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Biomedical subjects

Y Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to Y Inoue.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Generation of expressed sequence tags from low-CO2 and high-CO2 adapted cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

To characterize genes whose expression is induced in carbon-stress conditions, 12,969 and 13,450 5'-end expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from cells grown in low-CO2 and high-CO2 conditions of the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. These ESTs were clustered into 4436 and 3566 non-redundant EST groups, respectively. Comparison of their sequences with those of 3433 non-redundant ESTs previously generated from the cells under the standard growth condition indicated that 2665 and 1879 EST groups occurred only in the low-CO2 and high-CO2 populations, respectively. It was also noted that 96.2% and 96.0% of the cDNA species respectively obtained from the low-CO2 and high-CO2 conditions had no similar EST sequence deposited in the public databases. The EST species identified only in the low-CO2 treated cells included genes previously reported to be expressed specifically in low-CO2 acclimatized cells, suggesting that the ESTs generated in this study will be a useful source for analysis of genes related to carbon-stress acclimatization. The sequence information and search results of each clone will appear at the web site: http://www.kazusa.or.jp/en/plant/chlamy/EST/.

Animals↗

Molecular design of crown ethers. 21.(1,2) synthesis of novel double-armed benzo-15-crown-5 lariats and their complexation thermodynamics with light lanthanoid nitrates in acetonitrile

Three new disubstituted benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives (3-5) have been synthesized from 4',5'-bis(bromomethyl)benzo-15-crown-5 (2) and the corresponding alkanols in the presence of Na(2)S(2), and their complexation thermodynamics with light lanthanoid(III) nitrates (La-Gd) have been studied in anhydrous acetonitrile at 25 degrees C. Plots of K(S) against the reciprocal ionic diameter of lanthanoid exhibited monotonically declining pattern for the parent benzo-15-crown-5 (1) and 3 but showed a characteristic peak at Ce(3+) for 4 and 5. It is interesting to note that the simple extension of the alkyl side chains in 4 and 5 can alter the cation selectivity profiles of 1 and 3. Possessing two 2-oxapropyl groups, 3 gave a comparable K(S) for La(3+) but a significantly decreased K(S) for Ce(3+) compared with the corresponding values for 1, thus exhibiting an exceptionally high La(3+)/Ce(3+) selectivity of 11. Thermodynamically, the complexation of lanthanoid perchlorates with 1 is absolutely entropy-driven in acetonitrile, while the complexation of lanthanoid nitrates with 3-5 is primarily driven by exothermic enthalpy changes with accompanying moderate entropic gain or small entropic loss.

Journal Article↗

Purification and characterization of UDP-GlcNAc: GlcNAcbeta 1-6(GlcNAcbeta 1-2)Manalpha 1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta 1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI from hen oviduct.

A new beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GnT) responsible for the formation of branched N-linked complex-type sugar chains has been purified 64,000-fold in 16% yield from a homogenate of hen oviduct by column chromatography procedures using Q-Sepharose FF, Ni(2+)-chelating Sepharose FF, and UDP-hexanolamine-agarose. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to tetraantennary oligosaccharide and produces pentaantennary oligosaccharide with the beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue on the Manalpha1-6 arm. It requires a divalent cation such as Mn(2+) and has an apparent molecular weight of 72,000 under nonreducing conditions. The enzyme does not act on biantennary oligosaccharide (GnT I and II product), and beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminylation of the Manalpha1-6 arm (GnT V product) is essential for its activity. This clearly distinguishes it from GnT IV, which is known to generate a beta1-4-linked GlcNAc residue only on the Manalpha1-3 arm. Based on these findings, we conclude that this enzyme is UDP-GlcNAc:GlcNAcbeta1-6(GlcNAcbeta1-2)Manalpha1-R [GlcNAc to Man]-beta1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase VI. This is the only known enzyme that has not been previously purified among GnTs responsible for antenna formation on the cores of N-linked complex-type sugar chains.

Animals↗

Direct correlation between complex conformation and chiral discrimination upon inclusion of amino acid derivatives by beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins.

A correlation between the conformation and chiral recognition characteristics of a series of modified amino acid complexes with beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins has been determined, using titration microcalorimetry and (1)H NMR techniques. The enantiomeric discrimination (D or L) is found to be dependent on the adoption of one of two distinct conformations. With the magnitude of the chiral discrimination (K(D)/K(L)) arising from the guest's depth of penetration into the host's cavity.

Amino Acids↗

Perfect switching of photoreactivity by acid: photochemical decarboxylation versus transesterification of mesityl cyclohexanecarboxylate

Mesityl cyclohexanecarboxylate has been photodecarboxylated upon excitation at 254 nm to form cyclohexylmesitylene in good yield in neutral acetonitrile solutions. In the presence of a catalytic amount of the acid and ethanol as a nucleophile, however, the same compound undergoes facile transesterification upon irradiation, affording its ethyl ester in almost quantitative yield.

Journal Article↗

Expression of ZRC1 coding for suppressor of zinc toxicity is induced by zinc-starvation stress in Zap1-dependent fashion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The ZRC1 gene was cloned as a multicopy suppressor of zinc toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Zrc1 belongs to CDF (cation diffusion facilitator) family. The transporters belonging to this family are thought to play an important role in metal detoxification. However, we found that cell growth of zrc1Delta mutant was lowered under the metal-limited conditions, which was restored by zinc. The Zap1 transcription factor is crucial for expression of several genes responsive to zinc-starvation stress. The expression of ZRC1 was induced in Zap1-dependent fashion when the intracellular zinc level was decreased and this induction was repressed by zinc. These results imply an important role of Zrc1 in the zinc-starvation stress.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and expression during development of the Drosophila gene for the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase epsilon.

We have cloned the genomic DNA and cDNA of Drosophila DNA polymerase epsilon (pol-epsilon) catalytic subunit (GenBank No. AB035512). The gene is separated into four exons by three short introns, and the open reading frame consists of 6660 base pairs (bp) capable of encoding a polypeptide of 2220 amino acid residues. The calculated molecular mass is 255018, similar to that of mammalian and yeast homologues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the pol-epsilon catalytic subunit shares approximately 41% identity with human and mouse homologues as well as significant homology those of C. elegans, S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. Similar to the pol-epsilon catalytic subunits from other species, the pol-epsilon catalytic subunit contains domains for DNA polymerization and 3'-5' exonuclease in the N-terminal region, and two potential zinc-finger domains in the C-terminal regions. Interestingly, a 38 amino acid sequence in the C-terminal region from amino acid positions 1823 to 1861 is similar to the site for Mycoplasma ATP binding and/or ATPase domain (GenBank No. P47365). Northern hybridization analysis indicated that the gene is expressed at the highest levels in unfertilized eggs, followed by zero to 4h embryos and adult females, and then embryos at other embryonic stages, instar larva stages and adult males. Low levels of the mRNA were also detected at the pupa stage. This pattern of expression is similar to those of DNA replication-related enzymes such as DNA polymerase alpha and delta except for the high level of expression in adult males.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chemical analysis of the developmental pattern of polysialylation in chicken brain. Expression of only an extended form of polysialyl chains during embryogenesis and the presence of disialyl residues in both embryonic and adult chicken brains.

Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of two polysialyltransferases in neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) polysialylation. The availability of cDNAs encoding these enzymes facilitated studies on polysialylation of N-CAM. However, there is a dearth of detailed structural information on the degree of polymerization (DP), DP ranges, and the influence of embryogenesis on the DP. It is also unclear how many polysialic acid (polySia) chains are attached to a single core N-glycan. In this paper we applied new, efficient, and sensitive high pressure liquid chromatography methods to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the polySia structures expressed on embryonic and adult chicken brain N-CAM. Our studies resulted in the following new findings. 1) The DP of the polySia chains was invariably 40-50 throughout developmental stages from embryonic day 5 to 21 after fertilization. In contrast, glycopeptides containing polySia with shorter DPs, ranging from 15 to 35, were isolated from adult brain. 2) Chemical evidence showed glycan chains abundant in Neu5Acalpha2,8Neu5Ac were expressed during all developmental stages including adult. 3) Levels of both di- and polySia were found to show distinctive changes during embryonic development.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and identification of bottle-nosed dolphin flavocytochrome b gp91(phox) and p22(phox) subunits.

The bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) gp91(phox) and p22(phox) cDNA were cloned from mitogen stimulated leukocytes RNA utilizing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The sequences of these cDNAs showed that dolphin gp91(phox) and p22(phox) clones contained open reading frames encoding 569 and 192 amino acids, respectively. Analysis of the gp91(phox) amino acids sequence showed three potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Comparison of the deduced amino acid showed that dolphin gp91(phox) sequence shared 95.4, 93.8, 91.4 and 89.5% similarity with the bovine, porcine, human and mouse gp91(phox) sequences, respectively. Similarly, the amino acid sequence showed that dolphin p22(phox) shared 89.7, 84.6, 84.1, 83.6 and 83.6% similarity with the bovine, mouse, porcine, human and rattus p22(phox) sequences, respectively. Western blotting analysis with anti-peptide antibodies supported the molecular weights of the dolphin gp91(phox) and p22(phox) homologous proteins predicted from the cDNAs and amino acids sequence data.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Surgical technique for management of Takayasu's arteritis.

Anastomotic aneurysm may occur after surgical treatment of Takayasu's arteritis. We describe a surgical technique designed to prevent this problem. The technique includes a bypass from a donor artery to a nondiseased distal artery, reinforcement of the suture line to prevent stretching or expansion at the anastomoses, and minimization of inflow perfusion to the brain. The technique was used in two patients, whose grafts were patent 1 and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. Careful differential diagnosis is essential to the success of this method, which may also be used to treat aortic aneurysm resulting from Behcet's disease but which is not appropriate for mid-aortic syndrome or Buerger's disease.

Adult↗

Anti-Helicobacter pylori agents. 4. 2-(Substituted guanidino)-4-phenylthiazoles and some structurally rigid derivatives.

In order to find a new class of anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) agents, a series of 4-[(3-acetamido)phenyl]-2-(substituted guanidino)thiazoles and some structurally rigid analoges were synthesized and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. Among the compounds obtained, high anti-H. pyrori activities were observed in benzyl derivative 34 (MIC = 0.025 microg/mL) and phenethyl derivatives 35 and 36 (MIC = 0.037 microg/mL and 0.017 microg/mL). Though alkyl derivatives generally showed lower activity, the 2-methoxyethyl derivative 28 preserved significant activity (MIC = 0.32 microg/mL) and also exhibited more potent gastric antisecretory activity than ranitidine. Structural restriction by bridging between the thiazole and the phenyl rings with an alkyl chain did not improve the activity in this series.

Animals↗

Crystal structure of a repair enzyme of oxidatively damaged DNA, MutM (Fpg), from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8.

The MutM [formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg)] protein is a trifunctional DNA base excision repair enzyme that removes a wide range of oxidatively damaged bases (N-glycosylase activity) and cleaves both the 3'- and 5'-phosphodiester bonds of the resulting apurinic/apyrimidinic site (AP lyase activity). The crystal structure of MutM from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus HB8, was determined at 1.9 A resolution with multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing using the intrinsic Zn(2+) ion of the zinc finger. MutM is composed of two distinct and novel domains connected by a flexible hinge. There is a large, electrostatically positive cleft lined by highly conserved residues between the domains. On the basis of the three-dimensional structure and taking account of previous biochemical experiments, we propose a DNA-binding mode and reaction mechanism for MutM. The locations of the putative catalytic residues and the two DNA-binding motifs (the zinc finger and the helix-two-turns-helix motifs) suggest that the oxidized base is flipped out from double-stranded DNA in the binding mode and excised by a catalytic mechanism similar to that of bifunctional base excision repair enzymes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acid-promoted rearrangement of carbonate functionality anchored to the lower rim of a Calix

A unique calix[4]arene lower-rim intramolecular rearrangement, resulting in molecular asymmetry arising from the upper- and lower-rim substitution pattern, produces a new class of inherently chiral calix[4]arenes in a partial cone conformation. This was aided by molecular rigidification arising from pi-pi and C-H.pi interactions between bulky lower-rim substituents, with the corresponding circular dichroism spectra exhibiting the most intense bisignate Cotton effects yet observed for calix[4]arenes not bearing a chiral center.

Journal Article↗

Arginine 56 mutation in the beta subunit of nitrile hydratase: importance of hydrogen bonding to the non-heme iron center.

Arginine 56 in the beta subunit (betaArg56) of the iron-containing nitrile hydratase (NHase), one of the strongly conserved residues within the NHase family, is known to form hydrogen bonds to the sulfinyl (-SO2H) and sulfenyl (-SOH) groups of the post-translationally modified cysteine residues in the catalytic center. BetaArg56 was substituted by tyrosine, glutamate or lysine, respectively, and the respective mutant enzymes generated by reconstitution were characterized. The betaR56K mutant complex exhibited about 1% of the enzymatic activity of native NHase, while the others were totally inactive. The kinetic analysis of the betaR56K mutant complex exhibited a drastic decrease in turnover number and decreases in kinetic constants for substrate and inhibitors as compared to the native NHase. Changes in UV-visible absorption and light-induced Fourier transform infrared difference spectra suggest that betaArg56 is involved in the positioning of the -SO2H and -SOH groups of the modified Cys residues in the catalytic center so as to fine tune the electronic state of the iron center suitable for catalysis. Thus, betaArg56 is essential for catalysis.

Arginine↗

Relationship between contact inhibition and intranuclear S100C of normal human fibroblasts.

Many lines of evidence indicate that neoplastic transformation of cells occurs by a multistep process. For neoplastic transformation of normal human cells, they must be first immortalized and then be converted into neoplastic cells. It is well known that the immortalization is a critical step for the neoplastic transformation of cells and that the immortal phenotype is recessive. Thus, we investigated proteins downregulated in immortalized cells by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. As a result, S100C, a Ca(2+)-binding protein, was dramatically downregulated in immortalized human fibroblasts compared with their normal counterparts. When the cells reached confluence, S100C was phosphorylated on threonine 10. Then the phosphorylated S100C moved to and accumulated in the nuclei of normal cells, whereas in immortalized cells it was not phosphorylated and remained in the cytoplasm. Microinjection of the anti-S100C antibody into normal confluent quiescent cells induced DNA synthesis. Furthermore, when exogenous S100C was compelled to localize in the nuclei of HeLa cells, their DNA synthesis was remarkably inhibited with increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as p16(Ink4a) and p21(Waf1). These data indicate the possible involvement of nuclear S100C in the contact inhibition of cell growth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Analysis of condensed phosphates in food products by ion chromatography with an on-line hydroxide eluent generator.

An ion chromatographic method with gradient elution using an automated eluent generator was developed for the simultaneous determination of condensed phosphates (CPs) such as orthophosphate (P1), pyrophosphate (P2), polyphosphate, trimetaphosphate and phytate in food products. The linear calibration curves for P1, P2, tripolyphosphate, and tetrapolyphosphate in the range 0.5-500 microM had a correlation factor of 0.999 or better. The precision of the method for the CP peak areas obtained with the hydroxide eluent generator was better than that obtained with potassium hydroxide eluents prepared off-line. This method was applied to the determination of CPs in food products such as ham, fish paste, and cheese extracted by trichloroacetic acid.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Supramolecular chirogenesis in bis(zinc porphyrin): An absolute configuration probe highly sensitive to guest structure

The role of the ligand's structure and absolute configuration in the supramolecular chirality induction in achiral bis(zinc porphyrin) has been studied. The amines with bulkier substituents resulted in stronger CD signals due to increased helical displacement in the anti conformer. All the amines with an R absolute configuration gave a negative first Cotton effect and positive second Cotton effect, while the ligands with an S absolute configuration produced CD signals with opposite signs due to formation of the left- and right-handed screw diastereomers, respectively.

Journal Article↗