Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Kino

Publications and source records attributed to T Kino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

HHR23A, the human homologue of the yeast repair protein RAD23, interacts specifically with Vpr protein and prevents cell cycle arrest but not the transcriptional effects of Vpr.

Yeast two-hybrid selection of proteins interacting with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpr identified HHR23A, a human homologue of the yeast DNA repair protein RAD23, as a specific interactor. A small 57-amino-acid C-terminal portion of HHR23A was sufficient for Vpr interaction. When introduced into human cells by transfection, full-length HHR23A or its C-terminal fragments were able to alleviate Vpr-induced cell cycle arrest, suggesting that HHR23A may participate in the pathway leading to G2 arrest by Vpr. We have also examined the effects of HHR23 on the recently identified transcription coactivator function of Vpr. The two Vpr functions are independent, since we have identified mutants lacking either the cell cycle arrest or the coactivator function. Our analysis showed that excess of HHR23A does not affect the coactivator function of Vpr, while it affects the cell cycle arresting function. Therefore, a simple sequestering model for Vpr in the presence of excess HHR23A is not supported. We propose that the interaction of HHR23A with Vpr may affect specifically pathways leading to cell cycle regulation.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1998

Loss of merlin-p85 protein complex in NF2-related tumors.

The NF2 tumor suppressor gene product, designated merlin, belongs to the family of molecules that links membranous protein with the cytoskeleton. We have previously shown that merlin was co-immunoprecipitated with a cellular protein, p85, in cultured cell. To analyze the alteration of merlin and associated proteins in surgical specimens, we developed a new method for biotin-labeling of whole cellular proteins. Screening of tumor tissues using our method showed that none of malignant gliomas and half of the NF2-related tumors had altered p85 and merlin. Our detection method seems useful for the screening of merlin alterations in NF2-related tumors.

Avian Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Steroidogenic factor 1 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic human tissues: Northern blot and in situ hybridization studies.

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), a tissue-specific orphan nuclear receptor, regulates the genes of several steroidogenic enzymes, Mullerian inhibiting substance, and the gonadotrophins. Also, this transcription factor is crucial for hypothalamic, adrenal, and gonadal organogenesis in the mouse. We recently cloned the human SF-1 (hSF-1) complementary DNA (cDNA) and now report the distribution of this factor's messenger RNA (mRNA) in human tissues. Northern blot analyses of peripheral tissues revealed high hSF-1 mRNA expression in the adrenal cortex and the gonads, but no hSF-1 mRNA was detected in the placenta. High hSF-1 mRNA expression also was seen in the spleen. In this tissue, in addition to the main transcript of 3.5-4 kb seen in the adrenal and gonads, two additional transcripts of 4.4 kb and 8 kb were noted. The additional 4.4-kb transcript also was seen in several peripheral tissues and various components of the brain. However, adult liver and heart showed only the 4.4-kb transcript. In the human brain, hSF-1 mRNA expression was widespread, including several components of the limbic system. In situ hybridization studies confirmed the strong expression of hSF-1 mRNA in adrenal cortex, ovary, testis, and the spleen, primarily within reticuloendothelial cells. Thus, in the human, the hSF1 mRNA is present in both steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic tissues, albeit not in the placenta. In the central nervous system, the expression of hSF-1 mRNA is widespread. It is composed of several different mRNA species distributed in a tissue-specific fashion. These findings suggest that hSF-1 may play a role in reticuloendothelial/immune cell maturation and/or function, as well as nervous system development and/or neurosteroid biosynthesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

FR901724, a novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) peptide produced by Streptomyces, shows synergistic antiviral activities with HIV protease inhibitor and 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides.

A novel tricyclic 21-amino-acid peptide, FR901724, was isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. No. 73264. This peptide appears to possess potent anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity in vitro and might represent a lead to a new class of anti-HIV agents; it qualifies as an HIV-cell fusion inhibitor because of its weak inhibition of virus-cell binding and strong inhibition of syncytium formation. From the time-of-addition experiments, the mode of action of FR901724 was found to definitely differ from that of KNI-272, a peptide mimetic allophenylnorstatine-derivative HIV protease inhibitor. FR901724 appears to interact with a stage of the virus replicative cycle that may well correspond to virus-cell fusion. We also found that FR901724 was synergistic or had a strong tendency toward synergism when combined with other antiviral drugs, such as KNI-272, AZT, ddI and dextran sulfate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Pituitary apoplexy after subtotal thyroidectomy in an acromegalic patient with a large goiter.

A case of pituitary apoplexy occurring after subtotal thyroidectomy in an acromegalic woman with a large adenomatous goiter is described. The patient had severe apnea because the large goiter was causing airway compression. Prior to the planned hypophysectomy, a subtotal thyroidectomy was performed to relieve tracheal stenosis. Shortly after the operation, the patient developed a headache that lasted for several days. The serum levels of growth hormone and somatomedin-C spontaneously normalized seventeen days after this episode and have remained normal for two years. Pituitary apoplexy was thought to have caused the observed results without deterioration of the pituitary function.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1996

Cushing's disease preceded by generalized glucocorticoid resistance: clinical consequences of a novel, dominant-negative glucocorticoid receptor mutation.

Generalized glucocorticoid resistance is associated with chronic hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, compensating for impaired glucocorticoid receptor function. We report a unique patient with sporadic generalized glucocorticoid resistance who, at age 33, presented with infertility and hypertension and, at 38, developed pituitary Cushing's disease. Leukocyte-binding studies revealed normal affinity of the glucocorticoid receptor but a reduction of binding sites by 50%. [3H]thymidine incorporation by this patient's lymphocytes was not suppressible by dexamethasone. He had a novel heterozygous missense mutation in the glucocorticoid receptor gene (isoleucine 559 to asparagine 559). The mutant receptor exhibited a strong dominant-negative effect on the ability of the wild-type receptor to induce gene transcription in vitro. The mutation was present in all of the patient's cultured lymphoblasts and fibroblasts as well as in 50% of his sperm, as demonstrated by single-cell polymerase chain reaction; it was not present in his parents and seven siblings. This novel mutation was thus both de novo and present in the germ line. Immunohistochemical staining of this patient's pituitary corticotropinoma revealed accumulation of p53 protein, indicating the presence of a putative somatic oncogenic mutation in the p53 gene in the tumor cells. Investigation of the lymphoblast and skin fibroblast cultures for p53 abnormalities did not show any aberration. Thus, a novel de novo germ line mutation of the glucocorticoid receptor with strong dominant-negative activity caused severe sporadic generalized glucocorticoid resistance, which preceded corticotroph adenoma formation. The latter probably was due to the combined effects of chronic corticotroph hyperstimulation, decreased glucocorticoid negative feedback, and at least one subsequent somatic defect in the control of the cell cycle.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The non-ligand binding beta-isoform of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR beta): tissue levels, mechanism of action, and potential physiologic role.

BACKGROUND: Alternative splicing of the transcripts of the human glucocorticoid receptor gene results in two mutually exclusive products, the classic, ligand-binding glucocorticoid receptor (hGR alpha), and a dominant negative non-ligand-binding isoform, hGR beta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the existence of and quantified both hGR alpha and hGR beta isoforms in a panel of human tissues, as well as in intact and fractionated HeLa cells, using specific quantitative Western blots and/or immunocytochemistry. We studied the potential interactions of hGR beta with heat shock protein (hsp) 90 and/or hGR alpha using cross-immunoadsorption/precipitation procedures followed by Western blots. RESULTS: For the first time, we demonstrated the natural existence of the hGR beta protein, which was widely expressed in human tissues. The ratio of immunoreactive hGR alpha to hGR beta varied from 0.2 to 1.0 among different tissues, and was approximately 0.2 in HeLa cells. In the latter, both isoforms were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the absence of the hormonal ligand, and translocated into the nucleus after addition of dexamethasone. The cytosolic and nuclear hGR alpha-to-hGR beta ratio remained the same before and after dexamethasone exposure, suggesting that upon activation the two isoforms translocated into the nucleus in equal proportions. hGR alpha- and hGR beta-specific antibodies cross-adsorbed and precipitated cytosolic and nuclear glucocorticoid hGR alpha and hGR beta, respectively, as well as hsp90, suggesting that hGR alpha and hGR beta are in complex with hsp90 and/or each other. CONCLUSIONS: The hGR beta protein is widely expressed throughout the human body and present mostly in the cytoplasm of human cells, in complex with hsp90 and other proteins. In the presence of glucocorticoid, hGR beta probably heterodimerizes with ligand-bound hGR alpha and translocates into the nucleus to act as a dominant negative inhibitor of the classic receptor.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

[Acute thrombocytopenic purpura following rubella vaccination].

A case of acute thrombocytopenic purpura following rubella vaccination is reported. A 3-year-old boy developed purpura on the 22nd days after rubella vaccination. His platelet count was 34 x 10(3)/microliter. Platelet-associated IgG was elevated, but the amount of megakaryocytes in bone marrow aspirates was within the normal range, suggesting immune mechanism-associated thrombocytopenia. He recovered spontaneously within one month. Thrombocytopenic purpura is a well-documented complication of natural rubella infection. Attention should be paid rubella vaccination-associated thrombocytopenia, though it seems to be less frequent than after natural infections.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Immunomodulators.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) gene expression in rat peritoneal macrophages during foam cell formation. A key role for free cholesterol content.

Sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) has been shown to be involved in intracellular transport and metabolism of cholesterol. However, there have been no reports concerning SCP2 in macrophages, the major source of atheromatous foam cells. We investigated whether SCP2 is present in rat peritoneal macrophages and determined the changes of SCP2 and its mRNA levels in macrophages during form cell formation induced by acetylated LDL (AcLDL). Immunoblot analysis and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that both SCP2 and its mRNA are expressed in rat peritoneal macrophages. Incubations with AcLDL caused a dose- and time-dependent increase of cellular esterified cholesterol, SCP2 and its mRNA in rat peritoneal macrophages. The inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase further enhanced AcLDL-induced increase of SCP2 protein and its mRNA. Incubations with 25-hydroxy cholesterol also caused a dose-dependent stimulation of SCP2 gene expression in macrophages, while incubation with maleylated BSA had no effect. These results suggest that the increment of cellular-free cholesterol is responsible for enhanced SCP2 gene expression in macrophages. The enhancement of SCP2 gene expression by AcLDL suggests that SCP2 may play an important role during foam cell formation induced by AcLDL which may be most important step for the atherosclerosis.

Albumins↗
PubMed1994

Purification and some properties of a trehalase from a green alga, Lobosphaera sp.

An unicellular green alga identified as Lobosphaera sp. by morphological observations was selected as a source of trehalase. The alga grew well heterotrophically and produced intracellular trehalase using Polypepton, yeast extract, and glycerol as nutrients. The enzyme was highly purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl, Sepharose CL-4B, and SP-Toyopearl. The molecular mass was estimated to be 400 kDa by gel filtration. SDS-PAGE indicated that the enzyme consisted of two subunits with a molecular mass range of 180-220 kDa and it contained carbohydrates. The enzyme was most active at pH 5.5 and at 65 degrees C and stable between pH 4-9 and below 65 degrees C. Fe3+ inactivated the enzyme. Sucrose was a competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 7.5 mM. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed trehalase with a Km of 0.6 mM.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMed1994

[Investigation on the treatment of infection due to Mycobacterium Kansasii].

Mycobacterium kansasii infection responds well to antituberculous drugs, and in the initial phase of treatment, many patients with M. kansasii infection are regarded as tuberculosis. This study was carried out to know whether the regimen of chemotherapy be continued or changed after the confirmation of diagnosis as M. kansasii infection. The treatment result of 107 cases with M. kansasii infection of the lung encountered at Fukujuji Hospital was compared with that of pulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum culture of all patients treated with drug regimens containing RFP converted to negative within 3 months after starting chemotherapy, while sputum culture of many patients treated with regimens not containing RFP converted to negative 4 months or later after the start of chemotherapy. Hence, the effectiveness of RFP in treating M. kansasii infection was confirmed. Among 65 patients with no relapse during a follow-up period of at least one year after the completion of chemotherapy, 58 patients (89.2%) were treated with drug regimens containing INH and RFP, and the treatment of 40 patients (61.5%) was finished within 12 months. Among three patients deteriorated during chemotherapy or relapsed within one year after the completion of chemotherapy, two patients were treated with drug regimens containing RFP and one of them had serious complications. The chemotherapy regimen for tuberculosis is considered to be sufficient for the initial treatment of pulmonary disease caused by M. kansasii.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A case of epituberculosis in the adult female].

Hilar lymph node tuberculosis with atelectasis of the left upper division in a 23 year-old woman was reported. After 3 months' antituberculous chemotherapy, atelectasis on her chest X ray disappeared completely. The case was considered as so-called epituberculosis. Bronchoscopy revealed the improvement of bronchial obstruction due to hilar lymph node tuberculosis. As the majority of epituberculosis cases were found in infants with soft and elastic bronchi, such an adult case like ours was considered to be rare.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Two pulmonary tuberculosis cases with HIV infection].

UNLABELLED: It was reported that HIV-infected persons were at much higher risk to develop active tuberculosis than HIV-none-infected persons, about 10% of whom might develop active tuberculosis through their lives, almost identical percentage of HIV-infected persons had developed active tuberculosis annually. In Japan, 2838 HIV-infected persons including 621 AIDS-cases were reported by the end of June 1993. Oct. Ten HIV-infected cases of active mycobacteriosis have been reported in literatures or on scientific meeting. We experienced two tuberculosis cases with HIV-infection recently and will report herein. FIRST CASE: A 23 years-old male student of Japanese-language school from Myammer. He was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and cough. His chest X-ray film taken on admission showed left hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes swelling, calcification of left hilar lymph node and infiltration in middle lung field. Sputum smear for acid fast bacilli was strongly positive. The cultured isolates were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis by DNA probe methods and were susceptibility tests were sensitive to all antituberculous drugs. Tuberculin skin reaction was negative. Laboratory data on admission: serum albumin level was 2.7 g/dl, A/G ratio was 0.75, CRP was 26.4 dg/ml, HBe antigen and antibody were positive, HIV antibody was positive by PA method and Western blot method, total lymphocyte count was 410/microliters, total T lymphocyte count was 303/microliters, total B lymphocyte count was 29/microliters, CD4+ T lymphocyte count was 37/microliters, CD8+ T lymphocyte count was 279/microliters, CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗