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Ichiro Kudo

Publications and source records attributed to Ichiro Kudo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Coupling between cyclooxygenases and prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase. Detection of an inducible, glutathione-activated, membrane-bound prostaglandin F(2alpha)-synthetic activity.

Distinct functional coupling between cyclooxygenases (COXs) and specific terminal prostanoid synthases leads to phase-specific production of particular prostaglandins (PGs). In this study, we examined the coupling between COX isozymes and PGF synthase (PGFS). Co-transfection of COXs with PGFS-I belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family into HEK293 cells resulted in increased production of PGF(2alpha) only when a high concentration of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) was supplied. However, this enzyme failed to produce PGF(2alpha) from endogenous AA, even though significant increase in PGF(2alpha) production occurred in cells transfected with COX-2 alone. This poor COX/PGFS-I coupling was likely to arise from their distinct subcellular localization. Measurement of PGF(2alpha)-synthetic enzyme activity in homogenates of several cells revealed another type of PGFS activity that was membrane-bound, glutathione (GSH)-activated, and stimulus-inducible. In vivo, membrane-bound PGFS activity was elevated in the lung of lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. Taken together, our results suggest the presence of a novel, membrane-associated form of PGFS that is stimulus-inducible and is likely to be preferentially coupled with COX-2.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Perinuclear localization of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha is important but not obligatory for coupling with cyclooxygenases.

In response to Ca(2+) signaling, cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) translocates from the cytosol to the perinuclear membrane, where downstream eicosanoid-synthetic enzymes, such as cyclooxygenase (COX), are localized. Although the spatiotemporal perinuclear colocalization of cPLA(2)alpha and COXs has been proposed to be critical for their functional coupling leading to prostanoid production, definitive evidence for this paradigm has remained elusive. To circumstantiate this issue, we took advantage of a chimeric cPLA(2)alpha mutant harboring the C2 domain of protein kinase Calpha, which translocates to the plasma membrane following cell activation. Transfection analyses of the native or chimeric cPLA(2)alpha in combination with COX-1 or COX-2 revealed that, even though the arachidonate-releasing capacities of native and mutant cPLA(2)alpha were comparable, prostaglandin production by mutant cPLA(2)alpha was markedly impaired as compared with that by native cPLA(2)alpha. We thus conclude that the perinuclear localization of cPLA(2)alpha is preferential, even if not obligatory, for efficient coupling with COXs.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2003

Cellular prostaglandin E2 production by membrane-bound prostaglandin E synthase-2 via both cyclooxygenases-1 and -2.

Current evidence suggests that two forms of prostaglandin (PG) E synthase (PGES), cytosolic PGES and membrane-bound PGES (mPGES) -1, preferentially lie downstream of cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 and -2, respectively, in the PGE2 biosynthetic pathway. In this study, we examined the expression and functional aspects of the third PGES enzyme, mPGES-2, in mammalian cells and tissues. mPGES-2 was synthesized as a Golgi membrane-associated protein, and spontaneous cleavage of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain led to the formation of a truncated mature protein that was distributed in the cytosol with a trend to be enriched in the perinuclear region. In several cell lines, mPGES-2 promoted PGE2 production via both COX-1 and COX-2 in the immediate and delayed responses with modest COX-2 preference. In contrast to the marked inducibility of mPGES-1, mPGES-2 was constitutively expressed in various cells and tissues and was not increased appreciably during tissue inflammation or damage. Interestingly, a considerable elevation of mPGES-2 expression was observed in human colorectal cancer. Collectively, mPGES-2 is a unique PGES that can be coupled with both COXs and may play a role in the production of the PGE2 involved in both tissue homeostasis and disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Identification of NDRG1 as an early inducible gene during in vitro maturation of cultured mast cells.

Coculture of mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) with fibroblasts in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF) facilitates morphological and functional maturation toward a connective tissue mast cell (CTMC)-like phenotype. By means of cDNA subtraction, we identified several inducible genes during this mast cell maturation process. Of approximately 100 sequenced clones induced, nearly 50% were chromosome 14-associated serine proteases. Approximately 14% encoded NDRG1, a 43-kDa cytosolic protein that has been implicated in cell differentiation. NDRG1 was distributed in the cytosol of cultured mast cells and CTMC in rat skin. Overexpression of NDRG1 in RBL-2H3 cells resulted in enhanced degranulation in response to various stimuli. Thus, NDRG1 may be a mast cell maturation-associated inducible protein that allows the cells to be susceptible to extracellular stimuli leading to degranulation. Additionally, several unique maturation-associated inducible genes were identified, molecular and functional characterization of which will provide new insights into mast cell biology.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Arachidonate release and prostaglandin production by group IVC phospholipase A2 (cytosolic phospholipase A2gamma).

While the role of the group IVA Ca(2+)-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism has been well documented, that of its paralogue, Ca(2+)-independent group IVC PLA(2) (cPLA(2)gamma), has remained uncertain. Here we show, using a transfection strategy, that cPLA(2)gamma has the ability to increase the spontaneous and stimulus-induced release of cellular fatty acids. The AA released by cPLA(2)gamma was metabolized further to prostaglandin E(2) via cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) in the immediate response, and via COX-2 in the delayed response. Mutation of the putative catalytic-centre residue Ser(82) abrogated the AA-releasing function of cPLA(2)gamma both in vitro and in vivo. Confocal microscopy revealed that cPLA(2)gamma was distributed in the perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Mutating the C-terminal prenylation site of cPLA(2)gamma abrogated its intracellular membrane localization and cellular AA-releasing function, without reducing its enzyme activity in vitro. Our results indicate that cPLA(2)gamma is the second cPLA(2) enzyme that contributes to cellular AA metabolism and phospholipid remodelling under appropriate conditions.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed2003

Endothelium-derived prostaglandin H2 evokes the stretch-induced contraction of rabbit pulmonary artery.

Stretch-induced contraction of rabbit pulmonary artery depends on endothelium-derived vasoactive prostanoids. We investigated which prostanoid(s) was responsible for the stretch-induced contraction of the artery, and whether integrin was involved in this mechanotransduction process. Stretch increased productions of untransformed prostaglandin H(2), prostaglandin E(2), prostaglandin F(2alpha), and thromboxane A(2) in the pulmonary artery with intact endothelium. A blocking peptide for integrins (RGD peptide) significantly inhibited productions of thromboxane A(2) and prostaglandin F(2alpha), but the peptide did not affect productions of untransformed prostaglandin H(2) and prostaglandin E(2), as well as contraction in response to stretch. SQ29,548, a prostaglandin H(2)/thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist, inhibited the contractile response to not only stretch but also exogenous prostaglandin H(2). Acetylcholine (up to 30 microM) also contracted the artery in an endothelium-dependent manner. Ozagrel (10 nM-1 microM), an inhibitor of thromboxane synthase, abolished the production of thromboxane A(2), in response to both stretch and acetylcholine, whereas the inhibitor mostly inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction, but it did not suppress stretch-induced contraction. The results suggested that prostaglandin H(2) and thromboxane A(2), either released from endothelium by mechanical stretch or by acetylcholine, produced contraction of rabbit pulmonary artery in a RGD-independent manner.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2003

Regulation of cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthase by 90-kDa heat shock protein.

Cytosolic prostaglandin (PG) E(2) synthase (cPGES) is constitutively expressed in a wide variety of cells and converts cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-derived PGH(2) to PGE(2). Given the fact that cPGES is identical to p23, a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)-binding protein, we herein examined the effect of Hsp90 on PGE(2) generation by cPGES. Incubation of cPGES with Hsp90 resulted in a significant increase in PGES activity in vitro. Association of cPGES with Hsp90 was increased in cells stimulated with A23187 or bradykinin, accompanied by concomitant increases in cPGES activity and PGE(2) production. Moreover, treatment of cells with Hsp90 inhibitors, which destabilized the cPGES/Hsp90 complex, reduced cPGES activity and PGE(2) production to basal levels. These results suggest that the regulation of cPGES activity in cells depends on its association with Hsp90 and provide the first line of evidence that eicosanoid biosynthesis is under the control of the molecular chaperone.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Potential role of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 in tumorigenesis.

Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a stimulus-inducible enzyme that functions downstream of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the PGE2-biosynthetic pathway. Given the accumulating evidence that COX-2-derived PGE2 participates in the development of various tumors, including colorectal cancer, we herein examined the potential involvement of mPGES-1 in tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated the expression of both COX-2 and mPGES-1 in human colon cancer tissues. HCA-7, a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line that displays COX-2- and PGE2-dependent proliferation, expressed both COX-2 and mPGES-1 constitutively. Treatment of HCA-7 cells with an mPGES-1 inhibitor or antisense oligonucleotide attenuated, whereas overexpression of mPGES-1 accelerated, PGE2 production and cell proliferation. Moreover, cotransfection of COX-2 and mPGES-1 into HEK293 cells resulted in cellular transformation manifested by colony formation in soft agar culture and tumor formation when implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. cDNA array analyses revealed that this mPGES-1-directed cellular transformation was accompanied by changes in the expression of a variety of genes related to proliferation, morphology, adhesion, and the cell cycle. These results collectively suggest that aberrant expression of mPGES-1 in combination with COX-2 can contribute to tumorigenesis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Cellular arachidonate-releasing function of novel classes of secretory phospholipase A2s (groups III and XII).

Here we report cellular arachidonate (AA) release and prostaglandin (PG) production by novel classes of secretory phospholipase A(2)s (sPLA(2)s), groups III and XII. Human group III sPLA(2) promoted spontaneous AA release, which was augmented by interleukin-1, in HEK293 transfectants. The central sPLA(2) domain alone was sufficient for its in vitro enzymatic activity and for cellular AA release at the plasma membrane, whereas either the unique N- or C-terminal domain was required for heparanoid-dependent action on cells to augment AA release, cyclooxygenase-2 induction, and PG production. Group III sPLA(2) was constitutively expressed in two human cell lines, in which other sPLA(2)s exhibited different stimulus inducibility. Human group XII sPLA(2) had a weak enzymatic activity in vitro and minimally affects cellular AA release and PG production. Cells transfected with group XII sPLA(2) exhibited abnormal morphology, suggesting a unique functional aspect of this enzyme. Based on the present results as well as our current analyses on the group I/II/V/X sPLA(2)s, general properties of cellular actions of a full set of mammalian sPLA(2)s in regulating AA metabolism are discussed.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed2003

Papyriflavonol A from Broussonetia papyrifera inhibits the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and has a secretory phospholipase A2-inhibitory activity.

Papyriflavonol A, a new prenylated flavonol isolated from Broussonetia papyrifera, selectively inhibits recombinant human secretory phospholipase A(2)s (sPLA(2)s). Papyriflavonol A was found to inhibit human group IIA and V sPLA(2)s potently and irreversibly in a dose-dependent manner, with respective IC(50) values of 3.9 and 4.5 microM. The inhibitory effects of papyriflavonol A against bovine group IB (IC(50) of 76.9 microM) and the human group X (IC(50) of 225 microM) sPLA(2)s were weaker than those against human group IIA and V sPLA(2)s, and human group IIF sPLA(2) was not inhibited. In addition, papyriflavonol A potently inhibited the stimulus-induced production of leukotriene C(4) with an IC(50) value of approximately 0.64 microM in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. In addition, papyriflavonol A significantly reduced IgE-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats. These results indicate that papyriflavonol A provides a basis for novel types of antiinflammatory drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Transcriptional regulation of the membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase gene. Essential role of the transcription factor Egr-1.

Membrane-associated prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthase (mPGES) is an inducible terminal enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for prostaglandin E2, which participates in many biological processes. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism controlling the inducible expression of mPGES. The mouse mPGES gene consisted of three exons, and its 5'-proximal promoter contained consensus motifs for the binding of several transcription factors. Transgenic expression in mice of the mouse mPGES promoter flanked by a reporter gene resulted in stimulus-dependent induction of the reporter in tissues where mPGES was intrinsically induced. Deletion and site-specific mutation analyses of the 5'-flanking region demonstrated that stimulus-inducible expression of mouse and human mPGES required tandem GC boxes adjacent to the initiation site. The stimulus-induced GC box binding activity was present in nuclear extracts of cells, in which the proximal GC box was essential for binding. An 80-kDa stimulus-inducible nuclear protein that bound to this GC box was identified as the transcription factor Egr-1 (for early growth response-1). These results suggest that Egr-1 is a key transcription factor in regulating the inducible expression of mPGES.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2002

Arachidonate release and eicosanoid generation by group IIE phospholipase A(2).

The heparin-binding group II subfamily of secretory phospholipase A(2)s (sPLA(2)s), such as sPLA(2)-IIA and -IID, augments stimulus-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release through the cellular heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-dependent pathway when transfected into HEK293 cells. Here we show that the closest homolog, sPLA(2)-IIE, also promotes stimulus-induced AA release and prostaglandin (PG) production similar to those elicited by HSPG-dependent sPLA(2)s. Confocal laser microscopic analysis demonstrates the location of sPLA(2)-IIE in cytoplasmic punctate compartments. sPLA(2)-IIE also enhances leukotriene (LT) production and granule exocytosis by RBL-2H3 mastocytoma cells. Expression of sPLA(2)-IIE was highly upregulated in mice injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in mice with experimental atopic dermatitis. These observations suggest that this enzyme plays a role in the inflammatory process, as proposed for other group II subfamily sPLA(2)s.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cellular arachidonate-releasing function and inflammation-associated expression of group IIF secretory phospholipase A2.

Here we report the cellular arachidonate (AA)-releasing function of group IIF secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIF), a sPLA(2) enzyme uniquely containing a longer C-terminal extension. sPLA(2)-IIF increased spontaneous and stimulus-dependent release of AA, which was supplied to downstream cyclooxygenases and 5-lipoxygenase for eicosanoid production. sPLA(2)-IIF also enhanced interleukin 1-stimulated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase. AA release by sPLA(2)-IIF was facilitated by oxidative modification of cellular membranes. Cellular actions of sPLA(2)-IIF occurred independently of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan glypican, which acts as a functional adaptor for other group II subfamily sPLA(2)s. Confocal microscopy revealed the location of sPLA(2)-IIF on the plasma membrane. The unique C-terminal extension was crucial for its plasma membrane localization and optimal cellular functions. sPLA(2)-IIF expression was increased in various tissues from lipopolysaccharide-treated mice and in ears of mice with experimental atopic dermatitis. In human rheumatoid arthritic joints, sPLA(2)-IIF was detected in synovial lining cells, capillary endothelial cells, and plasma cells. These results suggest that sPLA(2)-IIF is a potent regulator of AA metabolism and participates in the inflammatory process under certain conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Phospholipase A2 enzymes.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The same reaction also produces lysophosholipids, which represent another class of lipid mediators. So far, at least 19 enzymes that possess PLA2 activity have been identified and cloned in mammals. The secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) family, in which 10 isozymes have been identified, consists of low-molecular weight, Ca2+-requiring secretory enzymes that have been implicated in a number of biological processes, such as modification of eicosanoid generation, inflammation, and host defense. The cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) family consists of three enzymes, among which cPLA2alpha has been paid much attention by researchers as an essential component of the initiation of AA metabolism. The activation of cPLA2alpha is tightly regulated by Ca2+ and phosphorylation. The Ca2+-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) family contains two enzymes and may play a major role in phospholipid remodeling. The platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) family contains four enzymes that exhibit unique substrate specificity toward PAF and/or oxidized phospholipids. Degradation of these bioactive phospholipids by PAF-AHs may lead to the termination of inflammatory reaction and atherosclerosis.

Animals↗