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S Shinoda

Publications and source records attributed to S Shinoda.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Purification and some properties of a novel L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid decarboxylase from Vibrio alginolyticus.

Previous investigations have shown that members of the genus Vibrio possess a novel enzyme activity decarboxylating L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) to 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP). In this paper we describe the purification, by about 3600-fold, of the enzyme from V. alginolyticus. The purified enzyme was apparently homogeneous, and had a specific activity of 4200 nmol DAP min-1 (mg protein)-1. The enzyme protein has an Mr of 450,000 +/- 20,000 and is apparently comprised of four identical subunits (Mr 109,000 +/- 1,000). Neither 2,3-diaminopropionic acid, ornithine, lysine nor arginine served as substrates. Some properties of the enzyme were determined. Cultivation of this bacterium in the presence of added DABA brought about increased production of norspermidine (NSPD), characteristically present in this species as well as DAP, suggesting that the enzyme may be functionally implicated in the formation of DAP, a biosynthetic precursor of NSPD.

Aminobutyrates↗

Characterization of putrescine production in nongrowing Vibrio parahaemolyticus cells in response to external osmolality.

Nongrowing Vibrio parahaemolyticus cells rapidly produced putrescine (Put) from added arginine when subjected to a low osmotic stress. This phenomenon was characterized in connection with a regulatory mechanism of the responsible enzymes, arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and agmatine ureohydrolase (AUH). NaCl, KCl, LiCl, sucrose, and glycerol were used as solutes to prepare the resuspending media with various osmolalities. Regardless of whether the solutes were electrolytes or non-electrolytes, exposure of cells to low osmolality brought about instantaneous increases in both intra- and extracellular Put contents without significant changes in the contents of other polyamines. This acceleration in Put production was accompanied by no increases in the specific activities of ADC and AUH. On the other hand, when cells were exposed to the osmolality equivalent to 2 or 5% NaCl, all solutes except for glycerol did not cause a remarkable variation in the intracellular Put content, while the amount of Put in the medium varied depending on the solute used; sucrose and glycerol still greatly prompted Put production, as judged by high Put contents in the media, even at the osmolality equivalent to 5% NaCl. The cation efflux from cells, measured as the K+ release, was observed whenever the increase in Put production occurred. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that NaCl and KCl inhibited ADC to a similar extent, about 70% inhibition being observed at 200 mM. However, AUH was not affected by these compounds. These results suggest that the reduction in the concentrations of Na+ and K+ predominantly present in cells may cause the increase in activity of the preexisting ADC, which leads to the enhancement of Put production.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗

Ecology of Vibrio mimicus in aquatic environments.

An environmental study was done to examine the prevalence of Vibrio mimicus in some aquatic environments of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and of Okayama, Japan. Water samples from Dhaka environments and water and plankton samples from Okayama environments were quantitatively as well as qualitatively analyzed throughout the seasons for V. mimicus. The organism was isolated from Bangladesh environments throughout the year, whereas it was not isolated in Okayama when the water temperature fell below 10 degrees C. Samples with as many as 9.0 x 10(2) CFU of V. mimicus per 100 ml of water in Dhaka and 1.5 x 10(4) CFU of V. mimicus per 100 ml of water in Okayama were detected during the study period. V. mimicus was not found in any environment with an average salinity of 10% or more. Brackish environments with an average salinity of 4% were observed to be the optimal natural condition for the pathogen. Using the API 20E system with the conventional test methods, we observed variations in biochemical properties within the V. mimicus species. This study reveals the inefficacy of the API 20E system to identify a significant percentage of V. mimicus. Therefore, in addition to the API 20E system, a salt tolerance test and a string test are recommended for identification of this species. Susceptibility testing of strains isolated from Okayama environments showed higher resistance to ampicillin and susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole when compared with environmental isolates of V. mimicus from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh↗

Formation of hydroxynorspermidine from exogenously added 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol in Vibrio species.

When Vibrio parahaemolyticus AQ 3627 was grown in the presence of 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol (OH-Dap), a new compound accumulated in the cells. This was identified as hydroxynorspermidine (OH-Nspd), N-(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography. It was also synthesized enzymatically from OH-Dap by a cell-free preparation from this strain. All other Vibrio strains examined also showed the ability to synthesize this compound, but none of the non-vibrio organisms did, indicating that OH-Dap is an in vivo substrate for the enzyme responsible for biosynthesis of norspermidine characteristically present in vibrios. These results suggest that the ability to synthesize OH-Nspd from OH-Dap present in the growth medium may be useful as an additional identifying factor for the genus Vibrio.

Biotransformation↗

Beta-adrenergic receptor adaptation after an acute exercise in rat myocardium.

An acute dynamic exercise provokes the translocation of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) from light vesicle fractions to sarcolemmal membranes in rat myocardium. However, 15 min after an acute exercise the density of beta-AR in both fractions returned to the pre-exercise level. The mean maximal activity of adenylate cyclase in response to isoproterenol roughly paralleled the redistribution of beta-AR. The dose-response curves, however, were substantially shifted to the right with increase in EC50 for isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Thus, the sensitivity of sarcolemmal beta-AR was found to be blunted 15 min afterwards.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

[A case of secretory carcinoma of the breast in a elderly Japanese woman].

We report a case of a secretory carcinoma of the breast in a 72-year-old woman with a long history of a left breast mass. Rapid growth and skin invasion of the tumor was noticed three months before a radical mastectomy was performed and a lung metastasis was found one month after the operation. A metastasis to the axillary nodes was noted in 6 of 9 resected specimens and a receptor assay of the estrogen and progesterone proved to be negative. This patient is the oldest case of a secretory carcinoma of the breast reported in Japan.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of adenosine and pertussis toxin on lipolysis in adipocytes from exercise-trained male rats.

The sensitivity and responsiveness of adipocyte lipolysis to adenosine and pertussis toxin were studied in exercise-trained male rats. Exercise training (9 weeks of treadmill running) significantly increased lipolytic response of adipocytes to noradrenaline (NA). Addition of adenosine deaminase (ADA) to reaction mixture effectively enhanced NA-stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes from both conditioned rats. However, under these conditions, the difference due to exercise training was still evident, although the difference was less pronounced. The inhibition curves of the R-site adenosine analogue N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) against "basal" (lipolysis in the presence of ADA) and NA-stimulated lipolysis were almost comparable between two groups. Only a small (approx. 2-fold) increase in IC50 of adipocyte lipolysis was observed in each inhibition curve in exercise-trained rats. Within 120 min of addition of pertussis toxin to adipocytes from control rats, "basal" lipolysis was significantly increased as compared to "basal" lipolysis in the absence of toxin at the same point. Similarly, pertussis toxin significantly increased "basal" lipolysis in exercise-trained adipocytes. However these were relatively sensitive to pertussis toxin, since significant effect of toxin was seen within 60 min. An addition of NA (0.1 uM) to the medium in the presence of ADA and toxin significantly increased adipocyte lipolysis in both conditioned rats. Again, under these conditions, we observed that the maximal rate of lipolysis of adipocytes from exercise-trained rats was increased as compared to control rats. These results suggest that the decreased input through the inhibitory pathway in lipolytic cascade may be not rate limiting for the amplified lipolytic responsiveness of adipocytes to hormonal stimuli in exercise-trained rats.

Adenosine↗

Possible mechanism of regulating adenylate cyclase activity in adipocyte membranes from exercise-trained male rats.

(-)-Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were significantly greater in membranes from exercise-trained male rats than in sedentary male rats. GTP-inhibition of forskolin (10 microM)-stimulated cyclase activities were observed in sedentary membranes, whereas the inhibitory actions of GTP were significantly reduced in membranes from trained rat adipocytes. Treatment of membranes with islet-activating protein, a pertusis toxin, completely abolished the differences in GTP-inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclase activities between the two groups. The amounts of the inhibitory regulatory protein (41kDa/40kDa polypeptides) were about 40% less in membranes from trained rats than in sedentary membranes, whereas that of the stimulatory regulatory protein (a 45kDa polypeptide) was equivalent. It is concluded that the enhanced cyclase activities of adipocyte membranes from trained male rats appear to result from, in part, an attenuation of the inhibitory pathway due to a specific decrease in the amount of the inhibitory regulatory proteins.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

DNA polymerase beta in human thyroid of Graves' disease and thyroid tumors.

We have shown that the level of DNA polymerase beta of rat adrenal cortex is regulated by pituitary trophic hormones and may correlate with their endocrine function. Here we measured DNA polymerase beta activity in human thyroid tissues of various benign and malignant thyroid disorders in order to verify the correlation between DNA polymerase beta activity and endocrine function. In Graves' disease (hyperfunction), the level of DNA polymerase beta per cell was three times higher than in normal thyroid, while in undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas this enzyme level was lower than normal. Furthermore, DNA polymerase beta in the crude extracts of cancer cells showed larger molecular forms, ranging from five to 12S, upon sucrose gradient sedimentation. These observations further support the hypothesis that the activity of DNA polymerase beta correlates, in part, with the functional level of the endocrine organ and with cell differentiation.

Adenoma↗

Activities and properties of putrescine-biosynthetic enzymes in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

The biosynthetic pathways for putrescine (Put) in Vibrio parahaemolyticus were delineated by measuring activities of the enzymes which would be involved in its biosynthesis. Experiments with labeled arginine and ornithine revealed that both of these amino acids were converted into Put by intact cells. The activities of three enzymes, arginine decarboxylase (ADC), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and agmatine ureohydrolase (AUH), were detected in cell extracts. ADC and ODC of V. parahaemolyticus were similar in the following properties to the corresponding enzymes of Escherichia coli: 1) both decarboxylases showed a pH optimum at 8.25 and required pyridoxal phosphate and dithiothreitol for full activity; 2) while ODC was considerably activated by GTP, ADC was only slightly; 3) both decarboxylases were inhibited by polyamines; 4) ADC was inhibited by difluoromethylarginine, a potent inhibitor of bacterial ADC. However, in contrast to the corresponding enzymes of E. coli, the V. parahaemolyticus ADC showed no requirement for Mg2+, and the AUH was active over a wide pH range of 8.5-9.5 with a maximum at pH 9.0. Furthermore, in all 6 strains tested, the activity of ADC was obviously high compared with that of ODC, and AUH was present with a relatively high activity. Cultivation of these strains at a suboptimal NaCl concentration (0.5%) resulted in a pronounced increase in both ADC and AUH activities. These observations suggest that the important pathway for Put biosynthesis in V. parahaemolyticus is the decarboxylation of arginine by ADC and the subsequent hydrolysis of its product, agmatine, by AUH.

Agmatine↗

Role of the protease in the permeability enhancement by Vibrio vulnificus.

The protease produced by Vibrio vulnificus enhances vascular permeability through histamine release from mast cells and activation of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system which generates bradykinin when injected into the dorsal skin. V. vulnificus living cells also enhanced vascular permeability within a few hours after the injection into the dorsal skin. The permeability-enhancing activity of living cells was greatly reduced by addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor, a specific inhibitor for plasma kallikrein-kinin system, or anti-protease IgG. Two protease-deficient mutants induced by nitrosoguanidine treatment had only one-tenth permeability-enhancing activity of a wild-type strain. These results indicate that V. vulnificus elaborates the protease in vivo and that the protease elaborated enhances vascular permeability through release of chemical mediators such as histamine and bradykinin and forms edema.

Animals↗

Effects of cyclic nucleotide derivatives on the Na+ pump activity and the release of sialic acid in dog submandibular glands.

The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) and cyclic GMP (DBcGMP) on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the release of sialic acid were investigated in dog submandibular gland pieces. The Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the release of sialic acid were significantly stimulated in the presence of 100 microM DBcAMP or in the combination of 3 mM NaF and 50 microM 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthin but were not by DBcGMP. When the pieces were incubated in the Ca2+-free medium, the DBcAMP-induced Na+,K+-ATPase activity slightly decreased but the sialic acid release was unaffected. The corresponding results were also observed in the Ca2+-free medium supplemented with 2 mM EGTA. These results suggest that the cytosolic cyclic AMP modifies the Na+ pump activity.

Animals↗

Some characteristics of the beta-adrenergic system in rat adipocyte membranes after the chronic administrations of isoproterenol.

The effects of chronic administrations of isoproterenol (IPR) on adipocyte beta-adrenergic system were investigated. A 21-days in vivo administration of IPR (2.5 mg/kg BW/day) reduced (-)-IPR- and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities. Moreover, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) and (-)-IPR-stimulated [3H]GDP release from adipocyte membranes were significantly depressed in the treated rats compared to controls. These results suggest that the desensitized response of adenylate cyclase to beta-agonists, induced by chronic in vivo administrations of IPR, may result from impaired coupling efficiency between beta-AR and adenylate cyclase with the significant loss of the number of beta-AR and possible change(s) of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

[Change in serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

It has been reported that there is a decrease in the serum concentration of thyroid hormones in non-thyroidal illness. In the present study we made serial measurements of serum concentration of thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3)], thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) in 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, Grade I, according to the classification of Killip & Forrester) during 14 days after onset. In the early phase of AMI, serum T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 levels decreased while rT3 increased. TSH and TBG levels, however, were unchanged. In the patients with a high peak creatine phosphokinase activity (greater than or equal to 400 mU/ml), the decrease in thyroid hormone and increase in serum rT3 levels were greater than in patients with a low peak value (less than 400 mU/ml), suggesting a correlation between severity of AMI and changes in serum thyroid hormone levels. Especially, serum FT3 levels fell below the lower limit of controls within 14 days, with the lowest levels and the rT3 peak on the third day after onset. These data suggest that in AMI peripheral conversion of T4 favours rT3 production and that low levels of serum FT3 and T3 protect the infarcted heart muscle against thyroid hormone action.

Aged↗

Properties of the membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase and utilization of extracellular ATP in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus utilized ATP, ADP or AMP as the sole source of carbon. About three times higher activity of membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase was observed in cells grown in the presence of these nucleotides than in their absence: and therefore the enzyme seems to be inducible. Since the 5'-nucleotidase activity could be measured with whole cells, the active site of this enzyme appears to be outwardly oriented. Both Mg2+ and Cl- were required for activity. Among the divalent cations tested, Mn2+ and Co2+ could replace Mg2+ to some extent, whereas Zn2+ strongly inhibited activity. Among the anions tested, Br-, I- and NO3- could replace Cl-, but SO4(2-) and CH3COO- could not. When cells were grown with ATP, Cl- was indispensable and Zn2+ strongly inhibited growth. Therefore, it is concluded that extracellular ATP and other 5'-nucleotides are cleaved by the membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase outside the cells and that the adenosine produced is then utilized.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Mechanism of haemolysis by Vibrio vulnificus haemolysin.

The haemolytic action of Vibrio vulnificus haemolysin (VVH) was compared to that of streptolysin O (SLO). Both were cholesterol-binding haemolysins, but differed in the release of haemoglobin (Hb). In the first step of haemolysis, the haemolysins were temperature-independently bound to the cholesterol site on the target erythrocyte membrane. This was followed by the rapid release of K+, which is an intra-erythrocyte marker. Hb was then released, in different ways. In the case of VVH, Hb was released slowly after a relatively long lag, whereas with SLO, Hb was released as rapidly as K+. Haemolysis by VVH was inhibited by the addition of 30 mM-dextran 4 (mean Mr 4000), which is considered to be an effective colloid-osmotic protectant. The results therefore indicated that haemolysis by VVH (like that by Escherichia coli alpha-haemolysin and Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin) was caused by a colloid-osmotic mechanism. Both K+ and Hb release caused by VVH proceeded temperature-dependently, and the membrane fluidity of liposomes prepared with lipids extracted from sheep red blood cell membranes increased above 20 degrees C. These results suggest that the temperature-dependence of the haemolysis by VVH is due to the requirement for an increase in the membrane fluidity during the formation of a transmembrane pore.

Hemoglobins↗

Purification and characterization of Vibrio vulnificus protease.

A protease was purified from a strain of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from the blood of a septicemic human. The vibrio was cultured in bacto peptone-yeast extract medium, and the protease was purified by a purification procedure including ultrafiltration of the culture supernatant with an Amicon YM 5 membrane, diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel column chromatography, Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography on Mono Q column. The protease preparation revealed homogeneity on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and about 30,000-fold purification was achieved, with a yield of about 30%. The isoelectric point of the purified V. vulnificus protease was about 5.80 and its molecular weight was ca. 45,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH of the protease activity was 8.0. The V. vulnificus protease was inhibited by a metalloprotease inhibitor and zinc ion and/or ferrous ion were essential for its enzyme activity. No cysteine residue was detected in the V. vulnificus protease. The protease had caseinolytic, elastolytic and collagenolytic activities.

Amino Acids↗

Inhibitory effect of capsular antigen of Vibrio vulnificus on bactericidal activity of human serum.

Opaque (Op) and translucent (Tr) colonial variants were isolated from Vibrio vulnificus strains. Op-type variants were more resistant than the isogenic Tr-type variants, but the survival rate of the Op-type variants varied with the strains. Antisera were prepared by immunizing rabbit with whole cells of Op and Tr variants of some strains, in which the difference of the sensitivity between Op and Tr cells was remarkable. Then agglutination tests with their living and heat-killed cells were carried out. The results suggested the presence of capsular antigen in Op cells and its absence in Tr cells, with the exception of the existence of a slight amount of capsular material in Tr variants of strain L-180. The thin capsular layer of Tr cells of strain L-180 was also demonstrated electron microscopically, but the layer was thinner than that of the isogenic Op cells. Results of determination of sugar content in the extracted capsular fraction also showed that Op to Tr transformation was due to loss of capsular antigen of the cells. These results confirmed the morphological studies previously reported which suggested the prevention of host defense system by the capsular material of the vibrio.

Agglutination Tests↗