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Biomedical subjects

K Mihara

Publications and source records attributed to K Mihara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

TOM22, a core component of the mitochondria outer membrane protein translocation pore, is a mitochondrial receptor for the proapoptotic protein Bax.

The association of Bax with mitochondria is an essential step in the implementation of apoptosis. By using a bacterial two-hybrid assay and crosslinking strategies, we have identified TOM22, a component of the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM), as a mitochondrial receptor of Bax. Peptide mapping showed that the interaction of Bax with TOM22 involved the first alpha helix of Bax and possibly two central alpha helices, which are homologous to the pore forming domains of some toxins. Antibodies directed against TOM22 or an antisense knockdown of the expression of TOM22 specifically inhibited the association of Bax with mitochondria and prevented Bax-dependent apoptosis. In yeast, a haploid strain for TOM22 exhibited a decreased expression of TOM22 and mitochondrial association of ectopically expressed human Bax. Our data provide a new perspective on the mechanism of association of Bax with mitochondria as it involves a classical import pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Association of the antagonism of von Willebrand factor but not fibrinogen by platelet alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists with prolongation of bleeding time.

BACKGROUND: The alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists inhibit platelet aggregation and are used as antithrombotic agents for cardiothrombotic disease. The present study investigates the correlation of inhibition of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor (VWF) binding by alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists with the inhibition of platelet aggregation and prolongation of bleeding time (BT). METHODS: Inhibition of fibrinogen and VWF binding were assessed in a purified alphaIIbbeta3-binding assay. As an in vitro cell-based assay, platelet aggregation and VWF-mediated adhesion studies were performed using human platelets. In vivo effects on BT were measured using a template device in dogs at the same time as an ex vivo aggregation study was performed. RESULTS: In vitro studies demonstrated that the antiaggregatory effects of alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists correlate with their inhibition of fibrinogen binding, but not VWF. Interestingly, the effects of alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists on BT could be differentiated from the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, this differentiation was strongly correlated with the different inhibitory potencies between fibrinogen and VWF binding, as well as that between VWF-mediated adhesion and aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides novel evidence showing that the inhibitory effect of alphaIIbbeta3 antagonists on VWF, but not fibrinogen binding, correlates with their ability to prolong BT.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Chimeric receptors with 4-1BB signaling capacity provoke potent cytotoxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To develop a therapy for drug-resistant B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we transduced T lymphocytes with anti-CD19 chimeric receptors, consisting of an anti-CD19 single-chain variable domain (reactive with most ALL cases), the hinge and transmembrane domains of CD8alpha, and the signaling domain of CD3zeta. We compared the antileukemic activity mediated by a novel receptor ('anti-CD19-BB-zeta') containing the signaling domain of 4-1BB (CD137; a crucial molecule for T-cell antitumor activity) to that of a receptor lacking costimulatory molecules. Retroviral transduction produced efficient and durable receptor expression in human T cells. Lymphocytes expressing anti-CD19-BB-zeta receptors exerted powerful and specific cytotoxicity against ALL cells, which was superior to that of lymphocytes with receptors lacking 4-1BB. Anti-CD19-BB-zeta lymphocytes were remarkably effective in cocultures with bone marrow mesenchymal cells, and against leukemic cells from patients with drug-resistant ALL: as few as 1% anti-CD19-BB-zeta-transduced T cells eliminated most ALL cells within 5 days. These cells also expanded and produced interleukin-2 in response to ALL cells at much higher rates than those of lymphocytes expressing equivalent receptors lacking 4-1BB. We conclude that anti-CD19 chimeric receptors containing 4-1BB are a powerful new tool for T-cell therapy of B-lineage ALL and other CD19+ B-lymphoid malignancies.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2004

Vital role of the itch-scratch response in development of spontaneous dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

BACKGROUND: The itch sensation and the resultant response, scratching, are important symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected patients. However, the influence of the itch-scratch response on the pathology of AD has not been precisely elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of scratching behaviour in the development of spontaneous dermatitis using conventionally raised NC/Nga mice (Conv-NC mice), which are known to be an animal model for human AD. METHODS: Capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves of the mice were ablated by neonatal capsaicin treatment (Cap-NC mice), and the development of spontaneous dermatitis in the Cap-NC mice was compared chronologically with that in Conv-NC mice. RESULTS: Scratching behaviour was almost completely prevented in Cap-NC mice raised for 84 days under conventional conditions, and the development of dermatitis and elevation of the serum IgE level were significantly suppressed. Histological analysis revealed that the numbers of infiltrating eosinophils and mast cells in the lesional skin of Cap-NC mice were lower than those in Conv-NC mice. Immunological studies showed that the capability of spleen T cells to produce both T-helper (Th) 1 (interferon-gamma) and Th2 [interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13] cytokines was diminished in Cap-NC mice. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-18 were approximately twice higher in Conv-NC mice than in Cap-NC mice. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that scratching behaviour contributes to the development of dermatitis by enhancing various immunological responses in the murine AD model, implying that prevention of the itch sensation and/or itch-associated scratching behaviour is an effective treatment for AD.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Signals mediated by FcgammaRIIA suppress the growth of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells.

We examined Fc receptor expression and function in normal and leukemic human immature B cells. Fc receptor expression increased with normal B cell maturation: CD32(+) cells composed 8.1% +/- 1.2% (mean +/- s.d.) of the least mature (CD34(+)CD10(+)), 19.2% +/- 5.7% of intermediate (CD34(-)CD10(+)), and 82.4% +/- 5.0% of mature (CD34(-)CD10(-)) bone marrow CD19(+) B cells. Forty-five of 57 primary B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples and all six cell lines studied expressed Fc receptors. By RT-PCR and antibody staining, FcgammaRIIA was the Fc receptor predominantly expressed in these cells. FcgammaRIIA ligation in RS4;11 and 380 cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of CD32, CD19, CBL, SYK, P13-K p85 and SHIP, as well as RasGAP association with tyrosine-phosphorylated p62(dok). These signalling events resulted in a marked suppression of leukemia cell growth. After a 7-day exposure to anti-CD32, the recovery of ALL cells cocultured with stroma was reduced to 5.5% +/- 2.8% of control values in 380 cells (n = 14), 19.4% +/- 6.1% (n = 8) in RS4;11, and 4.0% +/- 1.3% (n = 6) in KOPN55bi. CD32 ligation also reduced cell recovery in five of seven CD32(+) primary leukemia samples. Thus, FcgammaRIIA mediates signals that suppress the growth of lymphoid leukemia cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Spectroscopic characterization of the photocycle intermediates of photoactive yellow protein.

The absorption spectra of photocycle intermediates of photoactive yellow protein mutants were compared with those of the corresponding intermediates of wild type to probe which amino acid residues interact with the chromophore in the intermediate states. B and H intermediates were produced by irradiation and trapped at 80 K, and L intermediates at 193 K. The absorption spectra of these intermediates produced from R52Q were identical to those from wild type, whereas those from E46Q and T50V were 7-15 nm red-shifted as those in the dark states. The absorption spectra of M intermediates were measured by flash photolysis at room temperature. Those of Y42F, T50V, and R52Q were identical to that of wild type, whereas that of E46Q was 11 nm red-shifted. Assuming that the intermediates of mutants have a structure comparable to that of wild type, these findings suggest the following: Glu46 interacts with the chromophore throughout the photocycle, interaction between the chromophore and Thr50 as well as Tyr42 is lost upon the formation of M intermediate, and Arg52 never interacts with the chromophore directly. The hydrogen-bonding network around the phenolic oxygen of the chromophore would be thus maintained until L intermediate decays, and the global conformational change would take place by the loss of the hydrogen bond between the chromophore and Tyr42. This model conflicts with some of the results of previous crystallographic studies, suggesting that the reaction mechanism in the crystal may be different from that in solution.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Amino acid residues before the hydrophobic region which are critical for membrane translocation of the N-terminal domain of synaptotagmin II.

We examined the fine structure of the type I signal-anchor sequence of synaptotagmin II, which has a 60-residue N-terminal domain followed by a hydrophobic region (H-region), focusing on the hinge region between the N-terminal and the H-regions. It was found that the charged or highly polar residues support the translocation of the N-terminal domain through the endoplasmic reticulum membrane at specific positions in the hinge. The residue requirement correlated with the turn propensity scale for transmembranes. It is suggested that a certain conformation, likely helical hairpin, in the hinge is critical for N-terminal domain translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

NHE6 protein possesses a signal peptide destined for endoplasmic reticulum membrane and localizes in secretory organelles of the cell.

The NHE6 protein is a unique Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform believed to localize in mitochondria. It possesses a hydrophilic N-terminal portion that is rich in positively charged residues and many hydrophobic segments. In the present study, signal sequences in the NHE6 molecule were examined for organelle localization and membrane topogenesis. When the full-length protein was expressed in COS7 cells, it localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and on the cell surface. Furthermore, the protein was fully N-glycosylated. When green fluorescent protein was fused after the second (H2) or third (H3) hydrophobic segment, the fusion proteins were targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The localization pattern was the same as that of fusion proteins in which green fluorescent protein was fused after H2 of NHE1. In an in vitro system, H1 behaved as a signal peptide that directs the translocation of the following polypeptide chain and is then processed off. The next hydrophobic segment (H2) halted translocation and eventually became a transmembrane segment. The N-terminal hydrophobic segment (H1) of NHE1 also behaved as a signal peptide. Cell fractionation studies using antibodies against the 15 C-terminal residues indicated that NHE6 protein localized in the microsomal membranes of rat liver cells. All of the NHE6 molecules in liver tissue possess an endoglycosidase H-resistant sugar chain. These findings indicate that NHE6 protein is targeted to the ER membrane via the N-terminal signal peptide and is sorted to organelle membranes derived from the ER membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Insertion of mitochondrial DNA-encoded F1F0-ATPase subunit 8 across the mitochondrial inner membrane in vitro.

Cytochrome oxidase subunits I, II, and III, the mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins, are inserted across the inner membrane by the Oxa1p-containing translocator in a membrane potential-dependent manner. Oxa1p is also involved in the insertion of the cytoplasmically synthesized precursor of Oxa1p itself into the inner membrane from the matrix via the conservative sorting pathway. The mechanism of insertion of the other mitochondrially synthesized proteins, however, is unexplored. The insertion of the mitochondrial DNA-encoded subunit 8 of F(1)F(0)-ATPase (Su8) across the inner membrane was analyzed in vitro using the inverted inner membrane vesicles and the Escherichia coli lysate-synthesized substrate. This assay revealed that the N-terminal segment of Su8 inserted across the membrane to the intermembrane space and assumed the correct trans-cis topology depending on the mitochondrial matrix fraction. This translocation reaction was similar to those of Sec-independent, direct insertion pathways of E. coli and chloroplast thylakoid membranes. (i) It required neither nucleotide triphosphates nor membrane potential, and hydrophobic forces drove the process. (ii) It did not require protease-sensitive membrane components facing the matrix space. (iii) It could be inserted across liposomes in the correct topology in a matrix fraction-dependent manner. Thus, a novel mechanism conserved in bacteria and chloroplasts also functions in the insertion of Su8 across the mitochondrial inner membrane.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Positive and negative regulation of myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells by isoforms of the multiple homeodomain zinc finger transcription factor ATBF1.

The ATBF1 gene encodes two protein isoforms, the 404-kDa ATBF1-A, possessing four homeodomains and 23 zinc fingers, and the 306-kDa ATBF1-B, lacking a 920-amino acid N-terminal region of ATBF1-A which contains 5 zinc fingers. In vitro, ATBF1-A was expressed in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts, but its expression levels decreased upon induction of myogenic differentiation in low serum medium. Forced expression of ATBF1-A in C2C12 cells resulted in repression of MyoD and myogenin expression and elevation of Id3 and cyclin D1 expression, leading to inhibition of myogenic differentiation in low serum. In contrast, transfection of C2C12 cells with the ATBF1-B isoform led to an acceleration of myogenic differentiation, as indicated by an earlier onset of myosin heavy chain expression and formation of a higher percentage of multinucleated myotubes. The fourth homeodomain of ATBF1-A bound to an AT-rich element adjacent to the E1 E-box of the muscle regulatory factor 4 promoter mediating transcriptional repression. The ATBF1-A-specific N-terminal region possesses general transcription repressor activity. These results suggest that ATBF1-A plays a role in the maintenance of the undifferentiated myoblast state, and its down-regulation is a prerequisite to initiate terminal differentiation of C2C12 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Roles of amino acid residues near the chromophore of photoactive yellow protein.

To investigate the roles of amino acid residues around the chromophore in photoactive yellow protein (PYP), new mutants, Y42A, E46A, and T50A were prepared. Their spectroscopic properties were compared with those of wild-type, Y42F, E46Q, T50V, R52Q, and E46Q/T50V, which were previously prepared and specified. The absorption maxima of Y42A, E46A, and T50A were observed at 438, 469, and 454 nm, respectively. The results of pH titration for the chromophore demonstrated that the chromophore of PYP mutant, like the wild-type, was protonated and bleached under acidic conditions. The red-shifts of the absorption maxima in mutants tended toward a pK(a) increase. Mutation at Glu46 induced remarkable shifts in the absorption maxima and pK(a). The extinction coefficients were increased in proportion to the absorption maxima, whereas the oscillator strengths were constant. PYP mutants that conserved Tyr42 were in the pH-dependent equilibrium between two states (yellow and colorless forms). However, Y42A and Y42F were in the pH-independent equilibrium between additional intermediate state(s) at around neutral pH, in which yellow form was dominant in Y42F whereas the other was dominant in Y42A. These findings suggest that Tyr42 acts as the hinge of the protein, and the bulk as well as the hydroxyl group of Tyr42 controls the protein conformation. In all mutants, absorbance at 450 nm was decreased upon flash irradiation and afterwards recovered on a millisecond time scale. However, absorbance at 340--370 nm was increased vice versa, indicating that the long-lived near-UV intermediates are formed from mutants, as in the case of wild-type. The lifetime changes with mutation suggest the regulation of proton movement through a hydrogen-bonding network.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Relationship between Taq1 A dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) polymorphism and prolactin response to bromperidol.

The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene has a Taq1 A restriction fragment length polymorphism yielding two alleles, A1 and A2. We have previously shown that female patients with the A1 allele show greater prolactin response to nemonapride, a selective antagonist for D2-like dopamine receptors, in schizophrenic patients. In the present study, the relationship between this polymorphism and prolactin response to bromperidol was investigated in 32 untreated schizophrenic inpatients (16 males, 16 females). The daily dose of bromperidol was fixed at 6 (n = 10), 12 (n = 13), or 18 mg (n = 9) during a 2-week treatment period. Taq1 A genotypes were determined by PCR method. Plasma prolactin concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma concentration of bromperidol was measured by HPLC method. The subjects were divided into four subgroups by gender and the genotypes, i.e., 10 males and 11 females with the A1 allele, 6 males and 5 females with no A1 allele. The females with the A1 allele had the highest Delta prolactin (the change from the pretreatment concentration)/bromperidol concentration ratio among the other groups (P < 0.05). The present study thus suggests that female patients with the A1 allele show greater prolactin response to bromperidol, who may have a high risk for adverse effects associated with neuroleptic-induced hyperprolactinemia.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Identification of novel markers for monitoring minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To identify new markers of minimal residual disease (MRD) in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), gene expression of leukemic cells obtained from 4 patients with newly diagnosed ALL was compared with that of normal CD19(+)CD10(+) B-cell progenitors obtained from 2 healthy donors. By cDNA array analysis, 334 of 4132 genes studied were expressed 1.5- to 5.8-fold higher in leukemic cells relative to both normal samples; 238 of these genes were also overexpressed in the leukemic cell line RS4;11. Nine genes were selected among the 274 overexpressed in at least 2 leukemic samples, and expression of the encoded proteins was measured by flow cytometry. Two proteins (caldesmon and myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen) were only weakly expressed in leukemic cells despite strong hybridization signals in the array. By contrast, 7 proteins (CD58, creatine kinase B, ninjurin1, Ref1, calpastatin, HDJ-2, and annexin VI) were expressed in B-lineage ALL cells at higher levels than in normal CD19(+)CD10(+) B-cell progenitors (P <.05 in all comparisons). CD58 was chosen for further analysis because of its abundant and prevalent overexpression. An anti-CD58 antibody identified residual leukemic cells (0.01% to 1.13%; median, 0.03%) in 9 of 104 bone marrow samples from children with ALL in clinical remission. MRD estimates by CD58 staining correlated well with those of polymerase chain reaction amplification of immunoglobulin genes. These results indicate that studies of gene expression with cDNA arrays can aid the discovery of leukemia markers. (Blood. 2001;97:2115-2120)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Light induces destabilization of photoactive yellow protein.

To understand the effect of visible light on the stability of photoactive yellow protein (PYP), urea denaturation experiments were performed with PYP in the dark and with PYP(M) under continuous illumination. The urea concentrations at the midpoint of denaturation were 5.26 +/- 0.29 and 3.77 +/- 0.19 M for PYP and PYP(M), respectively, in 100 mM acetate buffer, and 5.26 +/- 0.24 and 4.11 +/- 0.12 M for PYP and PYP(M), respectively, in 100 mM citrate buffer. The free energy change upon denaturation (DeltaG(D)(H2O)), obtained from the denaturation curve, was 11.0 +/- 0.4 and 7.6 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol for PYP and PYP(M), respectively, in acetate buffer, and 11.5 +/- 0.3 and 7.8 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol for PYP and PYP(M), respectively, in citrate buffer. Even though the DeltaG(D)(H2O) value for PYP(M) is almost identical in the two buffer systems, the urea concentration at the midpoint of denaturation is lower in acetate buffer than in citrate buffer. Although their CD spectra indicate that the protein conformations of the denatured states of PYP and PYP(M) are indistinguishable, the configurations of the chromophores in their denatured structures are not necessarily identical. Both denatured states are interconvertible through PYP and PYP(M). Therefore, the free energy difference between PYP and PYP(M) is 3.4-3.7 kcal/mol for the protein moiety, plus the additional contribution from the difference in configuration of the chromophore.

Acetates↗
PubMed2001

No relationship between--141C Ins/Del polymorphism in the promoter region of dopamine D2 receptor and extrapyramidal adverse effects of selective dopamine D2 antagonists in schizophrenic patients: a preliminary study.

Previous studies have shown that subjects without Del alleles of the--141C Ins/Del polymorphism in the promoter region of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene have lower DRD2 density that those with one or two Del alleles. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the -141C Ins/Del polymorphism and extrapyramidal adverse effects of bromperidol and nemonapride, antipsychotic drugs with a selective and potent DRD2 antagonistic property, in schizophrenic inpatients. Twenty-seven patients were treated with bromperidol at a fixed-dose of 6, 12 or 18 mg/day, and 25 patients were treated with nemonapride at a fixed-dose of 18 mg/day. The duration of treatment with these drugs was 3 weeks. The Ins and Del alleles were determined by PCR. Extrapyramidal adverse effects were assessed by the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser side effects rating scale. The subjects consisted of 38 homozygotes of the Ins allele and 14 heterozygotes of the Ins and Del alleles. There were no significant differences in the incidence or severity of extrapyramidal adverse effects between patients with and without the Del allele. It is possible that this result was due to a lack of statistical power. However, the present study suggests that the--141C Ins/Del polymorphism is not related to the development of extrapyramidal adverse effects during acute-phase treatment with antidopaminergic agents.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Association between TaqI A dopamine D2 receptor polymorphism and therapeutic response to bromperidol: a preliminary report.

The relationship between TaqI A dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) polymorphism and therapeutic response to bromperidol, a selective dopamine antagonist, was investigated in 30 acutely exacerbated schizophrenic inpatients. Patients were treated with bromperidol 6-18 mg/day for 3 weeks. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) before and 3 weeks after the treatment. The TaqI A genotypes were determined with the PCR method. There was no significant difference in the percentage improvement of total BPRS or 5-subgrouped symptoms (positive, negative, anxiety-depression, excitement and cognitive symptoms) after the 3-week treatment between the patients with A1 alleles (n=18) and those with no A1 allele (n=12). Although the present study is preliminary, it is suggested that the TaqI A DRD2 polymorphism is not associated with therapeutic response to bromperidol in schizophrenic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Intestinal first-pass metabolism of eperisone in the rat.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify quantitatively the contribution of the intestine to the first-pass metabolism of eperisone in rats. METHODS: The systemic availabilities of eperisone were estimated by administering the drug into the duodenum, portal vein, and femoral vein in rats in vivo. The first-pass metabolism of eperisone was confirmed in the perfused rat small intestine in situ. Metabolism of eperisone to an omega-1-hydroxylated metabolite (HMO), the first step of eperisone metabolism, was studied using rat intestinal microsomes in vitro. RESULTS: The bioavailabilities in the intestine were 0.176 and 0.0879 at administration rates of 100 and 25 mg/h/kg, respectively, whereas those in the liver were 0.532 and 0.486, respectively. In the intestinal perfusion experiment, the appearance clearance to the portal vein from the intestinal lumen was much lower than the elimination clearance from the intestinal lumen, resulting in high metabolic clearance of eperisone in the small intestine. Eperisone was biotransformed to HMO by rat intestinal microsomes, and this was inhibited by alpha-naphthoflavone and an anti-rat CYP1A antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Those data strongly suggest that eperisone may be metabolized to HMO by CYP1A in rat intestinal microsomes during the first-pass through the epithelium of the small intestine.

Algorithms↗