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Biomedical subjects

Y Takai

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takai.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Rab3A GTPase-activating protein-inhibiting activity of Rabphilin-3A, a putative Rab3A target protein.

Rabphilin-3A is a putative target protein for Rab3A, a member of the small G protein superfamily that is implicated in regulated secretion, particularly in neurotransmitter release. Rabphilin-3A contains at least two functionally different domains: the N-terminal Rab3A-binding domain and the C-terminal C2 domain, which interacts with both Ca2+ and phospholipid. Because Rabphilin-3A interacts preferentially with GTP-Rab3A rather than with GDP-Rab3A, we have examined here whether Rabphilin-3A affects the GTPase activity of Rab3A. Rabphilin-3A and its N-terminal fragment, but not its C-terminal fragment, very weakly stimulated the basal GTPase activity of Rab3A. However, Rabphilin-3A and its N-terminal fragment strongly inhibited the Rab3A GAP-stimulated GTPase activity of Rab3A. Ca2+ and phospholipid showed no effect on these activities of Rabphilin-3A. The physiological significance of the GAP activity of Rabphilin-3A is obscure, but it is likely that Rabphilin-3A inhibits Rab3A GAP activity and keeps Rab3A in the GTP-bound active form during its action as a target molecule for Rab3A.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Interaction of Sec4 with GDI proteins from bovine brain, Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Conservation of GDI membrane dissociation activity.

Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor (Rab GDI), will induce the dissociation of GDP-bound rab3A from synaptic membranes and will inhibit GDP dissociation from Sec4, a member of the Rab subgroup of the Ras GTPase superfamily which is required for exocytosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We report that Rab GDI releases GDP-bound Sec4 from yeast membranes. dGDI, a Drosophila homologue can similarly inhibit GDP dissociation from Sec4 and release GDP-bound Sec4 from yeast membranes. An activity partially purified from yeast cytosol dissociates GDP-bound Sec4 from yeast membranes, suggesting that yeast also possess a GDI protein that functions to recycle Sec4 from its target membrane.

Animals↗

Combination of arachidonic acid and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) induce translocation of rac p21s to membrane and activation of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system.

The superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase system in phagocytes consists of membrane-associated cytochrome b558 and three cytosolic components named p67-phox, p47-phox, and rac p21s. In a cell-free system consisting of membrane and cytosol, the oxidase can be activated with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and an unsaturated fatty acid such as arachidonic acid (AA). Incubation of cytosol and membrane with AA alone caused clear translocation of p47-phox and p67-phox to the membrane, but only slight translocation of rac p21s. GTP gamma S alone did not significantly induce the translocation of rac p21s. However, GTP gamma S in combination with AA markedly augmented rac p21s translocation to the membrane. The translocation of rac p21s is not induced by GDP or GDP beta S. These results indicate that the GTP-bound active form of rac p21s is the entity that is translocated to the membrane by the action of AA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor as a general regulator for the membrane association of rab proteins.

Rab proteins comprise a family of small GTPases that serve a regulatory role in membrane traffic. These proteins are in part cytosolic and in part associated with the membranes of specific exocytic and endocytic organelles. Smg p25A/rab3A GDI, a cytosolic protein which inhibits the dissociation of GDP from smg p25A/rab3A, Sec4p, and rab11, has also been found to prevent association of rab3A with the membrane. In this study, we have used Madin-Darby canine kidney cells permeabilized with the bacterial toxin streptolysin O to test the general activity of rab3A GDI in modulating the membrane association of various small GTP-binding proteins. Rab3A GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) removed from the membrane all rab proteins we have tested and inhibited the membrane binding of in vitro translated rab proteins. However, rab3A GDI had a limited effect on the membrane association of a mutant rab5 protein which contained a farnesylated cysteine motif. Finally, we found that, although rab3A GDI resides primarily in the cytosol, it is also associated with compartments of the exocytic and endocytic pathways. Since rab3A GDI can modulate the membrane association of various rab proteins, we propose to rename it rab GDI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The nucleotide exchange rates of rho and rac small GTP-binding proteins are enhanced to different extents by their regulatory protein Smg GDS.

Rho p21 and rac p21 small GTP-binding proteins are regulated by the same inhibitory and stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange proteins termed rho GDI and smg GDS, respectively. RhoA p21 and rac1 p21 bind with similar affinities to rho GDI and both proteins also bind with similar affinities to smg GDS. RhoA p21 and rac1 p21 have similar GDP/GTP exchange rates in the absence of rho GDI and smg GDS. The velocity of the GDP/GTP exchange reaction for rhoA p21 was enhanced much more by smg GDS than was the velocity of nucleotide exchange for rac1 p21. In the presence and absence of smg GDS, rho GDI reduced the velocities of these nucleotide exchange reactions of rhoA p21 and rac1 p21 to similar extents. These results suggest that rhoA p21 is activated first followed by rac1 p21 activation in response to extracellular signals.

GTP-Binding Proteins↗

Expression of smg p25A/rab 3A guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) in neurons and glial cells from rat brain.

smg p25A/rab 3A is a member of the rab family of small guanosine 5'-trisphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins, which are postulated to act as specific regulators of membrane trafficking in exocytosis and endocytosis. In neural tissues, smg p25A/rab 3A is expressed only in neurons but not in glia. In this study, expression of a regulatory protein for smg p25A/rab 3A, guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (smg p25A/rab 3A GDI), in neurons and glia isolated from rat brain was examined. The smg p25A/rab 3A GDI mRNa was detected as early as on gestational day 14 in the fetal brain, and its level reached a maximum 5 days after birth. By immunoblot analysis, smg p25A/rab 3A GDI was detected in the homogenate of rat hippocampus as well as in that of astrocytes in primary culture. By immunocytochemical analysis, the smg p25A/rab 3A GDI immunoreactivity was detected in hippocampal neurons and oligodendrocytes. The immunoreactivity of astrocytes was much lower than that of neurons and oligodendrocytes. These results indicate that smg p25A/rab 3A GDI may play a fundamental role in membrane trafficking both neurons and glia by interacting with multiple rab family proteins.

Animals↗

[Radiation therapy for superficial type esophageal carcinoma].

During the period from 1984 through 1991, fifteen patients with superficial esophageal carcinoma were treated with radiation therapy. The clinical stage of these patients was I in 13 cases and IV in two cases. We analyzed the treatment results of 13 patients with stage I disease. Seven patients were treated with external irradiation only and six patients with external irradiation plus high dose rate intracavitary irradiation. The survival rates at one, two and five years were 73.3%, 73.3% and 30.6%, respectively. The relapse-free survival rates at one, two and five years were 76.9%, 76.9% and 76.9%, respectively. Combination chemotherapy and combined therapy with intracavitary irradiation did not improve the local control rate or survival. At present, six patients have already died. The cause of death was uncontrolled primary lesion in one, radiation-induced esophageal ulcer in one, other causes in three and unknown cause in one patient. Local control was achieved in 84.6%(11/13). Radiation therapy for superficial esophageal carcinoma seems as effective as surgical therapy and may become a curative alternative.

Aged↗

Translocation of Ki-ras p21 between membrane and cytoplasm by smg GDS.

We have previously shown that smg GDS forms a complex with Ki-ras 4B p21 and thereby stimulates its GDP/GTP exchange reaction. We have shown here that smg GDS inhibits the binding of Ki-ras 4B p21 to membranes and induces the dissociation of prebound Ki-ras 4B p21 from membranes. Moreover, we have found that cotransfection of the smg GDS and Ki-ras 4B p21 cDNAs into COS7 cells increases the ratio of the cytosolic form of ras p21 to the membrane-bound form and the ratio of the GTP-bound form of ras p21 to the GDP-bound form. These results indicate that smg GDS regulates not only the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of Ki-ras 4B p21 but also its translocation between membrane and cytoplasm.

Animals↗

The post-translational processing of ras p21 is critical for its stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

The point-mutated active form of ras p21 is known to activate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in intact mammalian cells and Xenopus oocytes, although the direct target molecule of ras p21 remains to be identified. To elucidate the role of the post-translational processing of ras p21 for the MAP kinase activation, we established the cell-free system in which ras p21 activated MAP kinase. The guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) bound form of post-translationally processed Ki-ras 4B p21 activated MAP kinase in the cytosol fraction of Xenopus oocytes, but the GTP gamma S bound form of post-translationally unprocessed Ki-ras 4B p21 or the GDP bound form of processed or unprocessed Ki-ras 4B p21 was far less effective. The GTP gamma S bound form of processed Ki-ras 4B p21 activated recombinant ERK2 in the presence of the cytosol fraction of Xenopus oocytes, but the unprocessed protein was far less effective. These results provide a complete biochemical assay for ras p21 to activate MAP kinase in a cell-free system and indicate that all the elements downstream of ras p21 necessary for the MAP kinase activation are cytosolic and that the post-translational processing of ras p21 is important for the MAP kinase activation.

Animals↗

A protein factor for ras p21-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase through MAP kinase kinase.

To identify the direct target molecule of ras p21 in higher eukaryotes, we have recently developed the cell-free system in which ras p21 activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In this cell-free system, the guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate- bound form of Ki-ras p21, but not the GDP-bound form, activates endogenous Xenopus MAP kinase as well as recombinant ERK2 in the presence of the cytosol fraction of Xenopus oocytes. We separated two protein factors from the cytosol fraction of Xenopus oocytes by column chromatography: one was the inactive form of MAP kinase kinase and the other was a factor tentatively named ras p21-dependent ERK-kinase stimulator (REKS). The former and latter showed M(r) values of approximately 45,000 and 150,000-200,000, respectively, as estimated by gel filtration. Both factors were necessary for Ki-ras p21-dependent activation of MAP kinase/ERK2. These results indicate that an additional protein factor (REKS) is essential for Ki-ras p21 to activate MAP kinase through MAP kinase kinase.

Animals↗

Regulation of morphology by rho p21 and its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (rho GDI) in Swiss 3T3 cells.

rho GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) is an inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein for a group of small GTP-binding proteins including at least rhoA p21, rhoB p21, rac1 p21, rac2 p21, and G25K. Microinjection of rho GDI into Swiss 3T3 cells made the cells round and refractile. This morphological change was accompanied by the disappearance of stress fibers. The rho GDI action was prevented by comicroinjection of rho GDI with the guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-bound form of rhoA p21, but not with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21 lacking the C-terminal three amino acids, which was not post-translationally modified with lipids. The GTP gamma S-bound form of rac1 p21, the same form of G25K, the same form of smg p21B, or Ki-rasval12 p21 was ineffective. Microinjection of the bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferase C3 specific for rho p21 into Swiss 3T3 cells induced the similar changes of morphology and stress fibers. This C3 action was not prevented by comicroinjection of C3 with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21, but was prevented by comicroinjection with the same form of a rhoA p21 mutant which was not ADP-ribosylated by C3. These results indicate that the rho GDI-rho p21 system regulates cell morphology presumably through the actomyosin system in Swiss 3T3 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Regulators of small GTPases.

Small GTPases are converted from the GDP-bound inactive form to the GTP-bound active form by a GDP/GTP exchange reaction which is regulated by GDP/GTP exchange proteins (GEPs). We have found both stimulatory and inhibitory GEPs, which we have named GDP dissociation stimulators (GDSs) and GDP dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) respectively. We have isolated Smg GDS, Rho GDI and Rab GDI, cloned them, and determined their primary structures. These GEPs are active on a group of small GTPases: Smg GDS on at least K-Ras, Rap1/Smg21, Rho and Rac; Rho GDI on at least Rho, Rac and Cdc42; Rab GDI on most of the Rab family members. These GEPs have an additional function, regulating the translocation of their substrate small GTPases between the membrane and the cytosol. The GEPs interact only with the post-translationally modified form of their substrate small GTPases.

Animals↗

Effect of toremifene on the growth, hormone receptors and insulin-like growth factor-1 of hormone-dependent MCF-7 tumors in athymic mice.

Toremifene given in different sizes of silastic capsules was used to treat MCF-7 tumors in athymic mice. Toremifene inhibited the estradiol-stimulated growth of MCF-7 tumors in athymic mice. Average serum concentrations of toremifene obtained using a sustained-release preparation of the drug (in 0.5-, 1.0-, and 2.0-cm silastic capsules) increased gradually in a capsule-size-dependent fashion. Much higher levels of toremifene or N-demethyl-toremifene were detected in tumors (target tissues of estrogen) as compared with muscles (non-target tissues of estrogen). The concentration of toremifene in serum (i.e., 10-30 ng ml-1) was sufficient to inhibit the estrogen-stimulated growth of MCF-7 tumors at physiological (i.e., 200-400 pg ml-1) serum estradiol concentrations in premenopausal women. No significant difference in estrogen receptor (ER) levels was found between the estradiol-alone group and the toremifene-treated groups. However, the ER levels in the toremifene-alone group and the no-treatment group (no toremifene or estradiol) tended to increase as compared with the estradiol-alone group. Toremifene blocked the estradiol-induced increase in progesterone receptor levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in the MCF-7 tumors significantly decreased in the toremifene-alone group as compared with the estradiol-alone group. These results show the antiestrogenic action of toremifene on hormone-dependent MCF-7 tumors in athymic mice.

Animals↗

Regulation of cytoplasmic division of Xenopus embryo by rho p21 and its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (rho GDI).

Evidence is accumulating that the rho family, a member of the ras p21-related small GTP-binding protein superfamily, regulates cell morphology, cell motility, and smooth muscle contraction through the actomyosin system. The actomyosin system is also known to be essential for cytoplasmic division of cells (cytokinesis). In this study, we examined the action of rho p21, its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein, named rho GDI, its stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein, named smg GDS, and botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase C3, known to selectively ADP-ribosylate rho p21 and to impair its function, in the cytoplasmic division using Xenopus embryos. The sperm-induced cytoplasmic division of Xenopus embryos was not affected by microinjection into the embryos of either smg GDS or the guanosine-5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-bound form of rhoA p21, one member of the rho family, but completely inhibited by microinjection of rho GDI or C3. Under these conditions, nuclear division occurred normally but the furrow formation, which was induced by the contractile ring consisting of actomyosin just beneath the plasma membrane, was impaired. Comicroinjection of rho GDI with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21 prevented the rho GDI action. Moreover, the sperm-induced cytoplasmic division of Xenopus embryos was inhibited by microinjection into the embryos of the rhoA p21 pre-ADP-ribosylated by C3 which might serve as a dominant negative inhibitor of endogenous rho p21. These results indicate that rho p21 together with its regulatory proteins regulates the cytoplasmic division through the actomyosin system.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Involvement of rho p21 and its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (rho GDI) in cell motility.

Evidence is accumulating that rho p21, a ras p21-related small GTP-binding protein (G protein), regulates the actomyosin system. The actomyosin system is known to be essential for cell motility. In the present study, we examined the action of rho p21, its inhibitory GDP/GTP exchange protein (named rho GDI), its stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein (named smg GDS), and Clostridium botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase C3, known to selectively ADP-ribosylate rho p21 and to impair its function, in cell motility (chemokinesis) of Swiss 3T3 cells. We quantitated the capacity of cell motility by measuring cell tracks by phagokinesis. Microinjection of the GTP gamma S-bound active form of rhoA p21 or smg GDS into Swiss 3T3 cells did not affect cell motility, but microinjection of rho GDI into the cells did inhibit cell motility. This rho GDI action was prevented by comicroinjection of rho GDI with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rhoA p21 but not with the same form of rhoA p21 lacking the C-terminal three amino acids which was not posttranslationally modified with lipids. The rho GDI action was not prevented by Ki-rasVal-12 p21 or any of the GTP gamma S-bound form of other small GTP-binding proteins including rac1 p21, G25K, and smg p21B. Among these small G proteins, rhoA p21, rac1 p21, and G25K are known to be substrates for rho GDI. The rho GDI action was not prevented by comicroinjection of rho GDI with smg GDS. Microinjection of C3 into Swiss 3T3 cells also inhibited cell motility. These results indicate that the rho GDI-rho p21 system regulates cell motility, presumably through the actomyosin system.

3T3 Cells↗

Rabphilin-3A, a putative target protein for smg p25A/rab3A p25 small GTP-binding protein related to synaptotagmin.

In a previous study (H. Shirataki, K. Kaibuchi, T. Yamaguchi, K. Wada, H. Horiuchi, and Y. Takai, J. Biol. Chem. 267:10946-10949, 1992), we highly purified from bovine brain crude membranes the putative target protein for smg p25A/rab3A p25, a ras p21-related small GTP-binding protein implicated in neurotransmitter release. In this study, we have isolated and sequenced the cDNA of this protein from a bovine brain cDNA library. The cDNA had an open reading frame encoding a protein of 704 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 77,976. We tentatively refer to this protein as rabphilin-3A. Structural analysis of rabphilin-3A revealed the existence of two copies of an internal repeat that were homologous to the C2 domain of protein kinase C as described for synaptotagmin, which is known to be localized in the membrane of the synaptic vesicle and to bind to membrane phospholipid in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. The isolated cDNA was expressed in COS7 cells, and the encoded protein was recognized with an anti-rabphilin-3A polyclonal antibody and was identical in size with rabphilin-3A purified from bovine brain by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Moreover, both rabphilin-3A purified from bovine brain and recombinant rabphilin-3A made a complex with the GTP gamma S-bound form of rab3A p25 but not with the GDP-bound form of rab3A p25. Immunoblot and Northern (RNA) blot analyses showed that rabphilin-3A was highly expressed in bovine and rat brains. These results indicate that rabphilin-3A is a novel protein that has C2 domains and selectively interacts with the GTP-bound form of rab3A p25.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Prognostic significance of CT scan in malignant glioma.

In 91 malignant gliomas treated with radiation therapy, CT scan which was taken before treatment was reviewed to examine the significance as a prognostic indicator. The irradiation methods and the surgical resectability did not affect the survival. Similarly, the tumor location and the grade of the low density area (LDA) surrounding the contrast enhanced area (CEA) had no significance on the prognosis. As a result of the multi-variate analysis, the histopathologic diagnosis, the CEA size and the CEA pattern were significantly important prognostic factors. Astrocytoma grade III, a CEA diameter of under 4 cm and a homogeneous CEA were favorable indicators of the malignant gliomas. Tumors with a heterogeneous or a ring-like CEA in the diameter of more than 4 cm have the worse prognosis and should be treated extensively by radiation therapy.

Adolescent↗