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T Endo

Publications and source records attributed to T Endo.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Regulation by thyroid-stimulating hormone of sodium/iodide symporter gene expression and protein levels in FRTL-5 cells.

To investigate the mechanism of I- transport stimulation by TSH, we studied the effects of TSH on Na+/I- symporter (NIS) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in FRTL-5 cells and correlated these with I- transport activity. When 1 mU/ml TSH was added to quiescent FRTL-5 cells, a 12-h latency was observed before the onset of increased I- transport activity, which reached a maximum [approximately 27 times basal (5H medium) levels] at 72 h. In contrast, Northern blot analysis, using rat NIS complementary DNA as a probe, revealed that addition of TSH to these cells significantly increased NIS mRNA at 3-6 h, reaching a maximum after 24 h (approximately 5.9 times basal levels). Forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP mimicked this stimulatory effect on both the I- transport activity and mRNA levels. D-ribofranosylbenzimidazole, a transcription inhibitor, almost completely blocked TSH-induced stimulation of I- transport and NIS mRNA levels. Western blot analysis demonstrated that TSH increased NIS protein levels at 36 h, reaching a maximum at 72 h, in parallel with the kinetics of TSH-induced I- transport activity. However, it also showed that the amount of NIS protein already present in FRTL-5 cell membranes before the addition of TSH was about one third of the maximum level induced by TSH. These results indicate that stimulation of I- transport activity by TSH in thyrocytes is partly due to a rapid increase in NIS gene expression, followed by a relatively slow NIS protein synthesis. However, the existence of an abundant amount of protein in quiescent FRTL-5 cells with very low I- transport activity also suggests that this activity is controlled by another TSH-regulated factor(s).

Animals↗

Increased expression of the Na+/I- symporter in cultured human thyroid cells exposed to thyrotropin and in Graves' thyroid tissue.

The Na+/I- symporter (NIS) is important in hormone synthesis in the thyroid gland. NIS activity, as reflected by I- uptake, was increased by TSH (1 mU/mL) or forskolin (10 mumol/L) in primary cultured human thyroid cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that incubation of these cells with TSH or forskolin for 24 h increased the abundance of NIS messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) 2.3- and 2.5-fold, respectively. Immunoblot analysis revealed 2.7- and 2.4-fold increases, respectively, in the amount of NIS protein after 48 h, suggesting that elevated levels of intracellular cAMP induced the expression of NIS in human thyrocytes. We then studied the levels of NIS mRNA and protein in Graves' thyroid tissue and found that the amount of NIS mRNA in thyroid tissue from individuals with Graves' disease (n = 5) was 3.8 times that in normal thyroid tissue (n = 5). The abundance of NIS mRNA was significantly correlated with that of thyroid peroxidase or thyroglobulin mRNAs, but not with that of TSH receptor mRNA, in the Graves' and normal thyroid tissue specimens. The amount of NIS protein was also increased 3.1-fold in Graves' thyroid tissue compared with that in normal thyroid tissue. The increased expression of NIS may thus contribute to the development of Graves' disease.

Blotting, Northern↗

Thyroid transcription factor-1 activates the promoter activity of rat thyroid Na+/I- symporter gene.

We have cloned 15 kbp of rat thyroid Na+/I- symporter gene from liver genomic library, which contains 6 kbp upstream sequence from the translation initiation site. Southern blot analysis of the genomic DNA from the liver has revealed that thyroid Na+/I- symporter gene is the single gene in the rat. To study the tissue-selective expression mechanism of the gene, we at first determined the transcriptional start site of the gene. Results of a rapid amplification of cDNA end procedure as well as that of primer extension analysis indicated that the transcriptional start sites clustered between -96, -95, and -93 bp of the gene (A in ATG is designated as +1). Chimeras containing 1.9 kbp (-1967 to -46 bp) of the 5'-flanking sequence of the Na+/I- symporter gene and luciferase gene expressed significant enzyme activity when transfected into a rat thyroid cell line, FRTL-5, but little activity was observed in BRL-3A rat liver cells. Deletion analysis of the constructs indicated that a minimal region, exhibiting promoter activity and cell specificity, is located between -291 and -134 bp of the gene. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting shows that nuclear extracts from FRTL-5, but not BRL-3A, cells protect a region between -245 and -230 bp. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays have demonstrated that nuclear extracts from FRTL-5 cells formed a specific DNA-protein complex with an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to -250 to -211 bp of the gene, but that from BRL-3A cells did not, suggesting that thyrocyte-selective nuclear factors bind to the region. When the nuclear extracts from FRTL-5 cells were preincubated with antibody against thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), homeodomain containing nuclear protein, formation of the complex was abolished and the band was supershifted. We also found that the probe formed a DNA-protein complex with the recombinant TTF-1 homeodomain, and mutations of the binding site eliminated factor binding. When pRc/CMV-TTF-1 was cotransfected with the minimal promoter fragment of thyroid Na+/I- symporter gene into FRT cells, which express no TTF-1, it caused a significant increase in the transcriptional activity of the reporter construct, but not of the construct having mutated TTF-1-binding element. These results suggest that TTF-1 confers the cell-selective expression of Na+/I- symporter gene in thyrocytes.

Animals↗

Temporal and spatial expression of distinct troponin T genes in embryonic/larval tail striated muscle and adult body wall smooth muscle of ascidian.

During development of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi, the tadpole larva hatched from the tailbud embryo metamorphoses to the adult with a body wall muscle. Although the adult body wall muscle is morphologically nonsarcomeric smooth muscle, it contains a troponin complex consisting of three subunits (T, I, and C) as do vertebrate striated muscles. Different from vertebrate troponins, however, the smooth muscle troponin promotes actin-myosin interaction in the presence of high concentration of Ca2+, and this promoting property is attributable to troponin T. To address whether the embryonic/larval tail striated muscle and the adult smooth muscle utilize identical or different regulatory machinery, we cloned troponin T cDNAs from each cDNA library. The embryonic and the adult troponin Ts were encoded by distinct genes and shared only < 60% identity with each other. These isoforms were specifically expressed in the embryonic/larval tail striated muscle and the adult smooth muscle, respectively. These results may imply that these isoforms regulate actin-myosin interaction in different manners. The adult troponin T under forced expression in mouse fibroblasts was unexpectedly located in the nuclei. However, a truncated protein with a deletion including a cluster of basic amino acids colocalized with tropomyosin on actin filaments. Thus, complex formation with troponin I and C immediately after the synthesis is likely to be essential for the protein to properly localize on the thin filaments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Uptake of Cd-metallothionein into LLC-PK1 cells: a comparative study with CdCl2.

The uptake of the Cd-metallothionein complex (CdMT) into LLC-PK1 cells was investigated and compared with that of CdCl2. The cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for up to 45 min with 1 microM Cd, as either CdMT or CdCl2 at pH 5.5, 6.4, or 7.4. Under all the experimental conditions described below, the accumulation of Cd from CdMT was markedly lower than that from CdCl2. Cd accumulation at pH 7.4 from CdMT increased linearly with the time of incubation, whereas Cd accumulation from CdCl2 was saturable. Metabolic inhibitors, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and carbonylcyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)-phenylhydrazone (FCCP), and incubation at low temperature significantly decreased Cd accumulation from both Cd compounds. Coincubation with 30 microM ZnCl2, an antagonist of CdCl2 uptake, slightly decreased Cd accumulation from CdMT, but it markedly decreased that from CdCl2. Cd accumulation from CdMT at pH 5.5 was significantly higher than at pH 6.4 or 7.4, whereas Cd accumulation from CdCl2 at pH 5.5 and 6.4 was significantly lower than at pH 7.4. Although Cd accumulation from CdCl2 at pH 7.4 was significantly decreased by coincubation with 100 microM cysteine or glutathione (GSH), this decrease was not observed at pH 5.5 or 6.4. A small amount of Cd was removed, by the chelating agent EGTA, from the cell membranes after incubation with CdMT at pH 6.4 and 7.4, whereas a considerable amount of Cd was removed by EGTA after incubation with CdMT at pH 5.5 and with CdCl2 at three pHs. It appears that the CdMT complex is taken up into LLC-PK1 cells partially via an energy-dependent process, and the increase in Cd accumulation at low pH is due to the liberation of Cd. High stability and molecular size of the CdMT complex explains why it is not taken up readily into LLC-PK1 cells.

Animals↗

Possible therapeutic effect of T-794, a novel reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A, on post-stroke emotional disturbances, assessed in animal models of depression.

Emotional disturbances, such as lack of motivation or depression, are common after stroke. The drugs mainly used to treat these syndromes in Japan are the cerebral metabolic enhancers whose biochemical and pharmacological profiles are similar to those of antidepressant drugs. In order to examine the possible therapeutic effect of T-794 [(5R)-3-(6-(cyclopropylmethoxy) 2-naphthalenyl)-5-(methoxymethyl) 2-oxazolidone], a new reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A, on those emotional disturbances, its antidepressant activity was compared with those of major cerebral metabolic enhancers in rodents with or without treatment of cerebral ischemia. Oral administration of T-794 potently prevented reserpine-induced ptosis (ED50 = 4.41 mg/kg), akinesia (ED50 = 3.29 mg/kg), and hypothermia (minimum effective dose = 3 mg/kg) in mice. It was at least 3.7, 13.0, and 3.3 times more potent than cerebral metabolic enhancers tested (indeloxazine, bifemelane, amantadine and idebenone) in antagonism of the ptosis, the akinesia, and the hypothermia, respectively. Effect of T-794 was also examined in the behavioral despair test in rats subjected to forebrain ischemia. The ischemia was induced by a combination of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (15 min) and systemic hypotension (sodium nitroprusside 5 mg/kg, s.c). From 13 d after the surgery, drugs were orally administered twice daily 7 times, and following the last administration rats were assessed for their behavior. T-794 reduced the duration of immobility in the behavioral despair test at 30 mg/kg without affecting spontaneous motor activity, whereas indeloxazine showed no significant effect. Antidepressant-like activity of T-794 was suggested in rodents with as well as those without cerebral ischemia. The results suggest that T-794 may make an important contribution to the treatment of emotional disturbances following stroke.

Animals↗

The transport of ciprofloxacin in cultured kidney epithelial cells LLC-PK1.

In this study, the transport characteristics of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) were investigated in a LLC-PK1 kidney epithelial cell line. CPFX uptake from the apical medium into LLC-PK1 cells on plastic dishes was shown to be temperature-dependent. Guanidine and cimetidine inhibited the uptake of CPFX, whereas tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN) did not. CPFX transport across LLC-PK1 cell monolayers cultured on permeable supports was about 1.8 times larger in the basolateral-to-apical direction than in the apical-to-basolateral direction. Both the basolateral-to-apical and apical-to-basolateral transport of CPFX were inhibited by guanidine, whereas CPFX transport in both directions was not inhibited by TEA, NMN, or cimetidine. The basolateral-to-apical transport of CPFX was sensitive to the pH of the apical medium, and increased in an acidic pH. Enoxacin (ENX) as well as guanidine, inhibited the basolateral-to-apical transport of CPFX, and the inhibitory effect of ENX was sensitive to the pH of the apical side of the monolayers.

Animals↗

Effect of T-0632, a cholecystokininA receptor antagonist, on experimental acute pancreatitis.

Effects of a new cholecystokinin (CCK)A-receptor antagonist, T-0632 [sodium (S)-1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2, 3-dihydro-3-[(3-isoquinolinylcarbonyl) amino]-6-methoxy-2-oxo-1H-indole-3-propanoate], on caerulein-induced and pancreatic duct ligation-induced pancreatitis models were studied and compared with the CCKA-receptor antagonist loxiglumide and the orally active protease inhibitor camostate, respectively. In rats, orally administered T-0632 potently prevented the caerulein-induced increases in pancreatic digestive enzymes in plasma and suppressed the histological changes in the pancreas. The estimated ED50 values of T-0632 and loxiglumide were 0.0092 and 8.9 mg/kg, respectively. In dogs, T-0632 (0.1, 1 mg/kg, i.d.) prevented the caerulein-induced increase in plasma amylase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Loxiglumide (100 mg/kg, i.d.) did not show any preventive effects. In pancreatic duct ligation (6 hr)-induced pancreatitis of the rat, T-0632 (0.001-0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) partially prevented both the increase in plasma amylase activity and the histological changes in the pancreas, whereas camostate (10, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) did not show any preventive effects. In pancreatic duct ligation (3 hr)-induced pancreatitis, caerulein injection (1 microgram/kg, s.c.) caused a further increase in plasma amylase activity, and T-0632 (0.01, 0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently decreased the aggravation by caerulein. We conclude that T-0632 showed preventive effects on all of these pancreatitis models by oral or intraduodenal administration. These results suggest that CCK plays an important role in progression and aggravation of acute pancreatitis, and T-0632 may have a therapeutic value in these disease states.

Acute Disease↗

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the arginase gene of Bacillus brevis TT02-8 and its expression in Escherichia coli.

The gene from Bacillus brevis TT02-8 encoding arginase was cloned into Escherichia coli, and its nucleotide sequence was identified. The nucleotide sequence contained an open reading frame that encoded a polypeptide of 298 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 31,891, which was consistent with that previously calculated for arginase purified from this bacterium. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the B. brevis TT02-8 arginase with that of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic arginases of Bacillus caldovelox, Bacillus subtilis, Agrobacterium Ti plasmid C58, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Coccidioides immitis, Xenopus laevis, Rana catesbeiana, rat liver, and human liver, showed 33-66% of the sequences to be similar; there were several highly conserved regions. Arginase activity was detected in Escherichia coli cells transformed with an expression plasmid of the cloned arginase gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biodegradabilities of ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and other chelating agents.

Biodegradabilities of chelating agents were tested with activated sludge. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) remained intact in the effluent even after acclimation for 100 days, but propanediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (PDDS) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) were biodegraded after acclimation for 5 and 23 days, respectively. Optical isomers of ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) had different biodegradabilities: SS- and RS-isomers were susceptible to biodegradation, but the RR-isomer was resistant. SS-isomer was degraded even by activated sludge without acclimation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

A gene homologous to the Streptomyces chymotrypsin-like protease (SAM-p20) gene is tandemly located.

A gene encoding a homolog of the Streptomyces chymotrypsin-like serine protease, SAM-P20, was identified downstream of the sam-p20 gene and designated SAM-P20D. This gene has two tandem Shine Dalgarno sequences and two initiation codons. We have established vector systems with the function of tyrosinase gene-bone melanin pigmentation as a reporter for sam-p20D gene expression in Streptomyces coelicolor in order to identify the promoter and terminator activities. Using this system, the sam-p20D gene was suggested to be transcribed monocistronically.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of talipexole on emesis-related changes in abdominal afferent vagal activity and ileal serotonin metabolism in rats.

The involvement of abdominal afferent vagal activity and serotonergic mechanisms were examined following intravenous administration of talipexole, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist used for treatment of Parkinson's disease, in anesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of dopamine receptor agonists including D1/D2 components increased the spontaneous firing of afferent vagal neurons as did 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine. Both talipexole (0.25-1.0 mg/kg) and bromocriptine (1.0-10.0 mg/kg) increased vagal nerve activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect of 10 mg/kg of bromocriptine was significantly greater than that noted with 1.0 mg/kg of talipexole. Increasing vagal firing induced by talipexole was prevented by pretreatment with granisetron, but not with metoclopramide or by spinal section, indicating that afferent vagal firing was mediated via stimulation of the 5-HT3 receptors on the neurons and secondarily caused by stimulation of dopamine receptors. On the other hand, bromocriptine at 5 mg/kg increased 5-HIAA concentration in the ileum, and serotonin turnover (5-HIAA/5-HT) was increased approximately 4-fold when compared to the vehicle group. Bromocriptine also increased the activities of tryptophan hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase. Talipexole at 0.5 mg/kg did not affect ileal 5-HT metabolism and the enzymatic activities. These findings suggest that dopamine receptor agonists may induce changes in abdominal afferent vagal activity and ileal 5-HT metabolism similar to those observed with emetic compounds, and that talipexole has a much smaller influence on serotonin-mediated responses than does bromocriptine with equipotent antiparkinsonian doses. One of the possible reason why talipexole showed fewer emetic side effects in patients with Parkinson's disease may be that the emetic responses triggered by D2 receptor stimulation may secondarily cause an increase of abdominal afferent vagal activity, which may be weakened by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic property of talipexole.

Abdomen↗

[Clinicopathological studies of craniocerebral gunshot injuries].

UNLABELLED: Gunshot wounds are rare in Japan because of few regulatory laws against the possession of guns. Nevertheless such wounds are increasing in prevalence these days. Reports on the microscopic findings concerning these intracerebral lesions are fewer than those on the macroscopic findings in the scalp, the skull and the intracranial cavity. In this study we evaluated computed tomographical and histopathological findings in craniocerebral gunshot injuries. CASES: Nine patients with gunshot wounds to the head were presented. All were male and the age ranged from 17 to 66 years. Four were suicides and four were attempted murders and the last one was of unknown etiology. Morphological examination was performed on 5 autopsy cases. The distance of the bullet from the cranial cavity was as follows: long distance, 4 cases; close contiguity, 5 cases. The calibers of the weapons were as follows: 38 mm in 6 cases, 45 mm in 1 case and unknown in 2 cases. RESULTS: CT scans were examined in six cases, which revealed a missile track, hemorrhagic contusion, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and marked tension pneumocephalus. In some cases, CT scan also revealed bony and metallic fragments, some deep within the cranial cavity. In the histopathological study, we found marked swollen brain (brain weight over 1500 mg) and hemorrhagic contusion in the vicinity of the missile track and interhemispheric fissure, and widespread traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hematoma. We would like to emphasize especially the remote contusion seen in the distant part of the missile track as well as massive exsudation and hemorrhage around the nerve fiber bundles. Remote contusion was observed in the inferior surface of the fronto-temporal lobes, and bilateral hemorrhagic contusion was seen in the vicinity of the superior longitudinal fissure on CT scans and autopsy findings. In one case, the bullet rotated within the intracranial cavity. In conclusion, nine cases of craniocerebral gunshot injuries were examined, while we also reviewed the medical literature concerning the shearing injury produced by gunshot brain wounds. The head injuries were further delineated by the correlation between autopsy and computerized tomography findings.

Adolescent↗

Transposon tagging in rice.

To develop an efficient gene isolation method for rice we introduced the maize Ac/Ds system into rice. Extensive analysis of their behavior in rice for several generations indicated that Ac and Ds in the presence of Ac transposase gene actively transpose in rice. A wide spectrum of mutations affecting growth, morphogenesis, flowering time and disease resistance have been obtained in the population carrying Ac/Ds and some of them were genetically analyzed. Main efforts are currently being made to isolate genes responsible these mutations. In addition, a number of Ac/Ds were mapped on chromosomes and mapped elements will be used in the future for directed tagging of genes with known chromosomal positions.

Cloning, Molecular↗

[Clinical evaluation on causes of death in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who died within one year after diagnosing as TB].

We evaluated the cause of death in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis who died within one year after diagnosing as tuberculosis. Of 325 bacillary patients during the past seven years, 43 (13.2%) died within one year. Twenty-three patients (53.5%) died directly of tuberculosis. In this group, 13 patients died in emaciation state. Most of them were aged and under a poor nutritional condition. Some patients died in spite of improvement of tuberculosis. The fact indicates the need to detect tuberculosis as early as possible in elderly persons, and treatment should be initiated immediately. Eight patients died of respiratory failure and their chest X-ray film showed wade-spread tuberculosis. Seven of the patients died in spite of initiating treatment within one month after the onset of symptoms. This fact suggests the importance of regular check up by chest X-ray to detect tuberculosis early. Two patients died of massive hemoptysis. They had an episode of bloody sputum and the laboratory examination showed anemia. On the other hand, 20 patients died due to coexisting diseases unrelated to tuberculosis. Ten patients died of malignant diseases and most of them were lung cancer. Two patients died of hepatic failure possibly caused by the adverse reaction of TB chemotherapy. The interval between the onset of the treatment and death was less than a month, and the fact suggests the need to observe carefully for adverse reactions especially in the early stage of treatment.

Aged↗