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S Nishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to S Nishikawa.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Reconstitution of GTP-binding Sar1 protein function in ER to Golgi transport.

In the yeast secretory pathway, two genes SEC12 and SAR1, which encode a 70-kD integral membrane protein and a 21-kD GTP-binding protein, respectively, cooperate in protein transport from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. In vivo, the elevation of the SAR1 dosage suppresses temperature sensitivity of the sec12 mutant. In this paper, we show cell-free reconstitution of the ER-to-Golgi transport that depends on both of these gene products. First, the membranes from the sec12 mutant cells reproduce temperature sensitivity in the in vitro ER-to-Golgi transport reaction. Furthermore, the addition of the Sar1 protein completely suppresses this temperature-sensitive defect of the sec12 membranes. The analysis of Sar1p partially purified by E. coli expression suggests that GTP hydrolysis is essential for Sar1p to execute its function.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1991

Generation of B lymphocytes from a single hemopoietic progenitor cell in vitro.

The first stages of the pathway by which lymphocytes differentiate from hemopoietic stem cells were studied at a clonal level. When 211 interleukin 3 (IL-3)-induced blast colonies shown to be capable of differentiating into a variety of hemopoietic cells were individually transferred into wells containing a monolayer of stromal cells, growth in granulocyte, macrophage, megakaryocyte, or mast cell lineages was observed in 192 wells. In seven of these 192 wells, lymphoid cell growth also was seen. The lymphoid cells were proved to be B lymphocytes by phenotype and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analyses and by demonstration of surface expression of IgM. The clonal origin of myeloid and B lymphocyte lineage cells was further confirmed by the generation of both myeloid and B lymphoid cells in the same well following FACS clone-sorting of IL-3 induced blast cells. These results provide in vitro evidence that cells of B lymphoid and myeloid lineage can originate clonally from single primitive hemopoietic stem cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Expression of a synthetic gene for human cap binding protein (human IF-4E) in Escherichia coli and fluorescence studies on interaction with mRNA cap structure analogues.

An artificial gene coding for the human cap binding protein (hCBP: human IF-4E) was chemically synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli under the control of a trp promoter. The DNA duplex of 662 bp was designed and constructed from 44 oligodeoxynucleotide fragments of typically 30 nucleotides in length. Although the hCBP gene was not directly expressed in E. coli HB101, we succeeded in its high-level expression as a fusion protein connected with a portion of human growth hormone through a tetradecapeptide (Asp-Asp-Pro-Pro-Thr-Val-Glu-Leu-Gln-Gly-Leu-Val-Pro-Arg) that contains the recognition sequence for a site-specific protease alpha-thrombin. Upon induction with 3-indoleacrylic acid, the fusion protein accumulated with a yield of about 20% of the total proteins of the host cell. Upon the treatment of the fusion protein with alpha-thrombin, which recognizes the sequence "Val-Pro-Arg," specific proteolysis at the fused junction occurred efficiently. In this system, nonspecific digestion by alpha-thrombin was not marked. About 15 mg of recombinant hCBP was obtained from a 1-liter culture. Association constants between the recombinant hCBP and mRNA cap structure analogues were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The values obtained for the m7GpppA, m7GTP, and m7GMP were almost the same as those reported for the IF-4E isolated from human erythrocyte cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Conformation of 2'GMP bound to a mutant ribonuclease T1 (Y45W) determined by X-ray diffraction and NMR methods.

The crystal structure of a mutant ribonuclease T1 (Y45W) complexed with a specific inhibitor, 2'GMP, has been determined by X-ray diffraction and refined at 1.9 A resolution to a conventional R-factor of 0.164. The mode of recognition of the guanine base by the enzyme is similar to that found for the wild-type ribonuclease T1 complexed with 2'GMP. The binding of the guanine base is clearly enhanced by maximum overlapping of the indole ring of Trp45 and the base. The glycosyl torsion angle of the inhibitor is in the syn conformation and the sugar exhibits a C3'-endo type pucker, which differs from that observed in the crystal of the complex between the wild-type ribonuclease T1 and 2'GMP. Analysis of 500-MHZ NMR spectra has also indicated that the 2'GMP molecule as bound to the mutant enzyme in solution exhibits a C3'-endo type pucker, similar to that bound to the wild-type enzyme in solution [Inagaki, Shimada, & Miyazawa (1985) Biochemistry 24, 1013-1020].

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed1991

Hydrophobic effects on protein/nucleic acid interaction: enhancement of substrate binding by mutating tyrosine 45 to tryptophan in ribonuclease T1.

Hydrophobic effects on binding of ribonuclease T1 to guanine bases of several ribonucleotides have been proved by mutating a hydrophobic residue at the recognition site and by measuring the effect on binding. Mutation of a hydrophobic surface residue to a more hydrophobic residue (Tyr45----Trp) enhances the binding to ribonucleotides, including mononucleotide inhibitor and product, and a synthetic substrate-analog trinucleotide as well as the binding to dinucleotide substrates and RNA. Enhancements on binding to non-substrate ribonucleotides by the mutation have been observed with free energy changes ranging from -2.2 to -3.9 kJ/mol. These changes are in good agreement with that of substrate binding, -2.3 kJ/mol, which is calculated from Michaelis constants obtained from kinetic studies. It is shown, by comparing the observed and calculated changes in binding free energy with differences in the observed transfer free energy changes of the amino acid side chains from organic solvents to water, that the enhancement observed on guanine binding comes from the difference in the hydrophobic effects of the side chains of tyrosine and tryptophan. Furthermore, a linear relationship between nucleolytic activities and hydrophobicity of the residues (Ala, Phe, Tyr, Trp) at position 45 is observed. The mutation could not change substantially the base specificity of RNase T1, which exhibits a prime requirement for guanine bases of substrates.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1991

The expression of c-kit protein during oogenesis and early embryonic development.

The c-kit proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor and was shown to be allelic with the white-spotting locus (W) of the mouse. Mutations at the W locus have pleiotropic effects on the development of hematopoietic stem cells, melanoblasts, and primordial germ cells. In order to elucidate the role of c-kit protein in gametogenesis and oocyte maturation, we have examined immunohistochemically the expression of c-kit in the ovaries of mice at late fetal and postnatal stages, and in early embryos. By the avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) method using rat anti-mouse c-kit monoclonal antibody, the c-kit protein was detected in ovaries after the time of birth, but not before. The expression of c-kit was observed mainly on the surface of oocytes, but not in granulosa cells nor in interstitial regions. Oocytes of primordial to fully grown Graafian follicles showed the c-kit protein. When ovulation was induced by hCG, the expression of c-kit in ovulated unfertilized oocytes was weaker than in oocytes of Graafian follicles. In 1-cell embryos the c-kit protein was still observed, but with cell division its expression further decreased, and it was not detected in embryos of 4-cell, 8-cell, and morula stages. In summary, the highest expression of c-kit was observed on the surface of oocytes arrested in the diplotene stage of meiotic prophase. With ovulation and the resumption of meiotic maturation, its expression declined. These results suggest that the c-kit protein may play some role in meiotic arrest, oocyte growth, and oocyte maturation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Detection of lipopolysaccharide-binding proteins on membranes of murine lymphocyte and macrophage-like cell lines.

Lipopolysaccharide-(LPS) binding proteins present on murine-lymphocyte and macrophage-like cell lines were identified by a ligand-blotting method and subsequent immunological detection of bound LPS. Membrane proteins of the murine-pre-B-cell line 70Z/3 were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred electrophoretically onto nitrocellulose, and the blot was incubated with LPS of the Salmonella minnesota Re-mutant R595 (mRe-LPS). LPS bound to proteins on nitrocellulose was immunologically detected by anti-mRe-LPS antibodies; LPS was associated with one of the membrane proteins of 70Z/3 cells. This protein was 40 kDa under reducing and 45 kDa under non-reducing conditions, respectively. Treatment of 70Z/3 cells with pronase led to the disappearance of the LPS-binding protein indicating its surface location. Excess free lipid A, which represents the biologically active region of LPS, inhibited the binding of mRe-LPS to the protein. This LPS-binding protein was also identified on the pre-B-cell line CYG8, the B-cell line CYG101 and the murine-T-cell line BW5147. It was, however, not detectable on the B-cell line CYG34 and the myeloma-cell line P3-X63-Ag8.653. No other LPS-binding protein could be detected on these cell lines. In the murine-macrophage-like cell line J774.1, two LPS-binding proteins, one of 40 kDa and one of 80 kDa, were detected. These results indicate that mRe-LPS is specifically bound to a 40-kDa protein of lymphocytes, whereas in the case of macrophages it is associated with two LPS-binding proteins of 40 and 80 kDa.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cloning and sequencing of the gene for a Pseudomonas paucimobilis enzyme that cleaves beta-aryl ether.

We isolated Pseudomonas paucimobilis SYK-6, which was able to degrade various dimeric lignin compounds (Y. Katayama, S. Nishikawa, M. Nakamura, K. Yano, M. Yamasaki, N. Morohoshi, and T. Haraguchi, Mokuzai Gakkaishi 33:77-79, 1987). This metabolic process is a distinct characteristic of this bacterium, which is equipped with an enzymatic modification system for various dimeric lignin compounds involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Cleavage of the beta-aryl ether linkage is essential in this process, because this linkage is the most abundant (approximately 50%) in lignin. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of the beta-etherase gene, which contains an open reading frame of 843 bp and which we call ligE. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme had the same kinetic properties as the P. paucimobilis SYK-6 enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Structural and functional dissection of a membrane glycoprotein required for vesicle budding from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Sec12p is a membrane glycoprotein required for the formation of a vesicular intermediate in protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Comparison of the N-linked glycosylation of Sec12p, a Sec12p-invertase hybrid protein, and a derivative of Sec12p lacking 71 carboxy-terminal amino acids showed that Sec12p is a type II membrane protein. Analysis of two truncated forms of Sec12p and of a temperature-sensitive mutant indicated that the C-terminal domain of Sec12p is not essential for protein transport, whereas the integrity and membrane attachment of the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain are essential. Expression of a soluble cytoplasmic domain dramatically inhibited the growth of a sec12 temperature-sensitive strain by increasing the transport defect at a normally permissive temperature. This growth inhibition as well as the sec12 temperature-sensitive defect were suppressed by the overproduction of Sar1p, a small GTP-binding protein that participates in protein transport. Sar1p membrane association was enhanced by elevated levels of Sec12p. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic domain of Sec12p interacts with Sar1p and that the complex may function to promote vesicle formation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Role of c-kit in mouse spermatogenesis: identification of spermatogonia as a specific site of c-kit expression and function.

Recent studies have shown that the dominant white spotting (W) locus encodes the proto-oncogene c-kit, a member of the tyrosine kinase receptor family. One symptom of mice bearing mutation within this gene is sterility due to developmental failure of the primordial germ cells during early embryogenesis. To elucidate the role of the c-kit in gametogenesis, we used an anti-c-kit monoclonal antibody, ACK2, as an antagonistic blocker for c-kit function to interfere with the development of male and female germ cells during postnatal life. ACK2 enabled us to detect the expression of c-kit in the gonadal tissue and also to determine the functional status of c-kit, which is expressed on the surface of a particular cell lineage. Consistent with our immunohistochemical findings, the intravenous injection of ACK2 into adult mice caused a depletion in the differentiating type A spermatogonia from the testis during 24-36 h, while the undifferentiated type A spermatogonia were basically unaffected. Intraperitoneal injections of ACK2 into prepuberal mice could completely block the mitosis of mature (differentiating) type A spermatogonia, but not the mitosis of the gonocytes and primitive type A spermatogonia, or the meiosis of spermatocytes. Our results indicate that the survival and/or proliferation of the differentiating type A spermatogonia requires c-kit, but the primitive (undifferentiated) type A spermatogonia or spermatogenic stem cells are independent from c-kit. Moreover, the antibody administration had no significant effect on oocyte maturation despite its intense expression of c-kit.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Activity of artificial mutant variants of human growth hormone deficient in a disulfide bond between Cys53 and Cys165.

In order to understand the role of Cys53 and Cys165 of human growth hormone (hGH) in receptor-binding and biological activity, artificial mutant variants of hGH were prepared in Escherichia coli by in vitro mutagenesis. Variants of hGH were constructed by replacement of Cys165 with Ala ([Ala165]hGH) or Ser ([Ser165]hGH), by replacement of Cys53 with Ala ([Ala53]hGH), by replacement of Cys53 and Cys165 with Ala ([Ala53, Ala165]hGH), or by replacement of Cys53 with Ala and Cys165 with Ser ([Ala53,Ser165]hGH). All of the variants constructed as well as reduced hGH exhibited less biological activity than that of intact hGH, and the decreases in biological activity were almost equal, as measured by a sensitive biological assay for growth hormone: adipose conversion assay using 3T3-F442A cells. These variants also showed less receptor-binding activity than that of intact hGH. These results suggest that it is possible neither the residue Cys53 nor Cys165 is directly involved in the receptor binding, and that the disulfide bridge between Cys53 and Cys165 in hGH may not always be crucial for the biological activity, though necessary to express full hGH activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Bimane fluorogenic substrates for microdetermination of angiotensin converting enzyme level in serum.

The fluorescence of 9,10-dioxa-syn-3,4,6,7-tetramethylbimane (bimane) was found to be quenched in the presence of nitrated aromatic amino acid. Bimane peptides containing nitrated amino acid (1a, b) were shown to be useful fluorogenic substrates for the assay of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) from rabbit lung, similar to bimane substrate containing tryptophan (3) previously reported. Among these bimane substrates, substrate 3 was shown to be a potent fluorogenic substrate for microdetermination of the ACE level in human serum.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1991

Nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia: a clinical and in vitro study.

Two cases of gingival hyperplasia associated with long-term administration of nifedipine, a drug that dilates coronary arteries, are reported. The clinical and histopathological features of the gingival hyperplasia induced by nifedipine were similar to those induced by phenytoin, an anticonvulsant drug. In the present cases, gingival inflammation had developed before drug administration. In one case, extensive dental plaque control in addition to surgical removal of the overgrown gingival tissues resulted in satisfactory progress without the need to discontinue drug administration, suggesting that the preexisting gingival inflammation was involved in the development of this periodontal disease. In the other case, change from nifedipine to another drug resulted in spontaneous recovery, strongly suggesting that the drug had induced the gingival hyperplasia. Nifedipine had no direct effects in vitro on proliferation or collagen synthesis of gingival fibroblastic cells from one of the patients. Study of these two cases suggests that both local inflammatory factors and long-term administration of nifedipine were responsible for the gingival hyperplastic changes observed.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1991

Preferential chelation of cationic ligands to axial-equatorial oxygens over equatorial-equatorial dianionic oxygens: implication to the mechanism of action of ribozymes.

Effects of chelation of H2O, H+, and Mg2+ to two kinds of potential pentacoordinate intermediates of ribozyme reactions were investigated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Unexpectedly, in all cases examined, axial-equatorial chelations were found to be more stabilizing than equatorial-equatorial chelations. These results support the hypothesis that Mg2+ ion is bound to the equatorial phosphoryl oxygen and the axial leaving/attacking oxygen in the transition state of ribozyme reactions.

Anions↗
PubMed1991

Highly conserved coding sequences in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-degraders of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 and Pseudomonas putida KF715.

Sixteen strains that utilize biphenyl or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) as the sole source of carbon and energy have previously been isolated. Nucleotide sequence of the bphABCXD operon (11 kb) of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 has now been determined. When bphD region is compared with the previously reported bphD sequence of another PCB-degrader, Pseudomonas putida KF715, homologies at the level of nucleotides as well as amino acids are as high as 96%. Moreover, both bphABCXD operon (KF707) and bphABCD operon (KF715) share the identical transcriptional initiation site. Since these aromatic hydrocarbon-degraders are coded on chromosomes, whereas other majorities of hydrocarbon-degraders are coded on plasmids, there must be a mechanism governing the chromosomal gene-shuffling.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Abnormal differentiation of tissue macrophage populations in 'osteopetrosis' (op) mice defective in the production of macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Examination of the op/op mouse disclosed marked reduction and abnormal differentiation of osteoclasts in the bones and of tissue-specific macrophages in various visceral organs and tissues. Most of these macrophages were immature as judged by ultrastructural criteria. In co-cultures of normal mouse bone marrow cells with fibroblast cell lines prepared from the lungs of the op/op mice, a defective differentiation of monocytes into macrophages was confirmed, supporting previous evidence that the fibroblast cell lines of the mutant mouse failed to produce functional macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF/CSF-1). In such co-cultures, however, a small number of macrophages apparently mature under the influence of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) produced by the op/op fibroblast cell lines. In the mutant mice, the numbers of macrophages in the uterine wall and ovaries were severely reduced. Compared with the tissues of normal littermates, those of the mutants contained about 60% fewer macrophages in many tissues. This suggests that an M-CSF-independent population of macrophages is derived from granulocyte/macrophage-colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) or earlier hematopoietic progenitors.

Animals↗