Biomedical subjects

K Saigo

Publications and source records attributed to K Saigo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

[Urinary-plasmin alpha 2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) in patients with diabetic nephropathy].

The levels of urinary PIC and FDP were studied in 86 diabetics. Urinary PIC or FDP were detected only in patients representing more than (++) urinary protein, suggesting that urinary PIC is not useful for diagnosis of early stage of diabetic nephropathy. On the other hand, positive rate of urinary PIC was much higher than that of chronic nephritis not due to diabetes mellitus. Plasma levels of PIC were elevated above normal range in all patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy tested. These results suggest that urinary PIC might be derived from circulating blood and reflect the level of systemic fibrinolytic activities in diabetics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Expression of oryzacystatin cDNA using yeast artificial chromosome under ADH promoter in baker's yeast.

We constructed an expression vector into a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) harboring the cDNA for oryzacystatin, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor from rice, under the control of the yeast ADH promoter. When the expression vector was introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the form of either an artificial chromosome or a circular plasmid, transformants carrying the DNA grew well in a selective medium. However, the content of the introduced DNA decreased significantly during passages in non-selective YPD medium. The stability of the introduced DNA was enhanced in selected clones obtained as colonies viable in selective medium after many passages in YPD medium. The stable transformants thus obtained expressed the mRNA for oryzacystatin at levels as high as those of intrinsic yeast ADH.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1992

Identification of four FGF receptor genes in Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes).

Four types of cDNA clones encoding tyrosine kinases highly homologous to mammalian fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGF-R) were isolated from Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of the four deduced amino acid sequences with four known mammalian FGF-Rs indicated that four FGF-R species corresponding to mammalian FGF-Rs exist universally in vertebrates including fishes, although FGF-R4 might have diverged sequences between fishes and mammals. Each of four FGF-R genes is transcribed to various extents as multiple mRNAs possibly by alternative splicing in adult fishes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Isolation and characterization of a Xenopus cDNA which encodes a homeodomain highly homologous to Drosophila Distal-less.

A novel homeobox gene of Xenopus was isolated from the ovary cDNA library. The homeodomain of the encoded protein was homologous to that of Drosophila Distal-less (Dll), and the gene was termed Xdll. The mRNA exists in a large amount in ovary, and in a small amount in testis, but was not detected in muscle, kidney, gut, and liver. The mRNA also occurs in a large amount in oocytes and is maintained in unfertilized eggs and cleavage stage embryos as a maternal mRNA at a low but distinctly detectable level. The amount of the mRNA per embryo increases gradually in later stages by zygotic expression. Embryo dissection experiment revealed that the transcript is abundant in the anterior region at the neurula stage, suggesting that Xdll may play a role in the establishment of the structures in the anterior part of the embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Deficiency of P62, a putative collagen receptor, in platelets from a patient with defective collagen-induced platelet aggregation.

Recently, we described a platelet antibody against a putative collagen receptor (P62), which was found in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (Blood 69:1712). We now report a deficiency of the P62 receptor in a young man whose platelets showed defective collagen-induced platelet aggregation. He had a mild bleeding tendency and slight thrombocytopenia. The results of coagulation and fibrinolysis studies were normal. The patient's platelets were partially unresponsive to collagen, although aggregation in response to ADP, thrombin, ristocetin, and calcium ionophore (A23187) was almost normal. Adhesion of his platelets to bovine collagen was markedly reduced. Addition of collagen caused no synthesis of thromboxane (TX)B2 in platelet rich plasma (PRP) from this patient. Furthermore, collagen produced no rise of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in fura2-loaded platelets. In contrast, thrombin caused TXB2 formation and an increase of [Ca2+]i in his platelets. These results suggest defective interaction between the platelets and collagen. The IgG from the ITP-patient induced irreversible aggregation in normal PRP, but caused no aggregation of the young man's platelets. Immunoblot studies showed that normal platelets had antigens with a molecular weight of 62 KDa under reducing conditions and of 57 KDa under nonreducing conditions. In contrast, the young man's platelets had no P62 band, although GPIa/IIa and thrombospondin were normally present. These results indicate that impaired collagen-induced aggregation in the patient's platelets was due to a deficiency of P62 and confirm that P62 may play a crucial role as a collagen receptor in platelet activation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1992

Dual Bar homeo box genes of Drosophila required in two photoreceptor cells, R1 and R6, and primary pigment cells for normal eye development.

In the Bar mutation of Drosophila, ommatidial differentiation is known to be suppressed in the anterior portion of the eye. Our structural analysis shows that the Bar region contains a pair of homeo box genes, BarH1 and BarH2. These genes encode polypeptides similar in size and sequence and share a common homeo domain that is identical in sequence except for putative trans-activator-binding sites. We also show, by mosaic analysis and immunostaining with anti-BarH1/BarH2 antibodies, that BarH1 and BarH2 are not only specifically coexpressed but also functionally required in R1/R6 prephotoreceptors and primary pigment cells in developing ommatidia. In R1/R6, the expression of BarH1 and BarH2 appears to be regulated by rough and glass gene products. BarH1 and BarH2 proteins are essential to normal lens formation, formation of three types of pigment cells, and elimination of excess cells from mature ommatidia. Taken together, our results suggest that Bar homeo domain proteins may play key roles in the fate-determination processes of pigment cells and cone cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Subtype determination of Drosophila embryonic external sensory organs by redundant homeo box genes BarH1 and BarH2.

BarH1 and BarH2 are two closely related homeo box genes that form a small complex at the Bar locus on the X chromosome of Drosophila. By immunostaining, we showed that BarH1 and BarH2 proteins are coexpressed in cells belonging to the central and peripheral nervous systems in embryos. In external sensory (es) organs, their expression was particularly apparent in thecogens (glial cells) and neurons at late development. Although deletion of BarH2 caused no appreciable morphological change in es organs, the simultaneous deletion of BarH1 and BarH2 led to a homeotic change in these organs with consequent conversion from campaniform-like sensilla to trichoid sensilla. In contrast, the overexpression of either BarH1 or BarH2 resulted in opposite morphological change. It would thus follow that BarH1 and BarH2 are a pair of redundant homeo box genes required for the subtype specification of es organs.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Megakaryocytic leukemia and platelet factor 4.

The de novo megakaryocytic leukemia fulfilling the FAB criteria is still an uncommonly recognized variant of acute leukemia. Many studies have shown that the megakaryocytic leukemic events may occur at a pluripotent stem cell level and clinical observations reveal that the megakaryocytic leukemias are diverse entities. The immunophenotyping using monoclonal antibodies against platelet specific surface antigens and the ultrastructural detection of platelet peroxidase reaction do not provide sufficiently useful information to determine whether a megakaryocytic leukemia is chronic, acute, therapy-responsive or therapy-unresponsive. More sophisticated techniques are required to further characterize megakaryocytic leukemic cells. In this review, we emphasize that megakaryocytic leukemic cells can be categorized into two groups; one with the PF4 mRNA, and the other without it, and that the expression of PF4 mRNA in the blasts could be a useful marker for the identification of mature megakaryoblasts. It seems that the patients with blasts expressing PF4 mRNA will have a longer survival and a better response to chemotherapy than those without PF4. We further discuss the fact that the detection of mRNAs of the IL-6 receptor, PDGF A- and B-chains, and TGF beta 1 in megakaryocytic leukemic cells will be useful to clarify the mechanisms involved in the proliferation of megakaryocytic leukemic cells and fibroblasts in the bone marrow. Furthermore, we reviewed data showing that megakaryocytic erythroid, and mast cell lineages share the nuclear transcription factor known as GF-1 (NF-E1 or Erf-1). We suggest that characterization of megakaryocytic leukemia should be performed using monoclonal antibodies against erythroid, megakaryocytic and mast cell lineages.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

RNA-RNA and RNA-DNA ligation with the sTobRV(+) hammerhead ribozyme.

The sTobRV(+) ribozyme consists of a small catalytic domain and two wing sequences(1). By changing its wing sequences, the ribozyme can cleave many different RNAs in a site-specific manner, functioning as an RNA restriction enzyme(1). Although relatively strong ligase activity is known to be associated with sTobRV(+) RNA(2,3), the sTobRV(+) ribozyme itself has been claimed to have no ligase activity. Here, we show the evidence that the sTobRV(+) ribozyme has the ability to rejoin its digestion products at low temperatures such as 4 degrees C. In contrast, little or no ligation product can be produced at 50 degrees C, the temperature giving the maximum digestion activity. The ligation reaction requires Mg++ ion. The first substrate (P1, see Fig.1), possessing 2',3' cyclic phosphate, must be RNA, but the second substrate (P2), required to have 5'OH, can be replaced by DNA counterparts, equal to or longer than dimer, thus making it possible to generate RNA-DNA chimeric molecules. We also show the resultant RNA-DNA chimera to be digestable by the sTobRV(+) ribozyme. RNase digestion indicates the phosphodiester linkage thus generated to be exclusively 3'-5'.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Induction of smg p21/rap1A p21/krev-1 p21 gene expression during phorbol ester-induced differentiation of a human megakaryocytic leukemia cell line.

smg p21A and -B (smg p21s) are ras p21-like small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) with the same putative effector domain as ras p21s. Both smg p21A mRNA and smg p21B mRNA were detected in CMK, a human megakaryocytic leukemia cell line, and their levels were markedly elevated by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which caused the differentiation of this cell line into more mature megakaryocytes. The smg p21 protein molecules also increased during the TPA-induced differentiation of CMK cells. The mRNA level of glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb), a typical marker of the megakaryocytes, was increased by this treatment, but the time course of the increase in the smg p21 mRNA levels as more rapid than that of the increase in the GPIIb mRNA level. Ha-ras p21 mRNA was undetectable, but both Ki- and N-ras p21 mRNAs were detected in CMK cells and their levels were also increased during TPA-induced differentiation of CMK cells, although to a lesser extent than those of smg p21 mRNAs. Protein kinase C inhibitors inhibited the basal and TPA-induced smg p21A mRNA level, but cyclic AMP-elevating prostaglandin E1 or Ca(2+)-mobilizing ionomycin did not inhibit them. Cycloheximide enhanced the basal and TPA-induced smg p21A mRNA levels. Actinomycin D blocked the TPA-induced smg p21A mRNA levels, but showed no detectable effect on the elevated smg p21A mRNA level which was induced by pretreatment with TPA. A dramatic increase in the smg p21 mRNA levels was also observed in other leukemia cell lines during TPA-induced differentiation. These results suggest that TPA stimulated expression of the smg p21A gene, presumably through the action of protein kinase C at the transcriptional level rather than at the post-transcriptional level, in hematopoietic leukemia cells.

Alprostadil↗

PubMed1992

[Mean platelet volume in diabetics].

Platelet size is a determinant of platelet function. As platelet size in diabetics has been reported to be larger than normals, we have measured mean platelet volume (MPV) in diabetics simultaneously with fasting plasma glucose, fructosamine, and hemoglobin A1. MPV was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose and fructosamine. In a sequential observations for a few months of 22 patients, all of whom showed decreasing fasting plasma glucose, MPV decreased in 10 patients, however, increased in only 2 patients. These findings suggest that MPV would be affected with diabetic control.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1992

[Analysis of the GPIIb and GPIIIa genes in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia].

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder due to a deficiency or abnormality of glycoproteins (GPs) IIb and IIIa, but its genetic basis remains to be determined. We analyzed the genes for GPIIb and 3'GPIIIa in 3 patients with GT and in 7 control subjects by Southern blot. No large deletions or insertions were detected in these genes in any patient with GT. Furthermore, the GPIIb and GPIIIa mRNAs derived from the platelets of patients with GT could be amplified using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This finding indicates that the mRNAs of the patients with GT are considered to be normally transcribed. The molecular defects of the GPIIb.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1991

Identification of seven novel protein-tyrosine kinase genes of Drosophila by the polymerase chain reaction.

We used the polymerase chain reaction to identify 7 novel tyrosine-kinase genes (dtk1 to -7) in Drosophila melanogaster, dtk4 coded for a part of the kinase catalytic domain nearly identical in sequence to that of the human receptor for insulin-like growth factor 1, whereas sequences encoded by dtk1 and dtk2 were highly homologous to that of the chicken fibroblast growth factor receptor.

Alleles↗

PubMed1991

Deduced primary structure of a Xenopus proteasome subunit XC3 and expression of its mRNA during early development.

Proteasome is a non-lysosomal proteinase complex ubiquitously distributed in eukaryotic cells. We isolated here the cDNA clone for one of the proteasome subunits (XC3) from Xenopus ovary cDNA libraries using rat RC3 cDNA as a prove. The cDNA is 885 bp long and encodes 234 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly homologous (95.3%) to those of rat RC3 and human HC3 subunits. The mRNA for XC3 is one of the maternal mRNAs and detected at all the embryonic stages investigated, but its level changes in a characteristic way especially at the gastrula stage. We suggest that the highly conserved XC3 subunit plays an essential role in proteasome function and also that during Xenopus embryogenesis mRNA for XC3 subunit is replaced from maternal to newly-synthesized one probably around the gastrula stage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Identification of a different-type homeobox gene, BarH1, possibly causing Bar (B) and Om(1D) mutations in Drosophila.

The Bar mutation B of Drosophila melanogaster and optic morphology mutation Om(1D) of Drosophila ananassae result in suppression of ommatidium differentiation at the anterior portion of the eye. Examinations was made to determine the genes responsible for these mutations. Both loci were found to share in common a different type of homeobox gene, which we call "BarH1." Polyptides encoded by D. melanogaster and D. ananassae BarH1 genes consist of 543 and 604 amino acids, respectively, with homeodomains identical in sequence except for one amino acid substitution. A unique feature of these homeodomains is that the phenylalanine residue in helix 3, conserved in all metazoan homeodomains so far examined, is replaced by a tyrosine residue. By Northern blotting, considerably more BarH1 RNA was detected in the Bar mutant than in wild type. P element-mediated transformation showed Bar-like eye malformation to be induced by transient overexpression of the BarH1 gene in the late third-instar larvae. Somatic recombination analysis indicated normal gene functions of the Bar region, including the BarH1 gene, to be required for normal eye morphogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Platelet factor 4 mRNA expression in cells from a patient with megakaryoblastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

A 61-year-old man with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia developed megakaryoblastic leukemia. In the blast phase, his blast cells showed undifferentiated megakaryoblastic characteristics with no alpha-granules or demarcation membranes but with detectable platelet peroxidase (PPO) activity and surface glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa. The patient has remained reasonably well for at least 12 months after blastic crisis, and 6-mercaptopurine alone has been effective in controlling leukocytosis and megakaryoblast proliferation. The expression of mRNA for platelet-specific proteins, such as GPIIb and platelet factor 4 (PF4), was studied in the patient's blast cells by the Northern blot analysis. Both GPIIb and PF4 mRNA were detected in the blast cells. Cytoplasmic maturation occurs later than the synthesis of the surface GP during megakaryocyte maturation. Therefore, PF4 mRNA expression should be a marker of mature megakaryoblasts. The PF4 mRNA expression in megakaryoblastic leukemia may indicate that a patient will have long survival and a good response to chemotherapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1991

DNA binding activity of the BarH1 homeodomain of Drosophila.

Using a series of deletion mutants of BarH1, a Drosophila homeobox gene required for eye morphogenesis, the DNA-binding region of the BarH1 protein was determined. Not only homeodomain but also its upstream sequence were found to be necessary for binding, whereas about a half of the conserved downstream sequence (Bar domain) was dispensable.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Histidine-rich glycoprotein as a negative acute phase reactant.

Serum histidine-rich glycoprotein was determined by the Laurell method in patients with acute inflammation, which negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (P less than 0.005). In sequential observations, this negative relationship was apparently confirmed. Thus histidine-rich glycoprotein acts as a negative acute phase reactant.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗