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Biomedical subjects

K Isshiki

Publications and source records attributed to K Isshiki.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of L-lysine 6-aminotransferase and its structural gene from Flavobacterium lutescens IFO3084.

L-Lysine 6-aminotransferase (LAT) is an enzyme involved in L-lysine catabolism in a wide range of living organisms. LAT from Flavobacterium lutescens IFO3084 was purified, and its structural gene (lat) was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. Native PAGE analysis of purified LAT gave a single band corresponding to a molecular weight of about 110,000. lat encoded a protein of 493 amino acids with a deduced molecular weight of 53,200, which is very close to that of purified LAT determined on SDS-PAGE. Expression of lat in E. coli revealed that lat encodes a single subunit protein leading to LAT activity. These data suggested that LAT from F. lutescens IFO3084, like most other aminotransferases, is derived from a single ORF and is active as a homodimer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of pcd encoding delta'-piperideine-6-carboxylate dehydrogenase from flavobacterium lutescens IFO3084.

The pcd gene from Flavobacterium lutescens IFO3084 encoding Delta'-piperideine-6-carboxylate dehydrogenase (PCD) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequence of PCD from F. lutescens IFO3084 showed strong similarity to that from Streptomyces clavuligerus. The molecular mass of the recombinant PCD was estimated to be approximately 58,000 Da by SDS-PAGE and native PAGE, which indicated that the enzyme molecule is a monomer. The in vitro analysis of L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA) production showed that L-AAA is synthesized from L-lysine in two steps catalyzed by L-lysine 6-aminotransferase (LAT) and PCD from F. lutescens IFO3084.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Amelioration of accelerated diabetic mesangial expansion by treatment with a PKC beta inhibitor in diabetic db/db mice, a rodent model for type 2 diabetes.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is implicated as an important mechanism by which diabetes causes vascular complications. We have recently shown that a PKC beta inhibitor ameliorates not only early diabetes-induced glomerular dysfunction such as glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria, but also overexpression of glomerular mRNA for transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, a model for type 1 diabetes. In this study, we examined the long-term effects of a PKC beta inhibitor on glomerular histology as well as on biochemical and functional abnormalities in glomeruli of db/db mice, a model for type 2 diabetes. Administration of a PKC beta inhibitor reduced urinary albumin excretion rates and inhibited glomerular PKC activation in diabetic db/db mice. Administration of a PKC beta inhibitor also prevented the mesangial expansion observed in diabetic db/db mice, possibly through attenuation of glomerular expression of TGF-beta and ECM proteins such as fibronectin and type IV collagen. These findings provide the first in vivo evidence that the long-term inhibition of PKC activation in the renal glomeruli can ameliorate glomerular pathologies in diabetic state, and thus suggest that a PKC beta inhibitor might be an useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Albuminuria↗

Thiazolidinedione compounds ameliorate glomerular dysfunction independent of their insulin-sensitizing action in diabetic rats.

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) compounds are widely used as oral hypoglycemic agents. Herein, we provide evidence showing that troglitazone, one of the TZD compounds, is able to prevent glomerular dysfunction in diabetic rats through a novel mechanism independent of its insulin-sensitizing action. We examined the effect of troglitazone on functional and biochemical parameters of glomeruli in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Troglitazone was able to prevent not only diabetic glomerular hyperfiltration and albuminuria, but an increase in mRNA expression of extracellular matrix proteins and transforming growth factor-beta1 in glomeruli of diabetic rats, without changing blood glucose levels. Biochemically, an increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) contents and the activation of the protein kinase C (PKC)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in glomeruli of diabetic rats were abrogated by troglitazone. The activation of DAG-PKC-ERK pathways in vitro in mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions was also inhibited by troglitazone. Troglitazone enhanced the activities of DAG kinase, which could metabolize DAG to phosphatidic acid, in both glomeruli of diabetic rats and mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions. Surprisingly, pioglitazone, another TZD compound without alpha-tocopherol moiety in its structure, also prevented the activation of the DAG-PKC pathway and activated DAG kinase in mesangial cells cultured under high glucose conditions. These results may identify the TZDs as possible new therapeutic agents for diabetic nephropathy that prevent glomerular dysfunction through the inhibition of the DAG-PKC-ERK pathway.

Albuminuria↗

Combined effects of hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and the addition of allyl isothiocyanate on inactivation of Escherichia coli.

Combined effects of hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and the addition of allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) on the inactivation of Escherichia coli, including type O157, were investigated. Inactivation to undetectable levels by hydrostatic pressure alone requires 400 to 600 MPa. E. coli growth was delayed with increasing of applied pressure and the AIT concentration added subsequently. The antibacterial effects of AIT vapor increased on JCM 1649 and IFO 3301 after pressurization. The bactericidal effects of pressurization with the addition of AIT at 4 degrees C or 40 degrees C were greater than at 20 degrees C, and all bacteria tested were effectively killed at 200 or 250 MPa with 10 to 80 microg/ml of AIT. We tried to apply the combined treatment to a food product "Asazuke" (low salt vegetables), and it was confirmed that E. coli inoculated into the product was inactivated the same as in the in vitro test. We also studied the inactivation mechanism behind pressurization with AIT from the relationship between pressure resistance and precultivation temperature, and it was suggested that destruction of membrane structure caused bacterial kill.

Animals↗

[Kidney disease and insulin resistance--clinical impact of thiazolidinedione compounds for kidney disease].

The thiazolidinedione compounds are well known hypoglycemic agents via increasing insulin-sensitivity. Herein, we provide the possibility that thiazolidinedione compounds could be useful for renal dysfunction through mechanism dependent or independent of its insulin-sensitizing action. In type 2 diabetes, troglitazone could reduce urinary albumin-creatinine ratio compared to metformin. Furthermore, we have shown that troglitazone was able to prevent diabetic glomerular dysfunction through inhibition of diacylglycerol-protein kinase C-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in type 1 diabetic rats. Thus, thiazolidinediones might be effective agents for treating insulin-resistant diabetes as well as diabetes-induced kidney disease.

Animals↗

Inhibition of growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh radish (Raphanus sativus L.) sprout production by calcinated calcium.

The inhibitory effect of calcinated calcium on the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during fresh radish (Raphanus sativus L.) sprout production was studied. It was revealed that the addition of 0.4% (wt/vol) calcinated calcium into radish sprouting medium which was artificially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 (3.0 to 3.2 log CFU/ml) completely inhibited the growth or inactivated the microorganism. When radish seed extract was used instead of radish sprout production, the same extent of growth inhibition or inactivation was observed with much lower amounts (0.07%) of calcinated calcium under similar experimental conditions. The findings suggested that calcinated calcium may be useful to control E. coli O157:H7 contamination during the production of radish sprouts.

Brassicaceae↗

A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome developed minimal change nephrotic syndrome simultaneously.

A case who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and nephrotic syndrome (NS) simultaneously is reported. In this case, the onset of nephrotic change of proteinuria coincided with the development of the neurological disturbance. Analysis of renal biopsy by light, immunofluorescent and electron microscopy showed minor glomerular abnormalities. The occurrence of GBS in association with NS is rare, and moreover most cases in the previous reports had membranous nephropathy. Only 1 case had minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case beneficially treated with glucocorticoids, suggesting that immune disorder may play an important role in the association between MCNS and GBS.

Adult↗

TMC-52A to D, novel cysteine proteinase inhibitors, produced by Gliocladium sp.

New cysteine proteinase inhibitors, TMC-52A, B, C, and D, were isolated from the fungal fermentation broth. On the basis of a taxonomical study, the producing strain, F-2665, was characterized as Gliocladium sp. Spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation have shown TMC-52A to D to be epoxysuccinyl peptides. TMC-52A to D strongly inhibited cysteine proteinases, in particular, cathepsin L with IC50 values of 13 nM, 10nM, 10nM, and 6nM, respectively.

Cathepsin L↗

Mechanism of the progression of diabetic nephropathy to renal failure.

Although the evolution of diabetic nephropathy is brought about mostly by persistent hyperglycemia, its progression may be influenced by various other factors such as hypertension and dietary protein intake. It has been recently suggested in the literature that the gene polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) might be associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy, because the DD genotype of ACE gene is closely associated with the presence of nephropathy in diabetic subjects. However, in our present analysis the frequency of the DD genotype in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes is not significantly related to the presence or absence of nephropathy. It remains to be clarified by multi-center analysis using large numbers of patients whether the gene polymorphism of ACE is related to the progression of diabetic nephropathy to renal failure. Furthermore, it has been postulated that the interstitial fibrosis evaluated in renal biopsy specimens is significantly correlated with the declining of renal function in diabetic patients. However, it is not possible to clinically quantitate the interstitial fibrosis without performing renal biopsy. We have recently found that the urinary excretion of type IV collagen is significantly increased in diabetic patients. Moreover, the increase in urinary type IV collagen is well correlated with the amount of urinary albumin. Since type IV collagen in the urine is probably derived from tubulointerstitial tissue, it is likely that the increased amount of type IV collagen in the urine may reflect the fibrotic change in diabetic kidneys. Whether the increase in urinary type IV collagen is able to predict for the progression of diabetic nephropathy in the future should be examined.

Collagen↗

Subtilisin Sendai from alkalophilic Bacillus sp.: molecular and enzymatic properties of the enzyme and molecular cloning and characterization of the gene, aprS.

We purified a new extracellular serine proteinase (designated subtilisin Sendai) from the culture broth of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. G-825-6, and its properties were characterized. Its optimum pH was at 10.0, when succinyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-valyl-L-tyrosyl-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA) was used as a substrate. The substrate specificity of subtilisin Sendai was determined with oxidized insulin B-chain and fluorogenic peptidyl-MCA substrates. The isoelectric point of subtilisin Sendai was over 11.0. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated as 28,000 using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The circular dichroism spectrum of the enzyme was measured, and we discuss the relationship between the secondary structure of the enzyme and alkaline stability at pH 12 in comparison with that of subtilisin NAT. The structural gene (aprS) was cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence for the mature protein (269 amino acids) was preceded by a putative signal sequence of 27 residues and a putative pro-sequence of 86 amino acids. The homology of the primary structure for 13 subtilisins was compared. The catalytic triad (Asp32, His64, and Ser221 with the numbering of subtilisin BPN') and the amino acid sequences near these amino acid residues were well conserved. As a special feature, it was observed that there was an extensive number of negatively charged amino acids in the pro-region of subtilisin Sendai and alkaline subtilisins. This was different from those of subtilisin from neutrophiles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acute Budd-Chiari syndrome due to inferior vena cava occlusion following blunt trauma.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis or obstruction is a complication rarely associated with blunt trauma. We present a case of IVC thrombo-occlusive lesion with both hepatic and renal failure which developed after a thoracoabdominal blunt trauma. Direct thrombectomy and patch cavoplasty were successfully carried out under deep hypothermia using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Acute Disease↗