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C Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to C Nishimura.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hormonal regulation of aldose reductase in rat ovary during the estrous cycle.

The physiological roles of aldose reductase [alditol:NAD(P)+1-oxidoreductase] have not been fully elucidated yet, although it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. In the rat ovary we found remarkable changes in the enzyme level during the 4-day estrous cycle. After diestrus, the activity and protein content of aldose reductase increased to the maximum level on proestrous morning and rapidly fell off to the lowest level on the early morning of estrus. At this time its mRNA level in the ovary was significantly decreased compared with that on the morning of proestrus. Immunohistochemical staining of the diestrous ovary demonstrated localization of the enzyme protein in the granulosa cells and in the oocytes. At the end of proestrus when its level was low, immunoreactive aldose reductase in the granulosa cells was localized preferentially to the antrum side, with lesser staining in the cells lining the follicles. Administration of chlorpromazine to the rats on proestrus significantly restored the enzyme level on the following morning of the expected estrus. This effect of chlorpromazine was abolished when human chorionic gonadotropin was administered to the chlorpromazine-treated rats. When chlorpromazine was administered to the rats treated with bromocriptine, an inhibitor of pituitary prolactin secretion, aldose reductase activity in the ovary was significantly elevated compared with that in the rats treated with chlorpromazine alone. These findings suggest that in the rat ovary it is under hormonal regulation during the estrous cycle. The enzyme may possess a new functional role in the reproductive system of the female rat, which can be disordered under diabetic conditions.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Folding topologies of human interleukin-6 and its mutants as studied by NMR spectroscopy.

To understand the structure-function relationship in the human interleukin-6 (IL-6) system, comparative studies were performed on the basis of NMR data obtained using the wild-type IL-6 and six mutants. In each of the six mutants, either Leu152, Leu159, Leu166, Leu168, Leu175, or Leu182, which exist in the C-terminal receptor-binding region, was substituted with Val. The resonance assignments of Val, Ile, Leu, and Phe residues were made by using specific double-labeling and site-specific mutagenesis strategies. On the basis of chemical shift and NOE data collected for six IL-6 mutants and those for the wild-type IL-6, we analyzed the structural changes induced by the substitution of each of the six Leu residues. The NMR data showed that substitution of Leu182 with Val (L182V) induced no structural change in IL-6, suggesting that Leu182 is located on the surface of the IL-6 molecule. A significant decrease in receptor-binding activity was observed in the L182V mutant. It was concluded that the side chain of Leu182 is directly involved in receptor binding. Substitution of Leu175 with Val (L175V) was shown to induce a significant structural change in IL-6. The NMR data are discussed on the basis of the location of four helix elements and an up-up-down-down helix topology of the predicted structure of IL-6 [Bazan, J.F. (1991) Neuron 7, 197-208]. It is possible that helix D bent more sharply toward helix B in the L175V mutant than in the wild-type IL-6 to maintain a closely packed and solvent-inaccessible core formed in the mutated region. It is suggested that the kink of helix D is related to the decrease in receptor-binding activity in the L175V mutant. On the basis of the observed NOE network, the folding topology of IL-6 was analyzed. A comparison of the folding topology of IL-6 with that of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor determined by X-ray crystallography [Hill, C. P., Osslund, T. D., & Eisenberg, D. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 5167-5171] indicated that IL-6 has a significant similarity of folding topology to that of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Galactosemic neuropathy in transgenic mice for human aldose reductase.

We studied the functional consequences of an enhanced polyol pathway activity, elicited with galactose feeding, on the peripheral nerve of transgenic mice expressing human aldose reductase. Nontransgenic littermate mice were used as controls. With a quantitative immunoassay, the expression level of human aldose reductase in the sciatic nerve was 791 +/- 44 ng/mg protein (mean +/- SE), about 25% of that in human sural nerve. When the transgenic mice were fed food containing 30% galactose, significant levels of galactitol accumulated in the sciatic nerve. Galactose feeding of nontransgenic littermate mice led to a 10-fold lower accumulation of galactitol. Galactose feeding for 16 weeks caused a significant and progressive decrease in motor nerve conduction velocity in transgenic mice to 80% of the level of galactose-fed littermate mice, which was not significantly different from that of galactose-free littermate mice. A morphometric analysis of sciatic nerve detected > 10% reduction of mean myelinated fiber size but no alterations of myelinated fiber density in galactose-fed transgenic mice compared with other groups. The functional and structural changes that develop in galactose-fed transgenic mice are similar to those previously reported in diabetic animals. The results of these studies suggest that transgenic mice expressing human aldose reductase may be a useful model not only for defining the role of the polyol pathway in diabetic neuropathy but also for identifying and characterizing effective inhibitors specific for human aldose reductase.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

[Three cases of hyperkalemia after reperfusion associated with revascularization for massive acute arterial occlusions].

We encountered three cases of hyperkalemia after the reperfusion of ischemic limbs associated with revascularization surgery for acute arterial occlusions. Two patients died because of uncontrollable hyperkalemia in spite of intravenous insulin and forced diuresis. Careful attention should be paid to hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis for several hours after the reperfusion in cases of ischemia and/or extensive ischemia of long duration. The aggressive prophylaxis and treatment for MNMS are vital to the anesthetic management of revascularization for acute arterial occlusions.

Acute Disease↗

Presence of a closely related subgroup in the aldo-ketoreductase family of the mouse.

Aldose reductase (alditol:NAD(P)+ 1-oxidoreductase), an enzyme implicated in the pathogenesis of various diabetic complications, catalyzes the reduction of a variety of aldehydes. From a mouse kidney library, we isolated aldose reductase cDNA that encodes a 316-amino-acid protein with approximately 97% identity to rat lens aldose reductase, approximately 69% identity to the mouse vas deferens protein and also approximately 69% identity to mouse fibroblast growth-factor-1-regulated protein. RNA-blot analysis demonstrated abundant expression of the enzyme transcript in the testis, skeletal muscle and kidney. However, a very low level of the transcript was detected in the sciatic nerve and lens, where abundant expression and involvement of the enzyme in diabetic complications were documented in other animals species. The isolated cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing. The expressed enzyme demonstrated reductase activity for various aldo sugars but not for the steroids. The enzyme reaction with DL-glyceraldehyde was, however, competitively inhibited by progesterone or 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. The results not only indicate a unique tissue distribution and enzyme attribute of mouse aldose reductase, but also the presence of a closely related subgroup within the aldo-oxidoreductase superfamily in mouse tissues.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Acute onset of diabetic pathological changes in transgenic mice with human aldose reductase cDNA.

To investigate the role of human aldose reductase (hAR) in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, we generated transgenic mice carrying hAR cDNA driven by the murine MHC class I molecule promoter (hAR-Tg). Northern and Western blot analyses and immunoassay of hAR revealed that both hAR mRNA and the protein were expressed in all tissues tested. Thrombosis in renal vessels and fibrinous deposits in Bowman's capsule were observed in 6-week-old hAR-Tg mice fed a normal diet. Ingestion of a 30% glucose diet for 5 days caused sorbitol concentrations in the liver, kidney, and muscle of hAR-Tg mice to be elevated significantly. Seven-week-old hAR-Tg mice fed a 20% galactose diet for 7 days developed cataracts and occlusion of the retinochoroidal vessels, in addition to pathological changes in the kidney. Despite an elevated aldose reductase level in hAR-Tg mice and their intake of an aldose diet, no histopathological changes were found in other tissues, including the brain, lungs, heart, thymus, spleen, intestine, liver, muscle, spinal cord, or sciatic nerve. Results suggest that target organs of diabetic complications, such as the kidney, lens, and retina are sensitive to damage associated with a high level of AR expression, but other organs are not; the susceptibility of each organ to diabetic complications is determined by not only hAR but also other factors.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

High levels of erythrocyte aldose reductase and diabetic retinopathy in NIDDM patients.

Erythrocyte aldose reductase was determined in 90 NIDDM patients by a two-site ELISA using recombinant human aldose reductase. The level of aldose reductase did not correlate with age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c of the patients. Among 38 patients with diabetes for more than 10 years, aldose reductase in those with retinopathy (including non-proliferative and proliferative) was significantly higher than in those without, while no difference in the means of the average HbA1c, maximum and minimum blood pressure levels was observed between the two groups. The results indicate that the level of aldose reductase in the erythrocyte of diabetic patients is associated with the presence of retinopathy.

Adult↗

Enzyme immunoassay for erythrocyte aldose reductase.

This two-site immunoassay measures erythrocyte aldose reductase by using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to recombinant human enzyme. Total incubation time is 2.5 h, and the limit of detection is < 0.05 microgram/L. Analytical recovery tested with blood samples from healthy and diabetic individuals was 101-106%. Average CVs within and between assays were 3.7% and 4.8%, respectively. The enzyme content determined by this system correlated well with the activity of aldose reductase isolated from the same erythrocyte preparations. The amount of erythrocyte aldose reductase per milligram of hemoglobin was higher in women than in men (P < 0.001), but no significant correlation was observed between the amount of enzyme and the age of the individuals. This assay method should provide useful clinical information to optimize administration of aldose reductase inhibitors for effective prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.

Adult↗

cDNA cloning of rat proteasome subunit RC10-II, assumed to be responsible for trypsin-like catalytic activity.

The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA that encodes a new subunit, named RC10-II, of the 20S proteasome of rat embryonic brain has been determined. The polypeptide predicted from the open reading frame consists of 205 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,965 and isoelectric point of 6.15. Computer analysis showed that RC10-II belongs to the beta-type subgroup of proteasomes, differing clearly from alpha-type subunits of the proteasome gene family. The primary structure of RC10-II was found to contain the partial amino acid sequences of several fragments of subunit 13, which has a cysteinyl residue critical for the trypsin-like catalytic activity, as reported by L. R. Dick et al. [Biochemistry 31, 7347-7355, 1992], suggesting that RC10-II is a proteasomal subunit necessary for the expression of tryptic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cDNA cloning of rat proteasome subunit RC7-I, a homologue of yeast PRE1 essential for chymotrypsin-like activity.

The nucleotide sequence of a cDNA that encodes a new subunit, named RC7-I, of the 20 S proteasome of rat hepatoma cells has been determined. The polypeptide predicted from the open reading frame consists of 201 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 22,912 and isoelectric point of 7.25. Approximately 80% of the partial amino acid sequences of several fragments of RC7-I, determined by protein chemical analyses, were found to be in excellent accordance with those deduced from the cDNA sequence. Computer analysis showed that RC7-I belongs to the beta-type subgroup of proteasomes with similarity to the beta-subunit of the archaebacterial proteasome, differing clearing from alpha-type subunits of the proteasome gene family. The overall structure of RC7-I was found to be homologous to that of yeast PRE1, which is necessary for chymotryptic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitative determination of human aldose reductase by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoassay of human aldose reductase.

An antibody-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for evaluating tissue levels of aldose reductase was developed using a polyclonal antibody prepared against the recombinant enzyme expressed in a baculovirus system. The specificity of this antibody to aldose reductase was verified by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and ELISA. The polyclonal antibody did not crossreact with human aldehyde reductase, an enzyme in the same aldo-keto reductase family structurally and functionally related to aldose reductase. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay method enabled direct determination of aldose reductase level in various human tissues including the erythrocyte. The highest level of aldose reductase was detected in the kidney medulla among tissues investigated. More than a 2-fold variability in the erythrocyte aldose reductase was demonstrated among healthy individuals, indicating the heterogeneity of this enzyme expression in a human population. This assay system may be useful for direct measurement of the level of tissue aldose reductase in conjunction with the evaluation of the efficacy of aldose reductase inhibitors prescribed for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Adult↗

Change of the higher order structure of DNA induced by the complexation with intercalating synthetic polymer, as is visualized by fluorescence microscopy.

The electrophoretic movement and Brownian motion of T4DNA, lambda DNA and their complexes with polyacrylamide (PAAm) via intercalative unit from 5-[(4-acryloylamino)phenyl]-3-amino-7-(dimethylamino)-2-methylp henazinium chloride were observed using fluorescence microscopy. It was found that T4DNA/PAAm complex migrates slower than T4DNA alone in gel electrophoresis, although they exhibit similar conformational change during the migration. Quantitative analyses of the translational diffusion of the lambda DNA and its complex in solution demonstrate that the DNA molecules extend due to intercalative binding of PAAm, suggesting the pseudo-grafting structure of the complex.

Acrylic Resins↗

Protective activity of lipid A analogue GLA-60 against murine cytomegalovirus infection in mice.

A chemically synthesized lipid A subunit analogue, GLA-60 (2-deoxy-4-O-phosphono-2-[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanamido]-3-O-[(3R) - 3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl]-D-glucose), has many of the activities of endotoxins but little, if any, toxicity. We investigated the protective activity of GLA-60 against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in NMRI mice. Intraperitoneal administration of GLA-60 at 1 day before MCMV infection at doses of 1, 10, or 100 micrograms per mouse significantly reduced mortality. GLA-60 stimulated peritoneal natural killer (NK) cell and macrophage activities, and these activities were abolished by in vitro treatment with anti-asialo GM1 antibody and anti-Mac1 antibody, respectively. GLA-60 proved also protective against MCMV infection in mice in which either NK cells or macrophages were depleted by in vivo treatment with anti-asialo GM1 or anti-Mac1 antibody. The anti-MCMV activity of GLA-60 can at least be partially attributed to activation of NK cells and macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Activity of the Keggin polyoxotungstate PM-19 against herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in immunosuppressed mice: role of peritoneal macrophage activation.

The in vivo antiviral activity of the Keggin polyoxotungstate PM-19 [K7(PTi2W10O40).6H2O] against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was investigated in mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide (CY). When PM-19 was administered intraperitoneally to immunosuppressed mice for 3 days (once daily) starting at the time of infection, it prevented death due to HSV-2 encephalitis in a dose-dependent manner (10-25 mg/kg). The in vivo anti-HSV-2 activity of PM-19 was superior to that of acyclovir. Intraperitoneal administration of PM-19 to the immunosuppressed mice significantly increased the number of peritoneal cells, especially macrophages. PM-19 did not stimulate interferon-inducing activity or natural killer cell activity, but markedly enhanced peritoneal macrophage functions: (1) phagocytic activity as assessed by measuring the amount of 51Cr-labeled sheep red blood cells taken into the macrophages, and (2) extrinsic antiviral activity as monitored by reduction in the numbers of plaque formed upon cocultivation of HSV-2-infected HEL cells with the macrophages. These results point to the role of peritoneal macrophage activation in the activity of PM-19 against HSV-2 infection in immunosuppressed mice.

Acyclovir↗

Mapping of aldose reductase gene sequences to human chromosomes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 13.

Aldose reductase (alditol:NAD(P)+ 1-oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.21) (AR) catalyzes the reduction of several aldehydes, including that of glucose, to the corresponding sugar alcohol. Using a complementary DNA clone encoding human AR, we mapped the gene sequences to human chromosomes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 18 by somatic cell hybridization. By in situ hybridization analysis, sequences were localized to human chromosomes 1q32-q42, 3p12, 7q31-q35, 9q22, 11p14-p15, and 13q14-q21. As a putative functional AR gene has been mapped to chromosome 7 and a putative pseudogene to chromosome 3, the sequences on the other seven chromosomes may represent other active genes, non-aldose reductase homologous sequences, or pseudogenes.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

Protective activity of the lipid A analogue GLA-60 against murine cytomegalovirus infection in immunodeficient mice.

The immunomodulating and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-inhibiting effects of the synthetic lipid A subunit analogue GLA-60 were investigated in different strains of immunodeficient mice. Peritoneal natural killer (NK) cells obtained from nude (nu/nu) C57BL/6 mice or normal NMRI mice, which had been treated intraperitoneally with 10 micrograms of GLA-60 1 day earlier, exhibited a greater cytolytic activity than those from untreated mice. GLA-60 also stimulated NK cell activity in SCID (severe combined immune deficiency) mice (which are T and B cell-defective), but not in NK cell-defective beige (C57BL/6 bg/bg) mice. GLA-60 also enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in beige, nude and NMRI mice, but not in SCID mice. GLA-60, when administered as a single 150 micrograms dose 1 day before infection, completely protected beige mice against MCMV-associated mortality. It also caused a significant increase in the life-span of MCMV-infected nude and SCID mice.

Animals↗