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Biomedical subjects

K Ishidoh

Publications and source records attributed to K Ishidoh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

CDK5 regulates cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in human keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: CDK5 is a member of proline-directed serine/threonine kinases. Although its cDNA was originally cloned as a homologue to those for the other members of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family, CDK5 has been shown to function differently from other CDKs. CDK5 is activated by non-cyclin partners, p35 and p39, and important during brain development by influencing adhesion, migration and differentiation of neurones. OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the expression and functions of CDK5 in human keratinocytes. METHODS: Expression of CDK5/p35, interaction of CDK5/p35 with adhesion molecules, and its roles in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion were studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and aggregation/adhesion assays in primary cultured normal human keratinocytes from infant foreskins and a human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. Localization of CDK5 and p35 in normal human epidermis and psoriatic epidermis was studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both CDK5 and p35 were expressed in primary cultured keratinocytes, HaCaT cells and normal human epidermis. Roscovitine, an inhibitor of CDK5, enhanced Ca2+-dependent (cadherin-dependent) aggregation of HaCaT cells whereas it inhibited adhesion of HaCaT cells to fibronectin associated with reduced active states of beta1 integrin. Interestingly, psoriatic skin showed reduced CDK5 and p35 expression in the lower half of the epidermis, which might be associated with decreased amount of activated beta1 integrin in the epidermis of psoriatic skin. CONCLUSIONS: CDK5/p35 may be involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in human keratinocytes by differently regulating cadherins and integrins. Furthermore, reduced expression of CDK5/p35 in the epidermis might be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Calcium↗

Autolysosomal membrane-associated betaine homocysteine methyltransferase. Limited degradation fragment of a sequestered cytosolic enzyme monitoring autophagy.

We compared the membrane proteins of autolysosomes isolated from leupeptin-administered rat liver with those of lysosomes. In addition to many polypeptides common to the two membranes, the autolysosomal membranes were found to be more enriched in endoplasmic reticulum lumenal proteins (protein-disulfide isomerase, calreticulin, ER60, BiP) and endosome/Golgi markers (cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, transferrin receptor, Golgi 58-kDa protein) than lysosomal membranes. The autolysosomal membrane proteins include three polypeptides (44, 35, and 32 kDa) whose amino-terminal sequences have not yet been reported. Combining immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses, we identified the 44-kDa peptide as the intact subunit of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase and the 35- and 32-kDa peptides as two proteolytic fragments. Pronase digestion of autolysosomes revealed that the 44-kDa and 32-kDa peptides are present in the lumen, whereas the 35-kDa peptide is not. In primary hepatocyte cultures, the starvation-induced accumulation of the 32-kDa peptide occurs in the presence of E64d, showing that the 32-kDa peptide is formed from the sequestered 44-kDa peptide during autophagy. The accumulation is induced by rapamycin but completely inhibited by wortmannin, 3-methyladenine, and bafilomycin. Thus, detection of the 32-kDa peptide by immunoblotting can be used as a streamlined assay for monitoring autophagy.

Animals↗

Hair cycle-dependent expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator, other proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors correlates with the expression of HGF in rat hair follicles.

We previously reported that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) had a stimulatory effect on hair growth in vivo and in vitro. The secreted inactive form of HGF is processed into an active form by serine proteinases such as HGF activator and urokinase. The mRNA expressions of various proteinases and their inhibitors in relation to HGF activation in hair growth were examined using animals with a synchronous hair cycle. Total RNA were extracted from the anterior dorsal skin of rats in different hair cycle stages, and mRNA expressions of the specific genes were compared using semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA of HGF, HGF activator, urokinase, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, nexin-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were expressed strongly in anagen tissue and slightly in telogen tissue. Moreover, topical application of 1% minoxidil sulfate to the anterior dorsal skin of rats in telogen stimulated hair growth and increased the mRNA expressions of HGF and MMP-2. These findings suggest that some proteinases and their inhibitors, strongly expressed in anagen, may act as hair growth regulatory molecules, and may also be involved in processing the latent form of HGF.

Animals↗

Visual impairment and REP-1 gene mutations in Japanese choroideremia patients.

Choroideremia (CHM), an X-linked recessive hereditary disease, is an intractable chorioretinal dystrophy. The rate of disease progression of CHM reportedly shows considerable variability. A number of mutations involving the gene that codes for Rab escort protein-1 (REP-1) have been detected in CHM patients. We have analyzed REP-1 gene mutations of Japanese CHM patients. The present study was designed to investigate the clinical variability and the genotype to phenotype relationship in 15 Japanese CHM patients referred to the Department of Ophthalmology of Juntendo University Hospital. The clinical investigation of visual acuity, visual field, color vision and refraction revealed inter-individual variability. Mutation analyses of the REP-1 gene revealed 10 types of mutations in 13 patients from 11 families, including an insertion, small deletions, nonsense mutations and an A to CC mutation. In 13 CHM patients with detectable REP-1 gene mutations, no relationship of genotype to phenotype was detected. At present, we consider the REP-1 genotype to be an unreliable prognostic factor for counseling of CHM patients. In two patients from one family, no mutations were detected in coding regions of the REP-1 gene. These patients may have intron mutations of the REP-1 gene, not detectable by the techniques employed in this study, or other causative genes. Both were observed to have somewhat slower disease progression than the other 13 patients. More advanced analyses are necessary to answer questions regarding the genotype-phenotype relationship in CHM patients.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Analysis of where and which types of proteinases participate in lysosomal proteinase processing using bafilomycin A1 and Helicobacter pylori Vac A toxin.

Lysosomal proteinases are translated as preproforms, transported through the Golgi apparatus as proforms, and localized in lysosomes as mature forms. In this study, we analyzed which subclass of proteinases participates in the processing of lysosomal proteinases using Bafilomycin A1, a vacuolar ATPase inhibitor. Bafilomycin A1 raises lysosomal pH resulting in the degradation of lysosomal proteinases such as cathepsins B, D, and L. Twenty-four hours after the withdrawal of Bafilomycin A1, NIH3T3 cells possess these proteinases in amounts and activities similar to those in cells cultured in DMEM and 5% BCS. In the presence of various proteinase inhibitors, procathepsin processing is disturbed by E-64-d, resulting in abnormal processing of cathepsins D and L, but not by APMSF, Pepstatin A, or CA-074. In the presence of Helicobacter pylori Vac A toxin, which prevents vesicular transport from late endosomes to lysosomes, the processing of procathepsins B and D occurs, while that of procathepsin L does not. Thus, procathepsins B and D are converted to their mature forms in late endosomes, while procathepsin L is processed to the mature form after its arrival in lysosomes by some cysteine proteinase other than cathepsin B.

3T3 Cells↗

Function of the propeptide region in recombinant expression of active procathepsin L in Escherichia coli.

In order to determine the functional role of the procathepsin L propeptide region for the preparation of active recombinant rat cathepsin L (CL), cDNAs encoding two short-length propeptides (C-terminal 2 and 27 residues) and the full-length (96 residues) one plus the entire CL were expressed as two soluble fusion proteins with a fragment of maltose-binding protein and an insoluble fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase in Escherichia coli, respectively. After refolding of the insoluble fusion protein, each gene product was purified to homogeneity by amylose or glutathione-Sepharose-4B affinity column, and digestion with factor Xa and alpha-thrombin under alkaline conditions (pH approximately 8.0) led to the elution of two pure short-length procathepsin Ls (PCLs) and a full-length one, respectively. The enzymatic activity, estimated by hydrolytic assaying of benzoxycarbonyl-Phe-Arg-7-(4-methyl)coumarylamide under acidic conditions (pH 5.5), indicated that the two short-length PCLs exhibited in a great loss of the activity, as compared with the full-length PCL. The CD spectra of the short-length PCLs were different from that of the full-length one. The present results clearly show that the full-length propeptide is essential for construction of the active tertiary structure of CL at the stage of recombinant protein expression, although the expression of CL itself in E. coli does not require the propeptide. Based on the tertiary structure of PCL, the propeptide region necessary for the construction of the CL active structure has been discussed.

Animals↗

Multiple processing of procathepsin L to cathepsin L in vivo.

Three amino-terminal-specific peptidic antibodies against cathepsin L were generated. These antibodies recognize in vitro processing products of procathepsin L in time-course-dependent fashion. Immunoblot analyses with these antibodies followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-cathepsin L antibody showed that the amino terminal amino acid sequences of intracellular cathepsin L are heterogeneous: the single chain form of cathepsin L starts with either EPLML, LKIPK or IPKSV, and the heavy chain of the two chain form with IPKSV. Percoll density gradient and fluorescence immunohistochemistry suggested that these three species of cathepsin L localize in the lysosomes where procathepsin L processing occurs.

3T3 Cells↗

Suppression of lysosomal proteolysis at three different steps in regenerating rat liver.

Decreased lysosomal proteolysis in regenerating liver after 70% hepatectomy was analyzed. The activities of cathepsins B and L increased transiently 4 h after hepatectomy, began to decrease gradually reaching about 30% of the control level at 24 h, then returned to near control level after 7 days. Immunoblot and RNA blot analyses confirmed that the changes in cathepsin activities coincided with changes in protein levels and mRNA levels. In parallel with the changes in cathepsins, we found that the amounts of LGP120, LGP110, and LGP85, three integral lysosomal membrane proteins, declined significantly after hepatectomy, suggesting that the lysosomal levels are also diminished in regenerating liver. We isolated dextran-loaded lysosomes and found that the protein content and marker enzyme activities of dextran-loaded lysosomes from partially hepatectomized livers are lower by 50 and 40%, respectively, compared with control livers. This indicates that there is a significant reduction in the cellular lysosomal level in regenerating liver. In addition, we used a sensitive biochemical assay to quantify leupeptin-induced autolysosomes and found that the autophagic activity is markedly suppressed in regenerating liver as compared with normal liver. Thus, the suppression of lysosomal proteolysis in regenerating liver is attained through three steps, i. e., decreased biosynthesis of cathepsins, decreased lysosomal biogenesis, and decreased cellular autophagy.

Animals↗

Deimination of 70-kD nuclear protein during epidermal apoptotic events in vitro.

Peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) is the enzyme responsible for converting protein-bound arginine residues to citrulline. It has recently been shown that a number of epidermal proteins, including filaggrin, trichohyalin, and keratins, are deiminated by the action of PAD, suggesting a possible role for protein deimination during the final stages of epidermal differentiation. We report here a novel PAD substrate found during the course of identifying deiminated proteins in cultured rat epidermal keratinocytes. We found that a 70-kD protein localized to the periphery of the nucleus was preferentially deiminated after ionomycin treatment in the presence of 2 mM calcium and was associated with apoptotic events in these cells. Furthermore, we discovered that the deimination of nuclear protein could be induced by transfection of a PAD cDNA into rat epidermal keratinocytes. These data suggest that PAD may act on the 70-kD nuclear protein to induce disassembly of the nuclear lamina and promote apoptosis during terminal epidermal differentiation.

Animals↗

Gene regulation and extracellular functions of procathepsin L.

Cathepsin L, a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, belongs to the papain family. This proteinase is different from the other members of the mammalian papain family cysteine proteinase in the following ways: (i) The cathepsin L gene is activated by a variety of growth factors and activated oncogenes. (ii) Procathepsin L, a precursor form of cathepsin L is secreted from various cells. (iii) The mRNA level of cathepsin L is related to the in vivo metastatic potential of the transformed cells. Thus, the regulation of the cathepsin L gene and the extracellular functions of secreted procathepsin L are tightly coupled. In this review, we describe these two points, which have recently been addressed in our laboratory.

Animals↗

Egr family member proteins are involved in the activation of the cathepsin L gene in v-src-transformed cells.

Both the protein and mRNA levels of cathepsin L in SR-3Y1-2, v-src-transformed 3Y1 cell lines were higher than in 3Y1 cells. Results of CAT assays suggested that the v-src responsible region in the cathepsin L gene localizes to 300 bp in the 5'-upstream region and 60 bp in the first exon. DNaseI footprinting analyses showed that transcription factors bind to the region from 29bp to 55bp from the transcription start site. This region contains a CAAT-box and a 5'-GGCGGGGGCGG-3' sequence containing two repeat copies of consensus Sp-1 binding sites, overlapping a consensus Egr family binding site. DNA band shift assays showed that Sp-1 and NF-1 binding proteins bind to this region in 3Y1 cells while Egr family protein binds in SR-3Y1-2 cells. These results suggest that Egr family proteins are involved in the activation of the cathepsin L gene in SR-3Y1-2 cells.

Animals↗

Cytoplasmic processing of human profilaggrin by active mu-calpain.

The differentiation of keratinocytes involves numerous steps including the formation of the cornified envelope and the aggregation of keratin filaments by filaggrin monomer molecules. In this study, we investigated whether mu-calpain is involved in the processing of profilaggrin to filaggrin monomers by using both an active mu-calpain specific antibody and a 27-mer synthetic calpastatin peptide, a cell-permeable calpain-specific inhibitor. Upon incubation of cultured keratinocytes with Ca2+ for 96 hours, active mu-calpain with a molecular mass of 76 kDa appeared preceded by an increase in mu-calpain mRNA. In synchrony with the appearance of active mu-calpain, the processing of profilaggrin occurred. Furthermore, the Ca2+-induced activation of mu-calpain and the processing of profilaggrin were affected by the addition of the synthetic calpastatin inhibitor. These results indicate that the activation of mu-calpain plays a major role in the profilaggrin processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic structure of human cystatin A.

Cystatin A is a cysteine proteinase inhibitor with a molecular mass of 11 kDa, and is located mainly in the keratohyaline granules of the stratum granulosum and the cornified envelope of the stratum corneum in the epidermis. In this study, we demonstrated the genomic structure of this proteinase inhibitor in which there were three exons of 111 bp, 102 bp and 226 bp in length, while the lengths of the 1st and 2nd intron were approximately 14 Kbp and 4 Kbp, respectively. The conserved sequence of QVVAG was encoded in the 2nd exon and was not inserted by any introns. There were binding sites for SP-1 and AP-2 in the promoter region and an AP-1 binding site in the 1st intron. The successful amplification of each exon of cystatin A may possibly contribute to the detection of the genomic abnormality of some skin disorders e.g. keratinization disorder, chronic bacterial infection or photophobia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assembly of hair keratins in transfected epithelial cells.

To define the interactions required for the filament assembly of differentiation-specific keratins, active copies of mouse hair keratin mHa1 and mHb4 genes were introduced into a rat kangaroo kidney epithelial cell line (PtK2) and a rat stratified squamous epithelial cell line (rat epidermal keratinocyte). In PtK2 transient transfectants, when introduced individually or in combination, mHa1 and mHb4 formed aggregates of ring-like structures of various sizes at the perinuclear region with no evidence of organization into a keratin network. These aggregates altered the distribution of the endogenous keratins and vimentin. In most of the cells carrying the ring-like structures of mHa1 and mHb4 around the nucleus, the endogenous keratin network collapsed and localized around the nucleus. Furthermore, the densely accumulated endogenous keratin surrounded the ring-like aggregates with partial co-localization. However, when transfected into the rat epidermal keratinocytes, mHa1 and mHb4 were able to co-localize with the well-developed cytoskeleton of endogenous keratins. These results showed that, in contrast to keratin pairs K5/K14 and K8/K18, the mHa1/mHb4 pair is unable to develop an extensive keratin network on its own and that there are possible differential abilities among these hair keratins and other keratins to form well-developed cytoplasmic networks.

Animals↗

Genomic structure and PCR-SSCP analysis of the human CD40 ligand gene: its application to prenatal screening for X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome.

To develop a general method for analysis of the mutation and prenatal diagnosis of X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (XHM), the human CD40 ligand (hCD40L) gene was cloned and sequenced with special reference to the 5' and 3' flanking regions and exon/intron boundaries. The hCD40L gene consists of five exons and four introns, as already reported by others. Two major transcription initiation sites were identified at 67 bp and 64 bp upstream from the ATG initiation codon. The hCD40L mRNA transcripts terminated at 321 bp, 327 bp and 987 bp downstream from the TGA stop codon. Based on the intronic sequences, oligonucleotide primers were designed for amplifying the coding region of each exon separately. Polymerase chain reaction--single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis was successfully applied to screening for the defective hCD40L gene in a family with XHM. The nonsense mutation, Trp140 (TGG)-->stop (TAG) in exon 5, was found in the mother and an affected child. We also performed prenatal diagnosis by PCR-SSCP during the first trimester of pregnancy in this family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Procathepsin L degrades extracellular matrix proteins in the presence of glycosaminoglycans in vitro.

The processing of procathepsin L on the surfaces of physiological glycosaminoglycans, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, etc., as well as dextran derivatives were studied. All glycosaminoglycans and dextran derivatives including dextran T-500 and DEAE dextran examined in this study accelerated the conversion of procathepsin L to processed cathepsin L in vitro with different time courses. Further, we examined whether procathepsin L digests protein substrates in the presence or absence of the surface materials. Laminin was degraded by both procathepsin L itself and the 31-kDa processed form in the presence of surface materials with the same profiles. In contrast, fibronectin was digested by procathepsin L without processing in the presence of surface materials. The proteolytic profiles of fibronectin by the processed form differed from those by procathepsin L. This is the first evidence that the proform of a cysteine proteinase proteolyzes protein substrates.

3T3 Cells↗

Abnormal degradative pathway of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit c in late infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Batten disease).

Subunit c is normally present as an inner mitochondrial membrane component of the F0 sector of the ATP synthase complex, but in the late infantile form of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) it was also found in lysosomes in high concentrations. The rate of degradation of subunit c as measured by pulse-chase and immunoprecipitation showed a marked delay of degradation in patients' fibroblasts with late infantile form of NCL. There were no significant differences between control cells and cells with disease in the degradation of cytochrome oxidase subunit IV, an inner membrane protein of mitochondria. Measurement of labeled subunit c in mitochondrial and lysosomal fractions showed that the accumulation of labeled subunit c in the mitochondrial fraction can be detected before lysosomal appearance of radioactive subunit c, suggesting that subunit c accumulated as a consequence of abnormal catabolism in the mitochondrion and is transferred to lysosomes through an autophagic process. The biosynthetic rate of subunit c and mRNA levels for P1 and P2 genes that code for it were almost the same in both control and patient cells. These findings suggest that a specific failure in the degradation of subunit c after its normal inclusion in mitochondria and its consequent accumulation in lysosomes.

Electron Transport Complex IV↗