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Biomedical subjects

K Kato

Publications and source records attributed to K Kato.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Involvement of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase in prostaglandin f(2alpha)-stimulated induction of heat shock protein 27 in osteoblasts.

We previously reported that prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) activates both phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and then induces the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, we investigated the effect of PGF(2alpha) on the induction of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a low-molecular-weight heat shock protein, in these cells. PGF(2alpha) significantly induced the accumulation of HSP27 dose-dependently within the range of 10 nM to 10 microM. PGF(2alpha) stimulated the increase in the levels of mRNA for HSP27. A total of 10 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of PKC, induced the accumulation of HSP27. The stimulative effect of PGF(2alpha) was reduced in the PKC down-regulated cells. Calphostin C, a specific inhibitor of PKC, suppressed the PGF(2alpha)-induced HSP27 accumulation as well as that induced by TPA. HSP27 induction by PGF(2alpha) was reduced by U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, or propranolol, a phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor. PGF(2alpha) and TPA stimulated p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. PD98059, an inhibitor of the upstream kinase that activates p42/p44 MAP kinase, suppressed the induction of HSP27 stimulated by PGF(2alpha) or TPA. PD98059 and calphostin C reduced the levels of mRNA for HSP27 increased by PGF(2alpha). These results indicate that PGF(2alpha) stimulates the induction of HSP27 via p42/p44 MAP kinase activation, which depends on upstream PKC activation in osteoblasts.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

Structural basis for the regulation of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase-3 gene expression in adenocarcinoma cells.

The UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase-3 (Gal NAc-T3) gene, a member of the Gal NAc transferase gene family, is expressed in a tissue-specific manner. To elucidate the function of this gene, we have focused on the molecular mechanism underlying regulation of gene expression. We have cloned Gal NAc-T3 cDNA and used it to show that Gal NAc-T3 mRNA is expressed in tumor cell lines derived from secretory epithelial tissue adenocarcinomas but not in cell lines derived from bladder and epidermoid carcinomas. Using a polyclonal antibody to Gal NAc-T3, we observed protein expression in adenocarcinoma but not non-adenocarcinoma cell lines, and in breast carcinoma cells but not in normal breast tissue. We used Gal NAc-T3 cDNA to isolate three overlapping genomic clones containing the 5'-portion of the human Gal NAc-T3 gene, and we sequenced 1.6 kb around the first exon. A transient expression assay using the luciferase gene showed that promoter activity was much higher in MCF-7 cells than in KB cells. In vivo footprint experiments showed significant protection of a distal GC box, an NRF-1 site, and an AP-2 site in MCF-7 cells. A novel stem and loop structure extending from nucleotide -103 to nucleotide -165 and contiguous to these transcription factor binding sites seemed to be functional in regulating Gal NAc-T3 gene transcription, and a KMnO4 footprint experiment showed that this stem and loop structure could be formed in vivo. We also observed dimethyl sulfate hypersensitive sites in the untranslated region around nucleotide +50 in MCF-7 but not in KB cells. These findings indicate that Gal NAc-T3 gene expression is regulated by multiple systems, including transcription factor binding sites and a stem-and-loop structure, and that this regulation is restricted to cell lines derived from epithelial gland adenocarcinomas but not cells derived from nonsecretory epithelial tissue carcinomas. In addition, our immunohistochemical results suggest that our anti-Gal NAc-T3 antibody may be useful for diagnostic purposes in the early stages of breast cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Recombinant hepatitis E capsid protein self-assembles into a dual-domain T = 1 particle presenting native virus epitopes.

The three-dimensional structure of a self-assembled, recombinant hepatitis E virus particle has been solved to 22-A resolution by cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction. The single subunit of 50 kDa is derived from a truncated version of the open reading frame-2 gene of the virus expressed in a baculovirus system. This is the first structure of a T = 1 particle with protruding dimers at the icosahedral two-fold axes solved by cryo-electron microscopy. The protein shell of these hollow particles extends from a radius of 50 A outward to a radius of 135 A. In the reconstruction, the capsid is dominated by dimers that define the 30 morphological units. The outer domain of the homodimer forms a protrusion, which corresponds to the spike-like density seen in the cryo-electron micrograph. This particle retains native virus epitopes, suggesting its potential value as a vaccine.

Capsid↗
PubMed1999

Cytochrome P450 isoforms catalyzing benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in the Chinese hamster liver.

Cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in the Chinese hamster liver were characterized. The activity of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase in male hamster livers increased markedly by treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (25 mg/kg per day, i.p., 3 days) and moderately with phenobarbital (60 mg/kg per day) and dexamethasone (100 mg/kg per day). In contrast, the ability for the mutagenic activation of benzo[a]pyrene determined by the mutagenicity test was increased most markedly by treatment with phenobarbital and significantly with 3-methylcholanthrene, but not with dexamethasone. These observations are similar to those in the rat rather than in the Syrian hamster. Western blot analysis and assay of the enzymes associated with cytochrome P450 isoforms showed that the 3-methylcholanthrene treatment elevated markedly the level of CYP1A2, but not that of CYP1A1, while the phenobarbital treatment elevated markedly the level of CYP2A and CYP3A, but not that of CYP2B. Further, immunoinhibition study demonstrated that, in Chinese hamster livers, CYP2A and CYP1A2 were mainly involved in the mutagenic activation of benzo[a]pyrene and CYP3A in the benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Relevance of ER to the Development of Endometrial Hyperplasia and Adenocarcinoma.

Estrogen has an important role in both the etiology and treatment of hormone-dependent endometrial cancers, although the mechanism remains elusive. To definethe role of estrogen-mediated signaling we investigated the biological significance of estrogen receptors (ER) in NIH3T3 cell transformation via the [ &sup12; Val ] K-Ras mutant. This mutant enhanced the steady state level and transcriptional activity of ER. In addition, overexpression of both wild type K-Ras and ER transformed NIH3T3 cells. Co-expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) with mutant K-Ras led to suppression of tumorigenicity and inhibition of ER activation. The antisense oligomers complementary to ER suppressed proliferation and transformed phenotypes of K12V cells. These observations support the importance of ER in Ras-mediated cell transformation. To address whether ER activation is also important in the development of human endometrial cancers, we investigated ER and PR expression levels in premalignant and malignant endometrial lesions. The results suggested the implication of ER abundance in endometrial hyperplasias, though modulation of PR expression by ER was retained. G1 adenocarcinoma also expressed higher levels of ER while PR modulation by ER was abrogated. These data implied the importance of ER activitiesin endometrial hyperplasia and G1 adenocarcinoma development.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Structure refinement of Cu8GeS6 using X-ray diffraction data from a multiple-twinned crystal.

The structure of the orthorhombic room-temperature phase of Cu(8)GeS(6) (copper germanium sulfide), M(r) = 773.27, has been refined on the basis of X-ray diffraction data from a 12-fold twinned crystal applying a six-dimensional twin refinement technique. For 1804 unique reflections measured using Mo Kalpha radiation, R(F) was 0.083 with 77 structure parameters and 12 scale factors. The symmetry operations, the unit cell and other crystal data are (0, 0, 0; (1/2), (1/2), 0) + x, y, z; y, x, z; (1/4) - x, (3/4) - y, (1/2) + z; (3/4) - y, (1/4) - x, (1/2) + z; a = b = 9.9073 (3) Å, c = 9.8703 (4) Å, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 90.642 (4) degrees; V = 968.7 (1) Å(3), Z = 4, D(x) = 5.358 Mg m(-3), µ = 21.70 mm(-1). The standard setting of the space group and the reduced unit cell are Pmn2(1); a = 7.0445 (3), b = 6.9661 (3), c = 9.8699 (5) Å; Z = 2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Simultaneous determination of residual tetracyclines in foods by high-performance liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

We established a method for precisely determining residual tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) in foods by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (APCI LC-MS-MS) using selected reaction monitoring with an internal standard. By setting the nebulizer probe temperature to 475 degrees C, we were able to use a mobile phase containing oxalic acid without clogging problems at the APCI interface, since oxalic acid decomposes to carbon dioxide and water at high temperature. DMCTC was very effective as an internal standard for determining TCs in various foods. TCs were cleaned up using a Bond Elut ENV cartridge and analysed by APCI LC-MS-MS. The recovery of TCs from various foods including animal tissues, honey, milk, eggs, and fish fortified at levels of 0.05, 0.10, and 0.50 ppm averaged 60.1-88.9%, with an RSD of 1.2-8.7%. The detection limits were 0.001 ppm for OTC and TC, 0.004 ppm for CTC, and 0.002 ppm for DC. The present method was also successfully used to determine TCs in swine kidney samples that were previously found by microbiological assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Regression and prevention of autochthonous tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene after injection of a T-cell receptor alpha /beta positive and CD4/CD8 double negative T-cells.

Both the therapeutic and preventative effects of a murine T-cell line, tMK-2, with T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha/beta positive and CD4-/8- double negative (DN) phenotype against autochthonously tumors induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) were examined. Complete regression of the tumor was observed when administration of tMK-2 cells was begun on tumors 5 mm in diameter. The tumor mass in five out of five mice was reduced in size after the administration of tMK-2 cells regardless of the routes of administration: s.c. injection of tMK-2 cells (5 x 10(7) cells) once a week around tumors, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (5 x 10(7) cells), or intravenous (i.v.) injection (1 x 10(7) cells). The tumors regressed to the status of a scar within 1 month of initial injection, and this status was maintained throughout the remainder of the 3 months period of tMK-2 cell injection. One month after discontinuation of tMK-2 cell administration, the diameter of the tumors had not increased regardless of the route of injection. The control groups consisted of either untreated mice, mice with i.v. injection of 1 microg of recombinant murine interleukin (IL)-12 once a week, or mice with s.c. injection of autologous splenocytes (5 x 10(7)) from BALB/c mice once a week. Continuous growth of tumors was observed in each group and all control mice died due to bleeding ulcerations of the tumors. Tumor development was effectively prevented when tMK-2 cells were administrated 1 week after the s.c. injection of MC. In the groups receiving s.c., i.p., and i.v. injection of tMK-2 cells, no MC-induced tumors developed, whereas four out of five of the control mice developed autochthonous tumors. The tMK-2 cells also exerted in vitro NK-like cytotoxic activity, and their killing activity was strongly increased in the presence of both IL-2 and IL-12. These results suggest that the injected T-cells with TCR alpha/beta positive and CD4- /8- DN phenotype and NK-like activity are important in the therapy as well as the prevention of tumor development.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Carcinogenicity of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in the rat prostate and induction of invasive carcinomas by subsequent treatment with testosterone propionate.

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) at 400 ppm in the diet for 52 weeks was found to induce non-invasive microscopic carcinomas in the ventral prostate of the treated rats, in addition to colon and mammary carcinomas. The current experimental data demonstrate that only a 20-week period of PhIP treatment is sufficient for induction of ventral carcinomas and that long-term pharmacological dosing with testosterone propionate which applied through a Silastic tube embedded in the subcutis after PhIP treatment can induce invasive carcinomas in the anterior prostate and seminal vesicles. Thus, PhIP may provide the basis for a good two stage carcinogenesis model for investigation of prostate carcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Genetic similarity of HIV type 1 subtype E in a recent outbreak among injecting drug users in northern Vietnam to strains in Guangxi Province of southern China.

To investigate the molecular epidemiology of a recent HIV-1 outbreak in northern Vietnam and its relation to the epidemic in surrounding areas, we analyzed 17 HIV-positive blood specimens from 3 heterosexuals, 2 sexually transmitted disease patients, and 12 injecting drug users (IDUs), collected in 4 provinces near Hanoi in 1998. These were compared with the specimens from Ho Chi Minh City (n = 10) and An Giang Province (n = 10) in southern Vietnam and with published sequences from neighboring countries. Genetic subtyping based on the env C2/V3 sequences revealed that HIV-1 subtype E predominated throughout Vietnam in all risk populations; the exception was one typical United States-European-type HIV-1 subtype B detected in a patient in Ho Chi Minh City, the first case of HIV infection identified in Vietnam in 1990. The HIV-1 subtype E sequences identified in 9 of the 12 IDUs from northern provinces were closely related phylogenetically to those in IDUs in nearby Guangxi Province of China, and also shared a common amino acid signature downstream of the env V3 loop region. The low interperson nucleotide diversity among IDUs in northern Vietnam supports the view that HIV-1 subtype E was introduced recently among IDUs in northern Vietnam. These data indicate a linkage between HIV-1 circulating among IDUs in northern Vietnam and southern China, and suggest recent transborder introductions as the likely source of HIV-1 subtype E in northern Vietnam.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in coronary artery thrombi.

To validate the hypothesis that artery sites occluded with thrombi release pro-inflammatory cytokines, we measured concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in infarct-related coronary artery thrombi and atherosclerotic plaque specimens obtained with a transluminal extraction catheter (TEC) from cases of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Fifteen patients (group I) were enrolled in the study and four sets of samples were obtained (taken from the right atrium both before and after angioplasty, from infarct-related coronary artery thrombi and atherosclerotic plaque aspirated with a TEC and from the thoracic aorta aspirated with a TEC). Ten patients undergoing elective TEC served as controls (group II). IL-6 and IL-8 were measured in all patients by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both IL-6 and IL-8 levels of infarct-related coronary artery samples in group I were significantly higher than in group II (mean +/- SEM, 15.3+/-4.5 vs. 3.8+/-1.2 pg/ml; P<0.01 and 44.0+/-2.4 vs. 15.6+/-0.6 pg/ml; P<0.01, respectively). The results suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines originate from occluded coronary arteries in acute MI.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1999

An aldose reductase inhibitor prevents the glucose-induced increase in PDGF-beta receptor in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

To examine the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the polyol pathway in the growth activity of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation, [(125)I]-PDGF-BB binding and expression of PDGF-beta receptor protein were measured in rat aortic SMCs cultured with 5.5 or 20 mM glucose with or without anti-PDGF antibody or an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat. SMCs cultured with 20 mM glucose demonstrated an accelerated thymidine incorporation compared with SMCs cultured with 5.5 mM glucose, which was prevented by anti-PDGF antibody. This acceleration of growth activity by 20 mM glucose was accompanied by an increase in PDGF-BB binding, which was due to the increased number of PDGF-beta receptors and the overexpression of PDGF-beta receptor protein. Epalrestat prevented all these abnormalities. These observations suggest that polyol pathway hyperactivity plays an important role in the proliferation of SMCs which may be mediated through the accelerated expression of PDGF-beta receptor protein.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1999

Sendai virus-based production of HIV type 1 subtype B and subtype E envelope glycoprotein 120 antigens and their use for highly sensitive detection of subtype-specific serum antibodies.

We previously described a Sendai virus (SeV)-based expression system for the recombinant gp120 of HIV-1 subtype B (rgp120-B), which has permitted the production of antigenetically and functionally authentic gp120 at a concentration as high as 6 microg/ml of culture supernatant (Yu D et al.: Genes Cells 1997;2:457-466). Here the same procedure was successfully applied to the production of HIV-1 subtype E gp120 (rgp120-E). The remarkable production of the proteins by the SeV expression system enabled us to use crude culture supernatants for serological and functional studies of gp120s. The immunological authenticity of rgp120-E was verified by patient sera and anti-V3 loop monoclonal antibodies specific for HIV-1 subtypes B and E. CD4-binding properties were corroborated by FACS analyses. The rgp120s were then used in an enzyme immunoassay (rgp120-EIA) to detect antibodies in the sera of HIV-1-infected individuals, and the performance was assessed in comparison with a conventional V3 loop peptide EIA (V3-EIA). The initial evaluation of a serum panel (n = 164) consisting of 76 subtype E and 88 subtype B sera revealed that the rgp120-EIA was nearly 1000-fold more sensitive than the V3-EIA and was able to detect subtype-specific antibody with 100% sensitivity and with a complete correlation with the genotypes, whereas the V3-EIA failed to detect 9 and 24% of the same subtype E and B sera, respectively. Furthermore, a study employing a panel of 28 international sera with known genotypes (HIV-1 subtypes A through F) confirmed the remarkable specificity of this method. An EIA reactivity higher than 1.0 was an unambiguous predictor of HIV-1 subtype E and B infections. The data imply the presence of strong subtype-specific epitopes for antibody bindings to these rgp120s.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1999

Sphingosine 1-phosphate regulates heat shock protein 27 induction by a p38 MAP kinase-dependent mechanism in aortic smooth muscle cells.

In an aortic smooth muscle cell line, A10 cells, we investigated the effect of sphingosine 1-phosphate on the induction of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a low-molecular-weight heat shock protein. Sphingosine 1-phosphate significantly induced the accumulation of HSP27 in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. The effect was dose-dependent in the range between 0.1 and 30 microM. Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulated an increase in the levels of mRNA for HSP27. Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulated both p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and p38 MAP kinase activation. PD98059, an inhibitor of the upstream kinase that activates p42/p44 MAP kinase, did not affect sphingosine 1-phosphate-stimulated HSP27 induction. In contrast, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, reduced sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced HSP27 induction. SB203580 reduced the levels of mRNA for HSP27 induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate. These results indicate that sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates the induction of HSP27 via p38 MAP kinase activation in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody that senses nitric oxide-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against bovine lung soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) were prepared and characterized. mAb 3221 recognized both the alpha- and beta-subunits of sGC and had greater binding affinity to the enzyme in the presence of NO. mAb 28131 recognized only the beta-subunit and its affinity did not change with NO. Neither mAb cross-reacted with particulate GC. Cultured Purkinje cells from rats were treated with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, an NO donor, and examined by immunocytochemical methods. The immunoreactivity associated with mAb 3221 increased with the cGMP content in a crude extract of cerebellum and the NO2 generated in the culture medium increased.

Animals↗