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Biomedical subjects

K Kitajima

Publications and source records attributed to K Kitajima.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Detection of reverse transcriptase activity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using biotin-labelled oligo-dT primer and digoxigenin (Dig)-dUTP was designed to measure the reverse transcriptase (RT) activity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The ELISA system involves the selective detection step of a newly synthesized cDNA by two specific bindings, biotin-streptavidin binding and alkaline phosphatase (AP)-conjugated anti-Dig-Dig binding, and the enzymatic amplification step to increase coloring generated by AP. This method was used to measure the activity of RT in the culture supernatants of peripheral leukocytes obtained from four anti-HIV-1-positive persons cocultivated with those from four anti-HIV-1-negative persons. RT activity was detected in all of four anti-HIV-1-positive culture supernatants but not in those cultivated with anti-HIV-1-negative supernatants alone. Thus, our improved ELISA for detection of HIV-1 appears to be sensitive enough and useful for routine laboratory work. This non-radioactive method will also be useful for detecting other retroviruses and for screening of RT inhibitors.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1995

[The influence of rates of pressure change on pressure-induced vestibular response in guinea pigs].

Ambient pressure changes are known to induce vertigo and bodily disequilibrium, e.g. alternobaric vertigo. It is predicted, based on clinical observations of such vertigo, that the rates of pressure change are responsible for alternobaric vertigo. The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of the rates of pressure change on the activities of primary vestibular neurons using an animal model of alternobaric vertigo. The responses of primary vestibular neurons to middle ear pressure stimuli were investigated in guinea pigs under 2 different rates of pressure change (+/- 50, +/- 100 mmH2O/sec). The following results were obtained. 1. The response rates and the gains of firing rates with pressure stimuli were larger under +/- 100 mmH2O/sec than under +/- 50 mmH2O/sec. 2. The onsets of responses to pressure stimuli were faster under +/- 100 mmH2O/sec than under +/- 50 mmH2O/sec. The results obtained in the present study reveal that vestibular activities are altered by the rates of ambient pressure change.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differential reactivity of two types of N-glycolyneuraminic acid dimers toward enzymatic and nonenzymatic hydrolysis of their interketosidic linkages.

The kinetics of acid- and sialidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the interketosidic linkages of two different disialic acids, Neu5Gc alpha 2-->5-OglycolylNeu5Gc and Neu5Gc alpha 2-->8Neu5Gc, were studied. The former sequence was recently identified in the polysialic acid chains of a sialic acid-rich glycoprotein isolated from the egg jelly coat of two different species of sea urchins, and the latter was previously found in the cortical alveolar-derived polysialoglycoprotein from rainbow trout eggs. At pH values < 3.8, the rate of hydrolysis of Neu5Gc alpha 2-->5-OglycolylNeu5Gc was greater than that of Neu5Gc alpha 2-->8Neu5Gc. Paradoxically, however, Neu5Gc alpha 2-->5-OglycolylNeu5Gc was more stable than Neu5Gc alpha 2-->8Neu5Gc at pH values > 3.8. These findings indicate a greater contribution of intramolecular general acid catalysis to the lability of the alpha 2-->5-ketosidic linkage. Neu5Gc alpha 2-->5-OglycolylNeu5Gc was a poor substrate for Arthrobacter ureafaciens, Clostridium perfringens, and Vibrio cholerae sialidases, in contrast to Neu5Gc alpha 2-->8Neu5Gc. Neu5Gc alpha 2-->5-OglycolylNeu5Gc was essentially resistant to hydrolysis by A. ureafaciens sialidase.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Identification of polysialic acid-containing glycoprotein in the jelly coat of sea urchin eggs. Occurrence of a novel type of polysialic acid structure.

Sea urchin eggs are surrounded by a gelatinous layer (called the jelly coat) that consists of mixture of fucoserich polysaccharides and sialic acid-rich glycoproteins. Chemical and 500 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopic studies revealed for the first time the presence of a novel polysialic acid (polySia) structure in the jelly coat glycoproteins isolated from Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus (designated polySia-gp(H)). The structure of the polySia chains was thoroughly characterized as (-->5-Oglycolyl-Neu5Gc alpha 2-->)n, where n ranges from 4 to more than 40 Neu5Gc residues. The polyNeu5Gc chains were attached to core oligosaccharides that were O-glycosidically linked to threonine residues on a core polypeptide. Each polypeptide contained about 17 O-linked polysialylglycan chains. The apparent molecular weight of polySia-gp(H) was 180,000. The expression of this new polySia structure in place of alpha 2-->8-linked polySia is the main structural feature that distinguishes polySia-gp from other known polysialylated glycoproteins. The (-->5-Ogly-colyl-Neu5Gc alpha 2-->)n chains were resistant to exo- and endosialidases from Arthrobacter ureafaciens and bacteriophage K1F, respectively. Discovery of these (-->5-Ogly-colyl-Neu5Gc alpha 2-->)n chains adds a new class of naturally occurring polySia to the structurally diverse family of polysialylated glycoproteins. The structure of a poly-Sia-gp from a different sea urchin species, Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus (designated polySia-gp(S)), was also determined to ascertain if there were any species-specific differences. The 500 MHz 1H NMR spectra of the two polySia-gps were identical, indicating that at this level of molecular detail the structures were the same. The molecular weight of polySiagp(S) was larger, however (250,000), and it contained about 25 polySia chains O-glycosidically linked to both threonine (two-thirds) and serine (one-third) residues.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1994

Discovery of a new type of sialidase, "KDNase," which specifically hydrolyzes deaminoneuraminyl (3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid) but not N-acylneuraminyl linkages.

The release of 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid (KDN, deaminoneuraminic acid) residues from their alpha-ketosidic linkage is required to determine the structural and functional role of KDN-glycoconjugates in sources as disparate as trout egg polysialoglycoproteins and human cancers. We report for the first time the isolation and characterization of a novel type of sialidase (KDNase), which specifically hydrolyzes KDN ketosidic but not N-acylneuraminyl linkages. KDNase activity was assayed using 4-methylumbelliferyl KDN (4-MU-KDN). A KDNase-producing microorganism was identified as Sphingobacterium multivorum. The affinity-purified enzyme was designated KDNase SM to denote its origin and that it was free of N-acylneuraminidase, proteolytic, and other glycosidase activities. KDNase SM activity toward 4-MU-KDN was not inhibited by the N-acylneuraminidase inhibitor, 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid. KDNase SM released free KDN from naturally occurring substrates, including (KDN)GM3, KDN-glycoprotein, which bears a number of O-linked chains of KDN alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc alpha 1-->3 (KDN alpha 2-->(-->8KDN alpha 2-->)n-->6)GalNAc alpha 1-->, and the biantennary complex-type of N-glycan, KDN alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->2Man alpha 1-->6(KDN alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->2Man alpha 1-->3)Man beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc. KDNase SM thus exhibited a broad linkage specificity and was able to hydrolyze the KDN residues ketosidically linked alpha 2-->3, alpha 2-->6, and alpha 2-->8. The enzyme did not release Neu5Ac or Neu5Gc from 4-MU-Neu5Ac, N-acetyl-neuraminyllactose, colominic acid, or other Sia(Neu5Ac or Neu5Gc)-containing glycoconjugates.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1994

Isolation, structural determination, and calcium-binding properties of the major glycoprotein present in Bufo japonicus japonicus egg jelly.

Although the previous studies showed that the jelly coat is essential in anuran fertilization under natural conditions, identification and structural studies of the macromolecules that play functional roles have remained to be elucidated. In the present study we isolated acidic glycoproteins (JGP) from the solubilized egg jelly of Bufo japonicus japonicus, and showed that they were the major non-dialyzable macromolecular components of the jelly coat. JGP was a typical mucin-type glycoprotein, and it showed high degree of polydispersity in molecular masses ranging over 100-4000 kDa, but both amino acid and carbohydrate compositions were practically identical among fractions, suggesting that JGP was composed of a repeating glycoprotein unit. Four types of short O-glycan chains were isolated from JGP by reductive beta-elimination and their structures were determined as: Gal beta 1-->3[NeuAc alpha 2-->6]GalNAcol (= N-acetylgalactosaminitol), Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->3 [NeuAc alpha 2-->6]GalNAcol, Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->3[GlcNAc beta 1-->6]GalNAcol, and Fuc alpha 1-->2Gal beta 1-->3-GalNAcol. These carbohydrate units (about 80% of the mass of JGP) were linked to nearly all the serine and threonine residues which accounted for 55% of total amino acid residues. The Ca(2+)-binding property of JGP was studied by equilibrium dialysis. The high Ca(2+)-binding capacity of JGP was abolished by its desialylation of JGP and was highly dependent on the JGP concentration. When the low JGP concentrations as in the hydrated Bufo jelly were used, a 50% increment of both n (the number of binding sites) and Kd (the dissociation constant of JGP-Ca2+) values was observed. This property of JGP is suited to retaining Ca2+ and keeping its concentration at that just necessary for fertilizing sperm.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Loss of amplified c-myc genes in the spontaneously differentiated HL-60 cells.

Amplification of the c-myc gene in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 is considered to be one of the major causes of its malignant phenotype. It is also well known since the establishment of the cell line that a culture of HL-60 cells contains a small but fixed percentage of spontaneously differentiated cells. We show that the spontaneous differentiation could be a result of extensive losses of amplified c-myc genes by the findings: (a) the spontaneously differentiated HL-60 cells express Mac-1 (CR3, CD11b/CD18) antigen, irreversibly stop the uptake of [3H]thymidine, and die by apoptosis; (b) these cells, when isolated, and when the copy number of c-myc genes is precisely quantitated, show extensive losses of c-myc genes; and (c) low concentrations of hydroxyurea increase the percentage of spontaneously differentiated cells in which the number of c-myc genes is further decreased. A simple theoretical consideration suggests that an active elimination process(es) must be operating besides the stochastic losses of the extrachromosomally amplified c-myc genes by unequal partition at mitosis.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Purification and enzymatic properties of peptide:N-glycanase from C3H mouse-derived L-929 fibroblast cells. Possible widespread occurrence of post-translational remodification of proteins by N-deglycosylation.

Recently, we found the occurrence of N-deglycosylating enzyme, peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase), in mammalian cells and observed that PNGase is a rather common enzyme involved in post-translational remodification of proteins (Suzuki, T., Seko, A., Kitajima, K., Inoue, Y., and Inoue, S. (1993) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 194, 1124-1130). We report here a 460-fold purification to homogeneity with 11.5% yield of PNGase from crude extract of C3H mouse-derived L-929 fibroblast cells. The purified enzyme, designated as L-929 PNGase, had the apparent molecular weight of 212,000 and was composed of two 105,000 subunits. Although this enzyme was capable of hydrolyzing structurally diverse natural glycopeptide substrates bearing high mannose, hybrid, and complex-type glycan units, the activity was completely inhibited by the presence of the fucose residue either alpha-1-->3- or alpha-1-->6-linked to the proximal GlcNAc residue. The enzyme showed maximal activity at pH near 7. This and the inability to act on glycoasparagine strongly support our view that this enzyme would not be involved in lysosomal degradation pathway. L-929 PNGase was characterized by having distinctly a low Km value, which may be of physiological significance. Possible wide occurrence of N-deglycosylation of glycoproteins was shown by a data bank survey of the protein sequences showing discrepancies between those determined directly (-D-X-(S/T)-) and those deduced from cDNA sequencing (-N-X-(S/T)-). We propose here that PNGase-catalyzed N-deglycosylation is a functionally important universal feature in living cells.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1994

Identification and structural determination of the KDN-containing N-linked glycan chains consisting of bi- and triantennary complex-type units of KDN-glycoprotein previously isolated from rainbow trout vitelline envelopes.

KDN-gp, which is the unique glycoprotein of the rainbow trout egg envelope, was shown to have a small amount of N-linked oligosaccharide units in addition to a large number of O-linked glycan units. Structural analysis based on chemical analysis in combination with 400 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed the presence of fully KDNosylated bi- and triantennary complex-type oligosaccharide chains, mostly fucosylated at the innermost GlcNAc residue and bisected by the GlcNAc residue linked beta 1-->4 to the beta-Man residue. The structures thus determined represent the first demonstration of N-linked glycan unit containing the KDN residues in the KDN-containing glycoproteins (see Chart 1). The KDN-gp of the rainbow trout egg envelope is a molecule that is present in the second layer of the vitelline envelope but is exposed to the outer surface around the micropyle through which sperm can get in at fertilization. Like human hematopoietic cell surface glycoproteins such as glycophorin A and leukosialin, KDN-gp, which is now characterized to contain N-linked complex-type glycan chains as minor components, is heavily O-glycosylated with alpha 2-->8-linked oligo/polyKDN-containing glycan units attached O-glycosidically to Ser/Thr residues. Although little is known about the functional roles of these glycan chains, KDN-gp appears to form a model for further study on the function of cell surface receptor for sperm in fertilization.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Developmental expression of trout egg polysialoglycoproteins and the prerequisite alpha 2,6-, and alpha 2,8-sialyl and alpha 2,8-polysialyltransferase activities required for their synthesis during oogenesis.

The developmental expression of the alpha 2,6- and alpha 2,8-linked sialic acid (Sia) residues in trout egg polysialoglycoproteins (PSGPs) was studied by correlating the temporal expression of these sugar residues, and the prerequisite sialyltransferases responsible for their synthesis, during oogenesis. The following new findings are reported. 1) Disialylated glycoproteins were identified in ovaries 4-6 months prior to ovulation. Three months prior to ovulation, a second more highly sialylated glycoprotein appeared. Structural studies confirmed that the two glycoproteins were discrete molecular species, designated PSGP(low Sia) and PSGP(high Sia), which differed only in their Sia content. PSGP(low Sia) contained mostly disialyl (Sia alpha 2,8-Sia alpha 2,6-) side chains, whereas PSGP(high Sia) contained alpha 2,8-linked oligo/polySia side chains ranging in length from 2 to over 20 Sia residues. The average degree of polymerization ([DP]av) was 6. 2) Biosynthetic studies using CMP-[14C]Neu5Ac indicated that three sialyltransferase activities were responsible for synthesis of the polysialyl residues of PSGPs: (i) alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminide alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase (alpha 2,6-ST), which catalyzed formation of the Sia residues alpha 2,6-linked to the proximal GalNAc residues in asialo-PSGP; (ii) alpha 2,6-sialoside alpha 2,8-sialyltransferase (alpha 2,8-ST or "initiase"), which catalyzed transfer of the first alpha 2,8-Sia residue to the alpha 2,6-linked Sia residue; and (iii) an alpha 2,8-polysialyltransferase (alpha 2,8-polyST or "polymerase"), responsible for synthesis of the alpha 2,8-linked poly/oligo Sia chains in PSGP(high Sia). Expression of these enzyme activities increased in accordance with the developmental appearance of each PSGP. 3) Structural characterization of the [14C]Sia-labeled side chains of each PSGP at different stages of development confirmed that synthesis of the disialyl unit containing a single alpha 2,8-Sia residue occurred before alpha 2,8-polysialylation. 4) In ovaries, 96% of the sialyltransferase activities were found in the Golgi-derived immature cortical vesicles or as soluble enzymes released from the fragile vesicles. Less than 4% of the activities were localized in the membrane (Golgi) fraction. In mature eggs, the sialyltransferases were also detected as soluble enzymes, and within the cortical vesicles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Structural studies of a novel type of pentaantennary large glycan unit in the fertilization-associated carbohydrate-rich glycopeptide isolated from the fertilized eggs of Oryzias latipes.

In a previous report (Kitajima, K., Inoue, S., and Inoue, Y. (1989) Dev. Biol. 132, 544-553), we found the presence of a heavily glycosylated polyprotein, "H-hyosophorin," isolated from the unfertilized eggs of Oryzias latipes. We now report our detailed analysis of the structure of the N-glycan chain in L-hyosophorin, the smallest repeating unit of H-hyosophorin, which was isolated from the fertilized eggs of O. latipes and formed from H-hyosophorin upon fertilization. The N-glycan structures were defined by a combination of compositional analysis, methylation analysis, selective chemical degradation (i.e. mild methanolysis, periodate-Smith degradation, and hydrazinolysis-nitrous acid deamination), enzymatic (endo-beta-galactosidase, peptide:N-glycanase, and Newcastle disease virus sialidase) digestion, and instrumental analyses (one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry) which revealed novel and unique features: (a) the presence of highly branched poly-N-acetylactosamino pentaantennary structures; (b) the presence of a beta-galactosylated Lewis X antigenic epitope, Gal beta 1-->4 Gal beta 1-->4 (Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc beta 1-->; (c) the presence of a beta-galactosylated sialyl Lewis X structure, Gal beta 1-->4 (Neu5Ac alpha 2-->3) Gal beta 1-->4(Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc beta 1-->; (d) the presence of Gal beta 1-->4 Gal beta 1--> and Gal beta 1--> 4Gal beta 1-->4Gal beta 1--> as the major and minor groupings, respectively; and (e) the presence of the branched Gal residues, -->4GlcNAc beta 1-->3(Gal beta 1-->4) Gal beta 1-->. This study represents the first detailed investigation regarding the nature of highly branched complex asparagine-linked pentaantennary glycans in glycoproteins. The unique expression of such bulky multiantennary glycan units on proteins could be essential during early embryogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Calcium ion binding of three different types of oligo/polysialic acids as studied by equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroic methods.

Ca2+ binding properties of three different types of oligo/polysialic acid chains, i.e., oligo/poly(Neu5Ac), oligo/poly(Neu5Gc), and oligo/poly(KDN), were studied by equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism. Colominic acid, high molecular weight polysialoglycoprotein (H-PSGP), low molecular weight polysialoglycoprotein (L-PSGP), and 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid (KDN) glycoprotein were found to bind calcium ions with about 8-100 times the affinity of sialic acid monomer. Analysis by equilibrium dialysis of the binding of Ca2+ to colominic acid was biphasic, and the high-affinity interaction was shown to change with the degree of polymerization. Specific binding of Ca2+ to polysialic acid (polySia) caused characteristic effects in the circular dichroism spectrum. A pronounced decrease in the circular dichroism of polySia at 205 nm was observed upon addition of calcium. H-PSGP was found to bind calcium ions with 3-fold higher affinity than L-PSGP.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Monoclonal antibody specific for alpha 2-->8-linked oligo deaminated neuraminic acid (KDN) sequences in glycoproteins. Preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody and its application in immunohistochemistry.

Two particular types of sialoglycoproteins have been detected in fish: polysialoglycoproteins containing alpha 2-->8-linked polysialic acid (-->8Neu5Gc alpha 2-->)n present in unfertilized Salmonidae fish eggs, and glycoproteins bearing oligo/polymers of deaminated neuraminic acids (KDN) found in the vitelline envelope of the eggs and ovarian fluid. We report the preparation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing oligo/polymers of KDN sequences in glycoproteins and its application in immunohistochemistry. Fusion of spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with a KDN-rich glycoprotein (KDN-gp) containing (-->8KDN alpha 2-->)n-->6(KDN alpha 2-->3Gal beta 1-->3G alpha lNA-c alpha 1-->3) GalNAc alpha 1-->residues, with mouse myeloma cells yielded a hybrid cell line producing a monoclonal antibody that bound to KDN-gp, but not to KDN-gp depleted of KDN residues. The specificity of the monoclonal antibody, designated mAb.kdn8kdn, was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using KDN-gp samples that varied in KDN content. These antigens were prepared by the selective removal of KDN residues from the native KDN-gp. The mAb.kdn8kdn reacted most strongly with the intact KDN-gp and less strongly with KDN-gp samples containing decreased numbers of KDN residues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Does an animal peptide: N-glycanase have the dual role as an enzyme and a carbohydrate-binding protein?

Recently, we have reported purification and characterization of a de-N-glycosylating enzyme, peptide: N-glycanase (PNGase) found in C3H mouse fibroblast L-929 cells, and designated L-929 PNGase [Suzuki T, Seko A, Kitajima K, Inoue Y, Inoue S (1994) J Biol Chem 269, 17611-18]. The unique properties of L-929 PNGase are that the enzyme had a high affinity to the substrate glycopeptide (e.g. Km = 114 microM for fetuin derived glycopentapeptide) and that the PNGase-catalysed reaction is strongly inhibited by the released free oligosaccharides but not by the free peptides formed, suggesting that L-929 PNGase is able to bind to a certain type of carbohydrate chain. In this study, we report the new findings of the mannan-binding property of L-929 PNGase: the de-N-glycosylating enzyme activity of L-929 PNGase was inhibited by yeast mannan and triomannose, Man alpha 1-->3(Man alpha 1-->6)Man, but not by mannose and alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. Furthermore, L-929 PNGase was revealed to bind to the glycan moiety of yeast mannan by using mannan-conjugated Sepharose 4B gel as a ligand, suggesting that L-929 PNGase could serve not only as an enzyme but also as a carbohydrate recognition protein in vivo. Such 'dual' properties found for animal-derived L-929 PNGase are unique and are not shared with other previously characterized plant- and bacterial-origin PNGases--PNGase A and PNGase F, respectively.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed1994

Identification, characterization, and developmental expression of a novel alpha 2-->8-KDN-transferase which terminates elongation of alpha 2-->8-linked oligo-polysialic acid chain synthesis in trout egg polysialoglycoproteins.

A novel glycosyltransferase which catalyses transfer of deaminated neuraminic acid, KDN (2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid) from CMP-KDN to the non-reducing termini of oligo-polysialyl chains of polysialoglycoprotein (PSGP), was discovered in the ovary of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The KDN-transferase activity was optimal at neutral pH, and stimulated 2 to 2.5-fold by 2-5 mM Mg2+ or Mn2+. Expression of KDN-transferase was developmentally regulated in parallel with expression of the alpha 2-->8-polysialyltransferase, which catalyses synthesis of the oligo-polysialyl chains in PSGP. Incorporation of the KDN residues into the oligo-polysialyl chains prevented their further elongation, resulting in 'capping' of the oligo-polysialyl chains. This is the first example of a glycosyltransferase that catalyses termination of alpha 2-->8-polysialylation in glycoproteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Laryngeal verrucous carcinoma: effective treatment with tegafur.

A 62-year-old Japanese male with a 40-year history of heavy smoking presented with a laryngeal verrucous carcinoma on his left vocal cord (T1a N0 M0). The lesion was treated with tegafur. Three weeks after the start of treatment the lesion had almost entirely disappeared, with only a small scar remaining. The vocal cords were stripped to remove the scar. Thirty months after tegafur treatment the patient shows no indications of recurrence or metastasis.

Carcinoma, Verrucous↗