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Biomedical subjects

Tsutomu Suzuki

Publications and source records attributed to Tsutomu Suzuki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Disruption of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor gene suppresses the morphine-induced antinociception in the mouse.

The present study was designed to investigate whether endoplasmic inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor-mediated intracellular signaling pathway could be involved in the morphine-induced antinociception in the mouse. An intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pretreatment with xestospongin C (10-100 pmol per mouse, i.c.v.), a membrane permeable and selective antagonist for IP3 receptor, produced a dose-dependent reduction in the supraspinal antinociceptive effect produced by i.c.v. administration of morphine (0.3-10 nmol). In addition, the dose-response curve for morphine-induced antinociception was significantly shifted to the right by i.c.v. pretreatment with xestospongin C at 100 pmol. In the present study, we confirmed that the IP3R1 mRNA in opisthonos (opt) heterozygote mice was approximately 50% reduced as compared to that in wild-type mice. Under these conditions, a significant antinociception produced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of morphine (5 mg/kg) observed in wild-type mice was markedly reduced in opt heterozygote mice. These findings suggest that IP3 receptor-, especially type 1 IP3 receptor-mediated intracellular signaling pathway may be implicated in the expression of antinociceptive effect induced by morphine in mice.

Analgesics↗

Direct evidence for the activation of phospholipase C gamma 1 by in vivo treatment with morphine in the mouse periaqueductal gray matter.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether in vivo morphine treatment could participate in the activation of phospholipase Cgamma1 (PLCgamma1) isoform in the mouse periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) which can be accompanied by antinociceptive responses induced by morphine. As well as mu-opioid receptor-like immunoreactivity (MOR-IR), moderate PLCgamma1-like immunoreactivity (PLCgamma1-IR) was noted in the mouse PAG section. After s.c. treatment with morphine, the intensive PLCgamma1-IR was detected in the cell surface of the positive cells. Treatment s.c. with morphine produced a robust increase in the number of phosphorylated-PLCgamma1 (p-PLCgamma1) expressing cells in the PAG. Deletion of PLCgamma1 gene by i.c.v. pretreatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide against PLCgamma1 revealed a significant inhibition of supraspinal antinociception induced by a selective mu-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO). Furthermore, i.c.v. pretreatment with a specific antibody to PLCgamma1 caused a concentration-dependent attenuation of antinociception produced by i.c.v. treatment with either morphine or DAMGO. These findings suggest that in vivo morphine treatment can activate PLCgamma1 isoform in the mouse PAG which can be, at least in part, associated with the expression of supraspinal antinociception induced by mu-opioid receptor agonists in the mouse.

Animals↗

Decreased CCA-addition in human mitochondrial tRNAs bearing a pathogenic A4317G or A10044G mutation.

Pathogenic point mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes are known to cause a variety of human mitochondrial diseases. Reports have associated an A4317G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ile) gene with fatal infantile cardiomyopathy and an A10044G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Gly) gene with sudden infant death syndrome. Here we demonstrate that both mutations inhibit in vitro CCA-addition to the respective tRNA by the human mitochondrial CCA-adding enzyme. Structures of these two mutant tRNAs were examined by nuclease probing. In the case of the A4317G tRNA(Ile) mutant, structural rearrangement of the T-arm region, conferring an aberrantly stable T-arm structure and an increased T(m) value, was clearly observed. In the case of the A10044G tRNA(Gly) mutant, high nuclease sensitivity in both the T- and D-loops suggested a weakened interaction between the loops. These are the first reported instances of inefficient CCA-addition being one of the apparent molecular pathogeneses caused by pathogenic point mutations in human mitochondrial tRNA genes.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗

Up-regulation of mu-opioid receptor-mediated G-protein activation in protein kinase Cgamma knockout mice following repeated naloxone treatment.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether repeated treatment with the mu-opioid receptor antagonist naloxone could affect G-protein activation induced by a selective mu-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2),N-MePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin (DAMGO) in mice lacking the protein kinase Cgamma isoform monitoring guanosine-5'-o-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) binding. Repeated s.c. administration of naloxone for 7 days resulted in a significant enhancement of the increased [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding by DAMGO to membranes of the spinal cord obtained from mice lacking the protein kinase Cgamma isoform. Furthermore, immunoreactivities of membrane-located protein kinase Cgamma and phosphorylated-protein kinase C in the spinal cord of ICR mice were not altered by repeated naloxone treatment. The present data provide direct evidence that protein kinase Cgamma is not involved in the development of the up-regulation of mu-opioid receptor functions to activate G-proteins in the mouse spinal cord by repeated naloxone treatment.

Animals↗

Blockade of mu-opioid receptor-mediated G-protein activation and antinociception by TRK-820 in mice.

The effects of kappa-opioid receptor agonists trans-3,4-dichloro-N-(2-(1-pyrollidinyl)-cyclohexyl) benzeneacetamide ((-)-U50,488H) and 17-cyclopropylmethyl-3,14beta-dihydroxy-4,5alpha-epoxy-6beta-[N-methyl-trans-3-(3-furyl)acrylamido]morphinan hydrochloride (TRK-820) on the G-protein activation and antinociception induced by the selective mu-opioid receptor agonist, [D-Ala(2),N-MePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin (DAMGO), were determined in mice. G-protein activation was measured by monitoring the guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding in the mouse pons/medulla. DAMGO (10 microM) produced a marked increase of [35S]GTPgammaS binding to the mouse pons/medulla membrane. On the other hand, both TRK-820 and (-)-U50,488H produced small but significant increases of [35S]GTPgammaS binding to the mouse pons/medulla membrane. These increases by both TRK-820 and (-)-U50,488H were completely reversed by the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, norbinaltorphimine. Under these same conditions, the DAMGO-induced increase of [35S]GTPgammaS binding was significantly attenuated by TRK-820 in a concentration-dependent manner, but not by (-)-U50,488H. In the tail-flick test, DAMGO (16 ng) given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), produced a marked antinociception. The antinociception induced by DAMGO was dose-dependently blocked by co-treatment with TRK-820, but not (-)-U50,488H, in mice pretreated with norbinaltorphimine (5 microg, i.c.v.). The present results provide direct evidence for the antagonistic property of TRK-820 for mu-opioid receptors, in addition to the full agonistic property for kappa-opioid receptors.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Wobble modification differences and subcellular localization of tRNAs in Leishmania tarentolae: implication for tRNA sorting mechanism.

In Leishmania tarentolae, all mitochondrial tRNAs are encoded in the nuclear genome and imported from the cytosol. It is known that tRNA(Glu)(UUC) and tRNA(Gln)(UUG) are localized in both cytosol and mitochondria. We investigated structural differences between affinity-isolated cytosolic (cy) and mitochondrial (mt) tRNAs for glutamate and glutamine by mass spectrometry. A unique modification difference in both tRNAs was identified at the anticodon wobble position: cy tRNAs have 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2- thiouridine (mcm(5)s(2)U), whereas mt tRNAs have 5- methoxycarbonylmethyl-2'-O-methyluridine (mcm(5)Um). In addition, a trace portion (4%) of cy tRNAs was found to have 5-methoxycarbonylmethyluridine (mcm(5)U) at its wobble position, which could represent a common modification intermediate for both modified uridines in cy and mt tRNAs. We also isolated a trace amount of mitochondria-specific tRNA(Lys)(UUU) from the cytosol and found mcm(5)U at its wobble position, while its mitochondrial counterpart has mcm(5)Um. Mt tRNA(Lys) and in vitro transcribed tRNA(Glu) were imported much more efficiently into isolated mitochondria than the native cy tRNA(Glu) in an in vitro importation experiment, indicating that cytosol-specific 2-thiolation could play an inhibitory role in tRNA import into mitochondria.

Animals↗

Molecular evidence for the functional role of dopamine D3 receptor in the morphine-induced rewarding effect and hyperlocomotion.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of dopamine D(3) receptors in the rewarding effect and hyperlocomotion induced by a prototypical mu-opioid receptor agonist morphine using dopamine D(3) receptor knock-out mice. The mu-opioid receptor in the brain determined by the [tylosil-3,5-(3)H(N)]-[D-Ala(2),N-MePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin binding assay was not significantly changed by a deletion of the dopamine D(3) receptor gene. Furthermore, we found that no significant differences in G-protein activation by morphine in the limbic forebrain and lower midbrain were noted between the two genotypes. These results suggest that the function of the mu-opioid receptor itself was not affected by a deletion of the dopamine D(3) receptor gene. To ascertain the morphine-induced rewarding effect in both genotypes, the conditioned place preference paradigm was performed. Deletion of the dopamine D(3) receptor gene resulted in a remarkable enhancement of the morphine-induced rewarding effect. Furthermore, knock-out mice with deletions of the dopamine D(3) receptor revealed a dramatic potentiation of morphine-induced hyperlocomotion. Under these conditions, a loss of the dopamine D(3) receptor gene had no effect on the basal levels of dopamine and the increased dopamine turnover by morphine in the limbic forebrain. These findings provide further evidence that dopamine D(3) receptor contributes to the postsynaptically negative modulation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway that is associated with the rewarding effect and hyperlocomotion through the stimulation of mu-opioid receptors induced by morphine in the mouse.

Animals↗

Heterologous mu-opioid receptor adaptation by repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptor: up-regulation of G-protein activation and antinociception.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of repeated administration of a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist (1S-trans)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide hydrochloride [(-)U-50,488H] on antinociception and G-protein activation induced by mu-opioid receptor agonists in mice. A single s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H produced a dose-dependent antinociception, and this effect was reversed by a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). Furthermore, a single s.c. pre-treatment with (-)U-50,488H had no effect on the mu-opioid receptor agonist-induced antinociception. In contrast, repeated s.c. administration of (-)U-50,488H resulted in the development of tolerance to (-)U-50,488H-induced antinociception. Under these conditions, we demonstrated here that repeated s.c. injection of (-)U-50,488H significantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect of selective mu-opioid receptor agonists endomorphin-1, endomorphin-2 and [d-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5] enkephalin (DAMGO). Using the guanosine-5'-o-(3-[35S]thio) triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S) binding assay, we found that (-)U-50,488H was able to produce a nor-BNI-reversible increase in [35S]GTP gamma S binding to membranes of the mouse thalamus, which has a high level of kappa-opioid receptors. Repeated administration of (-)U-50,488H caused a significant reduction in the (-)U-50,488H-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding in this region, whereas chronic treatment with (-)U-50,488H exhibited the increase in the endomorphin-1-, endomorphin-2- and DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S bindings in membranes of the thalamus and periaqueductal gray. These results suggest that repeated stimulation of kappa-opioid receptors leads to the heterologous up-regulation of mu-opioid receptor functions in the thalamus and periaqueductal gray regions, which may be associated with the supersensitivity of mu-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Implication of Rho-associated kinase in the elevation of extracellular dopamine levels and its related behaviors induced by methamphetamine in rats.

A growing body of evidence suggests that several protein kinases are involved in the expression of pharmacological actions induced by a psychostimulant methamphetamine. The present study was designed to investigate the role of the Rho/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK)-dependent pathway in the expression of the increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and its related behaviors induced by methamphetamine in rats. Methamphetamine (1 mg/kg, subcutaneously) produced a substantial increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, with a progressive augmentation of dopamine-related behaviors including rearing and sniffing. Methamphetamine also induced the decrease in levels of its major metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA). Both the increase in extracellular levels of dopamine and the induction of dopamine-related behaviors by methamphetamine were significantly suppressed by pretreatment with an intranucleus accumbens injection of a selective ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. In contrast, Y-27632 had no effect on the decrease in levels of DOPAC and HVA induced by methamphetamine. Under these conditions, there were no changes in protein levels of membrane-bound RhoA in the nucleus accumbens following methamphetamine treatment. It is of interest to note that the microinjection of Y-27632 into the nucleus accumbens failed to suppress the increases in extracellular levels of dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA in the nucleus accumbens induced by subcutaneous injection of a prototype of micro -opioid receptor agonist morphine (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, perfusion of a selective blocker of voltage-dependent Na+ channels, tetrodotoxin (TTx) into the rat nucleus accumbens did not affect the increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the rat nucleus accumbens by methamphetamine, whereas the morphine-induced dopamine elevation was eliminated by this application of TTx. The extracellular level of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was also increased by perfusion of a selective dopamine re-uptake inhibitor 1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR-12909) in the nucleus accumbens. This effect was not affected by pretreatment with intranucleus accumbens injection of Y-27632. These findings provide first evidence that Rho/ROCK pathway in the nucleus accumbens may contribute to the increase in extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens evoked by a single subcutaneous injection of methamphetamine. In contrast, this pathway is not essential for the increased level of dopamine in this region induced by morphine, providing further evidence for the different mechanisms of dopamine release by methamphetamine and morphine in rats.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Changes in G-protein activity mediated through the stimulation of dopamine and GABA(B) receptors in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system of morphine-sensitized mice.

The behavioural sensitization has been recognized as the increased behavioural response and the undesirable long-lasting changes in brain functions after repeated administration of abuse drugs. We examined whether behavioural sensitization to hyperlocomotion induced by intermittent morphine treatment could result from any changes in dopamine and GABA(B) receptor functions to activate G-proteins in the brain rewarding system in mice. Intermittent morphine treatment results in the upregulation of dopamine receptor-regulated G-protein activation in the mouse limbic forebrain, whereas this treatment causes the downregulation of GABA(B) receptor function to activate G-protein in the mouse lower midbrain. In behavioural experiments, intermittent administration of morphine in combination with either a dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol or a GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen abolished the development of sensitization to morphine-induced hyperlocomotion. The present data provide evidence that these G-protein activation changes may lead to behavioural sensitization to morphine-induced hyperlocomotion in mice.

Animals↗

A novel screening system for self-mRNA targeting proteins.

Here we describe the application of an in vitro translation system for genetic screening, to identify RNA-binding proteins that bind to their own mRNAs. It is a relatively novel system designed using an advanced cell-free translation system reconstructed with purified translational components. Due to the absence of nucleases and proteases, the complex of mRNA and nascent polypeptide synthesized in this system is expected to exhibit high stability ensuring the following efficient selection toward the protein. Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S15, which is known to bind to its own mRNA, was employed as a model molecule to evaluate the system. Wild-type S15 mRNA specifically isolated from a mutant mRNA lacking the secondary structure responsible for binding the S15 protein accumulated markedly after several rounds of selection-amplification. The success of this selection demonstrates the potentiality of the systematic screening of self-mRNA targeting proteins through direct and functional selection. This strategy as a method to identify peptides or proteins that bind to their own mRNAs, is of general interest and has different potential applications, such as, the identification of new regulatory proteins or peptide motifs for RNA recognition, the study of self-mRNA-protein interactions, etc.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

[The analysis of prescription frequency and the factors on adverse reactions of NSAIDs for post-operative pain in orthopedic patients].

Recently, adverse reaction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the critical problem, although NSAIDs are one of the most commonly used classes of medications worldwide. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate the prescription frequency and the factors on adverse reactions of NSAIDs for post-operative pain in orthopedic patients of our hospital. In orthopedic field, loxoprofen was most prescribed in various kinds of NSAIDs. Logistic regression analysis strongly indicated that previous adverse reaction or allergy caused by drugs (not NSAIDs) or food is the important role in the adverse reaction of NSAIDs. In addition, significant correlation was observed between previous illness of gastrointestinal ulcer and gastrointestinal complication of NSAIDs. Moreover, the present study point out that pharmacist clinical intervention against the adverse reaction of NSAIDs may be saved on medical costs. Although further investigation may be needed, these present studies provide the good information for our medication management and instruction tasks (i.e. pharmaceutical care and counseling for inpatients) for post-operative pain of orthopedic patients.

Adult↗

Associations of blood glucose control with self-efficacy and rated anxiety/depression in type II diabetes mellitus patients.

We investigated the possible relations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, a parameter of blood glucose control with scores on anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy for 113 outpatients (55 men and 58 women) with type II diabetes mellitus. The relation between the HbA1c level and the self-efficacy scores as well as with the ratings of anxiety and depression was evaluated. A significant relation was found for the HbA1c level with the scores; however, self-efficacy and anxiety and depression showed no association. These results suggest that HbA1c can be maintained at better levels by increasing self-efficacy of diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Involvement of a spinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor/full-length TrkB pathway in the development of nerve injury-induced thermal hyperalgesia in mice.

Partial sciatic nerve ligation in mice caused a marked and persistent decrease in the latency of paw withdrawal from a thermal stimulus only on the ipsilateral side. This thermal hyperalgesia was abolished by repeated intrathecal pretreatment with a specific antibody to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), but not neurotrophin-4, just before and after the nerve ligation. These results provide direct evidence that BDNF within the spinal cord may contribute to the development of thermal hyperalgesia caused by nerve injury in mice. We previously reported that protein level of full-length TrkB, which contains the cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase domain, were clearly increased on the ipsilateral side of spinal cord membranes obtained from sciatic nerve-ligated mice. In the present study, we further demonstrated that the increased in the protein level of full-length TrkB is completely reversed by concomitant intrathecal injection of BDNF antibody. Furthermore, thermal hyperalgesia induced by nerve ligation was completely suppressed by repeated intrathecal injection of a specific antibody to full-length TrkB and an inhibitor of the protein tyrosine kinase activity for the neurotrophin receptor, K-252a. However, repeated intrathecal injection of a specific antibody to truncated TrkB, which lacks the cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase domain, failed to reverse thermal hyperalgesia observed in nerve-ligated mice. These findings suggest the possibility that the binding of BDNF to full-length TrkB and subsequent its activation may play a critical role in the development of neuropathic pain-like thermal hyperalgesia induced by nerve injury in mice.

Animals↗

Taurine as a constituent of mitochondrial tRNAs: new insights into the functions of taurine and human mitochondrial diseases.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid), a naturally occurring, sulfur-containing amino acid, is found at high concentrations in mammalian plasma and tissues. Although taurine is involved in a variety of processes in humans, it has never been found as a component of a protein or a nucleic acid, and its precise biochemical functions are not fully understood. Here, we report the identification of two novel taurine-containing modified uridines (5-taurinomethyluridine and 5-taurinomethyl-2-thiouridine) in human and bovine mitochondrial tRNAs. Our work further revealed that these nucleosides are synthesized by the direct incorporation of taurine supplied to the medium. This is the first reported evidence that taurine is a constituent of biological macromolecules, unveiling the prospect of obtaining new insights into the functions and subcellular localization of this abundant amino acid. Since modification of these taurine-containing uridines has been found to be lacking in mutant mitochondrial tRNAs for Leu(UUR) and Lys from pathogenic cells of the mitochondrial encephalomyopathies MELAS and MERRF, respectively, our findings will considerably deepen our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathic diseases.

Anticodon↗

Influence of a deletion of protein kinase C gamma isoform in the G-protein activation mediated through opioid receptor-like-1 and mu-opioid receptors in the mouse pons/medulla.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether mice with a deletion of the gene that encodes the protein kinase C gamma (PKC gamma) isoform could affect the G-protein activation mediated through the opioid receptor-like (ORL-1) receptor and mu-opioid receptor in the mouse pons/medulla and spinal cord, monitoring the guanosine-5'-o-(3-[(35)S]thio) triphosphate ([(35)S]GTP gamma S) binding assay. The increases in [(35)S]GTP gamma S bindings to pons/medulla membranes of the wild-type mice induced by either an endogenous ligand for the ORL-1 receptor, nociceptin or a selective mu-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2),N-MePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin were significantly enhanced in PKC gamma knockout mice. In contrast, the levels of [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding stimulated by nociceptin in spinal cord membranes obtained from PKC gamma knockout mice were similar to those from wild-type mice. These findings suggest that the loss of the PKC gamma gene may protect the functional ORL-1 and mu-opioid receptors from degradation by phosphorylation in the mouse pons/medulla. Furthermore, the present data provide first evidence for the differential mechanism of the ORL-1 receptor-mediated signaling between the supraspinal and spinal sites.

Animals↗

Conserved bases in the TPsi C loop of tRNA are determinants for thermophile-specific 2-thiouridylation at position 54.

2-Thioribothymidine (s(2)T) is a post-transcriptionally modified nucleoside of U54 specifically found in thermophilic bacterial tRNAs. The 2-thiocarbonyl group of s(2)T54 is known to be responsible for the thermostability of tRNA. The s(2)T54 content in tRNA varies depending on the cultivation temperature, a feature that confers thermal adaptation of protein synthesis in Thermus thermophilus. Little is known about the biosynthesis of s(2)T, including the sulfur donor, modification enzyme, and the tRNA structural requirements. To characterize 2-thiolation at position 54 in tRNA, we constructed an in vivo expression system using tRNA(Asp) with an altered sequence and a host-vector for T. thermophilus. We were able to detect in vivo activity of s(2)T54 thiolase using phenyl mercuric gel electrophoresis followed by Northern hybridization. 2-Thiolation at position 54 was identified in the precursor form of the tRNA, indicating that 2-thiolation precedes tRNA processing. To ascertain the elements that determine 2-thiolation in tRNA, systematic site-directed mutagenesis was carried out using the tRNA(Asp) gene. Conserved residues C56 and A58 were identified as major determinants of 2-thiolation, whereas tertiary interaction between the T and D loops and non-conserved nucleosides in the T loop were revealed not to be important for the reaction.

Base Sequence↗