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Biomedical subjects

Y Ninomiya

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ninomiya.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

The complete primary structure of two distinct forms of human alpha 1 (IX) collagen chains.

Type IX collagen molecules contain three genetically distinct subunits. One of the subunits, alpha 2(IX), contains a covalently attached glycosaminoglycan side chain. A second subunit, alpha 1 (IX), has been found to be synthesized in two forms. The two forms are generated by the alternative use of two transcription start sites and splice patterns. The two forms have been found in chicken, mouse and human but cDNAs encoding both forms have only been reported for chicken. In the present report we describe the isolation of cDNA clones encoding the complete translated portion of both forms of human alpha 1(IX) collagen chains. Nucleotide sequence analysis has permitted the determination of the primary structure of both forms. These probes and sequences should prove useful in future studies of chondrodysplasias involving type IX collagen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of parasympathectomy on androgen responses of the rat submandibular gland.

The effects of androgen on the activities of esteropeptidase and delta 4-3-ketosteroid 5 alpha-reductase were investigated. Ratios of the denervated side to the non-operated side for gland weight and esteropeptidase activity were higher in androgenized females than in untreated females. The specific activities of 5 alpha-reductase were increased by denervation but the total activities were decreased. The results suggest that parasympathectomy leads to higher androgen responsiveness in the rat submandibular gland, which relates to the observed reduction in weight loss of the gland and the increases in its esteropeptidase activities.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Comparative studies on the antirhinovirus activity and the mode of action of the rhinovirus capsid binding agents, chalcone amides.

Studies of various analogs related to the antirhinovirus agent 4'-ethoxy-2'-hydroxy-4,6'-dimethoxychalcone (Chalcone Ro 09-0410) led to the identification of amide analogs that are 4.5 to 10 times more active against human rhinovirus (HRV) in tissue culture as measured by chemotherapeutic indices. Chalcone amides Ro 09-0535, Ro 09-0696 and Ro 09-0881 inhibited viral replication at concentrations as low as less than 2-3 ng/ml and were cytotoxic between 30 to 50 micrograms/ml. These compounds bind to HRV and reduce the virus infectivity titers by 3 log10 or greater at 0.5 micrograms/ml for 60 min similar to Ro 09-0410. These amide analogs competitively inhibited the binding of [3H]Ro 09-0410 to the viral capsid similar to capsid binding antirhinovirus agents, Ro 09-0410, 4',6-dichloroflavan and WIN-51711. Furthermore, strains of HRV type 2 resistant to each of the above agents showed cross-resistance to all other agents. These results indicate that the chalcone amides also bind to the same or close-proximity site for the capsid binding antirhinovirus agents, which is on the specific site within the viral capsid protein. However, differences in the degree of the inhibition of [3H]Ro 09-0410 binding, cross-resistance of strains of HRV resistant to the agents and HRV serotype specificity were observed not only between the chalcone amides and the other antivirus agents (Ro 09-0410, 4',6-dichloroflavan and WIN-51711) but also among the chalcone amides, particularly between Ro 09-0535 and Ro 09-0696. These differences are presumably due to alterations in the binding affinities of compounds as a consequence of variations in the shape and size of the hydrophobic pocket that exists between serotypes including resistant strains.

Amides↗

Analgesic effects of D-amino acids in four inbred strains of mice.

1. Prominent strain differences of mice were found in analgesic effects of D-amino acids. 2. In C57BL/6CrSlc and C3H/HeSlc mice, pain threshold, which was determined by using a hot-plate method, increased to 140-175% of the control after the systemic treatment of all three D-amino acids employed, such as D-phenylalanine, -leucine and -methionine, whereas in DBA/2CrSlc or BALB/cCrSlc mice, out of three only one D-amino acid, D-phenylalanine or -leucine, produced significant increase of pain threshold. 3. This lack of ability to perceive analgesic effects of specific amino acids observed in the latter two strains suggests that there probably exist different analgesia-inducing mechanisms for each of three D-amino acids in mice and the latter two strains lack two of them.

Amino Acids↗

The alpha 1 (IX) collagen gene gives rise to two different transcripts in both mouse embryonic and human fetal RNA.

We have isolated and characterized portions of the alpha 1 (IX) collagen gene from mouse and human DNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis and comparison with the chicken gene suggest that the mammalian genes contain an alternative exon that is located within the intron between exons 6 and 7. Using oligonucleotide primers specific for exons 4, 8, and the alternative exon (exon 1*), we demonstrated by the polymerase chain reaction that embryonic mouse and fetal human RNAs contain two types of alpha 1(IX) collagen transcripts. One type of transcript does not contain the sequence encoded by exon 1*; the second type of transcript contains this exon. Both mouse and human alpha 1(IX) collagen genes give rise, therefore, to (at least) two mRNA transcripts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative antitumor activity and intestinal toxicity of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine and its prodrug trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine.

N4-Trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (Ro 09-1390), a prodrug of the cytostatic 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR), was synthesized with the aim of reducing of the dose-limiting toxicity of 5'-DFUR, which is diarrhea. In mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma, 5'-DFUR given po produced a substantial amount of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the intestinal tract as well as tumors, where the enzyme pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase, essential for conversion of 5'-DFUR to 5-FU, is predominantly located. With the oral administration of Ro 09-1390 only a small amount of 5-FU was formed in the intestine; however, the administration of Ro 09-1390 and 5'-DFUR at the same dose produced similar amounts of 5-FU in tumor tissues. These differences in metabolism were reflected in their toxicity and antitumor efficacy. The administration of 5'-DFUR resulted in damage to the intestinal mucosal membrane and diarrhea in normal mice, whereas Ro 09-1390 was much less toxic to the intestinal tract. As regards antitumor activity, Ro 09-1390 and 5'-DFUR at equivalent doses inhibited the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma to similar extents. Since Ro 09-1390 was much less toxic to the intestinal tract than 5'-DFUR, mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma could be given Ro 09-1390 daily over a longer period and at a higher dose, resulting in a longer survival time.

Animals↗

Comparative studies on the antitumor and immunosuppressive effects of the new fluorouracil derivative N4-trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine and its parent drug 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine.

N4-Trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (Ro 09-1390), a new prodrug of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-dFUrd), was synthesized for the purpose of finding a drug with less intestinal toxicity than the parent compound. The present study compared the antitumor activity and immunotoxicity of Ro 09-1390 with those of 5'-dFUrd, 5-fluorouracil (5-FUra) and tegafur in various transplantable tumor models. The antitumor efficacy of Ro 09-1390 was comparable to 5'-dFUrd and these two agents were much more effective than the others. However, Ro 09-1390 was much less toxic to the intestinal tract and less immunosuppressive in both humoral and cellular immune reactions than 5'-dFUrd. Consequently, Ro 09-1390 showed higher therapeutic indices and higher efficacy than 5'-dFUrd at high dosages. The antitumor spectrum of Ro 09-1390 was somewhat different from that of 5'-dFUrd, though it shows the efficacy after it converts to 5'-dFUrd. The activity of Ro 09-1390 was partly associated with cytidine deaminase in the tumors treated. Ro 09-1390 appeared to be more effective against tumors with a high concentration of the enzyme by which the major metabolite 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5'-dFCyd) is metabolized to 5'-dFUrd.

Animals↗

The cloning and sequencing of alpha 1(VIII) collagen cDNAs demonstrate that type VIII collagen is a short chain collagen and contains triple-helical and carboxyl-terminal non-triple-helical domains similar to those of type X collagen.

We have isolated two overlapping cDNA clones covering 2425 base pairs encoding a short type VIII collagen chain synthesized by rabbit corneal endothelial cells. The cDNAs encode an open reading frame of 744 amino acid residues containing a triple-helical domain of 454 residues flanked by 117- and 173-residue amino and carboxyl non-triple-helical domains (called NC2 and NC1, respectively). Based on the identity between the DNA-derived amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence of a type VIII collagen CNBr peptide obtained from rabbit corneal Descemet's membrane, we conclude that the cDNAs code for a type VIII collagen chain. We give this chain the designation alpha 1(VIII). The alpha 1(VIII) triple-helical domain contains eight imperfections in the Gly-X-Y repeated structure with Gly-X instead of a full triplet. The length of the triple-helical domain and number and relative locations of these imperfections are remarkably similar to those of chicken alpha 1(X) collagen. The amino acid sequence of the carboxyl three-quarters of the NC1 domain has high sequence similarity to that of alpha 1(X) collagen. These data suggest that the triple-helix coding portions and carboxyl three-quarters of the NC1 domains of the alpha 1(VIII) and alpha 1(X) genes have a common evolutionary origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The human alpha 2(XI) collagen (COL11A2) chain. Molecular cloning of cDNA and genomic DNA reveals characteristics of a fibrillar collagen with differences in genomic organization.

We have isolated three overlapping cDNA clones encoding the pro alpha 2(XI) collagen chain from a human chondrocyte cDNA library. Together, the cDNAs code for 257 uninterrupted Gly-X-Y triplets (almost 80% of the triple helical domain) and about 200 amino acid residues of the carboxyl telopeptide and carboxyl propeptide. The identification of the clones as pro alpha 2(XI) cDNAs was based on the complete identity between the amino acid sequences of three tryptic peptides derived from human alpha 2(XI) collagen and the cDNA-derived sequence. We have also sequenced six exons within a human genomic alpha 2(XI) cosmid clone. This sequence shows that although type XI collagen belongs to the fibril-forming class of collagens, there are substantial differences in exon sizes at the 3' end of the gene when comparing the alpha 2(XI) gene with those of human types I, II, and III collagens. Finally, pro alpha 2(XI) cDNA has been used as a probe to determine the location of the gene by in situ hybridization of chromosome spreads. The results demonstrate that the gene is located close to the region p212 on chromosome 6. Northern blot analysis shows that the gene is expressed in cartilage but not in adult liver, skin, and tendon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular cloning of rat and human type IX collagen cDNA and localization of the alpha 1(IX) gene on the human chromosome 6.

Type IX collagen is found in hyaline cartilage, where it is associated with type II collagen in quarter-staggered collagen fibrils. Chicken type IX collagen has been extensively characterized and shown to contain molecules with three triple-helical domains, interspersed with non-triple-helical sequences. The molecule contains three, genetically distinct, subunits and one of these subunits carries a covalently bound glycosaminoglycan side chain. In the present report, we describe for the first time the primary structure of mammalian type IX collagen chains, based on cloning and sequencing of cDNA from rat and human cDNA libraries. The results suggest that mammalian alpha 1(IX) chains have the same multi-domain structure as the avian protein. We also demonstrate, by in situ hybridization of chromosome spreads, that the human alpha 1(IX) collagen gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 6. The cloning of human type IX collagen cDNA provides a probe for molecular studies of human chondrodysplasias that may involve abnormalities in this extracellular collagen-proteoglycan.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Strain differences in amiloride inhibition of NaCl responses in mice, Mus musculus.

The effects of lingual treatment with amiloride, an inhibitor of salt taste responses in several mammalian species, on NaCl responses of the chorda tympani nerve were compared between four inbred strains of mouse (BALB/cCrSlc, DBA/2CrSlc, C57BL/6CrSlc and C3H/HeSlc). In C57BL and C3H mice amiloride significantly suppressed responses of the chorda tympani nerve to NaCl at a concentration 0.1 M or more whereas in BALB and DBA mice the drug did not significantly affect the responses to NaCl at any concentration, suggesting a lack of the amiloride-sensitive receptor component for NaCl in the latter two strains. A two-bottle preference test demonstrated that all strains of mouse usually showed no preference for NaCl at any concentration and avoided NaCl at 0.3 M or more, although some differences were observed in that C57BL and C3H mice showed aversive responses to 0.1 and 0.15 M NaCl, whereas BALB and DBA mice were indifferent to these solutions. The results suggest that there exist prominent differences between mouse strains in the amiloride-sensitive component of their salt receptor systems. However, in mice the taste information derived from the amiloride-sensitive receptor component probably has no remarkable effect on behavioral responses to NaCl except for a possible contribution to decreasing aversion thresholds for NaCl by increasing overall taste information about NaCl.

Amiloride↗

Selective procaine inhibition of rat chorda tympani responses to electric taste stimulation.

1. The lingual treatment of 1% procaine for 10 min selectively suppressed responses of the rat chorda tympani nerve to anodal current applied to the tongue with NaCl in the bathing medium to about 50% of control but the drug produced no significant suppression in responses to chemical taste stimuli. 2. The magnitude of suppression of response to anodal current varied with concentration of procaine and kind of bathing medium for the current stimulation (larger in the order of NaCl greater than KCl greater than CaCl2 greater than HCl). 3. Such ion specificity in procaine suppression suggests that responses of the chorda tympani nerve to anodal current are provoked through the taste cell (not direct action on the taste nerve), and that the receptor mechanisms for anodal current are at least partly different from that for chemical taste stimuli.

Animals↗

Effects of isoproterenol treatment on gustatory neural responses in three inbred strains of mice.

1. Treatment of a beta-agonist, isoproterenol, for 5 days reduced chorda tympani responses to sucrose by about 40% of the control without affecting responses to other taste stimuli, such as NaCl, HCl and quinine HCl, in balb CrSlc mice whereas such reduction of sucrose responses was not observed in C57BL/6-CrSlc and C3H/HeSlc mice, although in the latter two strains long-lasting off-responses to quinine HCl appeared after the treatment. 2. In BALB mice, the magnitude of reduction of sucrose responses by isoproterenol increased with prolonging the treatment from 1 to 5 days, although it reached almost its maximum level by the 3 days treatment. 3. BALB mice with the removal of the submandibular glands showed slightly greater control responses of the chorda tympani nerve to sucrose than BALB mice with the sham-operation or the removal of the sublingual glands, and showed no significant reduction of sucrose responses by isoproterenol treatment. 4. These results suggest that isoproterenol probably did not act directly on sweetener receptors of taste cell membranes but affect them through the submandibular salivary system.

Animals↗

Behavioral discrimination between glutamate and the four basic taste substances in mice.

1. Behavioural studies using the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm in mice showed that aversion conditioned to monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), which elicits a unique taste in humans, did not strongly generalize to any of the four basic taste stimuli, suggesting that mice could behaviourally discriminate between MSG and the four basic taste stimuli. 2. Denervation of bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve significantly increased behavioural similarities (the strength of generalization in the CTA paradigm) between MSG and sodium salts. This was not the case after destruction of the bilateral chorda tympani nerve. 3. These results suggest that taste information of glossopharyngeal nerve plays a more important role in the behavioural discrimination between MSG and the four basic tastes than does that of the chorda tympani nerve.

Animals↗

Peripheral neural basis for behavioural discrimination between glutamate and the four basic taste substances in mice.

1. Single chorda tympani fibres sensitive to monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), elicit a unique taste in humans and gave a greater response to NaCl and/or sucrose than to MSG whereas several MSG-sensitive glossopharyngeal fibres responded only slightly if at all to NaCl and sucrose. 2. The across-fibre correlations showed that MSG and NaCl produced similar response patterns in the chorda tympani fibres but different response patterns in the glossopharyngeal fibres. 3. These results suggest that taste information of glossopharyngeal fibres plays a relatively more important role in the qualitative discrimination between MSG and the four basic taste substances than that of chorda tympani fibres.

Animals↗

Alteration of salt taste sensitivity by the neonatal removal of sublingual glands in the rat.

1. Adult rats with the surgical removal of sublingual glands at their 10 days of age did not prefer NaCl solution of any concentration to water, whereas those with sham-operation or the removal of submandibular glands preferred 0.03 or 0.1 M NaCl to water. 2. Magnitudes of inhibition of chorda tympani responses to NaCl by the lingual treatment of 0.1 mM amiloride were greater in neonatally sublingual removed rats than in sham-operated or submandibular removed ones. 3. These results suggest that the removal of sublingual glands in neonatal period of the rat could increase the amount of the amiloride-sensitive Na receptor mechanism on the taste cell membrane in its adulthood.

Amiloride↗

Effects of repeated androgen treatments on metabolism and nuclear binding of androgen in the infant murine submandibular gland.

1. Androgen responsiveness of esteropeptidase of the murine submandibular gland developed rapidly in normal males compared with in normal females and castrated males. 2. Repeated treatments of infant mice of both sexes with testosterone (T), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol increased androgen responsiveness of this enzyme, but did not affect those of 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSDase; androgen metabolizing enzymes) of the gland. 3. Exchange assay of nuclear androgen receptor using 3H-DHT showed that in both sexes, amounts of binding in animals pretreated with T were higher than those in animals pretreated with sesame oil. 4. These results suggest that there is parallelism between the androgen responses and amounts of nuclear androgen binding, not androgen responses of 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-HSDase.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗