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S Murase

Publications and source records attributed to S Murase.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Use of hybridization for distance measurement by fluorescence energy transfer in oligomeric proteins: distance between two functional sites in aspartase.

Our previous studies suggested that in a tetrameric enzyme aspartase, Cys-140 and Trp-430 are located at or near the catalytic and activator sites, respectively. To estimate the distance between these two sites, fluorescence energy transfer between a single tryptophan (Trp-430) and a fluorescent group specifically attached to Cys-140 has been measured. From the fluorescence spectra of the enzyme, the distance was calculated to be 22.2 A according to the Förster's theory. To estimate the contribution of energy transfer between subunits, we prepared hybrids composed of non-fluorescent and fluorescent subunits and showed that the energy transfer occurred mainly within one subunit in the tetramer. These results indicate that the use of hybridization is very effective as a general method for evaluation of intersubunit energy transfer in oligomeric proteins.

Aspartate Ammonia-Lyase↗
PubMed1993

Prefrontal cortex regulates burst firing and transmitter release in rat mesolimbic dopamine neurons studied in vivo.

The influence of the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) on mesolimbic dopamine activity was studied with electrophysiological techniques and in vivo voltammetry in the chloral hydrate-anesthetized male rat. Glutamate injected into the PFC selectively increased burst firing of single dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area and enhanced the release of dopamine from nerve terminals in the nucleus accumbens. PFC injection of the local anesthetic lidocaine produced the opposite effects on burst firing and terminal release. This selective modulation of the dynamic activity of mesolimbic dopamine neurons by the prefrontal cortex might be important in motivation, learning and schizophrenia.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Chemical stimulation of the nucleus locus coeruleus: cardiovascular responses and baroreflex modification.

Microinjection of glutamate (Glu, 2.5 nmol) or homocysteic acid (HA, 0.1-0.5 nmol) into the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) decreased both blood pressure and heart rate. These microinjections also produced a facilitatory or occlusive effect on depressor and bradycardiac responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve (ADN). Destruction of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), which totally eliminated ADN-evoked responses, had no effect on the cardiovascular responses evoked by LC stimulation. These results suggest that the neuronal populations that contribute to the LC-induced cardiovascular responses overlap at least partly with the baroreflex substrate other than the NTS.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Stimulatory effect of phospholipase A2 treatment on glucose utilization in human erythrocytes.

We examined whether modification of membrane phospholipids of human erythrocytes by hydrolysis with phospholipase A2 (PLA2 from bee venom) would affect glucose utilization, chosen as a typical model of intracellular metabolism, and, if so, intended to clarify the mechanism of the alteration of glycolysis. Treatment of erythrocytes with PLA2 induced a marked shape change (i.e., crenation) and significantly increased the rate of lactate production from glucose. Available evidence indicated that there is no relevance of this cell-shape change to the alteration of glycolysis. The lack of a detectable effect of papain treatment on glycolysis in PLA2-treated cells suggested that the increase in glycolysis by PLA2 treatment might not be caused by the conformational change of band-3 protein through modulation of membrane phospholipids. The result of the measurement of lactate production in the presence and absence of ouabain did not support the idea that hydrolysis of phospholipids by PLA2 treatment makes plasma membranes leaky to Na+ and consequently enhances glycolysis through activation of Na+/K(+)-ATPase. The action of PLA2 on glycolysis was abolished by extraction of free fatty acids in the cell membrane with bovine serum albumin. Loading erythrocytes with free fatty acid (oleic acid, linoleic acid, or arachidonic acid) caused a significant increase in glycolysis. Analysis of glycolytic intermediates suggested that the enhancement of glycolysis was induced by activation of 6-phosphofructokinase. The data, thus, indicate that treatment of human erythrocytes with PLA2 significantly accelerates glucose utilization and suggest that the stimulation of glycolysis is caused by activation of 6-phosphofructokinase through liberation of free fatty acids of membrane phospholipids by PLA2.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The 5-HT1A receptor selective ligands, (R)-8-OH-DPAT and (S)-UH-301, differentially affect the activity of midbrain dopamine neurons.

The effects of the selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist (R)-8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin [(R)-8-OH-DPAT] and the novel 5-HT1A antagonist (S)-5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)-tetralin [(S)-UH-301] were studied with regard to the firing pattern of single mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons with extracellular recording techniques in chloral hydrate anesthetized male rats. Neuronal activity was studied with respect to firing rate, burst firing and regularity of firing. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA) low doses of (R)-8-OH-DPAT (2-32 micrograms/kg i.v.) caused an increase in all three parameters. The effect on firing rate of DA neurons was more pronounced in the parabrachial pigmentosus nucleus than in the paranigral nucleus, the two major subdivisions of VTA. In the substantia nigra zona compacta (SN-ZC), (R)-8-OH-DPAT (2-256 micrograms/kg i.v.) had no effect on firing rate and regularity of firing and only slightly increased burst firing. High doses of (R)-8-OH-DPAT (512-1024 micrograms/kg i.v.) decreased the activity of DA cells in both areas, an effect that was prevented by pretreatment with the selective DA D2 receptor antagonist raclopride. (S)-UH-301 (100-800 micrograms/kg i.v.) decreased both firing rate and burst firing without affecting regularity of DA neurons in the VTA. In the SN-ZC, (S)-UH-301 decreased the firing rate but failed to affect burst firing and regularity of firing. These effects of (S)-UH-301 were blocked by raclopride pretreatment. Local application by pneumatic ejection of 8-OH-DPAT excited the DA cells in both the VTA and the SN-ZC, whereas (S)-UH-301 inhibited these cells when given locally. These results show that 5-HT1A receptor related compounds differentially affect the electrophysiological activity of central DA neurons. The DA receptor agonistic properties of these compound appear to contribute to the inhibitory effects of high doses of (R)-8-OH-DPAT and (S)-UH-301 on DA neuronal activity. Given the potential use of 5-HT1A receptor selective compounds in the treatment of anxiety and depression their effects on central DA systems involved in mood regulation and reward related processes are of considerable importance.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1993

Arterial baroreflex inhibition by midbrain periaqueductal grey in anaesthetized rats.

Midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) provokes the defense reaction when stimulated. The present study was conducted to determine whether, and how, the PAG produces baroreflex inhibition, a feature characterizing the hypothalamic defense reaction. In chloralose-urethane anaesthetized rats, baroreflex vagal bradycardia and baroreflex hypotension were provoked by aortic depressor nerve stimulation. When the PAG was electrically stimulated baroreflex vagal bradycardia was remarkably suppressed; suppression of baroreflex hypotension was observed following bilateral vagotomy. In contrast, chemical stimulation of the PAG by D,L-homocysteic acid microinjection markedly suppressed baroreflex vagal bradycardia but only minimally suppressed baroreflex hypotension. These findings suggest that whereas overall PAG stimulation inhibits not only cardiac but also vascular components of baroreflexes, inhibition of the latter component either depends largely on activation of passing fibers or requires recruitment of a larger number of PAG cell bodies. PAG inhibition of baroreflex vagal bradycardia was not affected following spinal cord transection at C1, indicating that the inhibition was exclusively central in origin and not due to peripheral, prejunctional inhibition of vagal acetylcholine release by increased cardiac sympathetic nerve activities. The PAG inhibition of baroreflexes was greatly attenuated following electrolytic as well as chemical destruction of the parabrachial region. On the other hand, when the PAG was extensively lesioned, baroreflex inhibition produced by hypothalamic defense area stimulation was markedly diminished. PAG excitation thus causes powerful inhibition of arterial baroreflexes which is mediated by the parabrachial region; the PAG also mediates a major fraction of hypothalamic inhibition of the baroreflexes.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1993

Effects of dizocilpine (MK-801) on rat midbrain dopamine cell activity: differential actions on firing pattern related to anatomical localization.

The effects of the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine ((+)-MK-801) on the firing pattern of midbrain dopamine neurons were studied with single cell recording techniques in male albino rats anaesthetized with chloral hydrate. The extracellularly recorded electrical activity of single, identified dopamine neurons was studied with respect to firing rate, burst firing and regularity of firing. MK-801 (0.01-1.0 mg/kg IV) induced different effects in different subgroups of midbrain dopamine neurons. In the substantia nigra, firing rate was increased while the pattern was regularized and burst firing slightly increased. In the ventral tegmental area, firing rate and regularity of firing was also increased while effects on burst firing were bidirectional. Histological inspections revealed that neurons which responded with an increase in burst firing were mainly located in the nucleus paranigralis subdivision of the ventral tegmental area, while cells responding with a decrease were predominantly found in the nucleus parabrachialis pigmentosus subdivision. The effects of MK-801 were similar to previously described effects of phencyclidine, another non-competitive NMDA antagonist. The present effects of MK-801 might shed some light on the mechanisms involved in psychotic symptoms induced by phencyclidine and other non-competitive NMDA antagonists.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

Identification of an active dimeric form of aspartase as a denaturation intermediate.

The guanidine-HCl (Gu-HCl)-induced denaturation of a tetrameric enzyme, aspartase from Escherichia coli has been studied by size-exclusion chromatography, and circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies. The size-exclusion analysis showed that in the presence of 0.4 M Gu-HCl, the enzyme has a dimeric structure with 45% of the native activity. The fluorescence and CD studies showed that only a small change occurred in the secondary and tertiary structures in 0.4 M Gu-HCl. In the range of 0.4 to 1 M Gu-HCl, decrease in the activity was observed as the secondary and tertiary structures were disrupted, whereas the dimeric enzyme did not dissociate into inactive monomer until 1 M Gu-HCl. When the enzyme was denatured in less than 1 M Gu-HCl, more than 90% of the original activity was recovered from the renaturation reaction, indicating that the dissociation process from tetramer to dimer is reversible. In contrast, the renaturation yield was 43% when the enzyme was diluted from more than 1 M Gu-HCl, indicating that the process of dissociation into monomer is not reversible. Thus, we identified an active dimeric form as a denaturation intermediate in this study, although the intermediates (including dimer) that were detected in renaturation experiments at low temperature were inactive, as reported previously [Imaishi, H., Yumoto, N., & Tokushige, M. (1989) Physiol. Chem. Phys. Med. NMR 21, 221-228].

Aspartate Ammonia-Lyase↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of three types of aspartase activated by site-directed mutagenesis, limited proteolysis, and acetylation.

The activity of aspartase (L-aspartate ammonia-lyase, EC 4.3.1.1) from Escherichia coli is enhanced 2- to 3-fold by three types of modification of the enzyme as reported previously; the replacement of Cys-430 with Trp by site-directed mutagenesis, the truncation of the C-terminal region by limited proteolysis, and the acetylation of amino groups with acetic anhydride. To elucidate the molecular basis of such activation, we have compared the kinetic properties of the modified enzymes in this study. Although the modifications caused very similar changes in the kinetic properties, such as increase in kcat, the half-saturating concentration of substrate, and Hill coefficient values, the modified enzymes differed greatly in sensitivity to the activator L-aspartate and the inhibitor Cl- ions. As a result of the mutation, the binding affinity for the activator was greatly decreased without change in the sensitivity to the inhibitor, whereas after acetylation, the sensitivity to the inhibitor was completely lost without decrease in the binding affinity for the activator. After truncation of the C-terminal region, both a large decrease in the binding affinity for the activator and complete loss of sensitivity to the inhibitor occurred, suggesting that this type of activation is equivalent to the former two types combined.

Acetic Anhydrides↗
PubMed1993

[A case of pulmonary aspergillosis by immunodiagnosis during remission induction therapy of acute myelocytic leukemia].

The frequency of a visceral mycosis grows definitely higher with an immunocompromised host. Invasive fungal infection can be controlled by means of development of early diagnosis and antifungal therapy. In these types of cases, it is difficult to establish an antemortem diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and most of them were diagnosed postmortem. A patient was diagnosed as aspergillosis from the clinical and serological features. This patient underwent successful therapy during remission induction therapy of acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). A 26-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of leukocytosis with a diagnosis of AML made by reviewing peripheral blood smears and bone marrow aspirate. After remission induction therapy, he was still febrile in spite of treatment with a broad spectrum antibiotics and empiric therapy of fluconazole. Unfortunately shadowing appeared on the chest radiograph and aspergillus antigen was detected from the serum and the sputum. Consequently, the patient who suffered from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed and treated with intravenous amphotericin B and flucytosine. The radiological shadow improved but AML relapsed, therefore, remission induction therapy of AML was started again but he died of sepsis caused MRSA. In the postmortem histopathological examination the lung tissues, the hyphae could not be confirmed while, in immunohistochemical examinations of the lesion at the left S8, aspergillus antigens were detected around the small necrotic lesions and in the polymorphologic giant cells. We emphasize that invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is very difficult to diagnose whereas active examinations and clinical early diagnosis may lead to more effective therapy and the prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Cavernous angioma in the cerebellopontine angle: a case report].

A rare case of cavernous angioma (CA) in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is reported. A 60-year-old female suffered from a right progressive sensorineural hearing loss and a successive right facial paresis over 2 years. A small mass was detected in her right CPA on CT scans. Both T1- and T2-weighted MR images demonstrated an intracanalicular lesion protruding into the CPA as being hyperintense. A small red colored lobulated tumor involving the 7th and 8th cranial nerves was found in the CPA through the suboccipital approach. The tumor contained multiple small hematomas in various stages. Biopsy with evacuation of these hematomas was selected to avoid damaging the cranial nerves. Histological examination of the specimen disclosed it as CA. Postoperatively her facial paresis improved slightly, but her hearing loss remained unchanged. Discussions were carried out concerning clinical and neuroradiological features of CA in the internal auditory canal and CPA. The present case and a previously reported 17 cases were the subjects under discussion.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

[Protein binding of oral cephems in patients with chronic renal failure].

An assessment was made of the serum protein binding of representative oral cephems (cefdinir, cefixime and ceftibuten) for sera from healthy subjects (HS) and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) using an application of equilibrium dialysis under a same set of conditions in vitro. The protein binding capacity of oral cephems in CRF patients being treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or hemodialysis (HD) was significantly less than that in HS, and a marked increase in free drug concentration was observed. While examining the protein binding of oral cephems with heparin in patients on HD, binding capacity decreased significantly immediately following the completion of dialysis compared to that prior to dialysis. On the other hand, the protein binding of oral cephems did not change when used nafamostat mesilate as an anticoagulant. The addition of palmitic acid (PA), a common non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), to pooled sera from HS caused the binding capacity of oral cephems to decrease, accompanied by increase in PA concentration. It appears from these findings that changes in the binding capacity of oral cephems with HD have possibly been caused by increase in NEFA due to activation of lipase when heparin was used as an anticoagulant. In conclusion, changes in the protein binding capacity of oral cephems in CRF patients should be taken into consideration in attempts to avoid possible side effects.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Decreased sensory responsiveness of noradrenergic neurons in the rat locus coeruleus following phencyclidine or dizocilpine (MK-801): role of NMDA antagonism.

The effects of the schizophrenomimetic compound phencyclidine (PCP) on baseline activity and sensory-evoked responses of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons were studied with extracellular single-cell recording techniques in the chloral hydrate-anaesthetized male albino rat. PCP dose-dependently decreased firing rate, induced a more regular firing pattern of the neurons, and decreased neuronal responses to a peripheral sensory stimulus (electrical stimulation of the hindpaw). These effects of PCP were significantly decreased by pretreatment with reserpine or yohimbine, indicating that the effects of PCP were largely indirect and mediated through noradrenaline, i.e. by inhibition of its re-uptake, resulting in stimulation of alpha 2 autoreceptors. The effects of PCP were, however, mimicked by dizocilpine (MK-801), a selective non-competitive antagonist at excitatory amino acid receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) sub-type, suggesting a role also for NMDA receptors in the suppression of sensory responsiveness of locus coeruleus neurons by PCP. In view of the purported physiological role of the locus coeruleus, this effect of PCP may well contribute to the psychotomimetic properties of the drug.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Procedure for evaluating changes in respiratory symptoms of experimentally asthma-induced guinea pigs by a personal computer.

An automated system was developed for evaluating changes in respiratory symptoms in guinea pigs over a long period with a personal computer. The data on breathing curves obtained with a body plethysmograph were analyzed to determine respiratory rate, expiration/inspiration ratio, ventilation ratio, and other parameters. With this system, respiratory changes in guinea pigs, such as increase or decrease of respiratory rate, expiration/inspiration ratio, and ventilation ratio, and death of animals could be easily observed. Investigation of delayed respiratory response to Candida albicans in sensitized guinea pigs and of the effects of SO2 or NO2 exposures on its response was carried out using this system. Respiratory changes in delayed respiratory response were mostly increased respiration rate and succeeding expiratory prolongation being noted just before death. In the influences of SO2 or NO2 exposure on delayed respiratory response, increase of respiratory rate in NO2 and expiratory and inspiratory prolongation in SO2 were found. This system should prove useful for evaluating changes in respiratory symptoms due to toxic agents, medicines, and air pollutants in small animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Protein binding of cephems in the elderly].

The serum protein-binding of 12 representative cephems (CET, CEZ, CZX, CPZ, CZON, CPM, CDZM, CFX, CMZ, CTT, LMOX, FMOX) was assessed, using sera from young healthy subjects (mean age, 28.6 years old) and elderly healthy subjects (mean age, 69.7 years old), applying equilibrium dialysis under the same conditions in vitro. The protein-binding capacity of 12 cephems in elderly subjects was significantly less than that in young subjects, and marked increase in free drug concentration was observed in elderly subjects. This decrease in the protein binding capacity of cephems in elderly subjects was possibly caused by decreased serum albumin and change in non-esterified fatty acid constitution related to aging. As free-drug concentration participates in the appearance of effects and adverse reactions, the possibility of an enhanced pharmacological effects and increased adverse reactions of cephems due to decrease of protein binding in elderly subjects should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Determination of the subunit contact region of aspartase.

The subunits of tetrameric enzyme aspartase from Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens were incapable of forming hybrid tetramers, suggesting that the subunit contact regions of these two enzymes are not conserved in spite of significant homology between the total sequences of the enzymes. To locate the subunit contact region, we modified cysteine residues of the intermediate species formed during the assembly of the subunits of aspartase from E. coli. Subunits modified with N-ethylmaleimide were unable to assemble into tetramers. Further experiments showed that Cys-88 was the primary residue that was modified. The sequence flanking Cys-88 is quite different from that in the the enzyme from P. fluorescens, suggesting that this region participates in the mutual recognition of subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗