PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Inomata

Publications and source records attributed to K Inomata.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Specific effect of magnesium ion on 2',3'-cyclic AMP synthesis from adenosine and trimeta phosphate in aqueous solution.

Phosphorylation of adenosine by trimetaphosphate was investigated using various catalysts in aqueous solution under mild conditions at pH approximately 7.0 and at 41 degrees C. The product was primarily 2',3'-cyclic AMP together with smaller amounts of ATP. Magnesium ion was found to have a remarkable catalytic effect of approximately one hundred times greater than the other chemicals tested. The mechanism for the specific effect of magnesium ion is discussed.

Adenosine↗

Effect of Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 vesicle on adherence of Streptococcus mutans OMZ 70 to the experimental pellicle.

The vesicles of Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 strongly aggregated Streptococcus cricetus, S. rattus, and S. mutans, but poorly aggregated S. sobrinus. The adherence of S. mutans OMZ 70 to hydroxyapatite (HA) coated with whole saliva was increased in parallel with the quantity of the vesicles. The significant increase of adherence of S. mutans OMZ 70 by the vesicles was also observed on the HA coated with parotid saliva, submandibular saliva, serum, and type I collagen. These findings suggest that the vesicles may act as a bridge between mutans streptococcus and the tooth surface.

Animals↗

Effects of angle of model-demonstration on learning of motor skill.

The purpose was to examine the effects of three different demonstrations by a model on acquisition and retention of a sequential gross movement task. The second purpose was to examine the relationship between reversal processing of visual information about skills and coding of skill information. Thirty undergraduates (15 men and 15 women) were assigned into one of three conditions, Objective condition which demonstrated the task with the model facing the subject. Looking-glass condition in which the skill was demonstrated with the model facing the subject who viewed the performance opposite the right and left directions in executing the task, and the Subjective condition in which the subject observed the model from the rear. Number of immediate recall tests required to accomplish the sequential movements completely and the sum of the performance points for reproduced movements at each delayed recall test (1 day, 7 days, and 5 mo. after the immediate recall test) were employed. Analysis indicated the Subjective condition produced a significantly greater modeling effect in immediate recall of the movements than the Looking-glass condition. Retention of the acquired skills was almost equal under the three conditions.

Adult↗

Coaggregation between Porphyromonas gingivalis and mutans streptococci.

Coaggregation occurred between Porphyromonas gingivalis and mutans streptococci. The coaggregation was completely inhibited by L-arginine, N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), and a trypsin inhibitor, and weakly inhibited by L-lysine, N-ethylmaleimide, lysozyme, and human whole saliva. The results of heat and proteinase K treatment suggested that a heat-labile proteinaceous substance of P. gingivalis and a heat-stable substance of mutans streptococci may play a role in the coaggregation. Mutans streptococci also aggregated in the presence of the heat-labile factor in the supernatant of P. gingivalis. The aggregation was also inhibited by L-arginine, TLCK, and a trypsin inhibitor.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

The yeast Saccharomyces kluyveri as a recipient eukaryote in transkingdom conjugation: behavior of transmitted plasmids in transconjugants.

The prokaryote Escherichia coli successfully conjugated with the eukaryote Saccharomyces kluyveri, which is relatively distant from the species S. cerevisiae. To achieve this transkingdom conjugation, we constructed three types of conjugative plasmids, namely integrative, replicative, and centromere vectors, for S. cerevisiae. By transfer of any of the three plasmids from E. coli, an S. kluyveri Ura- mutant was converted to the Ura+ phenotype. This phenotype was easily lost under nonselective conditions. Southern analysis of the transconjugants clearly indicated the presence of the plasmids in many different structures and sizes.

Conjugation, Genetic↗

Spontaneous cortical granule release and alteration of zona pellucida properties during and after meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes.

Exocytosis of cortical granules (CGs) and the concomitant electron density changes of the zona pellucida (ZP) in the absence of sperm penetration were investigated in mouse oocytes processed with tannic acid containing fixation at various stages during and after maturation. After fusion of the CG membrane with the plasma membrane, the CG contents became very electron-dense, due to tannic acid. CG material is seen to be made up of coarse granular structures which gradually change to fine amorphous structures, which accumulate within the developing perivitelline space (PVS). When the coarse CG material attaches to the ZP, small domains exhibiting higher electron density appeared, and the number of these domains gradually increased. Release of CG was observed from metaphase I through metaphase II. In metaphase I to immediately after ovulation, the higher electron density of ZP and CG release was restricted to the cortical area overlying the meiotic spindle. Finally, the CG-free domain formed itself overlying the meiotic spindle as a result of CG release. However, in oviductal ova, CG release additionally occurred in the hemisphere opposite the spindle. At this stage the entire PVS was well developed and contained numerous fine electron-dense materials. Moreover, the inner half of the ZP increased in electron density as well. This change in electron density of the ZP might be associated with released CG material. These results suggest that the "partial cortical reaction" may play an important role in conditioning the ZP prior to ZP reaction.

Animals↗

Biological monitoring of acrylonitrile exposure through a new analytical approach to hemoglobin and plasma protein adducts and urinary metabolites in rats and humans.

A new, simple and fast procedure of measuring acrylonitrile (ACN) in ACN derived mercapturic acids such as S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine(CyEC), and in hemoglobin (Hb) and plasma protein adducts and urinary metabolites in rats and humans exposed to ACN was developed. ACN in mercapturic acids or proteins was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC) by liberating ACN at a high-temperature in the injector port of GC with or without oxidizing sulfur atoms of the ACN-bound cysteines into sulfoxide form by hydrogen peroxide in vitro. At 350 degrees C, more than 90% of ACN in authentic CyEC was recovered by this method. Increasing a single ip dose of ACN from 5 to 50 mg/kg produced proportional increases in ACN bound to Hb 24 hr after the treatment. The alkylation of plasma protein with ACN was about 1/10 as low as that of Hb. After repeated daily ip doses of 1-10 mg/kg, ACN in Hb decreased with a half-life of about 9 days. ACN was also detected in the blood of workers exposed to ACN for 1 to 10 years at a Siberian synthetic rubber factory.

Acetylcysteine↗

The confronting cisternae in the hippocampal neurons of rats and Japanese monkeys.

The ultrastructure of the neurons in the hippocampal formation of Wistar rats and Japanese monkeys was investigated. Confronting cisternae were observed in the cytoplasm of pyramidal neurons and granule cells. The structures were composed of closely apposed parallel cisternae, presumably continuous with the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The cytoplasmic matrix between the confronting cisternae contained electron dense flocculent material. In the pyramidal neurons irregular confronting cisternae were also observed. Possible functions of the confronting cisternae are discussed.

Animals↗

Teratogenic effects of triethylene tetramine dihydrochloride on the mouse brain.

The teratogenic effects of triethylene tetramine dihydrochloride (Trien-2HCl) on fetal mouse brain were studied on gestational day 19. Trien-2HCl was given throughout pregnancy at levels of 0 (control), 3,000, 6,000, or 12,000 mg/liter as drinking water, ad libitum. Mean litter size and live fetus per dam at birth were not significantly different among the four groups. The frequency of gross brain abnormalities in live fetus at birth such as hemorrhages, delayed ossification in cranium, hydrocephaly, exencephaly, and microcephaly increased with increasing levels of the drug. Microscopically, disorganization of neuronal cell layers, spongiform changes in white matter, and reduced myelin development were noted in the coronally sectioned cerebrum from Trien-2HCl-treated fetus. These abnormal findings increased dose-dependently in regard to the extent and severity at the levels of 6,000 and 12,000 mg/liter. No such changes were observed in the cerebrum of controls. These results suggest that microscopic changes in fetal brain caused by Trien-2HCl may be in part similar to those in brindled mutant mouse. Special attention should be paid to the developing fetal brain when Trien-2HCl is used during pregnancy.

Animals↗

An oxidized analog of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide is a selective agonist for the atrial-natriuretic-polypeptide clearance receptor which lacks a guanylate cyclase.

The differences in biological functions between alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) and its oxidized analog, MetSO-alpha-hANP, have been investigated. Analysis of the ANP receptor subtypes by affinity labeling has shown that a bovine pulmonary aortic endothelial cell line (CPAE cells) primarily expresses ANP-R1 (R, receptor) coupled to particulate guanylate cyclase, while Hela cells from human cervical carcinoma predominantly express ANP-R2, which lacks a guanylate cyclase. alpha-hANP could bind to both ANP receptor subtypes with high affinity, while MetSO-alpha-hANP showed more selective binding to ANP-R2 than to ANP-R1. The activity of MetSO-alpha-hANP for stimulation of guanylate cyclase coupled to ANP-R1 was about 520-fold less than that of alpha-hANP (median effective dose = 2.5 nM for alpha-hANP, 1.3 microM for MetSO-alpha-hANP), indicating that MetSO-alpha-hANP was a partial agonist for this receptor. While this oxidized analog could inhibit the cAMP production through ANP-R2, with 0.15 times the activity of alpha-hANP (median concentration = 0.31 nM for alpha-hANP, 2.0 nM for MetSO-alpha-hANP). In in vivo studies, the diuretic activity of MetSO-alpha-hANP was 25-100-fold less than that of alpha-hANP. In addition, MetSO-alpha-hANP could potentiate the diuretic activity of alpha-hANP that was also caused by C-ANF4-23, a specific agonist for ANP-R2. These results demonstrate that MetSO-alpha-hANP can act as an agonist more selective for ANP-R2 than for ANP-R1, both in vivo and in vitro. The relationship between receptor selectivities and the conformation of alpha-hANP or MetSO-alpha-hANP was also discussed.

Affinity Labels↗

Enzyme-cytochemical study of small ganglion cells in experimental thiamine deficiency: concerning the pain mechanism.

In an effort to clarify the mechanism of pain accompanying thiamine deficiency, thiamine monophosphatase (TMPase) activity was demonstrated, by means of electron microscopic cytochemistry, in small ganglion cells in pyrithiamine-treated thiamine-deficient rats. TMPase activity was seen to be present in the reticular part of the Golgi complex and vesicle-like bodies around the trans side of the Golgi complex. By the 10th day after the initial pyrithiamine treatment, a significant increase in the number of TMPase-positive vesicle-like body was observed. These results indicate that thiamine deficiency causes a disturbance in the transportation and/or production of TMPase, which is an integral part of the synaptic transmission of the nociception impulses.

Animals↗

Diketopiperazine-mediated peptide formation in aqueous solution. II. Catalytic effect of phosphate.

The previous paper (I) reported that DKP (glycine anhydride) spontaneously reacts with glycine (Gly) or oligoglycines (Glyn) to produce longer oligoglycines (Glyn+2). This paper presents that phosphate catalyzes the condensation reaction quite effectively. Formation of Gly4 from DKP (0.1 M) and Gly2 (0.1 M) in phosphate solution of various concentrations was investigated at a neutral pH at 41 degrees C. The yields of Gly4 increased almost linearly with the concentration of phosphate from 0.06 M to 0.24 M. The yield in 0.24 M phosphate solution was approximately one hundred times as high as that in the absence of the phosphate, whereas in the case of Gly3 formation from DKP and Gly the effect of the phosphate was of ten times lower than in the former case. Orthophosphate was the most effective catalyst among the various kind of chemicals tried in the present investigation including polyphosphates.

Diketopiperazines↗

Fetal alcohol effects: decreased synaptic formations in the field CA3 of fetal hippocampus.

The effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on the synaptic formation in the field CA3 of the hippocampus of fetal rats have been investigated on gestational day 21. Significantly decreased number of synaptic junctions was observed in the fetus showing decreasing cerebral weight either with or without decreasing body weight. The administration of 0.01% zinc with ethanol or 0.02% alpha-tocopherol acetate with ethanol during pregnancy resulted in an increased cerebral weight, but did not result in an increased synaptic formation compared to ethanol alone. This result indicates that one of the most vulnerable factors in rat fetus exposed to ethanol in utero is the synaptic formation in the hippocampus. In conclusion, ethanol exposure in utero during a period of brain development roughly equivalent to the first and second human trimesters can produce consistent dysforming effect of synapses and may be associated with the functional impairement of the central nervous system in the fetal alcohol effects.

Animals↗

Effects of low-power gallium aluminium arsenide diode laser irradiation on the development of synapses in the neonatal rat hippocampus.

The effect of low-power gallium aluminium arsenide diode laser irradiation on the development of synapses was studied in the radiatum layer and the lacunosum-molecular layer of field CA3 of the neonatal rat hippocampus. Neonatal rats were irradiated with a low-power diode laser (830 nm, 60 mW) at two points located above the hippocampi, for 15 s, respectively, twice per day from birth (day 1) to day 5. The mean body weights of the laser-irradiated animals were found to be lower than those of the control animals, the deficit at day 20 being 22.6%. Moreover, the density of synaptic junctions stained by ethanolic phosphotungstic acid per unit area of the radiatum layer and the lacunosum-molecular layer of the neonatal rat hippocampus was significantly reduced at day 20. It was suggested that the low-power diode laser irradiation affected the development of synapses in the neonatal rat brain.

Age Factors↗

Diketopiperazine-mediated peptide formation in aqueous solution.

Though diketopiperazines (DKP) are formed in most experiments concerning the prebiotic peptide formation, the molecules have not been paid attention in the studies of chemical evolution. We have found that triglycine, tetraglycine or pentaglycine are formed in aqueous solution of glycine anhydride (DKP) and glycine, diglycine or triglycine, respectively. A reaction of alanine with DKP resulted in the formation of glycylglycylalanine under the same conditions. These results indicate that the formation of the peptide bonds proceeds through the nucleophilic attack of an amino group of the amino acids or the oligoglycines on the DKP accompanied by the ring-opening. The formation of glycine anhydride, di-, tri- and tetraglycine was also observed in a mixed aqueous solution of urea and glycine in an open system to allow the evaporation of ammonia. A probable pathway is proposed for prebiotic peptide formation through diketopiperazine on the primitive Earth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Prebiotic synthesis of orotic acid parallel to the biosynthetic pathway.

By heating an aqueous solution of aspartic acid and urea, carbamylaspartic acid is first formed and then the molecule is cyclized to dihydroorotic acid (DHO) with loss of water. Irradiation of an aqueous solution of DHO with a tungsten lamp yields orotic acid by photo-dehydrogenation of the molecule. This pathway of orotic acid formation is quite similar to that of biosynthesis of the molecule.

Aspartic Acid↗