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I Nishida

Publications and source records attributed to I Nishida.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Eruption sequestrum: x-ray microanalysis and microscopic findings.

A 12 year-old girl with eruption sequestrum of the mandibular left second molars is reported. Intraoral findings revealed that a small hard tissue fragment white in color and with bone-like hardness on the occlusal surface of the mandibular second molar which was erupting. Histopathologically, the fragments consisted of necrotized cortical bone. Chronic inflammatory alterations were also observed in the gingiva in the area of contact with the osseous tissue. X-ray microanalyzer findings revealed the percentages of calcium and phosphorous (by weight) as 78.41% and 21.59%, respectively, for a calcium to phosphorous ratio of 3.63, which was higher than that seen in normal osseous tissue.

Bone and Bones↗

Precipitation of calcium carbonate by ultrasonic irradiation.

Supersaturated solution of calcium carbonate ([Ca2+] = 1.2 mmol/L, [HCO3-] = 3.2 mmol/L, pH = 8.8, T = 30 +/- 0.5 degrees C), a scale forming component, was irradiated by an ultrasonic homogenizer (24 kHz, 15-250 W/cm2) to study the factors that affect its precipitation rate. The factors of (1) depth of horn immersion, (2) ultrasonic intensity and horn tip size and (3) cavitation, which can affect the precipitation rate were investigated in this study. Ultrasonic irradiation was observed to accelerate the precipitation of calcium carbonate and it was found that there exists an optimum range of horn immersion depth for maximizing the precipitation rate. The experimental data also established that the precipitation rate was proportional to ultrasonic intensity and diameter of horn tip. These findings were correlated to the effects of physical mixing, that arises due to ultrasonic irradiation. However, the effect of cavitation in accelerating the precipitation rate was found to be small. Thus it is forwarded that the physical mixing effect, especially macrostreaming is the main factor that accelerates the precipitation rate of calcium carbonate during ultrasonic treatment. Further, neither the morphology nor the size of the calcium carbonate crystals formed were found to be affected by the ultrasonic irradiation.

Journal Article↗

Plants synthesize ethanolamine by direct decarboxylation of serine using a pyridoxal phosphate enzyme.

The established pathways from serine to ethanolamine are indirect and involve decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine. Here we show that plants can decarboxylate serine directly. Using a radioassay based on ethanolamine (Etn) formation, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent l-serine decarboxylase (SDC) activity was readily detected in soluble extracts from leaves of diverse species, including spinach, Arabidopsis, and rapeseed. A putative Arabidopsis SDC cDNA was identified by searching GenBank for sequences homologous to other amino acid decarboxylases and shown by expression in Escherichia coli to encode a soluble protein with SDC activity. This cDNA was further authenticated by complementing the Etn requirement of a yeast psd1 psd2 mutant. In a parallel approach, a cDNA was isolated from a rapeseed library by its ability to complement the Etn requirement of a yeast cho1 mutant and shown by expression in E. coli to specify SDC. The deduced Arabidopsis and rapeseed SDC polypeptides are 90% identical, lack obvious targeting signals, and belong to amino acid decarboxylase group II. Recombinant Arabidopsis SDC was shown to exist as a tetramer and to contain pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. It does not attack d-serine, l-phosphoserine, other l-amino acids, or phosphatidylserine and is not inhibited by Etn, choline, or their phosphoesters. As a soluble, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate enzyme, SDC contrasts sharply with phosphatidylserine decarboxylases, which are membrane proteins that have a pyruvoyl cofactor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Leucine and its keto acid enhance the coordinated expression of genes for branched-chain amino acid catabolism in Arabidopsis under sugar starvation.

Branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), a multienzyme complex, plays a key role in branched-chain amino acid catabolism. However, it remains unclear whether expression of each subunit is coordinately regulated in plants, which should be important for the efficient assembly of subunits into a functional multienzyme complex. We show that the transcripts from the Arabidopsis E1alpha subunit gene accumulated in dark-adapted leaves and in sugar-starved suspension cells. These results are complementary to our previous report that the transcripts for the E1beta and E2 subunit genes accumulated in sugar-starved cells. Expression of the E1alpha gene is likely to be regulated by hexokinase-mediated sugar signaling, indicating that sugar plays a regulatory role in the coordinated expression of BCKDH subunit genes. Furthermore, Leu and its metabolite alpha-ketoisocaproate have synergistic effects on the enhanced expression of BCKDH subunit genes under sugar starvation. We hence suggest that branched-chain amino acids activate their own degradation pathway in sugar-starved cells through co-induction of each subunit gene of BCKDH.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗

Analysis of the structure, substrate specificity, and mechanism of squash glycerol-3-phosphate (1)-acyltransferase.

BACKGROUND: Glycerol-3-phosphate (1)-acyltransferase(G3PAT) catalyzes the incorporation of an acyl group from either acyl-acyl carrier proteins (acylACPs) or acyl-CoAs into the sn-1 position of glycerol 3-phosphate to yield 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate. G3PATs can either be selective, preferentially using the unsaturated fatty acid, oleate (C18:1), as the acyl donor, or nonselective, using either oleate or the saturated fatty acid, palmitate (C16:0), at comparable rates. The differential substrate specificity for saturated versus unsaturated fatty acids seen within this enzyme family has been implicated in the sensitivity of plants to chilling temperatures. RESULTS: The three-dimensional structure of recombinant G3PAT from squash chloroplast has been determined to 1.9 A resolution by X-ray crystallography using the technique of multiple isomorphous replacement and provides the first representative structure of an enzyme of this class. CONCLUSIONS: The tertiary structure of G3PAT comprises two domains, the larger of which, domain II, features an extensive cleft lined by hydrophobic residues and contains at one end a cluster of positively charged residues flanked by a H(X)(4)D motif, which is conserved amongst many glycerolipid acyltransferases. We predict that these hydrophobic and positively charged residues represent the binding sites for the fatty acyl substrate and the phosphate moiety of the glycerol 3-phosphate, respectively, and that the H(X)(4)D motif is a critical component of the enzyme's catalytic machinery.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Yeast 1,3-beta-glucan synthase activity is inhibited by phytosphingosine localized to the endoplasmic reticulum.

1,3-beta-D-Glucan, a major filamentous component of the cell wall in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is synthesized by 1,3-beta-glucan synthase (GS). Although a yeast gene whose product is required for GS activity in vitro, GNS1, was isolated and characterized, its role in GS function has remained unknown. In the current study we show that Deltagns1 cells accumulate a non-competitive and non-proteinous inhibitor(s) in the membrane fraction. Investigations of inhibitory activity on GS revealed that the inhibitor(s) is mainly present in the sphingolipid fraction. It is shown that Deltagns1 cells contain phytosphingosine (PHS), an intermediate in the sphingolipid biosynthesis, 30-fold more than wild-type cells do. The membrane fraction isolated from Deltasur2 cells contains an increased amount of dihydrosphingosine (DHS) and also exhibits reduced GS activity. Among constituents of the sphingolipid fraction, PHS and DHS show striking inhibition in a non-competitive manner. The intracellular level of DHS is much lower than that of PHS in wild-type cells, suggesting that PHS is the primary inhibitor of GS in vivo. The localization of PHS to the endoplasmic reticulum in wild-type cells coincides with that of the inhibitor(s) in Deltagns1 cells. Taken together, our results indicate that PHS is a potent inhibitor of yeast GS in vivo.

Base Sequence↗

Isolation and RNA gel blot analysis of genes that could serve as potential molecular markers for leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nine cDNAs, representing genes in which the transcripts accumulated in senescent leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana, were isolated by differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) and the genes were designated yellow-leaf-specific gene 1 to 9 (YLS1-YLS9). Sequence analysis revealed that none of the YLS genes, except YLS6, had been reported as senescence-up-regulated genes. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that the transcripts of YLS3 accumulated at the highest level at an early senescence stage, whereas the transcripts from the other YLS genes reached their maximum levels in late senescence stages. Transcripts of YLS genes showed various accumulation patterns under natural senescence, and under artificial senescence induced by darkness, ethylene or ABA. These expression characteristics of YLS genes will be useful as potential molecular markers, which will enhance our understanding of natural and artificial senescence processes.

Abscisic Acid↗

Phosphorylation of a bifunctional enzyme, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 2-phosphatase, is regulated physiologically and developmentally in rosette leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The phosphorylation status of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 2-phosphatase (EC 2.7.1.105/ EC 3.1.3.46) in rosette leaves of Arabidopsis was examined. Immunoblotting with specific antisera detected 96-kDa and 92-kDa bands in the crude protein extracts from rosette leaves of Arabidopsis. Incubation of protein samples with alkaline phosphatase before SDS-PAGE reduced the 96-kDa band with concomitant increase of the 92-kDa band, suggesting that the former is a phosphorylated form of the latter. In accordance with this result, 96-kDa and 92-kDa bands were immuno-precipitated from the crude protein extracts from [(32)P]orthophosphate-labeled rosettes of Arabidopsis; and, the former was heavily labeled, the latter faintly labeled. Analysis of phospho-amino acid residues derived from the [(32)P]-labeled 96-kDa band revealed that the phosphorylation occurred on serine and threonine residues, excluding the possibility that the phosphorylated band represent a phospho-histidine intermediate that is known to form in the phosphatase reaction. The relative level of the 96-kDa band over the 92-kDa band in whole rosette extracts changed diurnally and was highest at the beginning of nighttime. Furthermore, the 96-kDa band was highly enriched in the extracts of very young rosette leaves, suggesting that the phosphorylation status of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphate 2-phosphatase is regulated physiologically and developmentally in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis↗

The DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCIENCE gene encodes a novel phospholipase A1 catalyzing the initial step of jasmonic acid biosynthesis, which synchronizes pollen maturation, anther dehiscence, and flower opening in Arabidopsis.

The Arabidopsis mutant defective in anther dehiscence1 (dad1) shows defects in anther dehiscence, pollen maturation, and flower opening. The defects were rescued by the exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) or linolenic acid, which is consistent with the reduced accumulation of JA in the dad1 flower buds. We identified the DAD1 gene by T-DNA tagging, which is characteristic to a putative N-terminal transit peptide and a conserved motif found in lipase active sites. DAD1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli hydrolyzed phospholipids in an sn-1-specific manner, and DAD1-green fluorescent protein fusion protein expressed in leaf epidermal cells localized predominantly in chloroplasts. These results indicate that the DAD1 protein is a chloroplastic phospholipase A1 that catalyzes the initial step of JA biosynthesis. DAD1 promoter::beta-glucuronidase analysis revealed that the expression of DAD1 is restricted in the stamen filaments. A model is presented in which JA synthesized in the filaments regulates the water transport in stamens and petals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the glycerol-3-phosphate 1-acyltransferase from squash (Cucurbita moschata).

Glycerol-3-phosphate 1-acyltransferase (E.C. 2.3.1.15; G3PAT) catalyses the incorporation of an acyl group from either acyl-acyl carrier proteins (acylACPs) or acylCoAs into the sn-1 position of glycerol 3-phosphate to yield 1-acylglycerol 3-phosphate. Crystals of squash G3PAT have been obtained by the hanging-drop method of vapour diffusion using PEG 4000 as the precipitant. These crystals are most likely to belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with approximate unit-cell parameters a = 61.1, b = 65.1, c = 103.3 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees and a monomer in the asymmetric unit. X-ray diffraction data to 1.9 A resolution have been collected in-house using a MAR 345 imaging-plate system.

Acyltransferases↗

A second gene for acyl-(acyl-carrier-protein): glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase in squash, Cucurbita moschata cv. Shirogikuza(*), codes for an oleate-selective isozyme: molecular cloning and protein purification studies.

A new isogene for acyl-(acyl-carrier-protein):glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT; EC 2.3.1.15) in squash has been cloned and the gene product was identified as oleate-selective GPAT. Using PCR primers that could hybridise with exons for a previously cloned squash GPAT, we obtained two PCR products of different size: one coded for a previously cloned squash GPAT corresponding to non-selective isoforms AT2 and AT3, and the other for a new isozyme, probably the oleate-selective isoform AT1. Full-length amino acid sequences of respective isozymes were deduced from the nucleotide sequences of genomic genes and cDNAs, which were cloned by a series of PCR-based methods. Thus, we designated the new gene CmATS1;1 and the other one CmATS1;2. Genome blot analysis revealed that the squash genome contained the two isogenes at non-allelic loci. AT1-active fractions were partially purified, and three polypeptide bands were identified as being AT1 polypeptides, which exhibited relative molecular masses of 39.5-40.5 kDa, pI values of 6.75-7.15, and oleate selectivity over palmitate. Partial amino-terminal sequences obtained from two of these bands verified that the new isogene codes for AT1 polypeptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multiple signaling pathways in gene expression during sugar starvation. Pharmacological analysis of din gene expression in suspension-cultured cells of Arabidopsis.

We have identified many dark-inducible (din) genes that are expressed in Arabidopsis leaves kept in the dark. In the present study we addressed the question of how plant cells sense the depletion of sugars, and how sugar starvation triggers din gene expression in suspension-cultured cells of Arabidopsis. Depletion of sucrose in the medium triggered marked accumulation of din transcripts. Suppression of din gene expression by 2-deoxy-Glc, and a non-suppressive effect exerted by 3-O-methyl-Glc, suggested that sugar-repressible expression of din genes is mediated through the phosphorylation of hexose by hexokinase, as exemplified in the repression of photosynthetic genes by sugars. We have further shown that the signaling triggered by sugar starvation involves protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events, and have provided the first evidence that multiple pathways of protein dephosphorylation exist in sugar starvation-induced gene expression. An inhibitor of serine/threonine protein kinase, K-252a, inhibited din gene expression in sugar-depleted cells. Okadaic acid, which may preferentially inhibit type 2A protein phosphatases over type 1, enhanced the transcript levels of all din genes, except din6 and din10, under sugar starvation. Conversely, a more potent inhibitor of type 1 and 2A protein phosphatases, calyculin A, increased transcripts from din2 and din9, but decreased those from other din genes, in sugar-depleted cells. On the other hand, calyculin A, but not okadaic acid, completely inhibited the gene expression of chlorophyll a/b-binding protein under sugar starvation. These results indicate that multiple signaling pathways, mediated by different types of protein phosphatases, regulate gene expression during sugar starvation.

Arabidopsis↗

Plant glycerol-3-phosphate-1-acyltransferase (GPAT): structure selectivity studies.

Squash glycerol-3-phosphate-1-acyltransferase has been crystallized and the structure of the enzyme determined, at 1.9-A resolution, using multiple isomorphous replacement of the wild type and a series of individual cysteine mutants. Competitive in vitro substrate selectivity assays have been established that differentiate between selective and non-selective forms of the enzyme. Particular care was taken to use near-physiological concentrations of both substrates. Clear substrate selectivity can be demonstrated with the natural substrate acyl-acyl carrier protein but not with the substrate analogue acyl-CoA. The use of site-directed mutagenesis, coupled to three-dimensional structural determinations, should provide a rational basis for elucidating structural components important in determining the substrate selectivity of this enzyme.

Arabidopsis↗

Lipidology.

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Journal Article↗

Dental treatment of a prospective recipient of a liver transplant: a case report.

A protocol to treat a carious condition in a young girl scheduled to receive a liver transplantation is described. Teeth with serious caries were filled with amalgam. Those teeth with pulp exposure were extracted. To stop bleeding, sutures and a surgical splint with a periodontal pack were used. All procedures were performed as rapidly as possible to minimize stress. Antibiotics were used sparingly. By improving the oral health of transplant recipients, the chances that the transplanted liver will become infected are much reduced, increasing the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome.

Alagille Syndrome↗

Cloning of Brassica napus CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase cDNAs by complementation in a yeast cct mutant.

CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase is a rate-limiting enzyme in biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine in plant cells. We have isolated four cDNAs for the cytidylyltransferase from a root cDNA library of Brassica napus by complementation in a yeast cct mutant. The deduced amino-acid sequences of the B. napus enzymes resembled rat and yeast enzymes in the central domain. Although all cytidylyltransferases ever cloned from B. napus and other organisms were predicted to be structurally hydrophilic, the yeast cct mutant transformed with one of the B. napus cDNA clones restored the cytidylyltransferase activity in the microsomal fraction as well as in the soluble fraction. These results are consistent with a recent view that yeast cells contained a machinery for targeting the yeast cytidylyltransferase to membranes, and may indicate that the B. napus enzyme was compatible with the machinery.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Single dose toxicity studies of montirelin hydrate(NS-3) in mice, rats and dogs].

The single dose toxicity studies of montirelin hydrate (NS-3), a new drug for the treatment of disturbance of consciousness, were conducted in Slc:ddY mice, Slc:SD rats, and beagle dogs of both sexes. The drug was administered intravenously (i.v.) to mice, rats and dogs, and intramuscularly (i.m.) to mice and rats. The animals were observed for 14 days after administration. LD50 values were more than 500 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively, by the i.v. route, and more than 20 mg/kg in both animal species by the i.m. route. In dogs, the minimum lethal dose was more than 200 mg/kg by the i.v. route. Mice that received more than 125 mg/kg by the i.v. route showed tremor and a decrease in locomotor activity during administration and for 30 min thereafter. Mice that received more than 5 mg/kg by the i.m. route showed tremor 5 min after administration and for 2 hr thereafter. Rats that received more than 50 mg/kg by the i.v. route showed tremor, and those that received 200 mg/kg by the same route showed a decrease in locomotor activity and ataxic gait, during and immediately after administration. Rats that received more than 5 mg/kg by the i.m. route showed tremor, and those that received 20 mg/kg by the same route showed salivation 5 min after administration and for 30 min thereafter. Dogs that received more than 12.5 mg/kg by the i.v. route revealed excitement, biting, vocalization, mydriasis, salivation, urination, defecation, licking chops, vomiting, increase in heart rate, panting, hyperthermia, tremor and conjunctival injection during administration and for 6 hr thereafter. The body weight, food consumption and water consumption, and pathological findings showed no changes attributable to the dosing of montirelin hydrate in any animal.

Animals↗

[Five-week intravenous toxicity study of montirelin hydrate (NS-3) in rats followed by 4-week recovery test].

A repeated dose toxicity study of montirelin hydrate (NS-3), a new drug for the treatment of disturbance of consciousness, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male and female rats were given the drug intravenously for 5 weeks at doses of 0 (control), 0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg. After discontinuation of the treatment, a 4-week recovery test was also conducted in the 0, 0.5 and 50 mg/kg groups. No deaths related to the treatment were observed. Tremor was seen in the 50 mg/kg group. Polyuria was observed in the 5 and 50 mg/kg groups. There were decreases in body weight gain in the 0.5 mg/kg group and over of males, and in food consumption in all male dose groups and increase in water consumption in the 5 and 50 mg/kg groups. In blood chemical examination, decrease in triglyceride was observed in the 5 and 50 mg/kg groups of males. Urinalysis showed increase in urine volume in the 0.5 mg/kg group and over. Ophthalmoscopic and hematologic examinations failed to show any abnormalities attributable to the treatment. Pathological examination disclosed serous cell hypertrophy of the submandibular gland in all dose groups and increase in its organ weight in the 0.5 mg/kg group and over. The changes mentioned above were satisfactorily reversible except for the serous cell hypertrophy of the submandibular gland in the 50 mg/kg group. The decrease in food consumption and serous cell hypertrophy of the submandibular gland in the 0.05 mg/kg group were considered to be of no toxicological significance. These results show that the NOAEL of montirelin hydrate is 0.05 mg/kg for 5-week repeated dose toxicity in rats.

Animals↗