase cloned from Bacillus brevis was found to encode a polypeptide consisting of 117 amino acid residues with a signal peptide of 27 residues. Bdb contains a well-conserved motif, Cys-X-X-Cys, which functions as the active center of disulfide oxidoreductases such as DsbA, protein disulfide isomerase, and thioredoxin. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant homology with those of several bacterial thioredoxins. The bdb gene complemented the Escherichia coli dsbA mutation, restoring motility by means of flagellar and alkaline phosphatase activity. The Bdb protein overproduced in B. brevis was enzymatically active in both reduction and oxidization of disulfide bonds in vitro. Immunoblotting indicated that Bdb could function at the periphery of the cell.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nitrate reductase gene from a shoyu koji mold, Aspergillus oryzae KBN616.

A niaD gene encoding nitrate reductase was isolated from Aspergillus oryzae KBN616 and sequenced. The structural gene comprises 2973 bp and 868 amino acids, which showed a high degree of similarity to nitrate reductases from other filamentous fungi. The coding sequence is interrupted by six introns varying in size from 48 to 98 bp. The intron positions are all conserved among the niaD genes from A. oryzae, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus niger. A homologous transformation system was developed for an industrial shoyu koji mold, A. oryzae KBN616, based on the nitrate reductase (niaD) of the nitrate assimilation pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

BbrPI, an extracellular proteinase inhibitor of Bacillus brevis, protects cells from the attack of exogenous proteinase.

BbrPI, an extracellular serine proteinase inhibitors of B. brevis HPD31, is activated by proteolytic processing of an inactive precursor. To discover the physiological role of BbrPI, its deficient mutants were genetically constructed. Although the BbrPI deficient mutant had a higher extracellular proteinase activity than the parent strain, it grew normally. The BbrPI deficient mutant showed higher sensitivity to added trypsin than that of the parent. These observations suggest that the BbrPI may play a role in cellular protection from the attack of exogenous proteinases.

Bacillus↗

cDNA sequence for rkST1, a novel member of the sodium ion-dependent glucose cotransporter family.

A full length cDNA for rkST1, a novel member of the Na+/glucose cotransporter family, was cloned from rabbit kidney and sequenced. The coding sequence comprised 2022 base pairs and 674 amino acids. rkST1 beared 50-60% amino acid identity to the other cotransporters and was characteristic in respect of its expression in brain in addition to kidney among the cotransporters.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate promotes osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 mediated by accumulation of type I collagen.

L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc-P: a stable ascorbic acid derivative) markedly stimulated synthesis of marker proteins for osteoblastic differentiation such as alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in a murine osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, suggesting that Asc-P could promote osteoblastic differentiation. L-Azetidine 2-carboxylate (AzC) diminished the stimulatory effects of Asc-P on the synthesis of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin due to its inhibitory effects on mature collagen secretion. Growing cells on the dishes coated with type I collagen resulted in an increased expression of osteoblastic phenotypes even in the presence of AzC. Coating with fibronectin, however, failed to promote differentiation. These results suggest that the promotion of cell differentiation caused by Asc-P is mediated by the accumulation of mature collagen.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Structural features of a polygalacturonase gene cloned from Aspergillus oryzae KBN616.

A genomic gene encoding a polygalacturonase from Aspergillus oryzae, used in soy sauce production, was cloned and sequenced. The structural gene comprises 1227 bp coding for 363 amino acids with a putative prepropeptide of 28 amino acids and the open reading frame is disrupted by two short introns of 57 bp and 81 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature protein showed 63, 63, 63 and 64% homology with those of Aspergillus niger polygalacturonase I, Aspergillus niger polygalacturonase II, Aspergillus tubingensis polygalacturonase II and Cochliobolus carbonum polygalacturonase, respectively. There is, however, little homology among fungal, plant and bacterial polygalacturonases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ascorbate-dependent elevation of mRNA levels for cytochrome P450s induced by polychlorinated biphenyls.

Trichlorobiphenyl induced only CYP1A2 mRNA, while pentachlorobiphenyl induced both CYP1A2 and CYP2B1 mRNAs in rat liver. The mRNA levels for these P450s were elevated when ascorbic acid-deficient ODS rats (mutant rats with a hereditary osteogenic disorder) were fed a diet supplemented with ascorbic acid. The amount of CYP2B1 mRNA increased rapidly and reached a maximum level of approximately double within 24 hr of injection of pentachlorobiphenyl. Thereafter, the amount of its mRNA decreased to a steady level. This pattern was roughly paralleled by changes in the amount of CYP1A2 mRNA.

Animals↗

Aspergillus nidulans nuclear proteins bind to a CCAAT element and the adjacent upstream sequence in the promoter region of the starch-inducible Taka-amylase A gene.

Aspergillus nidulans was used as an intermediate host to investigate the regulation of the Taka-amylase A (TAA) gene from Aspergillus oryzae. The induction of Taa by starch was confirmed to be regulated at the transcriptional level by analyzing the transcripts specific for Taa synthesized in vitro in nuclei from starch- and glucose-grown cells. A 55 bp DNA fragment containing a consensus CCAAT sequence from the promoter region of the Taa gene was shown to confer starch inducibility on the gene. A nuclear extract from starch-grown cells was assayed for proteins which bind to the promoter region of the Taa gene. A protein designated AnCP1 bound to the CCAAT sequence. A nuclear extract from glucose-grown cells contained two DNA-binding proteins designated AnCP2 and AnNP1. AnCP2 bound to the same CCAAT sequence as AnCP1, while AnNP1 bound to the 25 bp region just upstream of the AnCP2 binding site. Occupancy of the two binding sites appeared to be mutually exclusive, which is suggestive of a negative regulatory mechanism for gene expression.

Aspergillus nidulans↗

Production of a fungal protein, Taka-amylase A, by protein-producing Bacillus brevis HPD31.

An expression-secretion vector, pMK300, was constructed to express the Aspergillus oryzae Taka-amylase A (Taa) cDNA. The promoter and signal peptide regions of the HWP (a major cell wall protein of Bacillus brevis HPD31) gene on pMK300 were efficiently utilized in B. brevis HPD31 and a large amount of Taa (22 mg/l) was secreted into the medium. The HWP signal peptide utilized for secretion of Taa was correctly processed during the protein transport across the membrane. The enzymatic properties of Taa produced by B. brevis HPD31 were the same as those of the Aspergillus oryzae Taa in several respects; specific activity, thermal and pH stabilities, and temperature and pH optima. These results, in combination with previous results, indicate that B. brevis HPD31 could be used to produce extracellularly foreign proteins of diverse origins as functional proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase by L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate in a human osteoblast cell line, HuO-3N1.

The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) was significantly enhanced in a human osteoblast cell line, HuO-3N1, when it was cultured in the presence of L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AsA-P; a stable ascorbic acid derivative). With AsA-P in the culture, the level of ALPase activity increased approximately 3-fold without any effect on either the morphology or growth rate. This increase was dependent on the AsA-P concentration in the range of 0.2-2 mM and required at least 48 h incubation with AsA-P. The ALPase mRNA level, however, remained rather constant irrespective of the enzyme activity. Removal of AsA-P from the precultured medium decreased the stimulatory effect of ascorbic acid on the ALPase activity, indicating that the effect was reversible. Dexamethasone, an inducer for osteoblastic differentiation, enhanced the level of ALPase activity irreversibly, in parallel with the increase in the level of its mRNA. The enhancement of the ALPase activity by ascorbic acid in this cell line appeared to be independent of cell differentiation.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Structural and functional roles of cysteine residues of Bacillus polymyxa beta-amylase.

Bacillus polymyxa beta-amylase contains three cysteine residues at positions 83, 91, and 323, which can react with sulfhydryl reagents. To determine the role of cysteine residues in the catalytic reaction, cysteine residues were mutated to construct four mutant enzymes, C83S, C91V, C323S, and C-free. Wild-type and mutant forms of the enzyme were expressed in, and purified to homogeneity from, Bacillus subtilis. A disulfide bond between Cys83 and Cys91 was identified by isolation of tryptic peptides bearing a fluorescent label, IAEDANS, from wild-type and C91 V enzymes followed by amino acid sequencing. Therefore, only Cys323 contains a free SH group. Replacement of cysteine residues with serine or valine residues resulted in a significant decrease in the kcat/Km value of the enzyme. C323S, containing no free SH group, however, retained a high specific activity, approximately 20% of the wild-type enzyme. None of the cysteine residues participate directly in the catalytic reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structurally different rat liver medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenases directed by complementary DNAs differing in their 5'-region.

Different forms of rat liver medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) (EC 1.3.99.3) were produced in Escherichia coli carrying expression plasmids (pRMCADm-1 approximately 9) differing at the 5'-region of the cDNA. The proteins expressed could be readily extracted from the cells. The protein (approximately 44 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-3 showed the highest activity and was readily purified to homogeneity. The purified enzyme contained non-covalently bound FAD and was similar to rat liver mitochondrial enzyme in all respects examined. The purified protein (approximately 45 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-1 did not contain FAD and showed no enzymatic activity. Therefore, the leader peptide disturbs the binding of FAD to the apoprotein. The purified protein (approximately 40 kDa) directed by pRMCADm-6 did not contain FAD. Thus, the deletion of the NH2-terminal portion of the apoprotein to some extent results in its inability to combine with FAD.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗

Repression of the cell wall protein gene operon in Bacillus brevis 47 by magnesium and calcium ions.

Transcription from P2, one of the major promoters of the cell wall protein gene operon of Bacillus brevis 47, was markedly enhanced at the early stationary phase of growth. MgCl2, when added at 1 to 5 mM to the medium, inhibited this enhancement of transcription as well as shedding of the cell wall protein layers from the cell surface. MgSO4 or CaCl2 showed an effect similar to that of MgCl2. The possible coordination of the cell wall structure with regulation of the cell wall protein genes is discussed.

Bacillus↗

Proteases involved in generation of beta- and alpha-amylases from a large amylase precursor in Bacillus polymyxa.

The genes for extracellular neutral protease (Npr) and intracellular serine protease (Isp) were cloned from Bacillus polymyxa in order to elucidate the process involved in the generation of multiple beta-amylases and an alpha-amylase from a large amylase precursor. The npr gene was composed of 1,770 bp and 570 amino acids, while the isp gene was composed of 978 bp and 326 amino acids. Both proteases produced by E. coli cleaved the amylase precursor to generate beta- and alpha-amylases. Furthermore, several other proteases produced the same products from the precursor. A 130-kDa amylase precursor has two large domain structures responsible for the generation of beta- and alpha-amylases. The junction region of approximately 200 amino acids may be exposed on the surface of the molecule and susceptible to proteolytic enzymes, which results in the formation of multiple amylases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of promoters of the cell wall protein gene operon in Bacillus brevis 47.

The cell wall protein gene operon of Bacillus brevis 47 has multiple and tandem promoters. The precise locations of the two major promoters (P2 and P3) of the operon were determined by deletion analysis. This together with results of oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of the promoter regions confirmed that the -35 and -10 sequences of the two promoters proposed previously are essential for their promoter activity. A G + C-rich sequence upstream of the -35 region of P2 and an A-rich sequence upstream of the -35 region of P3 facilitate the transcription from P2 and P3, respectively.

Bacillus↗

Nucleotide sequence of the raw-starch-digesting amylase gene from Bacillus sp. B1018 and its strong homology to the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase genes.

The gene coding for the raw-starch-digesting amylase from Bacillus sp. B1018 was cloned into Escherichia coli, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Starting at an ATG codon, there was an open reading frame composed of 2139 bp (713 amino acids). The NH2-terminal portion encoded a 27 amino acid-long signal peptide. S1 mapping revealed the presence of a typical promoter region upstream from the transcription initiation site. The deduced amino acid sequence of the extracellular mature enzyme was very similar to those of cyclodextrin glucanotransferases (CGTases), especially that of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. 1011 (87% homology). In fact, the B1018 amylase showed CGTase activity. The COOH-terminal portion of the B1018 amylase shows significant homology with other raw-starch-digesting enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗