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Biomedical subjects

T Kitamura

Publications and source records attributed to T Kitamura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

v-Src suppresses SHPS-1 expression via the Ras-MAP kinase pathway to promote the oncogenic growth of cells.

We investigated the effect of cell transformation by v-src on the expression and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1, a putative docking protein for SHP-1 and SHP-2. We found that transformation by v-src virtually inhibited the SHPS-1 expression at mRNA level. While nontransforming Src kinases including c-Src, nonmyristoylated forms of v-Src had no inhibitory effect on SHPS-1 expression, transforming Src kinases including wild-type v-Src and chimeric mutant of c-Src bearing v-Src SH3 substantially suppressed the SHPS-1 expression. In cells expressing temperature sensitive mutant of v-Src, suppression of the SHPS-1 expression was temperature-dependent. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 was rather activated in cells expressing c-Src or nonmyristoylated forms of v-Src. SHPS-1 expression in SR3Y1 was restored by treatment with herbimycin A, a potent inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, or by the expression of dominant negative form of Ras. Contrary, active form of Mekl markedly suppressed SHPS-1 expression. Finally, overexpression of SHPS-1 in SR3Y1 led to the drastic reduction of anchorage independent growth of the cells. Taken together, our results suggest that the suppression of SHPS-1 expression is a pivotal event for cell transformation by v-src, and the Ras-MAP kinase cascade plays a critical role in the suppression.

3T3 Cells↗

Efficient activation of aromatic C-H bonds for addition to C-C multiple bonds

Efficient electrophilic metalation of aromatic C-H bonds leading to new C-C bond formation through regio- and stereoselective addition to alkynes and alkenes has been realized by a catalytic amount (0.02 to 5 mole percent) of palladium(II) or platinum(II) compounds in a mixed solvent containing trifluoroacetic acid at room temperature. Various arenes undergo unexpected selective trans hydroarylation to terminal or internal C&cjs0812;C bonds inter- and intramolecularly with high efficiency (up to a turnover number of 4500 for palladium), especially for electron-rich arenes, giving thermodynamically unfavorable cis-alkenes, and the oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The simplicity, generality, and efficiency of this process should be very attractive to the possible industrial application for the functionalization of arenes.

Journal Article↗

Packageable antiviral therapeutics against human immunodeficiency virus type 1: virion-targeted virus inactivation by incorporation of a single-chain antibody against viral integrase into progeny virions.

To determine their activities as an antiviral agent packageable within virions and suitable for continued expression in cells, we tested a single-chain antibody (scAb) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase and its three fusion proteins: fused to viral protein R (scab-Vpr), a double-cassette of the WXXF motif binding to Vpr (scAb-WXXF), and viral major capsid protein (scAb-CA), respectively. Cotransfection of human 293T cells with expression plasmid for scAb-Vpr or -WXXF along with HIV-1 clone pLAI resulted in the production of a normal amount of progeny virions with infectivity decreased by more than 10(3)-fold. Immunoblot analyses showed that scAb-Vpr or -WXXF was associated with virions, whereas scAb or scAb-CA was not, suggesting that scAb-Vpr or -WXXF was incorporated into virions. The incorporation of scAb-WXXF appeared to be Vpr dependent, because the fusion protein was associated with the wild-type but not with Vpr-truncated HIV-1 virions. Since G418-selected HeLa clones carrying expression plasmid for scAb-WXXF were obtained much more frequently than those for scAb-Vpr, scAb-WXXF was inferred to be less toxic to cells than scAb-Vpr. These results suggest that scAb-WXXF may serve as a novel class of antiviral therapeutic that inactivates progeny HIV virions from within.

Antibodies↗

Synthesis of eight-membered ring compounds using enyne metathesis

[reaction: see text] A novel procedure for synthesizing eight-membered ring compounds was developed using ruthenium-catalyzed enyne metathesis. When a CH2Cl2 solution of enyne connected with catechol, o-amino phenol, or o-phenylenediamine was stirred in the presence of benzylidene ruthenium carbene complex (10 mol %) at room temperature overnight, an eight-membered ring compound was obtained in high yield. In a similar manner, monocyclic 1,4-diaza- or 1-oxa-4-azacyclooctene derivative was obtained in high yield.

Journal Article↗

Tandem-duplicated Flt3 constitutively activates STAT5 and MAP kinase and introduces autonomous cell growth in IL-3-dependent cell lines.

We have recently identified an internal tandem duplication of the human Flt3 gene in approximately 20% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases. In the present study, the wild-type and the mutant Flt3 genes were transfected into two IL-3-dependent cell lines, 32D and BA/F3 cells. Mutant Flt3-transfected cells exhibited autonomous growth while wild-type Flt3-transfected cells with the continuous stimulation of Flt3 ligand exhibited a minimal proliferation. Cells expressing mutant Flt3 showed constitutive activation of STAT5 and MAP kinase. In contrast, Flt3 ligand stimulation caused rapid activation of MAP kinase but not STAT5 in cells expressing wild-type Flt3. Finally, we found constitutive activation of MAP kinase and STAT5 in all clinical samples of AML patients with mutant Flt3. Our study shows the significance of internal tandem duplication of Flt3 receptors for leukemia cell expansion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhancement of Ca2+-induced noradrenaline release by vanadate in PC12 cells: possible involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation.

Tyrosine phosphorylation has been shown to participate in the signal cascade after receptor stimulation with neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. However, the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the process(es) of neurotransmitter release has not been well established. The effects of orthovanadate (Na3VO4), an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine phosphatases, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), phosphotyrosine accumulation and noradrenaline (NA) release in neurosecretory PC12 cells were investigated. Addition of Na3VO4 enhanced ionomycin-stimulated [3H]NA release in a concentration-dependent manner, although Na3VO4 alone had no effect. Na3VO4 also enhanced [3H]NA release induced by P2 receptor stimulation with adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATPgammaS) or by depolarization with 50 mM KCl, which stimulated a [Ca2+]i increase. A cell permeable inhibitor of protein-tyrosine phosphatases, L-p-bromotetramisole oxalate, at 0.3 mM enhanced ionomycin-stimulated [3H]NA release, although pervanadate had no effect. Addition of 5 mM Na3VO4 stimulated phosphotyrosine accumulation in several protein bands such as p130cas, but did not increase [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells. These findings suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway regulates Ca2+-stimulated NA release without changes of [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells.

Animals↗

Sonographically guided core-needle biopsy of focal splenic lesions: report of four cases.

There are few published reports about the use of splenic needle biopsies in the investigation of focal splenic lesions. We report our experience with sonographically guided core-needle biopsies of splenic lesions in 4 patients. The biopsies resulted in the following diagnoses: sarcoidosis, malignant lymphoma, infarction, and scar tissue. Surgery was avoided in the 3 patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, infarction, and scar tissue by ruling out the possibility of a malignant splenic tumor. None of the patients experienced significant complications. We conclude that splenic core-needle biopsy is a useful and safe diagnostic tool for the evaluation of focal splenic lesions.

Adult↗

Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) as predictors of depression among Japanese college students.

To examine the predictive power of Cloninger's psychobiology model of depression, 167 Japanese college students were studied on two occasions, with an interval of approximately three months. At Time 1 (T1), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were distributed. At Time 2 (T2), the SDS was distributed again. The T2 SDS score was positively correlated with Harm Avoidance and negatively correlated with Reward Dependence and Self-directedness at T1. However, after controlling for the T1 SDS score, the T2 SDS score was predicted only by T1 Self-directedness. These data suggest that lower Self-directedness can be predictive of depression, whereas higher Harm Avoidance and lower Reward Dependence are state-dependent.

Adult↗

Nerve sheath ganglion of the ulnar nerve.

We report a case of a nerve sheath ganglion of the ulnar nerve at the canal of Guyon. This case involved a ganglion which was confined to the epineurium of the ulnar nerve. and it was completely excised without any damage to the nerve fiber. A nerve-sheath ganglion is rare, but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any tumor which is causing neural disturbance.

Adult↗

Proinsulin C peptide obviates sympathetically mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte activity in rats.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate whether proinsulin C peptide influences sympathetic nerve activity directly or indirectly through parasympathetic nerve activity. METHODS: The proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes to Concanavalin A (ConA response) which is known to be suppressed by subjection of rats to footshock or intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing factor through sympathetic nerve activation was measured. Effect of C peptide alone or before subjection to footshock or injection of corticotropin-releasing factor was examined. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal injection of C peptide was without effect on the basal ConA response, while subjection to footshock or injection of corticotropin-releasing factor lowered it. In contrast, prior injection of C peptide obviated the footshock and corticotropin-releasing factor-induced suppression of the response. When given intracerebroventricularly, C peptide was also effective at much smaller doses. Prior injection of atropine cancelled the C-peptide effects. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Our results indicate that C peptide counteracts the sympathetic nerve-mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte proliferation in an atropine-sensitive manner. Thus, C peptide probably activates the parasympathetic nervous system through the afferent mechanism, that in turn antagonizes the sympathetic nerve-mediated suppression of splenic lymphocyte functions.

Animals↗

Differentially expressed mRNAs in androgen-independent but not androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Recently, a new and highly effective method termed suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) has been introduced to clone differentially expressed mRNAs. Genes expressed in androgen-independent but not in androgen-dependent tumors, and vice versa, are obviously significant to delineate the mechanisms of androgen dependency/independency of these tumors. Mouse mammary cancer (Shionogi carcinoma-115) has been extensively used to analyze the mechanism of androgen-dependent cancer growth. METHODS: We cloned androgen-independent and androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma-115 specific mRNAs by the SSH method. Cloned sequences were compared with known sequences using NCBI BLAST across the Internet. Two clones were positive for cDNA insert when androgen-independent cDNA was used as tester cDNA, while no clones were positive using the androgen-dependent tester cDNA. One of the former was mouse protein kinase C beta-II while the other was a new DNA sequence. Mouse protein kinase C beta-II mRNA and the new mRNA were shown to be differentially expressed by RT-PCR analysis in androgen-independent but not androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma. Two mRNA species differentially expressed in androgen-independent but not androgen-dependent Shionogi carcinoma were cloned by the SSH method. The significance of these mRNAs for androgen-dependency/independency of Shionogi carcinoma should be explained in future studies.

Androgens↗

Lack of disease-specific amino acid changes in the viral proteins of JC virus isolates from the brain with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by a ubiquitous human polyomavirus designated as JC virus (JCV). JCVs in the brain of PML patients (PML-type JCVs) contain various regulatory regions generated from the archetypal regulatory region during persistence in the patients. We determined the complete DNA sequences of 2 PML-type isolates and 5 archetype isolates. Amino acid sequences of individual viral proteins were deduced from complete DNA sequences, and were compared among 16 isolates (6 PML types and 10 archetypes). From the data obtained, we concluded that PML-associated amino acid changes did not occur in the viral proteins of PML-type JCVs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Treatment received by depressed patients in Japan and its determinants: naturalistic observation from a multi-center collaborative follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Undertreatment of depression appears widespread but the available literature is limited to North American and European countries. We aimed to examine the treatment received by patients with major depression in Japan and to elucidate any predictor of their treatment level. METHODS: A naturalistic, prospective follow-up study of an inception cohort of subjects with mood disorders was undertaken in psychiatric departments of 13 university hospitals, those of six general hospitals, three mental hospitals and one community mental health center from all over Japan. A total of 95 patients without any prior antidepressant treatment were diagnosed with major depression according to DSM-IV and were followed up every month until treatment termination and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: The follow-up information was available in 98 to 97% of the cohort. The proportion of patients receiving less than 125 mg/day of imipramine or equivalent reached 69% (95% CI: 58-78%) at 1 month and 67% (95% CI: 54-77%) at 6 months. A few clinical variables were significantly associated with inadequate antidepressant prescription but altogether they explained only 5 to 14% of the variance observed. CONCLUSIONS: Japan was no exception to the other industrialized countries in its less than optimal provision of treatment to major depression and its lack of explanatory predictors for this common practice.

Adult↗

Stat5 is essential for the myelo- and lymphoproliferative disease induced by TEL/JAK2.

STAT5 is activated in a broad spectrum of human hematologic malignancies. We addressed whether STAT5 activation is necessary for the myelo- and lymphoproliferative disease induced by TEL/JAK2 using a genetic approach. Whereas mice transplanted with bone marrow transduced with retrovirus expressing TEL/JAK2 develop a rapidly fatal myelo- and lymphoproliferative syndrome, reconstitution with bone marrow derived from Stat5ab-deficient mice expressing TEL/JAK2 did not induce disease. Disease induction in the Stat5a/b-deficient background was rescued with a bicistronic retrovirus encoding TEL/JAK2 and Stat5a. Furthermore, myeloproliferative disease was induced by reconstitution with bone marrow cells expressing a constitutively active mutant, Stat5a, or a single Stat5a target, murine oncostatin M (mOSM). These data define a critical role for Stat5a/b and mOSM in the pathogenesis of TEL/JAK2 disease.

Animals↗

Plat-E: an efficient and stable system for transient packaging of retroviruses.

A potent retrovirus packaging cell line named Platinum-E (Plat-E) was generated based on the 293T cell line. Plat-E is superior to existing packaging cell lines regarding efficiency, stability and safety. The novel packaging constructs utilized in establishment of Plat-E ensure high and stable expression of viral structural proteins. Conventional packaging constructs made use of the promoter of MuLV-LTR for expression of viral structural genes gag-pol and env, while our packaging constructs utilized the EF1alpha promoter, which is 100-fold more potent than the MuLV-LTR in 293T cells in combination with the Kozak's consensus sequence upstream of the initiation codon resulting in high expression of virus structural proteins in Plat-E cells. To maintain the high titers of retroviruses under drug selection pressure, we inserted the IRES (internal ribosome entry site) sequence between the gene encoding gag-pol or env, and the gene encoding a selectable marker in the packaging constructs. Plat-E cells can stably produce retroviruses with an average titer of 1 x 107/ml for at least 4 months. In addition, as we used only the coding sequences of viral structural genes to avoid inclusion of unnecessary retrovirus sequences in the packaging constructs, the probability of generating the replication competent retroviruses (RCR) by recombination can virtually be ruled out.

Cell Line↗

In vivo treatment of mutant FLT3-transformed murine leukemia with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Somatic mutation of the FLT3 gene, in which the juxtamembrane domain has an internal tandem duplication, is found in 20% of human acute myeloid leukemias and causes constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the products. In this study, we observed that the transfection of mutant FLT3 gene into an IL3-dependent murine cell line, 32D, abrogated the IL3-dependency. Subcutaneous injection of the transformed 32D cells caused leukemia in addition to subcutaneous tumors in C3H/HeJ mice. To develop a FLT3-targeted therapy, we examined tyrosine kinase inhibitors for in vitro growth suppression of the transformed 32D cells. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, remarkably inhibited the growth of the transformed 32D cells at 0.1 microM, at which concentration it was ineffective in parental 32D cells. Herbimycin A suppressed the constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the mutant FLT3 but not the phosphorylation of the ligand-stimulated wild-type FLT3. In mice transplanted with the transformed 32D cells, the administration of herbimycin A prolonged the latency of disease or completely prevented leukemia, depending on the number of cells inoculated and schedule of drug administration. These results suggest that mutant FLT3 is a promising target for tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of leukemia.

Animals↗

Effects of growth factors on aspirin-induced inhibition of wound repair in a rabbit gastric epithelial cell model.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin is known to cause adverse effects, including gastric mucosal injury, and to retard gastric wound healing. Growth factors including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) have been shown to play an important role in the repair of gastric mucosal injury. AIM: To employ the cultured gastric epithelial cell model to elucidate the effects of aspirin, as well as several growth factors (HGF, EGF and IGF-I), on gastric wound repair. METHODS: Isolated rabbit gastric epithelial cells (92% mucous cells) were cultured in F-12 medium and formed a complete monolayer cell sheet in 48 h. A wound with a cell-free area of constant size (2 mm2) was then created and the wound repair process was monitored by measuring wound size every 12 h. Proliferating cells were detected by BrdU staining. Effects of aspirin (8 mM), HGF (10 ng/mL), EGF (10 ng/mL) and IGF-I (30 ng/mL) were assessed. RESULTS: Aspirin significantly retarded wound healing, but simultaneous addition of growth factors significantly accelerated wound repair compared with aspirin alone. Growth factors reversed the aspirin-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: Growth factors, including HGF, EGF and IGF-I, reversed the aspirin-induced inhibition of wound repair through their cytoprotective effects on gastric epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Role of Kupffer cells and gut-derived endotoxins in alcoholic liver injury.

The hepatotoxic effects of alcohol have been described in detail, but factors responsible for its hepatotoxicity have only partially been characterized. For example, it is known that chronic ethanol ingestion increases hepatotoxicity and produces fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis. However, acute ethanol consumption reduces endotoxin hepatotoxicity. It now appears that Kupffer cells participate in several aspects of these phenomena. Previously, most studies on the effects of alcohol on liver function have focused chiefly on the hepatocyte. Recently, attention has been directed towards the effect of ethanol ingestion on Kupffer cell function, which is stimulated by gut-derived endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides) via mechanisms dependent on increased gut permeability and the possible relationship between Kupffer cells and alcohol-induced liver injury. Here we will review new evidence for the proposal that Kupffer cells and endotoxins play a pivotal role in hepatotoxicity following alcohol exposure, based on studies using the continuous intragastric enteral feeding model developed by Tsukamoto and French and an acute model developed by us.

Ethanol↗