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Biomedical subjects

Y Iimura

Publications and source records attributed to Y Iimura.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

A novel yeast gene, RHK1, is involved in the synthesis of the cell wall receptor for the HM-1 killer toxin that inhibits beta-1,3-glucan synthesis.

The HM-1 killer toxin from Hansenula mrakii is known to inhibit cell wall beta-1,3-glucan synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other sensitive strains of yeast. A number of mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that show resistance to this toxin were isolated in order to clarify the killing mechanism of the toxin. These mutants, designated rhk (resistant to Hansenula killer), were classified into three complementation groups. A novel gene RHK1, which complements the killer-resistant phenotype of the largest complementation group rhk1, was isolated. DNA sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame that encodes a hydrophobic protein composed of 458 amino acids. Gene disruption followed by tetrad analysis showed that RHK1 is not essential and loss of RHK1 function endowed S. cerevisiae cells with complete killer resistance. A biochemical analysis suggested that RHK1 does not participate directly in the synthesis of beta-1,3-glucan but is involved in the synthesis of the receptor for the HM-1 killer toxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Transformation system for a wastewater treatment yeast, Hansenula fabianii J640: isolation of the orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase gene (URA3) and uracil auxotrophic mutants.

A transformation system for Hansenula fabianii J640, a commonly used wastewater treatment yeast, was constructed. As a host cell, a uracil auxotrophic mutant designated as H. fabianii J640 u-1, which was confirmed to have a mutation at the locus of the gene for orotidine-5'-phosphate (OMP) decarboxylase (URA3), was obtained by positive selection using 5-fluoroorotic acid. A plasmid named pHFura3, which includes a 795-bp open-reading frame of the OMP decarboxylase H. fabianii, was obtained by complementation of the Escherichia coli pyrF mutant, pHFura3 could transform H. fabianii J640 u-1 by a non-homologous and frequently multicopy integration into the host genomic DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

The simulated binding of (+/-)-2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy-2-[[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]meth yl] -1H-inden-1-one hydrochloride (E2020) and related inhibitors to free and acylated acetylcholinesterases and corresponding structure-activity analyses.

The simulated binding profiles of acetylcholine, ACh, and the inhibitor (+/-)-2,3-dihydro-5,6- dimethoxy-2-[[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]methyl]-1H-inden-1-on e hydrochloride (E2020), 1, and some of its analogs to acetylcholinesterase, AChE, were determined using full force field energetics and allowing complete conformational flexibility in both the ligand and receptor. A new mode of binding of ACh to AChE was found which involves the carboxyl oxygen of ACh interacting with Gly 118 and 119. Multiple modes of binding of 1 and some of its analogs were found which include alignment models observed in previous more restricted modeling studies. The key ligand-receptor interactions identified, and the corresponding energetics, are consistent on a relative basis, with observed binding constants for both the individual isomers of each of the inhibitors, as well as among the inhibitors themselves. The multiple modes of binding of 1 to AChE arises from small changes in binding at a single subsite and also from multiple subsite changes. Thus, an independent subsite model for ligand-receptor binding holds for some modes of binding, but not for others. A comparison of the simulated AChE-1 (and analog inhibitors) binding models to the receptor-independent 3D-QSARs previously developed for this class of inhibitors reveals extensive mutual consistency. The findings from these two modeling studies provides greater guidelines for inhibitor design than can be realized from either one. The combined docking and 3D-QSAR studies permit a detailed understanding of the SAR of more than 100 compound 1 analog inhibitors. A simple molecular recognition model can also be gleaned from the docking studies. A cylindrical "plug" (the inhibitor) having a large dipole moment must sterically fit into a cylindrical hole (the active site gorge of AChE), the lining of which also has a large dipole moment. Our simulations suggest that the dynamic "back door" to the active site of AChE does not form a large enough opening for sufficiently long time periods so as to be an effective entrance/exit pathway.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1996

Raw-starch-digesting and thermostable alpha-amylase from the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2: purification, characterization, cloning and sequencing.

A starch-degrading enzyme produced by the yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2 was purified in only one step by using an alpha-cyclodextrin-Sepharose 6B column, and was characterized as an alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1). The molecular mass and isoelectric point of purified alpha-amylase (AMY-CS2) were estimated to be 66 kDa and 4.2 respectively. AMY-CS2 has raw-starch-digesting and raw-starch-absorbing activities. Furthermore it was shown to be thermostable. An open reading frame of the cDNA specified 611 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide of 20 amino acids. The N-terminal region of AMY-CS2 (from the N-terminus to position 496) had 49.7% similarity with the whole region of alpha-amylase from Aspergillus oryzae (Taka-amylase), whereas the C-terminal region had a sequence that was similar to the C-terminal region of glucoamylase G1 from A. niger. In addition, putative raw-starch-binding motifs exist in some amylolytic enzymes. A mutant AMY-CS2 that lacks the C-terminal domain lost not only its ability to bind or digest raw starch, but also its thermostability. Consequently it is possible that the putative raw-starch-binding domain of AMY-CS2 plays a role not only in the molecule's raw-starch-digesting ability but also in its thermostability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Acid xylanase from yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2: purification, characterization, cloning, and sequencing.

A xylan-degrading enzyme produced by yeast Cryptococcus sp. S-2 was isolated and purified, and characterized as an endoxylanase (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase [EC 3.2.1.8]). We estimated the molecular weight and isoelectric point of purified xylanase (xyn-CS2) to be 22,000 and 7.4, respectively. This low-molecular-weight xylanase had an unusual pH optimum of 2.0, and showed 75% of maximal activity even at pH 1.0. An open reading frame of the cDNA specified 209 amino acids, including a putative signal peptide of 25 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of xyn-CS2 shared significant similarities with the family-G xylanases of B. pumilus, C. acetobutylicum, T. reesei, and A. kawachii. Xyn-CS2 included two unique cysteine residues in a putative catalytic region, raising the possibility that these residues are at least partially responsible for its acidophilic nature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: 1-benzyl-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-oxoindan-2-yl)methyl]piperidine hydrochloride and related compounds.

Following the discovery of a new series of anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) inhibitors such as 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine (1), we reported that its rigid analogue, 1-benzyl-4-(2-isoindolin-2-ylethyl)piperidine (5), had more potent activity. We have extended the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study for the rigid analogue and found that the 2-isoindoline moiety in compound 5 can be replaced with a indanone moiety (8) without a major loss in potency. Among the indanone derivatives, 1-benzyl-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-oxoindan-2-yl)methyl]piperidine (13e) (E2020) (IC50 = 5.7 nM) was found to be one of the most potent anti-AChE inhibitors. Compound 13e showed a selective affinity 1250 times greater for AChE than for butyrylcholinesterase. In vivo studies demonstrated that 13e has a longer duration of action than physostigmine at a dose of 5 mg/kg (po) and produced a marked and significant increase in acetylcholine content in rat cerebral cortex. We report the synthesis, SAR, and a proposed hypothetical binding site of 13e (E2020).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Molecular cloning of CWP1: a gene encoding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall protein solubilized with Rarobacter faecitabidus protease I.

A yeast cell wall glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 40,000, named gp40, was solubilized from SDS-extracted cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by incubation with Rarobacter faecitabidus protease I, which is a yeast-lytic enzyme. Based on its amino acid sequence, we cloned and sequenced the gene encoding the precursor of gp40, named CWP1; cell wall protein gene. The DNA sequence of the CWP1 gene was identical to YKL443, an open reading frame identified in a genome sequencing program for yeast chromosome XI. This gene encoded a serine-rich protein of 239 amino acids with a molecular weight of 24,267. The presence of hydrophobic sequences in the N- and C-termini of the CWP1 protein suggests that it is secreted as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein and is subsequently integrated into the cell wall. Since a gene disruption experiment showed no growth defect, the CWP1 gene is not essential for growth. Mutant CWP1 protein deficient in the C-terminal hydrophobic sequence was secreted into the culture medium, not anchored to the cell wall, thereby indicating that this hydrophobic sequence plays a crucial role in anchoring to the cell wall. Homology between the CWP1 protein and TIP1 family of cold shock proteins suggests that they belong to a new family of cell wall proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Reversible crystal transition of guanosine between the dihydrate and anhydrous states coupled with adsorption-desorption process.

Relative humidity induces the reversible crystal transition of guanosine between the dihydrate and the anhydrous state. The characteristics of the transition was investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction analysis and high-resolution solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy. Adsorption-desorption hysteresis was observed. Guanosine dihydrate (the H-state) which is crystallized from an aqueous solution rapidly loses crystal water below 10% relative humidity (rh), and is anhydrous at 0% rh (the A-state). The crystals gradually recover the H-state at approximate 20% rh. In the adsorption process between 10-20% rh, there exists one intermediate state, M, with 1.2-1.3 moles water per mole guanosine. The lattice of the M-state was determined to be orthorhombic with the cell parameters of a = 16.248(1), b = 11.603(1), and c = 13.643(2) A. The base-stacking structure is retained throughout the transition. On the other hand, conformational changes of the riboses and break of the hydrogen-bonding network between the bases would be induced in the A-state in conformity with lack of crystal water.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1993

Isolation and nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding killer toxins from Hansenula mrakii and H. saturnus.

The HMK gene, encoding a killer toxin (HMK) of Hansenula mrakii strain IFO 0895, and the HSK gene, encoding a killer toxin (HSK) of H. saturnus strain IFO 0117, were cloned and sequenced. The HMK and HSK genes encode precursors to killer toxins of 125 amino acids (aa) and 124 aa, respectively. Both precursors have an N-terminal signal sequence of 37 aa which may be removed by a signal peptidase, and a propeptide which may be cleaved off by a KEX2-like protease. There is extensive homology between the aa sequences of HMK and HSK with the exception of the addition of one aa residue in HMK. The HMK and HSK genes were placed, separately, downstream from the yeast GAL10 promoter and introduced into a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that was resistant to the HMK. The transformants were capable of killing sensitive yeasts in medium that contained galactose with killing spectra similar to those of the donor strains of the toxins. These observations suggest that both killer toxins were synthesized and secreted from S. cerevisiae cells and killed sensitive yeasts, perhaps by the same mechanism as that associated with the donor strains and, moreover, that the difference in primary structure between the two toxins is responsible for the difference in their killing spectra.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Molecular structure of Rarobacter faecitabidus protease I. A yeast-lytic serine protease having mannose-binding activity.

Rarobacter faecitabidus protease I (RPI) is a serine protease exhibiting lytic activity toward living yeast cells. RPI is similar to elastase in its substrate specificity and has a lectin-like affinity for mannose. The gene encoding RPI was cloned to elucidate its structure and function. And its nucleotide sequence revealed that it contains an open reading frame encoding a 525-amino acid protein. Homology comparison indicated that pre-pro-RPI consists of three domains: (1) an NH2-terminal prepro domain not found in the mature form of RPI, (2) a protease domain homologous to the trypsin family of serine proteases, and (3) a COOH-terminal domain homologous to the COOH-terminal part of Oerskovia xanthineolytica beta-1,3-glucanase and the NH2-terminal part of the ricin B chain, a lectin isolated from the part of the ricin B chain, a lectin isolated from the castor bean. The RPI gene and its mutant were subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli under its beta-galactosidase promoter to investigate the function of the COOH-terminal domain. The mutant RPI, whose COOH-terminal domain was truncated by site-directed mutagenesis, lost both its mannose-binding and yeast-lytic activity, although the protease activity was not affected. These findings suggest that the COOH-terminal domain actually participates in the mannose-binding activity and is required for yeast-lytic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: 1-benzyl-4-(2-phthalimidoethyl)piperidine and related derivatives.

Following the discovery of a new series of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]piperidine (2) derivatives with a potent anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity, we extended the structure-activity relationships (SAR) to rigid analogues (4) and 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoyl-N-phenylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives (3). Introduction of a phenyl group on the nitrogen atom of the amide moieties resulted in enhanced activity. The rigid analogue containing isoindolone (9) was found to exhibit potent anti-AChE activity comparable to that of 2. Furthermore, replacement of the isoindolone with other heterobicyclic ring systems was examined. Among the compounds prepared in these series, 1-benzyl-4-[2-[4-(benzoylamino)phthalimido]ethyl]piperidine hydrochloride (19) (IC50 = 1.2 nM) is one of the most potent inhibitors of AChE. Compound 19 showed a definite selectivity to AChE over the BuChE (about 34700-fold) and, at dosages of 10-50 mg/kg, exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on AChE in rat brain.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1992

QSAR analyses of the substituted indanone and benzylpiperidine rings of a series of indanone-benzylpiperidine inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase.

QSAR analyses have been performed on the substituted indanone and benzylpiperidine ring substructures of a set of acetylcholinesterase, AChE, inhibitors of which 1-benzyl-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-oxoindan-2-yl)methyl]piperidine hydrochloride is a potent in vitro and ex vivo inhibitor. The method of molecular decomposition-recomposition was used to define the sets of molecular substructures and corresponding in vitro inhibition databases. A QSAR involving the magnitude of the dipole moment, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy, and a specific pi-orbital wave function coefficient of the substituted indanone ring substructure was constructed and found to be significant. The absence of any molecular-shape or bulk term in the QSAR, coupled with some of the relatively large substituents used to construct the QSAR, suggests considerable space is available around the indanone ring during the inhibition process. A set of QSARs were constructed and evaluated for substituents on the aromatic ring of the benzylpiperidine substructure. The most significant QSAR involves a representation of molecular shape, the largest principal moment of inertia, and the HOMO of the substituted aromatic ring. It appears that upon binding the receptor "wall" is closely fit around the benzyl ring, especially near the para position. Overall, the QSAR analysis suggests inhibition potency can be better enhanced by substitution on the indanone ring, as compared to the aromatic sites of the benzylpiperidine ring. Moreover, inhibition potency can be rapidly diminished, presumably through steric interactions with the receptor surface of AChE, by substitution of moderate to large groups on the benzyl ring, particularly at the para position.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1992

Conformational analyses and molecular-shape comparisons of a series of indanone-benzylpiperidine inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase.

Conformational analyses and molecular-shape comparisons were carried out on an analogue series of indanone-benzylpiperidine inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It was possible to define an active conformation with respect to the flexible geometry of the benzylpiperidine moiety, as well as an active conformation of the indanone ring-piperidine ring substructure for analogues having a single spacer group between these rings. No active conformation could be postulated for analogues having two or three spacer units between the indanone and piperidine conformation could be postulated for analogues having two or three spacer units between the indanone and piperidine rings. Still, a receptor binding model can be constructed for all indanone and piperidine ring substructures. The postulated active conformation for 1-benzyl-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-oxoindan-2-yl)methyl]piperidine hydrochloride (1a), a potent AChE inhibitor, is close to the crystal structures of 1a with respect to the indanone-piperidine substructure, but differs from the crystal structures for the benzylpiperidine moiety. However, the crystal conformations and the postulated active conformation of the benzylpiperidine portion of the AChE inhibitor are estimated to be about equally stable. A trans-decalin analogue of 1a can adopt the postulated active conformation as shown by calculation and as seen in its crystal structure. The inactivity of this analogue is explained by the added steric size of the decalin unit and/or the time-average valence geometry behavior at the spiro junction to the indanone ring.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1990

Novel piperidine derivatives. Synthesis and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives.

A series of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity. Substituting the benzamide with a bulky moiety in the para position led to a substantial increase in activity. Introduction of an akyl or phenyl group at the nitrogen atom of benzamide dramatically enhanced the activity. The basic quality of the nitrogen atom of piperidine appears to play an important role in the increased activity, since the N-benzoylpiperidine derivative was almost inactive. We found that 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-[4'-(benzylsulfonyl) benzoyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl]piperidine hydrochloride (21) (IC50 = 0.56 nM) is one of the most potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Compound 21 showed an affinity 18,000 times greater for AChE than for BuChE. At a dose of 3 mg/kg, 21 produced a marked and significant increase in acetylcholine (ACh) content in the cerebral vortex and hippocampus of rats. Compound 21 was chosen for advanced development as an antidementia agent.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1990

Molecular cloning of the glucoamylase gene of Aspergillus shirousami and its expression in Aspergillus oryzae.

The glucoamylase enzyme (GAase) gene from Aspergillus shirousami was cloned and sequenced from genomic and cDNA libraries. The genomic gene was located in the 5.4 kb EcoRI fragment. The deduced amino acid sequence of GAase contained 639 amino acid residues with a relative molecular mass of approximately 68,000 daltons (non-glycosylated form). The genomic gene of A. shirousami GAase was introduced into Aspergillus oryzae. These transformants had increased GAase and raw starch degradation (RSD) activity in culture media and in rice-koji extracts. Analysis by Southern, Northern, SDS-PAGE, and Western blot techniques confirmed the foreign gene was correctly transcribed, translated, and expressed in A. oryzae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗