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Biomedical subjects

T Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to T Uchida.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Neural regulation of peptide YY secretion.

The purpose of these experiments was to investigate the neural control of peptide YY (PYY) secretion. The effects of various pharmacological manipulations and vagotomy on peptide YY (PYY) secretion was examined in dogs. Atropine, hexamethonium and atropine plus hexamethonium treatment blocked food-induced release of PYY significantly. Integrated release of PYY in response to food alone and in combination with atropine, hexamethonium and atropine plus hexamethonium were 8.8 +/- 2.2, -1.1 +/- 2.3, -2.7 +/- 2.2 and -3.2 +/- 3.1 (ng (0-150) min/ml), respectively. beta-Adrenergic blockade with propranolol or depletion of nerve terminal stores of catecholamines with reserpine did not affect food-stimulated release of PYY. Truncal vagotomy resulted in significant elevations of basal and food-induced release of PYY. IV administration of bethanechol, a cholinergic agonist, and electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve resulted in release of PYY. Together, these data suggest that food-stimulated PYY secretion is dependent on ganglionic transmission and an atropine-blockable postganglionic parasympathetic pathway; and that PYY release is inhibited tonically, probably through a vagal cholinergic mechanism. Adrenergic pathways do not participate in food-stimulated PYY release; however, electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerves increased basal levels of PYY, suggesting that the sympathetic nervous system affects release of PYY.

Animals↗

Interaction of the tail domain of high molecular weight subunits of neurofilaments with the COOH-terminal region of tubulin and its regulation by tau protein kinase II.

We previously showed that neurofilaments interact with microtubules (MTs) via their high molecular weight subunits (NF-H) after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Here we studied the effects of phosphorylation of NF-H on this interaction. tau protein kinase II, Ser/Thr protein kinase, phosphorylated NF-H in the tail domain, decreased its electrophoretic mobility to a native level, and also restored its property to be less interactive with MTs. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused no shift of electrophoretic mobility or dissociation from MTs. We conclude that the tail domain of NF-H directly interacts with the MT surface, and the interaction is regulated via phosphorylation of the tail domain of NF-H by Ser/Thr protein kinase like tau protein kinase II. To characterize the binding domain of NF-H on MTs, subtilisin digestion of MTs and competition analysis with the MT binding fragment of tau protein were performed. The dissociation constant of NF-H to subtilisin MTs was higher than that to intact MTs. The maximum binding of NF-H was reduced when tau fragments existed. These results revealed that the COOH-terminal region of tubulin is involved in the binding to NF-H, and the NF-H and microtubule-associated protein binding domains are closely apposed on the surface of MTs.

Animals↗

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase highest levels in the dendritic spines of cerebellar Purkinje cells and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. A pre- and post-embedding immunoelectron microscopic study.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase (InsP3 3-kinase) plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis by regulating InsP3 levels. We have reported the highest concentrations of InsP3 3-kinase in the dendrites of cerebellar Purkinje cells and hippocampal pyramidal cells of the CA1 sector of the Ammon's horn. We here investigate its subcellular localization by pre- and post-embedding immunoelectron microscopic study. In both populations of neurons, the major structure expressing a high level of InsP3 3-kinase is the dendritic spines.

Animals↗

Assessment of membrane fusion efficiency and its use for distinguishing epitopes on the fusion (F) protein of Sendai virus (HVJ).

Upon incubation of radioiodinated Sendai virus with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells to induce viral envelope-cell membrane fusion, TCA-soluble radioactivity was found to be rapidly released from the virus into the medium. The amount of the TCA-soluble 125I species released into the medium was correlated with the extent of envelope-membrane fusion. Using a new method based on this phenomenon, we evaluated the fusion-inhibiting activity of monoclonal anti-F protein antibodies and could distinguish epitopes within partially overlapping regions of the F protein by their effects on fusion activity. We concluded this method is a reliable and sensitive one for measuring envelope-membrane fusion.

Animals↗

Tau protein kinase II has a similar characteristic to cdc2 kinase for phosphorylating neurofilament proteins.

Tau protein kinase II purified from a bovine brain tau protein fraction (Ishiguro, K., Takamatsu, M., Tomizawa, K., Omori, A., Takahashi, M., Arioka, M., Uchida, T., and Imahori, K. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 10897-10901) was shown to have a similar substrate specificity to cdc2 kinase in that both phosphorylate neurofilament (NF) proteins. Tau protein kinase II recognized the dephosphorylated form of the heavy subunit of NF (NF-H) as a predominant substrate. The substrate was phosphorylated to the same extent with tau protein kinase II as with cdc2 kinase. Upon phosphorylation, the electrophoretic mobility of the NF-H on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis changed to the position of the phosphorylated form. A synthetic peptide containing a KSPXK sequence was by far a better substrate for tau protein kinase II than that containing a KSPXX sequence, as was also observed with cdc2 kinase. NF-H lost its microtubule-associating ability upon phosphorylation with tau protein kinase II as well as with cdc2 kinase. Although anti-PSTAIR antibody (PSTAIR is an amino acid sequence commonly found in cdc2 and several cdc2-related kinases) failed to react with tau protein kinase II, tau protein kinase II bound to p13suc1-Sepharose beads (p13suc1 is a yeast protein known to bind to cdc2 kinase).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta is identical to tau protein kinase I generating several epitopes of paired helical filaments.

We previously reported that tau protein kinase I (TPKI) induced normal tau protein into a state of paired helical filaments (PHF); this is further confirmed here by immunoblot analysis using several antibodies. We also present the amino acid sequence of TPKI, which is identical to glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3 beta). Moreover, we found that TPKI activity was inseparable from GSK3 activity throughout the purification procedure. These results indicate that TPKI is identical to GSK3 beta.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phorbol ester stimulates the activity of a protein tyrosine phosphatase containing SH2 domains (PTP1C) in HL-60 leukemia cells by increasing gene expression.

The affinity-purified antibody to a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) containing two src homology 2 domains (PTP1C) was generated. The antibody recognized two types of PTP1C (PTP1C-alpha and -beta) of which the molecular sizes were 66 (alpha) and 62 kDa (beta), respectively, and these two types were expressed differentially in various cell types. The immune complex phosphatase assay using the antibody demonstrated that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and a vitamin D metabolite increased the PTP activity of immunoprecipitated PTP1C to 230 and 150% of control, respectively. By contrast, neither dimethyl sulfoxide nor retinoic acid significantly affected the PTP activity of PTP1C in HL-60 cells. The time course increment by TPA of PTP1C activity was closely correlated with that of the acquisition by HL-60 cells of a macrophage-like phenotype. In addition, TPA increased the amount of PTP1C detected by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation and raised the level of expression of PTP1C mRNA in HL-60 cells. The increase of PTP1C mRNA induced by TPA treatment was inhibited by cycloheximide, suggesting that new protein synthesis is required for the increase by TPA of PTP1C mRNA expression. Furthermore, TPA increased the rate of transcription of the PTP1C gene without affecting the stability of PTP1C mRNA. These results suggest that (i) two subtypes of PTP1C may exist and function in various cell types, and (ii) TPA stimulates the PTP activity of PTP1C by increasing the transcription rate of PTP1C gene expression. The possible role of PTP1C in the macrophage differentiation will be also discussed.

Base Sequence↗

A large deletion in the connection subdomain of murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase or replacement of the RNase H domain with Escherichia coli RNase H results in altered polymerase and RNase H activities.

The functional relationship between the polymerase and RNase H domains of reverse transcriptase (RT) was investigated by studying the activities of AKR murine leukemia virus (MuLV) enzymes. In addition to the wild type, an RNase H-minus RT missing the entire RNase H domain and two other mutants having abnormal polymerase:RNase H ratios were expressed. These mutants include (i) a chimeric protein in which the MuLV RNase H domain was replaced by the entire Escherichia coli RNase H sequence and (ii) an RT with a 126 amino acid deletion in a region analogous to the "connection" subdomain in the p66 subunit of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RT (Kohlstaedt, L. A., Wang, J., Friedman, J. M., Rice, P. A., & Steitz, T. A. (1992) Science 256, 1783-1790). With the wild-type RT, the major RNase H cleavage reaction was coordinated with DNA synthesis and occurred at a position corresponding to 15 nucleotides from the 3'-terminus of the DNA primer. Additional cleavages closer to the 5'-end of the RNA were explained in terms of a model relating binding of the RNA.DNA hybrid substrate and enzyme structure. The chimeric RT behaved like E. coli RNase H, exhibited 300-fold higher RNase H activity than wild-type RT, and was limited in its ability to synthesize DNA. Qualitative and quantitative changes in the polymerase and RNase H activities of the deletion mutant were also observed. The RNase H domain appeared to function independently of the polymerase domain, supporting the idea that the proper spatial relationship between the two active centers was disrupted by the mutation. Taken together, our results indicate that alteration of the normal polymerase:RNase H ratio can have profound effects on both polymerase and RNase H cleavage activities, as expected for an enzyme with two interdependent domains.

Animals↗

Simultaneous determination of a new inhibitor of acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, YM17E, and five metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

We describe a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination in plasma of YM17E (I), an inhibitor of acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, and its five metabolites using electrochemical detection. This method enables simultaneous quantification of I and five active metabolites. The plasma sample is extracted by a one-step solid-phase extraction using a SepPak C18 cartridge, with high recovery and reproducibility of the analytes. The method is sensitive and the limits of determination are 0.5 ng/ml for I and 1 ng/ml for metabolites M1, M2-a, M2-b, M3 and M4. This method is applicable to rat, dog and human plasma, and is useful for pharmacokinetic studies.

Animals↗

Preparation and evaluation of Eudragit gels. VI: In vivo evaluation of Eudispert rectal hydrogel and xerogel containing salicylamide.

Eudispert hv hydrogel and xerogel preparations containing salicylamide displayed sustained-release plasma profiles when compared with other conventional rectal preparations. The absolute bioavailability of salicylamide was 97.3% for the hydrogel preparation and 98.4% for the xerogel preparation. These results may arise because the gel preparation stays at the application site, the lower part of the rectum, over a fairly long period because of its bioadhesive force. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal and hepatic first-pass elimination of salicylamide can be avoided completely by rectal administration of these preparations. Visual and optical microscopic observation of rectal membranes indicated no irritation or abnormality after administration of Eudispert hv hydrogel and xerogel.

Acrylic Resins↗

Effect of various vehicles on ketoprofen permeation across excised hairless mouse skin.

The effects of glycerides, short-chain alcohols, and their binary vehicles as donor components on the permeation of ketoprofen (KP) across the excised hairless mouse skin were evaluated with the modified LOVEDAY-type diffusion cell. Among single vehicles, Panasate 800 as tricaprylin appeared to be the most favorable lipophilic vehicle, with no toxicity and with a short lag time (0.9 h), and methanol (MeOH) or ethanol (EtOH) as hydrophilic single vehicles showed the highest KP permeation flux (244.1 and 134.1 micrograms/cm2/h, respectively). Furthermore, KP permeation was enhanced remarkably by the combination of EtOH and Panasate 800 compared with each single vehicle as reflected in the decreased lag time and increased flux. The greatest enhancement was observed in the EtOH/Panasate 800 (40/60) binary vehicle (permeation ratio at 24 h, 40.0%; steady-state flux, 314.0 micrograms/cm2/h; lag time, 3.7 h). Further investigations involving stripping studies and KP accumulation within the skin were performed to explain the mechanism of enhancement caused by the above binary vehicle. It was suggested that the mutual enhancement effect of EtOH/Panasate 800 (40/60) binary vehicle is due to decreasing the barrier ability of the stratum corneum by EtOH and the viable skin by Panasate 800.

Alcohols↗

Skin permeation enhancement of tegafur by ethanol/panasate 800 or ethanol/water binary vehicle and combined effect of fatty acids and fatty alcohols.

The effects of vehicle and enhancer on the skin permeation of tegafur across excised hairless mouse skin were investigated. Ethanol, water, panasate 800 (tricaprylin), and their mixtures were used as vehicles, and then a series of fatty acids or fatty alcohols was employed as representative enhancers. The skin permeability of tegafur was dramatically increased by the combination of ethanol and panasate 800, whereas the combination of ethanol and water resulted in only a little increase. The greatest permeation ratio (56.8% of dose at 12 h) was obtained with the ethanol/panasate 800 (40/60) binary vehicle. Furthermore, the skin permeability of tegafur could be enhanced by the addition of fatty acids or fatty alcohols to ethanol/panasate 800 (40/60) and ethanol/water (60/40) binary vehicles. The infinite dose studies suggested that panasate 800 decreased the lag time by increasing the diffusion of tegafur, and ethanol increased the permeation rate by increasing the partition of tegafur into skin. The effects of fatty acids or fatty alcohols added to ethanol as a single vehicle were dramatic, but did not appear in the case of panasate 800 as a single vehicle. In conclusion, panasate 800 was an excellent hydrophobic vehicle in that it minimized time lag and promoted tegafur permeability combined with ethanol. This improvement was further promoted when enhancers were added.

Animals↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma producing universal type of alkaline phosphatase.

We report on a 54-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with a marked elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Serum ALP was biochemically similar to that of universal (liver/bone/kidney) type. The noncarcinomatous area revealed typical micronodular cirrhosis due to excessive alcohol consumption. By histochemical staining, ALP activity was demonstrated diffusely within the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells. Immunohistochemical observation of the carcinoma cells excluded the intestinal or placental type of ALP. Tissue extracts from the carcinomatous area had much higher ALP activities than those from a noncarcinomatous area, which also showed characteristics of the universal type. The present HCC is the first reported to produce and excrete the universal type of ALP.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Enamelins in the newly formed bovine enamel.

The possibility of using the antisera raised in rabbits against the porcine 25 kDa amelogenin, 32 and 89 kDa enamelins, and the 13-17 kDa nonamelogenin for the differentiation and identification of the protein components in bovine immature enamel was examined. Although the immunoreactivities of these antisera against bovine enamel proteins were weaker than those against the porcine proteins, it was found that these antisera could differentiate and demonstrate immunohistochemically a characteristic distribution of three different kinds of enamel protein components in the bovine secretory stage enamel similar to those observed in the porcine immature enamel. Of the several high molecular weight proteins being reactive to the anti-porcine 32 and 89 kDa enamelin sera, the 130 kDa protein, having the highest molecular weight, was extracted and purified from the bovine enamel sample which was obtained by peeling approximately 30-microns thickness of the outermost layer of the secretory stage enamel. The amino acid composition of the 130 kDa protein was similar to the known bovine enamelins, and was rich in aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, and glycine. The results could suggest that the enamelins of lower molecular weight than this protein, which are found in the bovine secretory stage enamel, are derived from this precursor protein.

Amelogenin↗

Sequence and gene structure of the hepatitis E virus isolated from Myanmar.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. Hepatitis E occurs not only in sporadic forms but also in epidemic outbreaks in the developing world. We have revealed the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of full cDNA of HEV isolated from sporadic hepatitis E of Myanmar. The genome is 7194 nucleotides long, followed by a poly(A) tail, and has three open reading frames. The nonstructural gene is located in the 5' terminus, while the structural gene is situated in the 3' terminus. Our HEV strain has 98.5% nucleic acid identity with the HEV strain cloned by workers at Genelabs Incorporated from Myanmar. The difference is point nucleotide substitutions. There is a high degree of nucleotide relatedness among HEVs isolated from the same geographical location.

Amino Acid Sequence↗