Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Ichimura

Publications and source records attributed to T Ichimura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Demonstration of the phosphorylation-dependent interaction of tryptophan hydroxylase with the 14-3-3 protein.

The molecular mechanism of the phosphorylation-dependent activation of tryptophan hydroxylase is studied with respect to the role of the 14-3-3 protein. Reexamination of the system reconstituted with the purified TRH and the 14-3-3 protein showed that the level of the TRH activity correlated with the extent of the Ca2+/calmodulin- or the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in TRH. The experiment confirmed the requirement of the 14-3-3 protein for the activation, but the 14-3-3 protein added into the assay mixture did not affect either the extent nor the specificity of the phosphorylation. However, the analysis of the assay mixture on a pteridine-based affinity column indicated the formation of a complex between TRH and the 14-3-3 protein, where the complex formation depended on the phosphorylation of TRH. The complex between the phosphorylated TRH and the 14-3-3 protein could also be detected by analysis of crude brainstem extract previously phosphorylated by endogeneous Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. The 14-3-3 protein, therefore, appears to be a phosphorylation-dependent TRH-binding protein whose interaction causes the activation of TRH.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Anti-(p34 protein) antibodies inhibit ribosome binding to and protein translocation across the rough microsomal membrane.

The p34 protein is a non-glycosylated, integral membrane protein characteristic of rough microsomes and is believed to play a role in the ribosome-membrane association. Here, antibodies directed against p34 were examined as to their inhibitory effect on ribosome binding to and protein translocation across the microsomal membrane. Preincubation of the stripped (ribosome-depleted) membrane with anti-p34 immunoglobulins (IgGs) or their Fab fragments led to more than 80% inhibition of the binding of ribosomes and their large (60S) subunit to the membrane. The inhibition was dependent on the amount of antibodies used, but comparable amounts of IgGs and Fab fragments from nonimmune serum had less effect. The p34 antibodies were also inhibitory for cotranslational translocation of secretory proteins, i.e. placental lactogen and serum albumin, across the membrane. These results suggest that p34 is involved in the binding of ribosomes to the microsomal membrane and that it is in close proximity to the protein translocation site in the microsomal membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Developmental regulation of neuronal expression for the eta subtype of the 14-3-3 protein, a putative regulatory protein for protein kinase C.

An in situ hybridization technique was applied to rat nervous tissues, to analyse the developmental changes in expression for the eta subtype mRNA of 14-3-3 protein, a putative regulatory protein for protein kinase C. Although signal levels of the eta subtype mRNA were low in mitotic cells in the ventricular zone, most neurons displayed a marked increase at their definitive location in the mantle zone. In general, neurons in the spinal ventral horn and peripheral ganglia showed this increase at E13-E15, those in the telencephalon, diencephalon, midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata at E18-P1, and the cerebellar Purkinje cells at P7-P14. It is at these developmental stages when neuronal differentiation including axonal and dendritic growth and ramification occurs actively. Subsequently high levels of the eta subtype mRNA were maintained until the adult stage in projection type neurons possessing larger cell bodies and highly developed dendritic fields, such as the olfactory mitral cells, hippocampal pyramidal cells, cerebellar Purkinje cells, and motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. However, the signal levels decreased until the adult stage in smaller projection type neurons. On the other hand, the signal levels in local circuit type neurons were consistently low throughout development. These findings suggest that gene expression for the eta subtype mRNA of the 14-3-3 protein is regulated in close relation to both neuron types and their cytodifferentiation.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1993

A role for fibroblast growth factor type-1 in nephrogenic repair. Autocrine expression in rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells in vitro and in the regenerating epithelium following nephrotoxic damage by S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine in vivo.

The regenerating proximal tubule epithelium in the rat has striking similarity with rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTE) in primary culture (Wallin, A., Zhang, G., Jones, T. W., Jaken, S., and Stevens, J. L. (1992) Lab. Invest. 66, 474-484). We used this in vitro model to investigate mechanisms which may regulate aspects of nephrogenic repair in vivo, and in particular the role of fibroblast (heparin-binding) growth factor type-1 (FGF-1) expression. FGF-1 was present predominantly as a 14.3-kDa polypeptide in rat kidney. Biological activity and mRNA for FGF-1 increased dramatically in primary RPTE in culture along with an increase in a 18.3-kDa FGF-1. Cycloheximide blocked FGF-1 expression in primary culture indicating that the increase represents newly synthesized factor rather than release from the extracellular matrix. The maximal increase in expression occurs after the peak of RPTE proliferation. Activity was not present in the medium but intracellular FGF-1 was released from RPTE by scrape wounding. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that FGF-1 expression increased in regenerating proximal tubule epithelial cells 5 days after nephrotoxic damage. Collectively, the data suggest that autocrine expression of FGF-1 by regenerating proximal tubule epithelial cells plays a role in the regulation of nephrogenic repair.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Identification and partial characterization of a glycoprotein species with high affinity for methylmercury in peripheral nervous tissues of man and experimental animals.

A small amount of a glycoprotein species (21-kDa glycoprotein) with high affinity for methylmercury (MeHg) was detected in the post-nuclear or post-mitochondrial supernatant fraction of the homogenate of rat sciatic nerve on electrophoresis and autoradiography after binding of Me203Hg to the fraction. The 21-kDa glycoprotein was also found in the subcellular fractions of mouse, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit and human peripheral nervous tissues. Experiments with the cellular fractions of the tissues revealed that the 21-kDa glycoprotein is localized mainly in the myelin fraction, whereas it was not found in the cellular fractions of brain, spinal cord and nonneural tissues, such as kidney and liver. The specific binding activity of the 21-kDa glycoprotein with MeHg was 12-15 fold that of the major myelin protein, Po. It was shown that the interaction of the 21-kDa glycoprotein with MeHg was mediated through sulfhydryl groups in experiments with iodoacetamide and dithiothreitol. The amino acid compositions of the rat and human 21-kDa glycoproteins were similar but very different from that of a typical metallothionein. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two components of the rat 21-kDa glycoprotein were identical to those of P0 and PMP-22, respectively. The in vitro binding of MeHg was also observed in the myelin fraction obtained from the sciatic nerves of MeHg-dosed rats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Molecular cloning of rat cDNAs for beta and gamma subtypes of 14-3-3 protein and developmental changes in expression of their mRNAs in the nervous system.

We isolated cDNAs to beta and gamma subtypes of 14-3-3 protein, a putative regulatory protein for protein kinase C, from the brain and clarified a high homology in sequences of nucleotides and deduced amino acids between the two rat subtypes and the bovine counterparts and even reciprocally between the two rat subtypes. In Northern blot analysis, the gene expression of the two subtypes was detected weakly at E13, increased progressively after birth and reached a maximum at P7-P14. Thereafter it decreased slightly. In situ hybridization analysis allowed detection of the beta but not the gamma subtype in the matrix cells of the ventricular germinal zone of the neural wall. In post-mitotic neurons in the mantle zone and maturing brain loci, genes of the two subtypes were expressed in patterns similar to each other, and three neuron types were identified: type I neurons with high levels of expression throughout development; type II neurons showing high expression during the early developmental stages with a subsequent decrease in the expression at maturing and adult stages; and type III neurons showing consistently low levels of expression throughout development. The wider and more highly-patterned expression of the 14-3-3 protein family than expected suggests that this protein may be involved in the elaborate regulation of some fundamental cellular activities and differentiation of neurons.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical function in children by human corticotropin-releasing hormone (MCI-028) test.

A dose of 1.5 micrograms/kg of MCI-028, human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH), was administered intravenously to 38 children with non-endocrine short stature with normal function in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and to 71 children with a disorder in the same axis. Blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were determined to evaluate the axis. The 95% confidence limits of peak responses of ACTH and cortisol in non-endocrine short stature were between 17.2 and 135.3 pg/ml, and between 13.1 and 35.6 micrograms/dl, respectively, and were used as standards for children. When compared with these standards, the hormonal responses in children with various disorders in the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis were as follows: in two children with Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal tumor, ACTH values were decreased and were not responsive to hCRH, while cortisol values, though within the normal limit, were not responsive; in children with primary adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, cortisol values were decreased and not responsive, whereas ACTH values tended to be increased and ACTH response high except for 21 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In two cases of pituitary dwarfism complicated with ACTH deficiency, both ACTH and cortisol values were decreased and poorly responsive; and in children who were receiving glucocorticoid, both ACTH and cortisol values tended to be decreased and to respond poorly to hCRH. As for side effects, hot flushing was observed among 8.0% of the subjects after administration of hCRH. But this symptom was not severe and no other side effects of clinical importance were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Skin test reactivity to histamine in childhood].

One hundred twenty five allergic patients ranging in age from 0 to 36 years old (mean age 9 years) were tested. Intradermal skin tests were performed on the volar surface of the forearm by injection of a five-fold dilution of histamine dihydrochloride (from 1 x 5(-5) mg/ml to 1 x 5(-2) mg/ml). The wheal diameters increased incrementally with histamine concentration. The whealing capacity of the skin to histamine was found to be significantly lower in patients 0 to 5 years of age. There was no difference in the mean wheal size between patients 6 to 10 and 11 to 15 years of age. The wheal size in patients 16 to 36 years of age were significantly larger than those in the other age groups. The flare diameters also increased incrementally with histamine concentration. The mean diameter of flares was significantly lower in patients 0 to 5 years of age. Concentrations between 1 x 5(-3) mg/ml and 1 x 5(-2) mg/ml of histamine dihydrochloride should be taken for a positive control in intradermal allergen skin tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Activation of protein kinase C by the 14-3-3 proteins homologous with Exo1 protein that stimulates calcium-dependent exocytosis.

The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of acidic proteins found mainly in the brain and are suggested to have a role in monoamine synthesis based on their ability to activate tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases in the presence of type II Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated that a member of the 14-3-3 family, termed Exo1, stimulates Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis in permeabilized adrenal chromaffin cells, suggesting that this protein family may influence the protein kinase C-mediated control of Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis. Here we show that the 14-3-3 proteins activate protein kinase C at about 2-fold more than the known level of the activated protein kinase, i.e. the activity of protein kinase C in the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipids. This raises the possibility that the cellular activity of protein kinase C is regulated by diverse members of the 14-3-3 family and that the reported ability of Exo1 to reactivate Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis is based on its stimulatory effect on protein kinase C activity. The 14-3-3 family, therefore, appears to be a multifunctional regulator of cell signalling processes mediated by two types of Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and type II calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1992

The ultrastructure of neuronal-pinealocytic interconnections in the monkey pineal.

Recent ultrastructural studies of neuronal-pinealocytic interconnections in the monkey pineal are reviewed. The pinealocytes in the adult monkey show almost all of the cytological specializations known in subprimate mammals. Adjacent pinealocytes are functionally coupled through ribbon synapses on cell bodies and gap junctions on cell bodies and cell processes. The pinealocytes receive direct synpatic contacts of nerve fibers with cholinergic terminal morphology. Nerve cells restricted to the central portion of the pineal receive synaptic contacts with more than three different morphologically defined types of nerve terminals. In addition to nerve terminals containing small clear vesicles or vesicles of pleomorphic morphology, a pinealocyte's terminal process containing the synaptic ribbon forms a true synaptic contact on the nerve cell body. The diversity of synapses on these nerve cells strongly suggests multiple origins of these neurons rather than a single peripheral parasympathetic origin. The possible involvement of pineal neurons in an intrinsic circuit that regulates the function of pinealocytes and integrates the neural input from the central as well as the peripheral nervous systems is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Isolation and some properties of a 34-kDa-membrane protein that may be responsible for ribosome binding in rat liver rough microsomes.

We have isolated, by hydroxyapatite chromatography with a non ionic detergent and a high salt concentration, a non-glycosylated, membrane protein with a relative molecular weight of 34 kDa that had previously been found to be a major constituent of the membrane protein fraction showing ribosome-binding activity derived from rat liver rough microsomes (RM). The isolated 34 kDa protein (p34), when incorporated into a liposome model membrane, exhibited significant binding activity toward ribosomes, its binding properties being similar to those observed with intact RM. Immunochemical analyses using antibodies directed against p34 suggested that it is a membrane-embedded RM surface protein, which is specifically localized in ribosome-attached organelles and widely distributed among mammalian tissues. These results would constitute evidence that p34 is a likely candidate for an RM ribosome-binding protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

cDNA cloning and chromosome assignment of the gene for human brain 14-3-3 protein eta chain.

We present the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone of mRNA encoding human 14-3-3 protein, a protein kinase-dependent activator of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases and an endogenous inhibitor of protein kinase C. The 1,730-nucleotide sequence of the cloned cDNA contains 191 bp of a 5'-noncoding region, the complete 738 bp of coding region, and 801 bp of a 3'-noncoding region containing three canonical polyadenylation signals. The 14-3-3 protein eta chain cDNA encoded a polypeptide of 246 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight 28,196. The predicted amino acid sequence of human 14-3-3 protein eta was highly homologous to that of previously reported bovine and rat 14-3-3 proteins with only two amino acid differences. The sequence carries structural features as putative regions responsible for activation of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases and for inhibition of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. Northern blot analysis demonstrated widespread expression of the 14-3-3 protein eta chain in cultured cell lines derived from various human tumors. These findings suggest the conservative functions of the 14-3-3 protein among species. Spot blot hybridization analysis with flow-sorted chromosomes showed that the human 14-3-3 protein eta chain gene is assigned to chromosome 22.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Increased alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in serum from children with measles.

For treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients with measles, it is important to determine the source of the increase in serum alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD; EC 1.1.99.6). Here we measured HBD and L-lactate dehydrogenase (LD; 1.1.1.27) activities in the serum of 18 children with measles and in 18 age-matched control patients with bronchopneumonia. HBD and LD activities in the measles patients were significantly higher than those in control subjects (P less than 0.001). The HBD/LD ratio in the measles patients two to three days after the onset of rash was significantly lower than that in control subjects (P less than 0.001). The low HBD/LD ratio was similar to the ratio found in lymphocytes. The number of peripheral lymphocytes decreased markedly after the onset of rash. Our results suggest that increased serum HBD and LD activity is common in measles infection and that the increase originates from the destruction of infected lymphocytes rather than from myocardiac injury.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1991

Detection of cysteine conjugate metabolite adduct formation with specific mitochondrial proteins using antibodies raised against halothane metabolite adducts.

Antibodies raised against halothane metabolite adducts cross-react with S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine (TFEC) and S-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-L-cysteine metabolite adducts. Using these antibodies in immunohistochemical experiments, metabolite binding was localized to the damaged areas of the proximal tubule after treatment of male rats with TFEC. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions of rat kidney tissue after in vivo treatment with TFEC revealed a high specificity for binding of metabolites to proteins of the mitochondrial fraction. These proteins may represent target molecules which play a role in cysteine conjugate induced nephrotoxicity.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1991

Distribution of extracellular tracers in perivascular spaces of the rat brain.

Large molecular weight tracers (india ink or albumin labeled with colloidal gold, Evans blue or rhodamine) were micro-injected into the perivascular space of an artery or vein on the brain surface, or within the cerebral cortex or the subarachnoid space of anesthetized rats. The subsequent distribution was followed both under intravital microscopy, in order to outline the pathways and direction of tracer movement, and in histological section, in order to describe the pathways of flow at the light and electron microscopic level. The tracers remained largely in the perivascular spaces and in the interconnecting network of extracellular channels, including the subpial space and the core of subarachnoid trabeculae. Tracer also leaked across the pia into subarachnoid CSF. Bulk flow of fluid within the perivascular space, around both arteries and veins, was suggested from video-densitometric measurements of fluorescently labeled albumin. However, this flow was slow, and its direction varied in an unpredictable way. These results confirm that perivascular spaces may serve as channels for fluid exchange between brain and CSF, but do not support the idea that CSF circulates rapidly through brain tissue via perivascular spaces.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Distinct forms of the protein kinase-dependent activator of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases.

Tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases are the key enzymes in the regulation of catecholamine and serotonin levels in neurons and other endocrine cells. Among the mechanisms proposed for the modulation of activity, phosphorylation of the enzyme is believed to be of functional significance with respect to the stimulus-response coupling, but the precise mechanism is unknown. Here, we show the existence of multiple, distinct forms of the 14-3-3 activator protein, a neuronal protein essential for activation of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II. Bovine brain 14-3-3 protein was resolved by reversed-phase chromatography into seven polypeptides (alpha to eta), all of which were active towards tryptophan hydroxylase when the renatured preparations were assayed in the presence of Ca2+, calmodulin and the protein kinase. Determination of the amino acid sequences of the beta and gamma chains and comparison of the sequences with the previously determined sequence of the eta chain revealed that these molecules are highly homologous, and share a common structural feature in containing an extremely acidic C-terminal region predicted as a domain for interaction with the phosphorylated hydroxylases. Northern blot analysis indicated that the beta, gamma and eta chain are expressed abundantly in the brain; however, these polypeptides appear to be expressed with different tissue specificities because gamma mRNA is found only in the brain, while lower levels of beta and eta mRNAs are detected in several other tissues. These findings suggest the involvement of a diverse family of the activator protein in the stimulus-coupled, Ca2(+)-dependent regulation of monoamine biosynthesis.

14-3-3 Proteins↗