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Biomedical subjects

S Tajima

Publications and source records attributed to S Tajima.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Sequence analysis of elastin cDNA from chick aorta and tissue-specific transcription of the elastin gene in developing chick embryo.

A portion of elastin cDNA with a size of 1.5 kilobase pairs (kb) was cloned from chick aorta. Sequence analysis revealed that the cDNA consists of 0.9 kb of coding region and 0.6 kb of 3'-untranslatable region. The primary structure of the peptide deduced from the coding sequence exhibited a strong homology with the published data from sheep and bovine elastin cDNA. The abundance of elastin mRNA in the aorta and skin was studied in developing chick embryo by Northern analysis using the cDNA as a probe. The elastin mRNA level in the aorta gradually decreased in the late half of development, while the elastin mRNA level in the skin was dramatically elevated between the 18th and 21st days. These results strongly suggest that the transcription of the elastin gene was controlled specifically in the respective organ during development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Induction of acetylated low density lipoprotein receptor and suppression of low density lipoprotein receptor on the cells of human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1 cell).

THP-1 cells, a human cell line established from acute monocytic leukemia cells, degraded native human low density lipoprotein (LDL) through a LDL-specific pathway, but had no ability to degrade acetylated LDL. When the cells were treated with 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to differentiate into the macrophage-like stage, those acquired the ability to degrade acetylated LDL through its specific pathway and lost the ability to degrade native LDL. Degradation of acetylated LDL by the differentiated cells was not reduced by preincubation with either acetylated LDL or native LDL.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
PubMed1987

[Anti-allergic effects of 1-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2-(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinyl)benzimidazole fumarate (KB-2413)].

The effects of KB-2413 on four types of allergic reactions classified by Coombs and Gell were investigated. KB-2413 inhibited homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and passive anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs mediated by IgE-like antibody, and ED50 values were 0.0017 mg/kg, p.o., and 0.022 mg/kg, p.o., respectively. KB-2413 also inhibited IgG-mediated anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs actively sensitized with egg albumin. Both complement-dependent immune hemolysis and complement-independent hypotonic hemolysis were inhibited by KB-2413 in a concentration-dependent manner. KB-2413 had no effect on the Forssman systemic reaction. The passive Arthus reaction in guinea pigs sensitized with anti-egg albumin rabbit serum was unaffected by KB-2413. However, the early stage of the active Arthus reaction in rabbits sensitized with egg albumin was inhibited. KB-2413 had an inhibitory effect on the efferent phase of delayed-type hypersensitivity induced by picryl chloride (PC-DTH) in mice. On the other hand, the afferent phase of PC-DTH in mice was unaffected. These results suggest that KB-2413 strongly suppresses type I allergic reactions, and it slightly suppresses type II, III and IV allergic reactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[One stage reconstruction of penis with free forearm flap].

One stage reconstruction of the penis using free tissue transfer was performed on a 43-year-old man who had total penectomy for carcinoma of the penis. A free forearm tissue flap was used to reconstruct urethra and for external skin coverage and Jonas silver penile prosthesis was used as a stent. Nutrient vessels (one artery and two veins) were anastomosed with a lateral circumflex femoral artery and two branches of the saphenous veins respectively and the nerve of flap was anastomosed with the pudendal nerve. We believe that this method is functionally and cosmetrically acceptable for reconstructing the penis, although unfortunately extrusion of the prosthesis ensued 63 days after the operation in our case.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of apolipoprotein C-II-deficient triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins and trioleoylglycerol/phosphatidylcholine-stabilized particles as substrates for lipoprotein lipase.

The effect of apolipoproteins C-II and C-III on the lipoprotein lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of apolipoprotein C-II-deficient triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins and particles of trioleoylglycerol stabilized with a phosphatidylcholine monolayer was investigated. For both triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins and artificial lipid particles, maximal lipoprotein lipase activity occurred at a constant apolipoprotein C-II/phospholipid mol ratio of 2.0 X 10(-4) and was independent of particle size, indicating that the amount of apolipoprotein C-II bound to the surface of the substrate is important for enzyme activation. The effect of apolipoprotein C-II on lipoprotein lipase activity with apolipoprotein C-II-deficient lipoproteins as substrate was to decrease the apparent Michaelis constant (Kmapp) from 7.1 to 1.0 mM with minor changes on the apparent maximal velocity (Vmax) (22.2 mmol free fatty acid released/h per mg enzyme). In contrast, apolipoprotein C-II increased the apparent Vmax from 2.4 to 20.0 mmol free fatty acid/h per mg enzyme for the lipoprotein lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of trioleoylglycerol/phospholipid particles with little change in Kmapp (1.0 mM). Addition of apolipoprotein C-II-deficient triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins or high-density lipoproteins to trioleoylglycerol/phospholipid particles in the presence of apolipoprotein C-II inhibited lipoprotein lipase activity. Lipoprotein lipase activity was also inhibited by the addition of a large excess of lipid-free apolipoprotein C-III to the artificial particles. The decrease in lipoprotein lipase activity correlated with the amount of bound apolipoprotein C-II. We suggest that the reported discrepancies on the effect of apolipoproteins C-II and C-III on lipoprotein lipase catalysis is related to differences in substrates and to the amount of added apolipoproteins.

Apolipoprotein C-II↗
PubMed1986

The signal recognition particle receptor is a complex that contains two distinct polypeptide chains.

Signal recognition particle (SRP) and SRP receptor are known to be essential components of the cellular machinery that targets nascent secretory proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Here we report that the SRP receptor contains, in addition to the previously identified and sequenced 69-kD polypeptide (alpha-subunit, SR alpha), a 30-kD beta-subunit (SR beta). When SRP receptor was purified by SRP-Sepharose affinity chromatography, we observed the co-purification of two other ER membrane proteins. Both proteins are approximately 30 kD in size and are immunologically distinct from each other, as well as from SR alpha and SRP proteins. One of the 30-kD proteins (SR beta) forms a tight complex with SR alpha in detergent solution that is stable to high salt and can be immunoprecipitated with antibodies to either SR alpha or SR beta. Both subunits are present in the ER membrane in equimolar amounts and co-fractionate in constant stoichiometry when rough and smooth liver microsomes are separated on sucrose gradients. We therefore conclude that SR beta is an integral component of SRP receptor. The presence of SR beta was previously masked by proteolytic breakdown products of SR alpha observed by others and by the presence of another 30-kD ER membrane protein (mp30) which co-purifies with SR alpha. Mp30 binds to SRP-Sepharose directly and is present in the ER membrane in several-fold molar excess of SR alpha and SR beta. The affinity of mp30 for SRP suggests that it may serve a yet unknown function in protein translocation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Purification and characterization of lipoprotein lipase from human postheparin plasma and its comparison with purified bovine milk lipoprotein lipase.

Lipoprotein lipase [EC 3.1.1.34, LpL] was purified from human postheparin plasma (PHP) almost to homogeneity (a 210,000-fold purification) using columns of heparin-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, and concanavalin A-Sepharose, and its properties were compared with the purified bovine milk LpL. The specific activity of the PHP-LpL was 26 mmol free fatty acids (FFA)/h/mg of protein at 37 degrees C; close to that of bovine milk LpL (35 mmol FFA/h/mg). For both enzyme preparations, the pH optimum (about 8.7) and the inhibition by sodium chloride were almost the same. The apparent Michaelis constants were also similar; 2.5 mM for human PHP-LpL and 2.1 mM for bovine milk LpL. The apparent molecular weight of the purified human PHP-LpL was 58,000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate, slightly larger than that of the bovine milk LpL (56,000). Although the amino acid composition of the two LpL preparations had only slight differences, antibody raised against bovine milk LpL cross-reacted very weakly with purified human PHP-LpL. With 1% bovine serum albumin, bovine milk LpL was highly stable, but the human PHP-LpL was unstable; it lost 60% of its activity within 60 min at 0 degrees C. In the absence of apolipoprotein C-II (apo C-II), the activity of human PHP-LpL was very weak. However, human PHP-LpL was activated by apo C-II more strongly than bovine milk LpL; the fold activation of human PHP-LpL by apo C-II was 7-8 times that of bovine milk LpL. The apparent Km value of human PHP-LpL for apo C-II (1.00 +/- 0.58 microM) was larger than that of bovine milk LpL (0.15 +/- 0.03 microM).

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1986

Decreased collagen and hyaluronic acid content in lesional skin of acrogeria.

Biochemical analysis of involved and uninvolved skin of a 16-year-old female with acrogeria showed that hyaluronic acid and collagen contents were decreased only in involved skin. Explant cultures from both involved and uninvolved skin synthesized mainly hyaluronic acid in similar amounts. Since the glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline excreted in the urine were not increased, we speculate that a localized rather than a systemic abnormality may be present in acrogeria. Decreased collagen and hyaluronic acid contents in the patient are discussed in relation to Werner's syndrome and type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by cultured human epidermal cells.

Human epidermal cells obtained from foreskin were grown without any feeder layers and glycosaminoglycan synthesis of the epidermal cells were investigated using 3H-glucosamine as a tracer. At logarithmic and confluent phase of primary culture and confluent phase of 2nd passage culture glycosaminoglycans were found to be actively synthesized. The major component of synthesized glycosaminoglycans was hyaluronic acid. Our study indicates that cultured human epidermal cells constantly produced hyaluronic acid and suggests that glycosaminoglycans in the intercellular region of the epidermis seem to be synthesized by epidermal cells.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1985

Behavior of human apolipoprotein E in aqueous solutions and at interfaces.

Human plasma apolipoprotein E (apo-E) strongly self-associates to form a stable tetramer in an aqueous solution at pH 7.4 containing 0.15 M NaCl. Tetramerized apo-E is abundant in alpha-helical conformation with an asymmetric molecular shape. Apo-E forms a stable monolayer at the air-water interface with a collapse pressure of 14 dynes/cm and with a limiting molecular area of 21 A2/amino acid. Under low surface pressure (less than 0.5 dyne/cm), it behaves as a monomer at the interface. It binds reversibly to the surface of phosphatidylcholine-coated triolein particles with a diameter of 26 nm from the aqueous phase in which most of the molecules are tetramerized. An apparent dissociation constant (Kd), 1.2 X 10(-6) M (monomeric molarity) or 40 mg/l, is substantially larger than those of the other apolipoproteins, while a binding saturation level (N), 0.8 amino acid/surface phospholipid, is equivalent to the N values of those proteins (Tajima, S., Yokoyama, S., and Yamamoto, A. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 10073-10082). Content of alpha-helix increases slightly when it is transferred from the aqueous phase to the lipid surface. The results are consistent with a model that amphiphilic alpha-helical conformation is responsible both for self-association and surface binding and suggest that apo-E may easily dissociate from the lipoprotein surface to form a self-associated soluble tetramer.

Apolipoproteins E↗