Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Mitsui

Publications and source records attributed to Y Mitsui.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Alpha-lipoic acid provides neuroprotection from ischemia-reperfusion injury of peripheral nerve.

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion aggravates nerve ischemic fiber degeneration, likely by the generation of reduced oxygen species. We therefore evaluated if racemic alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a potent antioxidant, will protect peripheral nerve from reperfusion injury, using our established model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: We used male SD rats, 300+/-5 g. Ischemia was produced by the ligature of each of the supplying arteries to the sciatic-tibial nerve of the right hind-limb for predetermined periods of time (either 3 or 5 h), followed by the release of the ligatures, resulting in reperfusion. LA was given intraperitoneally daily for 3 days for both pre- and post-surgery. Animals received either LA, 100 mg/kg/day, or the same volume of saline intraperitoneally. Clinical behavioral score and electrophysiology of motor and sensory nerves were obtained at 1 week after ischemia-reperfusion. After electrophysiological examination, the sciatic-tibial nerve was fixed in situ and embedded in epon. We evaluated for ischemic fiber degeneration (IFD) and edema, as we described previously. RESULTS: Distal sensory conduction (amplitude of sensory action potential and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) of digital nerve) was significantly improved in the 3-h ischemia group, treated with LA (P<0.05). LA also improved IFD of the mid tibial nerve (P=0.0522). LA failed to show favorable effects if the duration of ischemia was longer (5-h ischemia). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that alpha-lipoic acid is efficacious for moderate ischemia-reperfusion, especially on distal sensory nerves.

Action Potentials↗

Association with E2F-1 governs intracellular trafficking and polyubiquitination of DP-1.

The cell cycle-regulated transcription factor E2F is a family of heterodimers composed of E2F and DP protein subunits. While DP proteins stabilize DNA binding of E2F proteins, and influence the entry of E2F-4 and E2F-5 into the nucleus, the role of DP proteins in E2F-dependent gene expression is not well understood. Using immunolocalization, immunoprecipitation, and cell fractionation experiments, here we show association with E2F subunits governs intracellular trafficking and ubiquitination of DP-1. In transient transfection experiments, DP-1 polypeptides that stably bound E2F-1 entered the nucleus. DP-1 proteins that failed to associate with E2F subunits accumulated in the cell cytoplasm as polyubiquitinated DP-1. A Chinese hamster cell line that conditionally expresses HA-DP-1 was used to examine the effect of DP-1 on cell cycle progression. In serum response experiments, moderate increases in HA-DP-1 led to a threefold increase in E2F DNA binding activity in vitro, a corresponding increase in dhfr gene expression during transition of G1, and higher rates of S phase entry. However, flow cytometry showed cells expressing very high levels of HA-DP-1 failed to enter the S phase. Inhibition of cell cycle progression by high levels of HA-DP-1 was associated with the accumulation of other ubiquitinated cellular proteins, including c-jun and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, indicating that degradation of ubiquitinated proteins is required for progression from G0 to S phase even in the presence of activated E2F. Under similar conditions, expression of E2F-1 reduced the levels of ubiquitinated cellular proteins and accelerated cell cycle progression. Our studies indicate association with E2F subunits prevents ubiquitin-dependent degradation of DP-1 in the cytoplasm by promoting nuclear entry of E2F/DP heterodimers.

Animals↗

Altered vasoreactivity to angiotensin II in experimental diabetic neuropathy: role of nitric oxide.

We evaluated the effects of angiotensin II and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (cilazapril) on nerve blood flow (NBF) and electrophysiology in control and diabetic rats. When applied locally to the sciatic nerve, the dose-response curve of angiotensin II was more potent in experimental diabetic neuropathy (EDN) than control rats. No difference existed in plasma angiotensin II levels between EDN and controls. The rats were given typical rat pellets or pellets treated with 10 mg/kg per day cilazapril for 4 weeks. Diabetes caused a significant reduction in NBF, nerve conduction velocity, and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes. NBF was significantly increased in diabetic rats supplemented with cilazapril diet, and nerve conduction velocity and amplitudes of the CMAP were also improved after 4 weeks on this diet. Direct application 10(-3) mol/L cilazapril on sciatic nerve did not increase NBF in normal and EDN rats. We topically applied the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine, on sciatic nerve and observed reduced inhibition of NBF in EDN, which was correctable with a cilazapril diet. These results suggest that diabetic neuropathy may have an increasing vasopressor action with angiotensin II and this is likely to be the mechanism of NOS inhibition. Angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitors may have potential in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Angiotensin II↗

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, IgM antigangliosides antibody and human T-cell leukemia virus I infection.

A 65-year-old man presented with a sensorimotor polyneuropathy associated with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to various gangliosides. Electrophysiological studies denoted significant abnormalities of motor and sensory nerve conduction. Although the pathology of sural nerve biopsy looked minimally affected, immunohistochemical studies showed specific binding of IgM to the human peripheral nerve. Our patient also had high titer of antibody to human T-cell leukemia virus I (HTLV-I) in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which might activate B-cell-mediated immunity and facilitate the production of IgM antibody. The other unique feature is the reactivity of antibody to gangliosides. The patient had IgM antibody reactivities to gangliosides with disialosyl residue such as GT1b, GQ1b and GD3, but not to GD1b. IgM antibody to gangliosides with disialosyl residue has been reported in ataxic symptoms, but our patient failed to demonstrate ataxia. Without reactivity to GD1b, sensory ataxic neuropathy might not develop even in the presence of antibody reactive to other gangliosides with disialosyl residue.

Aged↗

Spectroscopic investigation of tertiary fold of staphylococcal protein A to explore its engineering application.

Staphylococcal protein A is a cell wall constituent of most strains of Staphylococcus aureus, and it is characterized by its binding affinity to some immunological classes. A mutated low molecular weight type protein A (LPA; Mwt = 27 kDa) which consists of the domains, E, D, A, B and 13 residues of the C-domain was prepared in this study. Since LPA does not possess a cell wall-bound region in contrast to wild-type protein A (WPA; Mwt = 42 kDa), we have established a methodology of large scale purification of LPA without using any extracellular expression systems such as Escherichia coli. Using this relatively abundant protein, the immobilization of the LPA with silk fibroin of Bombyx mori was performed. Thermal stability of LPA immobilized with silk fibroin is higher than that of free LPA at high temperature judging from the immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding affinity. However, the apparent value of its affinity decreased relative to that of immobilized WPA. These results indicate that structural information is essential to explore improvement of IgG-binding affinity of immobilized LPA. Therefore, secondary structure of free LPA was detected by its characteristic helical pattern in circular dichroism (CD) in aqueous solution. In addition to this, tertiary fold of four IgG-binding domains were investigated by two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectra. Four significantly high-field shifted cross-peaks attributed to methyl signals of alanine residues suggest that all four domains pack into a three helix bundle motif in solution. These structural data and properties of IgG-binding affinity suggest that spatial arrangement of four IgG-binding domains are packed into a compact globular molecular shape. This causes a certain active site of immobilized LPA to be buried in the silk fibroin fiber.

Alanine↗

Ribose 1,5-bisphosphate regulates rat kidney cortex phosphofructokinase.

Phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11) is a major enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, catalyzing the conversion of fructose 6-phosphate to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of ribose 1,5-bisphosphate on phosphofructokinase purified from rat kidney cortex. Ribose 1,5-bisphosphate relieved the phosphofructokinase from ATP inhibition and increased the affinity for fructose 6-phosphate at nanomolar concentrations. These activating effects of ribose 1,5-bisphosphate were enhanced in the presence of AMP. Ribose 1,5-bisphosphate reduced the inhibition of the phosphofructokinase induced by citrate. These results suggest that ribose 1,5-bisphosphate is an activator of rat kidney cortex phosphofructokinase and synergistically regulates the enzyme activity with AMP.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

NIH 3T3 cells malignantly transformed by mot-2 show inactivation and cytoplasmic sequestration of the p53 protein.

In previous studies we have reported that a high level of expression of mot-2 protein results in malignant transformation of NIH 3T3 cells as analyzed by anchorage independent growth and nude mice assays [Kaul et al., Oncogene, 17, 907-11, 1998]. Mot-2 was found to interact with tumor suppressor protein p53. The transient overexpression of mot-2 was inhibitory to transcriptional activation function of p53 [Wadhwa et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 29586-91, 1998]. We demonstrate here that mot-2 transfected stable clone of NIH 3T3 that showed malignant properties indeed show inactivation of p53 function as assayed by exogenous p53 dependent reporter. The expression level of p53 in response to UV-irradiation was lower in NIH 3T3/mot-2 as compared to NIH 3T3 cells and also exhibited delay in reaching peak. Furthermore, upon serum starvation p53 was seen to translocate to the nucleus in NIH 3T3, but not in its mot-2 derivative. The data suggests that mot-2 mediated cytoplasmic sequestration and inactivation of p53 may operate, at least in part, for malignant phenotype of NIH 3T3/mot-2 cells. NIH 3T3/mot-2 cells show inactivation of p53 protein.

3T3 Cells↗

Hypothermic neuroprotection of peripheral nerve of rats from ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Although there is much information on experimental ischaemic neuropathy, there are only scant data on neuroprotection. We evaluated the effectiveness of hypothermia in protecting peripheral nerve from ischaemia-reperfusion injury using the model of experimental nerve ischaemia. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups. We used a ligation-reperfusion model of nerve ischaemia where each of the supplying arteries to the sciatic-tibial nerves of the right hind limb was ligated and the ligatures were released after a predetermined period of ischaemia. The right hind limbs of one group (24 rats) were made ischaemic for 5 h and those of the other group (24 rats) for 3 h. Each group was further divided into three and the limbs were maintained at 37 degrees C (36 degrees C for 5 h of ischaemia) in one, 32 degrees C in the second and 28 degrees C in the third of these groups for the final 2 h of the ischaemic period and an additional 2 h of the reperfusion period. A behavioural score was recorded and nerve electrophysiology of motor and sensory nerves was undertaken 1 week after surgical procedures. At that time, entire sciatic-tibial nerves were harvested and fixed in situ. Four portions of each nerve were examined: proximal sciatic nerve, distal sciatic nerve, mid-tibial nerve and distal tibial nerve. To determine the degree of fibre degeneration, each section was studied by light microscopy, and we estimated an oedema index and a fibre degeneration index. The groups treated at 36-37 degrees C underwent marked fibre degeneration, associated with a reduction in action potential and impairment in behavioural score. The groups treated at 28 degrees C (for both 3 and 5 h) showed significantly less (P < 0.01; ANOVA, Bonferoni post hoc test) reperfusion injury for all indices (behavioural score, electrophysiology and neuropathology), and the groups treated at 32 degrees C had scores intermediate between the groups treated at 36-37 degrees C and 28 degrees C. Our results showed that cooling the limbs dramatically protects the peripheral nerve from ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Action Potentials↗

A cold-adapted protease engineered by experimental evolution system.

A new cold-adapted protease subtilisin BPN' mutant, termed m-51, was successfully isolated by use of an evolutionary program consisting of two-step in vitro random mutagenesis, which we developed for the screening of mutant subtilisins with increased activity at low temperature. The m-51 mutant showed 70% higher catalytic efficiency, expressed by the k(cat)/K(m) value, than the wild-type at 10 degrees C against N-succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Phe-p-nitroanilide as a synthetic substrate. This cold-adaptation was achieved mainly by the increase in the k(cat) value in a temperature-dependent manner. Genetic analysis revealed that m-51 had three mutations, Ala-->Thr at position -31 (A-31T) in the prodomain, Ala-->Val at position 88 (A88V), and Ala-->Thr at position 98 (A98T). From kinetic parameters of the purified mutant enzymes, it was found that the A98T mutation led to 30% activity increase, which was enhanced up to 70% by the accompanying neutral mutation A88V. The A-31T mutation severely constrained the autoprocessing-mediated maturation of the pro-subtilisin in the Escherichia coli expression system, thus probably causing an activity-non-detectable mutation in the first step of mutagenesis. No distinct change was observed in the thermal stability of any mutant or in the substrate specificity for m-51. In the molecular models of the two single mutants (A88V and A98T), relatively large displacements of alpha carbon atoms were found around the mutation points. In the model of the double mutant (A88V/A98T), on the other hand, the structural changes around the mutation point counterbalanced each other, and thus no crucial displacements occurred. This mutual effect may be related to the enhanced activity of the double mutant.

Base Sequence↗

5-Bromodeoxyuridine induces senescence-like phenomena in mammalian cells regardless of cell type or species.

5-Bromodeoxyuridine was found to induce flat and enlarged cell shape, characteristics of senescent cells, and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in mammalian cells regardless of cell type or species. In immortal human cells, fibronectin, collagenase I, and p21(wafl/sdi-1) mRNAs were immediately and very strongly induced, and the mortality marker mortalin changed to the mortal type from the immortal type. Human cell lines lacking functional p21(wafl/sdi-1), p16(ink4a), or p53 behaved similarly. The protein levels of p16(ink4a) and p53 did not change uniformly, while the level of p21(wafl/sdi-1) was increased by varying degrees in positive cell lines. Telomerase activity was suppressed in positive cell lines, but accelerated telomere shortening was not observed in tumor cell lines. These results suggest that 5-bromodeoxyuridine activates a common senescence pathway present in both mortal and immortal mammalian cells.

Aging↗

Overexpression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in mammalian cells negates growth arrest by serum starvation and cell contact.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) functions as a processivity factor for DNA polymerase delta, and is expressed at high levels in growing normal and tumor cells. To clarify the relationship between cell proliferation and PCNA expression, we generated NIH-3T3 cells that overexpress PCNA and analyzed the phenotype of these cells. The resulting 3T3-PCNA cells, which overexpressed PCNA, were found to proliferate beyond the saturation density of the parental NIH-3T3 cells. Although NIH-3T3 cell proliferation is arrested under serum starvation conditions, 3T3-PCNA cell proliferation is not arrested by serum starvation. The expression levels of cdk2, cdk4 and cdk6 were the same in 3T3-PCNA and NIH-3T3 cells. The activity of cdk4 was identical for both cell types. However, the activity of cdk2 was higher in serum-starved 3T3-PCNA cells than in NIH-3T3 cells, although the expression of cyclin E decreased in both types of cells, suggesting that increases in cdk2 activity are related to negation of growth arrest in 3T3-PCNA cells. These results indicate that increases in PCNA expression lead to the disruption of growth control and may lead to malignant transformation.

3T3 Cells↗

Detection of alternative splicing of fibronectin mRNA in a single cell.

Pre-fibronectin mRNA is subject to alternative splicing at three sites, EDA, EDB and IIICS. We analyzed the alternative splicing of fibronectin mRNA in a single cell. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses showed cells that produced a single form of mRNA at each one of these sites as well as cells that produced multiple forms at a given site: for example, some cells produced either the EDA(+) or EDA(-) form of the mRNA and other cells produced both forms. About 80% of the cells produced both (+) and (-) forms of the mRNA at the EDA and EDB sites, and the remaining cells contained either the (+) or (-) form. Five forms of fibronectin mRNA can result from alternative splicing at the IIICS site. Complex combinations of alternative splicing products were observed among the individual cells: there were ten different combinations of mRNA isoforms with respect to the IIICS site. Statistically significant changes in alternative splicing at the IIICS site were observed during cellular senescence.

Alternative Splicing↗

Co-localization of urokinase and its receptor on established human umbilical vein endothelial cell.

Vascular endothelial cells possess antithrombotic properties, which are determined by the balance between plasminogen activators (PAs) and PA inhibitors (PAls). A cell line, TKM-33, has been established and cloned from human umbilical vein endothelial cells, was previously reported to produce a large amount of urokinase-type PA (u-PA) and small amounts of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Moreover, TKM-33 expressed the u-PA receptor (u-PAR) which plays an important role in the localization of fibrinolytic activity on cell surface. In the present study, we investigated the localization of u-PA, t-PA, PAI-1 and u-PAR in TKM-33 by using immunofluorescence staining technique. The endothelial cells were strongly stained with anti-PAI-1, anti-u-PA and anti-u-PAR IgGs, and slightly with anti-t-PA IgG. The double immunofluorescence staining with mouse anti-u-PA IgG and rabbit anti-u-PAR IgG followed by rhodamine-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and FITC-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG showed the co-localization of u-PA and u-PAR on the same section of endothelial cells. Although u-PA antigen also existed in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells, u-PAR antigen did not. The treatment of endothelial cells with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) upregulated the expression of u-PA and u-PAR antigens. In this stimulation, u-PAR antigen was detected not only on the surface of the cells but also in the cytoplasm. Thus, the binding of u-PA to u-PAR was confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining.

Antibodies↗

Gene expression of vasoactive intestinal contractor/endothelin-2 in ovary, uterus and embryo: comprehensive gene expression profiles of the endothelin ligand-receptor system revealed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis in adult mouse tissues and during late embryonic development.

Vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC)/endothelin-2 (ET-2) is a 21 amino acid intestinal peptide characterized as a potent vasoactive and intestinal smooth muscle-contracting compound. To investigate the physiological roles of VIC/ET-2 further, we characterized the specificity of VIC gene expression relative to that of other members of the endothelin (ET) ligand-receptor system in adult mouse tissues and during embryonic development. Gene expression of ET-1, ET-3, ETA and ETB was ubiquitous in almost all tissues we examined while gene expression of VIC was localized to certain tissues. A high level of VIC gene expression was observed in ovary and uterus. The gene expression of VIC, relative to that of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, was approximately 2.0%, 0.4%, and 2.3% in ovary, uterus, and intestine respectively, and was approximately 1.6 and 7. 1 times higher than that of ET-1 in ovary and intestine respectively. Thus, VIC may have some physiological role in adult ovary and uterus as well as intestine. In embryonic development, VIC gene expression sharply increased between 11 and 15 days post coitus and decreased after birth, suggesting an involvement in the later stages of embryonic development.

Animals↗

[Clinical and bacteriological evaluation of ceftriaxone (CTRX) dosed once daily in children with community-acquired pneumonia].

Clinical and bacteriological evaluation was performed as follows on ceftriaxone (CTRX) at a dose of 50 mg/kg once daily to pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Of 48 subject patients, CTRX was markedly effective in 36 (75.0%), effective in 9 (18.7%), slightly effective in 2 (4.2%), and failure in 1 (2.1%), indicating the overall effective rate of 93.7%. In 47 (97.9%) patients with the exception of 1, it was observed during the period of administration that fever was resolved and clinical symptoms as well as radiographically abnormal shadows were found relieved or improved. Patients infected by an isolated strain accounted for 34 (70.8%), while those by multiple strains 14 (29.2%), indicating that either Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae, or both were detected in almost all patients (45 cases). Of the 48 patients, bacteriological effect was eliminated in 44 (91.7%), and replacement of the bacteria in the remaining 4 (8.3%). MIC90 of CTRX against detected bacteria was 0.2 microgram/ml with H. influenzae, < or = 0.025 microgram/ml with PSSP, 0.1 microgram/ml with PISP, and 0.39 microgram/ml with PRSP. Blood concentration of CTRX at 50 mg/kg upon completion of 1-hour drip intravenous infusion was 89.7 +/- 25.2 micrograms/ml, and 6.6 +/- 0.9 micrograms/ml at 24 hours after the completion, indicating that the concentrations had been well above the levels of MIC90 throughout the 24 hours. Abnormal symptoms, which were most likely adverse drug reactions, were not observed in any patients, and no abnormal changes were noted in patients, whose clinical lab values were taken before or after the administration. Situations may differ by region in Japan, however, infants under 3 are generally exempted from medical payment regardless of inpatients or outpatients. When hospitalized, psychological burden upon pediatric patients without guardians attended must be enormous. If they are over 3, there is a difference in medical costs between inpatients and outpatients, with greater economic burden on inpatients. Thus, it was considered worth attempting the outpatient treatment as one of new therapies for community-acquired pneumonia, though the outpatient treatment should not be encouraged without due consideration. Based on these results, CTRX dosed once daily to pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia is clinically and bacteriologically superior in usefulness. Further review may be necessary, however, it is considered that outpatient treatment can also serve as one of the options, if safety of once-a-day administration of CTRX can be established.

Ceftriaxone↗

Demographic and socio-economic factors with implications for the control of lymphatic filariasis in Kwale District, Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To examine demographic and socio-economic factors with regard to control of lymphatic filariasis. DESIGN: A cross sectional data collection approach using a questionnaire. SETTING: Three adjacent villages, namely Lutsangani, Dzivani and Gandini in Kwale district. This was the study site for a larger KEMRI-JICA lymphatic filariasis control project. Findings from the larger project showed filariasis prevalence rates of 22.6%, 12.1% and 11.9% in the three villages respectively. SUBJECTS: All 891 household-heads in the three villages. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationship between selected factors (age, sex, education, employment status, availability of latrine and permanent roofing for the main dwelling) and current use of protection against mosquito bites. RESULTS: Use of mosquito-bed nets, mosquito repellents and insecticides was found in 13.8% of the households. Education and employment status of the household-heads were positively associated with protection against man-vector contact (p < 0.001). Non-availability of latrines and lack of permanent roofing (tiles or corrugated iron sheets) for the main dwellings in 80% and 95% households, respectively, were additional clear indicators of low socio-economic development. CONCLUSION: Given the inter-village variations in the prevalence of the filariasis, wide scale diagnosis for treatment control approach could be prohibitively expensive. Effective control of filariasis in this and similar communities may be by mass treatment with either diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or ivermectin combined with albendazole.

Adolescent↗

Fluorescent differential display analysis of gene expression in apoptotic neuroblastoma cells.

Identification of differentially expressed genes will provide leads in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal cell death associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Using a high-throughput fluorescent differential display (FDD) system based on an automated DNA sequencer, we analyzed global patterns of gene expression during the apoptosis of neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells induced by a neurotoxin, colchicine. Initial screening of approximately 24000 cDNA bands displayed with 320 primer combinations has revealed 263 fragments showing differential expression patterns, suggesting that approximately 1% of transcripts are modulated in their expression level. Of these differentially displayed bands, we cloned 18 fragments composed of 17 distinct species and confirmed differential expression of each species by reverse transcription-PCR or Northern blot hybridization, thereby proving the reliability of the approach. These include eight derived from seven known genes, five homologous to expressed sequence tags (ESTs), and five totally lacking any homology to those deposited in the database. Among these, a novel transcript SAI1 induced prominently was characterized further and revealed to encode a putative RNA-binding protein NAPOR (neuroblastoma apoptosis-related RNA-binding protein), containing three copies of evolutionarily conserved RNA recognition motif. Since several RNA-binding proteins have been known to play crucial roles in other apoptosis systems, it is conceivable that NAPOR is also involved in the process of neuronal cell death.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inactivation of tumor suppressor p53 by mot-2, a hsp70 family member.

The mortalin genes, mot-1 and mot-2, are hsp70 family members that were originally cloned from normal and immortal murine cells, respectively. Their proteins differ by only two amino acid residues but exhibit different subcellular localizations, arise from two distinct genes, and have contrasting biological activities. We report here that the two proteins also differ in their interactions with the tumor suppressor protein p53. The pancytosolic mot-1 protein in normal cells did not show colocalization with p53; in contrast, nonpancytosolic mot-2 and p53 overlapped significantly in immortal cells. Transfection of mot-2 but not mot-1 resulted in the repression of p53-mediated transactivation in p53-responsive reporter assays. Inactivation of p53 by mot-2 was supported by the down-regulation of p53-responsive genes p21(WAF-1) and mdm-2 in mot-2-transfected cells only. Furthermore, NIH 3T3 cells transfected with expression plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein-tagged mot-2 but not mot-1 showed an abrogation of nuclear translocation of wild-type p53. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of p53 inactivation by mot-2 protein.

3T3 Cells↗