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Biomedical subjects

T Yamashita

Publications and source records attributed to T Yamashita.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Eribulin versus taxane as first-line chemotherapy combined with dual HER2 blockade in patients with HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer: final survival outcomes of the JBCRG-M06/EMERALD study.

BACKGROUND: The phase III JBCRG-M06/EMERALD study was the first to show noninferior progression-free survival (PFS) of eribulin to taxane, combined with dual human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) blockade (trastuzumab plus pertuzumab), as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer (LABC/MBC). We report final survival outcomes and biomarker analyses of the EMERALD trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HER2-positive LABC/MBC were randomly assigned 1:1 to either eribulin or physician-choice taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel), both combined with trastuzumab plus pertuzumab, as first-line chemotherapy. PFS and overall survival (OS) were assessed through 30 June 2023 for PFS and 31 December 2024 for OS. Survival outcomes were compared between the eribulin and taxane groups and according to circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection of PIK3CA mutations (PIK3CAm+; E542K, E545K, H1047R, and N345K single nucleotide variants) or HER2 amplification (HER2 amp+; ERBB2 copy number >2.5). RESULTS: Median OS was 78.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 64.3-not reached (NR)] for eribulin and was NR for taxane, with a hazard ratio of 1.25 (95% CI 0.92-1.71, log-rank P = 0.19). The 60-month OS rates were 59.7% and 65.2% for eribulin and taxane, respectively. Median OS and 60-month OS rates were numerically lower in ctDNA PIK3CAm+ patients, and greater in ctDNA HER2 amp+ patients for all patients and with stratification by treatment group. There were no statistical interactions between treatment group with either ctDNA PIK3CAm or ctDNA HER2 amp status. Similar patterns were observed for PFS. CONCLUSION: Final survival analysis revealed that median OS exceeded 6 years with eribulin or physician-choice taxane, combined with trastuzumab plus pertuzumab, as first-line chemotherapy for HER2-positive LABC/MBC, with no significant differences between the two groups. ctDNA PIK3CAm+ status was a poor prognostic factor. ctDNA HER2 amp+ was associated with longer survival.

Aged

Regional differences in transient outward current density and inhomogeneities of repolarization in rabbit right atrium.

BACKGROUND: Recent experimental and clinical studies on atrial flutter have demonstrated that the crista terminalis (CT) plays an important role in the genesis of atrial reentry. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of its role, we characterized the electrophysiological repolarization properties of CT cells by comparing them with those of the pectinate muscles (PM). METHODS AND RESULTS: After action potential properties of both regions were compared by conventional microelectrode technique in multicellular atrial tissues, the whole-cell clamp experiments were applied in atrial cells isolated from both regions. Action potential duration (APD) was more prolonged in CT than in PM in multicellular preparations (APD90 77 +/- 5 ms versus 52 +/- 8 ms at 1 Hz, P < .01), though the other properties did not differ significantly. Similarly, in isolated atrial cells, APD was more prolonged in CT cells than in PM cells (APD90 63 +/- 7 ms versus 41 +/- 6 ms at 0.1 Hz, P < .01). Isolated single cells were larger in CT than in PM. The whole-cell clamp recordings showed no definite distinctions in the density of the voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ current and the inwardly rectifying K+ current between these cells but revealed a significant reduction of the density of the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current (Ito) in CT cells compared with that in PM cells (6.3 +/- 0.7 pA/pF versus 10.3 +/- 0.8 pA/pF at +20 mV, P < .05). However, no differences in the kinetics or the voltage dependence of Ito were observed between the cells. The time course of recovery from inactivation of Ito was also similar in both types of cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the preferential reduction in the density of Ito in the CT cells could contribute to prolong their APD, which may be related to the genesis of atrial reentry.

Action Potentials

A hotspot of spontaneous and UV-induced illegitimate recombination during formation of lambda bio transducing phage.

To study the mechanism of spontaneous and UV-induced illegitimate recombination, we examined the formation of the lambda bio specialized transducing phage in Escherichia coli. Because most lambda bio transducing phages have double defects in the red and gam genes and have the capacity to form a plaque on an E. coli P2 lysogen (Spi- phenotype), we selected lambda bio transducing phage by their Spi- phenotype, rather than using the bio marker. We determined sequences of recombination junctions of lambda bio transducing phages isolated with or without UV irradiation and deduced sequences of parental recombination sites. The recombination sites were widely distributed on E. coli bio and lambda DNAs, except for a hotspot which accounts for 57% of UV-induced lambda bio transducing phages and 77% of spontaneously induced lambda bio transducing phages. The hotspot sites on E. coli and lambda DNAs shared a short homology of 9 bp. In addition, we detected direct repeat sequences of 8 bp within and near both the bio and lambda hotspots. A recA mutation did not affect the frequency of the recombination at the hotspot, indicating that this recombination is not a variant of recA-dependent homologous recombination. We discuss a model in which the short homology as well as the direct repeats play essential roles in illegitimate recombination at the hotspot.

Bacteriophage lambda

Expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) in thyroid cancers.

It was found that the mechanism of anti-cancer drug resistance in anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid was not explicable only in terms of expression of mdr1 and its gene product, P-glycoprotein. The multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), another member of the mdr gene family, may be involved in anti-cancer drug resistance of this carcinoma. The MRP expression was examined immunohistochemically in 8 cell lines and 73 thyroid cancer tissues; its frequency in anaplastic carcinoma (52%) was significantly higher than that in other thyroid cancer types.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters

Role of calcium(II) ions in the recognition of coagulation factors IX and X by IX/X-bp, an anticoagulant from snake venom.

IX/X-bp, an anticoagulant protein isolated from the venom of the habu snake Trimeresurus flavoviridis, has a structure homologous to the carbohydrate-recognition domains of C-type (Ca(2+)-dependent) animal lectins, and it binds to the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domains of coagulation factors IX and X in a Ca(2+)-dependent fashion. In the present study, we elucidated the role of Ca2+ ions in this binding. The binding of 125I-labeled IX/X-bp to both coagulation factors required about 1 mM Ca2+ ions in this at pH 7.5. A decrease in the pH to 6.5 had a striking negative effect on the binding, and the Ca(2+)-requirement curve was shifted rightward. We investigated the binding of Ca2+ ions to IX/X-bp directly by equilibrium dialysis and identified two independent binding sites with different affinities. At pH 7.5, the apparent Kd values for these sites were 25 and 200 microM, respectively. When the pH was decreased to 6.5, the affinity of the high-affinity binding site was reduced only slightly but that of the low-affinity site was reduced considerably. Moreover, it was evident from observations of Ca(2+)-induced changes in the intrinsic fluorescence that IX/X-bp underwent a conformational change upon binding of Ca2+ ions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Suppression of experimental antigen-induced arthritis in transgenic mice producing human alpha-fetoprotein.

Experimental arthritis was induced in the knee joint of transgenic mice expressing human alpha-fetoprotein by immunization with methylated bovine serum albumin in Freund's complete adjuvant. In the control experiment with normal C57BL/6 mice, definite arthritis was observed in 55.6% (5/9) of the mice, but in only 21.1% (4/19) of the transgenic mice. This result suggested that human alpha-fetoprotein functioned as an immunosuppressant to ameliorate the development of the immune disease.

Animals

A novel ATP-dependent inward rectifier potassium channel expressed predominantly in glial cells.

We have isolated a novel inward rectifier K+ channel predominantly expressed in glial cells of the central nervous system. Its amino acid sequence exhibited 53% identity with ROMK1 and approximately 40% identity with other inward rectifier K+ channels. Xenopus oocytes injected with cRNA derived from this clone expressed a K+ current, which showed classical inward rectifier K+ channel characteristics. Intracellular Mg.ATP was required to sustain channel activity in excised membrane patches, which is consistent with a Walker type-A ATP-binding domain on this clone. We designate this new clone as KAB-2 (the second type of inward rectifying K+ channel with an ATP-binding domain). In situ hybridization showed KAB-2 mRNA to be expressed predominantly in glial cells of the cerebellum and forebrain. This is the first description of the cloning of a glial cell inward rectifier potassium channel, which may be responsible for K+ buffering action of glial cells in the brain.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Regulation of the tertiary structure and function of coagulation factor IX by magnesium (II) ions.

The indispensable role of Ca2+ ions in the maintenance of the functional tertiary structures of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors has been definitively established but the participation of Mg2+ ions, another alkaline-earth metal that is present abundantly in blood plasma, in such a process is not yet understood. We show here that the Ca(2+)-stabilized conformation of coagulation factor IX undergoes a further conformational change upon binding of Mg2+ ions using three independent structural probes. The probes we used were (i) IX/X-bp, a snake venom anticoagulant that recognizes the Gla domains in coagulation factors IX and X, (ii) conformation-specific polyclonal antibodies against bovine factor IX, and (iii) monoclonal antibodies against the Gla domain of human factor IX. The binding of all these probes had an absolute requirement for Ca2+ ions, and Mg2+ ions alone were ineffective. However, when added together with Ca2+ ions, Mg2+ ions at physiological concentrations greatly augmented the binding of these probes to factor IX; the required concentration of Ca2+ ions was much reduced, and the affinity of each probe for factor IX was increased even in the presence of an excess of Ca2+ ions. These results suggest the presence of a Mg(2+)-specific binding site that does not interact with Ca2+ ions in factor IX. Furthermore, Mg2+ ions potentiated the susceptibility of factor IX to activation by factor XIa, concomitant with their effect on the conformation. Similarly, the required Ca2+ concentration was reduced by Mg2+ ions, and the rate of conversion to factor IXa was increased by Mg2+ ions in the presence of an excess of Ca2+ ions. At a saturating concentration of Ca2+ ions (5 mM), addition of 1 mM Mg2+ reduced the apparent Km value for factor IX from 0.31 to 0.18 microM, and in the presence of a physiological concentration of Ca2+ ions (1 mM), the reduction in Km by Mg2+ ions was far more striking (from 0.91 to 0.24 microM). The apparent Vmax values were hardly affected by Mg2+ ions. Our present data reveal a hitherto novel physiological role of the Mg2+ ions in plasma. Not only Ca2+ ions but also Mg2+ ions are important regulators of the stabilization of the native conformation of factor IX as well as of its efficient activation.

Animals

Change in variant transthyretin levels in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I following liver transplantation.

Three patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) type I underwent liver transplantation from heart-beating cadaveric donors. Since 2 patients underwent blood transfusion during the operation, variant transthyretin (TTR) levels in the plasma did not decrease time dependently. However, in 1 patient without blood transfusion variant TTR levels decreased in a time dependent manner and plasma half life of variant TTR was calculated to be 2.1 days. Total protein, normal, and variant TTR levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remained unchanged after liver transplantation.

Adult

Effect of a chemical or proteolytic modification on the biological activity of guinea-pig cationic peptide.

Guinea-pig neutrophil cationic peptides (GNCPs) are single polypeptides containing 31 amino acid residues and three intramolecular disulfide bonds, which show both antibacterial and histamine-releasing activities. Reduction and alkylation of the disulfide bonds of GNCP did not reduce both biological activities. When pyridylethylated GNCP was digested with trypsin, the biological activities were almost lost, whereas the chymotryptic digest retained the biological activities. Chymotrypsin digested fragments were purified by RP-HPLC, and three active peptide fragments containing two Arg residues at the N-terminal sequence were isolated. When the biological activities were examined using synthetic peptides containing various numbers of Arg residue at the N-terminus, the omission of the Arg residues was found to reduce remarkably the antibacterial and histamine-releasing activities. Together these observations indicate that the primary structures containing Arg residues at the N-terminus but not the intramolecular disulfide cross-linking are important for the expression of the biological activities of GNCP.

Alkylation

Inhibition of intercellular communication via gap junction in cultured aortic endothelial cells by elevated glucose and phorbol ester.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is important in coordinating the cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis and in regulating signal transmission. We examined the effect of elevated glucose on GJIC activity in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. GJIC activity was assessed by quantitating the transfer from cell to cell of directly microinjected fluorescent dye molecules. GJIC was activated in the subconfluent monolayer. In this condition, exposing the cells to elevated glucose (400 mg/dl) for 24 hrs significantly inhibited GJIC activity, as compared with low glucose (100 mg/dl). This inhibition of GJIC activity induced by elevated glucose was mimicked by addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and was restored by addition of staurosporin (10(-8)M), a PKC inhibitor. These results suggest that inhibition of GJIC activity induced by elevated glucose probably through activation of PKC may be involved in the vascular endothelial cell dysfunction associated with diabetes.

Alkaloids

Chemical cross-linking of IgE-receptor complexes in RBL-2H3 cells.

Aggregation of the high-affinity receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) on mast cells activates nonreceptor kinases and other enzymes, thereby initiating a complex biochemical cascade. We have employed a chemical cross-linker in order to stabilize the association of Fc epsilon RI with other cellular proteins that are involved in the early events. We reacted the water-soluble, membrane-impermeant chemical cross-linker 3,3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate) (DTSSP) with permeabilized rat mucosal mast cells of the RBL line and analyzed immunoprecipitates of the receptor in detergent lysates of cells that had biosynthetically incorporated [35S]cysteine. Gel electrophoresis revealed substantial amounts of nonreceptor components only when the cells had been reacted with DTSSP. Receptors isolated from cells whose receptor-bound IgE had been aggregated with antigen prior to cross-linking yielded a similar pattern of 35S-labeled proteins. However, when the cells had also been exposed to [gamma-32P]ATP, the proteins associated with the cross-linked, aggregated receptors revealed enhanced incorporation of 32P compared to those associated with cross-linked, unaggregated receptors. A variety of antibodies were used to try to identify the associated proteins. Of those tested for, two, the src-like kinase p53/56lyn and the delta isoform of protein kinase C, were associated with the cross-linked Fc epsilon RI in amounts much greater than could be accounted for by nonspecific cross-linking.

Animals

Characterization of cDNA encoding mouse homolog of fission yeast dhp1+ gene: structural and functional conservation.

The dhp1+ gene of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae HKE1/RAT1/TAP1 gene that is involved in RNA metabolism such as RNA trafficking and RNA synthesis. dhp1+ is also related to S. cerevisiae DST2 (SEP1) that encodes a DNA strand exchange protein required for sporulation and homologous recombination in S.cerevisiae. We isolated several clones of Dhm1, a mouse homolog of dhp1+, from mouse spermatocyte cDNA library and determined its nucleotide sequence. The Dhm1 gene consists of an open reading frame predicting a protein with 947 amino acids and molecular weight of 107,955. Northern blot analysis revealed that Dhm1 is transcribed at high level in testis, liver and kidney. The predicted product of Dhm1 (Dhm1p) has a significant homology with Dhp1p, Hke1p/Rat1p/Tap1p and Dst2p. In particular, Dhm1p, Dhp1p and Hke1p/Rat1p/Tap1p share strong similarity at the two regions of their N- and C-terminal parts. The Dhm1 gene on a multicopy plasmid rescued the temperature-sensitivity of dhp1ts and lethality of dhp1 null mutation, suggesting that Dhm1 is a mouse homolog of S.pombe dhp1+ and functions similarly in mouse as dhp1+.

Amino Acid Sequence

cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of human PK-120, a plasma kallikrein-sensitive glycoprotein.

PK-120 is a substrate for plasma kallikrein (PK), recently purified from human plasma. Here we have established the cDNA sequence for human PK-120 mRNA. The deduced amino sequence of PK-120 revealed that it consists of 902 amino acid residues with a calculated mass of 116,423 Da. The putative cleavage sites by PK have been proposed, suggesting that PK-120 may be a precursor of a bioactive peptide. Most interestingly, PK-120 showed significant sequence identities to heavy chains (HCs) of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence

Expression of renin in coagulating glands is regulated by testosterone.

BACKGROUND: The presence of extrarenal or local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been noted in several tissues, although its functions have not yet been clarified. Renin from the coagulating gland (CG) is the most recently discovered local RAS and is a significant subject for investigation because large amounts of both mRNA and proteins are detected in this organ. Recently, it has been reported that testosterone influences renin synthesis in several extrarenal tissues, although it has no effect on intrarenal renin. Therefore, it is possible that CG renin is also regulated by testosterone. METHODS: Forty-four male C57BL/6 mice, aged 3 wk to 6 mo, were used in studies on the ontogeny and androgen regulation of the RAS in the CG. The tissues were fixed with Bouin's solution and paraffin sections were stained with immunohistochemical methods using antirenin antiserum. In each immunostained section, the relative number of renin-containing cells in terminal portions of the CG were counted. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for renin was first detected at 6 wk after birth. After that time, the number of renin-containing cells gradually increased throughout the experiment. In adults, several patterns of renin immunoreactivity were demonstrated in almost all epithelial cells of CGs, specifically; (1) basolateral granular reaction, (2) diffuse immunoreactivity throughout the cytoplasm, and (3) restricted nuclear reaction. Excretory products of some terminal lumina were also found to be positive for renin. At 10 days after castration, renin-containing cells in ductal termini were decreased and remained at low levels until at 4 wk after castration. After testosterone injection, numerical values of renin-containing cells were high at 1 wk and then decreased at 2-3 wk. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that CG renin of the mouse is expressed together with sexual maturation during development and that it depends on the testis, possibly the male sex hormone.

Animals

Modulation of rat neutrophil functions by administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Neutrophil function was examined in rats treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) using peripheral blood neutrophils (PBNs) and peritoneal exudate neutrophils (PENs) as sources of cells examined in vitro. Adherence to plastic plates containing fetal calf serum of nonstimulated or N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)- or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated PBNs obtained from G-CSF-injected rats was lower than that of control rats. In contrast, this adherence was higher in G-CSF-treated rats than in the control group when PENs were used. Neutrophil adherence of G-CSF-injected and noninjected groups was identical when phorbol myristate acetate was used to stimulate neutrophils. Superoxide production of PBNs stimulated with fMLP in vitro was lower in G-CSF-treated rats than in control rats but higher than in the controls when PENs were used. Furthermore, in vitro tumor cell growth inhibition by PBNs was lower in G-CSF-treated rats than in control rats, but when PENs were used inhibition was higher than in the controls.

Amino Acid Sequence