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Biomedical subjects

T Izawa

Publications and source records attributed to T Izawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Ca2+ potentiates corticotropin-induced, but not isoproterenol-induced, [3H]guanosine diphosphate release in rat adipocyte membranes.

EGTA abolished corticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat adipocyte membranes. In contrast, the potency of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) stimulation of adenylate cyclase activated with ACTH was greater in the presence of Ca2+ (1 mmol/L). EGTA (1 mmol/L) powerfully inhibited ACTH-stimulated [3H]guanosine diphosphate (GDP) release from membranes prelabeled with [3H]GTP in the presence of isoproterenol (ISO) or ACTH, whereas Ca2+ significantly increased it. In contrast, neither EGTA nor Ca2+ affected ISO-stimulated [3H]GDP release. These data clearly show that Ca2+ is necessary for the binding of ACTH to its receptor, and that Ca2+ stimulates the interaction of the ACTH-occupied receptor with GTP-binding proteins.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumor associated with Maffucci's syndrome.

A 15-year-old girl developed a juvenile granulosa cell tumor associated with Maffucci's syndrome (enchondromatosis + hemangiomas). Clinical manifestations of the disease included an abdominal mass and progressive anemia. She underwent the removal of a Stage Ic juvenile granulosa cell tumor and subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy. On follow-up examination 4 years later, no recurrence of the ovarian tumor was noted. A review of the literature showed 10 previous cases of juvenile granulosa cell tumor associated with enchondromatosis, two associated with Maffucci's syndrome, and the rest with Ollier's disease (enchondromatosis). Ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumor may occur not infrequently in female patients with enchondromatosis in the first or second decades, in contrast to the widely recognized sarcomatous changes of enchondromas that usually occur after the second decade. Data provided from these cases also emphasize the concept of a generalized mesodermal dysplasia.

Adolescent↗

Ca2+ ionophore and phorbol ester stimulate diacylglycerol formation and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in rat parotid acinar cells.

We investigated the effects of A23187 and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) on sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation and phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis in rat parotid acinar cells. Both A23187 and PDBu, in concentration ranges of 0.001-0.1 microM, stimulated DAG accumulation and PC hydrolysis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with A23187 and PDBu stimulated the release of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine into the medium, indicating [3H]PC hydrolysis is due to the activation of phospholipases C and D; however, [3H]phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysis was not indicated. These releases were unaffected by the addition of glucose 6-phosphate, a phosphatase inhibitor. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, significantly inhibited the DAG accumulation and the PC hydrolysis stimulated by these agents. Combinations of A23187 and PDBu potentiated the stimulatory effect which each of these agents alone had on DAG accumulation and PC hydrolysis. This mode of action was additive but not synergistic. These results suggest that DAG accumulation induced by A23187 and PDBu is related to the PC hydrolysis mediated via the activation of phospholipases C and D, and that it is not related to phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysis.

Alkaloids↗

Phorbol ester alters carbachol-stimulated diacylglycerol formation in parotid acinar cells through the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and phosphatidylcholine.

Incubation of rat parotid acinar cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) resulted in inhibition of carbachol-stimulated formation of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). PDBu pretreatment inhibited carbachol-induced turnover of phosphoinositides; this inhibition was indicated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate breakdown. This pretreatment also attenuated the effect of carbachol on inositol phosphate generation and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. These results show that PDBu alters carbachol-stimulated DAG formation through the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and phosphatidylcholine.

Animals↗

Effects of CO2 laser irradiation on pulpal blood flow.

CO2 laser may be beneficially applied to teeth in preventive and restorative dentistry, but its physiopathologic effects on the dental pulp have not been reported. To address the dynamic pulpal changes induced by CO2 laser the purpose of this study was to examine such changes in pulpal microcirculation. The enamel surfaces of 4 cat canines were irradiated by CO2 laser beam, delivered by either a handpiece or microslad with a focal spot diameter of 0.21mm and 0.33mm, respectively. Exposure powers of 2.6-20 W were used for durations of 0.05-0.2 sec, resulting in energy density range of 304-1440 J/cm2. Non-invasive measurement of pulpal blood flow (PBF) by a laser Doppler flowmeter was maintained continuously before and following CO2 laser irradiation. CO2 laser irradiation resulted in an immediate increase in PBF, which subsided after 2-3 min. Large pulps responded with a significantly higher PBF increase than small pulps. These results confirm that CO2 laser irradiation of the tooth surface has a thermal effect on the pulp, which is moderated by the insulating capability of dentin. It appears that the associated thermal damage is not extensive when laser exposure parameters are such as used herein.

Animals↗

Substance P-induced diacylglycerol formation in rat parotid acinar cells.

The mechanisms underlying the ability of substance P, to stimulate the sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) formation were studied using rat parotid acinar cells. During a 60 s stimulation, 1 microM substance P caused a rapid rise in DAG accumulation at 5 s, whereas a low (0.1 microM) concentration of agonist did not. During long term stimulation for 30 min, DAG accumulation induced by 1 microM substance P reached near maximal levels at 5 min and remained elevated for at least 20 min. In contrast, DAG formation induced by 0.1 microM substance P exhibited a peak at 5 min, gradually declined and returned to near basal levels at 30 min. Furthermore, DAG accumulation in response to substance P at 5 and 20 min increased in a dose-dependent manner. The breakdown of both [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate ([32P]PIP) and [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ([32P]PIP2) stimulated by 1 microM substance P significantly increased from 5 to 20 min and returned to basal levels by 30 min; however, the breakdown of [32P]PIP2 was greater than that of [32P]PIP. At a low concentration of substance P, [32P]PIP2 breakdown reached maximal levels at 5 min followed by a progressive decrease and returned to basal levels at 30 min, whereas the breakdown of [32P]PIP reached maximal levels at 5 min and returned to near basal levels at 10 min. Both concentrations of substance P caused some [32P]phosphatidylinositol breakdown at 5 min. Changes in [3H]inositol trisphosphate induced by substance P were similar to those in [32P]PIP2. In addition, substance P (1 microM) did not stimulate the release of [3H]choline or [3H]ethanolamine metabolites into the medium. Substance P-induced DAG formation was not inhibited by staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. These results suggest that DAG formation caused by substance P is closely associated with the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides but not that of phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine, and is not regulated by protein kinase C-dependent mechanism(s).

Alkaloids↗

Protein kinase C-dependent diacylglycerol formation is mediated via Ca2+/calmodulin in parotid cells.

The kinetics of carbachol-induced sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) formation and the underlying mechanism(s) involved in parotid acinar cells were investigated. Supramaximal concentrations of carbachol for amylase secretion (10 microM) caused a transient rise in DAG levels at 10 s. In contrast, this rapid rise was not elicited by 1 microM carbachol, which is the maximally effective concentration for amylase secretion. Carbachol (10 microM) also increased DAG levels linearly up to 20 min, which were sustained for up to a further 10 min. DAG formation stimulated by 1 microM carbachol was biphasic; the first peak was observed after 5 min and the second after 20 min. DAG formation induced by 0.01-0.1 microM carbachol was concentration-dependent and monophasic, peaking at 5 min. The second peak evoked by carbachol was partly inhibited by Ca2+ deprivation from the extracellular space, whereas the first peak was not. Similar results were obtained in experiments using Ca2+ antagonists such as verapamil and LaCl3. The protein kinase C inhibitors, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and staurosporine, and a calmodulin antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), significantly inhibited the second DAG peak produced by 1 microM carbachol, but did not alter the first peak. The degree of inhibition of the second peak by these antagonists was comparable. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of staurosporine and W-7 was concentration-dependent. The A23187-induced accumulation of DAG also was abolished by both staurosporine and W-7. These data indicate that a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism(s) is involved in mediating the second DAG accumulation peak induced by 1 microM carbachol and is mainly regulated by the Ca(2+)-calmodulin complex.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Characteristics of KRN2391, a novel vasodilator, compared with those of cromakalim, pinacidil and nifedipine in rat aorta.

The characteristics of KRN2391, a novel vasodilator, were studied in rat isolated aorta. The effects of KRN2391, cromakalim, pinacidil and nifedipine on the contractions induced by 20, 40 and 80 mM K+ and by 10(-7) M norepinephrine (NE) were measured first. KRN2391, cromakalim and pinacidil selectively inhibited the contractions induced by 20 mM K+ and NE rather than those induced by high concentrations of K+. Nifedipine could not completely inhibit the NE-induced contractions. The vasorelaxant effect of KRN2391 was inhibited by K+ channel blockers and guanylate cyclase inhibitors. KRN2391, cromakalim and pinacidil increased the 86Rb efflux rate coefficient. Thus, KRN2391 exhibits a vasodilator profile similar to that of the K+ channel openers and induces an increase in 86Rb efflux. It is suggested that opening of the membrane K+ channels may be partly involved in the vasorelaxant mechanism of KRN2391.

Animals↗

Introduction and transposition of the maize transposable element Ac in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

To develop a transposon tagging system in an important cereal plant, rice (Oryza sativa L.), the maize transposable element Ac (Activator) was introduced into rice protoplasts by electroporation. We employed a phenotypic assay for excision of Ac from the selectable hph gene encoding resistance to hygromycin B. Southern blot analysis of hygromycin B-resistant calli showed that the Ac element can transpose from the introduced hph gene into the rice chromosomes. Sequence analysis of several Ac excision sites in the hph genes revealed sequence alterations characteristic of the excision sites of this plant transposable element. The Ac element appears to be active during development of transgenic rice plants from calli. Moreover, hybridization patterns of different leaves from the same plant indicated that some Ac elements are stable whereas others are able to transpose further during development of leaves. The results indicate that the introduced Ac element can transpose efficiently in transgenic rice plants.

Base Sequence↗

Anaerobic induction and tissue-specific expression of maize Adh1 promoter in transgenic rice plants and their progeny.

In order to analyze expression of the maize alcohol dehydrogenase 1 gene (Adh1), its promoter was fused with the gusA reporter gene and introduced into rice by protoplast transformation. Histochemical analysis of transgenic plants and their progeny showed that the maize Adh1 promoter is constitutively expressed in root caps, anthers, anther filaments, pollen, scutellum, endosperm and shoot and root meristem of the embryo. Induction of expression by the Adh1 promoter was examined using seedlings derived from selfed progeny of the transgenic plants. The results showed that expression of the Adh1 promoter was strongly induced (up to 81-fold) in roots of seedlings after 24 h of anaerobic treatment, concomitant with an increase in the level of gusA mRNA. 2,4-D also induced Adh1 promoter-directed expression of gusA to a similar extent. In contrast, little induction by anaerobic treatment was detected in transformed calli, leaves or roots of primary transformants or shoots of seedlings. A detailed examination of seedling roots during anaerobic treatment revealed that the induction started first at the meristem and after 3 h there was strong induction in the elongation zone which is located 1-2 mm above the meristem; the induction then progressed upward from this region. Our results suggest that transgenic rice plants carrying the gusA reporter gene fused with promoters are useful for the study of anaerobic regulation of genes derived from graminaceous species.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

In vivo adaptive control of beta-receptors and adenylate cyclase during short-term heat exposure in rat parotid glands.

1. Adaptation of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) and adenylate cyclase (AC) in rat parotid glands during short-term heat exposure (33 degrees C) were studied. 2. Heat exposure reduced AC activity in response to isoproterenol (IPR). 3. The number of beta-AR on the cell surface significantly increased after 24 hr but returned to control level after 48 hr. 4. IPR-induced [3H]GDP release was significantly reduced throughout exposure. 5. The data suggest that the major factor which results in the desensitization of AC during short-term heat exposure is a blunted coupling between beta-AR and GTP binding protein(s).

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Enhanced coupling of adenylate cyclase to lipolysis in permeabilized adipocytes from trained rats.

Digitonin-permeabilized adipocytes were used to study the coupling of adenylate cyclase (AC) to lipolysis in exercise-trained rats. Isoproterenol-(IPR) stimulated lipolysis in permeabilized cells was significantly greater in trained than in control rats. Under essentially identical conditions, the dose-response curve for IPR stimulation of AC activity in the absence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine was similar in trained and control rats. However, the potency of stimulation by IPR as a percentage of the basal level was greater in trained rats. AC activity and lipolysis in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine were also significantly greater in trained than in control rats. Least-squares analysis by plotting the log AC vs. lipolysis values showed that the regression coefficient was about three-fold greater in trained than in control rats. The concentration of endogenous adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) needed to produce a half-maximal lipolytic response was 18.58 and 10.81 pmol.min-1.10(6) cells-1 in control and trained rats, respectively. Thus a positive relationship existed between lipolysis and AC activity, with a tighter coupling in trained rats. Lipolysis in response to exogenous cAMP tended to be greater in trained than in control rats, and the difference was statistically significant for 50 microM and 10 mM cAMP. Our finding support the concept that the major mechanism of enhanced lipolysis in trained rats was an increase in the activity of enzymatic step(s) distal to cAMP.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Screening for bacteriuria in Japanese school children.

Bacteriuria was screened among 28,202 healthy school children, 14,575 boys and 13,627 girls, by dipstick and dipslide methods and also by pour plate culture. The prevalence of bacteriuria was 0.06% in boys and 0.52% in girls after the third screening. A high rate of false negative results with the dipstick test and a high rate of false positive results with the dipslide culture method using Microstix-3 were observed. About 60% of screened children continued to have bacteriuria persistently for 9 months after the third screening, which was followed by monthly urine cultures. Anomalies of the urinary tract were detected in 9 of 26 children with persistent bacteriuria.

Adolescent↗

Diacylglycerol accumulation is involved in the potentiating effect of A23187 on carbachol-stimulated amylase secretion from parotid gland.

We studied the role of sn-1, 2-diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation in the potentiating effect of A23187 on carbachol (CCh)-stimulated amylase secretion from rat parotid acinar cells. A23187 (0.1 microM) linearly increased DAG accumulation with time for at least 30 min. At concentrations higher or lower than 0.1 microM, DAG levels increased for up to 20 min, but declined at 30 min. Dose-response curve for DAG accumulation induced by A23187 was similar to that for amylase secretion. A23187 augmented CCh-stimulated DAG accumulation and amylase secretion. These results suggest that DAG accumulation is involved in the potentiating effect of A23187 on CCh-stimulated amylase secretion.

Amylases↗

A protein kinase C-dependent mechanism(s) is involved in atropine-resistant accumulation of diacylglycerol in rat parotid gland.

We investigated the atropine-resistant accumulation of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) on stimulation of 1 microM carbachol (CCh) in parotid acinar cells. CCh-induced DAG accumulation was biphasic, peaking at 5 and 20 min. Atropine inhibited two peaks in a dose-dependent manner, but the first peak was inhibited much more than the second one. Atropine (10 microM) completely inhibited both DAG accumulation and the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) 5 min after stimulation with CCh. In contrast, the breakdown of PIP2 at 20 min was completely inhibited by 10 microM atropine, but DAG accumulation was not. This atropine-resistant component at 20 min is significantly inhibited by staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. These results suggest that atropine-resistant accumulation of DAG at 20 min derives directly from other lipids rather than phosphoinositides and is regulated by a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism(s).

Alkaloids↗

Discontinuing therapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with a chemoimmunotherapy protocol.

We examined the results of discontinuing therapy in Japanese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Of the 209 patients in the chemoimmunotherapy study, 120 (57.4%) had all chemotherapy stopped after 3 years of complete remission, and 72 (34.4%) reached the point of discontinuing immunotherapy after 5 years of complete remission. Of the 120 children removed from chemotherapy, 14 (11.7%) have relapsed, mainly in the extramedullary sites (5: testis, 5: bone marrow, 3: central nervous system, 1: bone); relapses occurred 1-23 months after cessation of chemotherapy (median 11 months). Boys had higher post-chemotherapy relapse rate than girls (0.21 versus 0.08, P less than 0.05). None of the 72 children removed from immunotherapy have yet relapsed. Long-term remission and possibly cure can be expected in approximately one-half of newly diagnosed Japanese patients. Although the active immunotherapy had no beneficial effect on the overall outcome for leukemic children, it could be of benefit to the elimination of bone marrow relapses after cessation of chemotherapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

An acute exercise-induced translocation of beta-adrenergic receptors in rat myocardium.

The effect of acute exercise (treadmill running) on rat myocardium beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) was studied. beta-AR was identified in purified sarcolemmal membrane fractions and light vesicle fractions. In control hearts, the number of beta-AR was 21.25 +/- 2.25 and 20.89 +/- 2.89 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- SE) in sarcolemmal membranes and light vesicles, respectively. Immediately after a single bout of dynamic exercise, about 35% of beta-AR was transferred from light vesicles to sarcolemmal membranes (p less than 0.05); concomitantly, isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity also significantly increased in sarcolemmal membranes (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that acute exercise provokes the translocation of beta-AR from a presumably intracellular site (light vesicles) to functional membrane fractions (sarcolemmal membranes) in rat myocardium.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗