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Biomedical subjects

Y Ohtake

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ohtake.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Allelic imbalance and mutations of the PTEN gene in ovarian cancer.

The PTEN/MMAC1/TEP1 tumor-suppressor gene, which maps to chromosome 10q23.3, is mutated and homozygously deleted in a variety of human tumors, including endometrioid-type ovarian tumors. We examined 33 primary ovarian cancers and 3 ovarian borderline tumors for allelic imbalance (AI) of the 10q23.3 region using 5 polymorphic markers, including an insertion/deletion-type polymorphic marker identified in intron 4 of the PTEN gene. AI at one or more loci was detected in 12 of 31 (39%) informative ovarian cancers and none of 3 ovarian borderline tumors. The commonly deleted region was mapped between the D10S215 and D10S541 loci, including the PTEN locus. Moreover, the incidence of AI at the PTEN locus (38%) was the highest among the 5 loci examined. Therefore, we searched for mutations in the entire coding region of the PTEN gene by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analyses in these tumors and 7 ovarian cancer cell lines. Mutations were detected in 3 of the 33 (9%) ovarian cancers: 2 cases with double mutations and 1 case with a mutation on 1 allele accompanied by deletions on both alleles in the poly T tract preceding the splice acceptor site in intron 7. An intragenic deletion was detected in 1 of the 7 (14%) ovarian cancer cell lines. PTEN mutations were detected not only in the endometrioid type but also in the serous and mucinous types of ovarian cancer. However, PTEN was not mutated in the 12 tumors that showed AI of the PTEN locus. Our results suggest that the PTEN gene plays an important role in the development of a subset but diverse histological types of ovarian tumors. However, it is possible that another tumor-suppressor gene in the close vicinity of the PTEN gene is also inactivated by AI of the 10q23.3 region.

Chromosome Mapping

Pharmacological profile of VP-343, a novel selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, in rats.

The pharmacological profile of a novel selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, VP-343(N-[4-[[(2S,3aR)-2-hydroxy-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[ 1,2-a]quinoxalin-5(1H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl]-4'-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl ]-2-carboxamide) was characterized in several in vitro and in vivo rat models. The IC50 values of VP-343 for vasopressin V1A and V2 receptors were 110 and 0.77 nM, respectively. VP-343 inhibited dose-dependently the pressor response to exogenous arginine vasopressin (AVP; 30 mU/kg, i.v.) in pithed rats, with an ID50 value of 0.57 mg/kg (i.v.). VP-343 induced strong aquaresis in normal saline-loaded conscious rats. Antidiuretic activities of VP-343 have not been detected in AVP deficient Brattleboro rats, showing its lack AVP V2 agonistic activity. During repeated administration for 21 d (3 mg/kg, p.o.) and after recovery, the aquaretic action of VP-343 still remained. In the aged (17 month) saline-loaded conscious rats study, VP-343 (3 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited remarkable diuretic action. In a single dose oral toxicity study in mice, VP-343 did not produce any clinical signs and mortality at any of the tested doses. The results indicate that VP-343 is a potent, orally active, selective V2 receptor antagonist, suggesting that it can be expected to be useful as an aquaretic drug.

Animals

Two novel C-glycosides of aureolic acid repress transcription of the MDR1 gene.

In the search for compounds which repress MDR1 gene expression, two novel aryl C-glycosides were isolated from a broth of Streptomyces sp. They had the characteristic structure of a dideoxy-carbohydrate (oliose or olivose) linked directly to chromomycinone, an aglycone of aureolic acids. Further investigation revealed that they were artifacts yielded from an aureolic acid, mithramycin. Acid and methanol were necessary to yield the C-glycosides. This reaction would contribute to the design of useful aryl C-glycosides.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem

The myocilin (MYOC) gene expression in the human trabecular meshwork.

PURPOSE: We previously reported a novel cytoskeletal protein with a myosin-like domain which is localized in the ciliary rootlet and basal body of connecting cilium of photoreceptor and hence we named it 'myocilin'. It was soon realized that myocilin is identical to a protein called TIGR (trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response protein) which was found to be responsible for the pathogenesis of juvenile open angle glaucoma. In this study, we employed in situ RNA hybridization to examine the myocilin (MYOC)/ TIGR gene expression in the trabecular meshworks of glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous eyes. METHODS: The glaucomatous specimens were obtained by trabeculectomy from the patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG) and steroid glaucoma, respectively, and the nonglaucomatous specimens were obtained from a victim of traffic accident at autopsy and from a patient with maxillary sinus carcinoma at enucleation for the operation. The in situ RNA hybridization was carried out with digoxigenin-labeled sense and antisense RNA probes. RESULTS: In all cases, hybridization signals were detected primarily in the trabecular meshwork cells and secondarily in the fibroblast-like cells of corneoscleral wall. CONCLUSIONS: Myocilin gene is expressed clearly in the trabecular meshwork cells of both glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous eyes.

Aged

Allelic imbalance in chromosome band 18q21 and SMAD4 mutations in ovarian cancers.

Recently, three candidate tumor suppressor genes, SMAD2 (MADR2/JV18-1), SMAD4 (DPC4), and DCC, were identified in chromosome band 18q21. We examined allelic imbalance (AI) in 18q21 using six polymorphic microsatellite markers in 38 primary ovarian cancers and four ovarian borderline tumors. AI at one or more loci was detected in 15 of 37 (41%) informative ovarian cancers and in none of the four borderline tumors. Frequent AI was detected at the D18S46 (31%) and D18S474 (36%) loci, which were adjacent to the SMAD4 gene, and at the D18S69 (33%) locus, which was telomeric to the DCC gene. Therefore, we searched for mutations of the SMAD4 gene in 42 primary tumors and eight cell lines by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analyses. Missense mutations were detected in two ovarian tumors and three ovarian cancer cell lines, whereas silent mutation was detected in a primary ovarian cancer. These results suggest that there are at least two tumor suppressor genes on chromosome arm 18q and that SMAD4 is of importance in ovarian tumorigenesis.

Alleles

Extended radical resection for bulky N2 small cell lung carcinoma.

In three patients with bulky N2 small cell lung carcinomas who received chemotherapy, complete clinical remission at the N2 site was obtained. Extended radical resection including mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed on these three patients, followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Combined resected organs were azygos vein, superior caval vein, and left atrium. We obtained good results with the patients surviving 104, 53, and 38 months respectively, after the initial therapy.

Carcinoma, Small Cell

Novel vasopressin V2 receptor-selective antagonists, pyrrolo[2,1-a]quinoxaline and pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives.

The intent of the work was to study the structure-activity relationships of AVP receptor antagonists bearing a chiral ring as a partial structure since such studies had been reported for only achiral compounds. In the present paper, we deal with compounds consisting of the chiral tricyclic hetero ring (1,2,3,3a,4,5-hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and 1,2,3,10,11,11a-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine) and 2-phenylbenzanilide analogues. These compounds exhibited a highly selective affinity for V2 receptor, and their stereochemical configuration had a great influence on V2 receptor binding. VP-343 (N-[4-[[(2S,3aR)-2-hydroxy-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a] quinoxalin-5(1H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl]-4'-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ca rboxamide), VP-365 (N-[4-[[(11aS)-2,3,11,11a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benz odiazepin-10(5H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl][1,1'-biphenyl-2-carboxamide) and VP-339 (N-[4-[[(11aS)-5-oxo-2,3,11,11a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]+ ++benzodiazepin-10(5H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxami de) were the most potent compounds in vitro and in vivo. The IC50 values of VP-343, VP-365 and VP-339 against V2 receptor were 0.772, 1.18 and 0.216 nM, respectively. The ED300 values (dose required to increase three times the urine volume of the control rats; oral administration) of VP-343, VP-365 and VP-339 were 0.22, 0.31 and 0.78 mg/kg, respectively.

Animals

Superinfection of TT virus and hepatitis C virus among chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The TT virus (TTV), a new DNA virus found in Japan from a patient with post-transfusion hepatitis non-A-non-G, is frequently positive in the sera of patients with liver disease. It is not established whether this virus causes liver damage. We studied the frequency of superinfection of this virus and hepatitis C virus (HCV) known to be endemic among haemodialysis patients, and the possible deleterious effect of TTV on HCV-induced chronic liver disease. METHODS: We used primers from a conservative region in the TTV genome (Okamoto, 1998) to detect TTV. Sera from 163 dialysis patients positive for anti-HCV and 77 dialysis patients negative for anti-HCV (control) were tested. RESULTS: TT Virus positivity was 35% among HCV antibody (anti-HCV)-positive patients and 45.4% among anti-HCV-negative patients. TT Virus positivity was unrelated to the length of haemodialysis or amounts of blood the patients had received in the past. More anti-HCV-positive patients had a history of transfusion, but TTV positivity was not as closely associated with transfusion as anti-HCV positivity. The severity of chronic liver disease was estimated from peak serum alanine aminotransferase levels in the preceding 6 months. Among anti-HCV positives, TTV-positive patients tended to have less active disease; at least there was no indication that TTV superinfection aggravated chronic hepatitic C in long-term dialysis patients. Four of 35 anti-HCV-negative, TTV-positive patients had chronic active liver disease, while none of the anti-HCV-negative and TTV-negative patients did. CONCLUSIONS: TT Virus infection is prevalent among haemodialysis patients. Its transmission occurs not only by blood transfusion, but also by non-parenteral infection. Superinfection of TTV does not exert deleterious effects on the liver disease induced by HCV. However, it may cause chronic hepatitis in a limited number of patients, but remains dormant most of the time. Triple infection, HCV and TTV plus HBV or HGV (one case each), did not cause severe liver disease.

Antibodies, Viral

Expression of endoxyloglucan transferase genes in acaulis mutants of Arabidopsis.

A mutant of Arabidopsis with reduced internodal cell length, acaulis5 (acl5), has recently been shown to have reduced transcript levels of a gene for endoxyloglucan transferase, EXGT-A1 (Y. Hanzawa, T. Takahashi, Y. Komeda [1997] Plant J 12: 863-874). In the present study, we cloned genomic fragments of five members of the EXGT gene family, EXGT-A1, EXGT-A3, EXGT-A4, XTR2, and XTR3, and examined their expression in the wild type and in a series of acl mutants. In wild-type plants, the EXGT-A3 gene showed higher expression in lower internodes (internodes between nodes bearing axillary shoots) than in upper and young internodes, in which EXGT-A1 was highly expressed. EXGT-A4 was preferentially expressed in roots and XTR3 in siliques. The XTR2 gene was constitutively expressed. In acl1, acl3, and acl4 mutants, which have a severe defect in leaf expansion as well as in internode elongation, the EXGT-A1 gene showed reduced levels of expression before bolting of plants. In contrast, XTR3 was increased in these mutant seedlings. Reduction of EXGT-A1 expression was also detected after bolting of all acl mutants except acl2, whose growth defect is restricted to lower internodes. These results suggest the involvement of each EXGT in different aspects of organ development.

Arabidopsis

p53 status predicts the efficacy of postoperative oral administration of tegafur for completely resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Although postoperative adjuvant therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had not been reported to be effective, it has been reported recently that oral administration of tegafur (1-[2-tetrahydrofuryl]-5-fluorouracil, FT) may improve the postoperative prognosis. In the present paper, to examine whether p53 status affects the efficacy of FT as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for NSCLC, a total of 236 consecutive patients with completely resected pathologic stage I-IIIa NSCLC were retrospectively reviewed. p53 status was determined by immunohistochemical staining. For all patients, the 5-year survival rate of patients with FT administration (FT group) was 78.1%, being significantly higher than that (69.1%) of patients without FT administration (control group) (P=0.046). For patients without immunohistochemical evidence of p53 overexpression, the 5-year survival rate in the FT group was 87.1%, being significantly higher than that (74.0%) in the control group (P=0.036). This demonstrates an improvement of postoperative prognosis by FT administration. On the other hand, for patients with p53 overexpression, there was no significant difference in the postoperative prognosis between the FT group and the control group (5-year survival rate 63.2% and 60.1%, respectively; P=0.514), demonstrating that FT administration was not effective for these patients. In conclusion, p53 status may be useful for predicting the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy using FT. A prospective randomized study stratified by p53 status is needed to clarify the effect of postoperative FT administration.

Administration, Oral

Ex vivo delivery of suicide genes into melanoma cells using epidermal growth factor receptor-specific Fab immunogene.

The Fab fragment of monoclonal antibody B4G7 against human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was conjugated with cationic poly-L-lysine and the resulting conjugate was further complexed with reporter genes or therapeutic genes. This Fab/DNA complex was designated as "Fab immunogene." The Fab immunogene transfer in vitro was mediated through the EGF receptors in two melanoma cell lines. The frequency of cells expressing beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) reporter gene was approximately 1%. The induction of suicide effects after Fab immunogene transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) or Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase (CD) gene was quite remarkable, and the growth of melanoma cells was inhibited for over 7 days in the presence of ganciclovir (GCV) or 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Similarly, when melanoma cells treated in vitro with the Fab immunogene carrying TK or CD were transplanted into the back of nude mouse, subsequent systemic administration of GCV or 5-FC effectively suppressed the growth of tumors, indicating the occurrence of in vivo suicide effects.

Animals

Prognostic significance of apoptotic index in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of apoptotic index (AI) as a prognostic factor after surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 236 patients who underwent surgery for previously untreated pathologic stage I to IIIa NSCLC between 1985 and 1990 were reviewed. AI was defined as the number of apoptotic cells, detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling, per 1,000 tumor cells. Proliferative index (PI) and aberrant p53 expression were also evaluated immunohistochemically. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate for the lowest-AI group (AI < 5.0) was 74.7%; those for the lower-AI group (5.0 < or = AI < 11.0) and the higher-AI group (11.0 < or = AI < 25.0) were 51.6% and 57.8%, respectively. These survival rates were significantly lower than that of the lowest-AI group (P =.021 and P =.043, respectively). The highest-AI group (25.0 < or = AI), however, showed the most favorable prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 83.2%. Multivariate analysis confirmed that a moderate AI (5.0 < or = AI < 11.0 or 11.0 < or = AI < 25.0) was a significant factor to predict poor prognosis. The PIs for the lowest-, the lower-, the higher-, and the highest-AI groups were 32.3%, 48.0%, 54.3%, and 50.7%, respectively. The lowest-AI group showed a favorable prognosis because of its low PI, whereas the lower- and the higher-AI groups had a poor prognosis caused by increased cancer-cell proliferation. The highest-AI group showed the most favorable prognosis because apoptotic cell death overcame cell proliferation. No significant correlation was observed between AI and aberrant p53 expression. CONCLUSION: AI proved to be an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC.

Adenocarcinoma

5-Hydroxy-4-oxo-L-norvaline depletes intracellular glutathione: a new modulator of drug resistance.

To search for compounds that reverse the drug resistance induced by glutathione (GSH), an original screening system to detect intracellular GSH depleters was established. Among 8843 microbes derived from the soil samples tested, the extracts of two Streptomyces species named KS6701 and KS8846, lowered the intracellular GSH level of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 5 x 47. From both the microbes, 5-hydroxy-4-oxo-L-norvaline (HON) was isolated as the active compound. At a concentration of 50-100 micrograms/ml, HON also decreased the GSH/protein level of the human ovarian tumor cell line, 2008/C13*5.25 and reversed its resistance to cisplatin. We also investigated the mechanism of the depletion. HON had little effect on gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) or glutathione synthetase, but HON decreased the quantity of thiol substances when it was spontaneously reacted with them. This suggested that the GSH depletion by HON occurred through a mechanism different from that of buthionine sulfoximine, a selective gamma-GCS inhibitor.

Aminolevulinic Acid

Social disclosure among coworkers without disabilities in supported employment settings.

The depth and breadth of reported self-disclosure by workers without disabilities (respondents) for three types of coworkers (i.e., work acquaintances, work friends, and social friends) were assessed. Reported self-disclosure of coworkers to supported employees was also compared, and the extent to which self-disclosure by respondents to job coaches correlated with intimacy of relationships between supported employees and respondents was analyzed. Results indicated that depth of self-disclosure can contribute to friendship formation, but coworkers did little self-disclosing to supported employees. Self-disclosure to job coaches did not correlate significantly with the development of relationships between the coworkers and supported employees. There is a need to teach supported employees to self-disclose to their coworkers and to prompt coworkers to talk about themselves in depth.

Adult

Targeted in vivo delivery of therapeutic gene into experimental squamous cell carcinomas using anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody: immunogene approach.

The "Fab immunogene" is a novel gene transfer vehicle in which the Fab fragment of anti-human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antibody B4G7 is conjugated with poly-L-lysine to form an affinity complex with DNA. It was developed to target delivery of therapeutic genes into EGF receptor-hyperproducing tumor cells. Various characteristic features of the immunogene have been documented (Chen et al., 1998). Here we add further evidence to prove that in vitro transfer of beta-galactosidase/Fab immunogene is exclusively to EGF receptor-positive cells and that the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK)/Fab immunogene induces substantial suicide effects on A431 tumor cells when treated together with ganciclovir. The in vivo specificity of the immunogene transfer was examined using A431 tumor-bearing nude mice. When these nude mice were injected intraperitoneally with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT)/Fab immunogene, CAT DNA was detected in the tumors as well as in liver and kidney but not brain, whereas CAT mRNA and enzyme activity were detected only in the tumors. Local and intraperitoneal injection of the TK/Fab immunogene and subsequent administration of ganciclovir effectively suppressed the growth of A431 tumors transplanted on the backs of nude mice. These observations suggest a possible application of the Fab immunogene system in cancer gene therapy.

Animals

Mak21p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a homolog of human CAATT-binding protein, is essential for 60 S ribosomal subunit biogenesis.

Mak21-1 mutants are unable to propagate M1 double-stranded RNA, a satellite of the L-A double-stranded RNA virus, encoding a secreted protein toxin lethal to yeast strains that do not carry M1. We cloned MAK21 using its map location and found that Mak21p is homologous to a human and mouse CAATT-binding protein and open reading frames in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Caenorhabditis elegans. Although the human protein regulates Hsp70 production, Mak21p is essential for growth and necessary for 60 S ribosomal subunit biogenesis. mak21-1 mutants have decreased levels of L-A coat protein and L-A double-stranded RNA. Electroporation with reporter mRNAs shows that mak21-1 cells cannot optimally express mRNAs which, like L-A viral mRNA, lack 3'-poly(A) or 5'-cap structures but can normally express mRNA with both cap and poly(A). The virus propagation phenotype of mak21-1 is suppressed by ski2 or ski6 mutations, each of which derepresses translation of non-poly(A) mRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence

Lewis Y antigen expression and postoperative survival in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to other Lewis blood group-related antigens, Lewis Y antigen (LeY) has not been fully investigated in non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: To assess the significance of LeY expression, 236 patients with completely resected pathologic stage 1-3a were reviewed with immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: LeY expression was positive in 179 patients (75.8%). In poorly differentiated cancer, percentage of LeY-positive patients was lower than in moderately to well-differentiated cancer (67.2% versus 81.2%, p = 0.028). Five-year survival rate of LeY-positive patients was 78.2%, significantly higher than that of LeY-negative patients (59.7%, p = 0.001). Combined with p53 status, differences in survival proved to be marked; 5-year survival rate of patients with positive LeY expression and without aberrant p53 expression, was as high as 83.3%, whereas that of patients with negative LeY expression and with aberrant p53 expression was only 38.4% (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that LeY expression was a significant independent factor to predict better survival. CONCLUSIONS: LeY expression is a significant prognostic factor related to grade of cancer differentiation.

Adolescent